Blog

How USAID is Working with the Private Sector to Combat Ocean Plastics Pollution

Combating ocean plastic pollution is a massive challenge on a global scale. With an estimated 8 million tons of discarded plastic flowing into the ocean every year, by some estimates there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the ocean by 2050. Through USAID’s Journey to… Read More

USAID Grantee Celebrates Successful Zero-Waste Stores in Philippines

The Sea Waste Education to Eradicate Plastic (SWEEP) model was built on one simple idea: reduce plastic waste in the Philippines by designing convenience stores that don’t use single-use plastic sachets. Implemented by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation… Read More

USAID Grantee Supports Plastic Recycling Successes in Negombo, Sri Lanka

For many years, Anton Joseph – a recycler based in Negombo, Sri Lanka – had just one plastic crusher machine which he used to process and sell about 12 metric tons (MT) of crushed plastics per month. Due to cumbersome bureaucratic regulations, Anton was struggling to obtain the necessary legal… Read More

Tackling Ocean Plastic Pollution in Indonesia

Every year an estimated eight million metric tons of plastic waste pour into the world’s ocean—the equivalent of a garbage truck dumping a load of plastic into the ocean every minute.[1]This global crisis is exacerbated by ineffective waste management systems of rapidly urbanizing coastal cities in developing countries. Read More

USAID Works to Curb Ocean Plastics in Vietnam and #ProtectOurHome this World Oceans Day

Plastic consumption in Vietnam has risen steadily over the last two decades and Vietnam is among the top five source countries for the eight million tons of plastic dumped into the ocean each year. With each person generating an average of over 41 kilograms (90 pounds) of plastic waste each… Read More

USAID Dominican Republic Celebrates World Oceans Day 2020

By: David Maher Today we celebrate World Oceans Day.  Every June 8th the world raises global awareness of the benefits humankind derives from the ocean.  USAID in the Dominican Republic is actively working to protect the marine environment around Hispaniola in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti with the goal… Read More

Honoring Unsung Heroes in the Fight Against Ocean Plastic Pollution

This World Oceans Day, we want to recognize some of the unsung heroes in the global fight against ocean plastics pollution: independent waste collectors or “waste pickers”. Each year, eight million metric tons of plastic pour into the world’s oceans caused largely by ineffective solid waste management systems of rapidly… Read More

USAID Announces New Partnerships in Sri Lanka to Turn the Tide on Ocean Plastics this World Oceans Day

USAID’s programs support new models for reuse, reduction, and recycling that can lessen urban footprints and yield healthier, plastic-free seas. Credit: USAID Urban/Municipal Waste Recycling Program Island nations face unique challenges in managing waste, with growing populations, rapidly urbanizing coastal areas, and influxes of offshore marine debris that… Read More

Learning from Locally-led Actions to Combat Plastic Pollution in Vietnam

Our study examined two MWRP projects: The Informal Sector on Plastics implemented by Environnement et Développement du Tiers-Monde (ENDA) in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), and Oceans Without Plastics implemented by the Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR) in Da Nang. Read More

Why it is essential to combat ocean plastic pollution in developing countries

By: Clare Romanik, Senior Urban and Ocean Plastics Specialist, USAID Ocean plastic pollution has reached a crisis level. Every minute, the equivalent of an entire garbage truck of plastic makes its way into the world’s oceans—roughly eight million tons… Read More