Theory of change is a framework that helps organizations and individuals to understand how their activities lead to the desired social change. It is a process of identifying the changes that are expected to occur as a result of an intervention and then mapping out the steps that are necessary to achieve those changes1.
In the context of diverting solid waste away from landfills and generating plastic credits and carbon credits from the weight, by material type, diverted, the theory of change would involve identifying the missing middle. The missing middle refers to the gap between small-scale waste generators and large-scale waste processors. The missing middle is where most of the waste is generated but it is not being processed efficiently2.
The theory of change would involve identifying the missing middle and developing strategies to divert waste away from landfills. This includes developing recycling programs for specific materials such as plastics, aluminum, and food scraps. This includes developing composting programs for organic waste. The goal would be to divert as much waste as possible away from landfills and into recycling or composting programs1.
Generating plastic credits and carbon credits from the weight, by material type, diverted would involve measuring the amount of waste that is diverted from landfills by material type. This information could then be used to generate plastic credits and carbon credits. Plastic credits are generated when plastic waste is diverted from landfills and recycled or reused. Carbon credits are generated when organic waste is diverted from landfills and composted2.
To find out more information about SmartSort’s patented methods and processing for diverting reusable materials away from the landfill, please visit us at SmartSortAI.com or email us at info@SmartSortAI.com
