Solid Waste Issues Research Articles

An Indigenous learning approach to managing solid waste in First Nations in Canada

The literature on municipal solid waste management on First Nations emphasizes the need to improve existing systems and attitudes and behaviours. Learning about programmes and systems can bring about these changes. This research examined how two First Nations in Canada learned about municipal solid waste management in an Indigenous context and the consequent impacts of their learning. The data show that participants mostly learned from close family relations and conversations with community members, while learning directly from Elders, ceremonies, and storytelling was limited. Intergenerational learning occurred, where the younger generation learned from the older generation and vice-versa. The impacts of learning included reducing municipal solid waste generation, avoiding packaging, and reusing items. This research concludes that Indigenous learning should be incorporated into municipal solid waste programmes because it is culturally relevant and helps create awareness. In addition, Elders should be deliberately involved in planning programmes, and municipal solid waste issues should be incorporated into ceremonies about land protection.

Impact of a municipal solid waste processing facility on microplastic pollution in Indonesia’s waterways

Abstract Major cities are particularly affected by the escalating issue of municipal solid waste (MSW) pollution. Among the various forms of waste, plastic is especially concerning due to its persistence and tendency to fragment into microplastics. This study focuses on the Jangli River located in Semarang City, Indonesia, to quantify and characterize riverine microplastic pollution and assess the impact of the nearby a MSW Temporary Processing Site (TPS). Through water sampling, field observations, and laboratory analysis, we identified and classified microplastics by color and type, determining their abundance across different river points. Our findings reveal a correlation between the proximity to the processing site and increased microplastic levels. Specific hotspots along Jangli River were identified after the location of TPS, highlighting areas with the highest microplastic contamination. This research underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to manage and mitigate secondary microplastic pollution, specifically solid waste, in Indonesia’s waterways, advocating for effective environmental control measures to protect aquatic ecosystems.

O papel do Conselho Municipal de Defesa do Meio Ambiente na formulação do Plano Municipal de Gestão Integrada de Resíduos Sólidos de Araraquara/SP

Municipalities play a key role in the public policy cycle because they are directly involved in managing their respective territorial areas. When it comes to solid waste in Brazil, one significant way to mitigate its impacts is through public participation in the National Solid Waste Policy, established by Law No. 12.305 of 2010. Municipal plans serve as the planning and implementation documents for this policy. In this context, the municipality of Araraquara was chosen as the case study, given its solid waste management system and its history of progressive municipal governance. This study aimed to understand whether and how institutionalized public participation occurred through the Municipal Council for the Defense of the Environment (COMDEMA) during the formulation of the Municipal Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management between 2011 and 2021. To achieve this, we conducted a bibliographic review, documentary research, and semi-structured interviews, analyzing the data using Laurence Bardin's content analysis technique. The results indicate that, although the management instrument explicitly mentions participation, COMDEMA’s input did not effectively translate into decisions by the council regarding the plan formulation during the period analyzed. This was due to the vulnerabilities within the council’s structure, which hinder the inclusion of solid waste issues in meetings for discussion and decision-making. Hopefully, this research will foster further discussions about COMDEMA and its role in solid waste management.

A questão dos resíduos sólidos na Amazônia Legal: Tribunais de Contas e a aplicabilidade da etapa de territorialização dos ODS na atividade-meio para resultados

This article aims to analyze how the Audit Courts can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the performance of their support activity, focusing on solid waste issue and on the use of the territorialization tool. For this purpose, bibliographic and documentary research were used. The specific objectives established were: Legal Amazon particularities presentation; tour about the Audit Courts support activity performance in favor of sustainable development; justification for applying territorialization to achieve the 2030 Agenda; and examining the situation of sustainable management for results in the Legal Amazon Audit Courts. Applying the deductive method, it was concluded that by caring about their own solid waste management, public institutions have the potential to transform the current reality and, in the specific case of the Audit Courts, as they have the constitutional competence of control, it is even more urgent and even more powerful that they lead by example, adopting a support activity stance that is consistent with that required of those controlled in the scope of the target activity.

