To strengthen efforts in preventing and reducing single-use plastic waste by highlighting innovative solutions, Plasticdiet Indonesia, as a co-convenor of Asia Reuse Consortium, organize a discussion on the topic “Scaling Reuse: Collaborative Strategies for Reducing Plastic Waste” as part of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) 5 in Busan, South Korea. This session will explore collaborative strategies to expand reuse as part of the circular economy and to promote it as a mandate under the Global Plastic Treaty.
The discussion features speakers presenting real-life examples of initiatives, highlighting the transformative power of community-driven sustainable practices, standards for reuse systems that can be applied globally, the involvement of waste pickers and the informal sector in reuse systems, as well as the challenges in funding reuse systems. The panel also explores enabling policies and the need for investment in reuse systems. In addition, the speakers emphasize how the Global Plastics Treaty can help expedite the adoption of reuse ecosystems.
“Our collective dream for the reuse system is to see it being scaled up. In Indonesia, we co-convene Reuse Special Interest Group, as well as Asia Reuse Consortium for wider scope in Asia region. We gather all reuse businesses, talk about reuse, push it for reuse, and have discussions for the standard that can be applied with all these businesses. One of the key aspects of reuse infrastructure is the reuse hub. In this hub, activities such as refilling, repacking, washing, collection, and reverse logistics are carried out. This hub can be jointly owned by business owners or the producers, that making the system more cost-effective. So, costumer can access the system easily.” explained by Tiza Mafira from Plasticdiet Indonesia.
“We established Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs) as a hallmark of Bengaluru’s effective public-private collaboration in waste management. Within the DWCC, we also piloted a reuse system involving the waste pickers. From the pilot conducted, we have tried to identify materials suitable for the reuse system and, most importantly, mapped the stakeholders involved. Also, we observed the need for greater involvement from various parties to maximize this system, particularly through public-private partnerships to fund DWCC improvements for reuse systems, to maximize some of the key metrics, such as waste reduction and income generation for waste pickers.” said Indumathi from Alliance of Indian Waste Pickers.
Ame Trandem from Plastic Solutions Fund emphasizes the importance of financial schemes to support the reuse ecosystem. “We creates the ecosystem to identify each actors in every aspect. As we see, we need different types of finance, different types of financial actors to enable this ecosystem. Financial mechanism is also important for upstream efforts.” said Ame.
One of the activities carried out during this discussion was the launch of a “Unpacking Reuse in Asia” report, summarizing the development of reuse system in Asia. This first study report highlights how reuse systems can emphasize inclusivity and sustainability for the environment, the economy, and community well-being.
“The underline messages of all reuse initiatives in this report is that we all together look at solution of plastic reduction. It is important to understand no one solution fits all; hence, any measure for transition should be inclusive, responsive and relevant for local contexts.” said Pinky Chandran, Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator at Break Free From Plastic
Link to the report
