Waste Management Issues Research Articles

Bioenergy production from pretreated rice straw in Nigeria: An analysis of novel three-stage anaerobic digestion for hydrogen and methane co-generation

The response to Nigeria's energy inadequacies and waste management issues is projected in this research to be achieved with hydrogen and methane co-produced from pretreated (PT) rice straw (RS) in a three-stage digestion process. This study also demonstrated a novel pretreatment (PTM) agent to improve biological energy recovery from RS. The objectives were accomplished using acidogenic and methanogenic procedures in batch, semi-continuous and continuous systems after pretreating RS with chemical/potash extract (PE) followed by a biological agent. At the same time, the energy assessments were done using data from the laboratory study and the literature. The research findings indicated that at the acidogenesis stage, specific hydrogen yield was insignificant when chemical agents and PE were employed alone. However, the daily H2 production increased when the PT RS residues were enzymatically hydrolysed with NaOH-PT (114 NmL H2 g−1 TS d−1) and PE-PT (103 NmL H2 g−1 TS d−1) RS substrates having the highest values at steady states and raw RS producing the least (30 NmL H2 g−1 TS d−1). In the methanogenesis phase, chemical/ PE PTM followed by enzymatic hydrolysis of RS improved the daily specific methane production by 18%, 31.7% and 41.5% for HCl, PE and NaOH-PT RS residues. The methane production efficiency was 80% for NaOH, 75% for PE, and 68% for HCl RS PT samples, while the raw RS was 48%. The total output energy expressed in electricity and thermal production using combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP) showed that NaOH and PE-PT RS digesters gave the highest electricity (892.43 and 852.00 KWhelect. tonne-1 TS) and thermal (1194.10 and 1140 KWhtherm. tonne-1 TS) yield respectively. Similarly, the cooling fluid in KWhcool produced per tonne of TS RS was 835.57, 798.00 and 741.66 for NaOH, PE and HCl PT RS samples. Finally, whereas the Firmicutes, especially the Clostridium, Ruminococcus and Thermoanaerobacterium, were the dominant microbial community in acidogenic digestates, the Euryarchaeota typified by Methanobacterium, Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta were the principal phyla for most methanogenic reactors.

Community Empowerment and Environmental Management through Eco Enzyme Production Training in Kismoyoso Village, Boyolali – Central Java

The National Waste Management Information System data stated that in 2022, households ranked first as waste and garbage producers with a percentage reaching 43.3%. The issue of household waste management also occurs in Kismoyoso Village. Therefore, community engagement activities through KKN UNS Village Development include conducting socialization and workshops on household waste management through eco enzyme production. The objective of this activity is to raise awareness and encourage the residents of Kismoyoso Village to utilize household waste as something of value and economic worth. The production of eco enzymes is prepared using Dr. Rosukon's method, which involves mixing sugar (palm sugar/white sugar/molasses) with household waste, specifically organic waste, and water in a ratio of 1:3:10. The eco enzyme solution is then left to undergo a 90-day fermentation process.

Perceptions of Community-Based Waste Bank Operators and Customers on Its Establishment and Operationalization: Cases in Pangandaran, Indonesia

There is a lack of awareness and understanding of how to manage waste effectively in Indonesia, especially in coastal rural areas. This paper discusses the important issues in waste management and proposes effective waste management practices in Indonesia. This paper also provides a case study involving the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the waste bank project in Pangandaran, Indonesia, and its impact on the community, reflected by the perceptions of its operators and customers, which was achieved through several questionnaires. The results showed that waste banks are a viable option to manage waste in Pangandaran. This is based on the finding that waste banks have created employment opportunities and raised awareness among the community about how to manage waste effectively. The waste bank also enables its members to earn income from recycling, which provides benefits to the community and encourages further participation in the waste bank program. The most important finding is that community-based projects can provide engagement-generating value to communities and can be sustainably run by the community independently and in the long term. Nevertheless, the success and operational sustainability of waste banks are affected by many factors, hence endorsement from municipal authorities, non-profit entities, corporations, and additional interested parties is needed.

