We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Global Plastic Pollution and Informal Waste Pickers
ClearInformal recycling sector contribution to plastic pollution mitigation: A systematic scoping review and quantitative analysis of prevalence and productivity
This systematic review quantifies the role of informal waste pickers in reducing plastic pollution worldwide. The findings highlight that these workers prevent significant amounts of plastic from entering the environment, making their contributions essential to global efforts to reduce the microplastic contamination that ultimately affects human health.
Socio-Economic Contributions of Informal Waste Pickers to Urban Waste Management
This study examines the socio-economic contributions of informal waste pickers to urban waste management systems, finding they prevent significant recyclable materials from reaching landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sustain livelihoods for millions of urban poor. The authors argue for formalization pathways that integrate waste pickers into municipal systems while preserving their economic autonomy.
From Waste Pickers to Producers: An Inclusive Circular Economy Solution through Development of Cooperatives in Waste Management
This paper presented an inclusive circular economy framework centered on waste picker cooperatives in developing countries, arguing that integrating informal sector workers into formal plastic recycling systems improves both waste management outcomes and social equity, with case studies from Latin America and Africa illustrating successful models.
Safely recovering value from plastic waste in the Global South: Opportunities and challenges for circular economy and plastic pollution mitigation
This paper examines the challenges and opportunities for recovering value from plastic waste in the Global South through recycling and chemical conversion processes, highlighting significant risks to human health if inadequate environmental safeguards are in place. Plastic waste infrastructure expansion in developing countries must prioritize worker and community safety alongside pollution reduction goals.
Understanding the socioeconomic determinants of marine plastic pollution: Evaluating policy effectiveness and mitigation strategies in the Global South.
Researchers synthesized qualitative and quantitative evidence on marine plastic pollution in the Global South, identifying rapid urbanization, inadequate waste infrastructure, and weak governance as primary drivers, and recommending integrated strategies combining single-use plastic bans, extended producer responsibility, regional cooperation, and circular economy incentives.
Microplastic pollution in water Systems of the Global South: A review
This review assesses the state of microplastic pollution in water systems across the Global South, where inadequate waste management infrastructure contributes to widespread contamination. Researchers found that despite decades of research documenting the risks, governmental response in these regions has been limited. The study calls for region-specific mitigation strategies and stronger regulatory frameworks to address the disproportionate impact of microplastic pollution on developing nations.
The Health and Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal in South African Townships: A Review
This review examines the health and environmental impacts of plastic waste disposal in South African townships, where inadequate waste management infrastructure leads to significant plastic pollution. Researchers found that improper disposal causes soil and water contamination, contributes to microplastic pollution, and poses direct health risks to community residents. The study calls for improved recycling infrastructure and community-based waste management solutions in underserved areas.
Global Plastic Waste Pollution Challenges and Management
This review examines the global plastic waste crisis, highlighting that over 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste have been generated and only 9% recycled, with microplastics now detected even in remote Arctic regions and in food consumed by humans. The authors discuss the environmental and health consequences of plastic pollution and argue for urgent action including alternative energy recovery and circular economy approaches to reduce plastic accumulation.
A comprehensive review on integrative approach for sustainable management of plastic waste and its associated externalities
This review examines the challenges of managing plastic waste in developing countries, where inadequate infrastructure leads to open dumping and the generation of microplastics and nanoplastics. Researchers assessed various management strategies including mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and energy recovery approaches. The study emphasizes the need for integrated, sustainable waste management systems to reduce the environmental and health externalities of plastic pollution.
Plastic Waste: Challenges and Opportunities to Mitigate Pollution and Effective Management
Researchers reviewed plastic waste generation and management strategies globally, identifying lack of technical skills, inadequate recycling infrastructure, and poor regulatory awareness as the main barriers to addressing the ~400 million tons of plastic produced annually.
Impact of microplastics on economic condition in underdeveloped nations
This review examines how microplastic pollution generated primarily by high-income countries disproportionately affects underdeveloped nations in Africa and Southeast Asia due to inadequate waste management infrastructure and limited recycling capacity. Using global socio-economic models projecting mismanaged plastic waste to 2050, the authors show that corruption and lack of education exacerbate plastic pollution, threatening food security, ecological stability, and economic development in vulnerable regions.
Leveraging ICT in Karachi’s Solid Waste Management System by Involving Waste Pickers, Recyclers, and Community—An Integrated Approach
This study proposes integrating informal waste pickers and recyclers into Karachi's formal solid waste management system using information and communication technology (ICT). Better waste collection infrastructure, including for plastic waste, could reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in rivers and eventually the ocean.
