This paper presents a study that was conducted in six AMS and based on an initial assessment of their SWM systems, these were grouped into two sets of three countries. Three countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines) have a nascent solid waste ecosystem that is characterized by some dedicated waste policies and regulations, which are poorly enforced, with no support and incentives for plastic circularity
limited or no waste segregation at source
poor collection systems with a low collection ratio
a strong autonomous informal sector that prioritizes the collection, sorting, and recycling of high-value plastic
and significant gaps in the infrastructure for waste recovery and recycling. A second group of three countries (Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam) have an emerging solid waste ecosystem, with a SWM regulatory framework
incentives for plastics' reuse
SUPs' restriction, collection systems, and recycling facilities in place in major urban centers
and consumers are educated to segregate their waste at its source. In addition, Indonesia and the Philippines are island nations that have unique SWM challenges. This paper acknowledges that although there are gaps in plastic and SWM in the six AMS, these shortcomings in infrastructure and services should not deter them from supporting plastic waste innovations, which can enhance plastic and SWM. This paper is intended to enable ASEAN countries to take stock of the current innovations that are supporting plastic circularity and the steps needed to encourage additional capital investment by improving policies and building innovators' capacity. Thus, this paper should assist stakeholders in tackling plastic pollution and improving plastic circularity by focusing on innovations in plastic circularity and supporting entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).