# Comprehensive Report: International Best Practices in Waste Sorting and Recycling Systems

## Introduction

This report provides information about countries and regions with exemplary waste sorting and recycling systems that could serve as models for improving waste management practices in U.

S.

counties.

The report highlights specific countries, their successful practices, implementation experiences, and the role of government in these initiatives.

## Countries with Leading Waste Management Systems

### 1.

Indonesia

**Successful Practices:**
- Development of comprehensive action roadmaps for plastic pollution reduction
- Investments in upstream innovation and downstream recycling facilities
- Implementation of systemic approaches to transition toward a circular economy for plastics

**Implementation Experience:**
Indonesia has partnered with the Global Plastic Action Partnership to develop and implement strategies that are already showing results.

The country has witnessed measurable reductions in plastic pollution and has successfully attracted investments aligned with their action roadmap.

Their approach combines policy development with practical infrastructure improvements.

**Role of Government:**
The Indonesian government has demonstrated leadership by:
- Setting clear targets for plastic waste reduction
- Creating incentives for investment in recycling infrastructure
- Collaborating with international organizations to develop best practices
- Implementing programs that lead to concrete changes in waste management

### 2.

Ghana

**Successful Practices:**
- Development of platforms for action to address plastic pollution
- Promotion of behavior change campaigns to shift from linear to circular economy models
- Integration of waste management with environmental protection initiatives

**Implementation Experience:**
Ghana is working with the Global Plastic Action Partnership and its Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to co-create solutions.

The g

# Comprehensive Report: International Best Practices in Waste Sorting and Recycling Systems

## Introduction

This report provides information about countries and regions with exemplary waste sorting and recycling systems that could serve as models for improving waste management practices in U.

Title:

Content: Addressing the Issue of Plastic Pollution

On the heels of a challenging year dominated by the COVID pandemic, the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) and its partner governments have met critical milestones, including:

  • Ghana, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Viet Nam came together as early adopters in the Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership
  • Ghana committed to a 100% circular economy for plastics

Africa.com connected with Kristin Huges for a more in-depth look at the work GPAP is doing. Our Q&A follows.

What is the Global Plastic Action Partnership?

The Global Plastic Action Partnership is a public-private partnership aiming GPAP is the World Economic Forum’s multistakeholder platform for shaping a more sustainable and inclusive world through the eradication of plastic pollution.

GPAP was created in 2018 by a group of public, private and civil society leaders with the World Economic Forum because they believed that when we come together, we can create real impact and real change.

Working with all of these organisations at the global and national level, GPAP delivers insights that help governments, companies, and individuals take the steps they need to turn commitments on plastic pollution into action with tangible results.

Our work to reduce plastic pollution and waste is underpinned by the transition to a circular economy for plastics, which directly addresses the root cause of plastic pollution by replacing the “take-use-dispose” model with a closed-looped approach throughout the plastics life cycle.

We focus on 6 impact areas:

  1. informing policy
  2. unlocking finance
  3. transforming behaviour
  4. boosting innovation
  5. harmonizing metrics
  6. promoting inclusivity

How serious is the issue of dumping plastic?

The issue of plastic ending up in nature due to poor behaviour and lack of infrastructure to manage the amount of plastic waste we generate is indeed very serious and is something that has only become worse due to the COVID pandemic. We know that at least 8 million tonnes of plastic waste flow into the ocean every year. Under the ‘business-as-usual’ approach, there will be more plastics than fish in the ocean by 2050. The issue has only been exacerbated by COVID. As restaurants and shops shut down and governments issued ‘shelter-at-home’ orders, many ordered food deliveries, purchased groceries online, and switched to disposable utensils for convenience and for reassurance, we saw the rise of single-use plastic. Many communities are not set up to manage the collection and recycling of this plastic so at best it ends up in landfills, but more often it flows into the environment ending in water sources and eventually the sea.

What are the consequences of ignoring this issue?

