Baku, Azerbaijan – An official from a UN office in New Delhi, India, who recently visited Thimphu and Paro, commended Bhutan for its pristine rivers and environmental consciousness. However, he expressed concerns about rising pollution in the Thimchhu and Pachhu rivers due to plastic waste and deforestation.

“If you don’t manage plastic waste, Bhutan’s aquatic ecosystems will suffer, and your zero-waste policy will not be achieved,” he remarked while on a flight to Delhi, emphasising the need to protect water systems by keeping rivers clean.

At the ongoing COP29 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, plastic pollution is one of the major topics, with negotiations currently underway.

During a side event on November 18, the director general of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), Norbu Wangchuk,  former education minister of Bhutan, highlighted the severity of plastic pollution across South Asia, affecting both landlocked and coastal nations. “SAARC countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Afghanistan struggle with macro- and microplastic pollution in their rivers, while Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka face severe marine plastic waste,” he said.

According to Norbu Wangchuk, South Asia generates 334 million metric tonnes of solid waste, with plastic accounting for eight percent of the total. A study by Jambeck ranks four South Asian nations—Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan—among the top 20 contributors to mismanaged plastic waste globally. Major transboundary rivers, such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and the Indus River, further worsen the crisis by transporting substantial amounts of plastic waste into oceans.

The SACEP Director General highlighted the need for collective action. “Only through collaboration among nations, communities, and stakeholders can we hope to address plastic waste. Regional unity and shared commitment are essential to a sustainable future,” said Norbu Wangchuk.

Tackling plastic waste

Despite challenges, SACEP’s “Plastic-free Rivers and Seas for South Asia” (PLEASE) project, aimed at addressing plastic waste, is making progress. Since its inception, the PLEASE project has achieved significant milestones in community engagement, policy integration, and on-the-ground action.

Over 30 percent of initiatives involve women-led enterprises and marginalised groups, creating social and economic benefits alongside environmental impacts. The project has supported member countries in enforcing single-use plastic bans and implementing recycling incentives. On the ground, activities include riverbank clean-ups, promoting biodegradable alternatives, and urban waste management systems.

“Though successful, the project faces hurdles, including limited financial resources, technical expertise, and the need for improved regional coordination,” said Norbu Wangchuk. “COP29 offers a platform to attract investment and share global best practices,” he added.

Funded by the World Bank, the PLEASE project addresses the plastic pollution crisis across the region, focusing on both its sources and impacts. Looking ahead, SACEP plans to expand the PLEASE project to tackle transboundary pollution and foster partnerships with private companies for sustainable packaging solutions.

SACEP’s comprehensive approach serves as a global model for addressing environmental issues. “As COP29 progresses, the PLEASE project exemplifies how regional cooperation can combat a global crisis, promoting environmental sustainability and social equity,” said Norbu Wangchuk.

Recently, Bhutan hosted a roundtable on the plastic waste crisis under the PLEASE Project in Thimphu. Stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society organizations, and international agencies discussed Bhutan’s heavy reliance on imported plastics, which constitute 80 percent of its plastic consumption.

Meanwhile, SACEP and Bhutanese officials will participate in the fifth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop a global treaty on plastic pollution, including marine plastic, in Busan, South Korea, next week.

Contributed by Rinzin Wangchuk