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This scoping study examines the plastic waste management and recycling value chain in Mombasa, Kenya. It identifies the stakeholders, institutional governance structures, and the policy and regulatory frameworks governing the sector. The report highlights the potential for a circular economy to create jobs and reduce environmental pollution, while detailing the significant socio-economic, financial, and regulatory barriers that currently limit the efficiency of plastic recovery and recycling in the region.

This case study describes a circular economy synergy facilitated by the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) between Tradewinds, a parasol manufacturer, and Mors Design, an upcycling initiative. The partnership diverts textile offcuts from landfills to be used as raw materials for boutique handbags.

This report by WWF South Africa presents the economic rationale for transitioning from a linear 'take-make-waste' plastic packaging model to a circular plastics economy by 2050 in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and South Africa. Using computational general equilibrium (CGE) modelling, the study demonstrates that such a transition would lead to positive cumulative effects on GDP, employment, and consumer welfare across all three nations while significantly reducing the costs of environmental externalities.

This report by WWF South Africa examines the role of the informal waste sector in African cities, advocating for an "inclusive circular economy" that integrates reclaimers into formal waste management systems. It analyzes the operational status, socio-economic challenges, and policy landscapes of reclaimers in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda, arguing that their inclusion is essential for sustainable urban waste management and poverty alleviation.

A guide by the Stockholm Environment Institute providing six practical tips for reducing environmental impact and waste during the Christmas season, citing global waste projections and food loss statistics.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law and the Environmental Investigation Agency provides a textual comparison of two draft resolutions on plastic pollution submitted for UNEA 5.2: one led by Rwanda and Peru (RP) and one led by Japan (JP). The document analyzes convergences and divergences in mandate, scope, and institutional structure to support the potential merging of the resolutions.

This briefing from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) details a panel discussion on reducing upstream greenhouse gas emissions from the production of building materials, plastics, and food, with a specific focus on food waste reduction and diversion strategies.

This research paper explores the intersection of trade policy and the transition to a low-carbon circular economy, arguing that circular solutions are indispensable for achieving global decarbonization goals. The authors advocate for government incentives to prioritize secondary materials over primary resources, the scaling of business models focused on product longevity and reuse, and the use of bilateral and regional trade agreements to eliminate barriers to circular goods and services.

This report analyzes the generation and management of bio-waste (kitchen, canteen, garden, and green waste) and textile waste in Tallinn. It evaluates current collection systems, provides forecasts through 2026, and proposes measures to increase recycling rates to meet EU and national targets.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics explains the critical role of methane (CH4) in driving climate change and outlines the sectors and policy gaps associated with its reduction to meet the 1.5°C temperature target.

This discussion brief examines the intersections of waste management, gender equality, social equity, and poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It highlights systemic gaps in waste collection, particularly in rural areas and Roma communities, and discusses how the waste sector is characterized by gender imbalances and a reliance on informal labor by marginalized groups.

This research paper examines the international standardization landscape as it relates to plastics pollution. It analyzes the roles of major standards organizations like ISO, CEN, and ASTM International, identifies gaps in current standards across the plastics value chain, and proposes strategic re-orientations—such as variety reduction and digital materials passports—to support a circular economy and a potential global treaty on plastic pollution.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the working conditions, health risks, and gender dynamics of informal waste pickers in Bangkok. Based on surveys of 34 workers, it highlights the critical role these individuals play in the city's circular economy and plastic waste reduction, while noting that they often operate below minimum wage and face significant social and physical vulnerabilities.

This executive summary provides a guide for member states of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) to implement the Mining Policy Framework (MPF). It outlines the role of governments in ensuring the sustainable management of water, biodiversity, waste, and emergency response throughout the entire mining life cycle, from exploration to post-closure.

This report provides a conceptual overview of Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) frameworks and systems, specifically as a foundational component for developing a national MRV architecture for the waste sector in Senegal. It defines the core principles of GHG accounting and the various components required to build and manage an effective MRV system to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

This guidance document from the World Resources Institute provides state policymakers with a framework for evaluating the use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)—also referred to as biomethane or upgraded biogas—as a tool for meeting climate, waste management, and sustainability objectives.

This case study by GreenCape examines The Clothing Bank, a non-profit intermediary in South Africa that diverts excess retail clothing from landfills to create entrepreneurial opportunities for unemployed single mothers, demonstrating a circular economy model that addresses both waste and poverty.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development explores the intersection of circular economy solutions and international trade policies to support global decarbonization. It argues that transitioning from primary to secondary materials and extending product lifespans are essential for meeting Paris Agreement goals, as resource extraction and processing account for half of global greenhouse gas emissions. The authors advocate for the removal of trade barriers to circular goods and services and the use of bilateral and regional trade agreements to establish standards for low-carbon circularity.

The 'HANDBOOK for Developing Urban Eco-Islands with Smart Solutions' is a guide published by the Stockholm Environment Institute in 2021. It provides a strategic framework for the integrated development of small islands located near urban areas, aiming to transform them into sustainable tourism destinations. The handbook details a 'Smart and Sustainable Island Development Model' that balances environmental, economic, social, and cultural dimensions, and advocates for the use of digital technology and citizen science to monitor ecosystems and manage visitor flows.

This policy brief examines the global plastic pollution crisis, arguing that current waste-management strategies are insufficient because they focus on the waste stage rather than the production stage. The author discusses the limitations of recycling, the role of the petrochemical industry, and the potential for a new global treaty to address the lifecycle of plastics.