The plastic pollution crisis has ballooned over the past decade, but the good news is that awareness of this issue has also risen very sharply among the public. Only 14% of the plastic packaging used globally is recycled. Plastics entering the marine environment is set to double by 2040; without action, more than 1.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste will be dumped on land and in water bodies, and more than 2.2 billion tonnes will be open burned. Since 1950, the world has created 6.5 billion tonnes of plastic waste, 91% of which has not been recycled. Even if current recycling commitments are met, the plastics entering the ocean is on course to rise from 11 million tonnes now to 29 million tonnes by 2040.

Plastics are undeniably essential, versatile, and affordable; they are the bedrock of medical equipment and protective gear, keeping our frontline workers safe. But there is also a worrying trend: demand for disposable plastic products, driven by the fear of viral transmission, is skyrocketing. While the capacity to deal safely with these materials after use, however, is not.

What is considered global best practices for addressing the issue?

A number of countries have worked with us to develop a roadmap of action to engage in addressing the plastic pollution issue. There is not a single actor or single action that can solve this problem; rather the approach much be systemic, and a myriad of players must engage to wholistically address plastic pollution. In terms of best practices, I would suggest that countries that are taking the steps first to analyse the situation and understand the issue are moving in the right direction. Building on this analysis, we recommend a number of steps be taken upstream and down to support a transition to a circular economy for plastics.

A few of the action areas include:

  • reducing and substituting avoidable plastic use
  • redesigning plastic products and packaging for the purpose of reuse or recycling
  • increasing the collection of plastic waste
  • increasing recycling capacity
  • expanding safe waste disposal facilities to process the existing plastic that can’t be recycled

Which countries around the world are taking a leadership role to mitigate this issue?

At the Global Plastic Action Partnership, we are currently working with four countries, including Indonesia and Viet Nam in South East Asia and Ghana and Nigeria in Africa. Yesterday we also announced a partnership with Pakistan which we are excited to see engage. These countries are each working with us to take bold steps to address plastic pollution.

How effective are their practices?

We are already seeing some reduction in Indonesia as well as investments being made in the country aligned with the recommendations in our action roadmap. Investments have been committed in innovation upstream as well as recycling facilities to support better action downstream. Similarly, Ghana will publish its action roadmap soon and we understand the government is already taking positive steps to bring investments into the country to better support its waste management and promote behaviour change campaigns that will encourage a shift away from the linear take-use-dispose approach and transition more into a circular economy for plastics.

Which African countries are taking a leadership role?

We are currently working with Ghana as well as Nigeria in developing platforms for action to address the issue of plastic pollution. Together, with ministries like the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ghana and the Federal Ministry of Environment for Nigeria we are co-creating solutions that will enable the governments to address the plastic pollution problem and promote a circular economy for plastics.

What role do various stakeholders have to play – individuals, communities, private sector, etc?

Everyone has a role to play. There is not one single actor who can solve this issue. Plastic pollution is truly an issue in which every segment of society needs to step up and play its part. Governments need to set targets and implement programs that will lead to concrete changes and create incentives that shape a positive environment for investing in steps aligned with plastic waste reduction. Businesses need to transition to greener supply chains; consumer goods companies, for example, need to redesign their packaging to use plastics alternatives or plastics that are recycled and recyclable. We are already seeing new business models spring to life, including reuse and refill types of businesses that encourage a circular economy for plastics. Consumers must adopt the principles of ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ into their daily lifestyles. We have become a society that likes ease and comfort but we as consumers also have an important role to play in reducing plastic waste.  Investors must inject funding into innovations and solutions that have the potential to scale up impact dramatically while also looking to new infrastructure engagement opportunities like recycling plants versus the traditional roads and bridges types of investments.

What are the economics of this work?

In Indonesia, we worked closely with the government, academia, civil society and private sector to create a national action plan for reducing marine plastic debris by 70%. We have since produced a financing roadmap for how to mobilize the $18 billion needed in funding to fully implement this plan, and we are moving these recommended actions forward through five locally-led Task Forces. So we know that significant investments are required to support the efforts of leading governments aiming to address this issue, but the consequences of ignoring the situation and avoiding the necessary investment will end in far worse circumstances.

