0
Article Tier 2 Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Remediation Sign in to save

Efficient Plastic Recycling and Remolding Circular Economy Using the Technology of Trust–Blockchain

Sustainability 2021 95 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

This paper proposed integrating blockchain technology into plastic waste recycling supply chains to improve collection efficiency, tracking, and stakeholder coordination, arguing that unique digital identifiers assigned to plastic items can enable transparent, automated sorting and accountability throughout the plastic lifecycle from manufacturer to recycler.

Global plastic waste is increasing rapidly. In general, densely populated regions generate tons of plastic waste daily, which is sometimes disposed of on land or diverged to sea. Most of the plastics created in the form of waste have complex degradation behavior and are non-biodegradable by nature. These remain intact in the environment for a long time span and potentially originate complications within terrestrial and marine life ecosystems. The strategic management of plastic waste and recycling can preserve environmental species and associated costs. The key contribution in this work focuses on ongoing efforts to utilize plastic waste by introducing blockchain during plastic waste recycling. It is proposed that the efficiency of plastic recycling can be improved enormously by using the blockchain phenomenon. Automation for the segregation and collection of plastic waste can effectively establish a globally recognizable tool using blockchain-based applications. Collection and sorting of plastic recycling are feasible by keeping track of plastic with unique codes or digital badges throughout the supply chain. This approach can support a collaborative digital consortium for efficient plastic waste management, which can bring together multiple stakeholders, plastic manufacturers, government entities, retailers, suppliers, waste collectors, and recyclers.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Blockchains for circular plastic value chains

AI summary Read the abstract

This chapter explores how blockchain technology can help track plastic materials through circular value chains, improving transparency and accountability in recycling systems. Better traceability of plastics reduces the risk of plastic waste ending up in landfills or environments where it fragments into microplastics.

Article

Blockchain Model for Tracking Plastic Waste Using Smart Contracts to Reduce Emissions

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers developed a blockchain-based plastic waste tracking system using Hyperledger Fabric and smart contracts to create a transparent, immutable record of waste from generation to final processing, demonstrating the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to traditional incineration or landfilling methods.

Article Tier 2

Plastic waste recycling: existing Indian scenario and future opportunities

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers mapped plastic waste recycling infrastructure across Indian states, finding that PP and PE are most commonly reprocessed, and outlined key opportunities in mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and waste-to-energy approaches—along with AI and blockchain tools—needed to build a circular plastic economy in India.

Article

Plastic waste management strategies: planning through sustainable lens and way forward towards circular economy

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers reviewed plastic waste management strategies through a circular economy lens, assessing how transforming plastic waste into useful products — including construction materials, fuels, and raw inputs — can reduce environmental pollution while creating economic opportunities.

Article Tier 2

Techno-Integrated Waste Management and Circular Economy: An Empirical Analysis from the Indian Context

AI summary Read the abstract

India is drowning in trash faster than it can manage it, and this study looks at whether smart tech—like AI, sensors, and blockchain—can help track and recycle waste more effectively. The findings suggest these tools can improve efficiency, but they only work if the country also fixes gaps in infrastructure, policy, and public habits. This matters because uncollected plastic and e-waste don't just pile up in landfills—they break down into microplastics and toxic chemicals that can contaminate water, food, and ultimately end up in our bodies.

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.

Email me about

Share this paper