Management of Plastics Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics in South, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific

Management of Plastics Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics in South, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific

Status:	Ongoing
Duration:	November 2024 - October 2027
Budget:	USD 18,389,000
Donor:	The Coca-Cola Foundation
Geographical Coverage:	Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam
Focus Area:	Environment, Energy, Chemicals and Waste
See more information about the project on the transparency portal.

Background

Asia and the Pacific face an escalating plastic waste crisis. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and shifting consumption patterns have pushed waste generation far beyond the capacity of existing collection and recycling systems. Across the region, limited waste infrastructure has led to growing plastic leakage into rivers, coastal zones, and oceans – damaging ecosystems, undermining local economies and posing risks to human health. If current trend continues, global plastic waste is projected to reach 33 billion tons by 2050.

The UNDP Asia Pacific is working to promote circular economy models in the region by integrating circularity into national strategies, supporting businesses with green finance and innovation, and fostering partnerships across the public and private sectors. As a part of this effort, UNDP and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) launched a regional project to accelerate plastic waste management and create an enabling environment for innovative models that can scale collection and reduce plastic leakage into environment.

About the Project

The Management of Plastic Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics in South, Southeast Asia and the Pacific is a three-year multi-country initiative supported by TCCF. It aims to strengthen plastic waste management systems and make the sector more inclusive and sustainable across ten countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam.

The partnership supports strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, upgrading and establishing material-recovery infrastructure, and integration of waste workers into formal systems with safer working conditions and access to social protection. Regional cooperation is central to the approach. Through technical exchange and knowledge-sharing, participating countries adapt effective models to their national contexts and scale up solutions that reduce plastic leakage.

The project aims to recover 63,930 metric tons of plastic waste and improve the livelihoods of 135,600 waste workers, strengthening economic opportunities for vulnerable communities and women. The project will also establish 23 Material Recovery Facilities in seven countries and implement 30 new business models for plastic waste management in ten countries.

Project Objectives

Establish inclusive multi-stakeholder platforms across the plastic value chain and local roadmaps to guide gender-responsive, scalable plastic waste solutions.
Promote best practices and technologies by strengthening recycling infrastructure and building the capacities of waste workers.
Facilitate cross-country knowledge exchange by documenting and disseminating best practices, through convenings, capacity-building initiative and awareness campaigns.

Bangladesh

The project strengthens stakeholder partnerships, develops plastics waste market system, establish gender-responsive traceability mechanisms, and drive targeted awareness campaigns and capacity-building for urban residents in Chattogram City Corporation, Cox’s Bazar, and Tangail Municipality. The initiative aims to collect and recycle at least 15,000 metric tons of plastic waste by strengthening collection, segregation, and recycling systems. It promotes inclusive, gender-responsive solutions that benefit vulnerable groups, particularly informal waste workers, and support shift toward sustainable plastic use.

Bhutan

Through nationwide stakeholder consultations, targeted awareness programs in schools, colleges, businesses, and local communities, the Project aims to target behavioural change and implement Best environmental practices and technologies. The initiative will facilitate waste management infrastructure to boost plastic waste collection rates. Through numerous awareness programmes, the project will ensure improved capacities of both formal and informal waste worker, including skills in safe segregation, hygiene, and handling, while strengthening national guidelines to ensure sustainable standards.

Cambodia

In Cambodia, the project promotes plastic waste management solutions by scaling plastic alternatives in the hospitality sector and supporting inclusive recycling models. The project engages 150 hotels and restaurants to reduce single-use plastics and supports informal waste collectors through improved access to social protection and equipment. By the end of the implementation period, a new Material Recovery Facility will be established, expected to process 4,500 metric tons of plastic waste.

India

In India, the project aims to enhance social security and working conditions for 50,000 informal waste workers by improving access to government schemes and integrating responsible practices in plastic waste management. It supports the responsible sourcing of 8,000 metric tons of plastic waste through traceability tools, capacity building, and piloting inclusive practices. By advancing policy engagement, strengthening transparency, and sharing knowledge across sectors, the project promotes a more inclusive and sustainable recycling ecosystem.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, the project empowers waste workers and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to lead sustainable plastic waste management. By providing training, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, the project aims to reduce plastic pollution, promote collection and recycling, and enhance community well-being.

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Maldives

In the Maldives, the project upgrades plastic waste management infrastructure and operational efficiency of the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO). It establishes two plastic processing facilities and introduces nine electric waste-collection vehicles along with solar-powered systems at key centres for cost-efficient waste management in local communities. Additionally, training for 800 WAMCO staff is delivered through a digital learning platform, aiming to recover 9,000 metric tons of plastic waste and significantly improve national waste management practices.

