1People and PlasticsThe profile, vulnerabilities, and role of informal waste workers in addressing marine plastics pollutionSynthesis report from country studies in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet NamPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized People and PlasticsThe profile, vulnerabilities, and role of informal waste workers in addressing marine plastics pollutionSynthesis report from country studies in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet NamJune 2023 4 5© 2023 The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved.This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and con-clusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or accep-tance of such boundaries. Rights and PermissionsThe material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dis-semination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncom-mercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: “World Bank. 2023. People and Plastics: The Profile, Vulnerabilities, and Role of Informal Waste Workers in Addressing Marine Plastics Pol-lution. © World Bank.” All queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Case Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Profile of IWWs in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Key Risks and Vulnerabilities of IWWs: Health, Access to Services, Income Security, Indebtedness 16Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Models Engaging IWWs ..........................18Conclusions and Recommendations .............................................21Regional Recommendations ....................................................23Country-Specific Recommendations .............................................24Project- and Investment-Specific Recommendations ..............................25Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Marine Plastic Waste in the ASEAN Region ........................................30Regional Cooperation on Marine Plastics .........................................31Indonesia .....................................................................32The Philippines ................................................................34Viet Nam ......................................................................36Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Profile and Vulnerabilities of Informal Waste Sector Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Profiles of IWWs ................................................................43Demographic Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Age ..............................................................................45Migration Status ..................................................................46Living Conditions .................................................................46Education .....................................................................47Working Arrangements .........................................................48Income and Access to Finance ...................................................51Vulnerabilities and Risks Faced by IWWs ..........................................53Health Risks ...................................................................55Specific Vulnerabilities Faced by Women .........................................57Specific Vulnerabilities Faced by Children .........................................59Aspirations of IWWs and Interest in Formalization ................................