Plastic Pollution in the South Asia Region

The South Asia Region is vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. Pollution, such as plastic pollution, stresses the region’s environment and resources. South Asia is the world’s third-largest plastic waste source, expected to double by 2050. Some of the most significant problems are enforcing borders, keeping track of trash, coordinating efforts, and issues in recycling markets. 

Despite the challenges, many new and promising initiatives promoted through regional cooperation could help reduce plastic pollution by adopting circular approaches. 

Strategic Initiative to Reduce the Region’s Plastic Pollution

The Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project, implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), funded by the World Bank, and supported by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), is a pioneering regional initiative addressing the critical issue of plastic pollution in South Asia. From 2020 to 2025, the five-year project has invested USD 37 million, aiming to enhance the innovation and coordination of circular plastic economy approaches across South Asia, involving the public, private sector, and non-governmental stakeholders.

Covering eight member countries of SACEP: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the PLEASE project primarily focuses on:  

(1) Improving the identification and testing of plastic pollution mitigation solutions, 

(2) Increasing the leveraging of policy solutions and public-private sector engagement in plastic pollution, waste, and leakage mitigation across the value chain, and 

(3) Strengthening regional integration institutions. 

Overall, the PLEASE project leverages circular economy initiatives through three interlinked components: competitive grants to reduce plastic waste, public-private sector engagement, and regional policy integration. By promoting the AIR concept (Avoid, Intercept, and Redesign), the project fosters innovation, strengthens collaboration, and supports sustainable solutions to reduce plastic pollution in marine environments.

Learn more about the PLEASE’s innovative work on the ground