The hidden economy of plastic waste: from discarded material to informal recovery

The hidden economy of plastic waste: estimating generation rates and the value of informal recycling

Plastic waste is often discussed as an environmental burden, but it is also part of a large and economically important recovery system. This paper, published in Waste Management, estimates the generation rates of different plastic waste streams and examines how much revenue can potentially be recovered through informal recycling. The work highlights that better waste accounting is not just a technical issue. It shapes how cities understand resource loss, plan collection systems, and recognise the contribution of informal workers.

By distinguishing between different categories of plastic waste and linking them to recycling potential, the study shows that the composition of waste matters as much as the total volume. Some plastics are far more valuable and recyclable than others, which means municipal waste strategies that treat plastic as a single undifferentiated stream overlook both economic opportunity and operational constraints. The analysis also makes visible the role of informal recycling networks in extracting value from discarded material that would otherwise end up in open dumps or landfills.

The broader message is one of circularity and justice. Waste systems do not end when products are thrown away. They extend through chains of collection, sorting, resale, and reprocessing, often carried out by workers operating outside formal recognition. Estimating waste generation and recovery value therefore provides a foundation for designing waste policies that are more efficient, more realistic, and more socially inclusive.

Plastic waste is not only an environmental liability. It is also a map of missed material value and invisible labour. When cities measure waste more carefully, they can begin to build systems that reduce pollution while recognising the people already doing the work of recovery.