Turning the Tide Against Plastic Pollution with Renewable Solutions

In alignment with the 2025 World Environment Day theme, “Beating Plastic Pollution,” the world faces challenges around both plastic pollution and climate change. Asia contributes 81% of ocean plastic pollution, largely due to inadequate waste management and high consumption of single-use plastics. To address this, countries in the region are increasingly integrating renewable energy into waste management to reduce environmental impact while advancing sustainable energy solutions. 

Thailand, for instance, has announced plans to construct 79 waste-to-energy (WtE) plants nationwide. These facilities will convert solid waste into electricity, with a combined power generation capacity of up to 619 megawatts of power.

Grassroots efforts complement these large-scale projects. In Samut Prakan province, Wat Chak Daeng, a Buddhist temple, has emerged as a model for sustainable waste management. Under the leadership of Abbot Phra Maha Pranom Dhammalangkaro, the temple has transformed into a recycling hub, processing over 10 tonnes of plastic monthly, transforming discarded plastic bottles into polyester fibers used to create saffron-colored monks' robes. 

The process includes cleaning and compressing the bottles, which are then sent to factories to be transformed into polyester fibers. Volunteers at the temple sew these robes, offering environmental and economic benefits: reducing plastic waste while providing employment opportunities for local residents. 

Furthering its commitment to sustainability, the temple has teamed up with Seven Clean Seas to launch the "Hippo," a solar-powered boat that collects plastic waste from the Chao Phraya River. This initiative aims to remove 1.4 million kilograms of plastic annually, reinforcing the temple's role in environmental conservation.

This solar-powered boat aims to remove 1.4 million kilograms of plastic annually from Thailand's Chao Phraya River. Photo provided by Seven Clean Seas

 Thailand's multifaceted approach, combining governmental infrastructure projects with community-led initiatives like those at Wat Chak Daeng, highlights the nation's dedication to reducing plastic pollution and promoting renewable energy solutions.

Policy developments across Southeast Asia are reinforcing these efforts on a regional scale. Thailand has banned plastic waste imports, Malaysia has introduced a 12-year roadmap to phase out single-use plastics by 2030, and ASEAN has adopted a regional action plan to tackle marine plastic pollution through improved waste collection and reuse strategies. 

However, despite such initiatives, challenges remain. High collection and sorting costs limit participation in recycling programs, and infrastructure limitations hinder effective waste management. Moreover, the success of waste-to-energy projects depends on proper waste sorting and management to prevent environmental harm. 

As Southeast Asia tackles plastic pollution and its environmental challenges, integrating renewable energy into waste management offers a promising solution, helping to reduce plastic waste and lower the carbon footprint. With policy support, grassroots innovation, and sustainable practices, the region is taking meaningful strides toward a cleaner future.