ASEAN+3

Plastic pollution has emerged as a critical global challenge, with the ASEAN+3 region identified as a major hotspot due to high emission levels and persistent gaps in waste management systems. This handbook offers a comprehensive, evidence-based overview for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, presented in two main parts. Part I provides...

In recent years, plastic pollution has emerged as a growing threat around the globe. The gravity of this issue called for negotiations on an international legally binding instrument. As an area that is heavily influenced by and reliant on its marine resources, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region views plastic pollution as a...

The environmental impact of plastics on the natural environment has been frequently discussed over the past decade (Cottom, Cook, and Velis, 2024; Jambeck et al., 2015). A discussion at the World Economic Forum in 2016 sparked a global debate and prompted a call for action on plastics as well as research to address the projected increase in plastic...

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pervasive and persistent threats to marine ecosystems worldwide. Due to its durability and resistance to natural degradation, plastic debris accumulates rapidly, with projections suggesting that by 2050, the total mass of plastics in the oceans could surpass that of fish (World Economic Forum, Ellen...

Plastics, known for their versatility, durability, and affordability, are ubiquitous in everyday life. Their consumption, particularly of single-use items like packaging – the largest application of plastic resins (UNIDO, 2023) – surged during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and even post-pandemic, driven by increased reliance on...

Single-use plastics (SUPs) have become one of the most pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges facing the world, contributing significantly to the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity, climate change, and pollution (Schmidt et al., 2024). While many governments have developed a range of policy solutions to the problem of SUPs –...

Plastic, which makes up 10%–13% of daily municipal solid waste at a global level, is a major component of solid waste (Kibria et al., 2023). The growing population, rapid urbanisation, and ongoing industrial development are key drivers behind the escalating plastic waste crisis, leading to serious, human-made environmental challenges that threaten...

As plastics are utilised in a broad range of sectors, there are various kinds of plastic pollution sources. A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report assessing marine litter and plastic pollution identified major land-based pollution sources to the ocean (UNEP, 2021). While landfills are regarded as one of the major sources, other...

In March 2022, during the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2), Resolution 5/14 was adopted, initiating efforts to develop an international legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution, including pollution of the marine environment. This resolution resulted in the formation of the Intergovernmental...