Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Business Strategy & Development 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Introduction

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.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Environmental Technology & Innovation 18 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Journal of Green Economy and Low-Carbon Development
Article Tier 2

Business development from plastic wastes toward circular economy

This book chapter reviews how plastic waste can be converted into valuable materials or energy through various business models aligned with circular economy principles. Developing economically viable pathways for plastic waste recovery is essential for reducing the flow of plastics into the environment.

2023 IWA Publishing eBooks
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment and Sustainable Management Strategies for Plastic Waste in Can Tho City, Vietnam: A Circular Economy Approach

Researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of plastic waste accumulation in both land and water environments in Can Tho City, Vietnam, applying a circular economy framework. The study proposes sustainable management strategies for reducing plastic pollution in a country with high per capita plastic consumption and significant waste discharge.

2024 Water 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Integrated LCA and OPEN LCA-CML baseline analysis on environmental impact associated with the plastic packaging waste management system of Rubavu city Rwanda

Researchers used life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts of different plastic bottle waste management pathways in Rwanda, where bottles currently end up in an open dumpsite. The study identifies which waste management changes would most reduce the plastic that eventually fragments into environmental microplastics.

2021 International Journal Of Scientific Advances 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Modelo circular para el desarrollo sostenible en PYMES recicladoras de plásticos: una revisión sistemática

This review synthesizes 23 studies on circular economy models for sustainable development in plastic-recycling SMEs, identifying four key categories of challenges, responsibilities, strategies, and innovation opportunities through a systematic PRISMA-guided bibliometric analysis of literature from 2017 to 2024.

2025 Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar
Article Tier 2

Strategic pathways for sustainable plastic management through a circular economy approach in India

This paper analyzed strategic pathways for sustainable plastic waste management in India through a circular economy lens, examining the environmental and health risks posed by microplastics from inadequate plastic disposal. The authors identify policy, infrastructure, and behavioral interventions needed to reduce India's microplastic burden.

2025 Discover Sustainability
Article Tier 2

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.

2019 Environmental Sciences Europe 241 citations
Article Tier 2

Examining Options for Mitigating Microplastic Pollution in the Nairobi River Basin, Kenya

This paper surveys microplastic pollution in the Nairobi River Basin in Kenya, where over half the city's population lives in informal settlements along riverbanks with little waste management infrastructure, and an estimated 67 tonnes of plastic waste enter the river daily. The authors assess current plastic waste management efforts and propose mitigation options, arguing that proactive upstream waste management is more effective than downstream clean-up. The study illustrates how microplastic pollution is a particularly acute problem in rapidly urbanising cities in the Global South.

2023 Journal of Engineering in Agriculture and the Environment
Article Tier 2

Global Material Flow of Macro‐ and Microplastics to Support a Circular Economy

Researchers developed a global material flow analysis of macro- and microplastics to identify where intervention efforts can best support a circular economy. The study found that current plastic waste reduction initiatives are often misaligned with the most impactful leverage points in the plastic material cycle.

2025 Journal of Advanced Manufacturing and Processing
Article Tier 2

Economia circulară și recuperarea deșeurilor din plastic prin reciclare în Moldova

This paper examines plastic waste management and circular economy challenges in the Republic of Moldova, a country with low recycling rates and significant environmental contamination from inadequate waste infrastructure. The analysis identifies barriers to improving plastic recovery and highlights the intersection of economic development with environmental sustainability.

2023
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Marine pollution bulletin
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 133 citations
Article Tier 2

Role of Reverse Logistics Activities in the Recycling of Used Plastic Bottled Water Waste Management

Researchers investigated the role of reverse logistics activities in recycling used plastic bottles and waste management in Ethiopia, finding through surveys of 258 respondents that incineration, landfilling, and roadside dumping remain dominant disposal practices while reuse and remanufacturing are rarely implemented.

2022 Sustainability 18 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Current Status of Circular Economy Research in Finland

This review surveys the state of circular economy research in Finland, covering academic, policy, and industry perspectives on transitioning away from the linear 'take-make-dispose' model. Circular economy principles are increasingly relevant to addressing plastic waste and microplastic pollution.

2021 Resources 24 citations
Article Tier 2

System innovation and life cycle thinking in packaging value chain: the circularity of plastics.

This paper examines the role of circular economy principles in reducing plastic packaging waste, noting that despite existing recycling systems, plastics remain pervasive environmental contaminants. The authors argue that redesigning packaging systems for recyclability and reducing over-packaging are essential steps to address microplastic pollution at its source.

2020 AMS Dottorato Institutional Doctoral Theses Repository (University of Bologna) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates a shift to a plastic circular economy

Researchers argue that the COVID-19 pandemic's surge in single-use plastic demand exposes deep flaws in linear plastic waste management, calling for coordinated action by governments, industry, and researchers to shift toward circular economy principles including intelligent design and sustainable upcycling of plastics.

2021 Nature Reviews Earth & Environment 133 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 3 citations
Article Tier 2

New Policy Framework for Effective Managing Microplastic in Circular System Form Plastic Product Manufacturing to Waste Treatment Facility

Researchers proposed a new policy framework for microplastic management by analyzing the full circular system of plastic -- from raw material production through consumption to waste treatment -- and examining microplastic waste at the final disposal stage. Applying the framework to the Korean waste management system demonstrated that the proposed circular system approach improves upon current microplastic management schemes.

2024 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Enabling a successful transition to a circular plastic economy in Africa

This chapter examines efforts and barriers to transitioning toward a circular plastic economy in Africa, including infrastructure gaps, policy environments, and industry dynamics. Effective plastic circularity in African nations would significantly reduce the volume of plastic that ultimately reaches marine environments as microplastics.

2023