Knowledge Hub

In the rapidly urbanizing world, the crisis in waste management and plastic pollution is a reflection of current unsustainable lifestyles. The availability of fact-based data on municipal solid waste can guide evidence-based planning and lead to increasingly effective and efficient solid waste collection systems, enhanced local resource recovery and controlled waste disposal, thereby improving the quality of life for urban residents.

In the rapidly urbanizing world, the crisis in waste management and plastic pollution is a reflection of current unsustainable lifestyles. The availability of fact-based data on municipal solid waste can guide evidence-based planning and lead to increasingly effective and efficient solid waste collection systems, enhanced local resource recovery and controlled waste disposal, thereby improving the quality of life for urban residents...

Sihanoukville has grown rapidly along with the developments of Sea Ports, Special Economic Zone, Tourism, International Airport and Coal Power Plants while the city has also faced environmental issues such as improper municipal solid waste management.

Kep city has the great potential for eco-tourism while the inadequate solid waste management is part of the underlying vulnerability to environmental hazards such as flooding and the damage of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

This report seeks to provide a picture of the current plastic credits mechanism as well as recommendations for it to be an effective tool in supporting plastic circularity – by increasing the amount of plastic waste that is recycled and reducing the amount that enters the waste stream. Plastic credits are financial-institutional instruments that incentivise recovery or dis-incentivise pollution and pay for offsetting its impacts.

This report is aimed at compiling existing knowledge about plastic credits in order to support the path towards a harmonised standard for plastic credits, flag up potential problems, learn from comparable credits markets and explore how a plastic credits system may be established in order to fulfil its core objectives. It takes a holistic view of the most important stakeholders involved in the value chain and analyses which players could benefit from a harmonised system.

The Marine Litter Monitoring Methods Handbook provides information to participants in COBSEA participating countries about the different monitoring approaches that are taken in international marine litter monitoring programmes. The objective of this handbook is to provide a menu of options that have been rolled out at national and multinational/regional scales to monitor marine litter, to provide guidance on best practices in marine litter monitoring approaches for regional-scale marine litter monitoring. Part II of the handbook provides guidance on preparation and application of marine litter monitoring survey methods including on coastlines, inland, at rivers, and sea surface.

The Marine Debris Monitoring Methods Handbook, Part 1 (this handbook) seeks to provide information to participants in COBSEA participating countries about the different monitoring approaches that are taken in international marine litter monitoring programs. The objective of this handbook is to provide a menu of options that have been rolled out at national and multinational/regional scales to monitor marine litter, to provide guidance on best-practice in marine litter monitoring approaches for regional-scale marine litter monitoring.

This study aims to bridge existing research gaps and bring to light a better understanding of the potential risks and opportunities associated with the introduction of plastic credits to the informal waste management sector in South-East Asia. The study’s regional focus is constituted namely by Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

This study aims to bridge existing research gaps and bring to light a better understanding of the potential risks and opportunities associated with the introduction of plastic credits to the informal waste management sector in South-East Asia. The study’s regional focus is constituted namely by Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

This case study demonstrates market-based solutions towards “less plastic wasted”, exemplary solutions for transformational changes in the way plastic is managed in the value supply chain. Circular Economy approaches, including business incentives for plastic reduction...

This report was developed as part of SEA circular – Reducing marine litter by addressing the management of the plastic value chain in South-East Asia’ a project jointly implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), with funding from the...

Mismanaged plastic waste continues to pose a challenge in developing countries such as the Philippines. The mismanagement of plastic waste is also the result of the limited recycling infrastructure available to support higher levels of plastic waste in the country. In terms of policy and governance, the country has a solid waste management...

This good practice case study is part of a series of knowledge products developed by the SEA circular project to showcase exemplary market-based solutions that bring about transformational changes in the way plastic is managed in the value chain. Only about nine per cent of this plastic waste being produced globally ends up being...

This good practice case study is part of a series of knowledge products developed by the SEA circular project to showcase exemplary market-based solutions that bring about transformational changes in the way plastic is managed in the value chain. The Philippines is the third largest contributor of plastic pollution, with an estimated 0.75...

This good practice case study is part of a series of knowledge products developed by the SEA circular project to showcase exemplary market-based solutions that bring about transformational changes in the way plastic is managed in the value chain. One of the countries challenged by marine plastic litter is Thailand – the sixth biggest contributor of marine plastic litter worldwide. Thailand is challenged by its low rate of...

This Checklist illustrates practical steps that state or government institutions and officials can take to implement a human rights-based approach to the plastics pollution challenge...

This Checklist illustrates practical steps that civil society members can take to advocate for a human rights-based approach to the plastics pollution challenge...

This Checklist for Responsible Business Plastic Action illustrates practical steps that business enterprises can take to implement a human rights-based approach to the plastics pollution challenge...

The primary learning objective of module 3 is to introduce learners to business and human rights frameworks, focusing on the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and related tools. The module explores how a BHR approach to the plastics cycle that is grounded in a human rights and environment framework can...

The primary learning objective of module 2 is to introduce learners to the three key elements of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and to explore how a human rights and environment framework can apply to each of the stages of the plastics cycle...

The primary learning objective of module 1 is to introduce learners to the human rights impacts of each stage of the linear fossil fuel dependent plastics cycle. The module also briefly explains what a human rights-based approach is, how it relates to the right...

The trainings on Business, Human Rights and the Environment: Overcoming the Plastics Challenge are designed to build the capacity of actors in South-East Asia to support a human rights-based and gender equality approach to responsible business plastics action. The overarching aim of the trainings is to enable businesses and...

A human rights-based approach informed by international human rights law to prevent and manage plastic pollution at each stage of the plastics lifecycle can build the capacity of those with the power to act responsibly in the face of the plastics challenge—governments and businesses. This issue brief...

Plastic pollution contributes to violations of many internationally recognized human rights including the rights to life, the highest attainable standard of health, a healthy environment, housing, water and sanitation, and adequate food. While the plastics crisis is a global issue, its impacts are disproportionately felt by certain populations...