Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia

17/03/2026

Britol and the Antler Group of Companies, in partnership with Island Climate Initiative's GP Certified, are integrating certified recycled plastics into large-scale production, replacing up to 40% of imported virgin plastic with locally recycled materials in selected products.

This initiative marks an important milestone in advancing a circular economy, strengthening the domestic recycling ecosystem, and supporting the rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Sri Lanka. By enabling traceability, verified recycled content, and accountable processing, it provides a practical and scalable pathway for the FMCG sector to transition towards more sustainable packaging solutions.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/4kujfafv

Antler partners GP Certified to introduce recycled plastics in Britol products. Most visited website in Sri Lanka.

08/03/2026

Behind many of South Asia’s most impactful environmental solutions are women who saw opportunity where others saw waste. From organizing community collection efforts to building recycling enterprises, they are turning everyday action into lasting change for their communities and waterways.

Their stories remind us that when women are trusted with resources, knowledge, and leadership, the benefits ripple far beyond individuals, strengthening families, communities, and ecosystems.

This International Women’s Day, PLEASE celebrates the women whose work shows that when we give opportunities and support, we all gain a more sustainable future.

10/02/2026

As a PLEASE Project regional block grantee,Greener Way is advancing plastic waste reduction in Bhutan through the Bhutan Waste Bank (BWB); an innovative, circular economy initiative that promotes reduce, reuse, and recycle practices nationwide.

During the PLEASE team’s visit to Thimphu, we toured Greener Way’s new ECO-Pole and PET washing and shredding facility in Memeylakha. This state-of-the-art plant enables the daily recycling of 5 metric tonnes of PET plastic and 3 metric tonnes of HDPE and LDPE, making it one of Bhutan’s largest plastic waste management and recycling facility.

Through BWB’s incentive-based model, plastic waste is transformed into economic value, supporting both environmental sustainability and livelihoods. Recycled plastic from the facility is already being repurposed into public infrastructure products such as park benches and platforms, demonstrating the tangible, community-level impact of circular solutions in Bhutan.

06/02/2026

This week, during our visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan, the PLEASE team had the opportunity to conduct a focus group discussion with a group of promising youth leaders who are focused on waste management in Thimphu.

YPEER Bhutan is an organization working on building awareness on sexual reproductive health and gender- based violence among university students, and youth in Bhutan.
Bhutan YDF, Young Volunteers In Action works on resource management, specifically on turning food waste into a resource through composting efforts.
Bhutan Youth Summit is a youth-led organization with a passion to change Bhutan, by empowering the youth of Bhutan on leadership building and awareness on climate actions.

Twelve young leaders from three youth groups representing various backgrounds in Thimphu and other areas of Bhutan, spoke to us about the challenges they face when mobilizing communities on waste management, awareness building and leveraging and innovating traditional waste management methods with modern technology. The PLEASE team were able to share guidance on fundraising, networking with the PLEASE network in Bhutan and innovating on climate action.

20/01/2026

Reducing plastic pollution requires more than awareness - it requires systems that work.
Through the PLEASE project, Island Climate Initiative supported Cleantech (Pvt) Ltd to achieve Sri Lanka’s first GP Certification for recycling, creating new pathways for FMCGs and manufacturers to adopt locally produced recycled plastics with confidence.
Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/4dhbt44k

19/01/2026

In Mongla, southwestern Bangladesh, PLEASE grantee BRAC is transforming discarded plastic waste into durable support beams for agriculture, offering a sustainable solution to both plastic pollution and climate challenges. This innovation reduces material costs, supports climate resilience, and promotes a circular economy (photo courtesy: Shajada Arefin, CCP, BRAC)

Read about their efforts to reduce the leakage of plastic waste into waterbodies in South Asia - https://lnkd.in/gRKtzqi9

09/01/2026

Negombo Recycling Club - NRC’s “Catalyzing Actions to Close the Plastic Loop” project, in partnership and delivering strategic support to the CLEAN SRI LANKA (CSL) initiative looks to equip frontline workers with recognized skills and knowledge through National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 training.

In its first training session, NRC trained 25 local authority staff and waste collection workers on the 30th December, 2025 at the Western Province Waste Management Authority's Karadiyana Training Center. The training aims to build technical skills, improve safety practices, and professionalize waste management, equipping frontline workers to contribute more effectively to closing the plastic loop and strengthening sustainable practices at the local level.

26/11/2025

🎉 BIG NEWS for a Greener Maldives! 🇲🇻

We are thrilled to be sharing this exciting news about the inauguration of the Maldives' first biobag pilot production facility in HDh. Hanimaadhoo that took place recently! 🥳

This incredible facility, established by the Small Island Geographic Society is now kicking off the pilot-scale production of compostable, biodegradable bags. These bags are designed to directly replace conventional plastic packaging and bags! 🌱

The inauguration, officiated by Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Mariyam Mariya, highlighted this center as a vital step towards:

Reducing Plastic Waste 🌊

Promoting Sustainable Alternatives ♻️

Decreasing Reliance on Imports 💡

A huge congratulations to Small Island Geographic Society for their dedication to research and sustainable waste management!

The PLEASE Project is proud to support initiatives that drive locally-driven innovation and align with the Maldives' goal of reducing plastic pollution. 💚

Read the full story on: https://please-project.org/story/inauguration-of-the-biobag-production-facility-in-the-maldives/

13/11/2025

❓What do you observe at the PLEASE Symposium? 🌊♻️

👉Check out what our circular innovation investors say!

12/11/2025

Innovative Waves for a Cleaner South Asia! 🌊♻️

The Circular Plastics Innovations Symposium 2025 is live in Colombo! The PLEASE project connected innovators and investors to address plastic pollution in South Asia and beyond.

Home to nearly a quarter of the world's population, South Asia is a major contributor to plastic waste, impacting everything from rivers to marine life. However, we are inspired by the energy of 46 innovators, ranging from established organizations to young leaders, who are transforming plastic challenges into real-world opportunities. As the Director General of SACEP, Mr. Norbu Wanchuk, said in his welcome remarks, their "courage, creativity, and persistence are inspiring."

We are very honored to have the Hon. Minister of Environment, Sri Lanka, Dr. Dhammika Patabendi, at the symposium with his encouragement: “Let this symposium be the beginning of stronger investment, deeper cooperation, and lasting change."

Stay tuned for more information about impactful innovations in the circular plastic economy.

👌Don't forget to share with us any small steps you take every day to reduce plastic use!

28/10/2025

Closing the loop has never been easier.

The future of sustainable packaging is here. Efficient, ethical, and built for a circular tomorrow.

Discover how certified recycled plastics are reshaping the packaging industry.

Visit us at Lanka Pak 2025, BMICH – 23rd to 25th October