Thailand improves marine pollution ranking
Thailand’s ranking among the 20 biggest marine plastic plastic polluters has improved by four places, from sixth to tenth, as ranked by Mass of Mismanaged Plastic Waste.
The permanent secretary for natural resources and environment says the improvement is largely thanks to government initiatives and the efforts of the public and the private sector in reducing single-use plastic bags and foam containers.
About 50 corporate members of the private sector, including malls and department stores chains, have stopped giving out single-use plastic bags, with some turning to paper bags and urging shoppers to bring their own bags. The 7 Eleven stores around Thailand say they will not give out single use plastic bags from the start of 2020.
In 2018, the top 20 countries had China at the top (the worst), followed by Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, South Africa, India, Algeria, Turkey, Pakistan, Brazil, Myanmar, Morocco North Korea and the US
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