Exploring waste reduction approaches in the architectural design stage of university buildings in the United States

Determining construction and demolition (C&D) waste reduction approaches in the architectural design stage is critical since this waste can be reduced by design decisions. Additionally, adding space and equipment which allow collection, recycling, and storage of solid waste at the usage phase of buildings are important in terms of design decisions. An online survey concerning design decisions of university buildings was conducted among United States (US) higher education institutions. Responses for 74 building projects from 71 universities were collected, analysed descriptively (i.e. percentages), and inferentially (i.e. correlations). Responses in some categories were aggregated to determine the total environment scores of the universities. The highest possible environmental score was determined as 8. While the score of 12 universities was 7, the score of three universities was 0. Of the participants, 85% stated that their University required architect to include specific design features for solid waste management (SWM) in the building; 89% stated that the University asked to use greener materials; 78% stated that the University asked to use longer-lasting building products. A set of recommendations and suggestions were provided to deal with the C&D and solid waste issue arising from university buildings.

Evaluating the effectiveness and challenges of the solid waste management system in lilongwe city council, Malawi

The current state of Solid Waste Management in Lilongwe City underscores the need to integrate contemporary and technological approaches for more efficient waste handling, with the support of digital solutions. Despite the severity of the solid waste issue impacting various sectors, including households, businesses, industries, and agriculture, there has been minimal effort to educate communities and townships on the importance of waste separation prior to collection. Recognizing that certain types of waste can be recycled for specific purposes, such as in agriculture, is essential. There is also a need for increased individual involvement to address solid waste management challenges, aiming to shift public perception and promote sustainable waste management practices. The rapid pace of waste production, driven by industrialization and population growth, is concerning. Unauthorized dumping has led to an unpleasant environment, noxious odors, and significant health risks through contamination of land, air, and water resources. Addressing these challenges requires focusing on technology and innovative solutions to manage solid waste effectively. This approach should enhance coordination and improve waste management from the point of creation and categorization to disposal at the dumping site. Implementing such methods could help reduce public health issues related to waste mishandling in urban areas. A proposed digital waste management solution, such as a cloud-based application, could represent a significant step towards achieving effective waste management practices in the city.

Solid Waste Issues: Generation Composition and Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste in District REWA Madhya Pradesh of India

Solid waste disposal is a significant and pervasive issue in many industrialized and developing nations, including India, in both urban and rural areas. The collection and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) is one of the main issues facing the urban environment in the majority of the world’s countries today. Solutions for MSW management need to be technically sound, socially and legally acceptable, environmentally benign, and financially viable. The largest problem facing the authorities of both large and small cities is solid waste management. Conventional landfills, incinerators, composting, and methods of managing solid wastes are typical examples of established technology for disposing of garbage. Anaerobic digestion (AD) and composting have historically been the most widely utilized procedures for the treatment and valuation of the organic part of MSW. The amount of organic solid waste (OSW) produced annually is rising sharply on a global scale. Agricultural waste, home food waste, human and animal wastes, etc. make up the majority of OSWs. Usually, they are burned, disposed of in landfills, or used as animal feed. Rich in proteins, minerals, and carbohydrates, OAWs can be utilized as raw materials or substrates in several processes. There are negative effects on the environment, the economy, and social life as a result of the high rates of organic waste generation and their open disposal in landfills. One of the greener methods for keeping organic contaminants out of landfills is composting. As to the latest statistics of CPCB, India generated approximately 160.03 tons of municipal garbage per day. Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh along with 27 other ULBs generate an average MSW of 340 TPD.

