Scholarly work · 2012–2026
Publications
Peer-reviewed research, working papers, and policy reports by Dr. Calvin Lakhan and the Circular Innovation Hub on extended producer responsibility, recycling system performance, reuse, and environmental behaviour.
31
Peer-reviewed articles and book chapters
15
Working papers and preprints
27
Reports and white papers
2
Open-access research libraries
Featured
Recent highlights
Nature Reviews Materials · 2026
Why insisting on circularity and stigmatizing disposal undermines sustainability
An argument that treating circularity as an end in itself, and disposal as failure, can work against better environmental outcomes.
Working paper · 2026
Behavioural attrition, product specificity, and the conditional case for consumer packaging reuse
Reuse is conditional, not inherently superior: a reusable package only outperforms single-use when enough real cycles are achieved.
Open-access tools
The Packaging EPR Library and Packaging Label Atlas
Searchable libraries documenting packaging producer responsibility systems and labelling rules across jurisdictions worldwide.
Academic
Peer-reviewed articles and book chapters
Refereed journal articles and book chapters. Where a preprint or plain-language research snapshot exists, it is linked alongside the published version.
2026
Why insisting on circularity and stigmatizing disposal undermines sustainability
Lakhan, C. (2026). Nature Reviews Materials.
2025
Closing the loop: How regenerative robust gasification enhances recycling and supply chain resilience
Lakhan, C., Welt, B. A., Gazaleh, J., & Boz, Z. (2025). Recycling, 10(6), 209.
Book chapter
Bridging the gap
Lakhan, C. (2025). In A. Assuah & K. T. W. Ng (Eds.), Solid Waste Management in Canada: Approaches, Practices, and Experiences. Routledge.
2024
Understanding illegal dumping in Ontario: Drivers, barriers, and policy recommendations
Lakhan, C. (2024). GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 20(3), 212–225.
Barriers to laminated film recycling: Challenges and opportunities in engineering solutions
Lakhan, C. (2024). Journal of Engineering Research and Reports, 26(10), 54–60.
Evaluating the effectiveness, costs, and challenges of deposit return systems for beverage containers: A meta-analysis
Lakhan, C. (2024). World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 13(1), 112–131.
DOI → · SSRN → · SocArXiv →
Consumer habits and behaviors relating to reusable packaging
Lakhan, C. (2024). International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science, 6(8).
Ethnic variation in stated recycling attitudes and behaviors among households in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2024). Advances in Recycling & Waste Management, 9(2), 130–148.
2022
Exploring the use of astronomical seasons in municipal solid waste disposal rates modeling
Adusei, K. K., Ng, K. T. W., Mahmud, T. S., Karimi, N., & Lakhan, C. (2022). Sustainable Cities and Society, 86, 104115.
2018
The garbage gospel: Using the theory of planned behavior to explain the role of religious institutions in affecting pro-environmental behavior among ethnic minorities
Lakhan, C. (2018). The Journal of Environmental Education, 49(1), 43–58.
2016
Optimizing emissions targets for residential recycling programmes: Why “more” is not necessarily better with respect to diversion
Lakhan, C. (2016). Waste Management & Research, 34(10).
Out of sight, out of mind: Issues and obstacles to recycling in Ontario’s multi-residential buildings
Lakhan, C. (2016). Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 108, 1–9.
The relationship between municipal waste diversion incentivization and recycling system performance
Lakhan, C. (2016). Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 106, 68–77.
Effectiveness of recycling promotion and education initiatives among first-generation ethnic minorities in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2016). Social Sciences, 5(2), 23.
Calculating the emissions impacts of waste electronics recycling in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2016). C – Journal of Carbon Research, 2(2), 11.
Consumer perception of environmental harm and willingness to pay environmental handling fees
Lakhan, C. (2016). Environments, 3(1), 8.
Do eco-fees encourage design for the environment? The relationship between environmental handling fees and recycling rates for printed paper and packaging
Lakhan, C. (2016). Recycling, 1(1), 136–146.
Factors influencing increases in residential recycling system costs for Ontario’s Blue Box program
Lakhan, C. (2016). Advances in Recycling & Waste Management, 1(1).
Modeling the economic impacts of increasing diversion in Ontario’s industrial, commercial and institutional (IC&I) sector
Lakhan, C. (2016). Advances in Recycling & Waste Management, 1(1).
A glance at the world
Lakhan, C., Gour, A. A., Singh, S. K., Mandal, A., & Ponnaluru, S. S. (2016). Waste Management, 55, I–III.
2015
North of the 46° parallel: Obstacles and challenges to recycling in Ontario’s rural and northern communities
Lakhan, C. (2015). Waste Management, 44, 216–226.
Diversion, but at what cost? The economic challenges of recycling in Ontario
Lakhan, C. (2015). Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 95, 133–142.
Evaluating the effects of unit based waste disposal schemes on the collection of household recyclables in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2015). Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 95.
Differences in self reported recycling behavior of first and second generation South Asians in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2015). Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 97.
A comparison of single and multi-stream recycling systems in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2015). Resources, 4(2), 384–397.
Stakeholder perceptions of unit based waste disposal schemes in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2015). Resources, 4(3), 434–452.
An analysis of waste transfer payments: Municipal waste diversion incentivization and recycling rate performance in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2015). SAGE Open, 5(3).
Use of statistical and GIS techniques to assess and predict concentrations of heavy metals in soils of Lahore City, Pakistan
Alam, N., Ahmad, S. R., Qadir, A., Ashraf, M. I., Lakhan, C., & Lakhan, V. C. (2015). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187, 1–11.
