The 12th 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management (3RINCs 2026) was held on 9–11 March 2026 at Grande Centre Point Prestige, Bangkok, bringing together experts from across Asia and beyond to explore innovations and policies supporting a circular economy.
The conference was co-organized by the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE) of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi and the Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management. Since its first edition in Kyoto in 2014, 3RINCs has served as a leading regional platform in Asia and the Pacific, convening researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders to advance science, innovation, and policy toward a sustainable circular society.
The opening session featured welcome remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirintornthep Towprayoon, Organizing Committee Chair. Remarks were also delivered by Dr. Kanyawim Kirtikara, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi; Prof. Masaki Takaoka, President of the Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management; Prof. Young-Kwon Park, President of the Korea Society of Waste Management; and Prof. Priyan Mendis, Deputy Director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Transformation of Reclaimed Waste Resources to Engineered Materials and Solutions for a Circular Economy (TREMS), Australia. The opening address was delivered by Dr. Pornsri Suthanaruk, President of the Solid Waste Management Association of Thailand.
The opening session was followed by four keynote lectures that highlighted key perspectives on circular economy and net-zero transitions:
- Circular Economy of Plastic Waste to Support Net Zero Target in Thailand by Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, President of Thailand Environment Institute (TEI)
- Shaping the Future of Circular Economy Research by Prof. Paul H. Brunner, Institute for Water Quality, Resources and Waste Management, TU Wien, Austria
- Reframing Circularity and Net-Zero through the Lens of Life Cycle Thinking by Prof. Dr. Shabbir H. Gheewala, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand
- Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Thinking towards Carbon Neutral, Circular, and Regenerative Economy by Prof. Yuichi Moriguchi, The University of Tokyo & National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
3RINCs 2026 featured 10 keynote presentations, 18 technical sessions, poster sessions, and 10 special sessions co-organized with partner organizations. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including waste management technologies, material recycling and recovery technologies, circular economy and sustainability, disaster waste management, construction and demolition waste, hazardous waste management, decarbonisation and climate-related challenges, as well as policy and behavioral change.
In addition to the technical program, participants were offered excursions to observe solid waste management operations in Nonthaburi Province, visit the historic heritage site of Ayutthaya Historical Park, or explore a model community for waste management at Wat Thong.
The conference attracted 279 participants from 17 countries, reflecting growing regional collaboration to advance circular economy solutions and sustainable waste management systems. By fostering dialogue among academia, policymakers, and industry, 3RINCs continues to play an important role in accelerating knowledge exchange and practical solutions that support climate goals and resource efficiency across the region.
