National Environmental Strategy to 2020 and the Environment Action Plan 2006–2010
MoNRE (2012) set the National Environmental Strategy to 2020 and the Environment Action Plan 2006–2010 to focus on seven programmes. However, none specifically targets waste management.
National Pollution Control Strategy and Action Plan 2018–2015 with Vision to 2030
This strategy covers several environmental issues, including solid waste management. The overall targets of solid waste management in this action plan consist of development of policies and recommendations for industries that could potentially endanger the environment, local institutional reinforcement at provincial and local levels, capacity and infrastructure improvement for strategic solid waste management, and revenue generation from recycling and recovery facilities (MoNRE, 2017).
Renewable Energy Strategy to 2025
Waste management is discussed in the Renewable Energy Strategy to 2025, in which the waste-to-energy sector is a main concern as Lao PDR faces long-term higher demand for renewable energy. Renewable energy is expected to contribute up to 30% of Lao PDR’s energy sources by 2025 (MoNRE, 2012).
National Plastics Action Plan for Lao PDR 2024-2030 (NPAP)
Endorsed in August 2024, this plan aligns with the 9th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025), placing high priority on controlling plastic pollution. It also contributes to the broader goals of the National Green Growth Strategy through 2030 and the Natural Resources and Environment Strategy (2016-2025), reflecting the country’s firm commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
Additionally, the NPAP aims to support international sustainability efforts by contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). It also seeks to implement the objectives of the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN, which Lao PDR ratified on June 22, 2019.
The NPAP consists of 4 frameworks, such as (1) Create and amend legislation, rules, policies, and guidelines for the management and reduction of plastic waste, as well as support plastic producers in becoming more responsible; (2) Raise awareness among communities and businesses to reduce, reuse, and segregate plastic waste; (3) Encourage and support the reduction of single-use plastics, improve waste collection, segregation, and logistics systems, increase the recycling rate of plastic waste, and promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives; (4) Establish a system to follow up, monitor, and assess the action plan.
The four work plans of NPAP 2024-2030 consist of:
Table 1. Four work plans of the National Plastics Action Plan for Lao PDR 2024-2030 and their respective actions
Work Plan | Actions |
Work Plan 1 | Create and improve regulations, rules, policies and guidelines to manage and reduce plastics, include encouraging businesses and producers to be more responsible of their waste. |
Work Plan 2 | Encourage awareness raising for everyone in the society and businesses in reducing the use of plastics, reusing, and segregating plastic waste. |
Work Plan 3 | Encourage and support the reduction of single-use plastic usage as much as possible by improving the collection, segregation, and transportation systems for plastic waste, increasing its recycling rate, and encouraging the use of alternative materials. |
Work Plan 4 | Create management, monitoring, and assessment system for the work plans |
The NPAP includes three expected outputs as follows:
An improved plastic management system and reduced pollution,
A clean and sustainable environment through improved resource use, and
A low-carbon community based on a circular economy.
6. National Plastic Action Partnership in Lao PDR
UNDP Lao PDR is currently partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) and Deloitte, with funding support from the World Economic Forum, to implement the project “Action Roadmap to Tackle Plastic Pollution in Lao PDR.” The initiative aims to accelerate the implementation of Lao PDR’s National Plastic Action Plan (NPAP) by developing an evidence-based understanding of plastic waste flows in the country and identifying pathways for systemic change across the plastics value chain. Key activities include conducting baseline assessments of plastic waste generation and management, developing system change scenarios that address both upstream measures (such as reduction, reuse, and substitution) and downstream interventions (such as collection, recycling, and disposal), and establishing a Metrics Advisory Group (MAG) that brings together stakeholders from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to guide the development of data-driven strategies and monitor progress toward reducing plastic pollution.
Updated as of 5 March 2026
National Environmental Strategy to 2020 and the Environment Action Plan 2006–2010
MoNRE (2012) set the National Environmental Strategy to 2020 and the Environment Action Plan 2006–2010 to focus on seven programmes. However, none specifically targets waste management.
National Pollution Control Strategy and Action Plan 2018–2015 with Vision to 2030
This strategy covers several environmental issues, including solid waste management. The overall targets of solid waste management in this action plan consist of development of policies and recommendations for industries that could potentially endanger the environment, local institutional reinforcement at provincial and local levels, capacity and infrastructure improvement for strategic solid waste management, and revenue generation from recycling and recovery facilities (MoNRE, 2017).
Renewable Energy Strategy to 2025
Waste management is discussed in the Renewable Energy Strategy to 2025, in which the waste-to-energy sector is a main concern as Lao PDR faces long-term higher demand for renewable energy. Renewable energy is expected to contribute up to 30% of Lao PDR’s energy sources by 2025 (MoNRE, 2012).
National Plastics Action Plan for Lao PDR 2024-2030 (NPAP)
Endorsed in August 2024, this plan aligns with the 9th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025), placing high priority on controlling plastic pollution. It also contributes to the broader goals of the National Green Growth Strategy through 2030 and the Natural Resources and Environment Strategy (2016-2025), reflecting the country’s firm commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
Additionally, the NPAP aims to support international sustainability efforts by contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). It also seeks to implement the objectives of the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN, which Lao PDR ratified on June 22, 2019.
The NPAP consists of 4 frameworks, such as (1) Create and amend legislation, rules, policies, and guidelines for the management and reduction of plastic waste, as well as support plastic producers in becoming more responsible; (2) Raise awareness among communities and businesses to reduce, reuse, and segregate plastic waste; (3) Encourage and support the reduction of single-use plastics, improve waste collection, segregation, and logistics systems, increase the recycling rate of plastic waste, and promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives; (4) Establish a system to follow up, monitor, and assess the action plan.
The four work plans of NPAP 2024-2030 consist of:
Table 1. Four work plans of the National Plastics Action Plan for Lao PDR 2024-2030 and their respective actions
Work Plan | Actions |
Work Plan 1 | Create and improve regulations, rules, policies and guidelines to manage and reduce plastics, include encouraging businesses and producers to be more responsible of their waste. |
Work Plan 2 | Encourage awareness raising for everyone in the society and businesses in reducing the use of plastics, reusing, and segregating plastic waste. |
Work Plan 3 | Encourage and support the reduction of single-use plastic usage as much as possible by improving the collection, segregation, and transportation systems for plastic waste, increasing its recycling rate, and encouraging the use of alternative materials. |
Work Plan 4 | Create management, monitoring, and assessment system for the work plans |
The NPAP includes three expected outputs as follows:
An improved plastic management system and reduced pollution,
A clean and sustainable environment through improved resource use, and
A low-carbon community based on a circular economy.
6. National Plastic Action Partnership in Lao PDR
UNDP Lao PDR is currently partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) and Deloitte, with funding support from the World Economic Forum, to implement the project “Action Roadmap to Tackle Plastic Pollution in Lao PDR.” The initiative aims to accelerate the implementation of Lao PDR’s National Plastic Action Plan (NPAP) by developing an evidence-based understanding of plastic waste flows in the country and identifying pathways for systemic change across the plastics value chain. Key activities include conducting baseline assessments of plastic waste generation and management, developing system change scenarios that address both upstream measures (such as reduction, reuse, and substitution) and downstream interventions (such as collection, recycling, and disposal), and establishing a Metrics Advisory Group (MAG) that brings together stakeholders from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to guide the development of data-driven strategies and monitor progress toward reducing plastic pollution.
Updated as of 5 March 2026
