Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution Programme

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Spent batteries: a global strategy for navigating the emerging e-mobility divide

Report / By

Spent Batteries A global strategy for navigating the emerging e-mobility divide Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are becoming one of the fastest-growing and least-governed waste streams globally. While Global North (classified by UN Trade and Development, UNCTAD) markets are building formal lithium-ion recycling systems, many Global South markets still rely on cheaper but highly toxic lead-acid […]

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Decent work for emerging circular supply chains, informal workers and MSMEs

Learning brief / By

Decent work for emerging circular supply chains, informal workers and MSMEs Learning briefs by Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) The Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme aims to address the environmental and human health impacts of the manufacturing sector and plastics pollution in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. SMEP works with businesses, NGOs and universities active

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Joint Policy Brief: Controlling Single-Use Plastics at a Regional Level in East Africa

Policy brief / By

Joint Policy Brief Controlling Single-Use Plastics at a Regional Level in East Africa Plastic pollution presents a growing environmental and economic challenge across the East African Community (EAC), degrading ecosystems, contaminating water bodies, and imposing rising costs on public waste management systems. Recently, in the context of the Hormuz Strait conflict, prices of plastic items

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Resource Pack:  Improving occupational health & safety and meeting decent work standards

Training Materials / By

Improving occupational health & safety and meeting decent work standards Resource Pack The purpose of this resource pack is to help SMEP grantees strengthen their organisational practice around decent work and occupational health and safety (OHS). It complements three online workshops hosted in September and October 2025. The pack introduces the concept of decent work

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Plastics reduction and management: Regional policies and standards on biodegradation and compostability in East and West Africa

Report / By

Plastics reduction and management Regional policies and standards on biodegradation and compostability in East and West Africa The issue of plastic pollution in East and West Africa is transboundary in nature, requiring a multi-faceted approach that involves collaboration at national, regional, and international levels. To effectively tackle this crisis, comprehensive policies and coordinated bans such

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Decarbonising the textiles sector in Bangladesh

Policy brief / By

Decarbonising the Textile Sector in Bangladesh Insight’s from a Textiles Wastewater Management project at Fakir Knitwears The SMEP Textiles Wastewater Management project, co-led by Primark and Panta Rei Water Solutions in collaboration with the Fakir Group, Grundfos, WaterAid and H&M at the Fakir Knitwear Plant, in Dhaka, demonstrates how integrating advanced wastewater treatment and reuse

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Clarifying the taxonomy of plastics and bioplastics: Toward a ‘Zero-Trace Plastic’ material framework

Journal publication / By

Clarifying the taxonomy of plastics and bioplastics: Toward a ‘Zero-Trace’ Plastic’ (ZTP) Material Framework In this communication brief, the authors outline an important challenge, particularly distinguishing between the plastic substitutes (nature-based non-plastic materials) and plastic alternatives (better plastics in terms of biodegradability and compostability, but still plastic traces are available) to avoid existing ambiguity. Thus,

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Beyond the technical loop: Driving the circular bioeconomy through global policy coherence

Policy brief / By

Beyond the technical loop Driving the circular bioeconomy through global policy coherence As of April 2025, 76 countries have adopted national strategies or roadmaps for the circular economy (Chatham House, 2025). These strategies reflect growing recognition of the need to address cascading environmental risks while unlocking new avenues for competitiveness, environmental protection, pollution reduction, and

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