Title: Redefining waste management: a perspective-based study on sustainable innovations and future pathways

Authors: Bharti Shukla

Addresses: Indira School of Business Studies PGDM, UNIVERSE Campus, 89/2A, New Pune-Mumbai Highway, Tathawade, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra 411033, India

Abstract: Waste management is one of the greatest global challenges, with increased urbanisation, industrialisation, and population growth. Traditional methods such as landfilling and open dumping are not sustainable because of degradation of the environment, health-related issues, and economic losses. The study takes a perspective view to emphasise innovative and sustainable solutions towards resolving the crisis of waste, adopting circular economy principles, WTE systems, and decentralised waste management strategies. However, as implemented, the afore mentioned study still poses problems associated with infrastructure inadequacies, fund limitation, and gaps in public awareness within low- and middle-income regions. Based on the foregoing, this paper advances an investment in the most recent technologies, more aggressive policies, and active community participation to transition towards a zero-waste future. As such, as long as stakeholder collaboration is fostered, it accelerates progress toward resource conservation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

Keywords: Sustainable waste management; circular economy; innovative waste solutions; waste-to-energy; WTE.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2026.153967

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2026 Vol.40 No.1, pp.27 - 40

Received: 31 Jan 2025
Accepted: 12 Mar 2025
Published online: 09 Jun 2026 *

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