ADB Data Room: Circular Economy
20 April 2022
The Circular Economy is an emerging theme internationally. A Circular Economy is a systemic approach to decouple economic development and activity from consuming finite resources. A Circular Economy will allow ADB to tackle global environmental challenges, including climate change, resource management, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, while supporting economic development and reducing poverty.
Circular Economy related policy and legislation are actively being developed and implemented across our Developing Member Countries (DMCs) and have become a central theme for many of ADB’s funding sources. Circular Economy will be a central facet of implementing the Global Plastics Treaty recently agreed upon at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) 5.2 in Nairobi. The finance framework included in the draft agreement offers huge potential for investment and project development in DMCs. ADB is developing a Circular Economy Toolkit to help identify, create, integrate, and deliver investment opportunities.
This data room contains the schedule of upcoming webinars, information, and key documents on the Circular Economy, its concepts, and implementation. For periodic updates, sign up here.
For more information or specialized advice, please contact James Baker.
Program and Learning Materials
- Webinars
- Articles and Blogs
- Briefs and Publications
- Events
- Institutional Documents
- Op-eds
- Videos and Reels
- E-Learning
| Date | Webinars |
|---|---|
| 25 June 2025 |
Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity, and Enforceability – Evaluating Economic Instruments for Thailand's Packaging Waste (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 41)
The Circular Economy Webinar Series continues, building on the demand for more knowledge and real-life use cases from the Circular Economy Forum. In…
|
| 5 June 2025 |
Digitizing Waste Management with Women at the Center: Insights from Southeast Asia (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 40)
This is the 40th session of the ADB Circular Economy Webinar Series, after nearly three years of promoting circular economy innovations and solutions…
|
| 21 May 2025 |
Unlocking Opportunities in Circular Textiles (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 39)
Circularity can be applied across all sectors and industries, including the fashion and textile sectors. Every year, the textile sector contributes 2…
|
| 8 May 2025 |
Collaborative Approaches to Waste Management: Bridging the Informal and Formal Sectors (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 38)
Drawing on real-world experiences from India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong, China, this webinar highlighted practical solutions—including…
|
| 19 March 2025 |
Progress on the Global Plastics Treaty: Outcomes and Insights from the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee Process (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 37)
With millions of tons of plastic produced annually and plastic waste driving environmental and climate concerns, the Global Plastics Treaty will be…
|
| 12 March 2025 |
Accelerating Circularity and Just Transition through Digital Solutions (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 36)
In the journey toward a sustainable, inclusive, and waste-free future, digital transformation plays a pivotal role in reshaping material flows…
|
| 26 February 2025 |
Financing Plastic Circularity: Recommendations to Overcome Market and Policy Challenges (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 35)
With the massive scale of the plastic pollution crisis, countries need an estimated $50 billion–$120 billion annually to achieve their waste…
|
| 5 February 2025 |
Circularity In Action: Accelerating a Concrete Solution to Plastic Waste at CRDC Global (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 34)
Circular business models struggle to scale when economic actors lack incentives to collaborate. In this webinar, Donald Thomson, CEO of the…
|
| 22 January 2025 |
Opportunities to Strengthen Regional Cooperation for Marine Litter Management in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 33)
Marine litter was a major concern for Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Governments in these countries had developed and…
|
| 20 November 2024 |
Circular Economy of Manila Bay’s Plastic Waste (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 32)
The Holcim Circular Explorer project in Manila Bay was a groundbreaking initiative that combined technology, sustainability, and community action…
|
| 13 November 2024 |
