A critical evaluation of partnerships in municipal waste management in England

Purpose Poor municipal solid waste management is a major characteristic of urban development in Africa. In Ghana, local governments are mandated to ensure the collection, treatment and disposal of solid waste. However, this has been a herculean task for local governments in Ghana, owing to inadequate resources and weak technical capacities. This has prompted calls for, and actual involvement of the private sector through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in municipal solid waste management, particularly in the urban areas. This study aims to assess the roles, effectiveness and challenges of PPPs in urban waste management in the Sunyani municipality of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a case study design, the study used a qualitative research approach to provide in-depth insights into PPPs in municipal solid waste management in the Sunyani municipality of Ghana. Therefore, key informant interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted. Findings The study revealed that some policies and actions of the local government (Assembly) do not positively facilitate the effective functioning of PPPs in municipal solid waste management. There is also lack of effective stakeholder consultation, collaboration and grassroot inclusion in the PPPs which affect the effective management of the increasing volumes of solid waste being generated within the municipality. Practical implications To achieve the objectives of the PPP arrangements, local authorities should initiate steps to effectively coordinate all the involved private companies. There must also be ways of involving the beneficiaries in the design and implementation of PPPs on waste management to allow for effective grassroots and participatory monitoring and evaluation. Originality/value The uniqueness of the case study being a mid-sized and secondary city in a developing country enhances the value of the findings and the application of recommendations in cities with similar characteristics and initiatives in improving PPPs in municipal waste management.

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 aim of this study was to use the life cycle assessment (LCA) instrument to assess the different municipal solid waste (MSW) management scenarios for the South Bačka region. LCA has proven to be a very effective instrument for identifying strategies that minimize negative environmental impacts. A comparative analysis is very important for decision makers and planners in the waste sector. This paper presents the application of the LCA model described in the Part I of this study. This model combined life cycle inventory model (IWM2) and life cycle impact assessment method (Impact2002+) to compare and evaluate the municipal solid waste system with the purpose of identifying environmental benefits and disadvantages, as well as the economic cost of defined scenarios of waste management systems that could be implemented. The model was applied to a regional municipal waste management system in South Bačka (The Republic of Serbia). Four scenarios of waste management are defined. The scenarios include the combination of different treatments of waste (biological and thermal), and a sanitary landfill. The results show clear differences between the scenarios in the selected indicators and quantify the relative advantages and disadvantages of different waste management scenarios. The model is a useful tool to support decision-makers to choose the technology of solid municipal waste treatment. Also, the participants in the planning of solid waste management will enable a better understanding of the importance of LCA method. Finally, it will help the improvement of the strategic planning process in the field of environmental protection, without which it is impossible to achieve the concept of sustainable development in the AP Vojvodina.

The article examines the main results of the legislative reform in Ukraineʼs municipal waste management sector. It identifies key issues hindering the effective implementation of new legislative norms, such as bureaucratic obstacles, insufficient funding, and the ongoing war. The roles of the national, regional, and local levels of government in the municipal waste management process are analyzed, highlighting the necessity of their interaction. The importance of coordinating actions among all stakeholders to ensure sustainable development and effective municipal waste management is emphasized. Ukraine’s Constitution, adopted in 1996, laid the foundation for a legal state and established fundamental principles of environmental safety, including the right to a safe environment and the state’s duty to maintain ecological balance. However, the previous Waste Management Law, despite being in effect for over 20 years, was ineffective due to a lack of systematic approach, poor coordination, and outdated infrastructure. In response to these challenges, the government initiated a comprehensive legislative reform to align with European standards and improve coordination. The new Waste Management Law, adopted in 2023, aims to address these issues. However, many necessary changes are still in progress, delayed by bureaucratic obstacles and the ongoing war, which has shifted government priorities towards national security. A critical challenge remains the coordination of actions between different levels of government and waste management entities. Effective waste management requires close interaction between national, regional, and local levels, encompassing infrastructure development, waste collection, transportation, and resource allocation. Such coordination is crucial for achieving sustainable development and environmental safety in Ukraine. The article underscores the need for special procedures to accelerate the approval of critically important environmental legislation. While international organizations often push necessary decisions, aligning national strategies with European integration and funding conditions, the active role of national, regional, and local authorities is essential. Improved cooperation and communication among all levels of government and stakeholders can significantly enhance the efficiency of municipal waste management systems in Ukraine.

