World Bank2024-06-272024-06-272024-06-27https://hdl.handle.net/10986/41787This paper presents a study that was conducted in six AMS and based on an initial assessment of their SWM systems, these were grouped into two sets of three countries. Three countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines) have a nascent solid waste ecosystem that is characterized by some dedicated waste policies and regulations, which are poorly enforced, with no support and incentives for plastic circularity; limited or no waste segregation at source; poor collection systems with a low collection ratio; a strong autonomous informal sector that prioritizes the collection, sorting, and recycling of high-value plastic; and significant gaps in the infrastructure for waste recovery and recycling. A second group of three countries (Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam) have an emerging solid waste ecosystem, with a SWM regulatory framework; incentives for plastics’ reuse; SUPs’ restriction, collection systems, and recycling facilities in place in major urban centers; and consumers are educated to segregate their waste at its source. In addition, Indonesia and the Philippines are island nations that have unique SWM challenges. This paper acknowledges that although there are gaps in plastic and SWM in the six AMS, these shortcomings in infrastructure and services should not deter them from supporting plastic waste innovations, which can enhance plastic and SWM. This paper is intended to enable ASEAN countries to take stock of the current innovations that are supporting plastic circularity and the steps needed to encourage additional capital investment by improving policies and building innovators’ capacity. Thus, this paper should assist stakeholders in tackling plastic pollution and improving plastic circularity by focusing on innovations in plastic circularity and supporting entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).en-USCC BY-NC 3.0 IGOECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENTCLIMATE CHANGESMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES AND JOBSCLIMATE ACTIONSDG 8DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTHLIFE ON LANDSDG 15LIFE BELOW WATERSDG 14ReportWorld Bank10.1596/41787