Effective Waste Management System Research Articles

Sustainable urban development: Evaluating the potential of mineral-based construction and demolition waste recycling in emerging economies

Widespread illegal disposal of surging construction and demolition waste (CDW) is a prominent threat to recycling, leading to resource wastage and environmental issues. The lack of data is a major barrier to designing an effective waste management system in emerging economies. Employing a mixed-method approach, a cross-sectional case study was conducted on an Indian city to assess the existing system and investigate the root causes of low recycling rates and limited demand for recycled materials. The study finds that (a) illegal disposal is prevalent due to the "end-of-pipe" approach of the waste management system, (b) policy enforcement on waste generators is weak, (c) low-rise residential buildings are the major contributor of waste, (d) low demand for recycled material is due to lack of awareness, marketing, incentives, and high costs, (e) transportation costs are 50 % higher than the recycled material cost, and (f) lack of segregation leading to the production of low-value materials. All these factors make recycling unattractive and the circular economy (CE) unfeasible. Stakeholder awareness, a centralized trading platform, and integrated waste management systems are essential to promote recycling and advance SDGs 9, 11, and 12, focusing on industry, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption and production.

Household solid waste management systems in Ukraine taking into account European experience

The article defines that the solid household waste management system is a complex of organizational, technical, economic and social measures aimed at effective collection, sorting, transportation, utilization and processing of solid household waste. An effective solid waste management system helps to ensure sustainable development, reduce the negative impact on the environment and promotes the use of waste as a resource for new products or energy. The article presents the experience of Germany, Sweden and Poland in the field of solid waste management. The peculiarities of such management are described for each of the countries. It has been established that the organization of the solid household waste management system in European countries differs in a number of features, which are determined by environmental standards, social values and strategies of sustainable development, which are aimed at solving problems related to the generation, storage, processing and utilization of waste. We propose directions for improving the solid waste management system in Ukraine, namely: development and implementation of sorting systems in households (will allow more efficient use of resources and ensure their further processing); introduction of extended producer responsibility; increasing the number and development of modern facilities for the processing and secondary processing of solid household waste; attraction of investments for the introduction of the latest technologies in the processing of solid household waste; implementation of effective incentive systems for enterprises engaged in secondary processing of solid household waste; implementation of modern technologies for tracking the volume of solid household waste, its composition and transportation routes; creation of digital platforms for information exchange between waste management, enterprises and citizens; development of programs and educational activities to increase environmental awareness of the community and their active participation in the solid waste management system; revision and improvement of legislation to meet modern environmental requirements; introduction of effective fines and incentives for enterprises and citizens that comply with or violate solid waste management requirements. Improving the solid waste management system in Ukraine can be achieved with the participation of state bodies, the business sector and the public, relying on the best experience of the European Union and other countries.

AI-DRIVEN WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF INNOVATIONS IN THE USA AND AFRICA

The burgeoning challenges of waste management have propelled the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into waste management systems, aiming to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and environmental impact. This abstract delves into the comparative review of AI-driven waste management innovations in the USA and Africa, illuminating the divergent strategies employed to address distinct contextual demands. In the USA, where waste management infrastructures are relatively advanced, AI technologies are leveraged to optimize waste collection routes, automate sorting processes, and enhance recycling efficiency. Machine learning algorithms analyze historical data to predict waste generation patterns, enabling municipalities to allocate resources more effectively. Additionally, robotic sorting systems equipped with computer vision contribute to the accurate segregation of recyclables, reducing contamination and promoting a circular economy. Conversely, in Africa, where waste management infrastructures may be less developed, AI applications prioritize scalable and adaptable solutions. Mobile applications powered by AI facilitate crowd-sourced waste reporting, enabling citizens to actively participate in waste management efforts. Furthermore, sensor-equipped smart bins optimize collection routes in real-time, improving resource utilization. The emphasis on community engagement and decentralized solutions reflects the unique challenges and opportunities present in African waste management contexts. Despite these regional disparities, common themes emerge, such as the role of data analytics, automation, and community involvement in shaping effective waste management systems. The comparative analysis underscores the importance of tailoring AI-driven innovations to the specific socio-economic and infrastructural landscapes of each region. Ultimately, understanding the nuanced approaches in the USA and Africa can inform a more holistic and globally adaptable framework for AI-driven waste management systems.
 Keywords: Al, Waste Management, USA, Africa, Innovation, Sanitation.

IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEMS IN THE PROCESS OF FORMING AN EFFECTIVE REGIONAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN UKRAINE

Introduction. Attention is focused on the activation of the waste processing process, the technical equipment of the functional elements of the regional waste management system, the use of foreign experience in the implementation of recycling capacities, which will make it possible to specify goals in the implementation of innovative tasks in this field. The reasons that led to the low level of development of the domestic sphere of waste management are singled out: ineffective environmental policy, insufficient financing of relevant measures, neglect of environmental requirements, lack of practical steps in the development of infrastructure of a utilization nature. The purpose of the article. The purpose of the article is to identify problems that occur in the process of forming a regional waste management system in Ukraine, which prevent the achievement of real results in the context of sustainable development of regions. In order to achieve the set goal, the task of determining: a) problems that occurred before the full-scale war of 2022 was solved; b) problems that were added in the conditions of martial law. Results. It is emphasized that the formation of an effective waste management system is an important component of qualitative changes (sustainable development) in the regions of Ukraine in the context of its European integration aspirations. The region was considered in the context of obligations to eliminate existing problems in the field of waste management and practical implementation of tasks defined in regional waste management plans. A number of problems that occur in the field of waste management at the regional level are highlighted. The legislative provision of the waste management system and its influence on the achievement of expected results in this field are analyzed. The capabilities of local authorities in developing infrastructure for waste processing are substantiated. The treatment of waste in the conditions of martial law was studied. It was determined that within the limits of particularly dangerous territories there is a need to focus on the management of waste from destruction, on relatively safe ones - on household waste. The problems associated with the functioning of existing waste processing facilities due to the crisis situation in energy supply are singled out. Conclusions. It is noted that the identified problems are issues that need to be resolved, as threats arise behind them; these are tasks that should be solved in the context of the National Waste Management Strategy in Ukraine until 2030 with the aim of forming/developing the waste management system; these are the goals that must be resolved in the context of sustainable development and the development of a cyclical economy.

Industrial Waste Management Techniques in Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria

The production of various types of industrial trash has expanded dramatically as a result of the industrial expansion that has been observed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. This research provides a thorough analysis of the industrial waste management strategies that are currently in use in this city. The study includes a comprehensive investigation of the range of industrial waste, which includes solids, liquids, gases, and particulate matter, and which comes from different industrial sectors in Port Harcourt. The complex physical and chemical characteristics of these wastes are explored, as well as how they affect the surrounding ecosystem and public health. In addition, this research examines the current waste management approaches that are used in Rivers State and clarifies the legal frameworks controlling the disposal and treatment of industrial waste. It looks into the common ways that companies dispose of garbage, such as land filling, incineration, recycling, open dumping, and wastewater treatment. Effective waste management procedures are hindered by a number of problems, including poor disposal facilities, inadequate infrastructure, problems with regulatory compliance, and low public awareness. These problems are fully investigated. Additionally, this study promotes the use of cutting-edge waste minimization and management technology while highlighting the critical role that stakeholder and public participation play. Additionally, case studies showcasing Port Harcourt’s industry-specific waste management techniques are presented. In order to reduce environmental deterioration, preserve public health, and promote sustainable industrial growth, it is important to create effective waste management systems. These findings are summarised in the conclusion of this academic study. Furthermore, it provides practical suggestions for enhancing trash management tactics in this metropolitan environment.

