“I recently met with several foreign leaders in South Korea, and they shared their criticism about Bali’s beaches. They told me, ‘Your Excellency, I just returned from Bali. The beaches are so dirty now. Bali is no longer as beautiful,’” Prabowo said. 

“We should take these remarks as constructive feedback and work together to address the issue,” he added.

Within days, Bali authorities launched large-scale clean-up operations across several beaches, including Kuta and Kedonganan, deploying police, military personnel, students and volunteers. Several tonnes of waste were cleared in a single day.

Bali Police spokesperson Ariasandy said public participation was essential to protecting marine ecosystems and sustaining tourism, a key pillar of the island’s economy.

A special task force was also formed for Kuta Beach, designed to respond rapidly to tidal waste washing ashore.

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However, these beach clean-ups only highlight a wider national challenge. 

According to government data, Indonesia generated about 31.9 million tonnes of waste in 2023. While roughly two-thirds was managed, more than 11 million tonnes remained unmanaged.

Limited landfill capacity, rapid population growth and weak waste sorting have worsened the problem. In Bali alone, nearly all landfill sites are close to full, while only about 48 per cent of waste is properly recycled or disposed of.

Plastic waste is a major concern, as the Indonesian Institute of Sciences estimated Indonesia releases more than 600,000 tonnes of plastic into the ocean each year, threatening marine biodiversity and coral reef systems.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme , Indonesia is the world’s second largest plastic polluter, trailing only China. Its plastic problem is so bad that an estimated 10 billion plastic carry bags are said to be released into the environment each year.

What Indonesia is doing

In response, authorities have begun tightening regulations. Bali has banned single-use plastic bags, straws, cups and styrofoam across businesses, schools and government offices, and restricted the sale of small bottled water.

Waste sorting is now mandatory in many sectors, with organic waste required to be composted and recyclable materials separated to reduce pressure on landfills.

Beyond clean-ups and bans, Indonesia is turning to technology. The government plans to expand waste-to-energy facilities, which convert rubbish into electricity, especially in areas producing more than 1,000 tonnes of waste daily.

Problem solved by 2027?

India has set an ambitious target to significantly resolve the country’s waste problem by 2027 , with Prabowo calling towering landfill sites “embarrassing” for a major economy.

Pilot projects are already underway. In Banten province, waste is being processed into refuse-derived fuel and co-fired with coal at power plants, cutting landfill volumes and creating local jobs.

Indonesia ultimately aims to shift toward a circular economy, treating waste as a resource rather than a burden.

For Bali and other tourism destinations in Indonesia, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhani said beach clean-up drives will now be expanded nationwide under the government’s Clean Tourism Movement.

While challenges remain, Indonesia’s response signals a more coordinated effort to tackle one of its – and perhaps, the world's – most visible problems

Meanwhile, global food waste in 2022 alone reached an estimated 1.05 billion tonnes, equivalent to approximately one-fifth (19%) of all food available to consumers at the retail, food service and household levels.

"Consumer behaviour plays a key role in plastic recycling habits. Did you know that most people throw away plastic into the general waste? In the UK, surveys have revealed that over 50% of households are unsure of what can and cannot be recycled when it comes to plastics," Waste Direct reports .

These two trends, plastic waste and food waste, may appear different. Still, they share a common thread of vast losses of valuable material, pressure on the environment, and a call for systemic change.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) in its Food Waste Index Report 2024 , the majority of food wasted comes from households, with about 631 million tonnes out of the total 1.05 billion tonnes in 2022.

The report also highlights that low- and middle-income countries are increasingly included in the data coverage, though gaps remain.

On the plastic side, sources like the blog of Waste Direct indicate global plastic waste could hit 460 million tonnes a year by 2025, driven by rising consumption and low recycling rates.

Meanwhile, the OECD estimates show global plastic production doubled from around 234 million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019.

Why this matters

Environmental cost: Food and plastic waste both drain valuable resources. Food waste means lost land, water, and energy. Plastic waste is derived from fossil fuels and adds to carbon emissions.

Climate impact: When food is discarded in landfills, it releases greenhouse gases. Mismanaged plastic waste pollutes the environment and harms ecosystems.

Food security and fairness: More than 780 million people still face chronic hunger, yet the world throws away 1.05 billion tonnes of food every year

Global action and policy : Plastic pollution is increasingly in the spotlight. Major brands are under scrutiny, and international negotiations are underway to create a global plastics treaty.

Senegal produces about 250,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste each year, but only 11% is recycled.

“We noticed that every year, tons of plastic bottles are thrown into the wild,” Mbengue said. “Unfortunately, we cannot transform them all. Even if recently there have been many companies active in this area. And these bottles are a threat by nature . They are thrown away and do not disappear,” he told Viory.

“Our main targets are schools, farmers and hospitals,” he said. “For schools, the idea is to create didactic objects that students can use. This will prevent us from importing items such as rulers and other materials used by students. For agriculture, the idea is to make pots for farmers.”