An emerging concern of medical waste management in Rohingya refugee camps at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: existing practice and alternatives

The plight of humanity in refugee camps is an age-old issue, as is the ever-increasing issue of waste management, especially medical waste. Though situations have improved in recent times for refugee camps, the same cannot be concurred about medical waste management, as it increases in amount every day. This is the first study on the refugee camp, which was conducted to assess the status of medical waste management and to quantify and characterize medical wastes disposed of in the Rohingya refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional, qualitative, and quantitative study was done. A total of 499 households, 30 solid waste collectors, 30 HCF workers, and 21 solid waste management (SWM) plant workers were interviewed by KoBo Toolbox. Monthly medical waste collection data from February to June 2022 was also collected. Data collection, processing, and statistical analysis were done using Origin Pro and SPSS software. It was found that the camps did not follow any specific guidelines for medical waste management except for a few segregations in healthcare facilities (HCF). Though 88% of the respondents were aware of the hazardous nature of medical waste, most of them disposed of these wastes in open places (49%) and drains (44%), and 70% did not segregate it from regular waste at the household level. Moreover, 73% of solid waste management workers found medical waste daily in communal bins. The HCF did not keep any records on the production of medical waste. Different types of medical waste were found in communal bins; glass bottles containing medicines were common among them. Data from the material recovery facility (MRF) of this camp showed that the highest amount of medical waste found in the communal bins was in April (65 kg) during the seasonal change from spring to summer and the lowest in February (12.7 kg). Moreover, HCF’s existing medical waste management practices were analyzed with SWOT and DPSIR framework. Based on all the findings, a comprehensive on-site and off-site management plan for medical waste is also proposed here. That will help the concerned prepare a camp medical waste management guideline.

Waste Management Policy and Practices in Mountain Expeditions in Nepal: Stakeholder's Perspective on Implementation of Mountaineering Expedition Rules

Purpose: This study investigates the current implementation status of the Mountaineering Expedition Rules (MER) of 2002 in Nepal, focusing on waste management practices during mountain expeditions from the stakeholder's perspective.
 Methodology: The study used a descriptive research design with a mixed approach, collecting primary data through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data analysis is conducted using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data.
 Main Findings: The findings highlight the need for improvement in waste management during mountain expeditions in Nepal. While climbers demonstrate a moderate to high level of awareness and implementation of waste management practices, challenges such as limited budgets, lack of self-awareness among expeditioners, and slow decay of waste in cold weather persist. The study emphasizes the importance of proper implementation of mountaineering expedition rules, particularly in waste management.
 Implications: This study contributes to the development of sustainable tourism practices in Nepal and the preservation of the mountain environment. The study recognizes the efforts made by the Nepalese government through policies and regulations to address waste management issues. The goal is to protect the fragile mountain ecosystem while facilitating the growth of sustainable mountain tourism.
 Novelty: It offers practical recommendations based on stakeholder perspectives, which can inform policy formulation in Nepal and other countries with similar mountain tourism contexts.

Integration and Optimisation of Palm Oil Sector with Multiple-Industries to Achieve Circular Economy

