ABOUT US
REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE CENTRE FOR MARINE PLASTIC DEBRIS
Various documents emphasising the importance of sharing knowledge and capacity development related to marine plastic debris have been produced by the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and others. One of them is the ASEAN+3 Marine Plastics Debris Cooperative Action Initiative, which states best use of existing institutions such as Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), for sharing knowledge and capacity development. The initiative was welcomed by the ASEAN+3 Summit (10 ASEAN Member States, China, Japan, and Republic of Korea) in November 2018. With support from the Government of Japan and others, ERIA established on 01 October 2019 the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD), an information clearinghouse on marine plastic debris in ASEAN+3 countries.
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BACKGROUND
ASEAN countries are a major source of marine plastics and have initiated actions to reduce them. Indonesia developed the Indonesia’s Plan of Action on Marine Plastic Debris 2017–2025 in May 2017.
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OBJECTIVES
The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) is a clearinghouse for information on marine plastic debris in ASEAN+3 countries. RKC-MPD facilitates networking among stakeholders, raises awareness, promotes innovative actions in each county, and facilitates national and regional cooperation to solve the marine plastic debris problem.
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Marine Lives Matter: Plastic Bag Bans in Japan and Jakarta and Further Actions to Reduce Marine Plastics
by Michikazu Kojima, Ellen Putri Edita, Hendro Putra Johannes, Fusanori Iwasaki • 19 August 2020
Both Japan and Jakarta, Indonesia implemented new bans on single-use plastic shopping bags on July 1, 2020. However, enforcing these regulations is not been without challenges.

ERIA-AIPA Online Joint Dialogue on Waste Management in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic
by Ellen Putri Edita and Hendro Putra Johannes • 13 July 2020
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) has held an Online Joint Dialogue on Waste Management in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic.
GOOD PRACTICES

National Framework to Tackle Marine Plastic Debris
Solving the issue of marine litter requires the involvement and cooperation of ministries in charge of fishery, coastal and river management, land-based waste management, industries producing and using plastics, recycling industries, and others.

Government Initiatives
To prevent marine plastic litter, various policies, such as reducing the use of single-use plastics, preventing littering, expanding waste collection services, and recycling, have been applied in this region.

Scientific Knowledge
There is still a lack of reliable data and short of scientific knowledge on marine plastic debris. Although we should take some actions, based on the precautionary principle, we also need to enrich scientific knowledge in various fields.