Conceptualizing disaster waste governance using network governance perspectives

The establishment of an effective disaster waste management (DWM) system is necessary for a resilient and sustainable society. Although some DWM guidelines have been developed and there has been some progress in DWM research, little progress has been made in developing a theory of how the various aspects of DWM relate to each other and lead to effective, collaborative DWM. Here, we present a new conceptual model of disaster waste governance. Empirical studies on DWM were reviewed to clarify the current understanding of how DWM operation is affected by other nontechnical aspects. This knowledge was then incorporated into the disaster waste governance model, based on the perspectives of network governance theory, to capture the collaborative nature of DWM. The new model assumes that waste governance competency, consisting of actor capacity and network competency, rests at the core, connecting waste management after disasters with solid waste management, preparedness, and mitigation in normal times. A detailed description of this disaster waste governance model is further provided by drawing on examples from recent disasters in Japan and other countries. The proposed model allows stakeholders to comprehensively understand the relationship between key aspects of collaborative DWM, which can serve as a common framework to compare DWM experiences from different cities/countries and as a tool to help identify gaps in policies when aiming to achieve an effective and collaborative DWM system.

Nature-Saving Practices on the Territory of a Higher Educational Institution

Relevance. One of the global problems of our time is environmental pollution. The problem of filling huge territories with plastic waste is becoming more acute every year. The main reason for this is the inability to process the entire volume of plastic formed as a result of the vital activity of the population. The problem can be mitigated by reducing the amount of plastic consumption in a person's daily life and organizing the practice of separate collection of plastic, which will still be used by the population. The purpose is to research and develop one of the options for nature–saving practice on the territory of Southwestern State University. Objectives: to study the respondents' readiness to improve the plastic waste management system; to identify the main problems associated with the formation of an effective plastic management system; to develop one of the options for nature-saving practices. Methodology. Theoretical-methodological, structural-functional and sociological analysis of studying the issue of improving the plastic waste management system were used to solve the tasks. Results: the main problems of the formation of the plastic waste management system are identified; the readiness of employees and students of the university to improve the plastic waste management system is analyzed; the option of installing an apparatus for receiving plastic as a nature-saving practice on the territory of a higher educational institution is proposed. Conclusions. The implementation of nature-saving practices on the territory of a higher educational institution is a way to solve the growing conflicts in the socio-ecological sphere. The formation of a sustainable and efficient plastic waste management system will contribute to ensuring the environmental safety of the territory. According to the results of the conducted sociological research, the main problems of forming an effective plastic waste management system are insufficient or incorrect location of plastic collection/reception sites, weak popularization of separate waste collection, as well as insufficient motivation to carry out.

Evaluation of solid waste management effectiveness in Indonesia from 2019-2021: a geographic information system analysis

As a developing country, Indonesia has a significant requirement for solid waste infrastructure development and the establishment of a clean, environmentally friendly, and effective solid waste management system. In other hand, poor solid waste management data remains a major challenge for identifying investment needs in each region. Sistem Informasi Pengelolaan Sampah Nasional (SIPSN) or National Solid Waste Management Information System is a comprehensive source of waste management data in Indonesia that was initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia to describe existing conditions of solid waste management in Indonesia. This study used the Geographic Information System approach to evaluate waste management data from 2019 to 2021. The importance indicators are the solid waste generation, the effectiveness of waste management, the types of solid waste, and solid waste management facilities in various regions of Indonesia. The primary goal of this study is to comprehend the trend of existing state of waste management, as well as to collect and evaluate data from SIPSN and study literature on solid waste management performance in Indonesia. The findings show various areas that require infrastructure development and the deployment of adequate investment technology solutions in solid waste management. This analysis helps Indonesia for having sustainable waste management by reducing waste generation, improving recycling, and lowering environmental impact.

