Many socially responsible businesses are collaborating with local, national and international governments to seek solutions to plastic waste. The private sector is working alongside research institutions, and together with communities – including the informal waste sector and affected and disadvantaged groups.

Solutions include technological and design innovation to promote resource efficiency, material and energy recovery from waste, reverse logistics business models, and provision of social and livelihood support for the informal sector and the most affected groups.  

This session will look at two streams to find value in waste: (1) Recovering and utilizing material and energy value to reduce waste – including opportunities for public-private collaboration, and; (2) Managing waste through focusing on resource efficiency and developing alternatives to conventional waste management systems.

Discussants will focus on impactful business solutions to address the entire value chain – rather than just focusing on recycling. They will consider whether solutions will be best achieved through voluntary corporate social responsibility, or mandated extended producer responsibility. Solutions will highlight how businesses are championing the cause, and bringing other companies/businesses with them in the fight against plastic pollution.