Who is paying to clean up the oceans?

At the Global Plastic Action Partnership, we are focused more on land-based solutions aiming to address the issue at source. A number of donor organisations and governments are supporting these efforts to assist those countries looking to address the issue and take action for positive impact. Greater investment is needed to ensure we can turn the tide on plastic pollution. Through our national plastic action partnership model we bring together the most influential and committed decision-makers, experts and changemakers to develop a joint approach to tackling plastic pollution in every country – an approach that is locally led, locally driven, and puts the livelihoods and wellbeing of people and communities at the forefront. We still have a lot of work cut out for us and we welcome the engagement and collaboration – from others whether representing the public or the private sector, civil society, academia or international organisations.

The Global Plastic Action Partnership is Making an Impact in Fighting Plastic Pollution

  • GPAP annual impact report illustrates the importance of turning the tide on plastic pollution through collaboration and public-private partnership
  • Despite progress, ocean plastic flows are expected to triple by 2040
  • Sustained collaborative action could stem the tide by more than 80%
  • Read the full report

Learn about the Forum’s impact

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Content:
Plastic treaty talks must protect countries like mine from pollution

opinion

Malawian scientist and campaigner Tiwonge Mzumara-Gawa holds a sign outside INC4 U.N. plastic treaty negotiations in Ottawa, Canada. April 28, 2024. Adam Aucock/Tearfund/Handout via Thomson Reuters Foundation

A Malawian campaigner and scientist at the UN INC4 negotiations in Ottawa sets out four tests for the global plastic treaty

Tiwonge Mzumara-Gawa is a lecturer at the Malawi University of Science and Technology and a partner and campaigner of aid group Tearfund.

As I write this, I am sitting in the negotiations for the world’s first UN plastic treaty. I have just learnt that the fossil fuel and petrochemical industry has more than twice as many representatives here as there are negotiators from low-income countries.

Despite this, I have high hopes that an ambitious treaty is possible. We have already seen progress this week, with positive statements from several countries and commitments from the High Ambition Coalition group of 63 countries.

In 2023, my home country of Malawi was hit by Cyclone Freddy. In addition to the immediate impacts of the storm itself, it highlighted the devastating effects of plastic pollution. Plastic waste dumped in waterways prevented the drainage of stormwater and caused greater damage to our communities.

Go DeeperPlastic pollution is surging, so what are governments doing?
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Go DeeperCan Nigeria turn the tide on plastic pollution?

For me and many others in Malawi, systems to collect and recycle plastic waste are either inadequate or non-existent. This means that many people are forced to either dump or burn their waste.

But it’s not just Malawi: one in four people globally have no way to safely dispose of their rubbish.

Last year, an analysis from Tearfund showed that more than 200 million people, often in economically poorer and urban areas, were at risk of more frequent and severe flooding due to plastic waste blocking drains and waterways.

On current trends, these problems are going to get worse.

In Malawi’s major cities, the amount of plastic waste produced is due to triple by 2050. We see similar projections in other countries too. Plastics use is growing fastest in Africa, where existing infrastructure is already a long way behind what is required to manage plastic waste safely.

The world is waking up to this problem. In 2018, after attending a conference in South Africa on the issue, a group of us created the Malawi Creation Care Network to ensure plastic pollution was more widely discussed in our country.

Since then, the network has worked with many governmental and non-governmental partners to push for greater regulation on plastic products.

People look at the damage caused by Cyclone Freddy in Chilobwe, Blantyre, Malawi, March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Eldson Chagara.

People look at the damage caused by Cyclone Freddy in Chilobwe, Blantyre, Malawi, March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Eldson Chagara.

This global treaty being discussed in Canada, and due by the end of 2024, presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take serious action on plastic pollution. This is the third round of negotiations I have attended, and I see the desire growing for change. Outside official negotiation halls, local communities are also raising their voices through marches, art installations and more.

To be successful, the treaty must contain four key elements.

