Can digital technology strengthen inclusivity in plastic waste management? evidence from Indonesia and Vietnam
Women play a central role in the transition to a circular economy for plastic in Southeast Asia. As key influencers within their households and active community members, they spearhead initiatives aimed at reducing waste, promoting sustainable habits, and advocating for better waste management practices. Women also represent a significant portion of informal waste pickers, who are vital to the collection and
processing of recyclable materials across Southeast Asia. They help ensure that valuable materials are recovered and reenter the production cycle, making them key contributors to the circular economy. However, they also often face high health and safety risks, as well as economic instability. Women bring unique knowledge and practical expertise in plastic waste management; thus, their involvement in designing and implementing waste management strategies is crucial for fostering sustainable, circular practices within communities.
Given the important roles that women and informal waste workers play in promoting circularity, this brief focuses on their contributions and explores how digital solutions can be used to enhance women and informal workersโ efficiency, reach, and income generation in plastic waste management. The insights
presented are based primarily on activities conducted under the regional technical assistance (TA) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Promoting Action on Plastic Pollution from Source to Sea in Asia and the Pacific. This project supported household and waste collector surveys conducted in Cirebon, Indonesia, and Tan An, Viet Nam, as well as consultations with digital service providers and a selection of their users in both countries (Table). Surveys of waste pickers provided valuable perspectives on the
roles, challenges, and conditions facing these workers, particularly women, highlighting their critical role in the informal waste management sector. Despite operating in different countries, women waste pickers in both locations face similar challenges. The household surveys also offered an understanding of
patterns and preferences in waste management practices at the community level.
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Temukan peta dengan kualitas terbaik untuk gambar peta indonesia lengkap dengan provinsi.
