Emmy Falk Nøklebye

• Nøklebye, Emmy; Jain, Manisha; Basu, Avanti Roy & Gulati, Pallavi (2025). Analysis of Gaps in the Management of Plastic Waste in India and Beyond. In Chakraborty, Paromita; Bharat, Girija K.; Steindal, Eirik Hovland; Mohanty, Smita; Hurley, Rachel; Olsen, Marianne & Pandey, Suneel (Ed.), Efficient and Enhanced Management of Plastic Waste in India: Case Studies from Vapi and Surat. Springer. ISSN 9783031893971. p. 231–239. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-89398-8_9. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This chapter outlines persistent gaps and challenges in relation to plastic waste management in India, drawing on the baseline assessments conducted by the India–Norway cooperation project on capacity building for reducing plastic and chemical pollution in India (INOPOL, 2019-22). Identified gaps and lessons learned are analyzed across scales, from sampling and monitoring capacities in the case study sites of Surat and Vapi in Gujarat state, to waste management and associated challenges in India, seen in the context of emerging international debates surrounding plastic pollution. It provides insights into gaps related to existing waste generation and pollution data, lack of standardization for sampling and monitoring pollution, policy and regulatory challenges, infrastructure, capacity and technological waste management limitations, and an analysis of broader socio-economic considerations surrounding the management of plastic waste and pollution, as well as the impacts of COVID-19. Beyond highlighting key concerns, the chapter also outlines recommendations that may contribute to strengthening capacities toward sustainable waste management and pollution reduction. The identified gaps build on selected Indian case-studies and the suggested enabling mechanisms must account for local diversities. Nevertheless, these insights may have relevance for pollution reduction strategies in contexts characterized by significant economic growth, urbanization, and the emergence of high-consuming middle-classes, driving waste generation to unsustainable levels.

• Atiq, Abdullah; Prasad, Girija; Vardikar, Himalaya S.; Mohanty, Smita; Jain, Manisha & Adam, Hans Nicolai [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2025). Plastic Waste Generation, Management Issues, and Impact on Marine Ecosystems: Case Study of Tapi and Daman Ganga Rivers, Gujarat, India. In Chakraborty, Paromita; Bharat, Girija K.; Steindal, Eirik Hovland; Mohanty, Smita; Hurley, Rachel; Olsen, Marianne & Pandey, Suneel (Ed.), Efficient and Enhanced Management of Plastic Waste in India: Case Studies from Vapi and Surat. Springer. ISSN 9783031893971. p. 215–229. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-89398-8_8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study focuses on addressing critical challenges related to plastic pollution in India, specifically targeting the catchment areas of the Tapi and Daman Ganga rivers, along with the industrial hubs of Surat and Vapi in Gujarat. Sixty-two million tons of municipal solid waste are generated in India, including uncollected and landfill-bound waste annually with plastic being 9–10% of it. Gujarat, a major industrial center, contributes significantly to plastic pollution, being the second-largest generator of plastic waste in the country. The rapidly growing industrialized cities of Gujarat, Surat, and Vapi offer a good example of the challenges and potential solutions for managing plastic waste. This chapter presents detailed profiles of these case study locations, emphasizing their industrial significance and waste management efforts. The detailed waste estimation and plastic waste characteristics in Surat and Vapi provide insights into the challenges faced by these cities and the potential impact on marine ecosystems.

