What Can Business Do to Prevent Plastic from Becoming Waste in Asia Pacific?

Authors

• Jeremy Prepscius

  Former Vice President, Asia-Pacific, BSR

• Joanna Lovatt

  Former Manager, BSR

• 

  Eileen Gallagher

  Director, Climate Change, BSR

  

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  Eileen Gallagher

  Director, Climate Change, BSR

  

  Hong Kong

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  With nearly 20 years of experience, Eileen works with multinational companies to address climate change. She specializes in improving business strategy to consider how climate change and its solutions affect society, the environment, and the economy. 

  Eileen directs BSR’s advisory and grant-funded work where climate intersects with human rights and equity, inclusion, and justice. She also supports companies with climate risk and scenario analysis, emissions reduction targets, and net-zero roadmaps. ​Eileen is BSR’s climate lead in the Asia-Pacific region, where she analyzed how climate change affects vulnerable nations, its people, and global supply chains. ​

  Prior to joining BSR in 2017, Eileen served as a sustainability consultant, supporting companies on sustainability strategy development, strategic stakeholder engagement, and environmental management. While working at a public policy organization, she gained experience in international development, climate policy analysis, and effective communications. ​

  Eileen holds a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. ​

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  Recent Insights From Eileen Gallagher

  • Ten Guiding Principles for Co-creating Climate Justice Interventions / January 29, 2024 / Blog
  • Co-creating Climate Justice Interventions between Business and Communities / January 17, 2024 / Reports
  • Three Business Initiatives That Advance Climate Justice / December 21, 2023 / Blog
  • COP28: Tackling Fossil Fuels, and a Final Push to Keep 1.5 Alive / November 29, 2023 / Insights+
  • Advancing a Just Transition Across Sectors / July 6, 2023 / Blog

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Unfortunately, efforts to date to reduce plastic waste have been flawed or insufficient, and, as a result, there are approximately 150 million tons of plastic floating in our oceans today. This report aims to provide all actors with a stake in plastic with a primer on plastic waste and recycling in Asia Pacific and a set of realistic and feasible recommendations for businesses on what they can do to prevent plastic from becoming waste. It was developed in consultation with representatives from the private and public sectors, civil society, and academia.

Keeping plastic out of landfills, the oceans, and the riverways is undoubtedly a complex task with many entrance points, perspectives, and approaches. With global momentum on eliminating plastic waste, now is the time for stakeholders to act.