A typical palm oil sector includes oil palm plantations, palm oil mills, and palm oil refineries. The sector generates a huge amount of biomass by-products, effluent, and refinery wastes. These are usually disposed of at landfills causing inefficient waste management and sustainability issues. As reported in many previoius works, palm-based biomass, palm oil mill effluent (POME) and refinery wastes can be reused or recycled within the palm oil sector. However, there are still large amounts of these which are unprocessed and disposed to landfills. To address this issue, a circular economy approach that integrates the palm oil sector with other industries is needed. This work proposes a mathematical optimisation model to determine the optimal pathway for the circularity of palm-based biomass, POME, and refinery wastes with other sectors. Paper, polymer, and furniture industries are considered to evaluate the potential of a palm-based circular economy. Besides, various biorefineries are also considered, thereby providing multiple pathways for the conversion of palm-based biomass and refinery wastes to value-added products and energy generation. The optimisation is performed under four scenarios – maximise economic potential, minimise net emissions, minimise landfill wastes, and fuzzy multi-objective. The multi-objective results show economic potential of USD 151.36 million, net emissions of −804,946.60 tCO2 and landfill waste reduction by 80.17 %. The results indicate that the polymer industry has better potential to integrate with the palm oil sector. The fuzzy optimisation has allowed to determine trade-off between landfill disposal and resource circularity to maximise the economic value and minimise carbon emissions.

Use of risk assessment and predictive microbiology in regulatory science related to the scientific opinions of the EFSA BIOHAZ Panel

EFSA's Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ Panel) deals with questions on biological hazards relating to food safety and food-borne diseases. This covers food-borne zoonoses, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, antimicrobial resistance, food microbiology, food hygiene, animal-by products, and associated waste management issues. The scientific assessments are diverse and frequently the development of new methodological approaches is required to deal with a mandate. Among the many risk factors, product characteristics (pH, water activity etc.), time and temperature of processing and storage along the food supply chain are highly relevant for assessing the biological risks. Therefore, predictive microbiology becomes an essential element of the assessments. Uncertainty analysis is incorporated in all BIOHAZ scientific assessments, to meet the general requirement for transparency. Assessments should clearly and unambiguously state what sources of uncertainty have been identified and their impact on the conclusions of the assessment. Four recent BIOHAZ Scientific Opinions are presented to illustrate the use of predictive modelling and quantitative microbial risk assessment principles in regulatory science. The Scientific Opinion on the guidance on date marking and related food information, gives a general overview on the use of predictive microbiology for shelf-life assessment. The Scientific Opinion on the efficacy and safety of high-pressure processing of food provides an example of inactivation modelling and compliance with performance criteria. The Scientific Opinion on the use of the so-called ‘superchilling’ technique for the transport of fresh fishery products illustrates the combination of heat transfer and microbial growth modelling. Finally, the Scientific Opinion on the delayed post-mortem inspection in ungulates, shows how variability and uncertainty, were quantitatively embedded in assessing the probability of Salmonella detection on carcasses, via stochastic modelling and expert knowledge elicitation.

How to attract newness-conscious consumers to a circular electric vehicle economy

Despite improved energy efficiency and reduced tailpipe air pollutants, electric vehicles (EVs) often encounter skepticism about whether EVs are a sustainable choice because of their waste management issues. The increased adoption of EVs worldwide will keep pushing the industry to adopt circular economy (CE) strategies such as remanufacturing. The study clarifies our understanding of the newness-conscious consumer (NCC) behavior in purchasing remanufactured EV parts. The NCC, which values newness and regards it as a proxy for product quality, is unlikely to be attracted to remanufactured products (RMPs) and constitutes a potentially unpredictable market segment for circular economy practitioners. We examine whether and how improving consumer awareness via green information provision can be pivotal in NCCs' purchasing behavior regarding RMPs in the EV industry. More specifically, we present a model to explain the NCC's purchase intention for remanufactured EV parts with various factors (green certification, perceived trust, perceived value, perceived knowledge of environmental benefits associated with remanufactured EV parts, and price consciousness) that may relate to providing green information. Based on an online survey of 600 participants characterized as NCCs living in Japan, the results of structural equation modeling showed that green certification influenced the NCCs' perception of trust and value regarding RMPs, which could, in turn, explain their purchase intention for remanufactured EV parts. NCCs' price consciousness appears to affect their perception of green certification. Mediation analysis results suggest that NCCs' perceptions of trust, value, and green certification mediate the relationship between their perception of remanufactured EV-related environmental benefits and purchase intention. In addition, we identify whether NCCs are reluctant to buy RMPs due to a lack of reliable green information that shows the value and functionality of remanufacturing. We showed half of the NCC respondents an informational video on RMPs and compared their responses to the remaining half of the group who did not watch it. Independent samples t-test results of the two groups (those with and without information) represented that providing NCCs with information on the functionality of RMPs might promote green purchasing behavior among NCCs. The findings of this study will provide CE practitioners, especially in the EVs industry, with a rich portfolio to cover previously unexplored market segments for remanufacturing.

