GIZ: CAP SEA

Background

Existing production and consumption patterns in Southeast Asian countries are mostly based on a linear raw materials economy in which plastic materials are poorly managed and disposed of as waste after a short period of use. The widespread use of single-use plastic (SUP) contributes significantly to the pollution of water and seas. Low raw material prices, counterproductive incentive systems, a lack of awareness and viable alternatives are the main reasons for the rapidly growing amount of disposable plastic. Thai and Malaysian policy makers have recognised that the introduction of circular economy principles in production and trade along the waste hierarchy (i.e. reduce, reuse, recycle) can be an essential solution, al-though the focus on prevention strategies has only recently become a political focus.

The project responded to Malaysia’s Plastics Sustainability Roadmap (2021-2030), Thailand’s Plastic Roadmap (2018-2030), which aims at reducing or banning SUP products by replacing these with durable, repairable, and more environmentally friendly alternatives, and Indonesia’s National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris (2017 – 2025).

Our Goal

The aim of the project was to reduce single-use plastic waste with a clear focus on upstream strategies of prevention and promotion of re-use approaches. To this end, the project employed a blended approach, consisting of policy advice on circular economy and extended producer responsibility (EPR) approaches (Malaysia only), capacity development for key stakeholders, local government pilot activities and support for innovative re-use business models. The project contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goal to ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns (SDG 12), especially Target 12.5 “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through preven-tion, reduction, recycling and reuse”.

What we do

• Institutional Framework: We advised and supported our localpartners and other key players in the development of recyclingmarkets and implementation of systems for EPR (in Malaysia). Furthermore, we provided advice on product related environmental protection such as the development of eco-designs, recycled content targets, recyclability guidelines and material efficiency criteria. These can then be certified with eco-labels and supported through sustainable public procurement.
• New Business Solutions: We supported Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian and other international partners in the development of innovativeand sustainable reuse business models such as reusable foodcontainer systems for food delivery and refill applications for (household) cleaning products.
• Pilot Projects: We designed and implemented pilot projects aiming at SUP reduction with local municipalities and businesses.
• Knowledge Management: We analysed and collected lessons learnt and disseminated best practices to relevant institutions.

Key results

• Enabling knowledge transfer and exchange through Institution-alization of multi-stakeholder working groups on EPR (Malaysia only), Eco Design for Recycling and local pilot projects in Thailand and Malaysia
• Development of a comprehensive policy recommendation paper on upstream measures for single-use plastic and packaging re-duction in Thailand which is undergoing stakeholder consultation.
• Publication of background studies with Öko Institut e.V. on up-stream SUP policy options which aims to disseminate knowledge and good practices (Design for Recycling, Biobased and Biode-gradable Plastics, Material Choices for environment-friendly packaging design, Recycled Content in Packaging Applications, Considerations for Packaging Classification).
• Transfer and exchange of knowledge on all topics covered in the project during 7 dialogue exchange events with international experts and stakeholders from South-East Asia.
• Capacity building through 6 in-depth training programmes on key policy instruments and tools for upstream SUP prevention.
• Dissemination of reuse solutions by setting up 2 reuse start-ups with our partner ENVIU, which were launched in the Malaysian market (Tapauware: a reusable food container for food delivery, FlexiFill: a refill solution for household cleaning products).
• Designing and implementing pilot projects aimed at SUP reduction together with local municipalities in Thailand (Phuket), Malaysia (Shah Alam) and Indonesia (Jakarta). Based on baseline assessments and stakeholder engagements with restaurants and hotels, an MoU was signed with partners.