Break Free From Plastic movement members in Asia Pacific continue pushing against false solutions to plastic pollution and waste dumping, while also amplifying calls for reuse and refill solutions.
Here are some of the actions in the region from May 2024:
Asia: Groups call for revision of ADB's Environmental and Social Framework
At the 57th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific together with WALHI Indonesia demanded significant revisions to the bank’s Environmental and Social Framework. They urged ADB to stop treating pollution and emissions as tradable commodities, recognize the vital role of informal workers in waste management, and abandon ineffective practices like incineration and carbon capture. Learn more
Malaysia: Call for stronger policies against waste dumping
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) discovered shredded plastics, wires, and discards from e-waste dumped in agriculture and remote areas. Meanwhile, Greenpeace Southeast Asia called for stronger policies to end illicit waste dumping. Read more
Indonesia: Testing river water for plastic contamination
As Indonesia hosts the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, ECOTON together with activists and marine science students took water samples from the Mangetan River bed for quality testing. The action also documented the number of wastes and illegal buildings along the canal. See more
Thailand: Establishing water refilling points in Bangkok
Trash Hero Thailand invites people and companies to establish a Drinking Water Refill Point. Through a refill point, those with reusable bottles can refill bottles with drinking water. Learn more (Thai) | See photos
Vietnam: Environmental art competition for elementary school students
Ahead of Plastic Free July celebrations, Pacific Environment Vietnam and the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance are holding an art competition for elementary school students in the country to promote environment protection through art. See details
India: Fighting against waste-to-energy incineration projects
In India, Tamil Nadu based groups Poovulagin Nan-bar-gal, Chennai Climate Action Group, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group, and Centre for Financial Accountability initiated a discussion on the impacts of waste-to-energy incineration projects such as the Kodungaiyur plant. Learn more
India: Mobilizing volunteers for The Himalayan Cleanup 2024
The Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) and Zero Waste Himalaya led volunteers in conducting over 300 clean-ups are scheduled from May 25th to June 5th for the annual Himalayan Cleanup. They also collected brand audit data from the collected wastes which would determine top plastic polluters of the mountains. The Groups demand for extended producer responsibility to be implemented in the mountains. Learn more
Indonesia: Celebrating leading environmentalist Yuyun Ismawati
Nexus3 Foundation Senior Adviser Yuyun Ismawati was awarded during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month as a leading environmentalist and waste management expert, Yuyun's dedication to sustainability is changing lives in Indonesia and beyond. Learn more
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