Poor management of chemicals and waste can lead to illness, contaminate neighbourhoods, and reduce the region’s productivity. UNEP promotes policy interventions, investments, and institutional capacity-building for sound management of chemicals and waste.
Managing chemicals and waste of concern
Plastic Waste and Marine Litter
Marine litter has ecological, social and economic impacts. It threatens the wellbeing of over 600 marine animals, the economies of coastal communities, and the productivity of marine ecosystems underpinning our food systems. These organic pollutants travel up the food chain and are ultimately be consumed by humans—threatening our health. Financially, marine debris cost the the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation member countries US$1.3 billion each year.
Asia has driven growth in plastic production over recent decades and is the leading consumer of plastics. Pacific Island Countries and poor coastal communities in Asia are highly vulnerable to marine litter impacts due to their dependence on marine resources.
Mercury
Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is a highly toxic silvery-white metal that is liquid at room temperature and evaporates easily. Once released, mercury can travel long distances, and persists in environments where it circulates between air, water, sediments, soil, and living organisms. Mercury is concentrated as it rises up the food chain, reaching its highest level in predator fish that may be consumed by humans. High exposure to mercury is a serious risk to human health and the environment.
Where do They Come From?
- Deposition from atmosphere
- Coal fired power plant
- Cement, chor-alkali, vinyl chloride, non-ferrous metal plants.
- waste incineration and cremation
- Urban sewage system
- Artisanal small-scale gold mining.
What We Are Doing
Reduction of Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution
With partners, we established initiatives to reduce solid waste in the marine environment. For example, we support Myanmar’s national waste management strategy development, and city-wide waste management plans in Bangkok, Thailand and Mandalay, Myanmar
Global and regional cooperation on marine litter
We team up with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme on marine litter outreach and action in the Pacific and review the Regional Marine Litter Action Plan of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of the East Asia.
Ratification of the Minamata Convention
We prepare countries in the region to curb mercury pollution prepare for the Minamata Convention on Mercury’s entry into force. So far, ten countries - Afghanistan, China, Iran, Japan, Mongolia, Palau, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam have ratified the Convention and will participate as parties in the first Conference of the Parties which will take place on 25 to 29 September 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Origin of the Name
This convention is named after a city in Japan called Minamata. The town endured acute mercury poisoning due to the dumping of methylmercury in the local waters by a chemical plant. As a result, fish and shellfish in the Minamata Bay consumed by locals, began accumulating mercury. This incident left many severely ill, disabled or dead.
Curbing artisanal and small scale gold mining in Myanmar
Under the Minamata Convention, countries are required to develop action plans to curb mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. UN Environment is assisting Myanmar to prepare initial assessments and a national action plan with financial support from the Global Environment Facility.
Delivering integrated waste solutions at the national and local levels
UNEP assists national and local authorities to develop strategies for integrated solid waste management to reduce waste, recycle, minimize accumulation in landfills, and ensure safe disposal of hazardous waste.
Regional Enforcement Network for Chemicals and Waste
The Regional Enforcement Network for Chemicals and Waste works with 25 Asia Pacific countries to prevent and control illegal transboundary movements of harmful substances and hazardous wastes. The network enhances enforcement of chemicals and waste multilateral agreements and is a platform for intelligence sharing. Our work in the region includes organizing the Asia Environmental Enforcement Award and workshops on illegal trade in chemicals and waste for customs officials. Learn more
Asia Environmental Enforcement Award recipients in Bangkok, Thailand.
Environment and Health Regional Forum
This triennial forum is a joint initiative of UNEP and the World Health Organization to strengthen environmental health management in Southeast and East Asian countries. It promotes integrated environment health strategies and regulations by fostering cooperation between ministries of environment and health within and between countries. Learn more
