Disaster Waste Research Articles

Resilience-based estimation of the disaster waste disposal time considering interdependencies between waste disposal and road network systems under seismic and tsunami hazards in coastal communities

Disaster waste management (DWM) has gained much attention due to the issues associated with the enormous amount of disaster waste generated by natural disasters. However, moving beyond ad hoc and champion-based take-up by practitioners, there is generally a lack of momentum towards mainstreaming such DWM practices to achieve resilient outcomes. This study aims to explore the characteristics of DWM practices, drawing on the lived experiences of industry practitioners and government decision-makers. An interpretive case study method was used to investigate how local government organisations could readily engage in effective DWM processes using the “Resilient disaster management framework” previously established by the research team. Insights include a lack of documented plans for DWM and at best a moderate focus on recovery processes for disaster waste. With these issues counterproductive to community resilience outcomes, there is an urgent need to better manage disaster waste, which we propose can be enabled and supported through DWM plans. The extended ‘resilient DWM framework’ proposed in this study provides a useful reference to prepare practical, agile, and comprehensive DWM plans.

In the Valencia Region, in Spain, 228 lives were lost after catastrophic floods in October 2024, locally named “DANA”. Additional losses and damages occurred in the recovery phase, which were documented by a field visit two months after the flood. The methodology consisted of empirical research and theoretical impact chain frameworks. Interviews with key informants, such as experts, affected citizens, and industry, identified key focal problems, which included damaged vehicles, disaster waste management, and losses in agricultural production. Additional impact chains emerged, such as potential soil contamination, on groundwater, and ecosystems such as the Albufera Lagoon, and impacts on the food system and agriculture. The resulting conceptual frameworks allow for better cross-sectorial and sustainable cooperation to mediate those cascading impact chains in the further recovery. The examples of Valencia were also compared with other international cases, such as the German 2021 flood disaster, in terms of disaster and waste management. The main conclusions are that, next to direct flood damages, especially waste management and potential long-term contamination, are problems in the recovery process. And on the scientific and management side, gaps in cross-sectorial collaboration must be mitigated, based on a better perception of impact chains and interrelations. An international audience of researchers, policy makers, industry, and affected people can better understand how disaster, waste, and food safety interrelate through cascading impacts in the medium- and long-term after a disaster.Graphical abstract

Abstract This paper explores the critical intersection of disaster waste management and the protection of water sources and farmland in the aftermath of natural disasters. With increasing frequency and intensity of such events due to climate change, the effective management of disaster-generated waste has become imperative to safeguard environmental and public health. We examine the challenges posed by debris, hazardous materials, and organic waste, emphasizing the importance of waste segregation, recycling, and safe disposal methods. Furthermore, we assess the impact of disaster waste on water quality and soil health, highlighting strategies for monitoring and remediation to prevent contamination of vital resources. Through case studies and best practices, this paper advocates for integrated land use planning and community engagement to enhance resilience and recovery. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, we aim to promote sustainable practices that protect water sources and farmland, ensuring a healthier ecosystem for future generations.

A resilient disaster waste management framework for communities: Experiences from Australian industry practitioners

Evaluation of Reuse and Recycling Disaster Waste Materials for Post-disaster Shelter with Compressive Strength Testing and Case Study in Cianjur, Indonesia

‘Discarding well’ after disasters? Examination of disaster waste and debris management in the United States

PurposeThis study aims to examine the environmental effects of plastic waste on the atmosphere and its implications for disaster waste management. It focuses on using ammonia, pyrolyzed plastic oil and the effectiveness of alumina nanoparticles as a catalyst.Design/methodology/approachThe research explores different combinations of conventional diesel and nano Al2O3 derived from pyrolyzed plastic oil (ranging from P10 to P40). Critical performance metrics evaluated include brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency and emissions of CO2, CO and NOx. The study specifically investigates the impact of adding 50 ppm of Al2O3 nanoparticles to these blends.FindingsThe findings indicate that using blended fuels with nanoadditives significantly lowers pollution. Specifically, the P30 blend with 50 ppm of Al2O3 nanoparticles greatly reduced CO emissions. Additionally, the same blend reduced NOx emissions and CO2 emissions. The P30 mix showed improved BMEP and brake thermal efficiency due to its density, calorific value and viscosity (6.3 bar). The P30 blend exhibited higher thermal efficiency due to decreased heat loss, whereas conventional diesel demonstrated the best mechanical efficiency due to its longer ignition delay.Originality/valueThis study highlights the potential of using Al2O3 nanoparticles and pyrolyzed plastic oil to reduce emissions and enhance the performance of internal combustion engines. It underscores the environmental benefits and implications for disaster waste management by converting plastic waste into useful resources and reducing air pollution.

The impact of Kahramanmaraş (2023) earthquakes: A comparative case study for Adıyaman and Malatya

The high toxicity of materials in disaster waste poses a significant risk to the environment, including the air, water, soil, and all living beings. One of the commonly used disposal methods for hazardous solid waste is landfilling. The selection of sites for hazardous solid waste disposal requires extreme care and attention to multiple factors from environmental, social, and economic points of view. Considering the anticipated earthquake in Istanbul and the city’s excessive population and urbanization, experts estimate that debris waste will be approximately 25 million tons. In this study, we propose a Geographic Information System (GIS) based fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach to select hazardous solid waste landfill (HSWL) locations within the scope of disaster waste management for Istanbul. First, the evaluation criteria were identified through a literature review and expert opinions. Next, criteria are prioritized using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). Then, GIS data for the criteria are gathered from multiple resources and entered into ArcGIS 10.8 for spatial analysis. Last, the suitability map of Istanbul for the HSWL construction is built. Considering five candidates, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied to select the most suitable locations for Asian and European sites in the city. Accordingly, Fevzipaşa/Silivri for the European side and Hasanlı/Şile for the Asian side were selected as the most suitable two options. Last, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the impact of the highest weight criterion on the final solution.

Disaster is an explosion which originates due to some natural or man-made activities. It has short term or long term effects on human and environment. The disaster effects on human life, nature, environment, destroys roads and thousands of homes have been damaged. The explosion of disaster produces lots of garbage. The disasters contain contaminated waste, including plastics, food, newspapers, books and damaged electronic devices etc., various health and environmental hazards are produced due to adverse effects of disaster. Disaster are mainly classified into natural disaster and man-made disaster. Disaster makes environment polluted and unhygienic. To solve this problem we need a natural solution. For degradation of disaster waste we implement the various types of insects. The insects degrade the contaminated waste which pollute the environment. The black soldier fly and white grub are main species of insects used for degradation of disaster waste. Insects converts the degradable waste into compost. Which is used for agricultural field. This method of disaster waste degradation is a eco-friendly and locally available.

Optimization-driven artificial intelligence-enhanced municipal waste classification system for disaster waste management

ABSTRACT In the United States, debris removal is one of the costliest and most time-consuming elements of disaster response and recovery. It is essential to reducing secondary environmental and health risks, and to community recovery and rebuilding. Analysis of debris removal and waste management, though, primarily treats it as a series of operational steps and technical decisions. In contrast, this article analyses disaster debris removal decision-making as a social process. We present the findings of an ethnographic study that engaged over 70 government actors from federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies in focus groups and interviews. By examining the experiences of these actors, who are central to debris removal decisions, this article identifies decision points that send waste down particular pathways from collection to final disposal. Three operational areas of concern that emerge from the analysis are: local control and capacity, cost and reimbursement, and balance between urgency and sustainability. This article shows how social processes in particular socio-material systems shape these decisions, such as the interplay of waste and disaster institutional arrangements. Finally, it shares practical implications for social process workarounds to operational challenges, such as interagency and interlevel relationships, that can support on-the-ground decision-making.

ABSTRACT Effective disaster debris management requires reasonable predictions pre-hazard and estimates post-hazard of debris for a community to get back to normal sooner. However, there is a lack of data related to post-disaster waste quantities that could validate and improve debris predictions. This knowledge gap can be addressed by using remote sensing technology to quantify disaster debris promptly following a hazard. This study aimed to demonstrate and compare multiple remote sensing tools available for quantifying disaster debris using post-disaster data collected following Hurricane Ida. The tools used in this study are satellite imagery, emergency response airborne imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). We found that satellite imagery is useful for quantifying vegetative debris generation and transportation across vast areas, however it is often limited by spatial and temporal resolutions. Emergency response airborne imagery, collected within days following the hazard, is well-suited for quantifying transported vegetative debris and can assist debris clearance of emergency service routes across large areas, although it can be limited spatially and temporally to the interests of the acquiring agency. UAVs and TLS can provide precise volumes of debris but UAVs may be a better option due to their lower cost and computational demand. Guidance is provided for selecting a remote sensing tool based on the desired application and available resources, which can assist decision making for disaster waste managers.

Disaster wastes generated after earthquakes have a negative impact on the environment and living beings and cause damages that last for many years. Within the scope of the study, it is aimed to reveal the importance of the disaster waste management process. For this purpose, the disaster waste management process in the Kahramanmaraş earthquake centered on February 6, which is the world's biggest disaster in 2023, was discussed. In this context, document/record and case study methods were used. In this context, "Waste Management Regulation", "Regulation on Regular Storage of Waste" and "Regulation on the Control of Excavation Soil, Construction and Demolition Waste" were examined. Also, The Landfill Directive, which concerns all member countries of the European Union and is included in the European Union Waste Legislation, was examined in order to compare it with the Turkish Legislation. The study was supported with data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI). It was determined that there was no storage or sorting area for disaster waste in this region according to TSI data, the legislation examined did not contain sufficient and detailed information on the subject, and the reports published by the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (UCTEA) confirmed that the process was not managed properly in the region. It has been determined that the existing practices and legislation contradict each other, the legislation does not contain sufficient detail, the practices in the world have been investigated within the scope of the subject, and suggestions have been presented in this context. This study is important in terms of revealing the importance and correct positioning of waste storage and sorting areas in order to prevent similar situations in future earthquakes.

Research for Estimating Disaster Waste Generation Amounts and Unit Volumes for Disaster Waste in the Asia-Pacific Region

Review of International Trends regarding Disaster Waste and Summary of Japanʼs International Efforts

Issues on Disaster Waste Management in the Event of a Major Disaster

Technical Cooperation on Disaster Waste Management in the Pacific Region

Çalışma, afet atık yönetimine ilişkin bilimsel literatürün günümüze değin geldiği noktayı ortaya koyma hedefiyle bibliyometrik yöntemle kurgulanmıştır. Bu amaçla Web of Science veri tabanında “disaster” ve “waste management” anahtar kelimeleriyle yıl, bilim dalı ve eser türü sınırlaması olmadan yapılan taramada 415 yayına ulaşılmıştır. Bu eserlerin yayın yılı, dili, en çok yayınlandığı ülke ve kuruluşlar, tarandığı indeksler, yayınlandığı dokümanlar, en çok eseri bulunan yazarlar, ortak yazar analizi, yazarların atıf analizi, ülkelerin atıf analizi, kurumların atıf analizi ve anahtar sözcük analizleri bibliyometrik olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Buna göre yapılan çalışmaların 2008 yılından sonra artış gösterdiği, Çin ve Amerika’nın konuya ilişkin en çok yayın sahibi ülkeler olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Li (10), Cheng (7) ve Thompson (7) bu alanda en çok yayın üreten yazarlardır. Vanapalli vd.’nin (2021) “Challenges and strategies for effective plastic waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic” başlıklı makalesi 269 atıfla en çok atıf alan yayın olmuştur.