Sociotechnical transitions towards circular & sustainable economies: the case of solid waste management in Ghana

Around the world, there is an urgent need to transform the systems we rely on—such as those that provide energy, transport, or waste management—so they become more sustainable. This need is especially pressing in developing countries, where the harmful effects of poorly functioning systems are often more immediate and long-lasting, impacting public health, the environment, and the economy. Although many policies and strategies have been introduced to improve the performance of these systems, significant challenges remain, particularly in essential services like solid waste management. Concepts like the Circular Economy offer promising ways to use resources more efficiently and reduce waste, but putting these ideas into practice is not easy. One key barrier is that system managers often follow deeply rooted habits and ways of thinking that overlook the long-term consequences of their decisions. These challenges are even more complex in developing countries, where local conditions differ greatly from those in more advanced economies. This dissertation explores how such systems can be better understood and improved, focusing on the case of solid waste management in Ghana.