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 […]
Surat Thani’s Pathway to Waste Bank Success
Case Study Thailand: Surat ThaniWWF Involvement: January 2023 to December 2024Focus Area: CollectionPSC Approach: Community-based Waste ManagementSystemic Intervention: Systems and Infrastructure Key Lessons Learned Background Lung Dum waste bank started in the Wat Potawas Temple Community of Surat Thani, Thailand. Founded by the community leader Mr. Lapon Phuekdej, also known as “Lung Dum” or “Uncle […]
Hat Yai’s Mall Take-Back Programme
Case Study Thailand: Hat YaiWWF Involvement: October 2023 to October 2025Focus Area: CollectionPSC Approach: Formal CollectionSystemic Intervention: Policy Advocacy Key Lessons Learned Background In order to move away from mixed collection and enhance plastic recovery from the waste generated at Hat Yai’s Central Mall, the shopping mall adopted a “take-back” programme in October 2023, set […]
Empowering Island Communities: Community-led Waste Management Plans in Action
WWF-Malaysia’s No Plastic in Nature (NPIN) initiative has been working in Sabah with local governments, community-based organisations, universities and local businesses to tackle mounting plastic pollution in its coastal and marine environments, particularly in Sempora, a coastal town that sits along the Celebes Sea and serves as the gateway to some of the most biodiverse […]
Transforming Waste Management and Lives in Izmir, Türkiye
WWF-Türkiye has been working with the Metropolitan Municipality (MM) of Izmir since 2019 when the city joined Plastic Smart Cities. At the time, waste segregation at the source was not widely practised in Türkiye. Project Objectives Download the Case Study to learn more about the Izmir Transformation. Note: The IzDönüşüm project is now ending due […]
Recycling Incentive Scheme
Recycling incentive schemes provide rewards to users for actively participating in the program. TARGET USERS: Individuals, Businesses, Government KEY CONSIDERATIONS: Rewards are given to program participants to encourage recycling, typically with vouchers for individuals, vouchers for communities or payments to individuals. MORE INFORMATION: https://www.serco.com/media/924/924.original.pdf THE PROBLEM Plastic recycling rates remain low and stagnant across the globe, with vast volumes of plastic being […]
Mechanical Recycling
Mechanical recycling is the processing of plastic waste into secondary raw material without significantly changing the chemical structure of the material. TARGET USERS: Industry, Government KEY CONSIDERATIONS: Transitioning to a circular economy that retains plastic in its highest value condition is essential to reduce environmental impacts, promoting reduction, reuse, and recycling. MORE INFORMATION: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/marc.202000415 THE PROBLEM The global plastics […]