Koh Tao, Thailand, 8 June – The “Marine Litter Prevention through Reduction, Sustainable Design and Recycling of Plastic Packaging (MA-RE-DESIGN)” project officially launched on World Oceans Day 2023, as part of the official list of events. This groundbreaking initiative aims to combat plastic waste leakage into the sea by improving waste management and reducing plastic usage.
Operating at local, national, and regional level, the MA-RE-DESIGN project engages stakeholders along the plastic value chain. On national level, the project focuses on avoiding and replacing single-use plastic packaging and enhancing packaging waste management through, for example, an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. Local action is managed by WWF and concentrates on reducing plastic pollution in Koh Tao and Trang Province, serving as replicable models for other regions. Regionally, the MA-RE-DESIGN project facilitates knowledge exchange with other Asian countries through the UNEP COBSEA for cohesive prevention actions. Managed from Bangkok, the project collaborates closely with partners PCD, DMCR, and the COBSEA mechanism.
The launch of MA-RE-DESIGN project coincided with the 1st Sustainable Islands Tourism Symposium: BCG Action on Islands from Local to Global, held on 7-10 June in Koh Tao. The symposium raised awareness and promoted sustainable tourism, addressing waste management, knowledge management, and local-to-global actions.
For more information:
Ms. Natalie Harms, Programme Officer on Marine Litter, UNEP COBSEA Secretariat, Bangkok
Further Resources:
Final agenda of Sustainable Island Tourism Symposium / Flyer of Panel Discussion on 8 June
