Myanmar generates about 12,000 tons of garbage every day where plastic waste accounts for 15 per cent of the total waste, according to a survey by Thant Myanmar, a grassroots movement fighting plastic pollution in Myanmar.

Founded in March, 2018, Thant Myanmar leads the activities in order to let the people know the plastic population and to reduce the rampant use of plastic materials.

“We do not need to dispose of all garbage. Some garbage can be used as fertilizer. We need to destroy plastic alone,” said May Thet Htwe, PR & Community Engagement of Thant Myanmar.

The people buy about one million plastic bottles every second. About five million people use single-use plastic bags every year. About 80 per cent of all plastic products are single-use. Around 13 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year.

Plastic damages coral reefs and affects marine life. Plastic floating on the ocean will take more than 1,000 years to decompose. Only 10 per cent of plastic is recycled. Plastic remain in the earth and ocean as wastes. About 80 per cent of plastic waste in the oceans are pipes and bags.