CAP SEA supports Thai and Malaysian study tour on urban waste management in Germany
Delegates visiting Grannex GmbH, the plastic waste sorting facility in Osnabrück
From 30 November to 7 December 2025, a joint delegation from Thailand and Malaysia travelled to Germany to gain first-hand insights into contemporary approaches to urban waste management and applied examples of circular economy solutions. The visit was organised under Export Initiative Environmental Protection (EXI), supported and facilitated by the Collaborative Action for Single-Use Plastic Prevention in Southeast Asia (CAP SEA) Project, implemented by GIZ.
The seven-day study tour aimed to deepen understanding of integrated municipal waste systems and support the development and expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks in Thailand and Malaysia, building on earlier exchange formats in which Malaysian delegates visited Thailand and Thai delegates visited Malaysia. Participants included representatives from national authorities, municipal governments (among them Bangkok and Kota Bharu) and academic institutions.
Learning from German waste management systems
During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and institutions, and explored advanced infrastructure across multiple German cities. In Berlin, they received briefings on regulatory frameworks, institutional responsibilities and public-private cooperation from the Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft (BDE) and the Verband kommunaler Unternehmen (VKU).
In addition, they observed innovative plastics sorting and recycling technologies at Interzero Plastics Recycling and gained practical knowledge of municipal waste collection and services during a visit to Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR).
Delegates engaging with key stakeholders across Berlin, gaining insights into regulatory frameworks, public-private cooperation and advanced waste collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure through exchanges with the BDE, VKU, Interzero Plastics Recycling and BSR.
Technical visits and circular economy examples
The programme also included technical visits to advanced waste treatment and recycling facilities in Germany, offering practical insights into the implementation of circular economy principles. At the Grannex GmbH sorting facility in Osnabrück, the delegation learned about automated and sensor-based sorting technologies that enhance materials recovery and support EPR targets.
At Remondis Lippewerk in Lünen, one of Europe’s largest recycling hubs, participants observed integrated mechanical and thermal treatment processes that convert residual waste into secondary raw materials and alternative fuels, thereby reducing reliance on landfills. The visit to AVG Köln highlighted the role of waste-to-energy facilities in managing non-recyclable waste fractions while maintaining high environmental standards.
These technical exchanges provided valuable reference points for adapting suitable technologies and system designs to the contexts of Thailand and Malaysia, particularly in relation to infrastructure planning and circular economy strategies.
Technical visits to Grannex GmbH in Osnabrück, Remondis Lippewerk in Lünen and AVG Köln, where the delegation gained practical insights into automated sorting, integrated recycling and thermal treatment, and waste-to-energy solutions supporting circular economy implementation and EPR objectives
Strategic exchange and future cooperation
The programme concluded with a workshop hosted by GIZ in Bonn, where experts from Europe shared experiences in designing effective EPR systems. Delegates engaged in technical discussions on priority areas for advancing national waste management strategies, including fee structures, data systems, producer registration and public awareness.
The study trip strengthened collaboration among stakeholders from Southeast Asia and Europe and provided practical insights on improving recycling rates, reducing landfill dependency and implementing circular economy practices. The knowledge and experience gained is expected to inform ongoing policy development and implementation of robust urban waste management and EPR mechanisms in both Thailand and Malaysia.
