A baseline scenario of municipal solid waste management

The baseline scenarios of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) activities that will expose the specific challenges militating against sustainable waste management in many developing countries are not properly documented or not understood. This paper established a baseline scenario of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in Ghana, through material flow analysis and understanding of MSW handling practices, using the Wa Municipality as a case study. The study was theoretically based on empirical observation and an exploratory design. The findings showed that sustainable waste management has remained elusive because MSWM in the case study area and Ghana in general, consist of some waste collection, transportation and open dumping, where the entire amount of waste is open dumped without pretreatment. The sorting of waste at the generation sources, and the provision of adequate MSWM infrastructure, through an integrated solid waste management system can ensure sustainable waste management in the country.

Towards integrated, and sustainable municipal solid waste management system in Shashemane city administration, Ethiopia

Inappropriate waste management is a considerable ecological risk, leading to detrimental effects on the soil, air, and water quality. It is imperative to address these concerns promptly to minimize the repercussions of solid waste on public health and the ecosystem. It is evident that the level of economic growth directly impacts waste generation. This study intends to use the life cycle assessment (LCA) technique to evaluate the environmental impacts of four alternative municipal solid waste (MSW) management scenarios in Peshawar City, Pakistan. The goal is to discover an option that is both sustainable and minimizes environmental damage. The study examined the system boundaries encompassing the collection and transportation of MSW, along with its processing and final disposal, employing composting, anaerobic digestion (AD), material recovery facilities (MRF), and landfill methods. Comprehensive field studies and an in-depth literature review provided the data regarding Peshawar's existing MSW management system and the proposed scenarios, all of which was inventoried in the OpenLCA 1.10.3 database. Following data collection, the CML-IA technique was employed to analyze the data, measuring the environmental footprint in terms of climate change potential, human toxicity, acidification potential, photochemical oxidation, and eutrophication. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to identify the influence of varying recycling rates on the environmental strain correlated with the proposed scenarios. The analysis results indicated that scenario S2, which combined composting, landfilling, and MRF, exhibited the least environmental impact compared to the other considered scenarios. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis reflected an inverse correlation between alterations in the recycling rate and the total environmental impact. To counter the environmental problems arising from waste generation, it is essential to incorporate principles of the circular economy into the MSW management approach.

Purpose – This paper examined the current status of municipal solid waste management across Nigeria. The core aspects covered are generation, characterization, collection, scavenging, open dumping, disposal and environmental implications of poor solid waste management. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview of the current state of municipal solid waste management in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – This study was executed by a combination of an extensive literature search and field study. Solid waste generation rates for 31 Nigerian cities were obtained from literature. In addition, characteristics of municipal solid waste from 26 Nigerian cities were also obtained from literature. Other aspects such as characterization of solid waste obtained from final dumpsite and heavy metals accumulation in solid waste dumpsites were undertaken first hand. Findings – Solid waste generation rate was found to vary from 0.13 kg/capita/day in Ogbomosho to 0.71 kg/capita/day in Ado-Ekiti. Factors affecting solid waste generation rates were identified. Typically, food waste was found to constitute close to 50 percent of overall municipal solid waste in Nigerian cities. This study shows that the rate of generation of plastics, water proof materials and diapers has assumed an upward trend. Due to the dysfunctional state of many municipal waste management authorities, many cities have been overrun by open dumps. For instance, more than 50 percent of residents of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria and Ughelli in southern Nigeria dispose of their waste in open dumps. Indiscriminate disposal of waste has also resulted in the preponderance of toxic heavy metals in agricultural soils and consequent bioaccumulation in plants as well as groundwater contamination. Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of this research is municipal waste management authorities do not have relevant data. Hence, there was heavy reliance on published materials. The status of waste management in Nigeria is very deplorable and therefore poses serious threats to public and environmental health. There is urgent need for both government and individuals to adopt holistic and sustainable waste management strategies in order to safeguard public/environmental health. Practical implications – Findings from this paper can form a veritable resource for the formulation and implementation of sustainable municipal solid waste management framework and strategies in Nigeria. Originality/value – While most studies on municipal solid waste management in Nigeria are focussed on selected cities of interest, this particular study cuts across most cities of Nigeria in order to present a broader and holistic view of municipal solid waste management in Nigeria. The paper has also unraveled core municipal solid waste management challenges facing Nigerian cities.

