scenarios for the future of global recycling
circular economy | infrastructure | scenario planning | WASH | strategy planningMaster’s Thesis submitted to MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning
ABSTRACT
As waste production rises globally, emphasis is increasingly being placed on recycling systems to divert materials from the solid waste steam. Modern recycling began as a means of rebranding waste materials as “input” materials for manufacturing economies and has resulted in environmental pollution of those importing countries that often lack adequate waste disposal infrastructure. The National Sword Policy announced by China in 2017, banning the import of recycled materials, exposed the inefficiency of this system as well as its inherent environmental racism, classism, and toxic colonialism. Many Asian countries have followed suite and implemented similar plastic importing bans, creating a worldwide search for new importers, namely in African countries. This thesis uses scenario planning methodology to construct potential futures of plastic recycling and discuss interventions available to U.S. cities an African cities to develop equitable, integrated waste management systems. All four scenarios highlight the need for reduced production of plastic, reduced consumption, and regulations of international waste trade. For U.S. cities, this will mean building new disposal infrastructure (such as waste-to-energy plants (WTE), implementing programs for consumer reeducation on recycling, and introducing multi-stream recycling programs. The failures of Western recycling systems present an opportunity for African cities to develop a uniquely African solutions that includes both new disposal infrastructure and builds upon existing systems; cultures of low waste generation, plastic bag bans, and informal recycling systems should be the foundation of any integrated waste management approach.
Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Gabriella Carolini
media
Place-based audio storytelling and publication.
creative direction
placemaking & space activation
planning
Integrated urban strategy, project design, and execution, specializing in low-resource environments.
See for yourself.
circular economy ︎
boston, ma
change management ︎
cambridge, ma
inclusive economic development ︎
brockton, ma
boston, ma
change management ︎
cambridge, ma
inclusive economic development ︎
brockton, ma
participatory mapping︎
addis ababa, et
market sizing ︎
addis ababa, et
digital transformation ︎
addis ababa, et
addis ababa, et
market sizing ︎
addis ababa, et
digital transformation ︎
addis ababa, et
water & sanitation (WASH)︎
freetown, sl
freetown, sl
one bite
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Our cities are on a fulcrum of immense transformation and we are tipping the scales in favor of the people. Our mission is to create media that activates the build environment and urban innovation that inpsires art.
Our cities are on a fulcrum of immense transformation and we are tipping the scales in favor of the people. Our mission is to create media that activates the build environment and urban innovation that inpsires art.