Global Plastic Action Partnership | Plastic Pollution and Biodiversity in Colombia: Pathways for Environmental and Economic Resilience
Every year in Colombia, approximately 31,000 tonnes of plastic leak into aquatic ecosystems, 68,000 tonnes end up in soils, and more than 202,000 tonnes are openly burned. WWF Colombia, as the implementor of the Colombian National Plastics Action Platform (NPAP Colombia), with support from the World Economic Forum (WEF) through the Global Plastic Action Partnership […]
ERIA, IGES | Plastic Pollution Countermeasures: Effective Global Actions and Case Studies from East Asia
Plastic pollution represents one of the most pressing environmental threats facing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia, a region where seven nations account for approximately 65% of annual global plastic emissions into the ocean. Published jointly by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Institute for […]
WRAP | Catalysing Systemic Action Against Plastic Pollution – A Roadmap for Purpose Driven Funders
Global plastic pollution is currently on a trajectory to triple by 2040, threatening irreversible harm to marine ecosystems, accelerating the climate crisis, and deepening social injustices within the informal waste sector. While downstream solutions like recycling receive the lion’s share of current funding, a major funding gap of over $67 billion per year persists, particularly […]
World Bank Group | What a Waste 3.0: Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management Toward Circularity until 2050
As the global plastic crisis intensifies, understanding the trajectory of waste generation is essential for building resilient, plastic-smart urban centres. The World Bank’s latest publication, What a Waste 3.0: Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management Toward Circularity until 2050, provides a critical data-driven roadmap. This report offers a comprehensive look at current waste management practices […]
C40 | Toolkit for cities: Practical actions to integrate informal waste workers into municipal solid waste management systems
As cities worldwide strive to meet ambitious zero-waste targets, the contribution of informal waste workers (IWWs) has become a cornerstone of sustainable urban management. This toolkit provides municipal authorities with a practical, step-by-step roadmap to recognise, protect, and integrate these essential workers into formal solid waste management systems. By prioritising social dialogue and inclusive policy-making, […]
UNDP, Viet Nam NPAP | Research on the integration of independent waste workers in solid waste management in Viet Nam
How can Vietnam achieve its ambitious target of increasing plastic recycling from 11% to 38% by 2030? The answer lies in the strategic integration of Independent Waste Workers (IDWWs). This 2025 study by UNDP Viet Nam provides a comprehensive roadmap for transitioning the informal waste sector into a formalised, rights-based system. By addressing institutional barriers […]
Alliance to End Plastic Waste | The Challenges and Solutions for Flexible Plastic Packaging Waste
How can the global community move beyond the linear “take-make-waste” model for flexible plastics? This technical report by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste provides a critical roadmap for Europe and North America, identifying the most effective collection, sorting, and recycling solutions. By evaluating circularity enablers and systemic barriers, the report offers a blueprint for […]
OECD | Regional Plastics Outlook for Southeast and East Asia
According to the OECD’s Regional Plastics Outlook for Southeast and East Asia, the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) region—comprising the 10 ASEAN Member States alongside China, Japan, and Korea—accounts for nearly one-third of global plastics use and over one-third of global plastic leakage. Without intervention, regional plastic waste generation is projected to more than double from […]
Towards Circular Systems: Lessons Learned Plastic Smart Cities
This study captures learnings from a range of PSC pilot interventions conducted between 2018 and 2024 from five countries in East and Southeast Asia where we have had some of the longest history of engagement: China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. However, the PSC programme has continued to expand globally and this study […]
ESCAP | Circular Approaches to Solid Waste Management
The Urban-Act project aims to promote low-carbon and resilient urban development in the Asia-Pacific region from April 2022 to December 2027. It supports countries in achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through collaboration among various regional partners. Asia and the Pacific face escalating challenges in solid waste management […]