A multi-criteria assessment of alternative sustainable solid waste management of flexible packaging

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.

Foreword. Some issues of intragenerational and intergenerational equity and measurement of sustainable development B. Nath. Regional planning and economic sustainability issues of municipal SWM: experience from Greece relevant to the Black-Sea countries C.D. Panagiotakopoulos, D.C. Panagiotakopoulos. Solid waste management in developing countries - a case study of Turkey G. Kocasoy. Solid waste priority projects for the sustainable development of south-east Bulgaria Y. Pelovski, et al. Sustainable solid waste management in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: a NATO initiative B. Nath, L. Marinova. The National Waste Management Programme of Bulgaria M. Dishovski, et al. The sustainable landfill bioreactor - a flexible approach to solid waste management W. Powrie, J.P. Robinson. Materials recycling - strategic management and conditions for economic viability B. De Caevel, A. Buekens. Municipal investment strategies and national policies in the process of accession to the European Union: impressions from Bulgaria P. Dax, P. Borisova. Monitoring of waste in Bulgaria for sustainable waste management N. Boneva, et al. Thiourea leaching of gold-bearing mine wastes from the Madjarovo processing plant in the south east of Bulgaria S. Gaydardjiev. A pilot-scale passive system for the treatment of acid mine drainage S.N. Groudev, et al. Treatment of solid waste generated from the manufacture of polyacrylonitrile fibre E.I. Terlemesian, S.K. Stoyanov. Sustainable solid waste management in Turkey C. Guresinli. Solid waste management on the Black Sea coast of Turkey E. Erdin, S. Tokgoz. Separation, collection and transportation of municipal solid waste - a case study in Turkey F. Taner, et al. Solid waste management efforts in Turkey -- regional solidwaste management in Adana-Mersin H. Evliya. Proposal for a sustainable solid waste management scheme for the coastal zone of Antalya, Turkey B. Kalkanoglu, B. Topkaya. On the statistical probabilistic modelling of the diffusion of fine solid materials O. Makarynskyy, D. Makarynska. Urban waste management in Romania -- a case study in Iasi City A. Atudorei. Problems and prospects of sustainable solid waste management in Romania A. Leca, et al. On the management of solid waste generated at the Constanza Shipyard, Romania N. Peride, et al. The abstracts. Importance of waste biomass from household, agricultural and industrial waste for a sustainable farming system M.Z. Doicheva. Prospects for sustainable waste management in Georgia M. Tzereteli, T. Tetvadze. Treatment of solid waste in the Municipality of New Orestiada, Greece A. Papaeoanu. High humidity domestic solid waste pyrolysis with a pre-drying system N. Antonescu, N.N. Antonescu. Name index. Subject index.

Indonesia is an archipelagic country consisting of more than 17,500 islands. Urbanization and community agglomeration in urban areas in Indonesia are increasing the complexity of solid waste management in Indonesia. The old paradigm of 'collect-transport-disposal' waste management still occurs frequently in cities in Indonesia. This research is designed to be a systematic qualitative review. The relationships between good environmental governance and sustainable solid waste management are synthesized from a perspective of current conditions in Indonesia. The solution to sustainable waste management is generally carried out through well-organized waste management in an integrated manner from upstream to downstream with a 'cradle-to-grave' mindset, including the impacts that may arise therein. Implementing sustainable solid waste management requires commitment and support from all aspects of stakeholders. Good environmental governance is a comprehensive, dynamic, and complex concept that attempts to improve environmental conditions while promoting sustainable solid waste management. The results show that good environmental governance is very influential for sustainable solid waste management, but it still needs to be implemented optimally in Indonesia. Integration and synchronization of policies between the central government and local government must be further improved to implement good environmental governance.

Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste management has remained a big challenge in Africa and other resource constrained settings. However, to achieve sustainability, the gaps in governance of waste management need to be addressed speedily as populations are expanding rapidly, far exceeding available infrastructure and resources. Ruiru subcounty has a rapidly expanding population which has not been matched with sustainable waste management in commercial and residential sectors. This study sought to establish the influence of governance on Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste management in Ruiru Sub-County. Mixed methods research approach and descriptive research design were used in both data collection and analysis. This involved administration of Questionnaires, interviews and observation checklist through an online platform Kobo Collect. Results of the study showed that the County Government and subsequent sub-counties are responsible for waste management. Despites this mandate there are heaps of waste remain in commercial and residential areas. This is attributed to various governance challenges such as lack of prioritization of waste management, limited financial and human resources, minimal community participation, disregard of informal players in waste management cycle, weak implementation and enforcement of waste management policies. While it is desirable to attain sustainable solid waste management in Ruiru, and while the national legal frameworks are in place, there are major challenges and gaps in solid waste governance. Therefore, this study concludes enforceability of mechanisms, adequacy of funding, wholistic involvement of all players remain daunting. Unless these are addressed, sustainable waste management will only remain an unattainable goal.