The expansion of urban areas, changing patterns of consumption and industrialization resulting in an increase in municipal waste generation are deteriorating the quality of environment, thereby posing a risk to sustainable development. The seriousness of the problem increases in a scenario where natural resources are getting scarcer and the traditional system of landfill is still being practiced extensively for solid waste disposal. Most often technology is considered as an essential component of the waste management where the functionality of different technologies depends on the quantity of waste and its composition. However, other factors such as government policy, legal framework, and financial allocation, social and cultural context play an equally vital role for an efficient waste management system, which is often ignored. Recognizing the importance of sustainable development and environmental conservation, the role of institutions and technology in delivering efficient waste management system has been evident in countries pioneering in waste management. This paper addresses the issue of municipal solid waste management by taking the case of India. It discusses the present municipal waste management system, practices and policies in India. In an evolutionary approach, it highlights the gaps in policy formulation, points out the challenges that the sector is facing and makes an attempt to suggest a way forward through a study of the municipal waste management policies and practices adopted in other countries that had championed waste management.

Greenhouse gases emission from municipal waste management: The role of separate collection

The city is an invention of human civilization that is distinguished, among other things, by the presence of infrastructure systems that assist public utility management. Globally, there is a growing awareness of the vital role that water and waste management play in sustainable development. The sustainable management of utility systems is unquestionably in the public and state interest. Therefore, this chapter presents current good practices and general ideas that constitute a foundation for beginning sustainable water and municipal waste management efforts in any activity. It also discusses the fundamental ways of improving sustainability in the municipal waste and water supply management sectors.

This article addresses the scientific gap relating to the limited representation of municipal waste policies in quantitative assessments, as well as their goal to “catch up” economies in the context of SDG 12. The novelty of the paper is defined by the guidelines developed for the consistent logical research of the effectiveness of municipal waste collection and management policies. Herein, a Lithuanian case is considered, with the period of analysis ranging from 2012 to 2023. A review of the scientific literature, an analysis of waste policy, and statistical data analysis methods were applied. The statistical data analysis showed that, while waste generation was historically increasing in parallel with the growth in national income and was therefore inconsistent with the long-term goal to reduce waste, municipal waste, which remains present in a significant amount and makes up one-fifth of the waste structure, is decreasing by 2.0% a year, which is conducive to achieving the goal. An analysis of the municipal waste treatment structure revealed that the priority order of waste management is maintained, as ready-to-reuse and recycling are dominant (accounting for half of all municipal waste management activities), followed by incineration, which accounts for a third of all municipal waste management activities. The requirement to reduce municipal waste disposal in landfills is being successfully implemented. From 2012 to 2023, the proportion of municipal waste disposal in landfills significantly decreased, and it presently accounts for 8.0%, while the target value is 5% by 2030. Difficulties arise in implementing requirements to sort municipal waste and increase the share of ready-to-reuse and recycled waste. In 2023, 66% of municipal waste was mixed, and the share of sorted municipal waste is slowly increasing. A decrease in recycled and ready-to-reuse municipal waste has been observed since 2017. Food waste is a particular issue. A total of 100.9 kilotons of food was wasted in 2023; however, this value is 12.3% less than that of 2020. Other indicators are also analyzed in this article. The results show changes in unsustainable consumption habits and a shift towards responsible consumption in relation to the implemented municipal waste collection and management policy. In the future, it will be necessary to conduct research into the problems that are identified in this article in order to propose scientifically sound and responsible consumption solutions in the areas responding to SDG 12; this will increase the effectiveness of municipal waste collection and management policies.

Theoretical background: As we work towards achieving sustainable development under Goal 12, which entails promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, one of our key tasks is to minimize waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reusing. Local government units (LGUs) have a significant role to play in implementing this task. By investing in municipal waste management, LGUs can influence the behavior of residents toward responsible waste collection and management, including hazardous waste. Purpose of the article: This article aims to evaluate how local government spending affects municipal waste management in different voivodeships. The hypothesis of this paper is that local government expenditure improve waste management effects. To achieve effective spending that supports sustainable development, public authorities at the regional level must coordinate their activities and adapt to EU standards. Research methods: This article used literature and statistical analysis to adopt dynamics indicators and correlation coefficients. Data on selected variables for the study came from the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office and Eurostat. Main findings: According to the analyses conducted, there has been a positive development in municipal waste management in Polish communes. This suggests that the government’s policies are contributing towards achieving the sustainable development goal of responsible and sustainable waste management, especially when it comes to hazardous waste. These findings could be utilized to recommend to public authorities the necessary changes to fiscal instruments that would promote sustainable public finances.

As more studies were conducted and global events unfold, a greater emphasis is being placed on the importance of preserving the Earth's natural resources and cycles before we face a catastrophic climate crisis. Thus, developed countries are constantly adapting their policies and legislation to promote green development for the sake of sustainable development, which benefits both the environment and the socioeconomic segment. As populations grow and living standards improve, more waste is generated. Appropriate municipal waste management is necessary to avoid harm to the environment, wildlife, and human health. Sustainable municipal solid waste management is even included in the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the world's environment and economy. The European Union (EU) member states' waste management systems can be considered exemplary. In some countries, landfills have been prohibited, promoting the use of more sustainable technologies such as organic waste incineration, recycling, and composting. However, a divide exists between member countries, with some lagging behind in terms of waste management strategies. Thus, this paper examined the current state of municipal waste in EU member states, followed by a review of the various disposal technologies implemented. The difficulties and environmental concerns that must be overcome are discussed, as are the recommendations and possible future directions.

