Biodegradable Waste Management Research Articles

Challenges and opportunities in managing biodegradable plastic waste: A review.

Biodegradable plastics have certain challenges in a waste management perspective. The existing literature reviews fail to provide a consolidated overview of different process steps of biodegradable plastic waste management and to discuss the support provided by the existing legislation for the same. The present review provides a holistic overview of these process steps and a comprehensive relative summary of 13 existing European Union (EU) laws related to waste management and circular economy, and national legislations plus source separation guidelines of 13 countries, to ensure the optimal use of resources in the future. Following were the major findings: (i) numerous types and low volumes of biodegradable plastics pose a challenge to developing cost-effective waste management infrastructure; (ii) biodegradable plastics are promoted as food-waste collection aids, but consumers are often confused about their proper disposal and are prone to greenwashing from manufacturers; (iii) industry-level studies demonstrating mechanical recycling on a full scale are unavailable; (iv) the existing EU legislation dealt with general topics related to biodegradable plastics; however, only the new proposal on plastic packaging waste and the EU policy framework for bioplastics clearly mentioned their disposal and (v) clear disparities were observed between disposal methods suggested by national legislation and available source separation guidelines. Thus, to appropriately manage biodegradable plastic waste, it is necessary to develop waste processing and material utilization infrastructure as well as create consumer awareness. In the end, recommendations were provided for improved biodegradable plastic waste management from the perspective of systemic challenges identified from the literature review.

Rate of Microelement Quantitative Changes during the Composting of Sewage Sludge With Various Bulking Agents

The composting of sewage sludge (SS) with structure-forming additives is a popular and inexpensive method for the management of biodegradable waste. During this process, a number of transformations of organic matter and nutrients occur. This study presents the rates and directions of quantitative changes in Cu, Zn, and Ni during the composting of various mixtures. The following substances were used for preparing compost mixtures: SS, sawdust, straw, and bark. These substances were mixed together in appropriate proportions as follows: C1: 45% SS + 50% sawdust + 5% straw; C2: 45% SS + 50% bark+ 5% straw; and C3: 45% SS + 35% bark + 15% sawdust + 5% straw. Single (DTPA solution) and sequential extraction methods (BCR protocol) were used for microelement mobility assessment. Compost valorization was performed in each individual composting phase. The chain relative increment analysis was used for such assessment. Additionally, the potential metal pollution in the composts was evaluated by applying the following indices: the pollutant accumulation index (PAI), heavy metal enrichment index (HMEI), and heavy metal pollution load index (HMPLI). During composting, generally, the amounts of Ni, Cu, and Zn increased in the various extracted combinations, which was independent of their susceptibility to decomposition. Despite of this, the tested composts should be considered as a source of slowly available microelements for plants. The most intense quantitative changes in metals occurred in the thermophilic phase, and the weakest changes occurred in the cooling phase. At the same time, the calculated indices indicated a lack of contamination of the composts with the analyzed metals, emphasizing their environmental safety and lack of negative impact. The bulking agents used for composting with SS did not significantly influence the intensity of the quantitative changes in the tested metals.

Digestate from an Agricultural Biogas Plant as a Factor Shaping Soil Properties

In the context of a circular economy, special attention should be paid to the rational management of biodegradable waste. Currently, a potentially valuable waste material, rich in ingredients available to plants, is digestate, obtained as a by-product in agricultural biogas plants. The presented study aimed to determine the impact of digestate (DIG) from an agricultural biogas plant on soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), sorption properties (SBC, HAC, CEC, BS), and chemical composition of soil. The research was based on a pot experiment in which increasing doses of liquid (LD) and solid (SD) forms of DIG were used in corn cultivation, balanced in terms of the amount of N introduced into the soil. The composition of DIG varied and depended on the LD or SD form. The LD was characterized by a lower pH value and higher EC compared to the SD form. The LD contained much less TC, fewer macroelements, and fewer trace elements. The application of LD significantly increased in the soil the content of TC, Ntot, available K, P, Fe, and Mn, and exchangeable cations K+. The SD significantly increased the content of available P, Mg, and Mn and exchangeable cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the soil. Both forms of digestate increased the total content of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, and Ni) in the soil. However, they did not pose a threat to the environment concerning their legally permissible levels.

