Among the many adverse consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is the sudden surge in the volume of plastic waste, particularly for products used for personal protection and healthcare purposes. According to the Asian Development Bank, percentage increase of medical waste in South-East Asian national metropolitans (Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Ha Noi) will likely jump by several hundred percent.

With the health and hygiene response causing catastrophic effects, including additional water consumption, and chemicals use – not to mention the threat to the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity, which remain difficult to quantify – the role of projects like SEA circular 

are crucial if an environmental crisis connected to plastic pollution is to be avoided. 

Moreover, as the natural link between the health of our planet and the spread of zoonotic diseases is becoming more widely understood, circularity will play a key role in post-Covid recovery – and future prevention.

Now again able to engage, not just in virtual events, but in a limited but significant capacity in person at our Bangkok duty stations – according to local social distancing guidelines – SEA circular project personnel are sustaining the response to ocean litter, continuing plastic pollution action in the region, to build back better – and bluer.