The study is presented in four sections. The first section defines the municipal solid waste and solid waste management system. The second section illustrates the descriptive statistical analysis of waste generation patterns in India. The average waste generation in India was 160,038.9 tons per day in 2021; 95% of this total waste was collected and transported to the disposal sites. Based on scientific studies and observations, the per capita waste generation rate in 2018 was 0.490–0.626 g per day. In the last one and a half decades (1999–2000 to 2015–2016), Delhi and Bangalore have shown the highest percentage growth of 2075% and 1750%, respectively, in total waste generation among the highest population cities. The analysis of waste generation patterns concludes urbanization is a major factor that highly influences the waste generation rate. The third section describes the major issues in current solid waste management services. Some of these issues are the unavailability of web portals for citizens, no real-time monitoring of bins, collection vehicles and illegal dumping. These issues are identified based on the survey performed in a city and analysis of related research studies and scientific reports. We determined that illegal dumping is one of these major concerns and needs a technological solution. In the fourth section, we propose a multipath convolutional neural network (mp-CNN) to detect and localize the waste dumps on streets and roadsides. We constructed our dataset to train and test the proposed model, as no benchmark dataset is publicly available to obtain this objective. We applied the weakly supervised learning approach to training the model. In this approach, mp-CNN was trained according to the image class; in our case, it is two (waste and non-waste). In the testing phase, the model showed the performance evaluation matrices 97.82% of precision, 98.86% of recall, 98.34% of F1 score, 98.33% of accuracy, and 98.63% of AUROC for this binary classification. Due to the scarcity of benchmark datasets, waste localization results cannot be presented quantitatively. So, we performed a survey to compare the overlapping of the mask generated by the model with the region waste in the actual image. The average score for the generated mask obtained a score of 3.884 on a scale of 5. Based on the analysis of model performance evaluation parameters, precision-recall curve, receiver characteristic operator curve, and comparison of mask generated by the model over waste with corresponding actual images show that mp-CNN performs remarkably good in detection, classification, and localization of waste regions. Finally, two conceptual architectures in the context of developing countries are suggested to demonstrate the future practical applications of the mp-CNN model.

This study collected data on waste generation and management in China between 1979 and 2020 from government statistics and literature and reviewed the development of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in China. The extended stochastic impact by regression on population, affluence and technology (STIRPAT) model was employed to identify the driving forces of MSW generation, and the cointegration analysis showed that economy (0.35, t = -3.47), industrial structure (3.34, t = -20.77) and urbanization (-1.5, t = 5.678) were the significant socioeconomic driving forces in the long run. By employing the framework of evolutionary economics, this study then investigated the internal rules of long-term interaction between socioeconomic factors and MSW management. The results indicate that, in the long run, MSW management development can be viewed as an evolutionary process that includes a continuous adaptation to external socioeconomic factors and the co-evolution of internal institutions and technologies. Adaptation and diversity of institutions and technologies play an important role in achieving sustainable waste management and circular economy (CE). This study offers a novel evolutionary perspective for explaining dynamic changes of MSW management in China, as well as recommendations for emerging economies to achieve sustainable waste management and CE goals.

Purpose Due to the increasing population and prosperity, the generation rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) has increased significantly, resulting in serious problems on public health and the environment. Every single person in the world is affected by the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) issue. MSWM is reaching a critical level in almost all areas of the world and seeking the development of MSW strategies for a sustainable environment. This paper aims to present the existing global status of MSW generation, composition, management and related problems. Design/methodology/approach A total of 59 developed and developing countries have been grouped based on their gross national income to compare the status of various MSWM technologies among them. A total of 19 selection criteria have been discussed to select appropriate MSWM technology(s) for a city/town, which affects their applicability, operational suitability and performance. All risks and challenges arising during the life cycle of the waste to energy (WtE) project have also been discussed. This paper also gives a comparative overview of different globally accepted MSWM technologies and the present market growth of all WtE technologies. Findings It was found that most developed countries have effectively implemented the solid waste management (SWM) hierarchy and are now focusing heavily on reducing, reusing and recycling of MSW. On the other hand, SWM has become very serious in low-income and low-middle-income countries because most of the MSW openly dumps and most countries are dependent on inadequate waste infrastructure and the informal sector. There are also some other major challenges related to effective waste policies, availability of funds, appropriate technology selection and adequacy of trained people. This study clears the picture of MSW generation, composition, management strategies and policies at the worldwide context. This manuscript could be valuable for all nations around the world where effective MSWM has not yet been implemented. Originality/value This study clears the picture of solid waste generation, composition, management strategies and policies at the worldwide context. This manuscript could be valuable for all nations around the world where effective MSWM has not yet been implemented. In this study, no data was generated. All supporting data were obtained from previously published papers in journals, the outcomes of the international conferences and published reports by government organizations.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management in Nigeria is a sorely underperforming sector in Nigeria. This underperformance has long been attributed to the neglect from its Federal and State Governments. However, critical assessment shows the need to adopt a systems approach and integrate data science technologies in identifying challenges and proposing solutions to Nigeria’s waste management sector. The study adopts a narrative review design, following the lacking research and waste quantitative data in assessing MSW management in Nigeria. It examines systems theory engineering models and assessment tools in the context of waste management, and adopts a case-study examination of Lagos State waste management processes and stakeholders. The study’s findings show that Nigeria is still significantly dependent on open dumping systems and incineration systems. Its waste recycling sector is inefficient and incapable of mitigating current waste pressures. This is evident in Lagos, as the state’s plastic recycling ranges between 3-6% of all plastic waste generated. The informal waste collectors (IWC) hold significant influence and these entities have continuously resisted formalisation from the Federal and State governments. Examining the 2020 waste management policy reveals some ambiguity in the responsibilities of the various stakeholders in the policy and institutional framework. The study proposes key strategies towards mitigating the lack of waste management enforcement mechanisms, absence of waste-to-wealth strategies, poor funding, and limited public awareness on recycling. This study’s value is in its systems approach to combatting Nigeria’s MSW pressure. This approach is underscored by the inclusion and astute application of data science technologies and stakeholder engagement across both public and private sectors. The study seeks to provide a foundation for more empirical research following the data gap and lack of academic research on Nigeria’s MSW management, in the hopes that it will catalyse sustainable MSW management solutions.