Firstly, we need to see a reduction in the amount of plastic produced. There is no solution to this problem without first turning off the tap of unsustainable plastic production.

Secondly, the waste management and recycling infrastructure in countries such as Malawi needs to be better financed so it can deal with the waste problem.

Thirdly, we must ensure these systems build on and integrate the work of the 20 million waste pickers around the world who already collect most of the plastic that gets recycled. This is crucial to ensuring that their incomes improve and their human rights are respected, as part of a just transition.

Finally, governments and businesses must be held to account through meaningful, measurable and enforceable mechanisms to ensure they keep to their commitments.

As I said at the beginning, there are some that would like to see this process produce a weak, unenforceable treaty. Obviously, those that profit from the plastics crisis will resist change.

But six years ago, the Malawi Creation Care Network did not exist. The global movement against plastic pollution had barely started and no one thought a global treaty was remotely possible.

Now, we regularly read about the problem of plastic waste. And I’m sitting in a room with diplomats from more than 150 countries, debating the precise text of just such a global treaty.

Every single day, the health and livelihoods of people in Malawi and around the world are being impacted by plastic pollution. We have the chance to change this. Let’s not throw it away.

Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Context or the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

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Content: General Supervision
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Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
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After the President's direction...
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Deputy in the Senate reveals the advantages of recycling industrial waste
Senator Alaa Gad praised President Sisi ’ s directives on providing funding and equipment for industrial waste management and recycling, stressing that it will contribute to preserving the environment, protecting it from pollution, as well as providing job opportunities for the youth workforce, which would achieve a significant investment return.
In statements to the “Echo of the Country ”, he praised the state ’ s strategy in the waste recycling system, pointing out that the state has made extensive efforts to work an effective system to recycle waste, in order to reach the citizen to a clean and healthy environment.
The senator stressed that the field of waste management in Egypt is one of the promising areas for cooperation with the private sector and encouraging it to environmental investment.
It is noteworthy that President Sisi directed to provide all sources of funding and equipment required at the highest level in order to manage waste in industrial areas of various types with high efficiency, in addition to working to maximize the exploitation of the recycling process of these waste, because of its positive environmental return and to maintain safe living and health conditions for citizens.

S.

Title:

Content: Costs, mobility, consumption: a survey reveals the fragility (and strengths) of Italians on the environment

We think we are “sustainable” and, in reality, we risk not being at all. We think we are doing everything possible to save the environment and, instead, our behaviors are often not enough. An international survey – conducted by Altroconsumo together with other consumer associations 13 countries worldwide and premiered by Open – shows that there is still a lot to do. Many think – and this is precisely what emerges from the research – that waste management, therefore for example the correct separate collection, is among the factors that have the greatest impact on the environment. Not so: according to the experts who collaborated in the survey, it is the habits related to nutrition and mobility that have the greatest impact on sustainability. So what are the behaviors we should assume? «The research shows that we are not in terrible shape but that there is still a lot to do. The result for Italy is not flattering: we are good at nutrition while our Achilles heel remains mobility. The biggest problem we perceive? Excessive costs, services to citizens that are not always efficient and information for the consumer is often unclear. The truth is that it is not only the costs that are weighing, but also the culture, the education of citizens on sustainability “, declares a Open Flavio Pellegrinuzzi, co-author of the Altroconsumo investigation for Italy.

Italians are attentive to separate waste collection and nutrition

Altroconsumo involved in Italy 1,019 citizens aged 18 to 74: the total number of respondents, in 14 countries considered is of 14,817. The areas considered are food, travel and mobility, water and energy at home, waste and the purchase of products and services. The survey, made a September 2021, also involved Spain, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, France, Austria, the United Kingdom, Russia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Canada and Slovenia. It emerged that Italians are among the most careful in waste management. L’80 percent recycle in the right way, separating waste well and throwing it where foreseen. But there is a false belief that this is enough to be right with the conscience. According to experts, waste is the lesser problem than others that we all continue to underestimate. Just like food where, however, Italians seem to be very picky. Among the most attentive ever, second only to Austria. The 74 percent avoid or reduce the consumption of foods of animal origin such as meat, fish and dairy products. The 71 percent avoids or reduces food waste.

