ABSTRACT

Global plastic production continues to increase at an exponential pace, and global waste projections show waste generation rising by 70% by 2050. Plastic waste connects to all social processes, especially within the context of urbanization and development; urban planning and land management; GHG emissions; labor; social equity; public health; rural-to-urban migration; increasing population; increasing consumption; climate change; etc. The focus of this research is an analysis of plastic waste management practices in Sri Lanka applying systems thinking, with a goal to better understand the social and ecological impacts of plastic waste in Sri Lanka. This research fills a gap in understanding the complex social dynamics that factor into plastic management, beyond the engineering of waste systems. The researcher works from the assumptions that waste is a social issue, that requires social responses that move beyond engineering and linear waste management; that designing a better or more efficient linear solid waste management system for the current realities of waste generation will only result in a continued, unsustainable waste system; and that plastics are truly a global challenge, relevant for global south contexts, and these challenges require local-appropriate solutions. The findings illuminate the network of local waste stakeholders, and highlight paths forward in waste reduction through patterns of behavior, structure, and mental modes that can lead towards a sustainable future for Colombo.

摘要

全球塑料产量继续以指数级的速度增长，全球废物预测显示，到2050年，废物产生量将增长70％。塑料废物与所有社会进程息息相关，特别是在城市化和发展的背景下。城市规划和土地管理；温室气体排放；劳动; 社会平等；公共卫生; 从农村到城市的移民；人口增加；增加消费；气候变化；本研究的重点是运用系统思想对斯里兰卡的塑料废物管理实践进行分析，以期更好地了解斯里兰卡的塑料废物的社会和生态影响。这项研究填补了理解废物管理工程以外的复杂社会动态因素的空白，这些动态因素是塑料管理的重要因素。研究人员根据废物是社会问题的假设开展工作，这需要超越工程和线性废物管理的社会应对措施。针对当前废物产生的现实设计更好或更有效的线性固体废物管理系统只会导致持续的，不可持续的废物系统；塑料确实是一项全球挑战，与全球南方环境息息相关，这些挑战需要适合当地的解决方案。研究结果阐明了当地废物利益相关者的网络，并通过行为，结构和精神模式的模式突出了减少废物的途径，这些模式可以为科伦坡带来可持续的未来。针对当前废物产生的现实设计更好或更有效的线性固体废物管理系统只会导致持续的，不可持续的废物系统；塑料确实是一项全球挑战，与全球南方环境息息相关，这些挑战需要适合当地的解决方案。研究结果阐明了当地废物利益相关者的网络，并通过行为，结构和精神模式的模式突出了减少废物的途径，这些模式可以为科伦坡带来可持续的未来。针对当前废物产生的现实设计更好或更有效的线性固体废物管理系统只会导致持续的，不可持续的废物系统；塑料确实是一项全球挑战，与全球南方环境息息相关，这些挑战需要适合当地的解决方案。研究结果阐明了当地废物利益相关者的网络，并通过行为，结构和精神模式的模式突出了减少废物的途径，这些模式可以为科伦坡带来可持续的未来。