Read the passage below carefully and match each paragraph to its central argument.
[Paragraph 1]
Rapid urbanization in West African coastal cities has led to an exponential increase in municipal solid waste, particularly single-use plastics. Local government authorities struggle with limited budgetary allocations and inadequate collection infrastructure, leaving tons of uncollected garbage to clog urban drainage systems and contaminate coastal marine habitats.
[Paragraph 2]
In response to these infrastructural deficits, informal waste-picking communities have stepped in to perform essential sanitation functions. Operating without formal recognition or safety equipment, these independent workers retrieve substantial volumes of recyclable materials from landfills and street corners, serving as the primary operational backbone of urban material recovery.
[Paragraph 3]
To address the vulnerabilities of informal workers while improving recovery rates, social enterprises have launched digital platform solutions. Mobile applications now connect local waste pickers directly with recycling firms, streamlining logistics, standardizing material pricing, and providing informal workers with digital financial services and verifiable income histories.
[Paragraph 4]
While technological and informal initiatives offer immediate relief, environmental experts contend that long-term waste reduction demands fundamental policy transformation. True sustainability will only be achieved when regional governments enact extended producer responsibility laws, compelling manufacturers to redesign packaging and fund circular economy infrastructure.
Which central argument corresponds to each paragraph of the passage?
- Paragraph 1Inadequate municipal waste infrastructure leads to severe urban plastic pollution.
- Paragraph 2Informal waste collectors perform a vital role in bridging public sanitation gaps.
- Paragraph 3Digital platforms enhance recycling efficiency and empower informal waste workers.
- Paragraph 4Sustainable waste management requires government policy shifts toward producer responsibility.