Amid rapid urbanization, Southeast Asian countries face severe waste management challenges, with traditional landfill causing environmental pollution and resource waste. Waste sorting has thus become a core governance strategy, driven by policies, technological innovation and international cooperation, advancing from scattered exploration to systematic development and laying the groundwork for circular economy.

Policy support is pivotal. Indonesia included sorting in its 2025 Clean Waste Plan with clear reduction and efficiency goals; Vietnam encourages foreign participation in waste sorting projects; Thailand promotes community recycling models to boost public engagement, providing institutional guarantees for industrial chain formation.

Diversified projects thrive across the region. Indonesia’s intelligent sorting plants process combustible waste into RDF for cement enterprises; Vietnam’s Chinese-invested environmental park handles over 60% of Hanoi’s waste; Malaysia’s standardized recycling lines upgrade the industry chain; Singapore explores refined sorting via pilot bases.

Chinese enterprises and institutions provide strong support with technology tailored to local waste characteristics, winning wide recognition. Despite challenges like inadequate collection systems and low public awareness, the industry is expected to achieve leapfrog development, alleviating waste pressure and supporting environmental and energy goals.