Recycling of grounds for the construction of the railway subgrade

The relevance of the issue of construction waste management is considered on the example of soil during the construction of the railway track. The main requirements for the soils of the subgrade, as one of the components of the railway track, ensuring the safety of rolling stock movement, are listed. Definitions of construction waste and recycling are given; classification of waste generated during the dismantling and repair of railway track facilities in accordance with regulatory documents. The advantages, the main task of recycling, as well as the main reasons that exclude this method in solving the problem of getting rid of construction waste are indicated. The main pollutants of the soil, which is removed during the repair of the railway track, have been identified. The methods of utilization of soils for the construction of the railway subgrade containing petroleum and organic inclusions are considered. The main methods of extracting petroleum products, depending on the degree of contamination and terrain conditions, taking into account efficiency and environmental safety: physico-chemical method, cutting out the top layer of soil, washing with high-pressure water jets and pumping out pulp, microbiological cleaning, washing using drainage systems, capillary absorption of porous materials and others. Peat processing methods: production of pellets, pyrolysis, hydrolysis.

Modernizing Medical Waste Management: Unleashing the Power of the Internet of Things (IoT)

The rapid technological advancements of modern times have brought about the need for an innovative and contemporary approach to medical waste management procedures. This arises from the inadequacy of conventional manual techniques in ensuring the safety of employees and the environment from infections. The increasing amount of waste produced each day can exacerbate the situation if no action is taken to address the current issue. This article presents a systematic review of the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in medical waste management, utilizing the PRISMA approach. The adoption of the IoT in waste and medical waste monitoring is analyzed for its potential to enhance the overall waste monitoring procedure and contribute to achieving net-zero goals. Empirical evidence from studies conducted in the last five years has revealed the benefits of employing waste bin sensors as a digital surveillance tool for real-time waste status monitoring. While a few researchers have proposed the use of the IoT in medical waste monitoring, the application is currently limited to either monitoring storage facilities, waste transportation, or disposal processes, specifically. These limitations are discussed to understand the barriers that hinder further development. Among the selected analyzed studies are published articles and conference papers that offer solutions for addressing waste management issues and facilitating further development. This paper also aims to identify IoT technologies for monitoring waste and medical waste management. The digitalization of medical waste can ensure that the entire monitoring procedure is conducted directly and in real time. The collected data can be easily shared, and the condition of the waste can be updated periodically.

Antibacterial Activity of Silver Functionalized Bacterial Cellulose isolated from Acetobacter Tropicalis Jcp OK356208.1 from Rotten Orange

Adequate disposal of solid waste products is one of the uncertainties of mankind. The removal of rotten fruits and vegetables has been an increasing issue in the municipal waste management. The recycling of rotten fruits and vegetables into some value added products will be a promising approach for the future waste management. Many established research works indicate the isolation of Acetobacter species from rotten fruits and vegetables. In the present study, five types (AB01, AB02, AB03, AB04, AB05) of different Acetobacter strains were isolated from a variety of rotten fruits samples. Out of that, we successfully screened out Acetobacter tropicalis jcp OK356208.1 from rotten orange samples. The isolate was identified by both phenotypic and genotypic methods. The isolates were screened for their production capacity of both vinegar and cellulose. Hence, through this present investigation, the isolation of a commercially valuable Acetobacter strain was made possible which can be successfully employed for the production of vinegar and cellulose under optimum conditions. Bacterial cellulose is a biopolymer with magnificent implementations in most of the fields such as biomedical, industrial, food and other diverse biotechnological areas. Exploitation of BC as a wound healing material is one of the keen areas of research field.