Biodegradable and Compostable Solutions for Agriculture (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 31)
Novamont was an Italian industrial company established in 1990. It was a Benefit Company, B Corp certified and among the leaders in producing…
|
| 30 October 2024 |
An Overview of E-Waste in the Basel Convention (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 30)
This webinar covered various aspects of electronic and electrical wastes, or e-wastes, in the context of the Basel Convention on the Control of…
|
| 16 October 2024 |
Scaling Reuse and Refill Solutions in Indonesia and Southeast Asia (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 29)
With Southeast Asia urgently needing to tackle plastic waste, Alner’s reuse and refill solutions offered a scalable, sustainable alternative to…
|
| 18 September 2024 |
Accelerating a Circular Economy of EV Batteries in South Korea (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 28)
This session discussed South Korea’s Policy Directions for the Circular Economy, with EV batteries as a key priority and focus, establishing a…
|
| 11 June 2024 |
Circular Economy: Integrated Waste Management Approach (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 27)
This session covered two broad themes: Abellon’s integrated waste management approach combining material recovery as well as energy recovery; and…
|
| 20 March 2024 |
Circular Economy in the Construction Industry (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 26)
In the seminar, the potential of circular economy (CE) in the construction industry, known for its significant environmental footprint, was…
|
| 06 March 2024 |
Opportunities in the Global Plastics Treaty for Asia and the Pacific Addressing Plastic Pollution for Climate Benefits (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 25)
During the webinar session, the discussion revolved around the potential impact of a continued business-as-usual scenario, which could have seen…
|
| 07 February 2024 |
The Challenges of Applying Circular Economy Principles to Food Waste and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Hong Kong, China (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 24)
The session covered the challenges and opportunities of circular economy in the Asian context and discussed Hong Kong, China’s practical…
|
| 24 January 2024 |
Circular Economy Government and Stakeholder Engagement - Some Practical Wins and Losses (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 23)
This session highlighted delving into the crucial element of stakeholder engagement in the successful execution of circular economy projects…
|
| 17 January 2024 |
Bioplastics in Thailand: Perceptions versus Reality and Future Directions for Southeast Asia (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 22)
This session walked through the bioplastics value chain using the case study in Thailand based on a cost-benefit analysis research study that ADB…
|
| 7 December 2023 |
Plastic Asset Circularity (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 21)
This Circular Economy Webinar Series session spotlighted how Recity is enabling a circular economy of plastics with a combination of physical…
|
| 23 November 2023 |
Quantifying Plastic Pollution to Inform Evidence-based and Effective Interventions (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 20)
Plastic pollution is an archetypical global challenge, the complexity of which means that we still do not have a sufficient understanding of…
|
| 28 September 2023 |
Closing the Loop on Food Waste with Insect Bioconversion (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 19)
The ADB Circular Economy (CE) Webinar Series session explored how insect bioconversion offers a nature-based solution to the pressing challenges…
|
| 14 September 2023 |
Scaling the Circular Economy with Circular Platforms (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 18)
The circular economy offers a framework for reducing waste and increasing sustainability by keeping materials in use through repair, reuse, and…
|
| 24 August 2023 |
Low Temperature Gasification of Waste: Ultimate Solution for Energy/Waste/Climate (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 17)
This session discussed about an innovation for Waste to Energy: How Waste can be turned into an Energy Resource without air pollution and…
|
| 22 June 2023 |
Smart Cities and Circular Economy: How Citizens Recycle and Reuse to Save the Planet (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 16)
The amount of plastic waste in South Korea has been increasing rapidly during the coronavirus pandemic, and the problem is becoming serious. To…
