Collaborative efforts involving governments, local authorities, industry and civil society are crucial in developing and implementing integrated waste management strategies tailored to specific contexts and challenges
Pieces of recyclable garbage on conveyor belt inside waste management facility. Photo: iStock Waste management encompasses a comprehensive array of strategies and practices designed to handle plastic waste throughout its life cycle, aiming to minimise environmental impacts and foster sustainability.
Key aspects of waste management include waste reduction and prevention, which focus on measures like reduction-at-source and product redesign to minimise plastic waste generation at its origin. Collection and sorting systems are essential components, ensuring efficient gathering and transportation of plastic waste from households, businesses and public areas to appropriate processing facilities. Recycling and recovery play pivotal roles, transforming plastic waste into new materials or products through mechanical or chemical recycling methods, conserving resources and reducing reliance on virgin plastics. For waste that cannot be recycled feasibly, environmentally responsible disposal methods like waste-to-energy incineration or landfilling are utilised to prevent environmental contamination and harm to ecosystems.
Effective waste management is underpinned by robust policies and governance frameworks that incentivise sustainable practices, innovation and accountability among stakeholders. Collaborative efforts involving governments, local authorities, industry and civil society are crucial in developing and implementing integrated waste management strategies tailored to specific contexts and challenges. By prioritising waste reduction, efficient collection and sorting, recycling and recovery, and responsible disposal practices, comprehensive waste management approaches aim to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with plastic production and consumption, while promoting a more sustainable approach to managing plastic waste.
The European Union, Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) and the African group agreed to most of the provision for facilitating environmentally sound management of plastic waste, including through collection, recycling and disposal rates as per the waste hierarchy. The African group also proposed that the management of plastic waste should be the responsibility of the plastic producer.
The United States deleted measures on the promotion of investment and mobilisation of resources to cover financing gaps. It also suggested to identify and strengthen the market for secondary plastics. Brazil disagreed with the minimum collection, recycling and disposal rates for plastic waste.
India, Iran and Japan deleted the language on waste hierarchy, indicating that the plastic waste management activities may not necessarily follow the order of priority and preference may be given to disposal and or energy recovery, challenging the theory of environmentally sound management of waste.
China did not express inclination for any option. It instead sought clarity on means and calculation methods of collection, recycling, disposal rates and on harmonised indicators.
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