Legal Problems in Marine Plastic Waste Management in ASEAN

Abstract

This article explores the problem of marine plastic waste management in ASEAN. It reveals that Southeast Asia is one of the largest sources of marine plastic waste in the world. This problem affects the marine environment, the flora and fauna in this region. Moreover, it also affects the whole world because marine plastic waste is a transboundary pollution. It affects human health, economy, and the well-being of the population in ASEAN. Therefore, ASEAN has worked through the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. There has been a meeting to discuss ways to manage the marine plastic waste problem among ASEAN member countries, thus resulted in having The Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Region, ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris and ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States 2021-2025. According to this study, the document demonstrates the cooperation of ASEAN Member States. But there is still a lack of legal enforcement that would make the marine plastic waste management more efficient in ASEAN.