Email this article Unleashing the Power of AI: Revolutionizing Plastic Waste Management for Sustainable Development in Developing Nations
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/12.1.%25p
Abstract
Plastic waste pollution poses a significant environmental challenge worldwide, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, where limited waste management infrastructure exacerbates the problem. This paper examines the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to address plastic waste reduction in developing countries, with a focus on the Nigerian context. Through a comprehensive analysis of challenges, opportunities, case studies, policy implications, and recommendations, the paper highlights the transformative role of AI in waste management. Challenges such as infrastructure gaps, data scarcity, and ethical considerations are identified, alongside opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Case studies from developed and developing countries illustrate successful AI applications in waste collection, sorting, recycling, and pollution monitoring. Policy implications emphasize the importance of comprehensive legislation, investment in infrastructure and technology, public awareness, and cross-sectoral collaboration. Recommendations include extended producer responsibility policies, landfill bans, education campaigns, and international cooperation. The future of AI-driven plastic waste reduction in developing countries hinges on technological advancement, collaborative partnerships, increased investment, supportive policies, and regulatory frameworks. By harnessing the power of AI technologies and collective action, developing countries can address the plastic waste crisis, promote environmental sustainability, and foster a cleaner, greener future for all.
Keywords
References
Adebayo, G. B., & Adebowale, K. O. (2016). Assessment of plastic wastes generation and its potential effects on biodiversity in selected cities of Ogun State, Nigeria. Covenant Journal of Physical and Life Sciences, 4(1), 18-28.
Adeniran, A. E., Nubi, A. T., & Adelopo, A. O. (2019). Sustainable plastic waste management in Nigeria: The environmental health implications. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 20, 125-132.
Adewole, A. I., & Oyedepo, O. J. (2021). Application of artificial intelligence in solid waste management: A review. Waste Management & Research, 39(9), 967-983.
Agunwamba, J. C., Agunwamba, C. P., & Kudamnya, E. (2017). Municipal solid waste management in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 19(4), 297-317.
Akpan, U. S., & Ikpe, V. E. (2020). A review on the impact of plastic waste on the environment and its management strategies. Greener Journal of Environmental Management and Public Safety, 9(1), 45-57.
Akanbi, T. O., & Mafimisebi, T. E. (2019). Economic implications of plastic pollution on agriculture: evidence from Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 11(4), 602-618.
Angelopoulos, C. M., Castro, J., Montanari, R., & Sequeira, A. S. (2021). Artificial intelligence and the waste collection system: A case study of the city of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Sustainability, 13(5), 2966.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS quarterly, 319-340.
Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782.
Ghose, A., & Kak, S. (2019). Artificial intelligence in retail: A review and research agenda. Journal of Retailing, 95(1), 4-16.
Ike, C. N., Oyedepo, O. J., & Ayodele, T. R. (2021). Plastic waste pollution in Nigeria: Current status, impacts and management strategies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(10), 11979-11997.
Isioma, T. A., & Njideka, O. (2018). Assessment of extended producer responsibility schemes on waste management in Nigeria: A case study of Coca-Cola Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 9(6), 1173-1185.
Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., ... & Law, K. L. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768-771.
Koivisto, A. J., Sillanpää, M., & Heinaro, A. (2021). Evaluating artificial intelligence applications in plastic waste recycling—Review and case study. Sustainability, 13(5), 2884.
Liang, X., Li, X., Wang, Q., & Wang, X. (2020). Optimization of solid waste collection routes in urban districts using improved genetic algorithm: A case study in Shenyang City, China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 248, 119297.
Luo, L., Wang, X., Li, Y., Zhang, W., & Lu, Y. (2021). Artificial intelligence for environmental pollution control: Progress, challenges and prospects. Environmental Pollution, 287, 117324.
Nnorom, I. C., Igwegbe, C. A., & Aneke, L. E. (2020). Plastic waste pollution in Nigeria: A review. Environmental Reviews, 28(1), 20-32.
Ogunola, S. I., Ajanaku, K. O., & Bello, A. B. (2021). Plastic waste management in Nigeria: A review. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 9, 761957.
Oladapo, I. A., Rotimi, B. A., & Olatunde, A. S. (2021). Public awareness and attitude towards recycling of plastic waste in Nigeria: A case study of Lagos state. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 12(5), 1226-1238.
Ogundari, K., & Awokuse, T. O. (2018). Evaluating the impact of policies targeting plastic bag waste on welfare in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management, 213, 73-84.
Owoyemi, A. O., Badejo, A. A., & Adebola, Y. B. (2020). Environmental impact of plastic pollution in Nigeria: A review. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, 12(2), 20-28.
Russell, S. J., & Norvig, P. (2021). Artificial intelligence: A modern approach. Pearson.
Sarkis, J., Cohen, M. J., Dewick, P., & Schröder, P. (2020). A brave new world: Lessons from the COVID‐19 pandemic for transitioning to sustainable supply and production. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(1), 84-93.
Solaja, M.O. Awobona, S. and Osifo K.O (2023a) Unveiling Environmental Governance and Political Economy Dynamics in Rural Plastic Pollution Management: A case study of Ogun State, Nigeria. Reality of Politics, 25, 74-113. DOI: 10.15804/rop2023305
Solaja, M.O., Omodehin, A.O, and Awobona, S (2023b) Socio-ecologies of Plastic Bottle Waste (PBW) and the Development of Ecoprenuerial Initiatives in Contemporary Nigerian Society, Labor & Eng, 17: 1-15 DOI: 10.20396/labore.v17i00.8671852
Solaja, O. M., Awobona, S., & Omodehin, A. O. (2020). Knowledge and practice of recycledplastic bottles (RPB) built homes for sustainable community-based housing projects in Nigeria Knowledge and practice of recycled plastic bottles ( RPB ) built homes for sustainable community-based housing projects in. Cogent Social Sciences, 6(1), 0–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2020.1778914
Solaja, M.O, Omodehin, O.A., & Badejo, B.A. (2017). Socio-ecologies of solid waste in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. Recycling and Sustainable Development 10: 1-8
Tang, Y., Zhang, Y., Qiu, S., & Li, J. (2020). Potential challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in solid waste management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 256, 120324.
Wong, K. K., & Abd Manaf, L. N. (2020). Waste collection and route optimization of solid waste management system using geographic information system and artificial intelligence: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 252, 119809.
Zheng, C., Liu, Y., Wang, X., Liu, H., Xu, X., & Zheng, Y. (2019). Review on application of artificial intelligence in municipal solid waste management. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 77, 207-220.
WasTech by http://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/wastech is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0.