2014
Exploring the relationship between municipal promotion and education investments and recycling rate performance in Ontario, Canada
Lakhan, C. (2014). Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 92, 222–229.
2012
Alternative waste management strategies in the Caribbean: Developing structured cooperatives from informal recycling initiatives
Lakhan, C. (2012). Caribbean Studies.
Academic
Working papers and preprints
Manuscripts shared ahead of peer review through SSRN and SocArXiv.
2026
Ecomodulation of extended producer responsibility fees: A literature review
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
From eco-anxiety to agency: A policy primer on environmental distress, public trust, and community resilience
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
Behavioural attrition, product specificity, and the conditional case for consumer packaging reuse
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
Why reusable packaging leaks: Deconstructing consumer-driven attrition in closed-loop systems
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
Environmental socialization, infrastructure familiarity, and communication accessibility among first-generation immigrant populations in Ontario recycling systems
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
Perceived behavioral control and the inversion of the waste hierarchy: Explaining recycling dominance in public waste perceptions
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
The anatomy of recycling cynicism and systemic friction across divergent end-of-life material streams: Packaging, e-waste, and household hazardous waste
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
Designed for whom? Spatial inequity, settlement dynamics, and newcomer exclusion from community circular economy infrastructure
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
The stagnation paradox: A longitudinal analysis of structural limitations in Canadian extended producer responsibility programs
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper.
Beyond the language barrier: Digital divides and environmental participation in immigrant communities
Lakhan, C. (2026). SSRN working paper (v2; v1 2025).
2025
Circularity as gendered performance: The impact of “zero waste” attributes on product masculinity and consumer acceptance
Lakhan, C. (2025). SSRN working paper.
The perception paradox: Why our love affair with recycling is hindering sustainability
Lakhan, C. (2025). SSRN working paper.
Consumer attitudes toward refillable and reusable packaging: Bridging the value-action gap
Lakhan, C. (2025). SSRN working paper; SocArXiv preprint.
2024
Best practices in sustainable communication for minority communities
Lakhan, C. (2024). SSRN working paper; SocArXiv preprint.
The language of sustainability, Chapter 1: Framing in sustainability communication
Lakhan, C. (2024). SocArXiv preprint.
Grey literature
Reports and white papers
Policy analyses, economic modelling, best-practice guides, and research reports prepared for governments, industry, and non-profit partners.
2024
Best practices for organics diversion in multi-residential buildings: A review of the literature
Lakhan, C. (2024). Literature review.
Consumer habits and behaviors relating to sustainable package labeling
Lakhan, C. (2024). Research report.
Extended producer responsibility for packaging: Frequently asked questions
Lakhan, C. (2024). White paper.
Foundational principles for integrating traditional knowledge in circular economy frameworks
Lakhan, C. (2024). White paper.
The language of sustainability, Chapter 3: Overcoming psychological distance in sustainability communication
Lakhan, C. (2024). Learning series.
Cognitive accessibility in sustainability communication: A guide for decision-makers
Lakhan, C. (2024). Guide.
2023
Best practices in addressing illegal dumping of durable waste: A guide for policy makers
Lakhan, C., & Adjei, N. (2023). Prepared for the Mattress Recycling Council.
Consumer attitudes towards packaging and packaging waste
Lakhan, C., Weiderick, B., & Adjei, N. (2023). University of Florida – York University study.
2021
Key data considerations prior to the adoption of an extended producer responsibility program for packaging waste
Lakhan, C. (2021). White paper.
Overview of governance models for EPR programs for packaging waste
Lakhan, C. (2021). White paper.
EPR checklist and necessary considerations: Pre-requisites for effective producer responsibility legislation
Lakhan, C. (2021). Policy brief.
Extended producer responsibility primer: Answers to common questions and claims
Lakhan, C. (2021). White paper.
What is the goal of the Blue Box? Why recycling isn’t always what’s best for the environment or our wallet
Lakhan, C. (2021). White paper.
2020
A historical overview of Recycle BC’s EPR program for household packaging waste
Lakhan, C. (2020). Report.
Economic analysis of expanding the list of obligated packaging materials (“packaging-like products”) in the Ontario Blue Box program
Lakhan, C. (2020). Economic analysis.
Estimating EPR costs associated with expanding the obligation into the industrial, commercial and institutional sector
Lakhan, C. (2020). Economic analysis.
Modeling EPR impacts on the price of consumer packaged goods in Ontario
Lakhan, C. (2020). Economic analysis.
2019
Why Ontario’s plan to tackle plastic waste will not save taxpayers money: A review of Ontario’s transition to full extended producer responsibility
Lakhan, C. (2019). Policy critique.
2016
Something stinks: Issues surrounding access to public space recycling and socioeconomic inequality
Lakhan, C. (2016). Research snapshot.
Open-access tools
Research libraries
Living, searchable databases maintained by the Hub.
The Packaging EPR Library
Lakhan, C. (2026). Database of packaging extended producer responsibility systems by jurisdiction.
The Packaging Label Atlas
Lakhan, C. (2026). Database of packaging labelling rules by jurisdiction.
Doctoral research
Doctoral thesis
A critical review of Ontario’s Blue Box program: Identifying and testing best practices in printed paper and packaging recycling
Lakhan, C. (2015). PhD thesis, Wilfrid Laurier University.
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