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 Waste Management in the Global South: an Inquiry on the Patterns of Plastic and Waste Material Flows in Colombo, Sri Lanka
ClearExploring the Plastic Collection and Recycling Trends in Sri Lanka
This paper is not about microplastics; it surveys plastic waste collection and recycling infrastructure in Sri Lanka, documenting correlations between tourism, rainfall, and recycling rates for different polymer types.
Evolving research perspectives on microplastic pollution: A focus on Sri Lanka in comparison to the South and Southeast Asian region
This review examines the evolving research landscape on microplastic pollution in Sri Lanka, comparing it to the broader South and Southeast Asian regional context. The paper identifies gaps in local monitoring data and highlights the need for standardized methodologies and expanded research capacity in the region.
Micro Plastic Pollution in South Asia: The Impact of Plastic Pollution over the Unsustainable Development Goals
This review examines microplastic pollution across South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, finding that rapid urbanization and poor plastic waste management are driving widespread contamination of freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems, with significant implications for sustainable development 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.
Composting in Sri Lanka: Policies, Practices, Challenges, and Emerging Concerns
This review examines composting policies, practices, and challenges in Sri Lanka, noting that rising urban organic waste and shifting dietary patterns are increasing composting demand while governance and implementation gaps create emerging concerns around plastic contamination in compost.
An Overview of Plastic Waste Recycling in the Urban Areas of Java Island in Indonesia
This overview examines plastic waste recycling management in urban areas across Java Island, Indonesia, one of the highest plastic-polluting regions in the world. It identifies barriers to improved recycling rates and proposes strategies to shift toward more sustainable production and consumption patterns.
Enhancing Sustainability Development for Waste Management through National–Local Policy Dynamics
This study analyzed waste management policy coherence across national and local government levels in Indonesia, finding significant gaps in implementation that undermine sustainable development goals and allow plastic pollution from poor waste management practices to persist.
Microplastics in Weras Ganga, Bolgoda North Lake, Sri Lanka: A Reflection of Urban Waste Mismanagement
Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in a river and lake system near an open waste dump in Sri Lanka and found microplastics present in all water and sediment samples. Over half of the particles were fibers, and smaller microplastics dominated near the dump site, with sediments acting as a major sink for contamination. The study highlights how inadequate waste management practices directly contribute to microplastic pollution in urban waterways.
Present Status of Microplastic Pollution Research Data in Sri Lanka and Microplastic Risk Mitigation Solutions; Lessons from a Global Policy Context
This review synthesizes the present status of microplastic pollution research data in Sri Lanka and evaluates risk mitigation solutions within a global policy context. The paper assesses monitoring data across aquatic environments and proposes lessons from international policy frameworks to strengthen Sri Lanka's response to microplastic contamination.
Microplastic Content in Non-Point Source And Point Sources of Colombo And Suburbs – Experimental Study on the Impact of Seasonal Variation
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations at point and non-point source locations in Colombo, Sri Lanka, across different seasons. Microplastics were found throughout the surface water network, with concentrations varying by season and location type. The study provides valuable baseline data for a poorly studied region and highlights urban water bodies as major microplastic sources.
Global Plastic Pollution and Informal Waste Pickers
This review examines how plastic pollution disproportionately affects communities in the Global South, where plastic consumption has risen sharply while waste management infrastructure remains underfunded or nonexistent. The study highlights the role of approximately 20 million informal waste workers who already recover and recycle significant quantities of plastic but often work under hazardous conditions without recognition or support. Evidence indicates that integrating these informal workers into formal waste management systems could be an effective strategy for reducing plastic pollution while improving livelihoods.
Towards Plastic Circularity: Current Practices in Plastic Waste Management in Japan and Sri Lanka
A comparison of plastic waste management in Japan and Sri Lanka found that Japan practices the full plastic value chain while Sri Lanka relies heavily on an informal recycling sector, and recommends Japan's Extended Producer Responsibility approach as a model for Sri Lanka to improve plastic circularity.
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.
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.
Municipal solid waste management challenges in developing regions: A comprehensive review and future perspectives for Asia and Africa
Researchers reviewed a decade of municipal solid waste challenges in developing countries across Asia and Africa, finding that inadequate infrastructure, cultural barriers, and poor policy enforcement are driving waste crises. The study recommends source-level sorting, improved landfill practices, and stronger community involvement rather than focusing solely on recycling.
Global Plastic Waste Trade: An Analysis of Sources and Trends (1996-2024)
The global trade in plastic waste — where wealthy nations ship plastic scraps to poorer ones for processing — has shaped recycling systems worldwide, but its sustainability is deeply contested. This bibliometric review of 257 academic papers (1996–2024) maps the research landscape, finding that China's 2018 ban on importing foreign plastic waste was a dominant topic, and that the trade raises serious concerns about environmental harm and economic inequality in recipient countries. The study underscores that international plastic waste flows are not a straightforward solution to the plastic crisis and require much closer scrutiny.
Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in the Coastal Environments of Sri Lanka: Estuaries of the Kelani River to Mahaoya
Microplastics were found in both beach sediments and coastal seawater along 42 kilometers of Sri Lanka's western coastline, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene being the most common types. The results document significant plastic contamination along the coast of a densely populated South Asian nation, raising concerns about exposure for coastal communities and marine life in the Indian Ocean region.
Urbanization and Waste Generation in India: Examining the Causes and Charting a Sustainable Future
This review examines how rapid urbanization in India has driven increased solid waste generation, exploring the structural causes of municipal waste management failures and proposing strategies for more sustainable urban waste systems as India's cities continue to grow.
Life Cycle Assessment of Selected Single-Use Plastic Products towards Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations in Sri Lanka
Researchers applied life cycle assessment to common single-use plastic products in Sri Lanka, quantifying their environmental impacts across production to disposal and providing evidence-based recommendations to guide national plastic pollution policy.
Quantification and morphological characterization of plastic litter (0.30–100 mm) in surface waters of off Colombo, west coast of Sri Lanka
Surface water off Colombo, Sri Lanka, contained an average of 140 plastic items per square meter, with 99.6% classified as small microplastics under 1 mm in size. Filament-shaped plastics dominated and concentrations were highest near the most populated coastal districts, reflecting urban plastic pollution inputs.
An Empirical Investigation on Plastic Waste Issues and Plastic Disposal Strategies to Protect the Environment: A UAE Perspective
An empirical investigation into plastic waste management in a developing country context found that rising volumes of plastic water bottles and single-use items are overwhelming municipal waste systems. The study documents disposal strategies used in practice and identifies infrastructure and policy gaps limiting effective plastic waste management.
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.
The Governance of Waste in Iqaluit, Nunavut
This thesis examines waste governance in Iqaluit, Nunavut, where the remote Arctic city lacks sophisticated waste management infrastructure and faces unique challenges from colonialism and neoliberal governance. The study is an anthropological and governance analysis rather than an environmental science study of microplastics.
Regional Model Development of Plastic Waste Monitoring: Basic Framework from Population and Public Market in Central Java-Indonesia
This paper develops a regional monitoring framework for plastic waste management in Central Java, Indonesia, linking population data and public market activity to plastic waste generation and environmental flow. The framework is designed to support local governments in tracking and managing plastic pollution entering coastal and ocean environments.