Biodegradable Waste Management in Georgia: Problems of the Composting System Introduction

Biodegradable waste management and, in particular, the introduction and implementation of composting systems are among the major problems for Georgia. An increase in the volume of municipal waste has been recorded in the country; therefore, the volume of generated biodegradable waste is also increasing. In accordance with the National Waste Management Strategy 2016-2030 of Georgia, the municipal waste generated in 2021 amounted to 1,104,952 tons. It is worth noting that the largest part of municipal waste is organic waste - 54.7%, while plastic waste is 13.8%, paper and cardboard - 10.6%, textiles - 4.1%, and other wastes. According to various studies, by 2030, waste generation is expected to increase from 0.6% to 1.2% annually, which should be the cause of significant challenges for national and local authorities, especially local municipalities, whose duties include municipal waste collection and transportation as well as the implementation of separate waste collection systems. Biodegradable waste management, including various composting systems, is of particular importance.The study shows that composting, as one of the best approaches for recycling biodegradable waste, is still not properly developed in Georgia. It is possible to name only a few successful experiences. Noteworthy among them is the Kutaisi Composting Center, which was established within the framework of the EU JOP “Black Sea Basin” in Kutaisi, Georgia. The Composting Center is designed for windrow composting of green waste (tree branches, leaves, grass). Its productivity is 2000 tons of compost annually. This Composting Center is one of the first in Georgia. It can bring very tangible benefits. In particular, the amount of municipal waste going to landfill sites was reduced by approximately 10%; the expenditures of the municipalities connected to the maintenance of green facilities (received compost is used) and so on have been reduced.Among the biodegradable waste composting approaches, it is recommended to use systems such as:Centralized composting,Community composting,Home (individual) composting.A centralized composting method can be used in municipalities where a large amount of biodegradable waste is generated. It is especially favorable in regions where the agricultural sector is developed and large amounts of green waste are generated. The Kutaisi Composting Center is a good example of the centralized composting system. As experience shows, such large-scale composting is particularly effective for green waste composting.It is promising for Georgia to introduce community composting approaches that offer an optimal scheme for communities to get the maximum benefits of their potential.Composting is an approach used in the field of biodegradable waste management that has the greatest potential in Georgia and can make a significant contribution to both economic development and the protection of the social and natural environment.

LCA for territorial metabolism analysis: An application to organic waste management planning

The management of biodegradable waste in landfills is associated to a range environmental impacts and refers to a linear model regarded as unsustainable. At the same time, many agricultural and urban soils present low organic matter content. Composting is emerging as a good practice for converting organic waste into a new resource able to improve soil properties, thus providing regulation Ecosystem Services. Considering a territorial metabolism perspective, this work discusses the potential contribution to regional planning of a transferable methodology for quantifying environmental impacts and benefits associated to waste management, based on a combined use of Life Cycle Assessment and Geographic Information Systems, and considering Ecosystem Services deriving from the application of compost in agricultural soils. The approach was tested through a site-dependent analysis based on primary data, referring to year 2019 and focusing on the Veneto Region, Italy. Results indicate that direct benefits associated to the use of compost and the thermal energy to district heating are compensating from 29 % to 51 % of the impacts associated to compost production, while waste transports represent the largest share of the impacts, covering between 52 % and 78 % of the total flows considered. The proposed methodology is applied for comparing the reference condition to alternative scenarios, in the perspective of providing support in Strategic Environmental Assessment procedures. In this context, results shown markedly lower impacts associated to compost production, with respect to organic waste treatment, for 5 out of 6 of the considered categories (freshwater eutrophication 100:1, climate change 5:1), with the notable exception of water resource depletion. Scenarios produced are discussed with respect to the choice between centralized and non-centralized plants, and the characterization of potential benefits at the territorial scale associated to compost use for urban green infrastructures. With respect to this latter point, results showed an underdeveloped use of compost-related ES flow, compared to its capacity, suggesting an interest for further research aimed at estimating compost requirements by urban and peri-urban soils.

Opportunities for greenhouse gases emissions reduction in the biodegradable industrial waste management processes

The article assesses opportunities for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the waste treatment sector concerning biodegradable industrial waste. Authors describe GHG emissions sources and ways of their reduction, paying the specific attention to the stages of the life cycle, where, according to the official data, the most significant GHG flows are formed. Methods of systematization and statistical generalization are applied for analysis. The specified work is based on the data from various sources, including National Reference Documents on the Best Available Techniques, statistical and scientific publications. Russian Reference Documents are known in the Eurasian Economic Union and often discussed as a possible background for the future research in the field on Best Available Techniques and resource efficiency enhancement. The main GHG emission sources during the waste generation, neutralization, utilization, recycling and storage are roughly described. Authors suggest relevant approaches to GHG emissions reduction available from the economic and environmental points of view.

