Austrian chemical manufacturer Borealis AG has launched an initiative to accelerate waste management improvements in Southeast Asia, the company has announced.
During the "Our Oceans Conference" on Oct. 5-7 in Malta, the Austrian polyolefin producer announced project STOP (Stopping the Tap on Ocean Plastics) — a 4 million euro ($4.7 million) initiative which aims to make “a scalable front-line contribution to marine plastic debris prevention and ocean health.”
According to Borealis, a “successful” feasibility and scoping assessment was carried out in Indonesia between July and September.
“This assessment tested the concept of "system-enabler'"partnerships with city governments — providing expertise and support to transition the waste management system to a zero-leakage pathway with increasing rates of plastics recycling, job creation in new after-use economies and public health benefits,” Borealis added.
The first city partnership which will be co-funded by local and global partners will launch in 2018.