Plastic Management for a Sustainable Future : An assessment on Plastic Management Systems and Strategies for Socio-environment Sustainability in Sweden

Abstract: Plastic waste management has become a global concern due to its adverse effects on the environment and human health and Sweden is no exception. Through this dissertation, the researchers intended to make a descriptive study regarding the mainstream introspection of plastic management and the outreach of current systems and strategies in Sweden. To review the matter in a detailed manner, the researchers formulated two research questions in which the first one stated the effectiveness of existing systems and strategies for managing plastic waste in Sweden and the other one was the social impacts of plastic mismanagement in terms of three pillars of sustainability. The researchers used the framework of risk society theory, theory of social practices and actor network theory to understand the matter in a more fruitful way. The dissertation was mainly developed through quantitative research methodology. As the thesis was focussed on socio-environmental sustainability, the researchers intended to collect the response from the public through survey questionnaires with the help of Google platform. The collected responses must be analysed through descriptive statistical method. The findings revealed that Sweden has implemented several effective systems for plastic management. Furthermore, collaboration between various actors like human and non-human agencies were needed to improve the successful implementation of sustainable plastic management systems. The conclusion of the study stated to integrate education, awareness programs, good sustainable choices like paper bags or biodegradable materials should be integrated into the system and strategies to foster behavioural change in consumers along with the improvement of other technological measures in handling plastic waste.