Plastic pollution in Southeast and East Asia could fall by more than 95% by 2050 if countries adopt stronger policies and collaborate more closely.
That’s according to a new OECD report. The Regional Plastics Outlook for Southeast and East Asia focuses on ASEAN Plus Three (APT) countries, which include the 10 ASEAN member states along with China, Japan and Korea.
Plastic use in the region has surged nearly nine-fold since 1990, reaching 152 million tonnes in 2022.
This accounts for almost one-third of global plastic consumption. However, poor waste management has led to significant environmental damage: in 2022, the region leaked 8.4 million tonnes of plastic into the environment—over one-third of the global total.
Without policy changes, plastics use is expected to hit 280 million tonnes annually by 2050, with plastic leakage rising to 14.1 million tonnes.
However, under a High Stringency scenario involving stricter policies and lifecycle interventions, plastic use could be reduced by 28%, recycling rates could rise to 54% and mismanaged waste could fall by 97%.
“Southeast and East Asia can become a global model in tackling plastic pollution and advancing circular economy solutions for plastic waste,” said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. “With stronger regional co-operation, ambitious policies and targeted investments, the region can almost completely eliminate plastic leakage by 2050, delivering lasting benefits for people, the environment and the global economy.”
The projected macroeconomic cost of these measures is equivalent to 0.8% of the region’s GDP in 2050. However, ASEAN lower middle-income countries would bear a greater share—about 2.8%—highlighting the need for international support.
Despite challenges, progress is already underway. Most APT countries have adopted national action plans and increased cooperation.
The region’s average recycling rate (12%) already exceeds the global average (10%), with efforts focused on improving waste segregation, reducing littering and increasing recycled material use in manufacturing.