Solid waste management in the context of the waste hierarchy and circular economy frameworks: An international critical review
This review evaluates global solid waste management practices through the lens of the waste hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle) and circular economy principles. The authors found that while high-income countries have advanced waste systems, low- and middle-income nations face major challenges including inadequate infrastructure and plastic pollution. The study highlights how poorly managed plastic waste contributes to environmental contamination, including the generation of microplastics.
Solid Waste Management in Rural Communities of Developing Countries: An Overview of Challenges and Opportunities
This review examines the challenges of managing solid waste in rural communities of developing countries, where lack of infrastructure and knowledge often leads to dumping and uncontrolled burning. Researchers identified opportunities for turning waste into resources through composting, recycling, and community-based management programs. The study emphasizes that proper waste management in rural areas is essential for reducing environmental pollution, including plastic contamination, and protecting public health.
Quantification of plastic recovery by the informal waste sector through a probabilistic approach
Researchers used material flow analysis with Monte Carlo simulations to estimate plastic waste management in Chennai, India, finding that the informal waste sector recovers 13–20% of the city's plastic while at least 51% of total plastic waste is mismanaged — with recyclable polymers achieving far higher recovery rates than non-recyclable ones.
Waste Management in the Global South: an Inquiry on the Patterns of Plastic and Waste Material Flows in Colombo, Sri Lanka
This dissertation analyzed plastic and waste material flows in Colombo, Sri Lanka, examining the social dynamics, governance structures, and ecological impacts of waste management in a developing city context. The research highlights how plastic waste management challenges in the Global South are deeply intertwined with urbanization, inequality, and colonial legacies.
Plastic waste and microplastic issues in Southeast Asia
This review examines the plastic waste and microplastic crisis across Southeast Asia, a region that contributes significantly to global ocean plastic pollution. The authors found that inadequate waste collection, limited recycling infrastructure, and rapid economic growth are driving the problem. The study evaluates current waste management systems and proposes strategies for improving plastic waste reduction in these countries.
Arising Challenges From Single-use Plastics and Personal Protective Equipment Through COVID-19 Pandemic in Waste Management System in Developing Countries
This review examines the waste management challenges posed by the surge in single-use plastics and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in developing countries where infrastructure is limited. The authors analyzed published literature to highlight how the pandemic exacerbated plastic waste generation and identify gaps in policy and management capacity needed to address these emerging pollution streams.
Analysis of Plastic Waste Processing Methods
This review summarizes global plastic waste production and recycling trends, arguing that the recycling industry must scale up urgently to address growing environmental contamination. Current recycling rates remain far below what is needed to prevent plastic pollution from continuing to accumulate.
Integrated Recycling and The Impact of Plastic Waste from Industry and Agriculture on The Environment
This review examined the environmental impacts of plastic waste from industrial and agricultural sources and assessed integrated recycling strategies for reducing those impacts. The paper discussed how plastic waste prevention, collection, and recycling can minimize pollution and climate contributions from the growing global plastic waste stream.
Explore the Impact of Marine Plastic Pollution and Countermeasures
This paper reviewed the scope of marine plastic pollution, its distribution across ocean ecosystems, and its socioeconomic effects on coastal communities, finding that existing international agreements and waste management efforts remain insufficient to address the scale of the problem.
Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues
This review examines the global problem of solid waste mismanagement in developing countries, where open dumping and open burning remain the primary disposal methods. Researchers found that these practices cause severe environmental contamination including microplastic generation, toxic emissions, and groundwater pollution. The study highlights the health risks faced by waste workers and nearby communities and calls for improved waste infrastructure in low-income regions.
Transdisciplinary research in industrial ecology a practice with recycling cooperatives of Belo Horizonte for the development of household solid waste management in Latin America countries
This transdisciplinary study engaged recycling cooperatives in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to develop better household solid waste management approaches for Latin American cities. It addresses plastic waste as part of broader solid waste management challenges in the Global South.
Plastic Pollution, Waste Management Issues, and Circular Economy Opportunities in Rural Communities
This review examines how rural communities around the world are both contributors to and victims of plastic pollution, with agricultural plastic waste being a major source of microplastics in farmland. Poor waste management in rural areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries, leads to plastic contamination of soil, water, and the food supply. The authors argue that involving rural communities in circular economy solutions is essential for reducing plastic pollution and protecting public health.