The Mekong Subregion – Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam – is not only host to the fastest growing economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but is also rich in natural resources and biodiversity and has a culturally diverse urban population. Returns from the continued economic growth have raised incomes and improved people’s well-being, but have also resulted in many environmental challenges.

Applying EPR system for plastic waste in developing countries faces many challenges, such as the existence of a market-based collection system of recyclables, high transportation cost, lack of waste collection services in rural areas, a limited number of facilities to manage certain types of plastic waste, insufficient pollution control and free riding and orphan products. The challenges, furthermore, can be minimised by differentiating the responsibility of producers, focusing on rural and remote areas, involving informal sectors, creating joint facilities in recycling parks, expanding waste management collection services, increasing the use of EPR and minimising free riding.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 and the leakage of plastic waste to the ocean, waste collection and disposal services should be expanded middle and small cities, and rural area. This report shows economies of scale in waste management, reviews regional waste management in Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, and identifies some types of regional waste management schemes, including regional waste management with Public Private Partnership.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has raised issues with waste management. In ASEAN countries, the increasing amount of medical waste during the pandemic is not in line with the availability of waste management facilities. Furthermore, the amount of plastic waste is also rising because people rely more on food delivery services. In this difficult situation, it is crucial for ASEAN countries to strengthen their waste management policies.

The need for a circular economy for plastics has become a global concern. Plastic marine litter has been recognised as a global environmental issue, and many countries have introduced policies to reduce single-use plastics. Recycling of plastic waste should also be strengthened to reduce plastic marine litter. This report aims to provide basic information and policies on plastic recycling, including good practices in Asian countries.

Indonesia has the largest economic exclusive zone in Asia, and Japan the second largest. Marine resources are their main development assets. Indonesia and Japan rely on marine logistics and fisheries, of which infrastructure and connectivity are important aspects. Both countries are prone to disasters, including tsunamis, and should improve their disaster management. And both countries should improve their waste management to eliminate marine debris and pollution.