Sustainable Management of Biodegradable Waste in Guinea: Effect of Compost on Eggplant and Chilli Crop Yields Pepper

Sustainable Management of Biodegradable Waste in Guinea: Effect of Compost on Eggplant and Chilli Crop Yields Pepper

Biodegradable Waste Management in Georgia: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract Georgia, as a developing country, faces challenges of biodegradable waste management. The promotion of the modern composting systems is the major problem for the country, given that the generation of municipal waste is characterized by increasing dynamics and, therefore, the amount of biodegradable waste is also increasing every year. By 2030, waste generation is expected to increase maximum to 1.2 % annually, which should be the cause of significant challenges for local municipalities whose duties include municipal waste management, including recycling/composting activities. According to the experience of the EU states and other developed countries, composting as one of the best approaches to recycling biodegradable waste, is still not properly developed in Georgia. The article provides an analysis of the current state of waste management, the main approaches of the existing national policy in this field, and the successful experience of centralized composting given on the example of the Kutaisi composting centre, the replication of which will significantly improve the state of biodegradable waste management in Georgia. In view of the critical analysis of existing approaches to composting and local characteristics, it is proposed to introduce models such as centralized composting and community and home composting.

Methods of collection and management of biodegradable municipal waste in selected countries of the European Union and current results from moisture loss measurements

Methods of collection and management of biodegradable municipal waste in selected countries of the European Union and current results from moisture loss measurements

Analytical modeling and experimental estimation of the dynamic mechanical characteristics of green composite: Caesalpinia decapetala seed reinforcement

AbstractThe emerging need for a sustainable environment prompts the research community to develop functional materials with bio‐ and organic waste. This research advocates biodegradable waste management and its performance evaluation. The involvement of Caesalpinia decapetala (CD) as a potential reinforcement in the epoxy matrix and its analytical evaluation of thermal stability are novel ideas for disposing of bio and organic waste. Three different variants (10, 20, and 30 wt%) of CD seed particles are used to develop the epoxy composite, and further, their influence on dynamic mechanical characteristics such as damping type, loss modulus, and storage modulus has been investigated. The results corroborate that the higher CD seed content (30 wt%) in the epoxy matrix enhances the storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping on a scale of 1.14, 1.25, and 1.07 times that of the neat epoxy matrix. The reason behind the improved dynamic properties has been validated through theoretical modeling. A substantial increment in the degree of entanglement and activation energy in the band of 8.33 × 10−3 moles/m3 and 20.201 kJ/mol, respectively, in comparison with neat epoxy, is considered to be good authentication for the thermal stability of the CD 30 specimen. The analytical prediction of storage modulus is executed with five different models, whereas damping behavior is executed with two different models. The analytically estimated results are matched with the experimental ones, and we conclude that they are in fair agreement with the experimental findings.

A comprehensive review on the decentralized composting systems for household biodegradable waste management

Municipal solid waste primarily consists of household biodegradable waste (HBW). HBW treatment is a crucial step in many countries due to rapid urbanization. Composting is an effective technique to treat HBW. However, conventional composting systems are unable to produce matured compost (MC), as well as releasing huge amounts of greenhouse and odorous gases. Therefore, this review attempts to suggest suitable composting system to manage HBW, role of additives and bulking agents in composting process, identify knowledge gaps and recommend future research directions. Centralized composting systems are unable to produce MC due to improper sorting and inadequate aeration for composting substrate. Recently, decentralized compost systems (DCS) are becoming more popular due to effective solid waste reduction at the household and/or community level itself, thereby reducing the burden on municipalities. Solid waste sorting and aeration for the composting substrate is easy at DCS, thereby producing MC. However, Mono-composting of HBW in DCS leads to production of immature compost and release greenhouse and odorous gases due to lower free air space and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, and higher moisture content. Mixing HBW with additives and bulking agents in DCS resulted in a proper initial substrate for composting, allowing rapid degradation of substrate due to longer duration of thermophilic phase and produce MC within a shorter duration. However, people have lack of awareness about solid waste management is the biggest challenge. More studies are needed to eliminate greenhouse and odorous gases emissions by mixing different combinations of bulking agents and additives (mainly microbial additives) to HBW in DCS.

