BFFP Asia-Pacific
False Solutions Working Group
Meetings on Second Wednesday each month, 2-3pm PST
Zoom Link for Meeting / Running Notes - Google Doc�
Co-Conveners: Abdul Ghofar (WAHLI) ghofar@walhi.or.id�Matt Peryman (APPA) mjperyman@gmail.com
What are ‘false solutions’?
BFFP’s definition: "Alternatives to plastics and approaches to plastic pollution that are promoted by the industry--or even well-meaning individuals, organizations, or businesses--that seem more sustainable but are still damaging for the environment and human health, and do not stop plastic production, cutting the pollution at the source."
Thoughts? Any comments/concerns?
What is the problem?
Debunking false solutions to plastic pollution proliferating in Asia Pacific, prioritizing some false solutions that AP members are already working against:
What are the issues?
Why are we solving this problem?
FILM FESTIVAL: Add films on false solutions here with links please!
Film: Pulau Plastik/Plastic Island (2021) - Netflix
Topics: Microplastic, Bioplastic, Movement Building
Chythenyen - WTE request
A plastic Ocean (2016)�https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxNXYBYRAIM
Plasticized (2011) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfcRW7sIrPI�The effects of plastic pollution in the South Atlantic Ocean, delving into the limitations of recycling and other proposed solutions
Aswathy - some members are still waiting to confirm participation
To Burn or Not To Burn https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-15/to-burn-or-not-to-burn/10118852
Rufino - University of South Pacific
Trashed (2012) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNOHkOgHPtA
Star
Cache!
Chemical recycling, P to fuel, p to roads, incineration, biodegradables (PSF)
Waste to energy (incineration, gasification, pyrolysis), RDF, co-firing. (WALHI)
Plastic credits/plastic neutrality
Waste management in the absence of preventative measures (APPA)
Plastics belonging in a genuinely toxic-free circular economy (APPA)
WTE, Bioplastics, waste trade (CAP/SAM)
Oxodegrdables (APPA)
WTE Incinerators [HCWH]
Upcycling as solution (APPA)
Healthcare waste pyroclaves [HCWH]
Investment on zw solution and divesting from false solution(YPBB)
W2E technology, plastic credits, bioplastics, chemical recycling (GAIA)
Exporting/importing waste - waste colonialism (APPA)
Recycled plastic construction materials/plasbricks (APPA)
Downcycling (APPA)
Plastic roading (APPA)
Toxic plastics used in recycled products particularly food and beverage containers (APPA).
Landfill mining
Bioplastics and ‘compostable’ plastics marketed as sustainable solutions (APPA)
Multi-layer to nanomaterials, plastic credits and offsets (PSF)
Waste to energy, non recyclable plastics processing (HD)
Star
Cache!
Pyrolysis, plasma arc, gasification, incineration etc. (APPA)
Lightweighting (APPA)
Plastic Credits [HCWH]
2. What false solution campaigns are you currently working on? (Please note your organisation)
Fighting a pyrolysis plant in Feilding, Waimate etc. (APPA)
Advocating against RDF in Bali at the TPST Samtaku Jimabaran, funded by Danone. Providing the local environmental department in Bali (DKLH) and local CCOs with knowledge about the popular alternative bioplastics which atre greenwashing and pose a threat to the Governor’s ban on SUP.
Writing letters to Dansk shipping to stop shipping plastic waste offshore (APPA)
Writing letters to greenwashing companies such as Kathmandu (APPA)
Supporting groups that are exposing the false solutions proposed and implemented by corporates and governments. (BFFP AP)
Policy advocacy on renewable energy bill draft (WALHI)
Supporting petitions that call our country out and call them to stop dumping our plastic waste in SEAn countries (APPA)
Investigating the financial transactions between FMCGs and cement kilns, WTE plants, etc in India (BFFP AP)
Study on climate impact of incinerator vs zerowaste in collaboration with GAIA (ypbb)
Piloting sustainable solutions like auto-claves and pairing them with other ZW approaches [HCHW]
Organizing communities and waste pickers in WTE site (WALHI)
Integrated Campaign on co-firing (plastic,woodchip, etc) with energy transition issues (WALHI)
Public Perception Survey, EIA Analysis, Finance Business Case Analysis to reject/delaying project (WALHI)
Working with national govt funded research project to steer away from false solutions and colonial scientific practices (APPA)
Lobbying NZ Government to review their Waste Minimisation Act and National Plastics Action Plan with language that avoids false solutions (APPA)
Trying to convince MfE not to fund false solutions (Plastics Innovations Fund and Waste Management Fund) (APPA).
