Southeast Asian initiatives promote circular economy through plastic upcycling

Various regional initiatives in Southeast Asia are promoting the circular economy through plastic waste upcycling and recycling programs.

In Seberang Jaya, the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) has partnered with Jasmine Food Corporation to launch a program focused on recycling used rice plastic bags. These bags are being repurposed into upcycled products such as bags, plastic flowers, and decorative animal replicas. The initiative aims to reduce the volume of waste sent to the Pulau Burong landfill, which receives an average of 2,000 tons of solid waste daily.

In Indonesia, AQUA and Citilink have launched the ‘Semangat Gerak’ campaign to manage post-consumption plastic waste from aviation activities. This cross-industry collaboration aims to connect the air transportation sector with recycling ecosystems. The project will pilot in Bali, focusing on collecting and managing plastic waste to support broader circular economy practices through local partners and community involvement.