This chapter proposes for the introduction of a recycling system in developing countries to enhance sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Poor infrastructures, coupled with inadequate resources and lack of funding, work against the optimization of a MSW disposal service. Authorities in charge of waste management need to change not only behaviors, but modernize their processes. Recycling technology is a key part of the solution. A model has been developed which suggest the involvement of stakeholders to achieve meaningful sustainable MSWM. This can be achieved by recognizing the role of the informal sector through community-based organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. The open dump approach is leading to severe environmental consequences as groundwater and soil is been contaminated. In this chapter, an integrated municipal solid waste management approach was developed with a model to help achieve sustainable municipal solid waste management. Resource recovery, not waste disposal, must be the ultimate goal with clearly defined end user markets so that the recovery loop is complete. Mandatory sorting of waste at household level would help greatly in making recycling activity successful.

It is widely accepted that solid waste management is a global problem. This problem is even more pronounced in developing countries such as Nigeria where solid waste management is a major concern. In recent times, however, there has been a concerted effort towards engaging members of the public in solving the waste management crisis. This effort is centred on public participation in sustainable waste management practice across the country. Nevertheless, in Abuja there seems to be low public participation in sustainable wastes and environmental management practice. This paper therefore seeks to investigate the rate of participation in sustainable waste and environmental management activities in Abuja. In order to achieve the aim of the study, the paper relied on a sample of 57 participants to obtain some primary data. The paper employed a mixed method approach with the aid of a questionnaire. The questions were designed to gather data on demographics of the participants, their awareness and attitude to sustainable waste management, the barriers preventing public participation in a sustainable solid waste management and measures that can encourage public participation in sustainable waste management in Abuja. The study revealed that increase funding, provision of recycling collection points, enforcement of laws and policies, the development of effective policies and regulatory framework amongst others are some of the measures that can encourage public participation in sustainable waste management programs in Abuja.

Integrated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is a tedious task requiring the simultaneous fulfilment of technical, economical and social constraints. It combines a range of collection and treatment methods to handle all materials in the waste stream in an environmentally effective, economically affordable and socially acceptable way (McDougall, 2001). Due to the complexity of the issues required for effective integrated MSW management, various computer-aided approaches that help the decision makers reach their final decision have been engaged since the early days of integrated MSW management. Any computer-based system supporting decision making is defined as a DSS (Finlay, 1989). DSS incorporate computer-based models of real life biophysical and economic systems. There are two main categories of DSS applied to solid waste management: the first one, based on applied mathematics, emphasises application of statistical, optimisation or simulation modelling. The second category of DSS provides specific problem-solving expertise stored as facts, rules and procedures. In addition, there are also hybrid approaches. Recently, there has been a major shift towards Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) computer-aided tools. LCA is a holistic approach that is increasingly utilised for solid waste management especially in the decision-making process and in strategy-planning. LCA can be categorised as a hybrid approach since it utilises equations for inventory analysis and recycling loops on the one hand, while on the other it requires expertise input for impact assessment and characterisation. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a holistic approach that quantifies all environmental burdens and therefore all environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of products or processes (Rebitzer et al. 2004). LCA is not an exact scientific tool, but a science-based assessment methodology for the impacts of a product or system on the environment (Winkler & Bilitewski 2007). It is increasingly utilised for solid waste management systems especially in the decision-making process and in strategy-planning. LCA has been utilised for sustainable MSW management since 1995 (Guereca et al. 2006). LCA is an ideal tool for application in MSW management because geographic locations, characteristics of waste, energy sources, availability of some disposal options and size of markets for products derived from waste management differ widely (White et al., 1997; Mendes et al., 2004). LCA can help reduce local pressures and waste management costs, while considering the broader effects and trade-offs felt elsewhere across society (Koneczny and Pennington, 2007). The LCA procedure has been standardized in 1998 and revised in 2006 (ISO 14040, 2006). Based on this standard, LCA consists of the following four sections:

