Garbage that fills the coast Plastic pollution that appeals to the world from Tsushima February 15, 16:16

Plastic products that support our lives.

However, plastic waste flows into the oceans around the world, causing environmental pollution.

We covered the current situation on the remote island of Tsushima, which has been severely affected by plastic waste that washed ashore on the coast.

(World News department reporter Mayu Yoshida)

on a remote island near the border

We headed to Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

It is located between Kyushu and South Korea, and is also called "a remote island on the border".

Primeval forests remain everywhere on the island, and the crystal-clear sea and beautiful ria coasts spread out.

Tsushima boasts an abundance of nature.

But something strange is happening on the coast of the island.

A large amount of marine plastic litter has washed ashore, and the amount is increasing year by year.

We asked Mr. Michihisa Suenaga, who has lived in Tsushima for many years, to show us around.

The beaches we visited were filled with plastic waste.

Fishing gear stood out, but there were also many daily necessities such as plastic bottles, food containers, toothbrushes, and even boots.

Many layers of garbage piled up and deteriorated, and there was no scaffolding.

On a hot summer day, these beaches emit a foul odor like garbage.

Even more surprisingly, the garbage was not only from within Japan.

Hangeul letters are in the shopping basket that has washed ashore.

Chinese is also used for food packaging.

A large amount of plastic waste was washed ashore from neighboring countries such as South Korea and China due to the effects of ocean currents and monsoons.

When the city of Tsushima examined the plastic bottles washed ashore on the coast, about 70% were believed to have originated in South Korea and China.

Mr. Suenaga was born and raised in Tsushima.

Although he lived in Tokyo for a while, he was drawn to the nature of Tsushima and returned to the island about 10 years ago.

It pains me to see the beautiful beaches in his hometown littered with garbage.

He continues to volunteer with students outside the island to pick up plastic waste.

Mr. Michihisa Suenaga

“When I was a child, there was no litter on the beach, and I used to play on the beach a lot. I sometimes feel despair when I see the garbage continuing to pile up.

Finances and ecosystems will also be affected...

We then headed from the coast to the mountains.

Then, there was a place where a lot of black bags about 1 meter high were kept so that the whole area was covered.

It was an eerie sight that was incompatible with Tsushima, which is rich in nature.

The contents were all marine debris collected by the city from the shore.

Last year, about 2,700 tons of marine debris washed ashore on the coast of Tsushima.

However, less than half of it was recovered.

Tsushima City is also taking measures to deal with the surging plastic waste.

In order to promote recycling, we introduced a machine that finely crushes polystyrene foam and plastics.

They are sorted by color, such as yellow, blue, and green, and crushed into small pieces.

This is for reuse as ballpoint pens and garbage bags.

However, this facility can technically process only types such as buoys and plastic bottles.

Moreover, with limited processing capacity, only about 10% of the collected plastic waste can be recycled.

The problem of plastic waste is also a big burden on Tsushima City's finances.

The city invests an annual budget of 280 million yen for collection and processing.

Although 90% of the cost is subsidized by the national government, Tsushima City is responsible for 10%, or nearly 30 million yen.

Mr. Tsuyoshi Maeda of Tsushima City's SDGs Promotion Office, who showed us around the site, said, "In Tsushima, where depopulation is progressing and industry is stagnating, the problem of marine litter is putting pressure on finances. It is also a big issue whether we will continue to do so," he said with a stern expression.

Maeda's current concern is the impact on the ecosystem.

In Tsushima, the island's unique ecosystem has been protected, and many precious creatures inhabit it.

Of these, the Tsushima leopard cat is a species that inhabits only Tsushima, and has been designated as a national natural monument due to its high risk of extinction.

The population is thought to be only about 90, and the situation is critical.

If the amount of plastic waste continues to increase, animals and birds such as the Tsushima leopard cat may eat it and die.

Maeda, who was involved in the conservation of the Tsushima leopard cat before becoming a city employee, appeals.

Mr. Tsuyoshi Maeda, SDGs Promotion Office, Tsushima City

“I really wonder why Tsushima has to dispose of the garbage generated by people in other regions. I would like everyone in Japan and overseas to know this reality."

United Nations officials

Global plastic pollution.

We interviewed Ms. Tsuruko Yoshida, Director General for Chemicals and Pollution Policy at UNEP, which is headquartered in Kenya, Africa.

(Summary of the interview in English)

Q.

Marine plastic litter, how serious is it globally?

General Manager Yoshida

The problem of plastic pollution knows no borders.

Between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic waste is estimated to enter the world's oceans and rivers every year.

The problem of small microplastics, which has been pointed out as a health risk to living things and people, is becoming more serious.

The United Nations has positioned plastic pollution as a global environmental problem on a par with climate change, and since last year, intergovernmental negotiations have begun toward the realization of the first regulatory treaty.

Q.

What kind of treaty are you aiming for?

Director Yoshida

To stop plastic pollution, we aim to regulate the entire life cycle of plastics, from production to consumption and disposal, with legally binding treaties.

Next year, by the end of 2024, we will complete negotiations on the treaty.

In May, the second intergovernmental negotiations are scheduled to be held in Paris, but each country has shown differences in their positions, such as how far plastics should be regulated.

It will be questioned whether the international community can unite to tackle the problem of plastic pollution.

Q.

Regarding climate change, people, regions, and countries that live in areas that are susceptible to the effects of global warming are sometimes referred to as the "Global South." Does plastic pollution pose the same problem?

Superintendent Yoshida

Yes.

In developing countries in Africa and Asia, there are many places where plastic waste is piled up as "waste heaps" due to lack of technology and funds for recycling.

Plastic waste is dangerous for nearby residents.

These plastic wastes produce smoke containing harmful substances.

On the other hand, there is also a harsh reality that residents pick up plastic waste at these garbage dumps and live on the small amount of money they earn.

The new treaty should also be able to address the situation of people in the "global South" who are vulnerable to plastic pollution.

World News department reporter

Mayu Yoshida

Joined in 2015

After working at the Kanazawa and Nagasaki stations, he has been in his current position since November last year.