At the heart of the collapse was a deadlock: whether a global treaty to stem plastic pollution should include measures to curb plastic production, which
Retail giant PT. Sumber Alfaria Trijaya, Tbk (Alfamart) is backing sustainable innovation with a $1 million investment in noovoleum, a startup turning used cooking oil into renewable energy.
With its new capital, Sirsak will roll out a traceability system to track packaging waste from source to recycler, study low-value plastics that often end up in landfills, and grow its recycling network.
Singapore-based Circulate Capital has pledged significant backing for two Indonesian recyclers. The firm announced investments in Pelita Mekar Semesta (PMS) and Polindo Utama, aiming to strengthen regional recycling supply chains and expand capacity amid rising policy support and market opportunity.
3cat, a Malaysian omnichannel platform for used electronics, has raised new funding in a Pre-Series A round to expand its retail network, build in-house repair operations, and accelerate digital platform growth across Southeast Asia.
Reducing food miles brings environmental benefits: less waste, lower carbon emissions, and more efficient water use. Urban farms double as community hubs, fostering social ties and promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
Over the past five years, Enviu Zero Waste has developed around 9 startups and solutions focused on preventing single-use plastic. One of
them is Alner, a startup offering a digital-based refill system for daily essentials like soap, shampoo, and detergent, using reusable and refillable packaging for both retail and hospitality customers.
Unlike its regional peers, Vietnam’s recycling ecosystem is both decentralised and historically ingrained. Fifteen specialised recycling villages, home to thousands of households, handle around 500,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually.
The round was led by prominent investment firms Saratoga Investama Sedaya and K3 Ventures, and included participation from AppWorks, Skystar Capital, Bali Investment Club (BIC), Orvel Ventures, and the private office of Michael Sampoerna.