Comparative life cycle assessment of system solution scenarios for residual municipal solid waste management in NSW, Australia

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the present municipal solid wastes (MSWs) management system, from an engineering management (EM) perspective, for the City of Kitwe while proposing a levers-driven sustainable municipal solid waste management (MSWM) model focussing on improving waste management (WM).Design/methodology/approachThe research work involves four stages. First, a comprehensive review of literature is conducted on MSWM. Second, structured interviews are conducted with key experts in solid waste management in the City of Kitwe in order to enhance the knowledge inputs. Third, direct observations and an interview with a WM driver are conducted in order to understand; the collection, disposal and treatment options for MSWs. Lastly, a sustainable model for managing MSWs is proposedFindingsThe research findings indicate that the existing MSW system for the city is highly unsustainable and lacks EM methodologies. There are still a number of challenges in the management of MSWs which include: lack of proper collection and storage of MSWs; lack of an engineered landfill; lack of waste recovery and treatment systems; and lack of public education aimed at reducing and separating MSWs.Practical implicationsA correct and detailed database for waste generation, collection, treatment and disposal is needed for the City of Kitwe. The system is necessary for WM resources allocation as well as for planning sustainable WM projects. The proposed model has been developed based on the actual observations, data collection and analysis.Originality/valueThe research identifies a gap in the management of MSWs for the City of Kitwe. This work is original as no similar MSW model has been proposed globally and specific for a developing economy such as Africa.

Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM), which include generation of wastes, collection, transportation, recycling and reuse, and disposal poses threat to humans especially the waste handlers and managers and the entire ecosystem. In this study, relevant data and information about the health hazards associated with MSWM were gathered using structured questionnaires administered to three different categories of municipal solid waste (MSW) handlers namely; Domestic Waste Handlers (DWHs), Highway Waste Managers (HWMs) and Dumpsite Waste Managers and Scavengers (DWMSs) in Lagos and Ibadan. Site visits and interviews were conducted to evaluate the general health status of the waste managers and the current MSWM practises in the cities. The results showed that personal protective equipment were not used by many of the managers; wastes were not segregated at the point of generation and/or collection, waste from different sources such as industrial, agricultural, household, commercial etc., some of which contained hazardous materials were codisposed in open dumpsites. Thus, exposure of solid waste managers to hazardous substances in the waste stream was apparent, which might cause diseases such as skin infections among others as a result of improper and unsustainable MSWM. The lack of and none usage of personal protective equipment alongside with the ignorance of the waste handlers may results in occupational health hazards associated with MSWM. These people had suffered for ailments from occupational exposure to toxic, hazardous and infectious substances present in the waste stream. Hence, the needs for proper training, awareness raising and enlightenment of the waste handlers on the risks and health hazards of improper protection and haphazard solid waste management. The need for sustainable and integrated waste management is recommended. Keywords: Municipal solid waste, Health hazard, Dumpsite, Waste handler, Waste management

PurposeThe research objectives are as follows: to understand the situation of solid waste management in the Makham Tia Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Surat Thani Province, Thailand; identify the patterns in household waste generation and 3Rs behavior (recycle, reuse and reduce waste); and formulate sustainable municipal solid waste management guidelines.Design/methodology/approachThis study aimed to propose the solution by using data analysis and a participatory research approach to set the guidelines for sustainable community waste management in a low-budget area. A survey of household behavior was done with questionnaires. Mixed clustering using the Gower coefficient was performed to assess the categorical socio-demographic variables along with the numeric variables related to the 3Rs behavior. The guidelines for waste management were generated based on the characteristics of the household groups.FindingsThe guidelines for waste management were generated based on the characteristics of the household groups. An appropriate practical plan for municipal solid waste management in Makham Tia Subdistrict was proposed in this work. The study showed that the guidelines were implemented and revised by members of the community, and this led to the development of sustainable community solid waste management for the future.Originality/valueThe goal of this study was to provide a solution for sustainable community waste management in a low-budget location by using data mining techniques and a participatory research approach. The study showed that the guidelines were implemented and revised by members of the community, and this led to the development of sustainable community solid waste management for the future.