Review of Current Knowledge and Data on Marine Litter in Asia

This study aims to provide a science-based review of the current knowledge and data available on marine litter in the coastal countries of South Asia, North East Asia and South-East Asia. A qualitative summary of and quantitative data from the latest peer-reviewed scientific publications on marine litter distribution and impacts, its landbased sources, waste management and end-of-life fate pathways are presented, along with a brief analysis of data credibility and data gaps. In doing so, this report also includes the latest research led by the Minderoo Foundation to establish a baseline measurement, at the country level, of single-use plastic waste—the single largest source of plastic losses to the environment (UNEP 2018). This assessment is achieved via a global analysis of relevant material flows from polymer production to waste generation (Minderoo 2021).