• Bharat, Girija K.; Basu, Avanti Roy; Atiq, Abdullah; Nøklebye, Emmy; Furuseth, Ingvild Skumlien & Dev, Twinkle [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Regulatory Framework, Policies, and Programs in Plastic Waste Management: Global and Indian. In Chakraborty, Paromita; Bharat, Girija K.; Steindal, Eirik Hovland; Mohanty, Smita; Hurley, Rachel; Olsen, Marianne & Pandey, Suneel (Ed.), Efficient and Enhanced Management of Plastic Waste in India: Case Studies from Vapi and Surat. Springer. ISSN 9783031893971. p. 179–214. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-89398-8_7. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Plastic waste mismanagement poses severe environmental, economic, and public health challenges worldwide. With global plastic production surging, policies at international, national, and local levels aim to mitigate pollution through regulatory frameworks, circular economy initiatives, and waste governance strategies. India’s response includes the Plastic Waste Management Rules, bans on single-use plastics, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations. However, effective implementation remains hindered by inadequate infrastructure, policy enforcement gaps, and reliance on the informal waste sector (IWS), which handles 50–80% of India’s plastic recycling. Despite its critical role, the IWS faces socio-economic vulnerabilities and limited government recognition. Strengthening policy execution, integrating informal networks, and fostering technological innovation are essential to advancing sustainable plastic waste management. This chapter examines global and Indian PWM policies, informal sector contributions, and governance challenges, emphasizing the need for inclusive and data-driven strategies to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and combat plastic pollution effectively.

• Nesheim, Ingrid; Szulecka, Julia; Phoo, May Thazin; Nøklebye, Emmy & San, Kyaw Min (2024). Complex waste management in Myanmar: role of the actors, relationships, and social capital. Environment, Development and Sustainability. ISSN 1387-585X. doi: 10.1007/s10668-024-04546-0. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Adequate waste management is a pressing global problem that undermines sustainability efforts in many countries. Controlling solid waste, recycling, and reducing waste including plastics, are essential policy objectives. This is especially relevant in countries like Myanmar, scoring poorly on waste-related indicators. This paper adopts a holistic system perspective, looking at the formal and the informal sectors’ contribution to waste collection and recycling efforts. By studying waste management in the Bago Township, we investigate the actors’ relationships by identifying bonding mechanisms between the actors. Central in the informal system are medium and larger scrap dealers that not only serve as waste trade intermediaries, but function as banks, social security agents, and fora for information exchange. The study shows that relationships between scrap dealers and waste pickers are regulated by different types of bonding mechanisms contributing to the social capital variables, trust, predictability, transparency and openness. In contrast, a few bonding mechanisms were established by the formal sector actors. It is the formal system that has the mandate to assure waste collection and that the waste is treated appropriately without posing any environmental and health risks. The informal system contributes to impressive levels of circularity, while also supporting livelihoods. Strengths and responsibilities should be adequately recognized and included in the governance arrangements. Identification of a governance system that addresses both formal and the informal sector needs to consider the local context by involving local stakeholders and build on the existing networks, knowledge, and skills.

• Cowan, Emily Christine; Holmberg, Karl; Nøklebye, Emmy; Rognerud, Idun & Tiller, Rachel Gjelsvik (2024). It takes two to tango: the second session of negotiations (INC-2) for a global treaty to end plastic pollution. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. ISSN 2190-6483. 14, p. 428–434. doi: 10.1007/s13412-024-00906-4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) has completed its second round of negotiations on a new international legally binding instrument to ‘end plastic pollution’. This paper examines the results of the second session of negotiations, which took place May 29–June 2, 2023, and analyses the trends, barriers, and themes shaping the emerging legally binding instrument. The paper considers the discussion surrounding the Options Paper as presented by the INC Secretariat and United Nations Environmental Program based upon written submissions received by UN member states prior to the second session of negotiations. These include potential elements the future treaty text may include—namely objectives, core obligations, and implementation and monitoring measures. At the second session of negotiations, progress towards consensus on these items was severely lacking. We draw on close observations via event ethnography of participants during the negotiations and document analysis. We conclude by looking towards the third round of negotiations by discussing the ongoing ‘dance’ of sorts as submissions are being asked of member states and like-minded groups to contribute to the zero draft treaty text.

