ASEF Workshop for Journalists on “Challenges of Dealing with Plastic Waste” | Singapore, 19-22 May 2025

The 2025 ASEF Workshop for Journalists on “Challenges of Dealing with Plastic Waste” was held from 19 to 22 May in Singapore, organised in collaboration with the NGO Alliance to End Plastic Waste. Bringing together 21 journalists—11 from Asia and 10 from Europe—this workshop offered a unique platform to deepen understanding of the pressing global issue of plastic pollution.

Over the course of four days, participants took part in eight sessions that addressed the key dimensions of plastic waste management: (1) Overview: State of the International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, (2) Circularity, (3) Full Life Cycle Approach to Plastics, (4) Equity and Just Transition, (5) Innovation in Plastic Waste Management, (6) Financing Plastic Waste Management, (7) Monitoring and Evaluation and (8) Capacity Building and Technical Assistance. A fireside chat also offered an insightful conversation on Norway’s perspectives on the negotiations for a global plastics treaty. Through interactive exchanges and site visits, participants gained practical insights and expert perspectives on one of the most urgent environmental issues of our time.

As the workshop concluded, it became clear that the response to plastics pollution must be through collective and comprehensive action, requiring education and legislation, and harnessing technology. Journalists are key to raising public awareness and driving action on plastic pollution. For a more detailed overview of each discussion topic, please find the reports below.

Session 1: Overview

Session 2: Circularity

The session focused on the global effort to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, addressing its impacts across the entire life cycle—from production to waste management and ocean clean-up. The speaker provided an overview of why a Treaty on Plastic Pollution was needed, the parties involved in the Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee (INC), the timeline, past INC discussions, the revised Chair’s Text for INC 5.2 and next steps. The session highlighted the urgency of coordinated international action and also current convergence and divergence in views among stakeholders. Stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, industry and local communities, are working together to shape treaty provisions on product design, sustainable production, plastic waste management and transboundary movement. The session also underscored the importance of supporting developing countries through financial mechanisms, technology transfer and capacity building, for a just and inclusive transition towards a circular plastics economy.

The presentation is pending and will be made available soon.

This session focused on achieving plastic circularity in the Asia-Pacific region through innovative design, circular business models and harmonised regulations. Central to this approach is “design for circularity,” which emphasises products that are reusable, repairable and easily recyclable. Engaging producers and brands to adopt eco-design and recyclability testing is essential. Circular business models, such as product-as-a-service and reverse logistics, help keep materials in circulation. Policies including Extended Producer Responsibility and Deposit Return Systems promote accountability and investment in infrastructure. Advances in sorting technologies and adaptable collection systems support efficient recycling. Collaboration across industries and governments is crucial for transitioning towards a sustainable, circular plastics economy.

See the full report and available presentation here.

Session 3: Full Life Cycle Approach to Plastic

Session 4: Equity and Just Transition

This session underscored the importance of addressing plastic pollution across its entire life cycle, from production to ocean clean-up, with particular attention to legacy marine plastics. Key strategies include upstream interventions, such as designing for reuse and circularity, to minimise new plastic waste. Speakers spoke about the need to establish standards across the plastics life cycle, encouraging sustainable product design, improved waste management and regional cooperation. Innovative solutions such as plastic-to-fuel technologies and bioremediation were discussed. Public awareness and adherence to circular economy principles are essential to reducing demand for virgin plastics and preventing pollution, fostering sustainable practices and international collaboration to ensure ocean health.

See the full report and available presentation here

This session examined the environmental and social impacts of illegal landfills and highlighted the crucial role of the informal waste sector in tackling plastic pollution. A film segment screening illustrated the harmful effects of non-sanitary landfills, including pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Discussions focused on including vulnerable communities in waste management systems, the potential of plastic credit trading and plastic offset schemes. Concerns were raised about such mechanisms prioritising corporate interests over those of local communities. The session emphasised the need for fair policies that protect informal waste workers—particularly women and marginalised groups—and support their integration into formal recycling systems.

See the full report and available presentation here

Session 5: Innovation in Plastic Waste Management

Session 6: Financing Plastic Waste Management

This session showcased innovations driving a non-toxic circular plastics economy in the Asia-Pacific, with a spotlight on advanced sorting technologies such as digital watermarks and artificial intelligence for efficient recycling. It highlighted the importance of technology transfer and knowledge-sharing tailored to regional contexts, involving governments, businesses and communities. Other innovations included sustainable product design, deposit-return schemes and the phasing out of problematic plastics. Policy support, cross-sector collaboration and long-term investment were deemed essential. International cooperation can accelerate progress by aligning technology, infrastructure and behavioural change to reduce plastic waste and support a circular economy.

See the full report here. The presentation is pending and will be made available soon.

This session explored financial solutions for managing plastic waste, highlighting opportunities and challenges in both the public and private sectors. Discussions included partnerships, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and whether to establish a new multilateral fund or optimise existing mechanisms. A central theme was the global investment gap between developed and emerging markets, with a call to increase awareness of financing schemes, particularly in developing regions. The potential of innovative financial instruments—such as green bonds and impact investments—to attract private sector involvement and scale up circular business models, including advanced recycling and reuse systems, was also emphasised.

See the full report here. The presentation is pending and will be made available soon.

Session 7: Monitoring and Evaluation

Session 8: Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

This session emphasised the pivotal role of monitoring and evaluation in managing plastic waste, with a focus on standardised data collection, national reporting and globally harmonised labelling. Key performance indicators, such as per capita waste generation and 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) rates, were highlighted for tracking progress in the circular economy. Discussions covered the importance of transparent monitoring systems throughout the plastic value chain to enhance data accuracy and comparability between countries. While the potential for plastic credit trading was acknowledged, the session noted challenges in establishing globally harmonised standards. A strong evaluation framework is essential to underpin effective plastic reduction strategies and circularity initiatives.

See the full report and available presentation here.

This session focused on strengthening waste management across the Asia-Pacific through capacity-building, with an emphasis on tracking, monitoring and country-specific programmes. Key themes included the integration of circularity and life cycle principles from the early stages of product design and empowering stakeholders—from designers to waste collectors—with the relevant knowledge and tools. The importance of sharing expertise between countries and enhancing collection and recycling infrastructure was underlined. Community engagement, particularly in areas with low awareness, is vital and should be supported by trusted local partnerships, accessible training and income-generating waste initiatives. Effective policy must complement grassroots efforts, ensuring that capacity building and technical assistance remain central to achieving a non-toxic, circular plastics economy.

See the full report and available presentations here: Presentation 1 & Presentation 2.