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 Global Environmental Strategies (IGES),this report provides a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap to address the full life cycle of plastics across ASEAN+3 countries. By synthesising global policy trajectories, behavioural science interventions, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, and 11 detailed country case studies, this reference document equips policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders with practical strategies to eliminate plastic leakage and transition towards a sustainable circular economy.
Publishing Organisations: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
Effective countermeasures require full life‑cycle strategies such as eco‑design, single‑use plastic reduction, reuse models, and sustainable materials, alongside legally binding Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. Behavioural insights, sector‑specific interventions, and integration of informal waste pickers are critical, while diverse case studies across 11 nations highlight context‑specific solutions. These regional efforts also align with global treaty negotiations under the INC for a legally binding plastics agreement.
