The Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project is implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme, and supported by UNOPS and the World Bank.
The project aims to support South Asia’s transition to a circular plastic economy through knowledge sharing, targeted investments, and innovation. It emphasizes four key goals: promoting awareness of regional solutions, demonstrating the impact of block grants, showcasing replicable success stories, and aligning efforts with national priorities in consultation with local authorities. A total of 12 Regional Block Grants (RBGs) and 16 Innovation Grants were awarded. RBGs were given to projects with the potential for significant and sustained reductions in plastic waste entering South Asia’s rivers and seas. These initiatives are intended to serve as pilots that can be scaled up across the region. Innovation Grants supported creative solutions from community-based organizations, social enterprises, private sector entities, and academic institutions in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with a focus on female-led groups. Together, these efforts aim to accelerate the adoption of effective, innovative, and scalable approaches to reducing plastic pollution.
The project promotes plastic pollution mitigation by engaging both public and private sectors in South Asia. It supports the development of strategies, policies, and standards through a multi-year plastic policy program, collaboration with universities and organizations, and the creation of a database for lifecycle analysis and industry data. It also encourages circular plastic use by facilitating regular regional meetings between public and private sector representatives to foster collaboration and innovation.
The project promotes plastic pollution mitigation by engaging both public and private sectors in South Asia. It supports the development of strategies, policies, and standards through a multi-year plastic policy program, collaboration with universities and organizations, and the creation of a database for lifecycle analysis and industry data. It also encourages circular plastic use by facilitating regular regional meetings between public and private sector representatives to foster collaboration and innovation.
Through the PLEASE Project, SACEP is enhancing regional efforts to reduce plastic pollution and support a circular plastic economy by delivering targeted Technical Assistance (TA) across South Asia. In Bhutan, the Clean Thimphu – Clean Paro Initiative was launched on February 21, 2025, focusing on smart waste bins, awareness campaigns, and public participation. A second TA supports nationwide GIS mapping of waste facilities and emissions assessments to update Bhutan’s NDC 3.0. In Nepal, a comprehensive plastic inventory is underway, beginning in Tokha Municipality and expanding nationwide to inform data-driven plastic waste policies. In Pakistan, the project supports developing a National Plastic Waste Management Plan and an IT-based monitoring system, with active involvement from national and provincial stakeholders. In the Maldives, the PLEASE Project is assisting in designing a smart waste management system, including funding for required IT infrastructure. These initiatives collectively promote innovation, improved data systems, and sustainable waste management across the region.