Study: SE Asians don't recycle plastic bottles

MANY Southeast Asian consumers remain relatively complacent and continue to cite inconvenience as a reason for not recycling — even though a significant majority (77 percent) agree that single-use plastic bottles present a pressing environmental problem. About 21 percent in the region purchase single-use plastic bottles as their primary source of water consumption, disregarding environmental issues and exacerbating the region's ongoing plastic pollution crisis.

These were the results of a study conducted by Milieu Insight, a Southeast Asian consumer research firm, among 3,500 respondents across the region. The objective was to understand how policymakers and organizations can help foster a greater culture of recycling plastic water bottles. Another reason was to delve into the recycling habits of Southeast Asian consumers.