Global solid waste generation is steeply increasing. Currently, high-income countries are responsible for the utmost per capita waste generation, but as economies of the Global South are growing rapidly, their waste is expected to triple by 2050. Simultaneously, countries such as Indonesia did not manage to align their socio-economic development with a sustainable solid waste management (SWM) and therefore contribute significantly to waste debris. Community participation is recognized by governments and civil society actors as an inclusive and transformative tool to manage exacerbating environmental issues. Urban regions intensify the challenges of solid waste generation, as is the case in Jakarta. Therefore, sustainable waste management is subject to an increasing number of civil society organizations. The study analyzed how participative processes within SWM efforts in Jakarta are executed, to investigate potentials and obstacles that evolve during the implementation. Another aim was to explore the heterogenous perspectives of participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with civil society actors, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), social enterprises, and waste banks to get insights into participatory procedures in Jakarta. The results reveal that the waste problems in Jakarta are complex, interrelated, and multi-layered. While participatory procedures have been acknowledged by the organizations to be highly relevant for waste management, such approaches should be adapted depending on the local circumstances and actors. Some of the obstacles and limitations include deficiency of infrastructure for SWM, lack of government engagement, and general awareness. Therefore, participatory formats should be combined, e.g., with suitable structures and balanced engagement of all relevant actors. Among others, further empirical research is needed to get a better understanding of the effectiveness of participation for efforts addressing environmental pollution. Such research can reveal (hidden) potentials of participative formats for sustainable waste management in urban or metropolitan areas in the Global South.

Sustainable solid waste management in the European Union: Four countries regional analysis

This study explored the social entrepreneurship activities in sustainable solid waste management in Lusaka’s Kamwala area in Zambia. The study used the sustainable solid waste management hierarchy model to highlight various types of entrepreneurial involvement in sustainable waste management. The study found that social entrepreneurs are involved in all the stages of sustainable waste management hierarchy except the involvement in waste to energy recovery activity. The study noted that lack of social entrepreneur’s engagement in waste to energy activities has resulted in accumulated unrecyclable waste in the area, posing an environmental and public health risk. To manage this potential risk, the study recommended that the Lusaka city council public health department should start monitoring and controlling the waste trade in the Kamwala area. Further, there is need for government to deliberately engage in empowerment schemes for entrepreneurs who can invest in technologically advanced waste to energy business ventures in Kamwala area.

Assessing a hierarchical sustainable solid waste management structure with qualitative information: Policy and regulations drive social impacts and stakeholder participation

The role of informal waste service providers (IWSPs) in sustainable waste management is not well understood in urban discourses, despite their entrenched presence and emerging popularity in developing countries. Using Kumasi, a hotspot of IWSPs’ activities in Ghana, we explore the intricacies of IWSPs focusing on their nature, operational practices and complexities through the prism of sustainable waste management narratives. Using a mixed study research approach underpinned by neo-institutionalism theory, we unravelled that given the nature and challenges of IWSPs, their practices may be counter-productive to the “so-called” modern, formal image of Kumasi. Notwithstanding, IWSPs typically employ innovative, tailor-made, humanistic, and context-sensitive approaches to address their client's concerns, needs, and satisfaction. Therefore, we argue that IWSPs can enhance Integrated Sustainable Waste Management outcomes provided their challenges are addressed, and they are “not left behind” in sustainable waste policy interventions.

Purpose: Community participation in solid waste management is currently seen as a determinant of successful solid waste management. Cases of failed solid waste management are common in areas where the waste management is regarded as a responsibility of local authorities while the community remains indifferent. Research has shown that public participation in solid waste management is marginal in most African countries. The study was aimed at analysing the residents’ participation in solid waste management in Solwezi. Results are cardinal in designing more sustainable waste management strategies.
 Methodology: It utilized systematic random sampling to sample 77 households of which 28 were from Kyawama Township, 23 from Stadium and 26 were from Kandundu Townships. Structured interviews, key informant interviews and observations were used to collect data on methods of waste disposal, residents’ perceptions of solid waste management services available, and their willingness to pay for sustainable solid waste management. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Pearson product-moment correlation and content analysis.
 Findings: Results showed that 65 % of the residents felt that they did not participate in any formal waste management practices. The 35 % who admitted to being participants felt they did this through waste separation, reuse and through their engaging a formal waste collector. In Solwezi, burying of waste (44.2 %) was the dominant waste management practice followed by formal waste collection (35 %) and burning (19.4 %)., while informal waste collectors accounted for 2.6 % of waste disposed of and 1.3 % of waste was disposed of through communal rubbish bins. Solwezi had very low participation of the residents in formal waste collection services with some residents not aware of the existence of such a service in the town (31.2 %). Among barriers to community engagement in solid waste management in Solwezi were a lack of knowledge of the existence of formal waste collection systems (35 %), failure by the local municipal council to provide waste bins either in residential areas or streets (13 %), relatively high costs of engaging in formal solid waste management and a lack of alternative cheaper ways of managing domestic solid waste. There was a general willingness by most residents to pay for sustainable solid waste management (57.2 %) with only 2.6 % indicating they felt that the local municipal council should treat waste management as a service that residents do not have to pay for
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: In conclusion, the low community participation in solid waste management in Solwezi was attributed to failure to adequately sensitize residents by the municipal council. Residents’ attitudes towards sustainable management of solid waste and community engagement in decisions related to solid waste management by the local authority was token at best. The study recommended sensitization in community participation as well as incentivizing champions of community waste management as a way of improving community participation in solid waste management.

