Khon Kaen, 20–21 October 2025: As one of Thailand’s most dynamic secondary cities, Khon Kaen is taking bold steps towards a cleaner, circular future. Local government officials, recyclers, and community representatives gathered for the Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC) Workshop. Khon Kaen is one of the 12 target cities in ASEAN under the CaRMPAC project.
The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA, supported by the Asian Institute of Technology’s Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (AIT RRC.AP), organised the CaRMPAC Project to strengthen local capacity and explore practical ways in preventing recycling-related plastic leakage. Through this workshop, Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre, reaffirmed the Centre’s dedication to supporting ASEAN’s transition to a circular plastics economy.
During the workshop, participants progressed from learning fundamental concepts about plastic pollution and leakage pathways to exchanging concrete solutions relevant to Khon Kaen’s local context. Discussions were grounded in Thailand’s waste management realities – from high operational costs in Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to challenges in source segregation and low market demand for recyclables.
Ms Nutchareewan Dondeeloet, Vice Mayor of Khon Kaen City, emphasised the city’s commitment to achieving a ‘Low-Carbon and Zero-Waste City’.
One of the most impactful sessions introduced the APCCR approach: Anticipate, Prevent, Contain, Clean up, and Remediate – a practical framework to help facilities identify and stop plastic leakage at its source. The simple yet structured method resonated strongly with participants, especially those from small recycling centres and junk shops, which often lack access to complex technologies.
Participants also engaged in group discussions focusing on the roles of policy, SMEs, and consumers in supporting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), improving source segregation, and promoting sustainable consumption behaviours.
Through group discussions, three recurring themes emerged across policy, private sector, and consumer groups:
Accountability through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Ensuring producers take ownership of their products from design to disposal.
Empowering SMEs: Providing financial and technical support for small enterprises to adopt sustainable production and cleaner recycling practices.
Behavioural change and awareness: Engaging citizens to sort waste correctly, choose durable products, and reduce single-use plastics.
Participants agreed that education, incentives, and collaboration are the cornerstones of sustainable plastic management. While policies exist, inconsistent enforcement and limited public understanding often slow implementation. The conversations reflected a shared recognition that technical upgrades alone are not enough, as social and behavioural shifts are equally crucial.
The Khon Kaen workshop concluded with optimism and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. Participants left not only with technical knowledge but also a renewed sense of purpose – that plastic pollution is everyone’s problem, and solutions start locally.
As one participant noted, ‘Preventing leakage doesn’t always require big investments; it starts with awareness, teamwork, and small changes in how we handle waste.’
Through initiatives like CaRMPAC, ERIA and AIT RRC.AP continue to empower ASEAN cities to turn these small changes into collective regional progress – advancing towards a future where recycling is not just about recovery, but also responsibility.
The Khon Kaen training marks another important milestone for the CaRMPAC project, as ERIA continues to provide capacity-building support to reduce marine plastic pollution and assist cities’ transition to sustainable plastic management systems.
Research Associate for Capacity Building
Khon Kaen, 20–21 October 2025: As one of Thailand’s most dynamic secondary cities, Khon Kaen is taking bold steps towards a cleaner, circular future. Local government officials, recyclers, and community representatives gathered for the Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC) Workshop. Khon Kaen is one of the 12 target cities in ASEAN under the CaRMPAC project.
The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA, supported by the Asian Institute of Technology’s Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (AIT RRC.AP), organised the CaRMPAC Project to strengthen local capacity and explore practical ways in preventing recycling-related plastic leakage. Through this workshop, Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre, reaffirmed the Centre’s dedication to supporting ASEAN’s transition to a circular plastics economy.
During the workshop, participants progressed from learning fundamental concepts about plastic pollution and leakage pathways to exchanging concrete solutions relevant to Khon Kaen’s local context. Discussions were grounded in Thailand’s waste management realities – from high operational costs in Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to challenges in source segregation and low market demand for recyclables.
Ms Nutchareewan Dondeeloet, Vice Mayor of Khon Kaen City, emphasised the city’s commitment to achieving a ‘Low-Carbon and Zero-Waste City’.
One of the most impactful sessions introduced the APCCR approach: Anticipate, Prevent, Contain, Clean up, and Remediate – a practical framework to help facilities identify and stop plastic leakage at its source. The simple yet structured method resonated strongly with participants, especially those from small recycling centres and junk shops, which often lack access to complex technologies.
Participants also engaged in group discussions focusing on the roles of policy, SMEs, and consumers in supporting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), improving source segregation, and promoting sustainable consumption behaviours.
Through group discussions, three recurring themes emerged across policy, private sector, and consumer groups:
Accountability through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Ensuring producers take ownership of their products from design to disposal.
Empowering SMEs: Providing financial and technical support for small enterprises to adopt sustainable production and cleaner recycling practices.
Behavioural change and awareness: Engaging citizens to sort waste correctly, choose durable products, and reduce single-use plastics.
Participants agreed that education, incentives, and collaboration are the cornerstones of sustainable plastic management. While policies exist, inconsistent enforcement and limited public understanding often slow implementation. The conversations reflected a shared recognition that technical upgrades alone are not enough, as social and behavioural shifts are equally crucial.
The Khon Kaen workshop concluded with optimism and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. Participants left not only with technical knowledge but also a renewed sense of purpose – that plastic pollution is everyone’s problem, and solutions start locally.
As one participant noted, ‘Preventing leakage doesn’t always require big investments; it starts with awareness, teamwork, and small changes in how we handle waste.’
Through initiatives like CaRMPAC, ERIA and AIT RRC.AP continue to empower ASEAN cities to turn these small changes into collective regional progress – advancing towards a future where recycling is not just about recovery, but also responsibility.
The Khon Kaen training marks another important milestone for the CaRMPAC project, as ERIA continues to provide capacity-building support to reduce marine plastic pollution and assist cities’ transition to sustainable plastic management systems.
Research Associate for Capacity Building
