This publication captures the experiences and lessons learned of the GEF Small Grants Programme, implemented by UNDP, on plastics management. The projects focus on implementing a circular economy either through recycling, reducing and reusing plastics for new products, influencing consumer use and behavior, or developing better waste collection and management practices at the community level. Some of these initiatives have also been scaled up in partnership with government and private sector.

The 10 cases included in this publication show that local communities and grassroots solutions are already contributing to the implementation of the circular economy concept by providing circular solutions to plastic waste problems through community-based actions to 'reduce, reuse and recycle' plastics, known as '3Rs' ranking by the priority of actions.