Decentralized in-vessel composting: an efficient technology for biodegradable solid waste management

Decentralized in-vessel composting: an efficient technology for biodegradable solid waste management

Municipal Solid Waste Management towards Climate Neutrality

In line with the European Union’s move and the Green Deal initiative, Latvia needs to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 and reach their complete elimination by 2050. Since waste management sector is associated with high greenhouse gas emissions, the sector will experience changes in the near future, and its sustainable development is linked to overcoming technical, economic and environmental challenges. The work aims to find solutions to the development of the waste sector in an environmentally sound manner, ensuring that the sector is closer to climate neutrality in 2050. Waste management is at the forefront of major changes and challenges in achieving regulatory objectives. In view of the changes expected and taking place in the sector, it is essential to carry out studies on resource and material recovery optimization options and potential for waste streams to be recycled and the energy recovery potential for non-recyclable streams. Acquiring knowledge and raising awareness of the role of changing management practices in saving CO2 emissions – avoided emissions – will allow the sector to move towards climate neutrality. This article analyses biodegradable waste management options and proposes the optimal solution for biodegradable waste management towards climate neutrality.

Study of the Management and Recovery of Biodegradable Waste in the City of Kankan, Guinea

Study of the Management and Recovery of Biodegradable Waste in the City of Kankan, Guinea

Decomposition and humification process of domestic biodegradable waste by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae from the perspective of dissolved organic matter

Black soldier fly larvae (Hermitia illucens L.) (BSFL) bioconversion is a promising technology for domestic biodegradable waste (DBW) management and resource recovery. However, little is known about the DBW biodegradation during the BSFL bioconversion from the perspective of dissolved organic matter (DOM). In the current study, field tests were conducted on a full-scale BSFL bioconversion facility with treatment capacity of 15 tons DBW/day. Composition of DOM in DBW were investigated by spectral analysis (UV–vis, fluorescence, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)), coupled with enzyme activity analysis. After BSFL bioconversion, DOM concentrations, total carbon and total nitrogen in residues decreased by 51.5%, 18.3% and 19.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, enzymes like catalase, lipase, protease, sucrase, urease and cellulase significantly increased (9.28%–56.3%). The specific UV absorbance at 254 nm and 280 nm (SUVA254, SUVA280), the area at 226–400 nm (A226-400) and slope in the 280–400 nm region (S280-400) of DOM increased by 230%, 186%, 143% and 398%, respectively. Moreover, the characteristic peaks at 1636, 1077 and 1045 cm−1 in FT-IR increased continuously, with a significant decrease in peak at 1124 and 1572 cm−1. DOM spectral data show that BSFL decomposed the carboxylic, cellulose and aliphatic components, resulting in the increase of oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl) and aromatic compounds. Furthermore, fluorescence profiles show that Region Ⅰ, Ⅱ (aromatic proteins) and Ⅳ (soluble microbial byproducts) decreased while Region Ⅴ (humic-like substances) increased significantly. Humification index increased by 122% while biological index decreased by 18.0%, indicating a significant increase in degree of humification and stabilization of the residues. The current evidence provides a theoretical basis for technical re-innovation and improving economic potential of BSFL technology.

Anaerobic Digestion and Composting as Methods of Bio-Waste Management

Abstract The management of biodegradable waste from various sectors of economy is an essential element in terms of environmental protection. The paper discusses issues related to the possibility of bio-waste treatment using anaerobic digestion technologies and composting processes, highlighting the conditions for the processes and their advantages and disadvantages. The challenges of overproduction of bio-waste faced by highly developed countries around the world are also presented. Research showed that the anaerobic digestion of this waste combines both biofuel production and a circular economy. The popularity of this method is linked, among others to a low cost of raw materials and wide range of possible uses for biogas (i.e. electricity, heat, or biomethane). In addition, an alternative bio-waste management option, compost production, was discussed. The study aimed to compare anaerobic and aerobic bio-waste management processes.

