AEPW Solution Model Playbooks: "Plastic" Solutions for Zero Waste and Enhanced Resource Circulation, in Line with Circular Economy Principles

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) is a global non-profit organization established in 2019 with the goal of addressing the issue of plastic waste in the environment. Comprising leading companies in the plastics and chemical industries from countries around the world, AEPW aims to eliminate plastic waste through action in four key areas: 1) promoting and supporting projects focused on sustainable plastic waste management, 2) collaborating with governments, non-profit organizations, and stakeholders across the value chain to find solutions to plastic waste, 3) supporting research and development of innovations in plastic waste management and recycling, and 4) sharing knowledge and raising awareness about plastic waste issues, plastic waste management, and recycling with the public.

SCGC is a co-founder of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) and Thailand's first chemical innovation company to become a key member since January 2019.

To encourage action, elevate collaboration, and drive tangible change across the petrochemical industry's value chain in plastic waste recycling, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) partnered with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to develop "The Solution Model Playbooks." This guidebook compiles the challenges of improper plastic waste management, summarizes lessons learned, and presents successful solutions for sustainable plastic waste management in line with circular economy principles.

The Solution Model Playbooks introduce the concept of "solution models," a key component of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste's (AEPW) mission to address plastic waste leakage into the environment and promote the circular economy. The primary goal is to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders within the plastic waste ecosystem, support capacity building, and mobilize funding to scale up these solution models. The playbook also emphasizes the importance of documenting successful solutions from various projects to foster understanding and alignment among stakeholders. This collective effort aims to drive measurable change in plastic waste management and recycling through replicable and expanding proven solution models.

The playbook also emphasizes the importance of developing solution models to address the challenges of plastic waste recycling and the transition to a circular economy. It includes examples of ongoing projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods, such as the Cidades with Instituto RECICLEIROS, Project STOP Jembrana, and TAKA TAKA. The Solution Model Playbooks highlight the origins of different types of plastic waste, ranging from general waste that is not properly sorted to specific plastic waste such as PET beverage bottles and foam boxes used for cold storage. The focus is particularly on the latter, developing feasible solutions for these specialized plastic wastes.

The Solution Model Playbooks also discuss comprehensive and integrated solutions to promote plastic waste recycling. The key characteristics of the recommended solution models in the playbook include addressing specific issues, being technically, environmentally, and economically viable, having existing projects for learning, and, importantly, being replicable across different regions.

SCGC and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) remain committed to advancing plastic waste management, recycling, and the reintegration of plastic waste into the system according to circular economy principles. SCGC has initiated a key waste management project known as the "Waste-free Community" project. This initiative develops and drives appropriate waste management models for communities through the "Baworn" model—comprising homes, temples, and schools—and connects with community "waste banks." This approach fosters an integrated system and encourages communities to gain knowledge and understanding of the efficient use of resources. It aims to minimize waste generation, teach proper waste sorting and disposal, and instill a consciousness about recycling.

We also have advanced recycling innovations that help reduce waste issues in Thailand, along with social innovations such as floating litter traps that prevent waste from escaping into the oceans. Meanwhile, SCGC remains committed to continuously developing green polymers. The company aims to expand its range of green polymer products to 1 million tons per year by 2030. As a producer, SCGC embraces an environmental stewardship approach from the design and manufacturing stages to the delivery of plastic innovations for consumer use. We ensure the end-of-life collection of used plastics, bringing them back into circulation to create new value.

_________________________________________________

Photo credit: https://endplasticwaste.org/en/our-stories/solutions-for-change