The use of Waste Management in the Baltic Sea Region: Analysis of Economic and Operational Indicators

An effective waste management system is based on a comprehensive knowledge of the current situation in terms of the quality and quantity of waste generated. The article presents the results of the analysis of economic and production indicators of waste management in the countries of the European Union of the Baltic Sea region: Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland and Sweden. Statistical indicators for 2005–2020 and profile studies have been studied. The indicators of waste generation excluding basic mineral waste per unit of GDP (leader: Estonia — 885–532 kg / 1000 euros), household waste generation (leader: Denmark — 717.5–814 kg/person), the level of disposal of utility costs (leader: Germany — 59.25–68.35%) and the level of biowaste recycling (leader: Denmark — 120.5–151.3 kg/person). Extreme and average values were identified for each indicator for the countries under consideration, the dynamics of growth and decline were determined, general trends were identified, and median values of the indicators under consideration were compared. It was found that the generation of waste per unit of GDP for 2005–2020 decreased from 107.5 to 74 kg / 1000 euros (-31.2%); the formation of household waste increased from 448.75 to 458 kg/person (+2.1%), the level of municipal waste disposal increased from 27.5 to 42% (+14.5%), the number of recycled bio-waste increased from 22.5 to 72.5 kg/person (+222.2%). This allows us to see the results of the EUʼs purposeful work to reduce the negative burden of individual countries on the environmental sustainability of entire regions.

Characterization of landfills solid waste in Muscat and estimation of their energy recovery.

The only way to dispose of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Oman is in engineered landfills without pre-treatment. An effective waste management system requires a reliable database of solid waste composition, properties, and energy content. Although investigating waste in landfills in Muscat Governorate is challenging and complex, it is essential. In this study, MSW from Muscat Governorate landfills is examined. The MSW samples were collected et al. Amerat and Barka landfills in 2020 in order to determine some of the importance of their physiochemical properties and the ratio of materials (food, plastic, and paper). It was found that approximately 50% of the weight of the disposed waste was recyclable. There were high levels of biodegradable organic material in MSW. In terms of moisture content, MSW ranged from 21.5 to 43.3%. Both the volatility and loss of ignition of MSW were high. It was found that the total oxide ratios ranged from 12.4 to 44.06%. The elemental analysis of Muscat MSW resulted in six chemical formulas for MSW with and without sulfur. Silica is the most influential oxide, followed by calcium oxide. The findings of this study indicate that almost half of Muscat's municipal solid waste can be recycled. Solid waste can be recycled to create renewable materials that can replace oil as a by-product of the recycling industry. Additionally, Muscat MSW has a high moisture content, which enables it to be composted and biodegraded. Moreover, waste-to-energy technologies are feasible due to their high-energy content.

Deep Learning Approach to Recyclable Products Classification: Towards Sustainable Waste Management

Effective waste management and recycling are essential for sustainable development and environmental conservation. It is a global issue around the globe and emerging in Saudi Arabia. The traditional approach to waste sorting relies on manual labor, which is both time-consuming, inefficient, and prone to errors. Nonetheless, the rapid advancement of computer vision techniques has paved the way for automating garbage classification, resulting in enhanced efficiency, feasibility, and management. In this regard, in this study, a comprehensive investigation of garbage classification using a state-of-the-art computer vision algorithm, such as Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), as well as pre-trained models such as DenseNet169, MobileNetV2, and ResNet50V2 has been presented. As an outcome of the study, the CNN model achieved an accuracy of 88.52%, while the pre-trained models DenseNet169, MobileNetV2, and ResNet50V2, achieved 94.40%, 97.60%, and 98.95% accuracies, respectively. That is considerable in contrast to the state-of-the-art studies in the literature. The proposed study is a potential contribution to automating garbage classification and to facilitating an effective waste management system as well as to a more sustainable and greener future. Consequently, it may alleviate the burden on manual labor, reduce human error, and encourage more effective recycling practices, ultimately promoting a greener and more sustainable future.