The costs are excessive

But there is a “but” that concerns all aspects of sustainability. Too easy to be “green” with a full wallet. The barriers to adopting sustainable behaviors are found above all in the perception of excessive costs. Being “green” sometimes requires a very high spending capacity. Choosing food products that truly respect the environment has a cost, as does installing a purifier at home to avoid buying plastic bottles every day (which pollute but cost very little). The 32 percent it avoids or reduces food packaging such as bottled water, but it is still too little. On the energy front, for example, among the most delicate ones, especially now with the expensive bills, only the 45 percent it has a well insulated house (building, walls, roof and windows) precisely because it has a cost. There are behaviors that everyone could adopt such as not using the air conditioner and heating too much or turning off the lights and stand-by devices, but only the 64 percent it does. The 47 percent of the Italians, on the other hand, have energy-efficient appliances, devices and lighting systems. Behaviors that guarantee savings on the bill as well as an advantage for the environment (but which risk being a luxury). Only the 13 percent it produces at least part of the energy it uses at home with solar panels. As for purchases, however, the 57 percent prefers products of better quality, reliability and durability, only the 38 percent avoid buying single-use products and the 33 percent undertakes to purchase products and services from environmentally conscious companies. Organic products cost and, therefore, are not affordable for everyone.

The Achilles heel? Mobility

Finally, on the mobility front, Italy is in tenth place. «This is a critical sector, we still rely on the private medium, we have 60 cars for every 100 inhabitantswhich in Rome even become 71. We are the third European country with the highest motorization rate. On the other hand, public transport is still too little chosen, also because it is considered unsatisfactory by the population “, adds Flavio Pellegrinuzzi to Open. Still many continue to travel by car also because in some parts of Italy it is not possible to do otherwise, since public transport is almost non-existent (think of Southern Italy, ed). “We need more collaboration from the administrations, from the state to local authorities,” thunders Pellegrinuzzi. In short, if basic services are lacking, you are not going anywhere. The 53 percent of respondents say they use the car only when necessary, the11 percent not even own it while only the 5 percent have a hybrid or electric car. The reason? Costs too much.

The 38 percent moves on foot, by bike or by public transport, where present, while only the 32 percent follows sustainable tourism practices, for example avoiding cruise ships and staying in hotels with ecological certifications. Too bad that for experts mobility and travel are in second place for impact on the environment. Only the 43 percent of Italians avoids or reduces air travel by preferring less polluting means such as trains (to be used where possible, not in Sicily for example where trains are a mirage). The research also shows that the least attentive to the environment are men who do not have a high school diploma while the “green” profile par excellence is that of women over 55 years old, with at least a high school diploma. The 71 percent of Italians believe that it is important to have sustainable behaviors, a predisposition to which institutions and companies are also called to contribute. Our country, therefore, is in sixth place (up 14 countries) with a sustainable lifestyle index of 53 (the first is Austria with an index of 57 followed by France with 55). A sufficient result, in short. Certainly not exciting.

How to be “green” without spending a fortune

To conclude, there are different behaviors that each of us can carry out without excessive costs to concretely help the environment and not to create more damage than what has already been done over the years. Here are our tips:

  • Minimize plastic bottles or, if necessary, dispose of them properly. In general, just replace them with a filter jug (minimum cost, even of 10 eurostherefore with a nice saving in the very short term) or, in the case of economic possibilities, with a purifier to be installed at home;
  • Do not leave heaters and air conditioners on when you are not at home or when you really don’t need them;
  • Always turn off the lights and all devices, even those put on standby such as televisions, when they are not in use;
  • Don’t buy products that we don’t really need and, if they break down, at least try to repair them without throwing them away right away. If we don’t want them anymore, but they still work, it would be good to donate them;
  • Recycle waste correctly, for example avoiding mixing paper with plastic;
  • Avoid buying disposable products or products with excessive food packaging;
  • Reduce the consumption of meat, fish and dairy products for purely environmental reasons (we do not go into the merits of other delicate issues here);
  • Do not use the car to make a few meters, prefer – where possible – public transport. The ideal would be to travel on foot or by bike or scooter;
  • Choose appliances with a good energy class: you will spend a little more but the costs will be amortized in a very short time. A choice that, in fact, helps the environment but also the wallet;
  • Choose the train instead of the plane, clearly whenever possible. To go from Milan to Rome, for example, a train is better than a plane:
  • If you have the economic possibilities, opt for solar panels and well insulated houses (but even here it is a question of the wallet, in fact);
  • If possible, it is always better to buy sustainable products, so as to help the environment;
  • Finally, it is better to avoid cruise ships and hotels without ecological certifications. Sometimes it is better to have a private room in a shared apartment or an entire accommodation provided by a host.

Cover photo from PIXABAY

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counties.

The report highlights specific countries, their successful practices, implementation experiences, and the role of government in these initiatives.

## Countries with Leading Waste Management Systems

### 1.

Title:

Content: Women Breaking Barriers in Waste Management

A quiet but significant revolution is underway in the gritty world of skip hire and waste management, where heavy machinery and hard hats have long been synonymous with the male workforce. Women are securing roles traditionally dominated by men, reshaping the landscape of the waste management industry.

Gender diversity in waste management industries like skip-hire has long been a challenge. Data has shed light on the underrepresentation of women in specialist roles and, industry surveys report that women constitute only 24% of the total waste management workforce in the US.

Historically, we can trace the reason for this gap back to several factors. One significant reason has been the physical nature of the work, often involving heavy lifting, manual labour, and the operation of machinery. These physical demands led to misconceptions that the field was better suited for men. Gender stereotypes have played a significant role, perpetuating the idea that women do not have the necessary skills or interest in waste management.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has invested extensively in research on the role of gender in waste management. They have deemed it critical to recognise the importance of promoting gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields such as skip hire, from gender diversity bringing a wealth of benefits such as providing diverse perspectives to addressing labour shortages that the industry faces.

However, the benefits of promoting gender diversity in the waste management sector aren’t exclusive to women; they extend to their employers as well. According to a recent report by FP Analytics, “Women as Levers of Change,”, companies that actively promote gender equality across all levels have demonstrated tangible positive business impacts. These include heightened competitiveness, increased profitability, and a stronger commitment to environmental responsibility.

Women Breaking Barriers in Waste Management

As attitudes shift towards viewing “waste as a resource”, and the industry pivots away from landfilling towards waste prevention and circular economy principles, more women are discovering the sector as an appealing career choice. From skip truck drivers navigating city streets with finesse to women managing recycling, waste management and skip-hire companies and advocating for diversity, their contributions are reshaping the industry’s future.

Nathalie van de Poel, Commercial Manager and co-creator of the Purified Metal Company (PMC) exemplifies a woman taking a leadership role in the waste management sector. PMC, a state-of-the-art processing plant situated in Delfzijl, the Netherlands, specialises in recycling hazardous steel scrap into premium raw material:

“The idea to recycle asbestos-contaminated steel was born 10 years ago.” Overcoming countless obstacles, including securing €70 million in funding and hiring 30 employees, PMC has finally reached fruition. “It was a long journey, with some saying it was impossible, but we stayed strong and built a solid business case.”

Another example of women leading the way in waste management is Maria Willshee, a founding Director of Willshees, a Midlands-based waste and recycling business. Recognised as a Top 200 UK women-powered business by global private bank J. P. Morgan, Willshee’s secured the 59th position in its annual UK Women-Powered Business Report.

And recognised in last year’s list were sisters Heather Gould and Hilary Hart, principal owners of waste management specialist CSG. Based in Fareham, their four daughters also work as part of the business, while half of its eight directors are women.

