We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
An integrated approach to managing single-use-plastics
Summary
This study presents an integrated policy and management approach to reducing single-use plastic consumption, examining how poor regulation and overreliance on single-use plastics have strained landfills, harmed food chains, and impacted tourism. The authors review responses from G7, G20, BRICS, and UN bodies and propose coordinated strategies for transitioning toward more sustainable plastic management.
Societies’ reliance on plastic materials and excessive consumption off Single-Use-Plastics (SUP) associated with poor regulations and conglomeration of plastic waste in the environment has had radical and far-reaching consequences on food chains, strained landfill territory and declined tourism, to name a few. The expanse of these effects suggests that the negative impact of SUP warrants urgent attention. There are urgent calls from the Group of Seven (G7), Group of Twenty (G20) and Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) intergovernmental bodies along with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals to control the detrimental effects of SUP. This study aimed to develop an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System (IQEMS) to control the consumption, use and pollution caused by SUP in the South African context. Accordingly, the objectives of this study explored selected quality (ISO 9001:2015) and environmental Standards (ISO 14001:2015) with their applications and a SWOT analysis in order to inform the integration process. This study followed a qualitative research approach and gathered data using a systematic literature review and thematic analyses. Two-hundred and twenty-three articles were selected from different databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science, Emerald, Scopus and Taylor and Francis. Some of the keywords that were used to search the databases were “SUP”, “ISO 9001”, “ISO 14001” “Industry 4.0”, “Risk Management”, “Plastic Pollution”, “Integrated Management Systems” and “SUP regulation”. Following these analyses, the study Benchmarked different legislative and economic strategies undertaken by other countries for both the private and public sector to mitigate the impact of SUP and developed an integrated management system (IQEMS). Thereafter, a perception study, using interviews was undertaken with experts to determine the usefulness of the proposed IQEMS. The research concluded that the integrative system was useful and the study presented a way forward for South Africa from the legislative level for both the private and public sectors in the management of SUP. It is envisaged that the integrated system can assist in developing guidelines and protocols for the facilitation of active involvement of municipal management in sustainable programmes. The outcomes of this can spur the development of different niche markets, thereby stimulating employment and the local economy.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Bottlenecks of Global Plastic Strategy and the Way Forward of Microplastics Management
This review examines bottlenecks in global plastic waste management strategies, arguing that rising plastic use in everyday activities has outpaced regulatory and logistical capacity, and proposing pathways forward for more effective microplastics management at a global scale.
Effects and Solutions of Single use Plastic
This review summarizes the harmful environmental effects of single-use plastics at local and global scales and surveys government and scientific solutions being implemented worldwide, arguing that plastic pollution is a global challenge requiring coordinated international action and new material substitutes.
Addressing the single-use plastic proliferation problem
This review examined the effectiveness of single-use plastic bans as a policy tool for addressing plastic pollution, evaluating evidence on their environmental impact and discussing alternative regulatory approaches. The authors found that while bans have reduced certain plastic categories, broader systemic changes to plastic production and waste management are needed.
Integrated approaches for plastic waste management
This review surveys the full spectrum of approaches — recycling, biodegradation by microbes, and chemical or physical treatment — for managing the enormous global volume of plastic waste that otherwise persists in the environment for hundreds of years. The authors argue that no single method is sufficient and that an integrated strategy combining multiple techniques is needed to prevent plastics from fragmenting into environmentally harmful microplastics. The review provides a useful overview for policymakers and researchers looking to reduce plastic pollution at scale.
Microplastics in the environment: An urgent need for coordinated waste management policies and strategies
This review highlights that microplastic pollution affects marine ecosystems, farmland, and human health, but current waste management policies are fragmented and insufficient. The authors evaluate existing strategies and propose practical solutions including better recycling programs, product redesign to reduce plastic use, and coordinated international policy. Addressing the microplastic problem requires not just cleanup technology but systemic changes in how we produce, use, and dispose of plastics.