Knowledge management approach for sustainable waste management: evolving a conceptual framework

Attaining sustainable management of various waste streams requires applying both technical and non-technical approaches, including the deployment of knowledge management systems. Knowledge management in relation to waste management (WM) implies optimising the application of a broad range of knowledge in WM towards attaining defined goals - the 'know-why', 'know-who', 'know-how', and 'know-what' of WM sustainability. The problem of waste and its management is not peculiar to only certain countries or continents; it is a global challenge that requires the management of vital knowledge in the WM chain for ensuring that sustainable waste management (SWM) goals are attained. Global collaboration should be established to focus on knowledge gaps across the WM chain. The application of the knowledge management approach in waste management is new. This paper reviewed existing literature on waste management and synthesised existing knowledge to come up with conceptual frameworks for waste management and waste knowledge management. The paper also presents an array of action points and recommendations based on the conceptual frameworks towards attaining the diverse goals of sustainable management of waste.