Background

Innovation in plastics over the last 100 years has radically, and often positively, altered human life. Plastics are extensively used in almost all sectors and are an important part of the economic system as well. However, the manufacture, use, and disposal of plastic have brought about serious environmental concerns, especially the tons of plastic waste generated annually around the globe. Plastic waste has become a major component of riverine and coastal pollution.

Recently, the abundance and effects of small plastics, namely microplastics, are becoming a dominant concern. Preliminary studies have shown the harmful effects of microplastics on organisms upon ingestion. Microplastics can also act as vectors to transfer endocrine-disrupting chemicals and other pollutants from the environment to organisms. Currently, most microplastic studies are concentrated in developed countries such as Europe, North America, and the East Asian region. Few studies on the subject have been carried out in the Southeast Asian region. However, countries in the region are facing significant challenges in plastic waste management. In the top 10 countries that have mismanaged plastic waste, 5 countries belong to ASEAN. Thus, it becomes important to understand the status quo of plastic/microplastic pollution in the environment and subsequent uptake by the organisms. A circular economy approach and good regulatory frameworks can help in mitigating the problem.

This webinar is part of APN project named “Investigations on Microplastics Pollution in Aquatic Environment in Selected Developing Countries from Southeast Asia”.

Objectives

The objectives of this international webinar are:

• To provide the current situation of plastic and microplastic pollution from studies in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

• To understand the uptake of microplastics in the ecosystem by living organisms.

• To identify measurements for prevention/control of the abundance of impacts of plastic and microplastic pollution.

Topics

• Circular economy approach for plastics/microplastics

• Monitoring, distribution, sources, and abundance of microplastics.

• Removal technologies for plastics and microplastics from the aquatic environment.

• Uptake of microplastics in the ecosystem.

• Regulation and management of plastic wastes and microplastics.

• Environmental measurements for prevention of plastic wastes and microplastics.