Policy Gaps of Open-waste-burning in Selected Asian Countries.

Open waste burning (OWB) is a prevalent waste management practice in many parts of Asia, contributing significantly to air pollution and undermining efforts towards climate mitigation. This paper examines the nexus of waste management, pollution control, and health while providing policy recommendations to address policy gaps and implementation challenges in Asia. This study reviewed OWB policies across selected ten countries in Asia, examining the existing policy framework, their effectiveness, and associated challenges. The data is collected through desk research and interviews with key government officials. The qualitative content analysis was employed to analyse the data collected, complemented by a policy matrix summarising national approaches to OWB. The study confirms that while many countries indirectly address OWB through air quality and waste management policies, explicit regulations are often lacking, leading to inconsistent enforcement. The study highlights a critical gap in the waste management infrastructure which leads to OWB practice, and the policy that induces public awareness and cross-border collaboration to mitigate the impact of OWB.