Circular Economy Models for Plastic Waste Management in Urban Slums

Abstract

This study looks into the use of circular economy models for managing plastic waste in slums with informal waste systems. A community-based collection system blended with local entrepreneurial powered plastic valorization conduits alongside digital tracking tools forms the core of the proposed hybrid framework. Field surveys, stakeholder interviews, and a pilot study in some Indian slums were carried out as part of the India case study methodology. Increased recycling rates, improved livelihood, and greater environmental benefits were observed. The results demonstrate the efficacy of bottom-up inclusive circular approaches in dealing with plastic waste and socio-economic problems in underdeveloped urban centers and provide new pathways for waste governance disposals that are not dependent on top-level control.