One Size Fits All? An Assessment Tool for Solid Waste Management at Local and National Levels

One size fits all? An assessment tool for solid waste management at local and national levels

Sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) management is regarded as one of the key elements for achieving urban sustainability via mitigating global climate change, recycling resources and recovering energy. Landfill is considered as the least preferable disposal method and the EU Landfill Directive (ELD) announced in 1999 requires member countries to reduce the volume of landfilled biodegradable materials. The enforcement of ELD initiated the evolution of MSW management system UK. This study depicted and assessed the transition and performance of MSW management after the millennium in Nottingham via materials flow analysis (MFA), as well as appropriately selected indicators based on the concept of waste management hierarchy and targets set in waste management regulations. We observed improvements in waste reduction, material recycling, energy recovery, and landfill prevention. During the period 2001/02 to 2016/17, annual waste generation reduced from 463 kg/Ca to 361 kg/Ca, the recycling and composting share increased from 4.6% to 44.4%, and the landfill share reduced from 54.7% to 7.3%. These signs of progress are believed to be driven by the ELD and the associated policies and waste management targets established at the national and local levels. An alternative scenario with food waste and textile separation at source and utilizing anaerobic digestion to treat separately collected organic waste is proposed at the end of this paper to fulfil the high targets set by local government and we further suggest that the recycling share may be improved by educating and supporting the public on waste separation at the sources.

The paper reviews the main indicators for decision-making process in the field of waste management at the local level. Development of sustainable integrated waste management system requires comprehensive consideration and assessment of many factors. Nevertheless, a small number of indicators are usually used for assessing the development scenarios of the waste management system. The purpose of the study is to identify the most important aspects of the waste management system and to formulate general principles for ensuring the sustainability of solid waste management systems performance and development at the regional level. Analysis of previous studies shows the variety of approaches to classify indicators of sustainable development in the field of solid waste management. Large number of factors, a small number of observations and unknown dynamic relationships between variables are shown to be reasons for complex problems in solid waste management decision-making. An expert assessment was made to investigate the officials’ and practitioners’ vision on waste management systems performance and strategies development. The set of economic, social, environmental, and technical indicators was selected and assessed by the group of experts. The analysis shows that mainly economic indicators are considered by local authorities and other stakeholders involved in regional waste management strategies development and implementation while social and environmental aspects are out of sight. At the same time financing of waste management system is not systematic and consistent and the amount of funding is extremely insufficient. The main principles for sustainable performance and development of the waste management system were formulated in the paper as the following: principle of national development strategies integration, principle of application of an effective monitoring and forecasting system, principle of differentiation of the development strategies at the regional level, principle of considering the stakeholders’ interests.

The global population and increased urbanization have resulted in the increased production of municipal solid waste, thus, becoming a critical issue as a result of its poor management and inappropriate disposal. This is particularly the case of developing countries. This study assessed Solid Waste Management (SWM) strategies commonly adopted by different state waste management Authorities in Nigeria with a view to develop a sustainable roadmap for the management of solid waste in Nigeria. It assessed the Traditional Solid Waste Management Strategy (TSWMS), Waste Minimisation Strategy (WMS) as well as the Technological Strategy (TcS) employed, laying focus on their challenges and benefits. The study depended on a desktop study approach; hence, data were obtained from secondary data as the main source of information with emphasis on published journals, conference papers, newspaper posts and statutory reports from government agencies relevant to the current study. Results from the review showed that waste management across various parts of Nigeria is poor, interwoven with several challenges at all phase of the management process with little benefits recorded on alternative SWM strategy. The reason for the low success rate of some of this management strategies were noted as; increase in population, area covered, increase in urbanization and industrialization, tenure of government, over dependence on government authorities for waste management, finance and other factors of the environment. Although most waste authorities rely heavily on the TSWMS, WMS and the TcS showed a better and promising alternative strategy when inculcated into the already existing strategy. Based on this finding, a roadmap for the actualization of a sustainable integrated solid waste management strategy was recommended for adaptation and adoption by the Nigerian SWM Authorities and Agencies. Keywords: Nigeria, Solid Waste Management, Traditional Solid Waste Management Strategy, Waste Minimisation Strategy, Technological Strategy, Waste Authorities. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-6-11 Publication date: June 30 th 2020