The mismanagement of waste in protected areas may lead to significant and irreversible environmental, economic and social impacts, such as land degradation, resource depletion, surface and groundwater pollution, loss of biodiversity and impacts on the aesthetic value of these areas. This paper aims to identify the challenges and opportunities for sustainable solid waste management in privately protected areas, given the limited research conducted on this topic. A case study approach was followed, which focused on the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, a private nature reserve (PNR) in South Africa. Interviews were conducted with 30 participants, which included representatives from the management authority, commercial lodges, non-commercial properties and a waste service provider. Several challenges have been identified by interviewees. Behaviour was the most frequently mentioned challenge, where interviewees raised concerns about negative attitudes, unwillingness to implement waste management measures and a possible lack of support. Other frequently mentioned challenges included foreseen difficulties due to the size and location of the reserve and concerns around funding of waste management measures, especially given the financial implications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) travel and tourism restrictions. The most frequently identified opportunities included creating jobs and improving livelihoods, providing assurance and transparency of what happens to waste ‘beyond the gate’ and improving awareness, knowledge and skills related to waste management. To optimise the opportunities towards sustainable solid waste management, PNRs should focus on aligning their strategic direction to achieve legal compliance and support community initiatives to establish waste-related infrastructure and services that cannot be implemented within the reserve.Conservation implications: The pursuit of waste-related opportunities within privately protected areas could enhance the implementation of sustainable solid waste management in PNRs, whilst also contributing to pollution prevention, community upliftment and other secondary benefits, which could ultimately result in increased conservation efforts.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of rule-based games as a pedagogical strategy for meaningful learning about sustainable solid waste management among 6th-grade students (Class 08) at the Leónidas Acuña Educational Institution (Cesar Department, Municipality of Valledupar, Colombia). Theoretical Framework: The research is based on the theories of Piaget (1962) and Ausubel (1983), highlighting the importance of play in children's cognitive development and meaningful learning. It also addresses sustainable solid waste management according to the environmental regulations and policies implemented in Colombia. Method: The study was developed using a non-experimental, cross-sectional quantitative approach. The sample included 28 students selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. A questionnaire with a Likert scale was used to collect data on knowledge and practices of waste management, learning disposition, and students' perception of using games. Results and Discussion: The results showed that 75% of the students have a high level of knowledge about solid waste, but there are significant deficiencies in sustainable management and recycling techniques. Additionally, 92.86% prefer classes that include games, highlighting their positive influence on meaningful learning. Research Implications: The research demonstrated the need to integrate playful strategies into environmental education to improve solid waste management. The results can influence educational policies and pedagogical practices, promoting deeper and more sustainable learning. Originality/Value: This study contributes to strengthening environmental pedagogy by demonstrating the effectiveness of rule-based games as an innovative educational tool to foster meaningful and sustainable learning about solid waste management. The findings can guide future research.

Healthcare waste in Bangladesh: Current status, the impact of Covid-19 and sustainable management with life cycle and circular economy framework

Identifying sustainable solid waste management barriers in practice using the fuzzy Delphi method

South Africa has a variety of regulations on the provision of solid waste management services in municipalities because of the apartheid legacy. Nonetheless, discrepancies in waste management services persist despite new laws, legislative reforms and strategies. Those who live in marginalized and impoverished communities are the most susceptible and severely affected by improper waste management. This demonstrates a lack of integrated and sustainable waste management systems. This study aims to recommend a sustainable solid waste management system in Engcobo Local Municipality. Data was gathered through focus group discussions, documents, and semi structured interviews. Findings revealed that there has been improvements in the sustainable management of solid waste. The municipality is experimenting with novel approaches to deal with the problem of solid waste, particularly in remote locations where people’s trash is difficult to pick up and collect. Through the focus group discussions, it was shown that some participants still need more information on waste management, there is a need for thorough educational initiatives on sanitation management, not particularly wastewater and sanitation.