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Collection, as the first stage of the recycling process, and pre-processing to increase waste stream purity constitute key operations for achieving high recycling rates and a closed loop in the circular economy. For wastepaper recycling in Hong Kong, it is the semi-formal-informal recycling (SFIR) sector that plays a central role in both stages. This study analyses the so far little explored SFIR stakeholder network in Hong Kong and sheds light on value chains, recovered waste paper quantities and the impact of policies on the sector. The findings show that SFIR stakeholders reclaim 55.6 t/recycling station/month of wastepaper and thereby achieve about a 5.7 times higher reclaim rate than the formal-private recycling system. Critical to this achievement is the SFIR transaction network, which enables its stakeholders to develop a value chain and thereby generate an added value of around 1900 HKD (243.9 USD/t) for wastepaper. Given limited circular structures in Hong Kong, financial subsidies are critical to sustain the SFIR's operations over the short-term. However, over the long-term legalization and integration of its stakeholders are necessary to ensure an economically and socially sustainable wastepaper recovery system in Hong Kong. [Display omitted] • Qualitative & quantitative analysis of the semi-formal-informal recycling (SFIR) sector. • The SFIR's wastepaper value chain achieves a cumulative added value of 1900 HKD/t. • The SFIR recovered 5.7 times higher capacities than the formal system in 2021. • Financial support can enhance the SFIR sector's recovery capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling plays a significant role in e-waste management in developing countries, such as Ghana, where over 90% is handled by the informal sector. However, the informal treatment of e-waste poses a risk to human health and the environment due to the release of toxic pollutants. There is a lack of data on e-waste management and informal processing, and the material flows of output fractions and the fate of hazardous fractions are largely unknown. This hinders the development of appropriate management strategies. Herein, Material Flow Analysis (MFA) was used to investigate five important informal e-waste recycling processes, and risk analysis was used to evaluate environmental, economic, and health safety. On average of all assessed processes, 40.3% of the emerging fractions are landfilled or burned whereof the processing of ICT appliances (desktop PC, laptops and phones) (P1) contributes with 19.4%, CRT appliances (P2) with 11.7%, compressors from cooling appliances (P3) with 0.1%, microwaves (P4) with 1.3% and printers (P5) with 7.7 % to the landfilled or burned fractions. The risk assessment showed that there are considerable risks in environmental, economic and health safety for all processes. When considering the overall risk assessment across all categories, the priority for action to have the most substantial impact is as follows: P2>P5>P3>P1>P4. The key findings of this research focus on the assessment of the so far not known informal e-waste process workflows, the identification of emerging fractions, the remain of potentially hazardous fractions and the identification of the primary economic drivers in informal e-waste dismantling. Recommended action areas involve the incorporation of the informal sector, guided by the insights derived from the MFA and risk assessment. The results of this study are of importance for addressing the challenges faced by the informal sector and for making well-informed decisions when strategizing e-waste management infrastructure. [Display omitted] • Material flow analysis of important informal e-waste recycling processes in Ghana. • Mapping of the remain of valuable and hazardous fractions. • Process evaluation and risk analysis for environmental, economic and health safety. • Technical and socio-economic potentials for improvement suggestions derived. • Identification of urgent fields of actions for political decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inclusion of the informal recycling sector (IRS) in a circular economy (CE) is challenging and it is gaining increasing attention by the academic community in an exponential yet fragmented way. In this narrative review, we demarcate the direct and indirect contributions of the IRS to various domains of the CE by drawing knowledge from relevant literature. First, we capture the modi operandi of different forms of recycling value chains into a typology. We do so based on distinct foci and policy approaches towards the IRS which have been adopted across different countries. Second, we synthesize various threads of information on reported forms of collaboration, tensions, and challenges in the context of urban waste management, into a conceptual framework to facilitate transitions towards circular and inclusive wise-waste systems. Finally, we discuss important aspects related to circular business models and integration approaches towards the IRS, and we propose avenues for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Inequalities affecting the circular economy of plastic waste remain largely unknown. • We address this gap through a case study of Thailand. • Social inequalities are embedded in and perpetuated by the circular economy model. • These inequalities therefore compromise the model's overall objectives. • State deficiencies exacerbate informal sector inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By 2030 the sales of electric vehicles (EV) are set to increase 6 to 30 folds compared to the levels of 2019 thereby leading to an increase of discarded EV batteries. This creates a challenge to sustainably handle the waste by repurpose and recycling the EV batteries. In this paper, a method to analyze the usage of EV batteries throughout their life cycle in light of their contributions to a circular economy is proposed. The study is divided into two stages which are modelled with mixed-integer linear optimization. Stage 1 considers the optimal charging strategy for an EV and stage 2 represents the second-life of the EV battery as stationary energy storage in a residential building. Six scenarios were created for both stages; stage 1 includes smart charging and/or Vehicle to Grid (V2G) and stage 2 adds demand side management and/or PV self-consumption maximization to stage 1. A sensitivity analysis is performed to assess the impact of electricity prices. The results are analysed to assess the operational lifetime and economic savings for an EV owner. The results show that using second-life batteries in a residentail building can extend the lifetime of an EV battery by 3–5 years while allowing savings above 23%. • A two stage algorithm was developed for optimal charging strategy of an EV and SLB. • Six scenarios were modelled to quantify the savings and lifetime of an EV battery. • The usage of an EV battery for SLB can extend the lifetime from 3 to 5 years. • Compared to the baseline scenario SLB can result in economic savings of 24%–77%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is quite common to find that formal and informal sectors compete in the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling markets in developing countries. The formal sector consists of recyclers with dismantling qualifications, while the informal sector includes recyclers without qualifications. The two sectors compete on the used products' acquisition quantities which depend on both the acquisition prices and collection services. By constructing two-stage game models, the paper studies the two sectors' competitive strategy, i.e., focusing on higher price or better service. We also examine how subsidies on the formal sector affect its decisions under two schemes of subsidies, namely, subsidy on acquisition quantity and subsidy on acquisition cost. The social welfare under two schemes of subsidies is compared under the same budget. Results show that as the collection cost of the formal sector decreases, the formal sector will adopt the service strategy by investing in its collection service, even at a cost disadvantage compared with the informal sector, while the informal sector will lower service level and raise acquisition price. A rise in subsidy level will also encourage the formal sector to use the service strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Circular policies need to be aligned to circular and sustainability goals. • Circular policies should build upon pros and cons of a current linear system. • Assessment and scenario methods can be combined to inform circular policies. • Extended Producer Responsibility for PET plastic in Jakarta should be collective. • Extended producer responsibility should build on informal sector in waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]