South to South Cooperation and Peer Learning for Effective EPR Policy Development - Closing Conference: Strengthening Plastic Pollution Management in Asia and the Pacific

As part of the Closing Conference on Strengthening Plastic Pollution Management in Asia and the Pacific, held on 5–6 March 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, IGES organized a special session titled “South-to-South Cooperation and Peer Learning for Effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Policy Development.” This session brought together policymakers, industry experts, and practitioners from across the region to exchange experiences, address challenges, and explore opportunities for enhancing EPR frameworks and policy development in the Asia-Pacific region.

The discussion underscored the pivotal role of EPR policies in tackling plastic pollution through mechanisms such as producer responsibility, financial incentives, stakeholder engagement, data and information management, and robust regulatory frameworks. The session featured national case studies from Thailand and Sri Lanka, along with valuable insights from UNEP’s regional initiatives and ASEAN-focused research.

Key Discussions and Insights from Speakers

• Mr. Veera Kwanloetchit, Secretary General of the PPP Plastics Association, Thailand, shared insights into Thailand’s EPR policy development (2022–2027). This policy adopts a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach, engaging the government, private sector, and civil society to strengthen waste management systems. Key challenges identified include authority decentralization, waste complexity, consumer behavior, limitations in waste management infrastructure, and data confidentiality. Opportunities for improvement emphasize enhancing policies and regulations, developing systematic databases, fostering public-private partnerships, promoting international collaboration, and advancing circular economy ecosystems alongside innovative business models.
• Ms. M.G. Lukshmi Fernando, Assistant Director of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) in Sri Lanka, outlined the country’s EPR implementation journey and its challenges. Sri Lanka has embedded EPR principles into national policies, including the National Policy on Waste Management and the National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management (2021–2023). These frameworks prioritize the polluter-pays principle and promote shared responsibility among producers, importers, traders, and consumers. Progress highlights include early stakeholder engagement, voluntary business-led initiatives, Cabinet approval of an EPR concept paper, and the launch of a digital reporting platform for tracking waste data, particularly PET and HIPS plastics.
• Mr. Felipe Dall, Programme Officer at UNEP-IETC, Japan, highlighted regional and global best practices in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) during UNEP-led workshops across South America (2023) and West Asia (2024), involving 14 countries and over 50 stakeholders. Key case studies showcased Chile’s eco-modulated EPR law, Jordan’s structured EPR system set for 2025, and Brazil and Uruguay’s inclusive waste management strategies emphasizing gender equality and support for informal waste workers. The presentation underscored the importance of phased implementation, stakeholder engagement, and integrating social considerations into EPR frameworks.
• Dr. Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow at ERIA, shared key practices and lessons from the ASEAN EPR Workshop held in Jakarta on 13 February 2025, which convened representatives from all 10 ASEAN Member States. The workshop aimed to exchange knowledge on EPR policies, promote peer-to-peer learning, and address technical gaps for effective EPR implementation across the region. Highlights included the importance of mandatory EPR for compliance, strong legal frameworks, and robust data systems to track waste and set realistic targets. Discussions emphasized producer engagement in policymaking, cost estimation, and market analysis for effective schemes. Focus groups underscored shifting financial responsibility to producers, addressing both upstream and downstream value chains, and exploring deposit schemes and pay-as-you-throw models to reduce producer financial burdens.

Key Outcomes and Next Steps

Dr. Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage, Principal Researcher/Director at IGES-CCET, synthesized the key outcomes and next steps based on insights shared by the speakers and panel discussions during the workshop.

Key Outcomes:

• Importance of Mandatory EPR: There was a strong consensus on the necessity of mandatory EPR policies to ensure compliance and establish a level playing field for producers across the region.
• Robust Legal Frameworks and Data Systems: The discussions emphasized the need for comprehensive legal frameworks and effective data collection systems to enable waste tracking, set realistic targets, and evaluate progress.
• Producer Engagement: The importance of engaging producers in policymaking was highlighted to secure their active participation, buy-in, and long-term commitment to EPR initiatives.
• Support for Circular Economy: The need to create policies addressing both upstream and downstream plastic value chains was identified, with an emphasis on maintaining demand for recycled materials to support a circular economy.
• Social Inclusion: Integrating social aspects, such as the inclusion of the informal sector, gender considerations, and equitable economic opportunities, was acknowledged as an essential component of successful EPR frameworks.

Next Steps:

• Strengthening EPR Regulations: Development of clear legal frameworks to enhance the enforcement and effectiveness of EPR policies.
• Enhancing Data Collection and Transparency: Establishing robust data collection platforms to support informed policy decisions and improve system accountability.
• Fostering Public-Private Partnerships: Promoting collaboration between governments, industries, and civil society to create more efficient and sustainable waste management systems.
• Encouraging Regional Collaboration: Enhancing cross-border knowledge exchange, sharing best practices, and addressing common challenges through regional partnerships.
• Promoting Innovation in Financial Mechanisms: Exploring strategies such as deposit refund systems, pay-as-you-throw models, and other economic incentives to ease the financial burden on producers while driving behavioral change.
• Capacity Building and Training: Providing training programs for stakeholders to build technical expertise and strengthen implementation capabilities.