Waste management, waste resource facilities and waste conversion processes

The aim of this study was to conduct an assessment of municipal waste management systems in selected European countries. Used research methods were comparative and statistical analysis. The research was conducted in May 2024. The theoretical part contains the basics of the concept and definitions of waste management and municipal waste systems. Moreover, it provides information connected with waste management among benchmark countries in the European Union. The empirical part of the article describes the results of the conducted research. Based on the Global Waste Index 2022, Denmark and Germany emerged as the most efficient waste management systems, with recycling rates of 35.6% and 47.8%, respectively. These countries were assigned to the first cluster of waste management systems. In contrast, Poland and the Czech Republic, with recycling rates of 26.6% and 22.0%, respectively, were categorized in the third cluster. According to Global Waste Index 2022, the best waste management systems are characterized by a high share of recycling and other beneficial waste management methods. In the second part of the study, the authors presented a graphical comparison of the Danish and Polish municipal waste management system. Denmark, with a waste market value of $817 million, translates into $139.45 million per 1 billion of population, slightly outperforming Poland’s $131 million per 1 billion. The work concludes with a summary that includes the most important elements of the described waste management analysis and trends in the European Union. It highlights the effectiveness of policy interventions and technological advancements in optimizing waste management practices. Furthermore, an example of a research gap present in economic literature is provided. These insights deliver a data-driven foundation for policymakers to enhance sustainability strategies across Europe.

Chapter 9 - Waste management in smart cities using blockchaining technology

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) profoundly impacted the medical waste management system (MWMS). Nevertheless, there is a literature gap on dynamically examining how the disease outbreak affects this system. This article bridges the gap in theory and practice by presenting a novel system dynamics model for medical waste (MW) management. The proposed model includes disease outbreak and MW management sub-models for addressing the dynamic impacts of COVID-19 on waste generation and management patterns. In terms of theoretical contributions, the disease outbreak model consists of variables and interventions, including seasonal effects, hospital strain, public behaviour, personal protective equipment consumption, lockdown and vaccination. In addition, the MW management sub-model contributes to considering COVID-19 and non-COVID MW generation, waste management methods, carbon footprint generation and untreated MW accumulation. For implementing theoretical contributions in practice, the impacts of applying non-coercion social distancing, decreasing the death threshold, enhancing mask availability and coverage, earlier vaccination and lockdown implementation were assessed on the disease spread and consequently the MWMS. The case study of California provided managerial insights about how disease dynamics affect patterns of MW generation. Variation in waste generation patterns influenced the waste management methods, relevant environmental impacts and the risk of secondary infection by untreated MW. Finally, the impacts of MW treatment capacity expansion and district regulations on waste separation for increasing the share of recyclable materials were assessed on the amounts of accumulated untreated waste, the corresponding secondary infection risk, the amounts of landfilled waste and environmental impacts.

Africa faces increasing challenges in waste management, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and climate change. This study evaluates waste management practices in Africa, highlighting factors, barriers, and enablers within the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Africa’s population is projected to reach 1.5 billion in 2024, intensifying pressure on its unevenly distributed natural resources. The continent faces interconnected issues, including biodiversity loss, water scarcity, energy shortages, and inadequate waste management. While 70-80% of Africa’s waste is recyclable, only 4% is recovered, highlighting inefficiencies in resource recovery and recycling efforts. Waste management in Africa suffers from weak policies, inadequate infrastructure, limited stakeholder engagement, and underfunding. Linear waste management systems dominate, failing to embrace circular economy principles. Poorly managed landfills contribute to methane emissions, impacting climate change, while plastic pollution threatens Africa’s aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Emerging waste streams, such as electronic and medical waste, further complicate efforts. This study aims to evaluate waste management practices in Africa, focusing on barriers, enablers, and opportunities for integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Data was collected through journal article reviews, document analysis, and online resources. Key insights were synthesized to identify trends and challenges in waste management practices. Africa’s rapid urbanization and dynamic consumption patterns strain waste management systems. Weak policy frameworks, financial constraints, and inadequate investments hinder effective waste management. Climate change-induced extreme weather events complicate waste storage, collection, and treatment. Public awareness and community engagement remain insufficient, further undermining sustainable practices. To mitigate climate change impacts and enhance sustainable waste management in Africa, it is imperative to strengthen policy frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, invest in modern infrastructure and technologies, and promote circular economy principles to boost recycling and resource recovery. Additionally, fostering public awareness and stakeholder engagement is critical, alongside developing tailored strategies to address emerging waste streams such as electronic and medical waste. These integrated actions are essential for building resilient waste management systems that align with climate change adaptation and mitigation goals.

