(Graphics by Kacey)
Just as I scroll around social media, I saw multiple posts circulating online regarding an illustration on the Highest Ocean Plastic Waste Polluters and in that graphics, the Philippines ranked first as the highest contributor of plastic waste. It is concerning, to say the least, that our country of rich biodiversity protrudes as one of the main antagonists against Mother Nature.
But is that really the case?
As we come off the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day, let’s investigate if we are the highest ocean plastic waste polluters or if the graphic is just another example of modern colonialism.
Why did we fact-check this?
Numerous posts circulating online show a graph of countries that are deemed as the highest ocean plastic waste polluters including its annual estimation of the plastic waste. One post from an academic satire group with international reach garnered 35k reactions, 4.4k comments and 40k shares as of writing.
The post aims to spread awareness of the plastic pollution problem however it shows Asian countries especially the South East as the main progenitor, pinning us the blame.
In the graphics, the Philippines ranks 1st emitting 356,371 metric tons followed by India, Malaysia, and China. Aside from this, there is a lack of other information backing the claim.
Link to Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17w45QYGh1/?mibextid=oFDknk
Source of the Graphics
Through reverse-imaging the graphic, the graph is from an article by Visual Capitalist entitled ‘Which Countries Pollute the Most Plastic Waste’. Stated there the amount of plastic waste expelled on the ocean is “prevalent in tropical archipelago regions” due to the smaller land surface in comparison to the length of land and coastline.
Backing their claims, the ranking of countries and the metric ton value is sourced from a research article “More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean” from ScienceAdvances. The ranking of the countries producing annual mismanaged plastic wastes (MPW) is based on the predictive modelling calculated by the researchers.
“So it’s from a research journal, that must be true”. NO, THAT’S NOT THE CASE.
From the ranking alone, most of the countries found in the table are Asian countries, particularly in South East Asia. The method approach is a predictive modelling of plastic waste emission based on both geography and population. Of course, if that’s the case we would rank first given that the Philippines is an archipelago containing numerous rivers and a country with high population density.
The study, in actuality, is based on a riverine plastic waste emissions. The general public, however, has interpreted the information as general statistics of ocean pollution generated – as a result garnering thousands of shares and interactions presenting us as the enemy of nature when it is, in fact, misleading. This just shows how oversimplification and nit-picking of data could entirely change the narrative and context of a report.
Just another example of Waste Colonialism
“This doesn't represent where the waste is sourced from. Many wealthy countries export their waste for 'processing' but care very little if there is sufficient infrastructure for this processing to actually occur”, a commenter said on the post.
Although the Philippines has an unhealthy and mismanaged waste management, it doesn’t mean that we are the biggest plastic polluter on international water. Contrary to the published infographics, China and USA rise on top as the main contributors of plastic pollution. According to the World Population Review, developed countries tend to generate high amounts of plastic waste dependent on population due to increased production and capitalism. Developing countries like the Philippines only tend to have a high percentage of mismanaged plastic waste (MPW) as it all traces back to government corruption.
Basically, waste management regulation in developed countries especially US and Canada is “double it and pass it to the next person”. To remove the problem of tons of plastic wastes, these countries shipped it to developing countries or the Global South, passing it as their problem now - this is what is known as waste colonialism. Waste colonialism is a derivative of environmental racism, higher-income countries routinely export their own waste placing the waste burden on poorer countries.
What does it mean for us?
The infographic blaming the Philippines is a misplaced and a coverup to the real cause of the problem - consumerism and modern colonisation of Western countries. Although the post may give awareness and a call for action, it is inaccurate and misleading, damaging our country’s reputation and disregards our own fight for the environment.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that we will not change anything nor enable these acts. Plastic pollution is a global problem. They may change the narrative, but in the end we are all losers.