By 2050, our oceans may contain more plastic by weight than fish, and even more alarming is that plastic production itself is growing exponentially and 1/3 of this production is used to manufacture single-use packaging or products. This generates 350 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. The true cost of plastic, the cost to society, the environment, and the economy, is estimated to be 10 times its market price. In 2019 alone, lifetime costs of plastics were estimated to be around US$3.7 trillion, more than the GDP of India, and these costs are set to double by 2040. While efforts in recycling continue, the stark reality is that they fall significantly short. Only about 9% of plastic has been recycled globally whereas 79% end up in landfills or nature, and 12% incinerated, highlighting the inefficiency of current strategies.
The problem is particularly acute in Southeast Asia, where rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management infrastructure are overwhelmed by the additional burden of imported waste from developed countries. From 2016 to 2018, ASEAN countries saw a 171% increase in plastic waste imports, following China's import ban.
These stark realities require a shift in focus from downstream waste management to upstream solutions. Preventative measures are not only more cost-effective but also offer the most substantial long-term benefits. We need to address the root causes of plastic pollution to mitigate these overwhelming costs.
To respond to the urgent need for action, InOff Plastic and SecondMuse are spearheading a series of initiatives aimed at driving systemic change in Southeast Asia. Our approach includes both educational and practical components to foster understanding and direct action.
Strategic Dialogue & Workshop on Reuse in Southeast Asia
Our first step is an interactive virtual workshop designed to bring together key stakeholders from across the region. This event will serve as a platform to share insights, challenges, and innovative solutions related to plastic reuse and reduction.
Join industry experts like Thom Almeida from the World Economic Forum and Simon Baldwin from SecondMuse for a panel discussion, followed by breakout sessions that encourage deep dives into specific issues and collaborative brainstorming. Participants will have the chance to present their ideas and gain valuable feedback, fostering a collaborative network of action. You can register for the workshop here.
Empowering Change in Southeast Asia: Upstream Lab
Leveraging over a decade of community-focused systems change the experience from SecondMuse and more than three years of specialized expertise in upstream solutions from InOff Plastic, we've crafted a transformative program targeted at the heart of Southeast Asia's plastic dilemma. With our hands-on involvement across India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, we've conducted a detailed landscape analysis to pinpoint where we can make the most significant impact.
Our goals are clear and ambitious:
Accelerate Corporate Action: We're setting the stage for major corporations to adopt, test, validate, and embed sustainable upstream models into their operations.
Foster Partnerships: We aim to facilitate a smooth transition to circular economic models by building robust partnerships across the supply chain.
Cultivate Consumer Change: We're dedicated to shifting consumer behaviors to embrace and sustain upstream solutions.
Influence Policy: Through advocacy and strategic dialogue, we strive to catalyze policy reforms that expedite the adoption of effective upstream models.
This program is more than an initiative; it's a commitment to pioneering substantial environmental and economic change in a region at the tipping point of plastic reform.
Join us in making a difference. Register for the workshop here and learn more about how you can contribute at the Upstream Lab.
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