Southeast Asia Grapples with mounting Waste as EU Moves to Ban Plastic Exports
Bantargebang,Indonesia – A growing crisis of waste accumulation is plaguing Southeast asia,fueled by both domestic production and the influx of plastic waste exported from wealthier nations.As landfills overflow – like the massive site in Bantargebang,Indonesia – environmental activists are increasingly framing the issue as “waste colonialism,” demanding systemic change and greater responsibility from the Global North.The European Union recently announced a ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries, set to take effect in mid-2026, in an effort to address the environmental and public health consequences of this trade.
For years, activists have advocated for stricter regulations and a global treaty to curb plastic production and improve waste management and recycling frameworks worldwide. The problem is especially acute in Southeast Asia,where inadequate infrastructure and limited resources struggle to cope with the sheer volume of waste. A regional action plan focused on waste policy coudl strengthen commitment to tackling the issue, according to the World Resources institute.
The EU’s impending ban targets exports to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Progress – a group of 38 mostly high-income nations. This move acknowledges the disproportionate burden placed on developing countries to manage waste generated elsewhere.Alongside regulatory shifts, investment in innovative waste management technologies is gaining traction. “Waste to Energy” (WTE) facilities, which convert non-recyclable waste into energy, are under development in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, Greenpeace emphasizes that the Global North must take financial responsibility for building and supporting waste management infrastructure in the Global South to achieve a lasting solution.