Background: Medical waste can be generated in hospitals or clinics where diagnosis and treatment are conducted. The management of these wastes are of public concern and health threats are associated with such wastes. The study assessed to explore the current situation of medical waste management and level of awareness related to impact of medical waste and its management among the different levels of professionals.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done and data were collected from September 2012 to December 2012 at BIRDEM General Hospital. Data were collected by simple random sampling method and semi-structured questionnaire were used in this study. The questionnaire included socio-demographic information, source of hospital waste, description of hospital waste, segregation of waste and assessment of medical waste management system. The questionnaires were interviewed to the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and cleaners who were related to waste management practices.Results: A total of 186 participants were interviewed in this study. The mean and SD of age was 37.9 ± 10.4 years and the age range from 22 to 65 years respectively. The male and female subjects were 28.0% and 72.0% respectively. Of the total participants, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and cleaners were 15.1%, 55.4%, 12.9% and 16.7% respectively. To assess the perception of the respondents about hospital waste management, the nurses (100.0%) and cleaners (100.0%) were found in a better position to follow color-coding system (CCS) and to use of protective bags while segregating primary waste, while doctors (21.4%) and paramedical staff’s (29.2%) practice were not encouraging. However, in terms of constituents of medical waste doctors and paramedical staff’s perception was better than the nurses and cleaners. Doctors (92.9%), nurses (96.1%) and paramedical staff (95.8%) were very comfortable about the present color coding system than compared with cleaners (74.2%), although the doctors are less compliant to follow the color-coding system (78.6% compliant) in practice. A substantial proportion of the doctors (71.4%) sometimes put waste in wrong bins as opposed to 51.5% nurses and 33.3% paramedical staff. Few of the respondents would consider the waste if some medical waste is accidentally put to the general waste bin, 85.7% of the doctors, 95.1% nurses, 66.7% paramedical staff and 100% cleaners told that they would consider the waste as medical waste. Nurse’s perception was also better compared to other occupants in sealing waste-bin for disposal. In view of improving the existing waste management system, most of the respondents of different categories were in favor on waste management system. Majority of the respondents think that there should be designated person (97.8%) or rules (97.8%) or monitoring (96.8%) at the administrative level for organizing and managing of waste collection, handling, storage and disposal of waste who will follow a definite rule during all these processes.Conclusion: The study observed that there is lack of knowledge affiliate and practice among the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and cleaners in segregating hospital waste at the primary source of collection. However, nurses and cleaners were more aware than the doctors and paramedical staff in terms of practice of segregating primary waste. The study also found that perception of waste management was better in doctors and paramedical staff than compared with cleaners and other staffs. To improve the waste management system, it is needed to make policy and regulation guidelines to well-organized system of collecting and treating waste in the hospital.Birdem Med J 2018; 8(1): 56-62

Метою статті є дослідження європейської системи управління відходами та ресурсами в контексті наближення національного законодавства до acquis communautaire, виходячи з відповідних загальних і спеціальних принципів.
 Наукова новизна зумовлена тим, що в умовах європейської інтеграції для України актуальним є зміна законодавства та практик у сфері поводження з відходами, модернізація відповідної інфраструктури та підвищення екологічної свідомості громадян. Узагальнено позитивний досвід управління відходами та ресурсами у країнах ЄС, досліджено зміст Директив ЄС у сфері поводження з відходами та ресурсами, наукові публікації з цієї тематики, відзначено, що більшість стандартів ЄС у цій сфері формулюються як принципи системи управління відходами та ресурсами. З’ясовано поняття і зміст категорії «принципи управління відходами», запропоновано їх класифікацію.
 Висновки. На підставі дефініцій «принципи права» та «принципи екологічної політики ЄС» визначено принципи управління відходами та ресурсами як основоположні ідеї та керівні положення, на підставі яких функціонує система управління відходами та ресурсами, вони визначають її загальну спрямованість, мету, цілі та структуру, а також встановлюють методи такого управління.
 Європейська система управління відходами та ресурсами базується на таких загальних принципах екологічної політики ЄС, як принцип сталого розвитку, принцип забруднювач повинен платити, принцип запровадження найкращих доступних технологій, принцип проведення превентивних заходів, принцип стимулювання екологічно чистих технологій та продуктів, принцип єдиної термінології та класифікації, принцип планування та звітності.
 До спеціальних принципів управління відходами та ресурсами можна віднести такі: принцип ієрархії поводження з відходами, який передбачає п’ятиступеневу систему пріоритетів у поводженні з відходами, починаючи з найбажаніших варіантів та закінчуючи небажаними варіантами, що можуть застосовуватися лише після попередніх: запобігання утворенню відходів; підготовка до повторного використання; переробка відходів; рекуперація енергії; ліквідація. Принцип самодостатності – означає створення кожною державою-членом ЄС відповідної інфраструктури, достатньої для утилізації і розміщення всіх відходів, що в ній генеруються. Принцип наближеності – полягає у тому, що збирання, утилізація та ліквідація відходів має здійснюватися якомога ближче до джерела їх утворення. Принцип розширеної відповідальності виробника (фізична чи юридична особа, яка за родом діяльності розвиває, оброблює, має справу, продає чи імпортує товари) – зобов’язання виробника забезпечувати організацію збирання, переробку та утилізацію своєї продукції після її використання, а також проведення інформаційних заходів для споживачів тощо.