Senegal is ranked among the world’s top contributors to ocean plastic pollution. The West African nation faces pressure to improve waste management.

Kazakhstan’s service sector continued its expansion in July, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth with a Services PMI of 54.0, still well above the 50.0 growth threshold, despite rising input costs, according to. Although inflationary pressures intensified, driven by increases in raw materials, utilities, taxes, and currency fluctuations, firms reported easing cost burdens compared to earlier months. Domestic demand remains steady, but businesses are cautious about exchange rate risks and potential fiscal tightening.

'Clean Kazakhstan' campaign reshapes environmental thinking

President Tokayev’s nationwide Taza Kazakhstan campaign is transforming how citizens view environmental responsibility. Since its launch, over 9 million people have joined, taking part in 900+ clean-up events and planting nearly 2.5 million trees. The initiative blends grassroots action with advanced tools like satellite monitoring to unify communities in the green transition. These efforts aim not just to reduce waste but also to foster a shift in public attitudes toward conservation.

Iran and Kazakhstan accelerate North–South Corridor development

Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, and Kazakhstan’s Transport Minister agreed to fast-track development of the International North–South Transport Corridor (eastern branch). They endorsed a five-year roadmap to strengthen multimodal links, including maritime, rail, and flight connections, and study a prospective “Caspian Bridge” transit project via the Caspian Sea. This builds on earlier agreements to quadruple transit volumes between the two nations.

Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan deepen transport engagement

Kazakhstan’s Advisor to the President, Asel Janasova, and the head of Kazakhstan Railways met with Azerbaijan’s Digital Development and Transport Minister, Rashad Nabiyev, to discuss transport cooperation. The talks signal intent to enhance railway linkages and boost regional connectivity.

Kazakhstan’s Bank CenterCredit to repay final $56m in state aid

Kazakhstan’s Bank CenterCredit will repurchase 30 billion tenge ($55.8M) in bonds to clear the last of its 2023 government support, originally due in 2032. The bank has already prepaid 30 billion tenge since late 2024 and aims to complete repayment by 2026. Authorities have restricted dividend payments for aid recipients to encourage early repayment.

A 2024 report published by Ghana's Audit Service stated that the country produces about 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year, of which 9.5% is recycled and the remainder is carelessly disposed of without consideration for the effects on the environment .

The community-led shift has not only improved sanitation but also created economic opportunities for many locals.

“When rain falls like this, the pure water, rubbish, and water bottles are always roaming, and the community always floods , and the gutters always choke,” one resident explained. “But for now, the cleanup has changed everything. Now, in some places, the gutters are always neat,” she told Viory. 

Another community member noted the cultural change in waste disposal habits: “Before, it created a lot of problems in our community. Plastic waste, they put it wherever... maybe gutters, maybe in the taxi, maybe in the trotro [public transport]. They would spread it a lot in the community. But now, I think the initiative they brought is helping us keep the plastic bottles on one side.”

The program also offers a financial lifeline to many low-income earners, especially women and youth who now collect and sell plastic waste to recycling centres.

“After recycling, we have plenty,” said another resident. “Before, the plastic rubbish, we didn’t use it for anything, they don’t sell it. But nowadays, I will go and pick up the rubbish and go and sell it for something. I can take money, I can buy food for myself, I can buy bread and everything. So now the recycling has done well for us to get profit from the pure water rubbish.”

As part of efforts, there is a plan to introduce new regulatory guidelines, developed in partnership with the industrial sector, to shift the country toward reusable and biodegradable materials.

The government is offering incentives to attract investors interested in producing eco-friendly alternatives, hoping to support a broader move toward a green economy that benefits all sectors of society , including vulnerable groups.

The campaign will also include public awareness efforts to inform citizens about the dangers of plastic waste.

Officials say the goal is not only to curb environmental harm but also to create a more inclusive and sustainable economic system.

Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said the transition will take time but is important to safeguard the country’s natural resources, especially marine ecosystems that are suffering from growing levels of plastic pollution.

She emphasised that the new approach would not leave behind low-income groups, as affordability and accessibility are central to the reform process.

The President said the new policy will ban both the importation and production of Styrofoam, which is commonly used for takeaway food packaging across the country.

He explained that the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology will enforce the ban in the coming months, and urged manufacturers and importers to prepare for the transition.

Styrofoam, which is non-biodegradable, is a major contributor to Ghana’s growing plastic waste problem, especially in urban areas.

President Mahama said the ban is part of a broader plan to promote safer, more sustainable alternatives such as paper and aluminium foil.

He acknowledged that the policy may affect food vendors and small businesses that rely on the affordability of Styrofoam packaging, but stressed that environmental protection must take priority.

He also warned that if action is not taken, plastic waste could outweigh fish in the ocean by 2050, echoing global environmental projections.

The announcement follows several government efforts to address Ghana’s plastic crisis.

