UNCTAD – SMEP

Leaving the shore: Marine-based plastic substitutes and alternatives to plastic

Leaving the shore Marine-based substitutes and alternatives to plastic In response to this growing crisis, a United Nations Global Plastics Treaty is under negotiations. UNCTAD has been conducting research and advocating for the recognition of non-plastic substitutes and alternatives in the future treaty. This report builds on previous research and explores the role of marine-based […]

Leaving the shore: Marine-based plastic substitutes and alternatives to plastic Read More »

A showcase of SMEP’s work in the plastics policy landscape: A model for impact

Report / By Staci Warrington

Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with production on the rise and waste management struggling to keep up. The SMEP Programme aims to address plastic pollution by advancing the plastic policy, and this report provides an overview of SMEP’s role in the plastics policy landscape.

A showcase of SMEP’s work in the plastics policy landscape: A model for impact Read More »

Plastic Substitution: Current Initiatives and Potential Options for the Pacific

Report / By Staci Warrington

Plastic pollution is perhaps one of the most significant environmental concerns across the Pacific region. This report developed by UNDP and UNCTAD provides an overview of current initiatives and potential plastic substitution options for the Pacific Region, including examples from SMEP-grantee GAIA Biomaterials and Catchgreen.

Plastic Substitution: Current Initiatives and Potential Options for the Pacific Read More »

Butterfly Diagram: Mapping the SMEP Programme’s projects onto circular economy processes

Factsheet / By Staci Warrington

The butterfly diagram provides a comprehensive framework for circularity across sectors. Using this model, the SMEP Programme has mapped its projects in Africa and South Asia, showcasing how organic and technical material loops complement each other.

Butterfly Diagram: Mapping the SMEP Programme’s projects onto circular economy processes Read More »

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Human Health

Report / By Staci Warrington

This study used empirical evidence from
projects in Ghana, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Kenya which are part of the SMEP programme plastic portfolio, to analyse the role of their plastic recycling and upcycling systems and estimate reductions in human health impacts.

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Human Health Read More »

Battery Value Chains: The challenges for e-mobility in South Asia

Report / By Staci Warrington

In South Asia, the urgent need for affordable mobility has led to a rapid embrace of e-mobility, but often with regrettable technology choices like lead-acid batteries (LABs) used in electric 3-wheelers. This report explores the challenges associated with LABs as well as potential solutions to managing these in Bangladesh.

Battery Value Chains: The challenges for e-mobility in South Asia Read More »

Dirty, difficult and dangerous: Establishing a plastics waste upcycling system in Nepal

Journal publication / By Staci Warrington

The growing global issue of plastic waste can be offset by upcycling it into new and useful products. This article relays the lessons from the Plastic to Ghar upcycling project in Nepal.

Dirty, difficult and dangerous: Establishing a plastics waste upcycling system in Nepal Read More »

Solutions in Traditional Knowledge: Gravity water filters

Report / By Staci Warrington

This study examines the challenge of improving water access to meet SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), while also reducing dependence on plastic-based water delivery systems, such as those using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sachets by considering the traditional technology of ceramic gravity filters.

Solutions in Traditional Knowledge: Gravity water filters Read More »

Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution Programme

Leaving the shore: Marine-based plastic substitutes and alternatives to plastic

A showcase of SMEP’s work in the plastics policy landscape: A model for impact

Plastic Substitution: Current Initiatives and Potential Options for the Pacific

Butterfly Diagram: Mapping the SMEP Programme’s projects onto circular economy processes

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Human Health

Battery Value Chains: The challenges for e-mobility in South Asia

Dirty, difficult and dangerous: Establishing a plastics waste upcycling system in Nepal

Solutions in Traditional Knowledge: Gravity water filters

FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

Follow The SMEP PROGRAMME on LinkedIN