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D-Tox Session on Citizen Science: A strategic approach to solving toxic waste and chemical issues in the SEA
EDC Free Asia project
Non-government organizations (NGOs) from South, Southeast and East Asia, including the Philippines, have called on national governments to adopt and strictly implement regulations to address endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in products. The NGOs are participating organizations of the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), a global civil society network working for a toxics-free world.
Plastic Waste Fuels reports from Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia
The International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) has conducted a series of investigations tracking developments after a number of Southeast Asian countries banned plastic waste imports — following China’s lead in 2018. Since those bans were announced, IPEN member organisations in the region have become increasingly concerned by the growth of trade in plastic waste fuels, known as Refuse[1]Derived Fuel (RDF) — notably from Australia. IPEN says Australia’s RDF exports are the same plastic waste trade rebranded as fuel products.
Waste Trade in Southeast Asia 2021 Report
Southeast Asian countries continue to be at risk to the influx of legal and illegal waste from the developed and industrialized world. Current legal and policy responses are not enough to stop the entry of illegal waste, and more importantly, are insufficient to protect the health of both people and the environment. ASEAN countries evidently need a unified and stronger response to waste trade.
This report provides a survey of regional efforts to recognize and address the issues of pollution and waste management, including progress on the ratification and acceptance of the Basel Ban Amendment in ASEAN Member States. National laws and policies on the waste trade are examined, with a particular focus on the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Regional documents, declarations and mechanisms from the ASEAN are also analyzed. Based on these, the report argues that the broad ASEAN and bilateral initiatives, and trends in national action provide ample legal justifications for stronger regional action against the global waste trade.
Asian Fresh Lead Reports
Six IPEN Participating Organizations (POs) in South and Southeast Asia conducted new analytical studies on solvent-based paints, including industrial paints, that are sold in the local market. The studies show that lead paints are still manufactured and/or sold in countries where lead paint laws exist such as in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Vietnam, and moreso in Indonesia which has yet to adopt a legally binding lead paint law. The results, released during the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, justify the POs’ continuing campaign to ban the manufacture, import, export, distribution, sale, and use of all lead-containing paints to protect human health and the environment.
Women and Chemical courses
A new educational series will focus on the specific risks women face when exposed to toxic chemicals. The goal of the free, online course is to educate the public at large and to build a broad, woman-led leadership for addressing issues related to toxic chemical exposure. s://ipen.teachable.com.