South Asian Initiative Prevents Over 10 Million KG of Plastic Waste from Entering Waterways

Over the past five years, a collaborative effort involving waste management companies, civil society groups, and communities across South Asia has successfully prevented 10.2 million kilograms of plastic waste from polluting the region’s rivers and seas. This significant achievement is equivalent to the weight of approximately 2,550 adult Asian elephants.

This milestone was reached under the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas of South Asia (PLEASE) Project, a multi-country and multifaceted initiative implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP). The PLEASE project has also facilitated the recycling of more than 626,000 kilograms of plastic waste into valuable resources across its six participating countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

SACEP and the PLEASE project’s commitment to fostering a circular plastics economy in South Asia aligns directly with the observance of World Environment Day 2025 on June 5. This year’s theme, “Ending plastic pollution globally,” underscores the urgent necessity to reduce and improve the management of plastic waste, which poses significant threats to both human health and the natural environment.

Beyond merely intercepting and recycling plastic waste, the PLEASE project actively collaborates with companies and civil society organizations to diminish plastic consumption, particularly single-use plastics such as bags, cups, and straws. It also focuses on enhancing plastic waste management practices within households, communities, and industries. The project has catalyzed 30 technological or social innovations addressing various stages of the plastic lifecycle.

Furthermore, technical assistance has been extended to environment ministries in several countries to enhance plastic-related policies and regulatory frameworks, and to deepen their understanding of complex plastic waste management issues.

Recognizing the disproportionate involvement of women in informal waste collection activities in South Asia—including scavenging landfills and sorting recyclables—the PLEASE project has prioritized improving their working conditions. The project has supported women waste workers through training, improved access to childcare, health, and social services, and the creation of safer work environments.

SACEP initiated the implementation of the PLEASE Project in mid-2020 to bolster innovation and coordination of circular economy solutions aimed at mitigating plastic pollution flowing into South Asian seas. As an inter-governmental organization established in 1982 by South Asian governments to promote environmental management, SACEP is mandated to support its member countries’ journey towards sustainability. In partnership with civil society organizations, private companies, research institutions, and local communities, the PLEASE project has developed viable solutions tailored to local needs and conditions.

Country-Specific Initiatives:

• Bangladesh: Floating trash barriers deployed by RedOrange Communications in waterways at Kallyanpur, Ramchandrapur Khal, and Mohammadia Housing Road effectively intercept 1,200 kg of plastics daily, preventing downstream pollution and protecting marine ecosystems.
• Bhutan: An initiative by Clean Bhutan is transforming PET bottles into polyester wool, directly addressing the country’s growing plastic waste problem by converting discarded plastic bottles into raw material for products like toys and jackets. Over 10,000 plastic bottles have already been recycled through this process.
• Maldives: Community Empowerment Linkage (CEL) has installed over 100 water purification machines across Meemu Mulah Island to reduce plastic bottle waste and encourage the use of reusable glass bottles. Machines are also placed on fishing vessels, significantly decreasing plastic water bottle usage.
• Nepal: Biocomp has established a pioneering recycling facility for low-grade plastics, converting these materials into plastic composite boards. This facility processes 10,000 kilograms of plastic daily.
• Pakistan: Karachi, a megacity, now features 60 ‘eco refill stations’ where consumers can purchase personal and household products like cooking oil and shampoo through refill options, thereby avoiding new packaging. Davaam Life estimates this initiative helps consumers prevent over 7,000 kg of single-use plastics.
• Sri Lanka: Chakra Suthra has deployed smart recycling bins that incentivize responsible plastic disposal. Users can deposit plastic bottles and receive immediate recycling credits redeemable for data purchases and bill payments via a mobile application.

Through the project, SACEP has advanced policy development and regional cooperation on plastic waste management and circular economy solutions. Multi-stakeholder policy dialogues, including six high-level national roundtable discussions, were organized in 2024, with a regional roundtable held in Colombo in April 2025. These forums explored policy, technical, and market-oriented solutions, strengthening regional collaboration for scalable plastic waste interventions. The project also actively engaged South Asian youth through a Hackathon, generating innovative ideas such as biodegradable fish storage boxes, an enzyme-based plastic biodegradation solution, and a gaming application for reducing household waste.

Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) stands as the region’s largest initiative dedicated to combating marine plastic pollution and promoting sustainable plastic use. Funded by the World Bank and implemented by SACEP with support from UNOPS, the project fosters innovation through public-private partnerships, competitive grants, and circular economy solutions.