The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP), in collaboration with Udayana University 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 Bali, Indonesia, on 21–​22 April 2026 under the CaRMPAC Project. The workshop was held at the Udayana University Senate Meeting Room in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.

The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, academia, recycling businesses, NGOs, and the private sector to strengthen knowledge and regional collaboration on reducing plastic leakage from recycling systems. The workshop is 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 Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AIT RRC.AP, and Mr. Reo Kawamura, Director of ERIA RKC-MPD and Prof. Agung Suryawan Wiranatha, Director of Centre of Excellence in Tourism - on behalf of the Rector Udayana University.

Discussions during the workshop highlighted the growing challenges of plastic pollution and recycling-related leakage in Bali. Participants emphasized that while recycling plays an important role in reducing waste, leakage can still occur due to inadequate waste segregation, high logistics costs, limited recycling infrastructure, and weak operational systems. Discussions also highlighted the need for stronger coordination, clearer operational procedures, and improved infrastructure to support recycling facilities and waste management systems. ​