Environmental performance of plastic food packaging: Life cycle assessment extended with costs on marine ecosystem services

Packaging can play a substantial role in moving towards more sustainable food systems by affecting the amount of food loss and waste. However, the use of plastic packaging gives rise to environmental concerns, such as high energy and fossil resource use, and waste management issues such as marine litter. Alternative biobased biodegradable materials, such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) could address some of these issues. For a careful comparison in terms of environmental sustainability between fossil-based, non-biodegradable and alternative plastic food packaging, not only production but also food preservation and end-of-life (EoL) fate must be considered. Life cycle assessment (LCA) can be used to evaluate the environmental performance, but the environmental burden of plastics released into the natural environment is not yet embedded in classical LCA. Therefore, a new indicator is being developed that accounts for the effect of plastic litter on marine ecosystems, one of the main burdens of plastic's EoL fate: lifetime costs on marine ecosystem services. This indicator enables a quantitative assessment and thus addresses a major criticism of plastic packaging LCA. The comprehensive analysis is performed on the case of falafel packaged in PHBV and conventional polypropylene (PP) packaging. Considering the impact per kilogram of packaged falafel consumed, food ingredients make the largest contribution. The LCA results indicate a clear preference for the use of PP trays, both in terms of (1) impact of packaging production and dedicated EoL treatment and (2) packaging-related impacts. This is mainly due to the higher mass and volume of the alternative tray. Nevertheless, since PHBV has limited persistence in the environment compared to PP packaging, the lifetime costs for marine ES are about seven times lower, and this despite its higher mass. Although further refinements are needed, the additional indicator allows for a more balanced evaluation of plastic packaging.

Biohydrogen production through dark fermentation: Recent trends and advances in transition to a circular bioeconomy

Fossil fuel reserves have drastically decreased over the past two decades, contributing to a worldwide decline in energy sources. The volatility of energy prices and their serious ecological consequences have drawn the attention of researchers to alternative carbon-neutral renewable energy sources. Furthermore, ineffective waste management contributes to environmental contamination, harms human health, and negatively affects the global economy. Biohydrogen (Bio-H2) derived from waste biomass via dark fermentation is a valuable green fuel to solve the issues of clean energy production and waste management. Bio-H2 has several advantages over other biofuels, including carbon-neutral production, ease of generation, low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and high energy efficiency. Besides, by using biowaste to produce bio-H2, global warming and CO2 emissions associated with biowaste incineration can be reduced. Although dark fermentation produces the most efficient and clean bio-H2, the yield and rate of production of the process are very low. This review article summarizes the recent developments in dark fermentation processes to enhance bio-H2 yield and productivity, including pre-treatment, additives inclusion, and integrated solutions. Additionally, this article highlights the metabolic pathways of Bio-H2 production and inhibitory substances that negatively affect dark fermentation. Challenges related to bio-H2 technology transfer from lab to industry are discussed, and prospects for future research to realize the technology transfer are briefed. Further, an integrated carbon-neutral approach by dark fermentation-assisted bio-H2 production is also discussed as a contribution to circular bioeconomy.

Waste Management Strategy of Agricultural Enterprises to Improve the Efficiency of Rural Development

In the context of modern trends in the greening of the economy, sustainable development, changes in the structure of agricultural production, and the situation that has developed in Kazakhstan with the accumulation, utilization, and disposal of waste, the issues of agricultural waste management remain relevant and require further scientific research and sound practical solutions. The purpose of the article is to form strategic directions for waste management of agricultural enterprises, where the main place is occupied by effective waste management in the context of crop production, animal husbandry, animal tissue, and agrochemical waste. The article presents the principles of a Waste Management Strategy of agricultural enterprises, and a tree of objectives of the Strategy of agricultural enterprises is formed. The features of effective management of agricultural waste, including plant and animal waste, and directions for effective management of agrochemical waste are determined. Reduction of soil and groundwater pollution in the implementation of effective waste management of agricultural enterprises, as well as measures to minimize the formation of agricultural waste, are summarized. The main measures in state incentives for the effective management of agricultural waste are identified.

