Circular economy approach in solid waste management system to achieve UN-SDGs: Solutions for post-COVID recovery

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 800; p. 149605
• Main Authors: Sharma, Hari Bhakta, Vanapalli, Kumar Raja, Samal, Biswajit, Cheela, V.R. Sankar, Dubey, Brajesh K., Bhattacharya, Jayanta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.12.2021
• Subjects: Circular economy; citizen participation; climate change; COVID-19; COVID-19 impact; COVID-19 infection; decentralization; education; environment; Humans; infrastructure; issues and policy; longevity; management systems; Pandemics; public health; Recycling; Refuse Disposal; SARS-CoV-2; Solid Waste - analysis; solid wastes; Sustainability; Sustainable Development; Sustainable development goals; United Nations; Waste Management; Waste management; COVID-19 impact; Circular economy; Sustainable development goals; Sustainability
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149605

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing socioeconomic crisis has impeded progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). This paper investigates the impact of COVID 19 on the progress of the SDGs and provides insight into how green recovery stimulus, driven by circular economy (CE)-based solid waste management (SWM) could assist in attaining the intended targets of UN-SDG. It was understood in this review that the guiding principles of the UN-SDGs such as, public health, environmental concerns, resource value and economic development are similar to those that have driven the growth of waste management activities; thus, in order to achieve the goals of UN-SDG, a circular economy approach in solid waste management system should be prioritized in the post-COVID economic agenda. However, policy, technology and public involvement issues may hinder the shift to the CE model; therefore, niche growth might come from developing distinctive waste management-driven green jobs, formalizing informal waste pickers and by focusing in education and training of informal worker. The review also emphasized in creating green jobs by investing in recycling infrastructure which would enable us to address the climate change related concerns which is one of the key target of UN- SDG. The CE-based product designs and business models would emphasize multifunctional goods, extending the lifespan of products and their parts, and intelligent manufacturing to help the public and private sectors maximise product utility (thus reducing waste generation) while providing long-term economic and environmental benefits. The study also recommended strong policies that prioritized investments in decentralization of solid waste systems, localization of supply chains, recycling and green recovery, information sharing, and international collaboration in order to achieve the UN-SDGs. [Display omitted] •The Paper investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the progress of the UN-SDGs.•The guiding principles of UN-SDGs are analogous to that of circular economy (CE) based solid waste management (SWM).•The CE based SWM have potential to create green jobs apart from bringing socio-economic benefits.•To achieve UN-SDGs, CE based SWM should be treated as a priority.•The COVID response fund should also be used to facilitate the transition to full adoption of circular economy model.