Bibliographic mapping of post-consumer plastic waste based on hierarchical circular principles across the system perspective

Abstract

The current dominating production and consumption model is based on the linear economy (LE) model, within which raw materials are extracted-processed-consumed-discarded. A circular economy (CE) constitutes a regenerative systemic approach to economic development which views waste as a valuable resource to be reprocessed back into the economy. In order to understand the circular strategy for a systemic change from an LE to a CE as a means of resolving the issue of plastic waste, this research aims to map current circular strategy trends across the system perspective contained in the literature relating to plastic CE literature. The novelty of the research lies in the mapping and review of the distribution of comprehensive circular strategies within the 9R framework across the entire system perspective (e.g. micro-meso-macro) down to its sub-levels in the literature on a plastic CE. The bibliographic mapping and systematic literature review iindicateed that the majority of the research focused on recycle (R8), followed by refuse (R0), reuse (R3), and reduce (R2). Certain circular strategies are more appropriate to handling certain plastic materials, despite CE's favoring of prevention and recycling over incineration. Recover (R9) is often used to process mixed and contaminated plastic. Recycling (R8) is the most popular circular strategy and the most applicable to plastic material with three recycle trends, namely; mechanical recycling, chemical recycling and DRAM (Distributed-Recycling-and-Additive-Manufacturing). Prolonging the product life through refurbishing (R5) is not applicable to plastic due to its material limitations. Reduce (R2) popularity as circular strategy reflects the preference to reduce consumption, either by launching campaigns to prevent waste or increasing production efficiency. Research on Rethink (R1) has largely focused on rethinking product design, consumer and organization behavior and perceptions of CE. Refuse (R0) strategy is an adoption of bio-based plastics which have a similar function to fossil-based plastics.

Recent Advancements in Plastic Packaging Recycling: A Mini-Review

“…Thus, oceans, animals, and humans are inevitably exposed to different sources of contamination from plastic waste [41][42][43][44][45][46]. Climate changes, environmental modifications, and health pandemics are becoming more and more frequent, showing that humanity will have to rethink its unsustainable growth [47,48] by adopting a circular economy approach to resource consumption through eco-design, recovery, and recycling of polymeric materials with an integrated approach [49][50][51][52][53]. Circular economy is pushing toward a radical change in production and waste management to reduce water, waste, and energy consumption and to achieve zero-waste manufacturing cycles [10,[54][55][56][57].…”

Strategy to Reduce the Impact of Food Waste Through Environmentally Friendly Household Waste Management in Bojonegoro Regency

“…when buying food, (4) refusing to use/being given plastic/plastic bags when shopping, (5) buying goods in large packages rather than pre-packaged sachets), (6) buy goods with packaging that can be recycled (paper, leaves, etc. ), (7) use baskets/lunch boxes to buy food, (8) use plastic laundry soap to replace polybags for planting pots , (9) using plastic bottles for planting pots, (10) using old clothes for rags, mats, etc. (11) processing organic waste from household activities into compost, (12) Making crafts from inorganic waste (plastic, glass bottles, etc.).…”

“…Knowledge about waste management strategies through decisions to Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot and Recycle (6R) is general knowledge about waste management that is relatively well known by the public [8]. However, this research seeks to show that people may have heard, seen, or received education about these strategies, but implementing them into daily habits is key.…”

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Recycled by Catalytic Glycolysis: A Bridge toward Circular Economy Principles

“…Sitadewi et al suggests that the 9R framework should also include “refusing”, a concept closely aligned with circular economy (CE) implementation, leading to the development of a 10R framework [ 74 ]. The refuse strategy primarily involves substituting fossil-based plastics with bioplastics that serve similar functions [ 79 ]. Another 10R framework applied to plastics is outlined by Calistro Friant et al in their work (refuse, reduce, resell/reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, recycling, recovery, and re-mine).…”