The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP), in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia-Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (ERIA RKC-MPD), and hosted by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), successfully organized the Capacity Building Workshop on Preventing Recycling-Related Plastic Leakage from Plastic Recycling in Bangkok, Thailand on 30 June 2026. Conducted under the Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC), the workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officers in identifying and preventing plastic leakage throughout the recycling value chain.

Opening remarks were delivered by Honorable Mr. Tossapol Suparee, Deputy Director-General of the Environment Department, Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AIT RRC.AP, together with and Mr. Indradhi Faisal Ibrahim, Programme Manager for Capacity Building at ERIA RKC-MPD. The workshop brought together officers from various departments and district offices of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Through technical presentations and interactive sessions, participants enhanced their understanding of recycling-related plastic leakage, best practices for preventing plastic losses, behavioral change approaches, and policy measures to strengthen plastic waste management. A highlight of the workshop was the group exercise, where participants presented practical recommendations from the perspectives of key stakeholders including informal waste collectors, waste collection companies, junk shops, recycling facilities, material recovery facilities (MRFs), and policymakers. The presentations generated active discussions on plastic leakage hotspots, operational challenges, and practical interventions to strengthen containment, improve waste segregation, enhance recycling practices, and promote collaboration across the recycling value chain.

The workshop concluded by emphasizing the importance of adopting a systems approach that integrates policy, technology, infrastructure, and stakeholder collaboration to prevent plastic leakage from recycling operations.

AIT RRC.AP, through initiatives like CaRMPAC, continues to support ASEAN cities in strengthening capacities, promoting practical solutions, and advancing regional collaboration to address marine plastic pollution.