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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Enabling a successful transition to a circular plastic economy in Africa
ClearIntroduction
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.
From polymers to microplastics
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.
Breaking the plastic cycle in Africa: Advancing sustainable solutions for single-use plastic reduction in marine ecosystem beyond current policies
This paper reviews the scale of single-use plastic pollution across Africa and evaluates current policies for reducing plastic waste in marine ecosystems. The analysis calls for stronger and more targeted interventions given Africa's rapidly growing plastic waste output and limited recycling infrastructure.
Removing barriers to plastic waste valorisation in Africa: Towards policies for value creation and capture in business ecosystems
This review examines the barriers preventing plastic waste valorisation in Africa and analyses why policy interventions have not yet led to substantial value creation and capture within low-income country business ecosystems. The authors propose policy frameworks targeted at stimulating circular economy approaches to plastic waste that account for the specific economic and institutional contexts of African markets.
Macro problems from microplastics: Toward a sustainable policy framework for managing microplastic waste in Africa
Researchers critically reviewed regulatory and policy approaches to managing microplastic pollution across African countries. They found that while environmental monitoring studies demonstrate an urgent need for action, the effectiveness of existing plastic waste policies in Africa remains poorly understood. The study proposes a sustainable policy framework tailored to the unique challenges African nations face in reducing microplastic waste generation and environmental contamination.
Impact of Policy Design on Plastic Waste Reduction in Africa
This paper is not about microplastics; it analyzes the design and effectiveness of single-use plastic bag policies across 39 African countries, identifying policy gaps that allow plastic waste to persist despite widespread bans.
Ensuring sustainability in plastics use in Africa: consumption, waste generation, and projections
This review examines plastic consumption, waste generation, and future projections for African nations, finding rapidly increasing plastic use alongside limited waste management infrastructure. The study calls for African-specific sustainability policies to prevent a major escalation in plastic pollution as economic development accelerates across the continent.
Digital Innovations for a Circular Plastic Economy in Africa
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.
Marine Litter Sources and Distribution Pathways
This book chapter reviews the sources and distribution pathways of marine litter in African coastal environments, highlighting gaps in research and the need for targeted policies to address plastic pollution along African coastlines.
Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservation
This review examines the production, toxicology, and socio-ecological impacts of microplastic pollution across Africa, where limited waste management infrastructure and weak policy enforcement intensify the problem. Researchers found that microplastics threaten aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, reduce fertility in organisms, and disrupt economic activities. The study calls for expanded recycling, upcycling, and biodegradation strategies tailored to the African context to mitigate plastic pollution.
Digitally enabled business models for a circular plastic economy in Africa
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.
Quantifying Plastic Waste and Microplastic Contamination in African Aquatic Systems: An Imperative for Sustainable Waste Management
This review assessed the scale of plastic waste and microplastic contamination in African aquatic systems, finding that inadequate waste management infrastructure amplifies plastic pollution in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters across the continent.
Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments in Africa: status and research opportunities
This review examines the status of microplastic pollution research in African aquatic environments, noting that Africa's high rate of plastic waste mismanagement has resulted in widespread contamination of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Researchers found significant research gaps in the region despite its outsized contribution to global plastic pollution, and identified opportunities for expanded monitoring given microplastics' capacity to adsorb persistent organic pollutants.
Plastic waste as a challenge for sustainable development and circularity in the European Union
This review examines the plastic waste crisis in the European Union, evaluating gaps between recycling policy ambitions and actual outcomes. It argues that without major improvements in waste management infrastructure and circular economy practices, plastics will continue to fragment into microplastics and contaminate European ecosystems.
An Integrated Analysis of Plastic Packaging Value Chain: Identifying Barriers and Enablers for a Circular Economy
Researchers analyzed the full plastic packaging value chain to identify barriers and enablers for transitioning to a circular economy, tracing the evolution of circular economy concepts and quantifying the environmental impacts associated with exponential plastic waste growth. The study provides an integrated framework mapping opportunities for intervention across production, use, collection, and recycling stages.
A multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral approach to a circular plastic economy in Eastern Africa
Researchers examined multi-stakeholder efforts toward a circular plastic economy in East Africa through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. The study finds that collaborative synergy across sectors and digital innovations are critical enablers for overcoming barriers and changing consumer and producer attitudes in the transition away from single-use plastics.
Examining Latin America’s Transition to a Circular Economy for Plastics
This policy analysis found that Latin American countries are generating increasing amounts of plastic waste while their waste management and recycling infrastructure remains inadequate, though the region is beginning to adopt circular economy strategies through national roadmaps and legislation. The study is relevant to microplastic pollution because poor waste management is a primary driver of plastic breakdown into microplastics in rivers and coastal waters.
Collaboration and infrastructure is needed to develop an African perspective on micro(nano)plastic pollution
This perspective argues that understanding micro(nano)plastic pollution requires pan-African research networks and infrastructure, as current knowledge is dominated by studies from wealthier nations while low- and middle-income countries bear disproportionate impacts from mismanaged plastic waste.
Impacts and Threats of Marine Litter in African Seas
This review examines the impacts of marine litter — with a focus on plastic pollution — on the ecosystems, economies, and communities of coastal African nations, drawing on global data to infer likely impacts where African-specific research is scarce.
Plastics in the Circular Economy
This book examines the role of plastics in the circular economy, reviewing how the current linear plastics economy generates environmental problems including microplastic pollution from fossil oil use and unmanaged plastic waste. The authors assess circular economy strategies including recycling, biodegradable alternatives, and design for disassembly as pathways to maintain the benefits of plastics while reducing their environmental footprint.
Circular economy and reduction of micro(nano)plastics contamination
This review argues that transitioning to a circular economy — through better design, recycling infrastructure, and reducing single-use plastics — offers one of the most viable systemic pathways to reducing micro- and nanoplastic contamination of the environment.
The Way Forward, Building Up from On-The-Ground Innovation
This chapter of the African Marine Litter Outlook synthesizes findings from prior chapters on marine litter in Africa, summarizing barriers to effective management and highlighting examples of ground-level innovation that offer practical pathways forward. The report emphasizes community-based approaches and identifies institutional and infrastructure gaps that must be addressed for meaningful progress on marine plastic pollution across the African continent.
Circular economy measures to keep plastics and their value in the economy, avoid waste and reduce marine litter
This review argues that circular economy measures — including improved collection, reuse, recycling, and design for end-of-life — are necessary to keep plastic value in the economy while reducing the estimated 5-15 million tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually. Researchers present a framework of policy and industry measures to transition away from the current linear 'make-use-dispose' model that drives marine litter accumulation.
Assessing Plastic Circular Economy Policies and the Use of Digital Technology in Africa
Researchers assessed plastic waste reduction policies across Africa using the Chatham Database, DITCh Plastic Survey, and a Nigeria case study, applying machine learning text analysis to policy descriptions. The analysis found that predominantly punitive ban-based policies are ineffective at driving circular economy transitions due to shallow regulation, exclusion of informal recyclers, enforcement gaps, and limited awareness, proposing digital technology as a strategic tool for improvement.