Reduction and elimination of plastics have become a global trend by the growing impact of marine plastic pollution and climate change. Most of the plastic debris in the ocean is household waste, mainly from food containers and packaging transported to the ocean through rivers. Asian countries have strengthened controls on trade of waste after China's waste import ban. Under these circumstances, reviewing waste management is a common important issue to all countries. In addition to the traditional government regulations and market-based approaches, this paper discusses the role of public awareness and the social license to operate (SLO) in managing waste to the ocean.