As the North East Monsoon subsides and the South West Monsoon emerges, Bintan becomes a nexus for global plastic pollution. Positioned at the southern tip of the South China Sea, it collects debris from some of the world's most plastic-polluted waters, damaging vibrant marine biodiversity.
Compounded by inadequate waste management, coastal and fishing communities contribute to the deterioration of once-pristine waters.
During the South West Monsoon, a shift in the type of plastic pollution is evident—from international plastic waste adorned with foreign languages to locally sourced post-consumer packaging and extensive ghost nets from the fishing industry.
The data highlights this transition, revealing the island's struggle with both long-distance-traveled plastics and locally generated waste. Our collection crews have been tirelessly combating this crisis since 2020. They grapple not only with the immediate impact of marine pollution but also the complex interplay between seasonal monsoons, global plastic influx, and local waste mismanagement, underscoring the urgency of sustained efforts to preserve Bintan's marine ecosystem.
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