Waste Management Research in Sri Lanka: Exploring Trends, Identifying Gaps, and Gaining Key Insights Through Bibliometric Analysis

Waste generation has emerged as a critical global challenge, driven by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and evolving consumption patterns with insatiable needs and a shift away from minimalization. In 2023, cities worldwide generated 2.3 billion tonnes of solid waste annually, whereas Sri Lanka accounts for millions of tonnes annually. Continued waste generation is expected to increase from 2.3 billion to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. Despite the global emphasis on advanced waste management practices such as recycling, composting, and circular economy models, there is a notable lack of systematic understanding of the research landscape in developing nations like Sri Lanka. This absence creates a critical gap in identifying the evolution, key contributors, and dominant themes in the country's waste management area. To bridge this gap, bibliometric analyses offer a structured way to explore trends and identify key contributors in the field. This study aims to present a comprehensive bibliometric review of waste management research conducted in Sri Lanka, providing insights into its evolution, dominant themes, and emerging research directions. Using 235 research articles published between 1990 and 2023 and data extracted from the OpenAlex database, the analysis was conducted with Biblioshiny software to examine publication trends, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution. Key findings are summarized into five main points. First, research output has steadily increased since 2010, with a remarkable growth peak around 2020, reflecting growing scholarly interest. Second, the University of Moratuwa emerges as a dominant contributor, alongside international collaborations with institutions from countries like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Third, thematic analysis reveals that sustainability practices, waste-to-energy conversion, and recycling are dominant themes. At the same time, policy development, public participation, and electronic waste management are identified as emerging research areas. Fourth, bibliometric data emphasizes the role of influential journals like Waste Management and Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management in shaping the field. Finally, keyword analysis highlights interconnected themes such as environmental monitoring, public health concerns, and the socio-economic aspects of waste management. This bibliometric review, focused on Sri Lanka, provides a foundation for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to identify critical gaps and advocate for the integration of innovative technologies and cross-disciplinary strategies that advance sustainable waste management practices and policy development.