Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging in Selected ASEAN Member States

Overview & Synopsis

Plastic pollution in the ASEAN region is a major concern, yet there are significant gaps in policy, funding, and waste infrastructure to deal with it. Recent increases in gross domestic product (GDP), population numbers, and urbanization in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region have led to a significant rise in plastic waste. World Bank studies highlight that plastic waste management is a critical issue in the region. This report assesses the readiness of seven ASEAN Member States: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Viet Nam to implement EPR policies for plastic packaging, using an Implementation Readiness Assessment Tool (IRAT). The study concluded in 2024, developments after that period are not covered. Preparation included consultations with government officials to validate the tool, its questions, and key findings. Local experts from several AMS were also involved in the study. They shared their knowledge, provided access to regulatory frameworks and secondary sources, and contributed to the assessment of country EPR readiness.