To the Issue of Solid Municipal Waste in the Irkutsk Region

The article presents data on solid municipal waste (SMW) in the Irkutsk region as the main source of pollution of urban and suburban ecosystems. SMW is currently the most massive and dangerous type of waste, which can lead to irreversible consequences. In Russia, very active attention is being paid to the issues of waste collection and recycling in recent years. The objectives, which the authors set themselves, are a detailed analysis of the situation of SMW in the Irkutsk region. Special attention is focused on the location of already existing facilities as well as planned until 2027 ones. Unfortunately, the population of the Irkutsk region is not yet ready for mass separation of garbage according to its origin and recyclability, but a number of measures are proposed to change the situation. Statistical, comparative-geographical, cartographical and the method of comparative analysis and synthesis were used. The paper presents an analysis of the work of regional operators in accordance with the federal project Integrated system of SMW management carried out for the first time. The amount of waste taken to landfills in the Irkutsk region should be reduced by half by 2030 while sorted waste should gain 100 per cent of all garbage thrown away. The study results in the following conclusions: the region is not ready for processing and recycling of certain categories of waste such as glass or galvanic elements. There are simply no recycling facilities for a number of wastes, which leads to uncontrolled emissions and disturbance of the environment (soil, water, and atmospheric air) but the Government of Russia and the Irkutsk Region authorities are actively reforming the system of SMW management.

Municipal Solid Waste Management using GIS Analysis: A Case Study of Sehwan City

One of the fundamental issues of the 21st century, and one of the key tasks of a municipal administration is to manage solid waste effectively and efficiently. Cities are developing extremely, and the issue of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is becoming critical, as a result of the growth in quantity and complexity of generated waste and the shortage of land for its disposal. By 2050, the world's waste creation will have more than doubled the rate of population increase. The area is mostly residential, and most of the solid waste is created in the home, such as food and vegetable waste. There are few bins places in Sehwan city and those are not placed at the proper location, due to this reason inhabitants of the city are throwing their municipal waste on the street sides and vacant plots. The research aim of the study was to develop a GIS technology. This research contained three objectives, to Identify the existing municipal solid waste management condition and their effect on different factors such as health and the environment, to Reallocation of waste collection bins in the study area using GIS buffer analysis, and to propose a route plan for the collection of municipal solid waste using GIS network analysis. Furthermore, based on GIS technology, this work provides a framework for optimizing the waste collection and transportation system. The result showed that the misplacement of waste bins the Sehwan city can affect the environment, waste laying around the bins cause land pollution, and also municipal waste on road, affects the health of people. More than 82% of the inhabitants are unsatisfied with the management of the solid waste disposal system in the study area also 90% of residents are suffered from different diseases. This study will help the planner and authorities cope with the issues of municipal solid waste. Municipal authorities need to follow technologies and research studies for solving the solid waste issues of local peoples’ in their city.

Community well-being dimensions in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

The local communities living around national parks or areas like World Heritage Site (WHS) are crucial stakeholders to such settings. Their well-being needs to be unraveled so that the holistic management of the national park is in good condition to stabilize its status as WHS through the support and empowerment of the community. Numerous studies have been conducted on the biodiversity and geology of Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP), but the community psychology aspect that is the foundation of conservation efforts has not been addressed. Therefore, this study aims to examine the community well-being dimensions in terms of environment, economics, social aspects as well as authority intervention based on the perspective of the local community and professionals with an emphasis on the current issues in GMNP. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in this study through a questionnaire to 99 local communities, and individual interviews that were conducted in GMNP and four nearby villages. Data were analyzed descriptively with four themes: environment; economics; social; and authority intervention. The findings showed that locals were satisfied in residing area in terms of environmental conditions. However, it does not reflect the actual situation, i.e., river water cloudiness, wildlife threat, degradation of wetlands, and solid waste issues are still happening. The constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic portrayed that they were very dissatisfied with their monthly income, which is very low compared to before. In terms of social, the services and facilities, especially treated water and electricity need improvement. It also noted that authority intervention especially related to road proposal, financial and skills assistance, and community conflicts could influence locals’ support for the planning and policies implemented in the national parks or WHS areas. This study suggests that relevant stakeholders should emphasize bottom-up approaches by considering aspects of community well-being that stem from multiple dimensions in order to achieve holistic national park management.

