
The title of this striking image is ‘Guardians of the Great Wall’. It won a Chinese photography competition in 2020, which was launched as part of a cross-border project Rethinking Plastics: Circular Economy Solutions to Reduce Marine Litter. What you cannot see from the photo is that the Great Wall of China runs all the way to the sea. © GIZ / Limin

In Indonesia, the project is supported by dedicated ‘EcoRangers’. To tackle marine waste, they encourage local communities, fishers and tourists to get involved in managing waste. One focus is on switching to reusable bags, straws, cutlery and food packaging on markets. © GIZ / Scholz

In Thailand, the project is also supporting the development of alternative packaging to reduce single-use plastic – for example for food deliveries. © GIZ / Korawut NEEPARN

On the beaches of the Thai island Koh Phi Phi, GIZ is working with local communities and the tourism sector to prevent plastic waste in the ocean and to conserve biodiversity. © GIZ / Kampe

An online platform developed to improve ship-generated waste management also aims to prevent the illegal dumping of waste in the ocean and promote recycling. © GIZ / Kampe

The Caribe Circular – Preventing Plastic Waste in Central America and the Caribbean Sea project has similar objectives. In the Dominican Republic, the project organised a clean-up campaign as part of Global Recycling Day in May 2021. © GIZ / Tejada

The initiative raises people’s awareness of how much single-use plastic they use and encourages them to take responsibility for preventing and reducing it. © GIZ / Tejada