Plastic pollution is one of the biggest challenges of the twenty-first century, requiring innovative and varied solutions to address. Focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa, this book brings together interdisciplinary, multisectoral and multi-stakeholder perspectives exploring challenges and opportunities for utilising digital innovations to manage and accelerate the transition to a circular plastic economy (CPE).
The book is organised into three sections bringing together discussion of environmental conditions, operational dimensions, and country case studies of digital transformation towards the circular plastic economy. It explores the environment for digitisation in the circular economy, bringing together perspectives from practitioners in academia, innovation, policy, civil society and government agencies. The book also highlights specific country case studies in relation to the development and implementation of different innovative ideas to drive the circular plastic economy across the three sub-Saharan African regions. Finally, the book interrogates the policy dimensions and practitioner perspectives towards a digitally enabled circular plastic economy.
Written for a wide range of readers across academia, policy and practice, including researchers, students, SMEs, digital entrepreneurs, NGOs and multilateral agencies, policymakers and public officials, this book offers unique insights into complex, multi-layered issues relating to the production and management of plastic waste and highlights how digital innovations can drive the transition to the circular plastic economy in Africa.
About the Author: Muyiwa Oyinlola is an Associate Professor in Engineering for Sustainable Development and Director of the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development at De Montfort University, UK. A chartered engineer, committed to engineering sustainable solutions for low and middle-income countries, his work places particular emphasis on identifying and integrating socio-cultural considerations required for the long-term success of engineering projects. He leads the DITCh Plastic network; a multisectoral, international and interdisciplinary network aimed at promoting and supporting digital innovations that can accelerate the circular plastic economy transition in Africa. He is committed to developing processes and products for the circular plastic economy.
Oluwaseun Kolade is an Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management and Associate Head International at the School of Leadership, Management and Marketing, De Montfort University, Leicester UK, where he also chairs the African Entrepreneurship Cluster. With an engineering background and a PhD in International Development, Seun's research activities cover the broad areas of transformative entrepreneuring, digital transformation, circular economy, and SMEs' strategies in turbulent environments. Seun is an agile certified practitioner with experience of leading transdisciplinary projects involving international partners across public and private sectors. He has chaired international conferences and is an invited speaker in various international fora.