Nepal

In Nepal, the project enhances plastic waste management in Kathmandu Valley and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu. The initiative will establish ix Material Recovery Facilities equipped with processing technologies, with a target to recover 1,150 metric tons of plastic waste. The project provides training, equipment and safety support to waste workers and delivers community awareness activities to improve recycling and source segregation.

Phillipines

In the Philippines, the project partners with local governments and community groups, including informal waste workers, to pilot community-based plastic recovery models. It sets up recycling and recovery facilities, provides seed funding for local social enterprises, and leads targeted training in schools, marketplaces, and tourism establishments. The initiative also introduces a simple digital tool to track waste diversion and test reward-based incentives.

Sri Lanka

The project improves plastic waste management across seven urban councils in Colombo District. It integrates infrastructure investment with inclusive, community-based approaches, capacity building, and awareness initiatives to reduce plastic pollution and dependence on incineration. The project targets the recovery of 7,000 metric tons of plastic waste and aims to engage over 125,000 households through digital tools and local campaigns that promote circular waste solutions.

Viet Nam

In Viet Nam, the project advances marine and land-based plastic waste management solutions. Under the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) platform, the initiative pilots a waste-return system at three fishing ports and implements waste sorting regulations, promotes and strenghthens stakeholder collaboration and knowledge exchange. The project aims to collect 7,000 metric tons of plastic waste, implement nation-wide awareness campaigns and improve the livelihoods of 3250 waste workers.

Impact Stories

"We Work with Dignity"

Meet the Women Waste Workers from the Philippines Who Keep Plastics Out of Our Ocean

Moving towards circular economy to tackle waste challenge in Bhutan

5 women, 5 countries, 1 mission: Beating plastic pollution with breakthrough ideas

Press Release

Iloilo Province, UNDP transform post-election waste

The Iloilo Provincial Government and UNDP in the Philippines, through its PH Plastics Circularity Project supported by The Coca- Cola Foundation, have launched the Weave Out Waste (WOW) Limpyo Iloilo

A climber sits on snow at the summit, holding a banner promoting sustainable development goals.

Press Release

UNDP Youth Advocate Shakil Scales Summit to Champion Plastic-Free Future

Youth-led Expedition Highlights Urgency of Climate Action and Plastic Waste Reduction Across South Asia

Press Release

Government of Sri Lanka facilitates new project through UNDP Sri Lanka and the Coca-Cola Foundation for a Multi-year Project on Plastic Waste Management

Sri Lanka receives 1.1 million USD to establish a framework for comprehensive plastic waste management in 7 local authorities in the Colombo District

NEWS

Empowering waste workers and recycled plastic supply chain through responsible sourcing

UNDP, coordinating The Circulate Initiative’s Responsible Sourcing Initiative (RSI) in Viet Nam, participated in a three-day convening in Bogor, Indonesia, from March 18-20, 2025.

NEWS

Leading the Charge in Sustainable Waste Management with EV Adoption

UNDP Maldives and The Coca-Cola Foundation Collaborate to Support WAMCO Enhance Recycling and Waste Management

Group of people posing together at a launch ceremony for a plastics innovation program.

Press Release

UN Development Programme (UNDP) and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) partner to scale up management of plastic waste across Asia – including Viet Nam

The UN Development Programme has announced the launch of an innovative grant program aimed at combating plastic pollution across Viet Nam. This program will provide grants to support the development and implementation of sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives to reduce plastic pollution.

Background of blue water with a colorful, abstract design representing plastic pollution.

NEWS

PLASTIC INNOVATION PROGRAMME: Call of Announcement

UNDP Viet Nam announces a Call for Proposals to award small grants of up to USD 30,000 to organizations to implement innovative solutions to plastic pollution. Through this call for proposals, UNDP is inviting applications that offer novel solutions to plastic pollution across a wide range of areas.

Two men pose for a photo in front of a colorful map of Bangladesh.

PRESS RELEASE

Mountaineer Shakil Joins UNDP as Youth Advocate for Plastic Pollution

Embarking on a Historic Sea-to-Summit Journey to Raise Awareness on Plastic Waste

a group of people standing next to a person

PRESS RELEASE

UN Development Programme (UNDP) and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) partner to scale up management of plastic waste in Asia

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) have partnered to help address the growing challenge of plastic waste management in Asia, a region that is home to significant environmental opportunities and challenges.