Jeju, 11–13 May 2025: As part of its ongoing research efforts, ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris presented new insights on plastic pollution at the 11th 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management (3RINCs). Highlights included an analysis of marine debris distribution on small islands and a review of ongoing global negotiations for a plastics treaty.
Ms Aulia Salsabella Suwarno, Research Associate at ERIA, presented a study examining the distribution of marine debris on small islands in the ASEAN and Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as countermeasures currently in place. The study focused on small islands due to their heightened vulnerability to marine debris.
‘Despite contributing to a smaller portion of waste than their mainland counterparts, small islands are disproportionately affected by marine debris as they face unique challenges in improving waste management, which is one of the prioritised actions to combat marine debris,’ she explained.
Marine debris hits small islands harder than the mainland, a systematic review reveals – showing densities as high as 73.12 items per square metre. Both the mean and median levels of macrodebris are higher on islands, underscoring a serious threat to island economies built around the ocean.
Macrodebris levels are influenced by various factors, including the type of ecosystem where the debris is washed ashore, wind and oceanic transport, and human activity nearby – with the latter having the most significant impact on debris accumulation, particularly in areas with inadequate waste management systems.
‘However, efforts to improve waste management on small islands are hindered by several challenges, from institutional and financial to technical and educational,’ Ms Suwarno said.
Nevertheless, solutions are taking shape. Vanuatu’s 2018 ban on single-use plastics (SUP), paired with the promotion of traditional alternatives like organic food wraps, successfully cut the share of SUP in waste from 35% to just 2%.
Mr Toshiki Muraoka, ERIA intern and PhD candidate at Kyoto University, presented a study on the influence of various negotiating parties in the development of the International Legally Binding Instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution. Using a text-based approach, the research showed how the draft treaty reflects the positions of member states and groups.
‘We compared the text similarity between official documents during the INC meetings and written statements of countries and regional associations, such as the EU (European Union), COBSEA (Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia), Africa, and HAC (High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution),’ Mr Muraoka explained.
The study particularly focused on the HAC due to its strong advocacy for legally binding global rules, including reduction of plastic production and use. Amongst five official documents analysed, HAC’s regulatory stance is most strongly reflected in the Zero Draft and the Chair’s Text.
‘These findings show that influence in multilateral negotiations is dynamic. Even strong advocacy groups like HAC do not have a stable influence across all negotiation stages,’ Mr Muraoka concluded.
Also read: 3R Conference: Where Research Meets Policy on Plastic Waste and Net Zero Goals
Research Associate
Jeju, 11–13 May 2025: As part of its ongoing research efforts, ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris presented new insights on plastic pollution at the 11th 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management (3RINCs). Highlights included an analysis of marine debris distribution on small islands and a review of ongoing global negotiations for a plastics treaty.
Ms Aulia Salsabella Suwarno, Research Associate at ERIA, presented a study examining the distribution of marine debris on small islands in the ASEAN and Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as countermeasures currently in place. The study focused on small islands due to their heightened vulnerability to marine debris.
‘Despite contributing to a smaller portion of waste than their mainland counterparts, small islands are disproportionately affected by marine debris as they face unique challenges in improving waste management, which is one of the prioritised actions to combat marine debris,’ she explained.
Marine debris hits small islands harder than the mainland, a systematic review reveals – showing densities as high as 73.12 items per square metre. Both the mean and median levels of macrodebris are higher on islands, underscoring a serious threat to island economies built around the ocean.
Macrodebris levels are influenced by various factors, including the type of ecosystem where the debris is washed ashore, wind and oceanic transport, and human activity nearby – with the latter having the most significant impact on debris accumulation, particularly in areas with inadequate waste management systems.
‘However, efforts to improve waste management on small islands are hindered by several challenges, from institutional and financial to technical and educational,’ Ms Suwarno said.
Nevertheless, solutions are taking shape. Vanuatu’s 2018 ban on single-use plastics (SUP), paired with the promotion of traditional alternatives like organic food wraps, successfully cut the share of SUP in waste from 35% to just 2%.
Mr Toshiki Muraoka, ERIA intern and PhD candidate at Kyoto University, presented a study on the influence of various negotiating parties in the development of the International Legally Binding Instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution. Using a text-based approach, the research showed how the draft treaty reflects the positions of member states and groups.
‘We compared the text similarity between official documents during the INC meetings and written statements of countries and regional associations, such as the EU (European Union), COBSEA (Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia), Africa, and HAC (High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution),’ Mr Muraoka explained.
The study particularly focused on the HAC due to its strong advocacy for legally binding global rules, including reduction of plastic production and use. Amongst five official documents analysed, HAC’s regulatory stance is most strongly reflected in the Zero Draft and the Chair’s Text.
‘These findings show that influence in multilateral negotiations is dynamic. Even strong advocacy groups like HAC do not have a stable influence across all negotiation stages,’ Mr Muraoka concluded.
Also read: 3R Conference: Where Research Meets Policy on Plastic Waste and Net Zero Goals
Research Associate