• Nøklebye, Emmy; Adam, Hans Nicolai; Roy-Basu, Avanti; Bharat, Girija K. & Steindal, Eirik Hovland (2023). Plastic bans in India – Addressing the socio-economic and environmental complexities. Environmental Science and Policy. ISSN 1462-9011. 139, p. 219–227. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.11.005. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  As one of the flagship amendments to the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2021, the pan-Indian ban on a group of single-use plastic products (SUPPs) introduced in mid-2022 provided a departure point towards more progressive plastic waste legislation. The amendments have mostly been welcomed, yet challenges persist to facilitate its implementation, assess potential environmental impacts of alternative materials, and socio-economic concerns raised by various stakeholders. Considering the recent amendments to the PWM Rules, we critically engage with and highlight key considerations and prevailing challenges with regards to phasing out SUPPs. We argue that to shape sustainable solutions that reduce plastic pollution, uncertainties related to the environmental fate of SUPP alternatives need to be better understood, whilst recognising and accounting for broader socio-economic impacts of SUPP bans, including industry concerns, impacts on socio-economically disadvantaged communities, and the informal recycling sector. A stronger knowledge base on these aspects can mitigate negative social and environmental externalities, including potentially harmful consequences of ambitious plastic pollution reduction measures.

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• Pandey, Suneel; Mohanty, Smita; Bharat, Girija K.; Adam, Hans Nicolai; Nøklebye, Emmy & Steindal, Eirik Hovland (2025). Conclusion and Way Forward. In Chakraborty, Paromita; Bharat, Girija K.; Steindal, Eirik Hovland; Mohanty, Smita; Hurley, Rachel; Olsen, Marianne & Pandey, Suneel (Ed.), Efficient and Enhanced Management of Plastic Waste in India: Case Studies from Vapi and Surat. Springer. ISSN 9783031893971. p. 269–272. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-89398-8_11. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Plastic waste management’s legislation framework has significantly advanced in India. However, we need to aim for better waste management infrastructure, scientific processing of waste plastic, prioritise high- and low-value plastic recycling, and the segregation and collection of plastic trash at the source. Low-value plastic waste such as sachets, bags typically seep into the environment instead of being retrieved for recycling or energy recovery. It is necessary to conduct training, capacity building, and initiate strategies for behavioural changes towards single use plastic usage. An effective extended producer responsibility and cooperation of the stakeholder can be implemented through a partnership between policy-science and society.

• Nesheim, Ingrid; Szulecka, Julia; Baann, Cecilie; Hurley, Rachel; Nøklebye, Emmy & Phoo, May Thazin [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2023). Towards sustainable waste management in Myanmar – key results from the project ‘Capacity building on waste management in the Bago Region’. Norsk institutt for vannforskning (NIVA). ISSN 9788257776596. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This report presents key results from the project ‘Capacity building on waste management in the Bago Region’. It synthesizes primary and secondary data on various aspects of waste management in the Bago Township, including a study of the formal and informal waste management systems and their key actors, and a study of microplastic pollution of the Bago River. Building on Action Research it further presents four pilot cases promoting sustainable waste management practices and behavioural change through a cleanup of a river side waste dump, waste management at the local market, new waste management systems and composting at selected monasteries.

• Nesheim, Ingrid; Rognerud, Idun; Nøklebye, Emmy; Tartiu, Valentina Elena & Adam, Hans Nicolai (2022). Towards improved waste management in Bago Region, Myanmar – An initial assessment - Baseline report. Norsk institutt for vannforskning (NIVA). ISSN 9788257774424. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The baseline report draws on research carried out as part of the ‘Bago Waste’ project, led by NIVA, in the Bago Region of Myanmar. It provides an initial assessment of the waste management situation in Myanmar, with special reference to one of its administrative Regions (Bago). Findings are based on a literature review, field observations and interviews carried out since the start of the project in January 2020. We explore the waste governance system in Myanmar with respect to relevant national laws, policies and strategies, in addition to examining current waste management practices for collection, segregation, recycling and disposal. The report also delves into emerging trends in waste management on the global policy scene, as well as examining common policy approaches that drive the shift towards greater circularity. In conclusion, a was forward is sketched that ties together the reports findings.

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