Challenges and Strategies for Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastic Waste Management in Europe

In recent years, an increasing trend towards replacement of conventional fossil-based plastics with bio-based plastics was noticed, i.e., production of plastics partly or fully made from biomass is rapidly expanding. Currently, bio-based and biodegradable plastics have a very small market size, approximately only 1% of all plastics produced. However, the forecast of the global bioplastics production capacities predicts an increase from approximately 2.417 million tonnes in 2021 to approximately 7.593 million tonnes in 2026, more than three times the current capacity. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the challenges and identify the barriers for bio-based and biodegradable plastics for waste management and to evaluate the effectiveness of current plastic waste management strategies for the efficient waste management of bio-based and biodegradable plastics. The main barriers and motivators of the biodegradable and biodegradable plastics market that have been identified include macroeconomic factors, regulatory factors, technological factors, and social factors. The bio-based and biodegradable plastics have to be separately collected and treated under mostly controlled, regulated conditions. However, currently, there are no legal provisions providing for the separate collection of bio-based plastics, leading to their disposal with either hazardous waste, conventional plastics, or municipal waste. Since the effective plastic waste management strategy relates to good performance in each step of the waste management process, bio-based and biodegradable plastic waste management could, therefore, be based on an effective strategy for the management of plastic waste. However, there is a need for standardizing waste collection systems and creating a harmonized waste collection infrastructure, which would lead to effective sorting of bio-based plastic waste.

Çanakkale Boğazı Kıyısında Kayalık Bir Alanda Toplanan Deniz Çöplerinin Yıllık Değişimi

Çanakkale Strait is a busy waterway and an important recreational area for the city of Çanakkale frequented by locals and tourists throughout the year. This study was carried out on a constructed coastal rocky area located in the vicinity of the city Center of Çanakkale, between 2021-2022 in order to determine the extent of litter accumulation, type of litter as produced materials and use purposes. A total of 3528 and 1777 items were collected in 2021, and 2022, respectively. Results indicated that litter density was higher than the majority of studies reported from other locations along the Turkish coasts. The most common marine litter was made up of plastics which amounted to 80.24% and 59.65% of total litter composition in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Mixed packing materials were predominant and indicated extensive use of plastic materials in food and beverage sector. Public awareness towards proper ways of litter disposal, use of biodegradable packing materials, beach cleaning and waste management are critical for successful litter management, especially in coastal areas.

Green synthesis of nanoparticles from biodegradable waste extracts and their applications: a critical review

The contemporary world is concerned only with non-biodegradable waste management which needs more sophisticated procedures as compared to biodegradable waste management. Biodegradable waste has the potential to become useful to society through a simple volarization technique. The researchers are behind sustainable nanotechnology pathways which are made possible by using biodegradable waste for the preparation of nanomaterials. This review emphasizes the potentialities of biodegradable waste produced as a viable alternative to create a sustainable economy that benefits all humans. Volarization results in the utilization of biowastes as well as provides safer and hazard-free green methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Starting from different sources to the application which includes therapeutics, food industry and water treatment. The review hovers over the pros and cons of biowaste-mediated nanoparticles and concludes with possible advances in the application. In the present scenario, the combination of green synthesis and biowaste can bring about a wide variety of applications in nanotechnology once the hurdles of bulk-scale industrial production are resolved. Given these points, the review is focused on the cost-effective synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles.

Exploration of Potential Indigenous Non-phytopathogenic Fungi for Bio-organic Fertilizer Recycling from Organic Waste

Using potential microbes in biodegradable solid waste management is an emerging science. Microbes play a significant role in recycling of organic solid wastes. Therefore, the present project was carried out to isolate indigenous potential non-phytopathogenic fungi from local relevant decomposed substrates for the purpose of organic waste recycling as bio-organic fertilizer (BOF). A total of thirteen fungal strains were isolated. Seven of them were identified as Trichoderma spp., and the rest were Penicillium spp. Germination of mung bean (Vigna radiata), mustard (Brassica campestris), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds were assessed by application of 13 fungal isolate suspensions. Significant increase of germination percent was achieved in mung bean (98.35%), mustard (96.65%), and wheat (93.35%) by fungal treatments RW-T02, PL-P01, and CD-T01/MSW-T05, respectively, compared to the controls. But radicle and plumule lengths were not promoted by fungal treatments in the majority of cases. Significantly, the longest radicle and plumule lengths of mung bean and mustard were found in control treatments. Conversely, in wheat the longest radicle and plumule length were achieved in treatments MSW-T05 and RW-T03, respectively. Based on superior performances of percent germination and radicle/plumule length, six fungal isolates were selected for compatibility performance in mixed cultures. In the compatibility tests, two fungal combinations (ABF and BCE) presented superior mutual intermingle appearances. Perhaps these combinations may play significant roles in biodegradation of organic wastes.