Context of Plastic Waste Burning in the Global South
Rapid urbanization in the Global South, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), is creating significant demand for infrastructure and services. Many cities in these regions face resource constraints, leading to the growth of informal settlements and deficiencies in energy access, waste management, and sanitation. These gaps contribute to health and environmental risks, and informal solutions like burning plastic waste have emerged to address the lack of proper waste management and energy needs.
Low-income households in informal settlements often struggle to access affordable, clean fuels. Increased pressure on natural resources drives up costs for traditional fuels like wood and charcoal, pushing communities to seek no- or low-cost alternatives, including unmanaged solid waste like plastic. Plastic is a readily available waste product that combusts easily, making it an attractive fuel source despite releasing harmful toxins that contribute to poor air quality and health risks through direct inhalation and secondary impacts like food contamination.
Survey Findings on Prevalence and Usage
A study analyzing responses from 1018 key informants across various cities revealed the widespread nature of plastic waste burning.
- Overall Prevalence: 22% reported slight prevalence, 35% moderate, 26% very, and 8% extremely prevalent.
- Use as Cooking Fuel: 19% somewhat agreed and 8% strongly agreed that plastic is used as a cooking fuel.
- Traditional Stoves: 32% somewhat agreed and 24% strongly agreed that burning plastic in traditional stoves is common practice, suggesting its use primarily for waste management rather than as a preferred energy source.
- Awareness: 37% of respondents were aware of plastic waste being used as a household fuel.
Among those aware of plastic burning (N=365), specific uses included:
- Cooking Fuel: 48% witnessed, 14% engaged in it themselves.
- Heating: 37% witnessed, 12% engaged in it themselves.
- Mixing with Other Fuels: 46% witnessed, 22% engaged in it themselves.
- Fire Starter: 40% witnessed, 38% engaged in it themselves.
- Pest Deterrent: 17% witnessed, 6% engaged in it themselves.
- Heating Cattle Feed: Lower awareness and usage reported.
Variations and Materials Used
Plastic waste combustion is more prevalent in low-income countries and particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently reported types of plastic burned are Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and low-density Polyethylene (LDPE), commonly found in beverage bottles and bags. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are also burned. Food wrappers are the most common plastic product burned, followed by chemical packaging, household plastics, and construction materials. Traditional cooking stoves, such as 3-stone and charcoal stoves, are widely used for this practice.
Socio-Demographic Factors and Reasons for Burning
Respondents identified several socio-demographic factors associated with plastic burning:
- Higher Likelihood: Households in areas without waste management services, those experiencing poverty, those in informal settlements, and waste pickers.
- Lower Likelihood: Households with members with disabilities.
Key reasons for burning plastic waste cited by respondents included:
- Lack of awareness regarding health impacts.
- Need for waste management.
- Expensive clean fuel alternatives.
Less agreement was found for reasons such as the low availability of traditional fuels or the social acceptability of plastic burning. There was a high degree of awareness regarding risks, including toxic emissions, fire hazards, and food contamination, with particular concern for vulnerable groups like females, children, people with disabilities, and senior citizens.
Proposed Solutions and Correlates
The most effective solutions identified by respondents were:
- Improved and expanded solid waste management services for informal settlements.
- Increased access to clean energy technologies.
- Raising awareness about the negative effects of burning plastics.
- Bans on plastic use.
Correlational analyses indicated that individuals in socially engaged professions were more likely to acknowledge plastic burning in their communities. Perceptions of unaffordable municipal solid waste management fees and expensive clean fuels were positively correlated with plastic burning. Additionally, city-level factors such as high plastic waste quantities and a large population without waste collection services were associated with direct engagement in or awareness of plastic burning. These findings highlight the interconnectedness of inadequate waste management, expensive clean cooking fuel, and the reliance on plastic waste as a household fuel, underscoring the importance of integrated programs to improve waste management and expand access to affordable, clean cooking solutions.