Waste to Value (ingl.)

The “Waste to Value” project seeks to promote a circular economy in Laos by improving cooperation between local actors in the waste and recycling value chain, thereby focusing especially on strengthening green businesses and building resilience of the vulnerable group of informal waste workers.  
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Vientiane
17.9757058
102.6331035
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Vang Vieng 
18.95009
102.44379
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luang pradang
 
19.883285
102.1387166
Duración del proyecto
2021 - 2028

In Laos, valuable recyclables like plastic often end up in landfills, while informal waste workers face unsafe conditions and low incomes. Currently, the separation, collection, disposal and recycling of materials is weak, uncontrolled and disorganised. Informal waste workers face fluctuating recyclable prices and poor stakeholder coordination, impacting income and working conditions. Most of them lack business and financial knowhow. Green businesses are confronted with financial and technical constraints, including limited access to funding for investments and insufficient expertise and training possibilities on sustainable practices. Moreover, green businesses face a lack of governmental policies and incentives to support them and are confronted with low consumer awareness of green practices. In light of these challenges, the project aims to support the country in adapting to the need for innovative solutions in waste treatment and recycling. 

El proyecto

In order to enhance the livelihood and resilience of informal waste workers, the project aims at improving their access to the market for recyclables, and better integrating them into the waste and recycling value chain. At the same time, the project supports green businesses by providing business development support, from ideation and incubation to competition and acceleration, thereby fostering a circular economy approach. Moreover, the project strengthens policy dialogue among public and private sector stakeholders as well as the civil society. This dialogue focuses on promoting sustainable consumption and production practices, creating a more favourable environment for green business growth, and implementing eco-friendly practices such as plastic reduction. To this end, the project carries out the three interventions: 

  • Building sustainable business models of green businesses
  • Improving the business activity and operational safety of informal waste workers and creating new market opportunities for recollection businesses
  • Supporting the circular economy environment by fostering the collaboration of private and public actors

Project Goals

The project contributes to inclusive development and a healthier environment in Laos by enhancing the waste management system. It focuses on sustainable business models for green businesses, emphasising the sale and use of recycled and upcycled products that complements the reduction of unnecessary waste sent to landfills. Furthermore, it facilitates waste-selling opportunities, which aim to increase income for informal waste workers and local recollection companies. By showcasing the value of waste and fostering recycling markets, the project works towards mitigation of climate change and nurtures social shifts towards a circular economy. 

Resultados esperados 2025 - 2028

  • 10 green businesses (5 women-led) benefit from business development support through an EcoChallenge
  • 40 green businesses gain access to finance information
  • 300 informal waste workers access trainings and 40% of them increase their income by 500 CHF/year (50% women)
  • 16 recollection businesses access support to increase efficiency and increase their income by 2000 CHF/year (50% women-led)
  • 500 SMEs in the hospitality and tourism sector (50% women-led) register on the green practices e-learning to learn about possibilities to improve their environmental performance

Donantes

Este proyecto está financiado por el World Wildlife Fund entre otros donantes. Este proyecto forma parte del Programa de Desarrollo de Swisscontact que está cofinanciado por la Agencia Suiza para el Desarrollo y la Cooperación (COSUDE), Departamento Federal de Asuntos Exteriores DFAE. 

Noticias

Laos
Ciudades verdes
22.03.2024
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