Waste management trainings [HCWH]
HC Waste Audits and Policy dialogues to manage/ address plastic waste in healthcare [HCWH]
Supporting various organizations in the region fighting false solutions. More specifically interested in developing reuse as a solution + campaign to stop sachets (where all the false solutions are applied) - PSF
We are working on WtE and removing it from the renewable energy list in India. (CFA, India)
Working with communities fighting WTE/ incinerator proposals (CAP)
Star
Cache!
Pushing for zero waste solutions and particularly reuse systems and right to repair (APPA)
Finance track advocacy, campaign for strict emission standart (WALHI)
Policy advocacy to dioxin and furan emission test in WTE at least once in 6 month (AZWI)
Template by Training for Change
3. What projects will you be working on in the future? (Please identify your organisation)
Producing report on externalisation of environmental and social impact of thermal technology through the lens of financing/investment-divestment (YPBB)
Campaigning against RDF and Incinerator, especially in west Java in cooperation with Walhi (YPBB)
Advocating change in the national food and drug regulations (BPOM) to facilitate Refill
Star
Cache!
Alignments | Collective actions |
Plastic credits (APPA, HCWH) | Attend webinars promoting plastic credits and make interventions questioning these as real solutions. |
WTE - Incinerator, gasification, pyrolysis, Co-processing (WALHI, HCWH, APPA, CAG, CFA, CAP/SAM) | Responding to Yobel’s (GAIA) call to action to oppose ADB working in shaping policy and investment to support incineration as a false solution. Register. Keeping a register of all companies investing in a range of thermal treatment technologies across the Asia-Pacific region. |
Strategically approaching government (WALHI, APPA, HCWH) | Regional advocacy to push government (G to G) stop investing in false solution project (I.E Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Germany, China) at the global forum momentum such as G20, COP, etc. (Finance Track) |
Bioplastics/compostable plastics (EJF, CAP/SAM) | Compiling a reference list of the latest research and factsheets, reports on bio/compostables/degradables and why they are false solutions. |
Identified issues | Our position |
Recycling, mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, downcycling | Need collective definitions around what recycling is and what it is not. For some, recycling is an interim solution and we need a safe, just, equitable roadmap and timeline for ‘breaking away’ from recycling. It is not a yes or no question - any changes must be driven by those most affected by/involved with waste. We recognise the contribution of both formal and informal industries working in recycling, and while some of them flout environmental;labour and safety norms, we will still include them in the discourse to include the otherwise marginalised communities that depend on these for their livelihood. |
Waste to energy, incineration, pyrolysis | Industry propaganda very influential (Faye - Philippines) EPR scheme being implemented in Philippines? EPR announced in New Zealand - industry regulated BFFP member (Indonesia) oppose WTE used thermal processing, WTE categories as renewable energy (greenwashing), concern on finance risk, environmental risk, health risk (dioxin, furan). WTE being promoted by India’s central govt by funding the building of plants. |
Bioplastics, compostable plastics | |
Plastic credits | |
List of WTE companies/investors in Asia-Pacific region
Indonesia
From APPA (NZ and wider AP region)
Share different standards and regulations throughout our region on false solution activities such as incineration, WTE, cement kilns etc
Indonesia
From APPA (NZ and wider AP region)
List of expertise/organizations working on particular false solutions (from Running Notes)
Resources on False Solutions
GAIA Plastic neutrality and credit -
https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/UNEA-publication-packet_plastic-credits.pdf
Danone-AQUA Strengthens Commitment to Circular Economy
https://balibuddies.com/danone-aqua-strengthens-commitment-circular-economy/
BFFP Resource on Bioplastic
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TWKCMixf9Z6SRPYXCwf5DZ9ahSnjPDEZofCX-Ohjvko/edit
Greenpeace Report: Plastic Recycling Is A Dead-End Street—Year After Year, Plastic Recycling Declines Even as Plastic Waste Increases