Asia

Imagining a Healthier Diwali: Why Some Families are Moving Away from Firecrackers

Indeed, during the days of Diwali, there is much discussion about the pollution caused by fireworks, but there are a few rare individuals who ardently contribute at a personal level to fight against air pollution. Let’s meet some “Clean air champions”. The Das Family Sets an Example: Firework-Free Diwali for… Read More

Women in Waste’s Economic Empowerment Activity: Empowering Women to Reduce Ocean Plastics

Women have vital roles in the waste value chain—from informal waste collectors, street sweepers, local junkshop managers, to community recycling leaders and policy makers—with great potential to increase the amount of plastic waste collected and recycled and to help reduce the amount of plastic reaching the ocean. Read More

Announcing the Winners of the 2023 Urbanlinks Photo Contest!

We are excited to announce the winners of the inaugural Urbanlinks 2023 Photo Contest! Over 80 submissions representing 12 countries were submitted to the contest. Submissions to the four themes of Air Quality, Climate, Ocean Plastics, and Urban Communities highlight the work that USAID engages in with local partners, alongside… Read More

Extended Producer Responsibility: A System for a Circular Economy

Case Study - Sri Lanka Read More

USAID, Waste Recyclers (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Pacific Recycling Foundation Launch

On August 18, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Asia Michael Schiffer unveiled the first of several new recycling bins provided to Suva City under a new grant aimed at reducing ocean plastic pollution. Assistant Administrator Schiffer joined by WRFL CEO and PRF Founder Amitesh Deo,… Read More

Piloting Local Business Models and Scalable Best Practices that Promote the 3Rs and Build More Circular Economies

Case Study — Manila & Parañaque, Philippines Read More

A Plastic Recycling Center Opens in Kaduwela

From the Field: Empowering Youth as Agents of Change to Reduce Ocean Plastic Pollution

The world produces twice as much plastic waste as two decades ago, and only 9 percent of that waste is recycled.1 The resulting pollution is having far-reaching human health and environmental impacts that are just starting to be understood. Today’s youth—defined by the United Nations as anyone between the ages… Read More

Funding Options for Solid Waste Systems in Low- to Middle-Income Countries

USAID Clean Cities, Blue Ocean’s Funding Options for Solid Waste Systems in Low- to Middle-Income Countries provides local government officials and staff with information on how other local jurisdictions have addressed funding for their solid waste management systems, as well as examples of funding options that can be adapted to… Read More

USAID Calls for Collective Action at Local and National Levels to Reduce Plastic Pollution

May 2023 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) participated in multiple side events at the second session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution—a gathering of global leaders to develop the first-ever legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution. At an INC-sponsored side event,… Read More