Women like Nathalie van de Poel,  Maria Willshee, Heather Gould and Hilary Hart aren’t only contributing to recycling and waste management at the highest level; they are also making a difference at the community level. In 2018, the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) embarked on a groundbreaking global survey targeting women working within the waste sector. For the first time, this unique endeavour asked women to classify their work using Ad Lansink’s waste hierarchy, often referred to as “Lansink’s Ladder.” The findings from 73 countries revealed that 51.6% of respondents were engaged in waste prevention, reuse/repair, and recycling. Highlighting the substantial role that women play as managers of household waste, their critical contributions form the backbone of responsible waste management and have a lasting impact on environmental sustainability and community well-being.

But how can we encourage more women into the industry as a whole? According to Skip Hire Glasgow specialist James David, fostering inclusivity in hiring practices is a good starting place.

Waste management and skip-hire companies can proactively embrace strategies to foster inclusivity in their hiring practices, by first recognising the importance of a diverse workforce. One such approach is reevaluating traditional hiring processes to be more inclusive. This includes rewriting job descriptions to emphasise skills and qualifications over gender or background, ensuring job postings reach a broader audience through diverse channels, and actively seeking out untapped talent pools. Skip hire companies that prioritise diversity not only bolster their internal culture but also project a positive image to the public and potential clients, positioning themselves as socially responsible and equality-driven businesses.

Partnerships with vocational schools and community organisations can play a pivotal role in encouraging individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to explore careers in waste management and skip hire for example. And this fresh approach, says James David of JustHire, is precisely what the industry needs:

“Inclusivity in hiring practices is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage that propels the skip hire industry forward. We should celebrate the women who are paving the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse industry, for their inspiration and resilience. The further potential for women in waste management and skip hire is promising, and inclusive business practice and a heightened awareness of the positive impacts of gender equality on companies all present a win-win scenario.”

Companies that think creatively about investing in recruitment programs will ultimately benefit the most. By intentionally attracting a more diverse range of candidates, including more women, they can help transform the landscape of the waste management industry for the better.

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Indonesia

**Successful Practices:**
- Development of comprehensive action roadmaps for plastic pollution reduction
- Investments in upstream innovation and downstream recycling facilities
- Implementation of systemic approaches to transition toward a circular economy for plastics

**Implementation Experience:**
Indonesia has partnered with the Global Plastic Action Partnership to develop and implement strategies that are already showing results.

The country has witnessed measurable reductions in plastic pollution and has successfully attracted investments aligned with their action roadmap.

Their approach combines policy development with practical infrastructure improvements.

**Role of Government:**
The Indonesian government has demonstrated leadership by:
- Setting clear targets for plastic waste reduction
- Creating incentives for investment in recycling infrastructure
- Collaborating with international organizations to develop best practices
- Implementing programs that lead to concrete changes in waste management

### 2.

Title:

Content: The Straits Times says

Larger lessons from shoe recycling row

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Launched with much fanfare in 2020, a recycling campaign led by government agency Sport Singapore (SportSG) and US petrochemicals giant Dow has become an example of what can go wrong when it involves many actors and insufficient oversight. And the end result is the risk that the public is left feeling let down and wary of government and corporate-led initiatives that tackle climate change and waste materials from consumer lifestyles.

The idea was simple enough. The public would drop off their used running shoes at collection points across the island. The shoes would be recycled by shredding them into rubber granules and materials, which would be used to make new playgrounds and running tracks. The public duly answered the call, donating thousands of old shoes. The programme helped to address a major challenge facing Singapore and many other big cities: the growing volumes of plastic and textile waste – very little of which is recycled here. But a Reuters investigation showed that some of the shoes were not recycled but shipped overseas and resold as second-hand goods, highlighting a lack of oversight and tarnishing the image of the campaign and the partners involved.

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Ghana

**Successful Practices:**
- Development of platforms for action to address plastic pollution
- Promotion of behavior change campaigns to shift from linear to circular economy models
- Integration of waste management with environmental protection initiatives

**Implementation Experience:**
Ghana is working with the Global Plastic Action Partnership and its Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to co-create solutions.

The g