Exploring Practical Applications of Blockchain in Waste Management: Insights from Industry Experts

Emerging environmental demands are pushing waste management companies to embrace novel technologies. Among these, blockchain stands out due to its decentralized and unalterable ledger characteristics, revolutionizing waste mapping and monitoring. Despite the academic interest, exploration into practical industry applications still needs to be explored. Our initial study is dedicated to delving into this gap, offering a comprehensive insight into optimal strategies and real-world instances of blockchain integration within waste management enterprises. By examining 324 sources from the NexisUni database and leveraging the analytical capabilities of Leximancer software, our research unveils five distinct research clusters interlinked with relevant theories. Firstly, blockchain adoption emerges as a viable avenue for waste recycling managers, facilitating green accounting and CO2 monitoring, ushering in sustainable business models, navigating the realm of emerging cryptocurrencies, and enhancing collaborative environmental engagement with stakeholders. Simultaneously, our findings reveal a latent discourse regarding the intrinsic value of the technology itself in advancing ecological sustainability. Secondly, our exploration establishes a strong nexus between blockchain and collaborative design theory, synergistically fostering trust, transparency, and accessibility in waste data management. Ultimately, this bolsters the reliability of waste-related information. Concluding our study, we underscore the potential of blockchain for operational enhancement within managerial frameworks, coupled with its capacity to raise consciousness about environmental sustainability. However, a holistic approach is necessary, as the environmental ramifications of the technology warrant careful consideration in the pursuit of overall ecological advancement.