ASEAN tackles trash in the ocean

Marine pollution, mainly caused by plastic waste, is now the world’s second biggest environmental challenge after climate change. ASEAN countries have taken specific actions to reduce trash.

Asia is the top marine polluter, accounting for 60% of plastic waste discharged into the sea. The five Asian polluting countries are China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, four of which are ASEAN member states (Photo: AFP/VNA)

A whale found dead at Wakatobi National Park in Sulawesi province, Indonesia. The animal's stomach contains 6kg of plastic litter (Photo: AFP/VNA)

ASEAN countries have set ambitious goals to lessen plastic litter. Thailand has set a target of recycling 60% of plastic litter by 2021 while Indonesia has pledged 1 billion US dollars each year to cut 70% of plastic waste in the ocean by 2025 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Vietnam is also taking drastic measures to tackle marine plastic waste (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the launch of a campaign against plastic litter in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Collecting plastic waste on Dinh Cau beach, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang (Photo: VNA)

Locals and visitors collect waste on a beach in Mui Ne, Binh Thuan (Photo: VNA)

A giant goby-shaped dustbin for collecting plastic litter on My Khe beach in Da Nang (Photo: VNA)

Transporting waste compressors to Truong Sa (Spratly) island district (Photo: VNA)

VNA