The Incubation Network by SecondMuse
The Incubation Network, an initiative by SecondMuse and The Circulate Initiative, was launched in 2019 as a three-year effort to foster resilient waste systems across South and Southeast Asia. It aimed to develop, promote, and invest in technologies, business models, and entrepreneurs addressing ocean plastic pollution and promoting circular economies. In 2021, ECCA partnered with The Incubation Network to extend its impact into Thailand through the ECCA Thailand Program, continuing efforts to combat plastic pollution and enhance sustainability in the region.
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Photo by SecondMusePhoto by SecondMuseThailand ranks sixth among the top ten sources of ocean plastic, contributing an estimated 322,000 tonnes of the 8 to 12 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans each year. While the country has a relatively high waste collection rate of 70%, it lacks an integrated solid waste management approach that includes recycling and circularity principles. Much of the waste is either incinerated, dumped in unsanitary landfills, or leaks into the environment due to the population’s proximity to major waterways. The packaging sector is a significant contributor, accounting for nearly 60% of total plastic leakage. Additionally, the innovation ecosystem around plastic waste management in Thailand faces significant limitations. There is very little capital available, limited support such as mentorship and coaching, and scarce technical assistance. Players in the ecosystem—including government, academia, producers, innovators, startups, and waste workers—often operate in silos without effective collaboration. Consequently, an estimated 87% of the value of recyclable materials, approximately $4 billion annually, remains untapped.
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Photo by SecondMusePhoto by SecondMuseThis collaboration aimed to foster innovation and build capacity in Thailand’s waste management ecosystem. The program implemented diverse initiatives, including research, cohort-based incubation, and tailored venture-building programs. Key activities included the Thailand Waste Management & Recycling Academy, an incubation and acceleration program for entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures; the Thailand SME Scale Up Program for Plastics Circularity, offering growth support for SMEs in the plastic waste management sector; and the Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Challenge, focusing on reducing single-use plastics in the food and beverage sector. Additionally, the Thailand Plastics Circularity Accelerator provided a 12-month support program for recycling businesses tackling low-value and hard-to-recycle plastics. Customized venture-building partnerships offered direct support to high-potential solution providers, addressing specific local challenges. These initiatives aimed to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, support local innovations, and promote sustainable practices, ultimately advancing Thailand’s efforts in plastic waste management and recycling.
Selected startups that ECCA supported
through the programs include:
Outcomes
Overall, this partnership has achieved the following in Thailand from 2021-2024:
