Waste Collection Research Articles

Development of a Progressive Web Application for Optimizing Solid Waste Management in Urban Contexts: a Case Study in the Coelhos Neighborhood, Recife

Objective: Develop a Progressive Web Application (PWA) to optimize solid waste management in the Coelhos neighborhood in Recife, promoting sustainable practices. Literature Review: The study is based on emerging technologies for waste management, such as IoT and optimization algorithms, addressing challenges and benefits. Method: It includes participatory diagnosis, data collection, and development of the "Limpa+Coelhos" application, integrating technologies like Angular and Google Maps to facilitate waste collection. Results and Discussion: The application significantly increased collection efficiency and community awareness, improving interaction between users and waste management services. Research Implications: The study highlights the potential of PWAs to promote more sustainable and interactive waste management practices in urban contexts. Originality/Value: The research demonstrates the effectiveness of PWAs in improving solid waste management, contributing to the development of innovative technological solutions in urban areas.

CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING ORGANIZATION

The purpose of the article is to study the global experience of organizing the collection and processing of construction and demolition waste for their reuse in construction, to determine the possibility of applying positive practices in Ukraine. In the EU, construction waste makes up more than a third of all generated waste. The components of construction and demolition waste have different resource values, but can still be easily recycled into new products or materials. The level of recycling and disposal of waste varies significantly in EU countries, ranging from less than 10% to more than 90%. With the economic development of the country, the volume of waste increases. The main obstacles that hindered the development of sustainable waste management, for example in Germany, are the lack of nationwide regulation of secondary construction materials; lack of economic incentives, when primary raw materials are presented in large quantities in most regions of Germany, and therefore they are relatively cheap compared to secondary raw materials; sanctions for violators of waste management rules are too low and not applied regularly. Ways to ensure the need to process construction waste can be the determination at the legislative level of the volume of construction waste depending on the area of the building where construction work is performed, or the cost of construction work; establishment of a direct requirement for the use of a certain percentage of products from recycled construction waste in new construction or a direct ban on landfills for construction and demolition waste that can be processed for reuse. Economic incentives, such as tax breaks or subsidies, as well as additional taxes on the use of non-recycled materials, are used to encourage companies to use secondary materials and reduce waste. The Waste Framework Directive, adopted in 2008, aims to prevent or reduce waste generation in order to transition to a circular economy and guarantee the EU's long-term competitiveness.

Transactional pathways: Institutional possibilities for status and wealth under racial/caste capitalism

I introduce the concept of transactional pathways, coined by anthropologist Jane Guyer, to trace the institutional processes that contribute to uneven and unjust patterns of wealth and status distribution under systems of colonialism and racial/caste capitalism. Transactional pathways employ historical perspectives to reveal how divergent economic institutions and sources of valuation relate to social hierarchies. This approach links everyday economic transactions with patterns of wealth accumulation that are based not only on class, but intersectional social groups including race, caste, and/or ethnicity. Transactional pathways account for the fact that not only do different groups receive different amounts of valuable resources because of uneven distribution, but they have variable access to the symbolic power required to define which resources are deemed valuable in the first place and to monopolize them accordingly. The article briefly surveys foundational concepts from the economic anthropology literature before detailing transactional pathways. It introduces the case of attempted formalization of waste collection and recycling in Delhi, India, using the related concepts of thresholds and conversions to analyze key moments when wealth and status accumulation becomes especially possible in institutionally plural contexts.

Waste management practices amongst small businesses in the townships of Gauteng province in South Africa

ABSTRACT This paper investigated waste management practices of small businesses in the selected townships of Gauteng province, South Africa. Surveys were conducted by means of questionnaire-administered interviews and primary data were analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that most businesses generated wastes in the form of plastics (59–75%), cardboards (31–61%), and food remains (21–37%). Approximately 64–68% of small businesses relied on the municipality for waste collection and disposal. By contrast, 10–20% of businesses gave away their recyclable materials to informal waste reclaimers while only a few were recycling (7–14%) or reusing (6–12%) their wastes, respectively. The survey found a significant association between the formality of businesses and certain types of wastes that they were generating, namely, office paper, glass, metals, food items, and other waste materials. Based on these findings, some recommendations are suggested for improving existing waste management practices and maximising waste reduction efforts in the townships.

Do green parties affect local waste management policies?

We explore whether mayors supported by pro-environmental parties enhance local environmental outcomes compared to their non-environmental counterparts. We study close elections within a regression discontinuity design and find a notable rise in recycling rates in Italian municipalities governed by pro-environmental coalitions. This uptick becomes far less pronounced when adopting broader criteria to define green mayoral candidates. Crucially, the enhanced recycling rates are not realized through augmented budgets for environmental initiatives or waste collection, but rather are primarily attributed to the implementation of local policies, such as on-call waste collection and the establishment of waste collection centers.

Mapping Population Densities and Waste Management Systems in Mombasa County: A Literature Review of GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques

Mombasa County is one of the five counties along the coastline of Kenya. Currently, Mombasa County has a human population of 1.2 million people, and the population is rapidly increasing through rural-urban immigration and natural births. However, the inadequacy of well-established waste management systems on the mainland and coastlines of the County is a threat to the well-being of the local residents. Poorly disposed of wastes both on land and at sea can lead to health problems not only for humans and terrestrial animals but also for aquatic animals such as fish, with the latter being one of the main sources of affordable proteins for poor coastal communities. This paper aimed to conduct a review of the spatial human population density of Mombasa County and the geospatial location of waste dumping sites and their proximity to settled areas. This literature review synthesized existing research on the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques in mapping population densities and assessing waste management systems. The review began by examining studies that investigate population distribution patterns in urban and rural areas, utilizing GIS to analyze demographic data and satellite imagery. It explored methodologies used to estimate population densities, including dasymetric mapping, spatial interpolation, and land use classification techniques. Key findings were that limited studies have utilized GIS technologies to assess the population in Kenya. GRASP and Random Forest (RF) were the main techniques previously used to assess population densities in the rural Taita Hills area and along the coastal region. The population has exponentially increased in Mombasa County since the 1950s and is projected to increase further. Additionally, waste management in Mombasa County is majorly controlled by the county government. Ten geo-tagged waste collection spots were identified during the review, spread across the residential areas. In conclusion, the county should endeavor to employ GIS techniques to assess the rapid population change within the county and have targeted interventions to address the disparities in waste collection systems against population increase.

Tax incentives and environmental performance: The pay-as-you-throw policy in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

This study investigates the impact of implementing the pay-as-you-throw policy as a fiscal incentive mechanism for municipal waste management across municipalities in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. Utilizing panel data from 2010 to 2022 and employing a synthetic control with staggered treatment adoption, we evaluate the policy's effects on environmental and local public finance performances. Our findings reveal that treated municipalities witness an average 10% increase in separate waste collection alongside a parallel reduction in municipal waste production since the policy outset, equating to approximately 60 kg per capita annually. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that the policy enables local governments to reduce current energy and environmental expenditures by roughly €130 per capita annually in our optimal model. Notably, results hold robust across three recently developed estimators using difference-in-differences with staggered treatment adoption over time. The policy proves overall effectiveness in promoting circularity within municipal waste management systems, leading to better environmental performances, and decreased environmental management expenses. These implications underscore the potential value for local governments to adopt similar strategies where not yet envisaged.

A Quantitative Assessment Approach to Implement Pneumatic Waste Collection System Using a New Expert Decision Matrix Related to UN SDGs

An innovative decision matrix has been developed to guide the selection and implementation of Pneumatic Urban Solid Waste Collection Systems (PUSWCS) in smart city projects. This study comprehensively collects and analyzes data on the advantages and disadvantages of pneumatic collection systems from technical, economic, and social perspectives. A decision-making tool was created to address the complexities of evaluating the desirability of incorporating PUSWCS in municipalities or specific areas, using a holistic approach. The tool assesses the technical, economic, and social feasibility of implementing PUSWCS, aligning it with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specific variables are measured to assess compliance with the SDGs, distinguishing technical aspects from economic and social aspects. The methodology includes surveys of system users and technicians, expert assessments, and the development of a decision matrix that cross-references study variables and SDGs. The matrix assigns numerical values to the Magnitude (M) and Impact (I) of each variable, enabling quantitative interpretation. This holistic approach accommodates the complexities of waste management and diverse stakeholder perspectives. The results demonstrate the matrix’s effectiveness in accurately assessing the desirability of implementing PUSWCS. This confirms the matrix’s ability to optimally integrate with innovative smart city concepts and align with long-term sustainability goals. The study concludes that the design of the decision matrix allows the collection of information from experts, users, and stakeholders about economic, social, and environmental variables and relates them to the SDGs, to obtain a numerical result that allows to decide whether in a given urban environment it is advisable to implement a PUSWCS.

AI-powered Strategies for Optimizing Waste Management in Smart Cities in Beijing

The study investigates the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into Beijing's waste management system, emphasizing their effects on operational efficiency, environmental sustainability, and economic feasibility. The deployment of AI-driven route optimization and IoT-enabled real-time monitoring resulted in a 25% reduction in waste collection trips and a 30% decrease in waste overflow incidents. These advancements led to notable reductions in fuel consumption and environmental impact, while an economic analysis projected a Net Present Value (NPV) of $3.5 million over a 10-year period, affirming the financial benefits of these technologies. The findings highlight the pivotal role of AI and IoT in optimizing urban waste management practices. The study offers policy recommendations for the phased and strategic adoption of these technologies within Beijing, with the potential to enhance efficiency and contribute to the city’s sustainability objectives. Future research is advised to examine the long-term sustainability of AI-driven waste management strategies and assess the applicability of these technologies in diverse urban environments.

Prioritizing industrial wastes and technologies for bioenergy production: Case study

Energy supply stability in the industrial sector is crucial to maintain operational efficiency and avoiding costly disruptions. In the face of pressing environmental challenges, transitioning to sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly energy sources is imperative. This study aims to assess the potential of industrial waste for bioenergy production in Khorasan Province, Iran, addressing the research gap of developing a comprehensive framework of criteria that was lacking in previous studies. Employing a combined technology and material assessment methodology, the research began with the collection and analysis of questionnaires to identify and weight critical criteria using Shannon Entropy and expert insights. The Additive Ratio Assessment method was then used to rank various types of industrial waste and technologies according to established value criteria. The Findings reveal that anaerobic digestion of organic waste emerges as the most viable bioenergy solution with an 85 % desirability score, followed by anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge and gasification of plastic waste, scoring 77.31 % and 69.41 %, respectively. The innovative aspect of this study is the development and implementation of five novel evaluation criteria, including process temperature, technology lifetime, production cost, waste collection cost, and waste separation cost, which have not been previously applied to the assessment of industrial waste for renewable energy production, especially in developing countries.

Using a hybrid genetic- simulated annealing algorithm for designing a recyclable waste collection system

Using a hybrid genetic- simulated annealing algorithm for designing a recyclable waste collection system

Review on medical waste management in China and Nigeria.

Medical waste management is an essential component of healthcare delivery globally due to the toxic and contagious potentials on human health and the environment. There are resource limitations in developing nations when it comes to the appropriate handling of medical wastes. In this article, we examined previous studies to evaluate the practices of medical waste management in China and Nigeria. Contextually, this work addresses medical waste practices in the context of waste generation, segregation, collection, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal. In addition to reviewing additional important aspects of medical waste management, the current study addresses potentials and challenges for efficient medical waste management in both countries. For this study; Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Agencies, Conferences, National and International Conventions were searched from 1998 up to 2023 for all studies reporting medical waste management in China and Nigeria. To further guarantee that only resource materials with similar research interests in medical waste management were selected, a double screening process was employed. The challenges of medical waste management in both countries are limited financing, inadequate training, ineffective legislation, ineffective medical waste transport system and insufficient treatment technology. Furthermore, this study offers practical recommendations by identifying the particular areas that require attention and development, such as training of healthcare workers, adequate financing of medical waste management projects, including research and development on efficient toxic emission reducing technologies, and partnership with other relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure enforcement of national and local legislation.