|
| 11 May 2023 |
The Power of Partnerships in Fostering a Circular Economy (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 15)
ADDENDUM: Please note that the numbers or figures shown in the presentation delivered in this webinar may no longer be updated. These…
|
| 20 April 2023 |
Circular Solutions to Address Plastic Pollution in the Maritime Industry (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 14)
In the Philippines, at least 2.5 million metric tons of plastic were being consumed pre-pandemic, out of which only 9% was being recycled and 35%…
|
| 30 March 2023 |
Research Assessment on the Attitudes and Motivations of Women in Waste: A Gender-responsive Approach on Addressing Plastic Pollution (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 13)
The ADB CEWG recognizes the need to highlight the human side of our commitment to a circular economy. In partnership with World Wildlife Fund …
|
| 16 March 2023 |
NUTEC Plastic - NUclear TEchnology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 12)
There are about 12 million tons of plastic that enter the oceans every year. The oceans are expected to contain one ton of plastic for every…
|
| 2 February 2023 |
ECOBRICKS: A Circular Economy Solution to Transform Plastic Waste into Sustainable Concrete (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 11)
The built environment and the construction industry are major contributors to the planet's greatest environmental challenges - plastic waste and…
|
| 8 December 2022 |
Mil Mill Paper Cycle – a Circular Business Model for Low Value Waste Mixed Papers (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 10)
The session is about Mill, Hong Kong, China’s first beverage carton recycling pulp mill and education center. The center can process up to about…
|
| 24 November 2022 |
Koinpack’s Reuse Revolution to Radically Prevent Plastic Pollution in Indonesia (ADB Circular Economy Webinar Series, Session 09)
Launched in 2020, Koinpack built a deposit-based reuse system for plastic packaging, allowing consumers to purchase their favorite brands in…
|
| 17 November 2022 |
Omni Processor Project: Revolutionizing Municipal Solid Waste and Liquid Sludge Management in Bangladesh (ADB Circular Economy Webinar Series, Session 08)
Session Synopsis: In observance of World Toilet Day and the call for urgent action to make sanitation a global development priority, the…
|
| 10 November 2022 |
ADB’s Roadmap for Circular Economy Zero Waste Cities in the People’s Republic of China (Circular Economy Webinar Series Session 07)
In 2009, the Circular Economy Promotion Law came into effect in the People's Republic of China (PRC), and circular economy is now included as an…
|
| 20 October 2022 |
Measuring and Mitigating Methane Emissions from Agriculture, Municipal Solid Waste, and Wastewater (ADB CE Webinar Series, Session 06)
Nick Elger with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided an overview of tools and resources offered by the EPA to support methane…
|
| 22 September 2022 |
Eliminating the Idea of Waste with the TerraCycle Global Foundation (ADB CE Webinar Series, Session 05)
Thousands of tons of plastic waste are polluting Thailand’s canals, rivers, and seas every year. The TerraCycle Global Foundation collects and…
|
| 25 August 2022 |
A pre-launch for the Circular Plastics Economy eLearning Course (ADB CE Webinar Series, Session 04)
How can policymakers and corporate strategists design and implement effective policies to reduce and eventually eliminate plastic pollution?
…
|
| 11 August 2022 |
THE GREEN ROAD: Integrated Waste Management and Circular Economy in Bhutan (ADB CE Webinar Series, Session 03)
While Bhutan is developing its network of roadways, its climate, and mountainous terrain contribute to road degradation, making it difficult for…
|
| 26 July 2022 |
Case Studies on Circular Economy Biz Model: Mechanisms, Opportunities and Challenges (ADB CE Webinar Series, Session 02)
Despite the current circular economy global movement, the amount of waste generated globally is still on the rise, especially during the COVID-19…
|
| 7 June 2022 |
Biochar as a Circular Solution for Sustainable Agriculture and Poverty Reduction (ADB CE Webinar Series, Session 01)
Asia is home to an estimated 350 million smallholder farmers, who produce around 80% of the food consumed in the region. The impacts of climate…
|
| 15 February 2022 |
Online Presentation and Discussion on Orange Clockwork Waste
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), a leader in the circular economy presented and discussed the “Orange Clockwork” showcasing businesses from…
