Plastic Waste Crisis: How Smart Cities Can Lead the Change

With rapid urbanisation and population growth on track for enhanced economic prosperity resulting in increased consumption, an exponential increase in municipal solid waste, including plastic waste is seen. In cities, plastic pollution often arises from the linear model of plastic consumption, where plastics are used once and discarded. This practice leads to litter in streets, water bodies, and natural ecosystems. Implementing circular economy principles involves designing systems that keep plastics in circulation for longer periods. This includes supporting initiatives such as recycling programmes, extended producer responsibility, and encouraging the use of reusable materials. Smart cities leverage technology and data to enhance urban living, sustainability, and efficiency. Consequently, in managing plastic pollution and transitioning to a circular economy, smart cities’ technological solutions can play a crucial role. These technologies empower both authorities and communities with real-time analytics to guide infrastructure, policies, and habits that curb plastic waste generation. By transitioning to a circular economy, cities can not only help reduce plastic pollution but also create economic opportunities and decrease their reliance on the production of new plastics. This chapter presents an insight into two smart cities in India, Indore and Panaji, that demonstrate proactive technology-based initiatives to manage waste, especially plastic pollution. These cities provide examples to inspire and create a more sustainable and resilient environment.