The waste sector is a significant and growing source of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Most developing countries are minor contributors to global GHG, and produce limited emissions from municipal solid waste. However, as poor countries become integrated into global circuits of production and consumption, their contributions to global GHG emissions are likely to increase concomitantly. National and local governments and international agencies have identified municipal waste sector reform and modernisation in emerging economies as a global priority for climate change mitigation. International attention and funding is increasingly targeted towards improved and sustainable waste management in developing countries, both as part of climate change mitigation strategies and as a response to the marine litter crises. However, when moving towards more sustainable practices of waste management, it is important to take into account socioeconomic factors and how modern approaches to sustainable waste management will impact the livelihoods of people who currently find their income – often informally – in current waste management activities. Here we look at how gender norms play an important role in current waste management practices and how gender equality is influenced if the modernisation of waste sector is not taking into account gender aspects.

Due to the large quantities of municipal waste generated, their harmful effects on the environment should be minimized. The rationalization of waste management is therefore necessary to achieve a more sustainable development system. In order to support the decision-making process for municipal waste management, this document focuses on developing models for practical use by local authorities in forecasting and managing the size of waste stream in their area. This action, because of its specificity, is a difficult task, especially because of the systemic changes made and the territorial differentiation and changes in the living level of the population. The work presents studies conducted in 2479 municipalities for which mass accumulation index forecasts were developed, using selected methods based on readily available input variables that have not yet been used (structure municipalities and typology of municipalities by scope of influence). The studies confirmed the hypothesis that the amount of municipal waste collected from households depends both on the administrative type of the municipality and on the factors related to the location and socioeconomic function of the area. The inclusion of localization and socioeconomic factors, which so far were not used to model the municipal waste stream, allowed for the reduction of the prediction error of this indicator. Relevant waste stream forecasts will allow local governments to achieve more effectively the objective of sustainable waste management and thus reduce their environmental impact. The achievement of this objective will be possible not only through the preparation of infrastructure to serve the projected waste volumes; it will also identify the waste management areas where the municipal waste reception process is inadequate. Thus, it will help to eliminate illegal processing and the landfill of waste.

Managing waste efficiently is essential for building sustainable, livable and healthy communities but this remains a challenge for many municipal governments due to limited municipal budget and other logistical challenges. Such challenges result in ineffective waste collection and disposal. However, identifying the challenges associated with municipal solid waste management often lead to developing solutions to mitigate the problem. This paper assesses the waste management practices and challenges within the Techiman municipality, the regional capital of the Bono East Region. By sampling residents’ perceptions and experiences it was observed that households and patrons were dissatisfied with Techiman’s Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM). Statistically the per capita per day rate of waste generation was 0.48kg/ per capita/per day, being higher than Ghana’s municipal waste generation of 0.40 kg/per capita/per day. Lack of collection of waste from the transfer stations to the landfill sites has resulted in about 67 heaps of uncollected waste in the municipality. The results show that lack of source separation and recycling, broken down trucks, low participation of private sector in waste collection, non-compliance of by-laws, poor road infrastructure leading to the landfill site, and inefficient landfill site have contributed to the waste problem in the municipality. Resorting to source separation, educating the public on waste management bye laws, increasing private sector participation and establishing engineered landfill sites can substantially contribute to sustainable Municipal Waste Management in the Techiman Municipality.

This article investigates the efforts of the Environmental Public Interest Litigation Network (EPIL Network) to understand how Chinese environmental civil society proactively created a network to mobilize resources, forge collaborative actions, and build capacities and foster wisdom to catalyze changes in the environmental rule of law and in the area of municipal solid waste management. Using civil society network analysis, this article aims to identify and account for interactions between the EPIL Network and other stakeholders, including the government. Finally, the study highlights the contributions of the EPIL Network, which provides an option for resolving political conflicts in China regarding municipal waste management.

Municipal solid waste is a serious environmental hazard and social problem in Bangladesh. Currently a gigantic volume of solid waste is generated every day in the district towns of Bangladesh and unfortunately solid waste management is being deteriorated day by day due to the limited resources to handle the increasing rate of generated waste. In order to check the waste management situation a detailed survey in different cities of Bangladesh has been done in this study. Although a significant amount of municipal waste is collected by community based organizations, conservancy wings of the cities can not dispose more than 50% of the generated wastes. This study reflects the adverse impacts of pollution through solid waste and deteriorating situation of municipal solid waste management in capital city Dhaka, divisional city Sylhet, greater district town Tangail and Rangamati and new district town Gazipur.