Potential of plant mediated biosynthesis of iron nanoparticles and their application in dye degradation process

ABSTRACT In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as cutting-edge technology with multifarious applications in a wide array of fields. Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNP) are an upcoming cost effective and eco-friendly technique and recently gained significant importance. In the present study, green FeNPs were prepared using leaf litter which is one of the major seasonal waste contributors in urban built-up areas. Shedding trees during winter months (January – March) were selected. Most abundant trees were Pongamia pinnata (Indian beech), Morus alba (mulberry), Prosopis juliflora (mesquite) and Kigelia africana (sausage tree). Synthesized FeNPs were further used for degrading two commercial dyes, eosin yellow and fuchsin basic, via Fenton’s mechanism. The study showed that the prepared nanoparticles were of iron oxides, but also reported presence of polyphenols as a capping agent. Dye degradation efficiency of nanoparticles synthesized by P. pinnata leaf litter was recorded to be highest, whereas the efficiency of nanoparticles synthesized by K. africana leaf litter was lowest. Chances of iron leaching during dye degradation process was also tested and observed that Fe was present in treated water below the standard guidelines. Thus, FeNPs can serve as a low-cost solution to remediate water pollutants with a green approach. Implications: Nanoparticles prepared in the study were showed as a promising adsorbent and demonstrating high surface area and well-developed porosity. The prepared adsorbent will have a great impact on wastewater treatment technology and possible applications at a large scale. There are several applications of nanoparticles in pollution remediation and at the same time it can solve solid waste issues as it required to prepare nanoparticles. One of the major applications at policy level can be water pollution remediation which is urgently needed.

Percepção discente sobre a abordagem da temática resíduos sólidos em um Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Maranhão - IFMA

The objective was to demonstrate the environmental perception of students of a Technical Course Integrated to High School, from IFMA - Campus Coelho Neto in relation to solid waste and the problem involved mainly due to improper disposal and rampant consumption that leads to an exorbitant increase in waste generated. , as well as understanding how this topic has been addressed in the teaching process. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing 11 objective, multiple-choice questions, applied to 48 students from two classes of the 3rd year of the Technical Course in Informatics, online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach was quantitative and qualitative. For the analysis of the results, descriptive statistics were used. The results demonstrate that the students have knowledge about important points involving the issue of solid waste as a concept, selective collection, recycling, destination and correct final disposal of waste, importance of the work of collectors of recyclable materials, however, a good part does not carry out the separation of waste at school or at home, that is, they do not practice selective collection, thus demonstrating that it is necessary to develop a more effective and efficient process of school environmental awareness, in order to have the formation of critical individuals and that actually carry out effective actions in combating this environmental problem.

A Review of Municipal Waste Management with Zero Waste Concept: Strategies, Potential and Challenge in Indonesia

Municipal waste management is still a significant problem for solid waste issues in Indonesia. Only 60 to 70% of the waste generated is disposed of in landfills, the rest is dispersed in different areas. The potential for leachate pollution, greenhouse gases, and a waste of non-renewable natural resources can occur due to municipal waste management problems not being optimal. Municipal waste management needs a holistic concept that would include upstream to downstream stages. This paper comprehensively reviews municipal waste management with a zero waste concept based on management, development, measuring, implementations, strategies, potentials, and challenges in Indonesia. The zero waste concept offers waste management, starting with waste elimination, recycling, reduction, and recovery of used goods. Several municipalities around the globe, such as Canberra, Adelaide (Australia), Stockholm (Sweden), Nova-Scotia (Canada), and San Francisco (United States), have decided on targets for zero waste cities. Indonesia is still implementing waste management that accentuates disposal in landfills, so there needs to be a literature study related to the management, development, measuring, implementations, strategies, potentials, and challenges of Indonesia’s zero waste concept.

Public-Private Sectors Participation and Governance of Municipal Waste Managers in Conakry, Republic of Guinea

Several studies have examined the effects of persistent increase in rural-urban drift which has graciously increase the level of waste management governance to national and local authorities as well as practitioners which has been saddled with the responsibilities of managing the environmental sanitation via waste managers. Inability of the central government to solve the issues surrounding waste that causes hazard in the cities has brought about private sectors involvement in the management of waste in the country which the central government has failed in the practices and sustainability of effective waste management due to lack of funding. Not all regions were successful in resolving the solid waste issue because local governments did not adopt strong governance. Yet, adequate attention has not been given to collaborative efforts between government and private sector to manage municipal wastage at all levels of government where the general economic growth has become one of the major challenges confronting management of solid waste in Conakry. This study adopted a descriptive survey research. The data were gathered through existing literature. Precisely, the paper discusses the practices of good governance in respect to public-private sections participation has continued to take various techniques to manage the waste generated across and to assess the performance of these agencies on pollution, hazard, and dumpsters in the study area. It is therefore recommended that as the government should work harder to encourage households to make early payments of services to the private providers while also educating the public about safe garbage disposal. The paper concluded that the mandate of Public-Private Sectors Participation has largely been achieved to ensure effectiveness in sustainable solid waste management system in the Republic of Guinea, Conakry precisely.

Managing Municipal Solid Waste Issues; Sources, Composition, Disposal, Recycling, and Volarization, Chililabombwe District, Zambia

Solid waste continues to pose important challenges to our environment on a daily basis. Insufficient solid waste management systems and equipment have contributed to the alteration to the ecosystems, including water, air, and soil pollution that infringes on the health of the general public that is associated with health ailments like cholera and other food and water borne diseases. Chililabombwe district’s face has continued to be dented with the unkempt environment with littered solid waste that has become a stinging and widespread challenge, especially in the urban areas of the district. Solid waste (SW) collection and working disposal systems are the major problems of the urban environment in most developing countries worldwide. MSW management solutions are financially dependable for the technical viable, socially inclement, and legally accepted. Solid waste management remained the biggest challenge that all the local authorities in Zambia and many developing countries in Africa. Commercialization or valorization of organic food waste was one of the important research areas that could combat the increased solid waste in the environmental causing environmental degradation. The objective of this study was to address matters that would respond positively to the waste management crisis in the district. As waste continues to be accumulated, with its high generation, more technologies are sought in the area of treatment and exploitation of organic and municipal waste through composting and anaerobic digestion in the management of waste. The lack of technologies and machinery has equally downplayed the essence of waste management in the Chililabombwe district. Keywords: Anaerobic, Digestion, Landfill, Organic, Solid wastes, Valorization.

Unplanned urban built-up growth creates problem in human adaptability: Evidence from a growing up city in eastern Himalayan foothills

The unprecedented and unplanned urban growth in Indian cities is a great threat to the sustainable urban development and urban resilience. Therefore, the present study emphasized in identifying rapid urban growth, future resilience, and human adaptability in Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) area. For this purpose, the land use land cover (LULC) map has been prepared for 2001, 2011 and 2021 and then cellular automata-Markov chain (CA-MC) with four suitable fuzzy factors have been incorporated to simulate the prediction of built-up areas in 2031. Finally, future human adaptation susceptibility zone map has been prepared using the prediction-adaptation-resilience (PAR) approach. The built-up area has been increased by 10.25 km2 in last 20 years while other natural landscape has been reduced by the encroachment of urban pavement surface towards peripheral regions. The ward wise human adaptability zone indicates that total 14 municipal wards will be in most vulnerable situation within 2031. Consequently, water logging, sewage issues, congestions, environmental issues, solid waste issues will be the most challenging issue. So, the outcome of this study may be useful for the policy makers to take proper planning for built-up area development and give attention to increase the green space in the down town region.

Municipal solid waste management in Bandung, Indonesia: is incineration the right way to treat your waste?

Globally, the most used waste treatment method is landfilling, although (improper) landfilling, which is typical for developing countries, has no material or energy recovery possibility compared with other treatment methods. In Indonesia, open dumping on final disposal sites covers most of the treated waste, which is an even worse method than landfilling in terms of environmental issues. The main objective of this article is to evaluate the feasibility of the waste-to-energy solution/waste incineration approach for proper and sustainable waste management in Bandung. A big issue of municipal solid waste is the organic portion of waste, as most emissions and pollution come from organic waste and improper handling. A specific objective is to conduct the risk analysis of an incineration plant model and to compare the environmental impact of incineration vs landfilling. The input data for the assessment will be obtained from the laboratory analyses of solid waste samples collected from the Sarimukti disposal site. The lab analyses will comprise the determination of fractional composition (biodegradable and non-biodegradable compounds like food waste, paper, textiles, plastics) and physico-chemical properties (such as moisture content, calorific values, trace elements). The research will also include general calculations of energy balance and economic costs of the incineration plant. Thus, the selected criteria will assess the following aspects of the incineration plant model: technical, environmental, social, energy, and economic.

