Hai Phong, Vietnam — In an effort to strengthen regional collaboration to address marine plastic pollution, Vietnam Maritime University (VMU), in partnership with the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), under the second phase of the ASEAN–Norwegian Cooperation Project on Regional Capacity Building for Reducing Plastic Pollution, organized the International Conference on Marine Plastic Pollution on April 21–23, 2026, in Hai Phong, Vietnam.
The conference brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students from various countries to share scientific findings, policy experiences, and practical solutions for tackling marine plastic pollution, particularly in the ASEAN region. The forum also aimed to strengthen science- and policy-based dialogue through interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative learning. Participants were encouraged to actively contribute through the submission of scientific papers and posters.
At this international forum, the Indonesian environmental organization BINTARI Foundation contributed by presenting research findings and implementation experiences from the Plasma-B (Plastic Waste Management for Biodiversity Protection) program, which is being implemented in Central Maluku.
BINTARI presented three papers highlighting the challenges and opportunities of plastic waste management in small island contexts:
“Why Plastic Waste Leakage Remains Persistent: A Case Study of Banda Island, Indonesia”
This paper examines the factors contributing to the continued leakage of plastic waste despite various interventions, including limitations in waste management systems and community behavior.
“Bridging Behavioral Readiness and System Constraints: A Comparative SBCC Analysis of Household Waste”
Studi ini menganalisis kesenjangan antara kesiapan perilaku masyarakat dalam memilah sampah dengan keterbatasan sistem yang tersedia, menggunakan pendekatan Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC).
“Waste Financial Gaps in Tackling Marine Plastic Leakage in Small Islands: Evidence from Tanah Rata Village, Banda Islands, Maluku, Indonesia”
Makalah ini menyoroti kesenjangan pembiayaan dalam pengelolaan sampah di pulau kecil, serta implikasinya terhadap upaya pengurangan kebocoran sampah plastik ke laut.
BINTARI’s participation in this conference underscores the importance of evidence-based and locally grounded approaches in designing solutions for plastic waste management, particularly in archipelagic regions with unique geographic and institutional challenges.
Through this forum, it is expected that stronger collaboration will be fostered among ASEAN countries and international partners to systematically and sustainably reduce marine plastic pollution.