Knowledge Hub

Towards a Green and Resilient Thailand
Thailand has undergone a remarkable economic transformation, progressing from a low-income to an upper-middle-income country. However, this advancement comes with persistent challenges, including slowing economic growth, increasing climate vulnerabilities, and…
Unseen Green Jobs: A Study on Informal Waste Workers in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
As Vientiane Capital, the heart of Lao PDR, continues to grow, so does the urgency of effective municipal solid waste management. The city’s waste management system is rapidly evolving, with…
Legal Frameworks to Address Waste Trafficking in the ASEAN region – Review and Gap Analysis
The increasing flow of waste into ASEAN Member States has become a pressing issue in recent years, particularly following China’s waste import ban in 2018. This shift has resulted in…
Turning the tide A Look Into the European Union-to-Southeast Asia Waste Trafficking Wave
Waste trafficking has emerged as a pervasive global challenge, often concealed within legitimate trade flows and driven by high profits with minimal risk. This illicit activity threatens not only the…
Event Report | The ASEAN Circular Economy Forum (ACEF) 2024, themed “Guiding the Transition – ASEAN and EU Approaches to Circular Innovation and Entrepreneurship,”
Download Event Report ACEF2024 Photos ACEF2024 Presentations The ASEAN Circular Economy Forum (ACEF) 2024, themed “Guiding the Transition – ASEAN and EU Approaches to Circular Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” was successfully…
How the circular economy can revive the Sustainable Development Goals
With concerns mounting over the achievability of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the circular economy is gaining attention as a potential solution for global environmental and social challenges. This…
Circular Economy Roadmap Toolkit for Emerging Economies
Transitioning to a circular economy in emerging economies is challenging due to limited comprehensive strategies, poor integration of industry and innovation, and a lack of microdata. To support this transition,…
Circularity & informality: Redefining narratives
This white paper examines the intersection of the circular and informal economies, drawing on insights from three thematic learning circles involving participants from over 20 countries. Developed in partnership with…
ASEAN Declaration on Plastic Circularity
ASEAN Declaration on Plastic Circularity – Summary The ASEAN Member States convened at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane on 9 October 2024 to affirm their commitment to…
Localising the Circular Economy Concept under ASEAN Values
  Insights: ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform Webinar Series Background The circular economy has become increasingly important for ASEAN as the region seeks to decouple economic growth from environmental impacts.…
Just Transition to an Inclusive Circular Economy in ASEAN
Type: Brief
Insights: ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform Webinar Series Background ASEAN is growing rapidly due to its resources, demographics, and strategic policies. The Circular Economy aims to sustain this growth while…
ASEAN State of the Environment Report – Sixth
The ASEAN State of the Environment Report (SOER) is a key publication by the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN). The sixth edition, SOER6, provides valuable insights into the environmental…
Integrative Report on Implementation of the Circular Economy in ASEAN
To seize these opportunities, the Framework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community was established in 2021 as a guiding principle for ASEAN Member States in transitioning towards circularity.…
Lotus Fibre for Sustainable Fashion
Lotus Farm by Samatoa, previously known as Samatoa Lotus Textiles, showcases innovative sustainability in fashion through eco-friendly textiles, particularly lotus fiber. Founded in 2003 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the company…
Norn Norn: Driving mattress recycling through a circular economy product subscription platform
nornnorn, also known officially as Circularity Co., Ltd. in Thailand and Circularity Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, is at the forefront of introducing a subscription-based model where customers pay for the…
Precious Plastics Philippines
Precious Plastics Philippines, originally a backyard initiative in 2017, now stands as a pioneer in the realm of plastic recycling machinery provision. Its ethos extends beyond mere equipment sales; it…
Circular Fashion: Sustainable Consumption and Production Across Textiles and Leather
Topic: SCP
Type: Brief
Insights: ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform Webinar Series Background Fashion is a major industry in the global manufacturing sector, ranking third behind automotive and technology. However, its growth has come…
Accelating the Circular Economy in Europe: State and Outlook 2024
The circular economy has become a generally acknowledged idea. It is more than just waste management; it is about maintaining the value of materials and making them endure longer in…
Knowledge Summary | CaF2024: ASEAN Action Towards Circular Economy: Move Forward with EPR
C asean Forum 2024: ASEAN Action Towards Circular Economy: Move Forward with Extended Producer Responsibility is a collaborative effort organised by the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue…