Indonesia’s Plastic Smart Cities Programme: Five Years of Impact and Policy Influence
Since 2020, WWF-Indonesia has been implementing the Plastic Smart Cities (PSC) programme in Bogor, Depok, and Jakarta. The programme initially started at the neighbourhood and community levels, testing small-scale pilot projects, then scaled up to strengthening waste management infrastructure at city levels, schools & public education, improving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) readiness, and contributing to national policy development. Strengthening the Waste Collection System and Infrastructure WWF-Indonesia has been working with city governments and local […]
Expanding Plastic Smart Cities to Remote Island Paradigms
Launched in 2018 as one of WWF’s No Plastic in Nature pillars, the Plastic Smart Cities (PSC) initiative has been at the forefront of supporting not only urban but also coastal centres in their mission to eliminate plastic leakage into the environment. Recognising that there is no single solution for plastic pollution, the initiative champions a collaborative strategy that unites diverse stakeholders, from government bodies to local communities, to build resilient waste […]
Plastic Waste Free Schools Model in Viet Nam
Students can become agents of behavior change towards the plastic waste problem. TARGET USERS: Educational Institution, Teacher, Student KEY CONSIDERATIONS: The exact implementation can be adapted to different school conditions and students’ attitudes towards the issue. Besides direct engagement and behaviour change aimed at students, a potential knock-on effect is that students and youths can influence their […]
WWF Vision Statement: Responsible Use of Alternative Materials to Address Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is an urgent environmental crisis that demands a significant reduction in plastic production and a shift away from fossil-based feedstocks. While many look to materials like paper, metal, or glass as a primary solution, substitution must be applied thoughtfully as part of a broader suite of interventions. To ensure positive outcomes for both […]
World Bank Group | What a Waste : A Global Review of Solid Waste Management
Before a city can implement a circular economy, it must first understand the scale of its waste. This foundational World Bank review, What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management, provides the essential baseline for global waste data. As urbanisation and wealth increase across rapidly growing regions like the Philippines, India, and Indonesia, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Local Heroes and Grassroots Leadership to Tackle Waste in Indonesia
After nearly five years of dedicated work and collaboration with over 30 partners to prevent plastic leakage into nature, WWF-Indonesia hosted a book launch for its compilation of human-centred stories – celebrating the core value that drives the initiative: collaboration. The book documents inspiring journeys of 12 Local Champions from 11 selected partners across Jakarta, […]
Digitalising Recyclable Waste Management through Mobile Application in Hue City
The Plastic Smart Cities (PSC) project in Viet Nam, in partnership with the mGreen social enterprise, has established a technology-enabled system to manage source-separated waste in Hue City. This intervention focuses on integrating the informal waste sector into a digital platform to improve the efficiency, traceability, and professionalisation of recyclable waste collection directly from households. A Mobile Application for Recyclables Waste Collection: mGreen The core of the intervention is […]
How Davao City Is Improving Neighbourhood-Level Plastic Recovery
Since 2024, Barangay Daliao in the Toril District of Davao City has been establishing a community-led foundation for sustainable waste management at the barangay level. Because the pilot program for the collection and segregation of recyclables, particularly plastics, is managed through local systems, the project designed capacity-building initiatives focused on enhancing operational efficiency. Central to this effort is the […]