Management of solid waste from rural hospitals is among major problems affecting developing countries. This is mostly attributed to inadequate data related to quantity and quality of hospital solid waste. Similarly, information related to rural hospital solid waste characteristics and management is limited in Zimbabwe. However, SDGs complemented by Zimbabwe Vision 2030, NDS 1 advocates for sustainable solid waste management. Hence, enough data related to characteristics of solid waste from rural hospitals are required to attain sustainability. This research focuses on hospital solid waste characteristics and management strategies at STT and HC rural hospitals. Descriptive cross sectional research design which triangulates qualitative and quantitative paradigms was utilized. Interviews, observations, questionnaires were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereas qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. Solid waste generated at STT encompasses non-hazardous (77.35%), hazardous waste (22.65%). At HC solid waste consists of non-hazardous (79%) and hazardous waste (21%). Respondents at STT (70.4%) and HC (72.7%) noted that solid waste was increasing. Solid waste was increasing due to various factors namely high use of disposable materials at HC (35.1%), STT (42.5%) and increase of patients at HC (30%) and STT (29.7%). Solid waste was indiscriminately stored in various types of containers although pedal operated bins and sharp containers were highly used at STT (72.4%) and HC (69.1%). Waste receptacles were transported to disposal sites using wheelbarrows and manual handling. Open pits and burning were among disposal strategies but incineration was regarded as the golden approach at STT (44.8%) and HC (41.8%). Inappropriate hospital solid waste management was due to shortage of finance at STT (38.1%) and HC (30.9%) and unawareness among health workers. Although it was worsened by lack of all stakeholder participation at STT (79.0%) and HC (76.4%). Consequently, the study recommended application of strategies which support circular economy, integrated approach, raising awareness of health workers and provision of enough resources to rural hospitals.

Studies have shown that poor solid waste management has remained a major threat to public health as well as a causal risk factor for environmental degradation. This study assessed solid waste management practices, challenges and improvement strategies for households and waste managers in South-South Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2020 through April, 2021 at the households and environmental sanitation agencies in the six States that make up South South Nigeria. Data were collected in the process using structured questionnaires. The final sample was 469 participants, of which 392 responded to questions pertaining to households while 77 responded to questions pertaining to waste managers. Findings reveal that more than half of households adopted good solid waste management practices. Majority of the respondents experienced serious challenges in managing solid waste at the household level. Majority of waste managers experience challenges in solid waste management in South South Nigeria. Majority of waste managers agreed with the suggested improvement strategies for solid waste management at the household level. Education level and marital status were significantly associated with solid waste management practices at household level. Education level was also significantly associated with challenges of solid waste management practices at household level. Many members of the Zone may be willing to participate in measures aimed at improving solid waste management in their community, thus, government and other stakeholders in the scheme need to continue to organize community-integrated programmes and awareness campaigns on solid waste storage, separation, collection, transportation and final disposal.

The Road to Leadership in SPN

This paper analyses waste management policy development applying circular economy model and study its possibilities in Lithuania. The first part of this paper is dedicated to waste management policy concept, its dynamic analysis, circular economy model influence on waste management and waste management tools identification. The part of research analyses formation of waste management policy using circle economy in Lithuania. Used qualitative research based analysis of formed Lithuanian waste management policy using circle economy model. Project has found that currently formed waste management policy using circle economy or not targeted and systematic corrections are needed in order to achieve ambitious goals of the model. Identification of corrections and their practical appliance in policy formation would probably not only lead to the achievement of circle economy goals in Lithuania, but also would contribute to the targeted waste management policy formation on national, regional and local levels.

Advocacy Is a Natural Part of Our Life and Work

Innovative frameworks and strategies for solid waste management have been brought forward by researchers to solve the phenomenon of accumulating waste in the environment globally. The sustainability of medical waste management then pivots on the ability of waste management in a way that proves harmless to humans, animals, plants and the environment at large. This review looks into the strategies for the sustainable management of solid waste generated in the health institutions of Zimbabwe. Waste management includes waste generation, waste segregation, waste storage, waste collection and transportation, waste treatment and disposal and waste reuse and recycling. Exhaustive literature review was conducted as the methodology for this review soliciting information on the solid medical waste management status worldwide. In Zimbabwe, hazardous medical solid waste segregation, storage, transportation and disposal is a responsibility of the medical institutions generating the waste. These include trip and fall hazards, infectious hazards, cuts and lacerations, drugs addictions and radioactive hazards. The environment also faces contamination to the land, underground water bodies through leaching, surface water bodies, damage to flora, poisoning of fauna and contamination of the atmosphere by methane and carbon monoxide. Findings of the study show that innovations for medical solid waste management include frameworks such as the Ladder of Lansink and the three 'R's. Innovative technologies include rotary kiln incinerators, automated segregation and engineered landfills. Therefore, the framework addresses issues impeding the adoption of these innovative strategies in Zimbabwe.

