Analyzing the Role of the Informal Plastic Recycling Sector in Freetown's Urban Sustainability and Circular Economy.
The global plastic waste crisis is particularly acute in developing urban centers, where rapid population growth and high single-use plastic consumption overwhelm inadequate formal waste management infrastructure. In Freetown, Sierra Leone, this challenge manifests as severe environmental and public health threats. The accumulation of discarded plastics chokes drainage systems, leading to urban flooding, while its decomposition contaminates water sources and damages vital coastal ecosystems. This critical situation reveals a profound disconnect between national policy and the on-the-ground realities of waste management.
This study analyzes the informal plastic recycling sector that has emerged in response. It explores the sector's characteristics and socioeconomic impacts on its participants, especially women and youth, and examines how existing policies support or hinder its operations. Ultimately, this research identifies opportunities to integrate the informal sector into a formal, sustainable circular economy model for Freetown, highlighting its potential to transform waste into wealth and build a more resilient future.