https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/3471 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:37:15 GMT 2026-04-11T04:37:15Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145440 Title: Plastic recycling practices in the Kingdom of the Netherlands : contrasting PET usage in the Netherlands and Curaçao Abstract: Plastic pollution is not merely an environmental issue—it is one of the most visible symptoms of structural failure in global material governance. Every piece of plastic ever created still exists unless incinerated. In countries with organised waste management systems, the problem often remains invisible to the public. However, this illusion of proper disposal masks a deeper crisis, particularly impacting our oceans and marine life. The urgency to address plastic pollution is underscored by its significant environmental, economic, and health implications. Small Island States (SIS) and island territories face disproportionate challenges in managing plastic waste—not due to local negligence, but due to their structural position in global trade systems. Limited space, diverse material types, and inadequate infrastructure are significant hurdles. For instance, islands often rely heavily on tourism, which exacerbates waste generation while simultaneously lacking the capacity to manage it effectively. This creates a pressing need for tailored waste management solutions. Yet, framing these challenges as merely local or logistical obscures a more fundamental reality: islands are currently positioned at the end of global value chains—acting as sinks for plastic waste rather than nodes in circular systems. Plastics encompass a wide range of synthetic polymers with diverse characteristics, applications, and potential for reuse as secondary raw materials. Despite the growing global discussion on plastic waste, little is known about 'polymer-specific mass flows' (Kawecki et al., 2018, p. 9875). Understanding these polymer-specific pathways, such as the widely recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), is essential for implementing effective mitigation measures. In particular, PET offers a useful lens to interrogate global circularity narratives— because it is often framed as a “success story” in recycling. PET plastics represent a substantial portion of global plastic waste, frequently used in beverage bottles and packaging due to their lightweight and durable nature (Benavides et al., 2018). PET is one of the most produced polymer types globally (Geyer et al., 2017), and its widespread use has made it among the most abundant polymers in marine plastic litter (Andrady, 2015; Iñiguez et al., 2018). Its main advantage compared to other polymers lies in the mature global recycling infrastructure, which enables secondary PET (rPET) to compete with primary material (Kuczenski and Geyer, 2010). As such, post-consumer PET recycling has a long tradition and stands as one of the most successful examples of polymer recycling (Sinha et al., 2010). However, its prevalence in single-use packaging remains a significant environmental concern, particularly in regions with inadequate recycling infrastructure. Addressing PET plastic waste is thus a critical component of broader efforts to mitigate plastic pollution. This contradiction—between PET’s global recyclability and its local unmanageability in island contexts—is at the heart of this thesis. This thesis aims to understand the material flows and policy drivers for PET plastic practices in Curaçao and the Netherlands. By conducting a comparative analysis between a small island and a high-income land connected country, this research illustrates how geography, policy, and power intersect to shape access to circular economies. By exploring these dynamics, the research seeks to develop targeted policy recommendations to support and enhance PET recycling within and beyond the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The selection of the Netherlands and Curaçao as comparative cases is grounded in their shared sovereignty within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. While they operate under a common constitutional framework, they possess distinct policy jurisdictions, creating both institutional alignment opportunities and governance asymmetries. This offers a rare opportunity to examine systemic divergence within a formally unified political structure. The research questions guiding this thesis are: 1. How does a comparison of PET recycling practices in Curaçao and the Netherlands reveal Curaçao’s waste management challenges? 2. How do waste policies in Curaçao and the Netherlands influence PET usage and recycling rates? 3. What policies could enhance PET recycling within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, particularly in Curaçao? These questions are rooted in a broader objective: to rethink PET waste not as a local failure of infrastructure, but as the outcome of global value chain dynamics that structurally exclude islands from reintegration loops. Understanding PET flows will provide a basis for effective waste reduction and recycling strategies. Developing targeted policy recommendations is essential for overcoming the unique logistical and resource constraints faced by Curaçao, ensuring that recycling efforts are feasible and effective. Evaluating the impact of Dutch waste policies on Curaçao will highlight policy gaps and propose necessary adjustments to support more inclusive and effective waste management practices. In doing so, the study contributes to a growing call for a justice-oriented circular economy—one that accounts for peripheries, not just productivity. The outcomes of this research could offer meaningful insights for practical application. By offering insights into the economic realities and systemic challenges of PET plastic management, the findings will inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and environmental organisations. The study also contributes conceptually to sustainability science, highlighting how small territories can reveal critical blind spots in dominant circular economy models. This research not only contributes to academic discourse on sustainable waste management but also provides actionable recommendations to enhance recycling practices within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and beyond. This dissertation is organised into six main chapters. ● Chapter 2 presents a literature review, beginning with an introduction to plastic pollution, examining its environmental, social, and economic impacts, with a particular focus on its evolution over time. This chapter also discusses specific challenges and opportunities faced by islands in mitigating plastic pollution and explores recycling as part of an integrated approach. ● Chapter 3 outlines the methodology and research questions that guide this study, detailing the proposed research methods used to analyse PET recycling practices in Curaçao and the Netherlands, including a stakeholder analysis, infrastructure assessment, and policy review. ● Chapter 4 presents the results, critically comparing PET recycling practices in both regions. It evaluates the roles of stakeholders, recycling infrastructure, and PET material flows. ● Chapter 5 discusses the findings within the context of the literature, analysing broader policy frameworks and their implications for improving PET recycling practices. This chapter also provides recommendations for future research and practical applications for island-based recycling systems. ● Chapter 6 concludes the dissertation by summarising the key findings and offering policy recommendations, with a particular focus on enhancing PET recycling in small island economies like Curaçao. By reframing waste as a global systems challenge rather than a local management issue, this study contributes to a more inclusive, justice-oriented circular economy and offers a new lens for understanding the role of Small Island States in sustainability transitions. This study contributes to the field by making visible the structural exclusion of islands from global circular systems—even when they are formally connected to high-income governance structures. By comparing Curaçao and the Netherlands, it uncovers the institutional asymmetries that place island economies at a disadvantage. This perspective reframes PET recycling as a governance and equity issue, offering a foundation for more inclusive circular economy frameworks. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145440 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145262 Title: Challenges facing agriculture in Cyprus in the last two decades Abstract: This research investigates the factors that have led to the decline of the agricultural sector in Cyprus during the last two decades, and the role of small family businesses linked to the farming sector, as well as part-time farmers, as stewards of rural development, the environment, and cultural heritage. The gradual abandonment of the agricultural zones around the island, and the unrestrained infrastructure in the urban areas are issues particularly noticeable in the economy, society, and natural ecosystems. At the same time, the initiatives of small agriculture-related businesses and the activities of non-professional farmers that contribute to the endurance of the sector, are aspects not always supported by proper policy measures. This study employs a qualitative research approach, by first conducting a scoping literature review to highlight the gaps in the literature in relation to the role played by small agriculture-related businesses and the activities of non-professional farmers in Cyprus, to then conduct a qualitative content analysis of key documents from the EU and Cyprus to assess how and to what extent small farming-related businesses and the activities of nonprofessional farmers have been given attention and resulted in salient policy measures. Results show that little importance has been given to these two specific categories, both in terms of policy relevance and budget allocations. This suggests that further actions could be promoted to enhance support to these important actors, which are understood to be crucial for agricultural production and preservation of unique island cultural heritages. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145262 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144590 Title: The sustainability of seaweed aquaculture for blue growth and climate change adaptation in small island developing states : the case of Belize Abstract: This doctoral thesis investigated the sustainability of seaweed aquaculture in Belize, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). While SIDS are inherently subjected to the extreme environmental and socioeconomic impacts of climate change, limited research has examined climate adaptation strategies within the context of sustainable livelihoods in seaweed farming. This study explores how seaweed farming contributes to sustainable livelihoods by integrating community-based (CbA) and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) strategies framed through the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). The research is situated within the broader context of Blue Transformation and Blue Economy, addressing the connections between livelihoods, environmental management, and national development objectives aligned with global sustainability agendas such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A triangulated mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative component included focus group discussions using the Community-based Risk Screening Tool-Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL) toolkit, semi-structured interview household surveys, elite stakeholder interviews, and policy analysis using the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal (PESTEL) tool. The quantitative component included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, cross-tabulation, and multi-linear regressions models to examine the relationship between livelihood capitals and seaweed production. This methodological integration provided a comprehensive understanding of both community-level and policy-level factors impacting the sustainability of seaweed farming livelihoods. The findings reveal that seaweed farming in Belize represents a viable and environmentally sustainable livelihood, yet it faces challenges from both climatic and non-climatic factors. While ocean temperature rises and storms impact farm productivity, more persistent issues such as limited financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, and weak institutional support constrain the sector’s long-term sustainability. The results show that EbA and CbA approaches positivity impact production outcomes, while farm size, gender, and value-adding activities display complex associations with harvest levels. Qualitative findings highlight the importance of traditional knowledge, collective action, and environmental stewardship in sustaining seaweed mariculture practices. The integration of these findings demonstrates coherence between household livelihood strategies, local community initiatives, and institutional frameworks. The research identifies the need for coordinated governance, improved policy coherence, and greater technical and financial investment to strengthen seaweed aquaculture as part of Belize’s Blue Economy strategy. This thesis makes three key contributions. First, it provides new empirical evidence linking SLF with community and ecosystem-based approaches in the context of SIDS. Second, it broadens the conceptual scope of sustainable livelihoods by incorporating ecological and cultural dimensions, offering a transferable framework for analyzing marine-based livelihoods. Third, it contributes to policy and practice by identifying specific areas for targeted investment, technical training, and inclusive governance to enhance the long-term sustainability of seaweed farming. The study concludes that seaweed aquaculture in Belize offers a sustainable and socially inclusive pathway for economic diversification and climate-aware development. Its continued success depends on integrating local practices with coherent policy frameworks that empower small-scale producers and align with national and international blue growth priorities. Future research should expand upon this tripartite hazard screening analysis to explore the interactions between risks, livelihoods, ecosystems, and governance across SIDS and beyond. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144590 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144589 Title: Explorations of social suffering and violence in a bipartisan political context : the case of Jamaica Abstract: Social suffering and urban violence are significant factors for Kingston’s urban poor communities. This study explores these concepts within Jamaica’s bipartisan political environment. The foundation of this project is the view that Jamaica’s colonial past has concretised a two-party political system leading to political tribalism and violence. Engaging the lived realities of 24 Jamaicans, the study aims to improve the complicated reality of social suffering and violence in urban inner-city communities while navigating political power. This investigation delves deeply into the socio-historical consequences of two-party politics and tribalism for the people who live in these places. This study takes an interpretive phenomenological analytical approach. The study engaged in-depth semi-structured and key informant interviews as the primary methods of data collection. Naturalistic observations were engaged as a complementary tool to best engage the methods social actors use to make meaning in their daily realities. The project focuses on two communities aligned to the two dominant political parties in Jamaica: the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party. The study offers a novel conceptual position that political communities in Jamaica operate as landed islands, creating endemic government, economic, and social systems. The study examines the relational and mitigation strategies that the urban poor employ to respond to endemic systems. The study notes social actors use biomedical and sensory parameters to offer a robust description of poverty. Finally, the study centers social suffering as a prerequisite of these spaces – where social actors embrace suffering as a condition of landed islands. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144589 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z