Characterization, quantification and management of municipal solid waste in Shivamogga city, Karnataka, India

Planning and implementing an integrated, effective solid waste management system is one of the biggest challenges in large cities. In this study, all the wards under the Shivamogga City Corporation (SCC) were surveyed to collect data on the number of households, commercial establishments and bulk waste generators to determine the average waste generation rate in each ward. To determine the total waste generation in the city, average quantity of waste generated by each generator was multiplied with the estimated number of waste generators. To find the average household waste generation, waste sampled from 400 households and 100 commercial establishments was recorded. A waste characterisation study was also conducted over a period of 3 days at the transfer station. GIS techniques were used to prepare the various maps to understand the population growth, road network, ward boundaries etc. The study showed that the total quantity of waste generated in the Shivamogga city can be estimated as 210 tons per day (TPD), including 34 TPD of silt waste from drainage. Through the sampling studies conducted on field, it has been estimated that households and commercial establishments are the major waste generators in the city, with households generate about 55% of waste generated in the city and commercial establishments generate about 11% of the waste adding up to 66% of the total waste generated. This paper also provides recommendations on building adaptable solutions for the existing problems in Shivamogga.

A Prototype of the Waste Segregation and Remote Garbage Level Monitoring System

Abstract: The proper management of waste is a significant challenge faced by urban areas worldwide. The lack of an efficient and effective waste management system results in environmental degradation and health hazards. This paper proposes a solution to the problem of waste management by designing and implementing a remote smart waste segregation and garbage level monitoring system. The system consists of two subsystems: waste segregation and garbage level monitoring. The waste segregation subsystem uses sensors to detect the type of waste and segregate it into different dustbins based on its properties, while the garbage level monitoring subsystem uses ultrasonic sensors to monitor the garbage level and send data to cloud for remote monitoring and analysis. When the level of garbage reaches a specific threshold, the system sends an SMS to a predeclared phone number.

Assessment of water quality and pollution in Gurunagar fishery harbour, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Coastal marine water pollution is caused by anthropogenic activities either directly or indirectly. Substances released into marine coastal environment result in deleterious effects such as harmful to living resources, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities including fishing. As such, Gurunagar harbour is often polluted by several waste effluents generated within the region. Research was conducted with the objective to determine the quality of water in the fish landing site at Gurunagar and type of wastes discharged into the main water stream. Investigations were carried out for six months period from January to June 2020. Three potential sampling locations were selected along three main drainages where amalgamation takes place at the coastal region. Samples were collected from 10 m, 30 m and 60 m at the interior portion of the harbour whereas control unit was kept at 500 m at the exterior portion of harbour. Fifteen water quality parameters were analyzed to find out the level of contamination in the water. Results showed that physical parameters such as temperature, salinity, total suspended solids, colour and turbidity were kept under the tolerance level. Chemical parameters such as BOD, COD, Nitrate, and Phosphate were accounted above the limit as 139.00 ± 29.57 mg/l, 306.70 ± 70.5 mg/l, 78.70 ± 8.03 mg/l, and 1.42 ±0.2448 mg/l, respectively. There was no significant difference between three main drainage channels considered. Hazardous wastes of oil and grease accumulated as 14.333 ± 2.345mg/l in the harbour water and, the Noxious heavy metals namely Hg and Pb were estimated as 0.03544 ± 0.02845 mg/l and 1.97 ± 0.1815 mg/l, respectively; and these concentrations are crucially above the tolerance limits. The Hg concentration in Jaffna Teaching Hospital drainage was reported as 0.0315 ±0.02247 which is inevitably higher than the threshold level. It was found parameter variables along with the sampling distances and significantly high value was obtained at the distance of 10 m from the coast. The present study recommends that initiatives should be made by the government officials to adopt an effective waste disposal and management system among the coastal communities, in the future.

