Blockchain and its Practical Implications in Waste Management Companies: A Practitioners' View

Compelling environmental needs demand new technologies from waste management companies. Among them, blockchain, due to its distributed and immutable ledger nature, improves the mapping and tracking of waste. Despite the academic interest, few studies investigate practitioners’ literature. Our chapter aims to provide an in-depth understanding of best practices and case studies of using blockchain in the context of waste management companies. Analysing 324 valid sources from the NexisUni database and using the Leximancer software, our study reveals five interesting research clusters and links with theories. First, the blockchain may be adopted by managers in waste recycling, for green accounting and Co2 monitoring, for launching new sustainable business models, for emerging cryptocurrencies, and for increasing environmental collaboration and cooperation with users. At the same time, we discover a debate on adapting the technology itself to improve environmental sustainability. Second, our chapter uncovers links between blockchain and collaborative design theory to increase trust, transparency and accessibility of waste data. Finally, managers may use blockchain to improve their operations and raise awareness of environmental sustainability. At the same time, they should consider the environmental impact of the technology itself.