Assessment of the Flexural Strength of Binary Blended Concrete with Recycled Coarse Aggregates and Fly Ash

This study investigated the effect of blending fly ash and recycled aggregates as replacements for cement and conventional coarse aggregates, respectively. Recycled concrete helps to reduce waste management issues and protect the environment. Fly ash was used in percentages from 0% to 10% with an increment of 2.5%, whereas demolition debris was used in a proportion of 50% with conventional aggregates. The 1:2:4 mix with a 0.5 w/c ratio was used to make six concrete mixtures, one of them made entirely of congenital aggregates. Slump tests were performed for all mixtures. A total of 30 prisms of size 500×100×100mm were made and cured for 7 and 28 days. The flexural strength of the specimens was assessed under a two-point bending test till failure. The 5% fly ash and 50% Recycled Coarse Aggregates (RCA) mixture produced better results than the other mixes, showing a decrease in flexural strength of 10.74% and 15.75% after 7 and 28 days of curing, respectively. The small reduction in flexural strength compared to preserving conventional deposits and reducing the hazardous environmental impact of cement production and debris waste makes this mix suitable for use in structural members.

Application of a geographic information system and the method of analysis of hierarchies to assess construction sites for landfills for municipal waste in the Khabarovsk Territory

An integrated system for managing municipal solid waste at the regional level should be consistent with the goals of Russia's sustainable development. The key element of the system is the landfill. One of the most pressing issues in waste management is the choice of a suitable site for the construction of a landfill. This article presents the results of a study on the use of a geographic information system and the method of analyzing hierarchies to select a land plot for a municipal waste disposal site in the Komsomolsk cluster of the Khabarovsk Territory. Three land plots proposed by the municipal authorities for the construction of the landfill were studied using eleven evaluation factors. Evaluation factors were the population within a radius of 1.5 km, the presence of enterprises within a radius of 1.5 km, the population density in the service area, the distance to the boundaries of the settlement, the distance to the airport, the distance to water bodies, the current use of the land, the depth of the first aquifer, site slope, site area, distance to transport routes. As a result of the study, it was shown that the option of locating the MSW landfill in the Solnechny municipal district is the most preferable in terms of a set of evaluation factors. The worst option is the construction of a landfill in the vicinity of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The study showed that solving the problem of taking into account socio-economic and sanitary-environmental factors when choosing a land plot for the construction of a MSW landfill requires a practical methodology that can reduce the subjectivity of a management decision. Satisfying the need for a methodology to improve the validity of management decisions when choosing the best places for the construction of MSW landfills is possible through the use of GIS technologies and a multi-criteria decision support system.

Life cycle assessment of alternative fuel production by co-pyrolysis of waste biomass and plastics

In the scope of energy transition and overall decarbonisation, various alternative fuels are investigated as potential substitutes for conventional fossil fuels. Co-pyrolysis has emerged as a potential solution for production of alternative fuels, while dealing with waste management issues, due to its ability to process different feedstocks. Biomass-derived fuels, with all their constraints, are already used on a commercial scale. Simultaneously, significant efforts are given to scale up fuel production from the thermal treatment of waste plastics. The fuel must be produced sustainably with minimal environmental impacts to be considered an alternative. This study presents the life cycle assessment (LCA) of waste biomass and plastic materials, co-pyrolysed with an aim to produce pyrolysis oil that could be used as a petroleum substitute. Moreover, the environmental impacts from the co-pyrolysis are compared to incineration and landfilling, which are today mostly used to deal with end-of-life plastics. The LCA is carried out in openLCA software using ReCiPe Midpoint 2016, and Environmental footprint methods. Results show that co-pyrolysis mostly reduces emissions associated with environmental impacts, even though this greatly depends on the treatment method used to divert the feedstock. Furthermore, most process emissions are associated with electricity consumption, therefore, integration of plastic processing with renewable energy sources can further reduce the environmental impacts. Finally, the products derived from the process should be of high quality with minimal after-treatment requirements to effectively substitute fossil fuels.