The marine litter issue in the Windward Islands- a pathway to responses using the DPSIR framework

Marine litter is an important and worldwide concern that should be deeper analysed. It also requires information from all over the world and especially in less studied areas like small islands developing states, e.g., the Windward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean. This study analyses the issue of marine litter in the English-speaking Windward Islands using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. The research is based on a bibliographical review and analysis of scientific and grey literature regarding these islands and the Wider Caribbean Region at large. The Windward Islands present a unique situation because of their geographic location in the south-eastern Caribbean, socio-economic status, and strong external influences. The DPSIR Framework was used to frame and assess the major types, causes and effects of marine litter for the Windward Islands by reviewing current scientific and grey literature. The major solid waste item retrieved from the coastal and marine environment is fishing gear in the case of Dominica and plastic waste for the other islands. The challenges in current and proposed management measures were identified. Proposed solutions in the form of responses were tailored to meet each casual and effect component of the DPSIR framework. The study strongly recommends that the islands make use of their existing participation in global agreements and initiatives, participate more actively in the negotiations for the upcoming Global Plastics Treaty set to launch in 2024, and tackle their mutual need for effective solid waste management systems and infrastructure and increased recycling efforts or opportunities. These measures could undoubtedly pave a way to the achieving a cleaner and healthier ocean.

More than just organics: Boosting separate collection of dry recyclables with door-to-door bio-waste collection in EU capitals

The European Union Waste Framework Directive revised in 2018 sets an ambitious target of recycling 55 percent of municipal solid waste by 2025. Separate waste collection is an important prerequisite for achieving this target, but progress is uneven among Member States and has slowed down in recent years. This makes it paramount to identify effective waste management systems to enable higher recycling rates. Waste management systems vary greatly within Member States and are established by municipalities or district authorities, making the city-level the ideal level of analysis. Based on quantitative analysis of data from 28 European Union capitals (pre-Brexit), this paper speaks to debates about the effectiveness of waste management systems more broadly and the role of door-to-door bio-waste collection in particular.Drawing on encouraging findings in literature, we investigate whether door-to-door bio-waste collection contributes to boosting the collection of dry recyclables such as glass, metal, paper and plastic. Employing Multiple Linear Regression, we sequentially test for 13 control variables including six related to different waste management system and seven controls related to urban, economic and political aspects. We find evidence that door-to-door bio-waste collection is associated with greater amounts of separately collected dry recyclables. Cities with door-to-door bio-waste collection, on average, sort 60 kg per capita per year more of dry recyclables. Although the causal mechanisms behind such a relationship need further investigation, this finding indicates that European Union waste management could benefit from a stronger promotion of door-to-door bio-waste collection.

Municipal solid waste classification and real-time detection using deep learning methods

Waste management has become a significant issue in most developing countries. Municipal solid waste generation has been steadily increasing over the past decade. Recycling is gaining importance because it is the only method to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment. Furthermore, recycling is not a fully autonomous operation; a significant amount of waste must be performed manually. New and innovative procedures must be implemented to deal with the increasing volume of waste products at recycling facilities. It is suggested that effective solid waste management systems have a practical approach to detecting and classifying waste materials. This study presents CNN and Graph-LSTM, two deep-learning techniques that can recognize typical waste products when handled on a belt conveyor in waste collection systems. This convolutional neural network-based solution is trained to use six object classes: cardboard, metal, glass, plastic, paper, and organic waste. The major advantage is the ability to model long-term dependencies, Improved performance, better generalization, and easy access The experimental findings show that the suggested system can achieve 97.5% accuracy in real-world situations, outperforming existing methods identified in the literature.

