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Decentralized approaches to solid waste management (SWM) have gained global attention because of their provision for the effective participation of local communities. This study investigates community participation in decentralized solid waste management policy-making processes, drawing insights from Ghana. Using mixed methods, the study reveals that community participation only takes place at the policy implementation stage and takes the form of planning and managing community-led solid waste management initiatives such as occasional community clean-up exercise during festivals and public holidays, which are usually organized on a frequent basis. Regarding the factors that promote the solid waste management policy-making process, it was realized that “including the community in the solid waste management policy-making process” was the most important factor for the community to participate in the solid waste management policy-making process. Based on these findings, the top-down approach in solid waste management policy should be reversed to bottom-up approaches.

The rapid growth of the apparel industry has created strain in textile waste generation, posing a major problem with regards to waste management and sustainability around the world.  This paper aims to create a comparative analysis of textile waste management practices between the Global North and Global South. Through a systematic desktop review this paper examines the differences in infrastructure, regulatory frameworks; technology capacity and socio economic challenges that influence waste generation. The employed theoretical framework for this study is the E-M-S framework which examines the relationship between society and the environment drawing particular attention to how influences such political systems, cultural values, economic forces and social structures can shape shift how the efficiency of waste management and sustainability awareness in the apparel industry. The main findings of the study demonstrate that the Global North has created stronger policy enforcements, better action based strategies for waste management structures that is paired with a growing investment in circular economy strategies for textile waste technologies and consumer responsibility. However, in contrast, the Global South faces challenges of health and safety risks, environmental pollution and overwhelming economic pressures from imported textile waste. Finally, this study highlights the need for collaborative work and interdependence between two regions fostering context-specific approaches to textile waste management that is aligned to technological innovation, policy reform and social inclusion to globally improve sustainability in apparel industry.