The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP), in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Lao PDR, and with support from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (ERIA RKC-MPD), conducted the Capacity Building Workshop on Preventing Recycling-Related Plastic Leakage from Plastic Recycling in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 18-19 May 2026 under the CaRMPAC Project.

The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, local authorities, recycling-related stakeholders, and environmental practitioners to strengthen understanding of how plastic leakage can occur across recycling activities and how practical measures can help prevent plastic waste from leaking in the environment. The programme forms part of the Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities, implemented across 12 cities in seven ASEAN Member States.

The opening session featured remarks from Mr. Aloune Sayavong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Lao PDR, followed by remarks from Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AIT RRC.AP, and Mr. Reo Kawamura, Director of ERIA RKC-MPD.

Throughout the two-day workshop, participants discussed plastic leakage pathways across the recycling value chain, including household waste handling, informal collection, junk shops, material recovery facilities, and mechanical recycling operations. The sessions highlighted that while recycling supports waste reduction, resource recovery, livelihoods, and circular economy goals, poorly managed collection, sorting, storage, washing, transport, and processing activities can allow plastic fragments and residues to leak into drainage systems, open land, rivers, and the wider environment.

The workshop also covered practical approaches for preventing leakage from recycling facilities, including improved sorting and storage, better containment systems, regular cleaning, safer workplace practices, and simple operational improvements. Sessions further addressed occupational health and safety, behaviour change, community participation, and the importance of connecting policy, technical knowledge, and local experience.

Through interactive discussions and solution-mapping exercises, participants explored locally appropriate measures to strengthen recycling systems and reduce leakage risks in Vientiane and beyond. Through the CaRMPAC initiative, AIT RRC.AP continues to support ASEAN cities in strengthening capacity, promoting practical solutions, and advancing regional collaboration to reduce marine plastic pollution. F