These include the National Plastics Management Policy, which places responsibility on producers and importers for the waste their products generate. The government has also revised its Solid Waste Management Strategy with a target to cut landfill-bound plastic by 60 per cent by 2030.

Some cities, including Tamale and Takoradi, have begun separating household and market waste using colour-coded bins.

According to the President, early results from these pilot programmes are promising.

He also highlighted that entrepreneurs are already recycling plastic into useful materials such as furniture, textiles, and fuel.

The majority—nearly 50%—ends up in landfills, while 19% is incinerated. Alarmingly, 22% of plastic waste is mismanaged, meaning it leaks into the environment through open dumping, uncontrolled burning, or being lost in nature, ultimately contributing to the growing crisis of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and ecosystems.

The report also highlights the growing scale of the problem. Global plastic production has doubled since 2000, and it’s expected to continue climbing in the coming decades. In 2019 alone, 460 million tonnes of plastics were produced, with plastic waste generation reaching 353 million tonnes.

This surge in plastic use is driven by packaging, consumer goods, textiles, and construction. Yet recycling infrastructure and waste management systems have not kept pace, particularly in developing countries where informal waste disposal is more common.

Some countries have achieved higher recycling rates than others. For example, Germany recycles 46% of its plastic waste, while South Korea recycles 34%. Additionally, Japan, the United States and China recycle 26%, 8% and 5% of plastic waste respectively.

Despite these efforts, the failure to recycle plastic waste results in significant economic losses, with the value of plastic waste estimated to be around $100 billion annually.

It is advised that recycling infrastructure is improved to encourage the use of recycled plastics. Additionally, policies must be implemented to reduce single-use plastics and promote the use of sustainable alternatives.

With a population of 120 million, the Philippines generates approximately 1.7 million metric tons of post-consumer plastic waste annually, according to the World Bank .

Of this, a significant portion ends up in landfills, dumpsites, or discarded in open areas. The EPR law seeks to achieve "plastic neutrality" by requiring large businesses to reduce their plastic pollution through improved product design and waste removal efforts.

Initially, companies must manage 20% of their plastic packaging footprint, which will increase to 80% by 2028.

The law covers various types of plastics, including those that are often non-recyclable. However, it does not impose a ban on popular single-use plastics, such as sachets, which pose significant recycling challenges.

So far, about half of the eligible companies have launched EPR programs, while over a thousand others must comply by the end of December or face fines of up to 20 million pesos (approximately $343,000) or even the revocation of their operating licenses.

According to Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones, the EPR law removed 486,000 tons of plastic waste from the environment last year, exceeding the initial target. The legislation is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the Philippines' environmental impact from plastic pollution.

Companies can outsource their responsibilities to "producer responsibility organizations" that utilize a system of plastic credits. This allows companies to purchase certificates indicating that a metric ton of plastic has been either recycled, upcycled, or processed for energy recovery.

PCX Solutions, a leading player in the market, offers local credits ranging from around $100 for mixed plastics to over $500 for ocean-bound PET plastic.

For individuals like Marita Blanco, a widowed mother living in a low-income area of Manila, this initiative has provided new economic opportunities. Blanco collects plastic waste, selling it to charities that partner with PCX Solutions for processing.

“I didn’t know that there was money in garbage,” AFP quoted her.

"I had lost all hope, but after joining this centre, I realised I could still do what I wanted," says Babu, who is among many artisans with disabilities turning "trash to cash."

Founded by Madhumita Puri, the Society for Child Development gathers waste from homes, offices, and factories, turning it into eco-friendly products.

"We recycle waste and make it into beautiful things again," says Puri.

One of their projects, called "Avacayam," transforms flowers offered in temples into incense sticks and coloured powders used in festivals.

They also recycle fallen idols of Hindu gods into sacred powder for temple rituals, blending environmental care with cultural reverence. However, Puri notes that social attitudes and finances remain the biggest challenges.

"Changing society's mindset is difficult, but with persistence, it's possible," she adds.

Home to approximately 17 million people, Kinshasa produces around 7,800 tons of municipal solid waste daily. However, the city, like many African cities lacks a centralised waste collection system, leading to the accumulation of rubbish in unofficial dumps and rivers.

Unmanaged waste has severe consequences for public health. Clogged drains lead to frequent flooding, especially in poorer neighbourhoods, exacerbating the spread of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and typhoid. The stench from the waste is unbearable, and the sight of children and animals foraging through the rubbish is a common and distressing scene.

Local NGOs and small rubbish collection businesses are trying to tackle the problem. For instance, JPM Services , an NGO involved in the Kin Bopeto (Clean Kinshasa) project, collects rubbish in two communes. However, without proper disposal facilities, these efforts often end up contributing to the unofficial dumps.

Residents have also expressed their frustration and disgust at the deteriorating conditions.

"It's disgusting," said Roger Odiekila, standing near an unofficial rubbish dump in the Kintambo district,

The sentiment is echoed by many who feel that the city's beauty has been marred by the overwhelming presence of waste.