Status of health care waste management plans and practices in public health care facilities in Gauteng Province, South Africa

BackgroundHealth care waste management is a challenge due to the composition of the waste generated within a health care facility, of which 85% is domestic waste, and at least 15% is hazardous waste or health care risk waste (has been in contact with blood, body fluids or tissues from humans and could cause disease). In this study, we evaluated the status quo of health care waste management plans (HCWMPs) and practices in public health care facilities in Gauteng Province, South Africa.MethodsA situational analysis was employed in health care facilities (HCFs) that generated more than 20 kg (N = 42) of health care risk waste (HCRW) per day. Data was collected from officials responsible for the management of health care waste using a self-administered questionnaire whilst Chief Executive Officers/ managers of the HFCs were interviewed.ResultsThe results showed that most (79.0%) of the health care waste officers (HCWOs) as well as management (84.6%) agreed to have HCWMPs in place. The majority (76.9%) of the HCFs have a dedicated person appointed to manage health care waste with the majority (67%) being environmental health practitioners. According to management, only 30.8% have formally appointed an integrated HCW committee. Only 11.7% of the HCWOs are guided by the Occupational Health and Safety Act to develop their HCWMPs with only 20.5% with health care waste minimisation strategies in place.ConclusionThe study concluded that there is limited integration of HCWMPs as inadequate health and safety aspects, environmental pollution as well as community participation was reported. The novelty of the study is to contribute to a body of knowledge, information on the establishment of an effective health care waste management system in public health care facilities and for decision-making purposes.

Food Waste Utilization for Reducing Carbon Footprints towards Sustainable and Cleaner Environment: A Review.

There is world-wide generation of food waste daily in significant amounts, leading to depletion of natural resources and deteriorating air quality. One-third of global food produced is wasted laterally with the food value chain. Carbon footprint is an efficient way of communicating the issues related to climate change and the necessity of changing behavior. Valorization or utilization of food wastes helps in resolving issues related to environment pollution. Reduction in the carbon footprint throughout the chain of food supply makes the whole process eco-friendly. Prevailing food waste disposal systems focus on their economic and environmental viability and are putting efforts into using food waste as a resource input to agriculture. Effective and advanced waste management systems are adopted to deal with massive waste production so as to fill the gap between the production and management of waste disposal. Food waste biorefineries are a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach for the production of platform chemicals, biofuels, and other bio-based materials. These materials not only provide sustainable resources for producing various chemicals and materials but have the potential to reduce this huge environmental burden significantly. In this regard, technological advancement has occurred in past few years that has proven suitable for tackling this problem.

Proposed solutions for marine debris in the Windward Islands- perspectives from key policy makers and policy influencers

With the rise of regionalization and globalized approaches to dealing with the associated sources and impacts of marine debris, it is often a challenge to properly capture the unique context and special needs of small island developing states (SIDS) worldwide. In the SIDS context, locals’ perspectives should have a voice in scientific research, as well as in devising potential solutions, at all and different scales. With the view to tailor solutions for the prevention, reduction and mitigation of marine debris, this research explores the professional opinion of local knowledge holders including policy makers from government organizations (GOs) and key policy influencers in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the five English-Speaking Windward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean. To achieve that objective, surveys were conducted with these two groups in Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. On the causes of the debris problem, the survey revealed that the lack of a proper waste management systems on islands, recycling limitations and inappropriate disposal behaviors of the population are generally thought to be the main contributory factors to the accelerating problem of marine debris. Further, phenomena such as Sargassum influxes, sea level rise and extreme weather events exacerbate the problem including most especially tropical storms and hurricanes. On the recommended solutions, over eighty percent of the participants identified monitoring and policing services as a main constraint that prohibits sound coastal and marine litter handling. Ninety-five percent identified establishing feasible recycling systems and sixty-seven percent identified changing social behaviors (including a combination of product and consumer literacy, disposal habits, compliance with laws and regulations) as national priorities for enabling on-the-ground actions for better coastal and marine litter prevention and reduction going forward. These findings reinforce recently published work which indicates the need for effective solid waste management systems in the Eastern Caribbean for cleaner and healthier oceans. An additional recommendation was proposed to address a major source of the marine litter problem- upstream producers. Furthermore, given the natural events component, this research proposes incorporating the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction in future proposed mitigation measures with a view to building the resilience of SIDS and local communities in combating the impacts of marine debris.