In modern conditions of increasing the amount of waste generated during construction, demolition, repair or reconstruction of facilities, the problem of analysis and management of this waste is becoming increasingly relevant in solving environmental a nd economic issues. This problem in Ukraine is complicated by hostilities on its territor y, which resulted in a significant number of destroyed or damaged buildings. The scientific article proposes a solution to the problem of analysis and management of const ruction waste by creating intelligent information technology. The authors propose a conceptual scheme of intelligent information technology, which will provide geospatial information about waste reception centres based on data entered by the end user about the source and type of construction waste. The subject literature on the current state of technologies and methods for construction waste management was analysed, on the basis of which the requirements for intelligent information technology were formed. When describing the components of the conceptual scheme, the nature of the input and output data was analysed, and machine algorithms and technologies that can be used to solve the intelligent task of analysing and managing construction waste were considered. As an option for solving the problem of analysing and managing construction waste, the authors developed the intelligent information system of 4 modules, which implemented the following subtasks: classification of waste collection centres, collection of data on the source of waste and its types, waste classification, determination of the nearest waste collection centres and output of results in the form of an interactive map. The server was written in the Java programming language, using the Spring Framework, as well as Spring Boot and Spring Data J PA. PostgreSQL was chosen as the database management system. The frontend was written using Thymeleaf, as well as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The fourth module includes a query to OpenStreetMap Tiles to display the map on the user's web page. Further development of the research may involve the use of artificial intelligence technologies or neural networks to analyse images of waste generation facilities, based on which a text file with classes of construction waste can be obtained to generate suggestions to the user on waste management

Background Medical solid waste management is a critical aspect of healthcare delivery that requires urgent attention worldwide. The generation of medical waste poses significant risks to human health and the environment. This review examines the types of medical solid waste generated in healthcare facilities, the challenges associated with its management, and the importance of proper waste disposal practices. Results. The findings highlight the lack of knowledge and inadequate equipment among healthcare personnel, leading to poor waste management practices. Insufficient training contributes to the improper treatment and disposal of medical waste, resulting in environmental contamination and the spread of diseases. Financial considerations and institutional factors, including the availability of guidelines and policies, also impact waste management systems. Developing countries face greater challenges in managing medical waste due to limited resources and knowledge. Conclusion. The review emphasizes the need for comprehensive training programs, allocation of sufficient funds, and the implementation of effective policies to improve waste management practices. Furthermore, the review underscores the importance of raising awareness, providing education, and establishing proper waste management systems to minimize the health and environmental risks associated with medical solid waste. Recommendation. Urgent interventions are necessary to mitigate the risks and promote sustainable waste management practices in healthcare facilities.

The R3 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) system of waste management specified by Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) waste management framework is the pathway to sustainable environment. This system which is practiced in advanced countries is given little or no preference in Nigeria where open waste dumping is mostly practiced. Questionnaire based survey was employed to determine the awareness of the effects of open waste dumping by individuals. A physical survey was carried out to assess the risks posed by open waste dumping on the physical environment and health of individuals. Findings from the questionnaire-based survey indicated that many individuals are aware of the risks posed by open waste dumping system but have little or no knowledge of the R3 waste management standard for proper waste management. The physical survey pointed out that open waste dumping leads to infrastructural dilapidation and environmental degradation from drainage blockage and flooding. The findings also revealed that open waste dumping is responsible for outbreak of diseases such as Cholera, Diarrhoea, Malaria, Tetanus, Lassa fever, Typhoid and Yellow fever, Hookworm, and other parasite infestation as well as the promotion of fecal contamination of the hands, food and water that may result in fecal-oral transmission diseases. Hence, this method of waste management is responsible for water pollution, land pollution and the emission of obnoxious odour and also aid climate change and global warming through the release of Green House Gases (GHGs). From the risk evaluation carried out, simple and effective processes and technologies must be employed to aid the R3 practice for domestic recycling of specific waste.

