From Ocean Clean-Up to System Change: Reflections from the APAC Circular Economy Hotspot

APAC Circular Economy Hotspot Conference 2026 Sydney

I attended the Asia Pacific Circular Economy Hotspot in Sydney last week with over 350 delegates from 30 nations across the Asia Pacific. The first insight to hit me was the scale of the challenge facing our oceans and Pacific neighbours — and the need to move from reactive waste management towards systemic change.

Stopping plastic before it reaches the ocean

We cannot solve the plastic pollution crisis by cleaning up waste alone. We need to stop it entering the environment in the first place

I was encouraged to learn more about Boyan Slat and The Ocean Cleanup, which combines removing legacy plastic from the ocean with intercepting waste in rivers before it reaches the sea. The Ocean Cleanup has removed over 66,000 Tonnes of trash so far, according to its real-time dashboard.

With rivers contributing approximately 80% of ocean plastic, their river programme is focusing efforts on rivers, as data identified that about 1,000 rivers globally are responsible for around 80% of riverine plastic emissions into the ocean. Preventing waste at source requires effective local waste systems, community engagement, education and long-term investment.

Technology such as solar-powered Interceptors, drones and AI-driven Automated Debris Imaging System (ADIS)is being employed to speed up and focus actual clean-up activities and use big data in real time to use resources efficiently and effectively.

The challenge facing our Pacific neighbours

Another clear message from the Pacific communities is the increasing waste-management challenges, including limited infrastructure and capacity to recover and recycle materials at scale. From Fiji, Pacific Recycling Foundation founder Amitesh Deo stressed that regional waste policies must be grounded in local solutions. Inclusive recycling systems and empowering informal waste picker communities connect environmental sustainability with social equity.

We also heard from Pacific nations including PNG and Naoero the challenges with unregulated waste management, lack of proper recycling facilities and lack of reverse logistical solutions where everything is imported.

Recycling is important, but it cannot carry the entire burden. Where collection, sorting, processing infrastructure and viable markets for recovered materials are lacking, waste can continue to accumulate or enter the environment.

Designing a circular economy — not just managing waste

The conference looked beyond waste to consider how circularity can be embedded across entire sectors, including the built environment, agriculture, mining and manufacturing.

Our opportunity is to redesign products, processes and systems from the outset so that materials remain useful for longer. That means prioritising durability, repair, reuse, upgrading and recovery — rather than relying on recycling as the default end-of-life solution.

Collaboration is the common thread

For me, the conference reinforced one central message: we cannot build a circular economy in silos. The challenges facing our oceans, communities and industries are interconnected. Addressing them requires collaboration across sectors, professions and countries, alongside investment and practical partnerships.

The Asia Pacific has enormous potential to share knowledge, learn from initiatives already underway and develop solutions suited to our region. One great outcome of the conference was the innumerable connections made across the three days.

Ideas were shared and discussed in round table discussions, but I believe the real action will take place in the coming months as people return to their roles and the ideas inspire the beginnings of real cross-border collaboration and sharing. To turn that collective knowledge into action, we need to redesign systems, prevent waste at source, and create a circular economy that delivers environmental, social, and economic value.

Shout out to Cercle

Patrick from reusable solution Cercle, Amanda and Sarah Rhodes from Plastic Free South-East Asia at APAC Hotspot conference

Talking about system change, it was great to see the Cercle system in action at the conference. The team ensured we had enough Cercle cups and plates for everything we needed. The team collected and washed every reusable item at the wash-hub. I asked how many cups each conference attendee used on average, because I used at least 5! Imagine how many disposable cups and plates this event would have sent to landfill. Cercle have now added a coffee cart to their service, which is genius. I have worked at so many local council events where coffee carts were required, but none had a built-in reusable cup system. Consider this solution for your next business event, and it could really make a difference.