A high-quality hydrogen production strategy from waste plastics through microwave-assisted reactions with heterogeneous bimetallic iron/nickel/cerium catalysts

Waste plastic is one of the most concerned solid waste issues all over the world. Converting waste plastics into high value-added hydrogen (H2) has attracted considerable attention. Herein, we reported on the innovative strategy of producing highly pure (91.5 vol%) H2 from non-recyclable waste plastics through microwave-induced reactions over the iron/nickel nanoparticles supported by cerium oxide with carbon nanotube substrates (Fe/Ni-CeO2 @CNTs). The chemical structure of the catalyst was optimized, and the reaction mechanism of microwave-induced catalytic pyrolysis was also researched. The synergistic effects of dehydrogenation on Fe/Ni bimetallic particles and the reforming reaction induced by CeO2 contributed to the remarkable H2 selectivity and high H2 yield. The catalyst also showed excellent stability and robustness after 5 regeneration cycles. High-valued carbon nanotubes are also generated, achieving nearly zero carbon emission.

Comparative analysis on perspectives of environmental and non-environmental NGOs on solid waste management in Jos metropolis, Nigeria

This study aimed to make comparative analysis of perspectives of environmental and non-environmental NGOs in Jos Metropolis on key solid waste issues with a view to provide relevant data that would hopefully help in facilitating collaboration between the state and NGOs as well as between NGOs and relevant local and international development partners. Using purposive approach, 115 NGOs in the study area were identified and given the same questionnaire. The study revealed that there are just as many NGOs working in solid waste management (SWM) as there are NGOs that are not (50% each) and there was a link between the NGO categories across all of the parameters considered in the study. It also demonstrated that NGOs' organizational viewpoint on the solid waste issues examined in the study is unaffected by their orientation or primary field of activity, and that registration as a non-environmental NGO is not a disincentive to intervening the area of environment, particularly SWM. It is recommended that the state government adopts an all-encompassing approach or framework that allows for active NGO participation including all relevant stakeholders in the SWM initiatives undertaken by the responsible government agency. Similarly, local and development partners with interest in environmental protection need to assist the NGOs by partnering with them through funding, technical support, and research among other things.

Performance Monitoring of Anaerobic Digestion at Various Organic Loading Rates of Commercial Malaysian Food Waste.

Application of anaerobic digestion (AD) has become common in treating palm oil mill effluent in Malaysia; however, employing AD in treating the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), especially food waste, is still scarce. This study aims to characterize the commercial Malaysian food waste (CMFW) and determine its potential as sustainable bioenergy feedstock through biogas production. The sample was digested via the biomethane potential (BMP) test with the variation of organic loading rates (OLRs), ranging from 0.38 to 3.83 gCOD/L. day, under mesophilic conditions. The digestion process was further evaluated in continuous operation using a 6-L continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR). The kinetic properties of the process were also determined. It was found that the CMFW had a significant amount of chemical oxygen demand of 230 g/L and an acidic pH of 4.5 with the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio at 121:1. A maximum methane composition of 81% was obtained at 1.92 gCOD/L in the BMP test with specific methane production (SMP) at 0.952 L. CH4/L.COD fed. The biogas production was well-fitted with the modified Gompertz model with R 2 at 0.9983 and the maximum biogas potential production rate at Rm 0.1573 L/day, whereas in the CSTR operation, a maximum methane composition of 85% was produced at OLR 6 gCOD/L. day with the SMP of 1.13 L. CH4/L.COD fed. The CSTR system was in high stability as the pH was maintained in a range of 6.6–6.7, with an alkalinity ratio of 0.28. This study indicates the CMFW is a sustainable feedstock for biogas production in Malaysia. Toward a circular economy approach, the authorities shall introduce commercial scale CMFW AD as part of managing municipal solid waste issues in Malaysia.