KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has made it to the top 10 countries that throws the most amount of plastic rubbish and waste into the ocean.
The findings are based on a survey conducted by Utility Bidder, an energy service provider from the United Kingdom (UK).
For the top 10, only the Philippines and Malaysia are from the South East Asian region, while the other countries are from the African continent and South America.
According to the survey, Malaysia is in fifth spot, behind Saint Lucia (fourth), Trinidad and Tobago (third), Suriname and the Philippines which occupied the top spot.
The survey found that Malaysia discards about 2.29 kilogrammes (kg) of plastic per person each year into the ocean.
The Philippines is right at the top with 3.30kg per person each day that ends up in the ocean, followed by Surinam (2.89kg); Trinidad and Tobago (2.55kg) and Saint Lucia (2.45kg).
The UK occupies the 92nd spot out of 138 countries that were profiled, with 0.01kg of pastic per person each year that ends up in the ocean.
Apart from plastic rubbish and waste being blatantly discarded and thrown away leading to environmental pollution, there are many countries that have acted to export such waste, such as Slovenia.
A summary of the survey observed that the dumping of plastic waste and rubbish into the sea was worrisome because it threatens marine life.
Many countries are trying to address this problem, by stressing on the importance of recycling.
Among the tips proposed to combat plastic waste pollution is to practice a recycling culture by reusing bottles, cups, containers and plastic bags apart from abstaining from using plastic products by opting for other options.
– NST