The contemporary European copper cycle: waste management subsystem

Increasing the amount of waste generation is a problem in every city. This research aims to know the waste transportation and management system to analyze its compliance with the applicable national and local regulations in Indonesia. Demak Regency produced 208 kg/day of waste which this number represent 35.18% of waste generated in Demak Regency from domestic and non domestic sector. The waste is transported and not sorted at sources, as the same with many other cities in Indonesia. Therefore, a proper waste management system is needed for Demak Regency that includes five aspects, which include technical, institutional, financial, regulation, and community aspects. The Environmental Agency of Demak Regency is the institution in charge of waste management in Demak Regency. The analysis shows that improvements are needed to achieve appropriate waste management system in Demak Regency. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve waste management in the Regency, for example, by improving technical performance, human resources, and promoting community-based waste management in the studied area.

The object of this study is a system of incentives aimed at activating the processes to manage construction waste formed during hostilities. The problem being solved is to form incentives for the growth of economic interest in construction waste management. The structural and functional readiness of the economy for the management of waste generated as a result of hostilities is investigated. It was revealed that 60 % of the participants in the waste management system are microenterprises with a profitability of 0.2 %. The level of construction waste disposal and the level of its reuse are estimated. Forecasts of the behavior of methods of waste management in the absence of changes in state policy have been made. Based on the use of forecasting methods, a trend of increasing the amount of waste dumped at landfills has been identified. The directions of state influence on the formation of economic incentives for the processing of construction waste have been proposed. A special feature of the study's results is that the inconsistency of existing incentives with the needs of participants in the field of waste management has been investigated. The problem with the activities of small enterprises is the demand for performance, at the formation of which government efforts should be directed. Distinctive features of the results are that they solve the problems of achieving a balance of economic interests of participants in the management of construction waste generated during the war. The area of practical use of the obtained results is the system of state and local management of waste handling activities

Introduction: Healthcare waste management at District General Hospital (DGH) Matale, Sri Lanka, faced increasing environmental and safety challenges from inadequate segregation, storage, and disposal of clinical and non-clinical wastes. A sustainable, systems-based approach including digital monitoring was introduced to address these issues.  Objective: To develop, implement, and evaluate a sustainable healthcare waste management system at DGH Matale that improves waste segregation, reduces clinical waste volumes and disposal costs, and enhances operational efficiency and compliance.  Methodology: A comprehensive intervention launched in early 2025 included formation of a Waste Management Steering Committee, development of institutional waste management policies, staff training, construction of a dedicated waste management center, and deployment of a real-time digital waste monitoring system. The digital platform tracked waste generation and disposal, supported compliance monitoring, and leveraged behavioral influence (Hawthorne Effect). Waste volumes and disposal costs were measured pre- and post-intervention; trends in clinical and non-clinical waste categories were analyzed.  Results: Post-intervention, clinical waste volume decreased by 42.36% and disposal costs declined by 42.27%. Improvements were observed in segregation practices and operational workflows. Non-clinical waste streams (e.g., clean plastic, food waste) showed mixed trends, indicating variable impacts across categories. Digital tracking improved accuracy of waste data and compliance monitoring.  Conclusion: Integrating institutional policy, staff training, dedicated infrastructure, and digital monitoring substantially improved clinical waste management at DGH Matale, yielding notable reductions in waste volume and disposal costs and enhancing operational efficiency.  Recommendations:  Scale and adapt the model to other healthcare facilities in Sri Lanka with contextual tailoring.  Extend interventions to target non-clinical waste streams through targeted training and source-reduction measures.  Enhance the digital system by incorporating AI-driven predictive analytics for waste forecasting, optimization of reduction strategies, and real-time segregation recommendations.  Conduct longitudinal studies to assess sustained behavioral change and long-term system performance across diverse healthcare settings.

Over the years, construction waste has risen, causing environmental concerns as well as a loss of profit for contractors. This chapter covers the concepts, causes of waste generation, characteristics, waste management methods, waste minimization, disposal, rules, and worker’s efficiency in relation to construction and demolition waste. The waste management hierarchy is also explained in the chapter. The authors looked at the causes of waste generation and disposal, as well as the characteristics and methods of waste management, along with the regulations that apply. This chapter discusses some of the data and applications of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste management and its disposal in Malaysia, which are also commonly being practiced in other countries.KeywordsConstruction waste disposalConstruction waste minimizationConstruction waste causesConstruction waste hierarchy

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