Design of a reverse logistics network for medical waste considering location and routing decisions

Medical waste generated in healthcare facilities is categorized as hazardous due to its infectious, toxic, or radioactive properties, posing substantial risks to human health and the environment. This research proposes a bi-objective Mixed-Integer Linear Programming model for designing reverse logistics networks that enable both economical and safe medical waste management. Said model determines optimal quantity, depot locations, and routes for transporting waste from its generating points (hospitals) to the treatment and disposal sites (depots).This research addresses a bi-objective location routing problem, with multiple depots, time windows, capacity constraints, and variated waste types, across a multi-period horizon. It is innovative because no previous works have successfully dealt with such a combination of pragmatic features. The Location Routing Problem is an already well-known NP-Hard problem, with the additional aforementioned features further adding to its complexity. Thus, a genetic algorithm to solve large-sized realistic instances within reasonable computing times had been developed.Numerical experiments considered 20 random instances contrasting exact and approximate solution approaches. Also, a medical waste collection case study of a public hospital network in Atlántico Department, Colombia, delivering a Pareto frontier solution set, was introduced. The results demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed genetic algorithm in successfully addressing small instances of the problem, delivering outcomes comparable to the Mixed-Integer Linear Programming model. Furthermore, it yields good-quality solutions in a reduced computational time for larger instances deemed unfeasible for the Mixed-Integer Linear Programming model.This article contributes to both scientific literature and practitioners by presenting a decision-making tool designed to address the medical waste reverse logistics challenge under realistic scenarios. It approaches the issue from a bi-objective standpoint, jointly considering economic factors and biomedical safety. Additionally, the article introduces realistic and pertinent assumptions that have not been explored in previous literature.

“If You Want to Get Rid of Filth Diseases, You Must First Get Rid of the Filth”—The “Economic” Decision by a City Corporation to Collect Household Waste

ABSTRACT The collection of household waste is now taken for granted. Such services have a cost, borne by local/central government or householders. Literature highlights such costs, also noting how householders can reduce them by recycling. Waste collection was not always a service offered to householders, with the first such services appearing from the mid-19th century. Although accounting history literature has explored accounting in cities and the public sector, research on how costs featured in the introduction of services such as waste removal appears scarce. This paper explores the decision to introduce waste collection to every household in an Irish city and the role of accounting and costs therein. Events around this decision are analyzed using a dual meaning of economic. The findings suggest a substantivist meaning of economic was paramount and costs were considered within a public health framing. JEL Classifications: M4; N9; R0.

Internet of Things Enhanced Maritime Robot for Ocean Waste Cleanup

Plastic pollution is a major environmental concern, particularly in aquatic habitats. The accumulation of floating debris in water bodies caused by plastic pollution negatively impacts ecosystems, aquatic life, and water quality. The objective of this proposed study is to develop a remote-controlled boat equipped with sensors for measuring water quality and an efficient waste collection system. These sensors provide important information about the environmental conditions of the water body by measuring important factors like pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. The data on water quality helps identify the regions that require immediate attention to prevent and manage pollution, as well as assess the overall health of the ecosystem. The primary goal of the research is to significantly reduce the plastic waste in marine areas, promote sustainable practices, and raise public awareness about the need to address marine pollution, ultimately enhancing a healthier marine ecosystem.

A környezettudatos gondolkodás és magatartás vizsgálata a Pécsi járásban = The Examination of the Environmentally Conscious Thinking and Behavior in the District of Pécs

Environmentally conscious thinking and the knowledge and attitude of society towards sustainability have a big impact on the practicability of the sustainability of socio-economic processes. The overarching goal of the present research is to analyze the environmental awareness of the Pécs District. The foundation of the primer research was a questionnaire survey. The present study, moreover, is founded on the databases of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. According to the survey, in the dimension of transport, the car is the most popular vehicle to use; in terms of shopping, people have an environmentally conscious attitude; and on average, the subjects reported they were likely to take part in selective waste collection. The results of the present survey contribute to the exploration of the environmentally conscious behavior of the population of a micro-region, therefore are useful for all those who are interested in or support developing environmental consciousness.

Waste management of multiple food products through IoT enabled preservation policies and secondary supply chains

Recycling food waste (FW) into secondary products can transform the waste-to-value. This study proposes reducing FW through IoT controlled preservation and consuming it through a secondary supply chain (SSC). It explores the best policies for SSC management that recycles FW. The food chain comprises of multiple food processors for preparing multiple food products, and a common retailer where IoT based preservation curtails food deterioration. The SSC consumes the FW by recycling into multiple secondary products at multiple recycling plants and retailing at a secondary retailer. A dual channel waste collection viz. from retailers and consumers is maintained. Each product within primary and secondary supply chains (PSSCs) has a different lifetime, rate of deterioration (RoD), and preservation effectiveness. A nonlinear mathematical model is presented that optimizes decision-making for maximizing profitability. Outcomes of computational experiments demonstrate that the SSC removes 100% of the FW, conserves 89% of material resources, reduces 16% of the total cost, minimizes preservation efforts by 50%, improves replenishment cycle, and increases profitability by 39%. Some managerial insights are provided for making vital supply chain decisions.

