INFORMAL RECYCLING AND INCLUSIVE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ASIAN ECONOMIES: A MATERIAL FLOW AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Solid waste management (SWM) remains a critical challenge across Asian nations, where diverse socio-economic contexts influence the adoption of sustainable practices. While advanced economies such as Japan and South Korea prioritize “zero waste” and “zero landfilling” strategies through heavy investment in 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) technologies, resource-constrained countries like India face structural and financial limitations. This study employs the material flow method to evaluate the contribution of informal recycling within India’s SWM system, emphasizing both its advantages and inherent drawbacks. Although informal recyclers enhance collection efficiency and resource recovery, their integration into formal frameworks presents significant policy dilemmas. Using ANOVA t-test analysis, this research highlights the tension between improving system efficiency and safeguarding the livelihoods of low-income waste pickers. To address these complexities, the study applies the concepts of capital forms and the normative theory of social exclusion, proposing pathways toward inclusive SWM models that balance sustainability goals with social equity.