With approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic waste leaking into the ocean every year, urgent action is needed. Under the ‘business-as-usual’ scenario, the volume of waste entering the environment will increase by three times by 2040. This is largely due to the fact that more than 3 billion people lack access to adequate waste management systems leading to mismanaged plastic waste that is either burnt, dumped or washed away into the oceans.

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On 2 March 2022, 175 countries endorsed a resolution at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) to start negotiations on an international legally binding agreement to eliminate plastic waste and pollution in the environment, which includes the importance to promote innovative approaches and sound management of plastic waste.

 

Southeast Asia is a diverse region experiencing severe challenges related to waste management and resultant plastic pollution. The region accounts for around 40% of all mismanaged plastic entering the oceans. However, many countries in the region are cooperating to identify common solutions to the plastic waste crisis.

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The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, the Global Plastic Action Partnership and The Incubation Network have partnered to launch a Southeast Asia Regional Innovation Challenge to address waste management and circular solutions in the region and to identify high-impact solutions around recycling and upcycling.