Recognizing the massive influx of plastic waste that continues to enter and pollute the environment, earlier this year, NXPO, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and partner organizations in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam, initiated the “STI Platform for Closed Loop Plastics Packaging” project. As part of this project, NXPO recently organized the “STI Platform for Closed Loop Plastics Packaging – Training Programme”. The training took place on 12-14 September 2023 at the Mandarin Hotel Bangkok.
The training was designed to provide participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to perform a baseline analysis of closed loop plastics packaging and explore potential collaborations among participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam to drive the “STI Platform for Closed Loop Plastics Packaging” project, which spans a period of 3 years.
The training topics covered fundamental aspects of plastics, plastic products, their applications and recycling technologies. Plastic waste management models and material flow analysis based on plastic waste data were also discussed. To provide participants with comprehensive background information related to the project, the program included the following special presentations by representatives from government agencies, universities and industry: Cooperation on Plastic Pollution Management, Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase II (2023 -2027), Case Studies on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Viet Nam and Thailand, Plastic Circularity Research and Innovation Project, and Value Chain Collaborative Model on Waste and Plastic Waste Management in Koh Lanta (Lanta Island).
During the training, a site visit was arranged for participants to observe a waste management model in shopping malls. Participants were taken to waste separation stations and recycle collection centers at EmQuartier Shopping Center and Siam Paragon Shopping Center.
The “STI Platform for Closed Loop Plastics Packaging” is a project implemented under the South-South and Triangular Collaboration Programme on Science, Technology, and Innovation among Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Its aim is to enhance collaboration between STI policy agencies in partner countries to address challenges and create opportunities for STI development.
