Overview of Technological and Infrastructural Approaches for Plastic Bag Waste Management in Africa

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IJEP 42(8): 990-995 : Vol. 42 Issue. 8 (August 2022)

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Nyathi Brian and Togo Chamunorwa Aloius*

University of South Africa, College of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Florida, South Africa

Abstract

Plastic bag waste is a major health and environmental issue faced by African countries across the economic development spectrum. In response, African nations have adopted waste management technologies to minimise health and environmental problems related to plastic bag litter. The extent of this problem has put pressure on municipalities to provide sustainable and effective plastic bag waste management systems. This current paper reviews the existing technological and infrastructural plastic bag waste management approaches in African countries since 2010. Data sources comprised dissertations, peer-reviewed journal articles and websites. The databases included Elsevier, institutional repository and Google Scholar. The current paper argues that African countries lack properly designed and adequate technology and infrastructure for plastic bag waste management due to constricted waste management budgets. In light of these findings, the paper proposed the adoption of the circular economy and for African municipalities to invest in income generating projects, like recycling projects that can help purchase technological and infrastructural resources.

Keywords

Plastic bags waste, Plastic bag waste management, Recycling, Landfill, Incineration, Africa

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