Assessing the readiness of Greek municipalities to manage bioplastics in municipal waste management streams

Each year citizens of the European Union (EU) generate 2.5 billion tonnes of waste; equating to five tonnes of waste per person per year. To ensure optimal material recovery, and to support the move towards a circular economy, proper separate collection of waste is necessary. The current trend of increasing collection rates, encouraged by EU legislation, is promising; however, progress is uneven both across and within EU member states. While European and national targets provide the overarching driver for better waste collection, regional and local implementation is crucial for achieving continued progress. Therefore, it is vital to consider the disparity among the different EU countries when introducing new materials, such as bioplastics (bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics), into current national waste management streams, and any new introductions should be carefully evaluated before further actions are recommended by local authorities. As a member state that is heavily reliant on tourism, proper solid waste management is of vital importance in Greece, especially during the peak summer season. Considering the rapid expansion of bioplastics in the European market, it is important to assess the readiness of municipalities in Greece to manage this new category of solid waste. Data collected from 51 Greek municipalities via questionnaire (distributed to public authorities or waste management companies) showed that the current situation and capacities for adapting waste management streams to process bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics is still limited in Greece. Therefore, the readiness of Greece to process an increasing proportion of bioplastics within the waste stream (using the current waste management systems) is very low, as a result, such innovative materials are currently seen more as a problem than a ready-to-implement solution.

Waste management from dental clinics: A case study in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Healthcare waste management is a critical aspect of public health and environmental protection, particularly in establishments such as dental clinics. This study examined the dental clinic waste (DCW) management processes in clinics within the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Utilizing data from Healthcare Waste Management Plans (HCWMP) provided by the Urban Cleaning Superintendence, the study investigated waste generation, segregation, storage, collection, treatment, and final disposal practices. The results revealed that hazardous DCW represented a significant portion (26.5 %) of waste generated in dental clinics, exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold. Biological waste (22.9 %), mainly consisting of cotton, gauze, and gloves contaminated with blood or body fluids, was the most generated hazardous waste group, followed by chemical (2.2 %) and sharps waste (1.3 %). Incineration was the predominant treatment method for hazardous DCW, raising concerns about environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. Non-hazardous waste, primarily destined for landfills, had limited recycling rates (2.4 %), emphasizing the need for improved waste management strategies to minimize environmental impacts and increase circular economy. Challenges in DCW management included inadequate segregation practices, limited recycling initiatives, and incomplete HCWMPs lacking descriptions of waste management beyond establishment boundaries. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive training programs, strengthened regulations, and increased environmental awareness among healthcare professionals. In conclusion, improving DCW management in dental clinics is crucial for mitigating occupational and environmental risks. Collective efforts are needed to enhance waste segregation, promote recycling, and ensure compliance with regulations, ultimately safeguarding public health and the environment.

Analisis Pengelolaan Sampah Rumah Tangga di Permukiman Sekitar Daerah Aliran Sungai (DAS) Desa Ibul Besar II

 The problem of household waste in Ogan Ilir Regency is increasingly complex due to the characteristics of the area which is a wetland. Poor management of household waste around the watershed can cause various problems, both environmental and public health problems. The purpose of this study is to analyze household management in settlements around the watershed of Ibul Besar II Village. This study is a qualitative study. The informants in this study consisted of 7 key informants and 5 ordinary informants who were selected using the purposive sampling method. Data collection was carried out by in-depth interview, observation and documentation (photovoice). The study results show that efforts to eliminate household waste are still very minimal. Four out of six housewives reuse used buckets. However, only two out of six housewives doing recycle. Household waste is not sorted into five types. The collection and transportation of household waste doesn’t meet the requirements due to the unavailability of TPS or TPS 3R, waste cart and limited waste transportation. The household waste is burned and also the waste is not processed. It can be concluded that household waste management in settelements around the watershed of Ibul Besar II Village has not met the requirements in accordance with Republic of Indonesia Law Number 18 of 2008 and Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation Number 81 of 2012. Â