Study of Potential Food Waste in Zero Waste Cities Area- Saridewi, Denpasar-Bali

Food waste affects food security, the environment, and the economy in practically every country. The amount of food that is thrown away should be enough to feed the world's hungry people. Denpasar, as a large city with a growing population and a growing number of tourists, has food waste management issues. Unfortunately, no research has been done in the Denpasar City region on the possibility of food waste. This study aims to look at the possibilities of food waste in Denpasar's Saridewi area. The goal is to calculate the quantity of food wasted in communities that have implemented the zero-waste city concept for a year. The survey and observation methods were applied in this research. The survey was carried out by distributing a questionnaire, and observations were taken by weighing the food waste generated by households in the Saridewi suburb. The findings reveal that Saridewi inhabitants have adopted the zero-waste concept in food waste management, converting food waste into compost, animal feed, and others. One of the factors contributing to the generation of food waste in Saridewi is the practice of buying food ingredients and raring food without planning. On average, Saridewi residents produce food waste of 0.14 kg/person/day.

A Study and Analysis on Waste Fires in India and Their Corresponding Impacts on Environment and Human Health

Waste fires are one of the biggest problems in India that cause various problems to the environment and human health. This article thoroughly investigates the negative impacts of waste fires on the environment, public health, and the economy and emphasizes the need for sustainable waste management practices, investment in waste management infrastructure, and stricter fire safety regulations by taking India as a study base. Education and waste management awareness programs are also important tools for promoting behavior change and achieving cost savings. The implications of waste management policies and practices in India and other developing countries are also discussed, including the need to promote sustainable waste management practices, enhance fire safety measures, encourage public participation, and strengthen regulatory frameworks. Overall, this research highlights the importance of addressing waste fires and promoting sustainable waste management practices for achieving a safer, healthier, and more sustainable society. The possible solution for the issue of waste management and waste fires in India has been discussed widely in this article to provide an overview for appropriate management of waste materials.

Knowledge and Practice of Healthcare Workers Regarding the Healthcare Waste Management

Background: Healthcare waste management (HWM) issues are getting worse in Pakistan since there are more and more hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs, etc. One of the major individuals in charge of properly managing healthcare wastes at any healthcare facility is the medical staff. But how well you perform will rely on how much you know and do about waste management. Aim: To ascertain the knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals about the management of healthcare waste. Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Methodology: The Children Hospital Lahore has conducted the current study. The current study included 400 participants. Structured, pre-tested, and self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The survey was cleaned, revised, and reviewed for completeness. The analysis of the data was done using SPSS 23. Results: 400 individuals were involved, 174(43.5%) of whom had sufficient understanding of health care waste management, whereas 226(56.5%) had insufficient knowledge. Of the 400 participants, 188(47%) had good practice managing medical waste, whereas the remaining 212(50%) had bad practice. Practical Implication: This study helped researchers investigate the knowledge and practice of health workers. It would help in estimating the practice and knowledge of health waste management by health care workers. Conclusion: It was determined that most workers had inadequate knowledge of waste management and had poor practice on health care waste management. All employees must receive the appropriate training and supervision in HCW management, as well as pertinent and continuous in-service training, to ensure that they have the necessary information, attitudes, and safe practices. Keywords: Health Care Workers, Waste Management, Knowledge, Practices and Training.