A Governance-Oriented Framework for Blockchain Adoption in Waste Management Systems: The Case of Plastic Bank

Abstract

This study examines how blockchain technology is associated with institutional governance and operational effectiveness in blockchain-enabled plastic recovery, with particular attention to resource-constrained developing regions and Less Developed Countries (LDCs). Although prior research highlights blockchain’s technical capabilities, less attention has been given to the institutional, socio-technical, financial, and data governance conditions that shape practical adoption. To address this gap, the paper develops a literature-derived Blockchain-Enabled Waste Management Framework (B-WMF) and evaluates it through an interpretivist single-case study of Plastic Bank. The findings suggest that blockchain’s primary value in this case lies less in technological novelty than in its capacity to support verified recovery records, incentive-linked participation, auditability, and multi-stakeholder coordination. At the same time, the case shows that traceability, tokenized incentives, interoperability, and decentralized verification remain conditional on data quality at the source, institutional oversight, regulatory alignment, and sustainable business models. The paper contributes by reframing blockchain as a socio-technical governance infrastructure for blockchain-enabled plastic recovery, while offering practical guidance for circular economy initiatives operating in resource-constrained environments.