As reliance on disposable plastics continues to grow across the region, waste collection and recycling systems struggle to keep pace. Addressing this challenge requires robust, field-based evidence to inform interventions that are realistic, community-driven, and aligned with national priorities.

 

The mission was carried out in close cooperation with Savannakhet University, Caritas Czechia, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). This collaboration brings together academic expertise and local development experience, ensuring that the research responds directly to on-the-ground conditions.

 

A key focus of the visit was finalising the data collection methodology together with CRS and university partners. The team refined the sampling design, survey instruments, and waste-audit procedures to ensure they are suitable for both urban and rural contexts. Following this, staff and students from Savannakhet University were trained as enumerators. Through hands-on sessions and pilot testing, participants gained practical experience in conducting household interviews, recording consumption patterns, and documenting local waste-management practices.

 

With the training completed, data collection officially began in selected communities across the two provinces. CRS staff accompanied the enumerators during the initial phase to support community entry and ensure consistency in data gathering. Early observations indicate a strong reliance on plastic packaging, limited access to formal waste-collection services, and growing interest among local authorities in improving the current situation.

 

This field mission represents an important step towards building a solid evidence base for future interventions. By combining local knowledge with scientific expertise, the project aims to contribute to more sustainable and context appropriate approaches to plastic waste management in Lao PDR. Further fieldwork and analysis will continue in the coming months, followed by a comprehensive baseline report and recommendations to guide the next phase of project activities.