The waste management strategy is expected to minimize the negative impact on the environment. In the capital city of Dili, the waste management strategy can be categorized as very concerned. Based on the data from the Ministry of State Administration shows that in 2020, people in the capital of Dili produce waste 250 tons per day. The reality of solid waste in the capital city of Dili shows a severe problem in the waste management process and strategy. This study aims to examine problems in waste management strategies and their impact in the capital city of Dili. Through a literature review approach, a scientific study will be carried out on several scientific articles related to the waste management system and the reality of solid waste in capital city of Dili. The results show that people in the capital of Dili, still use the classical system in managing solid waste. Weak government system and local regulations regarding to solid waste management, and the lack of the waste management industry based on R3 (reduce, reuse, recycle) are the main factors for the community still using the classical system. This reality harms the environment and people in the capital of Dili.

An increasing urbanisation, population growth, and economic expansion are generating a mounting quantity of solid waste in many developing countries. Solid waste management is one of the critical problems in India. Currently, more than 100 million tonnes of solid waste have generated from various sectors in India. Per capita waste generation from 0.2 kg to 0.6 kg from varies depends on household and economic size of the Indian population. This paper has provided detail analysis of the status of solid waste generation, management, challenges and solution for solid waste management sector in India. Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has revised solid waste management rules 2016. The new rule has been implemented in all municipalities and other local bodies. The policy implication of the study is better solid waste management services in local, regional and national level in India.

An increasing urbanisation, population growth, and economic expansion are generating a mounting quantity of solid waste in many developing countries. Solid waste management is one of the critical problems in India. Currently, more than 100 million tonnes of solid waste have generated from various sectors in India. Per capita waste generation from 0.2 kg to 0.6 kg from varies depends on household and economic size of the Indian population. This paper has provided detail analysis of the status of solid waste generation, management, challenges and solution for solid waste management sector in India. Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has revised solid waste management rules 2016. The new rule has been implemented in all municipalities and other local bodies. The policy implication of the study is better solid waste management services in local, regional and national level in India.

It has been over ten months since the beginning of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-2019), and its impact on solid waste management, especially medical waste, is becoming clearer. This study systematically reviews the potential influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical waste, personal protection equipment waste and municipal solid waste (MSW), and discusses the corresponding measures and policies of solid waste management in typical countries. The results show that the generation of medical waste from the pandemic increased significantly, with 18%–425% growth. It is estimated that the daily output of COVID-19 medical waste increased from 200 t/d on Feb. 22 to over 29000 t/d at the end of September 2020 throughout the world. The use of personal protective equipment will continue to grow in the long-term, while the blockade and isolation measures greatly reduced the volume of commercial waste, especially for tourist cities, and part of this waste was transferred to household waste. Residents’ attitudes and behavior toward food waste have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, international organizations and several countries have issued new policies and guidelines and adjusted their management strategies for medical waste and MSW treatment. The pandemic has brought specific challenges to the disposal capacity of medical waste worldwide. It has also brought about the stagnation of policies related to the reduction of plastic products and waste recycling. This study will provide some useful information for managers and governmental officials on effective solid waste management during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The problem of Solid Waste Management (SWM) has become a major problem in the upper areas of developing countries. In Uganda, the menace of urban waste has further been worsened by the increasing population. This study was done to assess the level of knowledge and practices about SWM within the Kapchorwa Town Council (KTC) Kapchorwa district in eastern Uganda. To achieve the objectives, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out and waste characteristics, collection, disposal, stakeholder roles, and waste management responsibilities were analyzed. Results indicate that waste is predominantly biodegradable (66%) and generated mainly within households, with no proper collection rate disposed of, crude dumping was the major means of disposal used (72.5%). The council is under capacity to handle waste management demands and their services are poor or nonexistent which has led to the use of crude dumping which has risk health. The strategy for solid waste management is failing because the community members are not cooperative. In conclusion, waste management practices in KTC are poor and they reflect a gap in knowledge about effective waste management within KTC, community members should be regularly educated on the link between improper solid waste management and disease outbreaks and the safe SWM practices such as reuse and recycling. Keywords: Waste management, Kapchorwa district, urban waste, disease outbreaks