Plastic Pollution in Manila Bay Worsens

Due to the combined effects of rainfall from the southwest monsoon and tidal backflow, rivers throughout the Manila Metropolitan Area in the Philippines are overwhelmed with trash. Large quantities of plastic bottles and bags, discarded furniture, and construction debris are being swept from Manila Bay into the city’s waterways with the rising tide, accumulating in layers and blocking the waterways. This overflowing trash will ultimately continue to flow into Manila Bay, exacerbating plastic pollution in nearshore waters and damaging coral reefs and fishery resources.