The mismanagement of plastic waste is a global challenge that must be urgently addressed if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or meet the targets set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Future increases in plastic pollution will largely be driven by the use of more plastic packaging in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa and Asia, and in many of these countries, formal waste collection systems are underdeveloped or non-existent. However, nascent but promising circular economy solutions are emerging and there is growing interest in using digital technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of them.
Digital technologies have a critical role to play in improving citizen engagement in recycling, driving operational efficiencies and increasing transparency in the plastics supply chain.
This report explores the specific benefits that plastics organisations in LMICs currently reap, or could eventually reap, from using digital tools or services or partnering with technology organisations. The report encourages mobile network operators (MNOs) and other technology organisations to explore how they could benefit from supporting plastic organisations, and to work with the GSMA to identify opportunities for collaboration.