Named Southeast Asia rivers, ranked by modeled emission
These are the reviewed, named outfalls from the dataset's top 50 located in Southeast Asia. Each links to a full profile with drivers, caveats, and sources.
Southeast Asia: River Plastic Emission Rankings
Southeast Asia accounts for 558 of the top 1,000 modeled river outfalls in the Meijer et al. (2021) framework, together carrying a modeled 444,720 metric tons of plastic to the ocean per year, 61.5% of the combined top 1,000 total. This grouping matches the Southeast Asia filter on the interactive map.
Pasig River
Rank #1 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 62,592 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Tullahan River
Rank #2 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 13,450 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Klang River
Rank #4 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 12,816 metric tons per year, Indian Ocean basin.
Meycauayan River
Rank #5 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 12,398 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Pampanga River
Rank #6 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 9,340 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Libmanan River
Rank #7 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 7,088 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Rio Grande de Mindanao
Rank #9 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 5,256 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Agno River
Rank #10 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 4,637 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Agusan River
Rank #11 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 4,568 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Paranaque River
Rank #12 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 4,363 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Iloilo River
Rank #13 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 4,224 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Soai Rap River
Rank #14 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 4,127 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Chao Phraya River
Rank #15 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 4,027 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Pazundaung Creek
Rank #19 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 3,615 metric tons per year, Indian Ocean basin.
Sarawak River
Rank #22 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 3,275 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Imus River
Rank #24 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 3,137 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Langat River
Rank #27 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,829 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Ciliwung River
Rank #28 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,797 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Zapote River
Rank #29 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,748 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Cagayan de Oro River
Rank #32 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,574 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Davao River
Rank #33 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,564 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Yangon River
Rank #37 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,489 metric tons per year, Indian Ocean basin.
Malaking Tubig River
Rank #38 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,488 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Tambo River (Pasay)
Rank #40 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,475 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Kelantan River
Rank #41 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,467 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Jalaur River
Rank #42 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,348 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Cagayan River
Rank #46 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,273 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Kuantan River (Sungai Kuantan)
Rank #47 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,187 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Hamulauon River
Rank #50 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,170 metric tons per year, Pacific Ocean basin.
Methodology Note
Figures are modeled estimates from Meijer et al. (2021), not measured regional totals. Regional attribution on this site covers the dataset's top 1,000 outfall points, grouped to match the map filters (Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Americas).
Southeast Asia FAQ
Which Southeast Asia rivers carry the most plastic to the ocean?
The highest-ranked named rivers in Southeast Asia in the Meijer et al. (2021) model are the Pasig River (#1), the Tullahan River (#2), the Klang River (#4). Values are modeled annual estimates, not measurements.
Why does Southeast Asia rank where it does in river plastic emissions?
The model combines mismanaged waste generation, population density, rainfall and hydrology, and distance to the coast. Southeast Asia's share reflects how those inputs combine across its coastal catchments; see the methodology page for how the estimates are built and their uncertainty.
Are these figures measurements?
No. They are modeled estimates from a global framework. Regional attribution on this site covers the dataset's top 1,000 modeled points.
Sources
- Meijer, L.J.J. et al. (2021). "More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean." Science Advances, 7(18). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz5803
- UNEP (2021). "From Pollution to Solution: A Global Assessment of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution." View report
How to Cite This Page
Plastic Bank. "Southeast Asia: River Plastic Emission Rankings (Meijer et al. 2021)." Rivers Carrying Plastic to the Ocean. https://rivers.plasticbank.com/rivers/region/southeast-asia. Reviewed July 20, 2026.