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Save our oceans from plastic pollution

  • Publication Date | June 21, 2021
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Conservation, Pollution, Toxics, Waste
  • Tags | Basel Convention, carbon sequestration, Circular Economy, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, IPEN, micro plastics, Plastic Waste, pollutants, recyclable, trash, World Oceans Day
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June 8th was World Oceans Day. It was an opportunity to emphasise the importance of our oceans and the many services they provide, as well as raise awareness of the ways in which we are harming them through plastic pollution. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) attended the 3rd D-Tox Session by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN). The webinar session held on Oceans Day titled “Addressing the threats to health and sustainability of oceans and fisheries” reminded us the detrimental effects of plastics and their “invisible pollutants”.

To preserve human and ecosystem health, we must protect our oceans. Oceans provide essential services such as carbon sequestration, climate regulation, and oxygen production, as well as being our source of food and medicine. To truly protect our oceans not only from evident human practices but also from invisible toxic chemicals, we must enact solutions to global plastic waste.

Image: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Since the 1950s, there has been a global exponential increase in plastic production and consumption. The last 15 years have led to a doubling in global production to 299 million tonnes in 2014, and in the next 20 years, another doubling is projected[1].

The plastic waste trade further complicates matters where waste from developed countries such as the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and countries in the European Union,  is exported to developing countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. These developing countries are not equipped with enough resources required for stringent law enforcement of imported plastic wastes, and some do not have the necessary recovery system capacities to recycle such waste. It is, therefore, easier for unsafe, unclean, non-recyclable, and/or non-homogenous wastes to be dumped and subsequently pollute these developing countries.


Where do these plastic wastes end up? About 60% of all plastics ever produced end up in landfills, or as trash polluting our lands and oceans[1]. Oceans act as the final receptacle for many land plastics. A 2021 study by Meijer et.al. found that 80% of global annual plastic emissions, ranging from 0.8–2.7 million metric tons per year, are from 1000 rivers. Rivers of most concern are small urban ones such as the Klang River. Malaysia, with emission of 0.073 million metric tons per year, ranked third in the top 20 most polluting countries based on annual plastic emissions of rivers into oceans. 


Once in the ocean, plastics can persist, whilst carrying potentially toxic pollutants, over long distances for decades up to centuries.  Plastic wastes are problematic as they: (a) release greenhouse gas emissions when biodegraded, exacerbating climate change, (b) cause visual pollution, (c) entrap, obstruct and are ingested by land and marine wildlife, (d) degrade into micro- and nano-plastics that accumulate and persist in the environment, and (e) can potentially release or leach toxic additives and contaminants throughout their lifecycles[1].

The potential toxicity of plastics is not widespread knowledge. However, numerous studies have shown how plastics can release or leach toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) into air, sediment, or water throughout their lifecycles, harming ecosystems and human health. These toxic substances mainly occur from the intentional addition of plastic additives in the plastic production process, as stated in the IPEN report titled “Plastic’s toxic additives and the circular economy”.

Image: International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)

IPEN found that 140 chemicals or chemical groups hazardous to humans are still currently being used in plastic production[1]. Major chemical groups of concern used as additives include flame retardants (used to reduce flammability), perfluorinated chemicals (often called “forever chemicals” for their persistence, and used for surface treatment), phthalates (also known as plasticizers, used to increase pliability), bisphenols, and nonylphenols. These chemicals are commonly used to make children’s products, food and beverage packaging, electronics, textiles, and materials used in the construction sector. They can migrate from inside of the plastic to the surface, as well as from the plastic directly to a medium it is in contact with. 

Additionally, the accumulation and degradation of plastics into micro- and nano-plastics in oceans can increase their contamination potential[2]. Moreover, the presence of toxic additives is also concerning in the process of recycling; high-temperature stages such as moulding and extrusion can generate other hazardous chemicals[3].

Toxic chemicals released into the environment can expose and harm us. Those found in everyday items can leach into our food and bloodstreams. Those present within plastic wastes in rivers and oceans can be leached, absorbed, and bioaccumulated in the tissues of marine organisms, which we then consume. These chemicals can subsequently damage various parts of the human immune and reproductive systems and weaken intellectual functions.  EDCs disrupt hormone functioning and can exacerbate or even cause health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and disturb neurological foetal and child development, as referenced in IPEN and the Endocrine Society publication titled “Plastics, EDCs & Health”.

Many changes must be made to tackle plastic pollution. Amendments were made in the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal in 2019 to include certain plastic wastes, increasing transparency and regulation of the waste trade. Though this is an admirable step forward, there are still some loopholes in the Basel Convention.  

In addition, plastic production, waste management and disposal within the country have to be addressed. Otherwise, macro-, micro-, and nano-plastics and their invisible pollutants will continue to pollute our oceans unless further changes are made. We need to address the full lifecycle of plastics as plastics are quietly damaging our oceans. A global and legally binding treaty on plastic pollution is critical to tackle plastic pollution and save our oceans.


[1] Flaws, J., Damdimopoulou, P., Patisaul, H. B., Gore, A., Raetzman, L., & Vandenberg, L. N. (2020). Plastics, EDCs & Health.https://ipen.org/documents/plastics-edcs-health

[2]   Hermabessiere, L., Dehaut, A., Paul-Pont, I., Lacroix, C., Jezequel, R., Soudant, P., & Duflos, G. (2017). Occurrence and effects of plastic additives on marine environments and organisms: A review. Chemosphere, 182, 781–793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.05.096

[3] Hahladakis, J. N., Velis, C. A., Weber, R., Iacovidou, E., & Purnell, P. (2018). An overview of chemical additives present in plastics: Migration, release, fate and environmental impact during their use, disposal and recycling. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 344, 179–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.10.014

[1]  Hahladakis, J. N., Velis, C. A., Weber, R., Iacovidou, E., & Purnell, P. (2018). An overview of chemical additives present in plastics: Migration, release, fate and environmental impact during their use, disposal and recycling. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 344, 179–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.10.014

[1] Meijer, L. J. J., van Emmerik, T., van der Ent, R., Schmidt, C., & Lebreton, L. (2021). More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean. Science Advances, 7(18), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaz5803

[1] IPEN. (2020). Plastic’s toxic additives and the circular economy. https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/plastics_and_additives_final-low-o-en.pdf

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
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Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
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Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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