|
| 28 January 2022 |
Plastic-free Oceans by Ministry of Environment, Government of Japan
Session Synopsis: The global community now faces three global crises: climate change, nature loss, and environmental pollution. In order to address…
|
| 28 January 2022 |
Circular Economy Plastics Clinic: A Project Playshop
|
| 27 January 2022 |
Deep Dive 1.4 (Plastic-free Oceans Track) - Advancing Circularity: Supporting Investible Startups with a Connected Network
|
| 27 January 2022 |
Deep Dive 1.5. Better Together: Innovating Socially Inclusive Waste Management Systems
|
| 26 January 2022 |
Scene Setter for Plastic-free Oceans
Plastic waste and pollution are urgent issues for Asia and the Pacific and the health of its ecosystems and communities. Over 80% of all marine…
|
| 26 January 2022 |
Deep Dive 1.1 (Plastic-free Oceans Track) - Circling Back: A Back-to-Basics Course on Circular Plastics Economy
|
| 26 January 2022 |
Deep Dive 1.2 (Plastic-free Oceans Track) - From Source to Sea: Promoting Circular Economy Solutions to Reduce Marine Plastic Pollution
|
| 26 January 2022 |
Deep Dive 1.3 (Plastic-free Oceans Track) - Message in a Bottle-to Bottle: Scaling Up Investments in High-Quality Recycling
|
| Event Type | Event Title |
|---|---|
| Organized by the TA | ADB Circular Economy Sprint Series - Closing the Circle: Reducing Plastic Pollution and Promoting Green Businesses |
| Organized by the TA | Bangkok Plastics Week |
| Organized by the TA | ADB Circular Economy Training Series: Accelerating the Circular Economy |
| Organized by the TA | Accelerating Investments for Plastic Circularity |
| Organized by the TA | Circular Economy Forum 2025 |
| Co/Organized by ADB | Blue Finance Training: Designing and Financing Bankable Projects in Transitioning to a Blue Economy |
| Co/Organized by ADB | Banking on Waste: Unlocking Finance to Address Plastic Pollution |
| Co/Organized by ADB | The Global Plastics Treaty and Implications for Southeast Asia |
| Co/Organized by ADB | Launch of the Manila City Action Plan for Plastic Circularity |
| Organized by Partners and Other Organizations | ADB Participation at the fifth Global Plastics Treaty (GPT) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee Session (INC-5) |
| Document Type | Document Title | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Project Documents | Regional: Promoting Action on Plastic Pollution from Source to Sea in Asia and the Pacific | |
| Plans | Environment Action Plan 2024–2030: Toward a Nature-Positive Asia and the Pacific | |
| Plans | Healthy Oceans Implementation Plan 2022-2024 | |
| Frameworks | o Bank Ocean Finance Framework | |
| Frameworks | ADB Blue Bonds |
| Date | Publication and Op-ed Title | Author/s |
|---|---|---|
| 18 November 2020 | The Business Times Singapore Op-ed: Catching the wave of blue finance | |
| 13 January 2021 | The Business Times Singapore Op-ed: Race to Restore Asia-Pacific’s Ocean Economy | Ingrid van Wees and John Tanzer |
| 6 April 2021 | The Business Times Singapore Op-ed: Navigating a rising tide of blue ocean business | Ingrid Van Wees and Melissa Walsh |
| 21 June 2021 | The Business Times Singapore Op-ed: Taking the Risk Out of Blue Investments | Ingrid van Wees |
| 28 September 2021 | The Business Times Singapore Op-ed: Putting (monetary) values on beaches and coral reefs |
| Date | Video Title |
|---|---|
| 24 February 2022 | Prospects for Transitioning from a Linear to Circular Economy in Developing Asia |
| 19 May 2022 | Circular Economy: Increasing Resource Efficiency and Designing Out Waste |
| 25 July 2022 | Embracing Environmental Sustainability and the Circular Economy |
| 31 January 2023 | Circular Economy Policy Maker E-Training |
| 5 June 2023 | World Environment Day: Beat Plastic Pollution |
| 21 November 2023 | Stopping Plastic Waste Leakage into Oceans |
| 19 July 2024 | How much plastic do you use in everyday life? |
| 27 December 2024 | Turning the Tide: ADB Boosts Plastic Recycling in Indonesia |
| 7 January 2025 | No Time to Waste |
| 18 June 2025 | Unlocking Private Capital to Power the Circular Economy |
| Date | E-Learning |
|---|---|
| May 2022 | Circular Economy: Increasing Resource Efficiency and Designing Out Waste |
| May 2022 | Circular Economy Policy Maker E-Training |
Disclaimer
The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
Event Coordinator/s
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- Maria Pia Ancora
- Sing (Terry) Cho
ADB Organizer/s
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- Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office
- Water and Urban Development Sector Office
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