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Enhancing Decentralised Recycling Solutions with Digital Technologies
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This paper is not about microplastics; it reviews how digital technologies can enhance decentralised plastic recycling systems, particularly in the African context.
The increasing use of plastics, mostly as packaging materials, has created a significant environmental threat that continues to escalate yearly. The challenges in the management of plastic waste have thereby created a worldwide crisis which has birthed a new planetary boundary menace. Plastic recycling has, however, been recognised as the most sustainable way of managing waste, with centralised systems primarily adopted in the Global West and locally decentralised approaches with digitally enabled small-scale enterprises emerging in Africa. Digital technologies such as mobile applications, geographic information systems and artificial intelligence, among others, have been integrated in common circular plastic economy models that focus on subscriptions, collections and processing of plastic waste. This chapter demonstrates that decentralised plastic waste management solutions offer significant social, environmental and economic benefits to stakeholders and therefore need to be supported by sensitisation and awareness of the use of digital technologies for localised recycling in communities.
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This paper is not about microplastics; it is a book examining digital innovations and circular economy approaches to plastic waste management in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Researchers explored how digital technologies are enabling circular economy business models for plastic waste management across African retailing and distribution systems. Drawing on focus group discussions and interviews with frontline organizations, the study examined the impact of digital innovations on plastic waste collection, sorting, and recycling. The findings highlight how digital tools can complement ecological goals by creating economic incentives for managing plastic waste in developing economies.
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Researchers argued that achieving sustainable plastic waste management requires a systems-level approach that integrates mechanical, chemical, and biological recycling technologies rather than treating individual methods in isolation, emphasizing that no single technology can address the full complexity of the global plastic waste problem.
From polymers to microplastics
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This review examines Africa's plastic value chain from production and import through use and end-of-life phases, drawing on existing literature and online data resources. Although Africa currently has low plastic production and consumption relative to other regions, the chapter argues that a lifecycle perspective and digital tools are essential for accelerating the continent's transition to a circular plastic economy.
Introduction
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This book chapter introduces the concept of a circular plastic economy for sub-Saharan Africa, arguing that recycling-focused solutions need to be adapted to local infrastructure and waste management realities. Developing effective plastic waste management in this region is critical to reducing the ocean plastic pollution that Africa contributes.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.