AIT RRC.AP and West Java Environmental Agency Conduct CaRMPAC Workshop on Preventing Plastic Leakage in Bandung
The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (AIT RRC.AP), in collaboration with the Environmental Agency of West Java Province (DLH Jawa Barat) and with support from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia – Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (ERIA RKC-MPD), successfully conducted the Capacity Building Workshop on Preventing Recycling-Related Plastic Leakage from Plastic Recycling in Bandung, Indonesia, on 23-24 April 2026 under the CaRMPAC Project.
The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, academia, waste banks, recycling businesses, NGOs, and environmental practitioners across West Java to strengthen understanding and collaboration on preventing plastic leakage from recycling activities. The programme forms part of the Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC), which is being implemented across 12 cities in seven ASEAN Member States.
The opening session featured remarks from Helmi Gunawan, Secretary of the West Java Province Environmental Agency (DLH Jawa Barat), followed by remarks from Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AIT RRC.AP, and Mr. Reo? Kawamura, Director of ERIA RKC-MPD.
During the session, Ms. Resmiani, Head of the Environmental Pollution Control Division of DLH West Java also delivered a presentation on the current state of waste management in West Java, highlighting challenges related to plastic waste generation, unmanaged waste, microplastic pollution in rivers and coastal areas, and the need for stronger waste management systems and leakage prevention measures.
Interactive sessions explored behavioral change approaches, policy measures, and practical interventions to reduce plastic leakage. Participants also discussed examples of community-based waste management initiatives in Bali, while recognizing the continuing challenge of increasing waste generation despite ongoing improvement efforts.
Throughout the workshop, participants discussed how recycling activities themselves can become sources of plastic leakage if facilities lack adequate containment systems, operational standards, and environmental safeguards. Challenges highlighted included outdated recycling equipment, open storage systems, poor waste segregation practices, and insufficient wastewater management in recycling operations. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening operational standards, occupational health and safety, and infrastructure to reduce leakage risks from both formal and informal recycling systems.
The workshop also explored behavioral change approaches and community-based waste management practices. Discussions highlighted that education alone is often insufficient without an enabling environment, accessible infrastructure, and active public participation. Participants shared local initiatives such as digital waste collection systems, village-level waste bank programmes, reusable tumbler campaigns, and community-based waste segregation efforts that are being implemented across West Java.
Interactive discussions further examined policy measures, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), upstream waste reduction strategies, and the importance of collaboration among government, communities, academia, and the private sector. Participants also stressed the need for stronger enforcement, improved public awareness, and practical solutions tailored to local contexts in Indonesia.
Through the CaRMPAC initiative, AIT RRC.AP continues to support ASEAN cities in strengthening capacities, promoting practical solutions, and advancing regional collaboration to address marine plastic pollution.
The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (AIT RRC.AP), in collaboration with the Environmental Agency of West Java Province (DLH Jawa Barat) and with support from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia – Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (ERIA RKC-MPD), successfully conducted the Capacity Building Workshop on Preventing Recycling-Related Plastic Leakage from Plastic Recycling in Bandung, Indonesia, on 23-24 April 2026 under the CaRMPAC Project.
The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, academia, waste banks, recycling businesses, NGOs, and environmental practitioners across West Java to strengthen understanding and collaboration on preventing plastic leakage from recycling activities. The programme forms part of the Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC), which is being implemented across 12 cities in seven ASEAN Member States.
The opening session featured remarks from Helmi Gunawan, Secretary of the West Java Province Environmental Agency (DLH Jawa Barat), followed by remarks from Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AIT RRC.AP, and Mr. Reo? Kawamura, Director of ERIA RKC-MPD.
During the session, Ms. Resmiani, Head of the Environmental Pollution Control Division of DLH West Java also delivered a presentation on the current state of waste management in West Java, highlighting challenges related to plastic waste generation, unmanaged waste, microplastic pollution in rivers and coastal areas, and the need for stronger waste management systems and leakage prevention measures.
Interactive sessions explored behavioral change approaches, policy measures, and practical interventions to reduce plastic leakage. Participants also discussed examples of community-based waste management initiatives in Bali, while recognizing the continuing challenge of increasing waste generation despite ongoing improvement efforts.
Throughout the workshop, participants discussed how recycling activities themselves can become sources of plastic leakage if facilities lack adequate containment systems, operational standards, and environmental safeguards. Challenges highlighted included outdated recycling equipment, open storage systems, poor waste segregation practices, and insufficient wastewater management in recycling operations. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening operational standards, occupational health and safety, and infrastructure to reduce leakage risks from both formal and informal recycling systems.
The workshop also explored behavioral change approaches and community-based waste management practices. Discussions highlighted that education alone is often insufficient without an enabling environment, accessible infrastructure, and active public participation. Participants shared local initiatives such as digital waste collection systems, village-level waste bank programmes, reusable tumbler campaigns, and community-based waste segregation efforts that are being implemented across West Java.
Interactive discussions further examined policy measures, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), upstream waste reduction strategies, and the importance of collaboration among government, communities, academia, and the private sector. Participants also stressed the need for stronger enforcement, improved public awareness, and practical solutions tailored to local contexts in Indonesia.
Through the CaRMPAC initiative, AIT RRC.AP continues to support ASEAN cities in strengthening capacities, promoting practical solutions, and advancing regional collaboration to address marine plastic pollution.
The kNOwWaste Knowledge Platform was developed through a Project Cooperation Agreement funding by UNEP on 2016. The platform provides data and information on holistic waste management to stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific region. The platform was developed with the following aims: generate and consolidate data or information on holistic waste management, transform data into easily comprehensible outputs for use by key stakeholders, map out and disseminate information on international waste management projects under the GPWM and UNEP projects as well as other international partners, and provide capacity building support through dissemination of data or information support for relevant stakeholders on holistic waste and waste management system.
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