Municipal Solid Waste Management Research Articles

Towards Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: An SDG-Based Sustainability Assessment Methodology for Innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa, municipal solid waste management faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, increasing waste generation, and limited resources, leading to severe environmental and public health issues. Innovations in waste management are essential to address these pressing problems, as they can enhance efficiency, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable practices while fostering sustainable development. To select sustainable and contextually relevant solutions, it is vital to investigate their potential sustainability impacts based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) beforehand and to involve local stakeholders in the innovation process. Besides, engaging stakeholders increases community buy-in and fosters collaboration, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes. This paper develops and applies a sustainability assessment methodology for innovations in municipal solid waste management systems in sub-Saharan Africa, with a case study in Ethiopia. The proposed methodology emphasizes the importance of involving local stakeholders in the SDG-based indicator assessment and offers suggestions for a data collection strategy. The case study on a composting process in Bishoftu Town demonstrates that stakeholder participation in selecting innovations positively influences the outcomes. However, the analysis indicates mixed effects of the innovation in the three sustainability dimensions, highlighting areas for optimization. Consequently, the presented method can support the innovation process of municipal solid waste management systems, fostering sustainable municipal development.

Implementation and Education of Circular Economy in Community Solid Waste Management: A Systematic Literature Review

This paper aims to offer strategic management recommendations for the incorporation of circular economy principles into municipal solid waste management and to disseminate knowledge regarding the implementation of this concept within local communities. This research combined systematic literature reviews with qualitative methods, utilizing content and descriptive analysis to evaluate the findings. The study indicates that municipal waste management in communities encounters numerous challenges, including insufficient funding, inadequate infrastructure, and noncompliance from the populace, all of which hinder effective municipal garbage management. In addition, a more significant concern is the lack of efficient techniques for recycling and waste segregation. Moreover, as urban populations increase, waste generation escalates, exerting strain on current disposal facilities. Implementing a circular economy strategy in municipal waste management has numerous benefits, including the reduction of landfill trash, the conservation of natural resources, and the generation of employment opportunities through material recycling and repurposing. Circular economy enhances environmental sustainability by reducing pollution and facilitating the transition to a more resilient, resource-efficient system. Moreover, educating people about circular economy principles enhances their understanding of sustainable practices, leads to less waste and resource conservation, and enhances economic prospects by generating green employment and fostering local innovation in waste management techniques.

Integration of Multi-Criteria Decision Model, Analytic Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information System for Landfill Site Selection: An Overview of Varanasi City

Effective solid waste management is essential in urban areas. Despite efforts by local authorities in Indian cities to handle waste through various methods, landfilling remains the most convenient disposal method. This study aims to identify the optimal site for scientific landfilling in Varanasi City using a multi-criteria decision-making model, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Geographic Information System (GIS). Initially, a comprehensive literature review, the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rule of 2016, and expert opinions were used to determine site selection criteria. Eleven criteria, including proximity to rivers or lakes, groundwater table, settlement proximity, and slope etc., were identified as crucial for landfill suitability. Experts assigned an appropriateness score to each criterion, ranging from 1 to 5, where 5 represented the best rating and 1 the lowest. As the criteria are not equally significant, weights were assigned based on their importance in decision-making using AHP. Criteria maps were prepared using ArcGIS 10.6.1, and a final map was generated through weighted overlay assessments. The investigation identified Khutahna (0.43 km2), Chhitauni (0.22 km2), Kakarhia (0.09 km2), and Kadi Chak (0.06 km2) as high-suitability zones for landfilling; Mustafabad (0.21 km2), Chandpur (0.15 km2), and Jalhupur (0.13 km2) as moderate-suitability zones; and the remaining section of the region as unsuitable. A site walkover is recommended to confirm the accuracy and suitability of the candidate locations.

Municipal solid waste management strategy selection: Multi-criteria decision making under uncertainty

For decades, due to the increasing generation of waste and its negative environmental impacts, efficient municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has become a major concern of sustainable development. On the other hand, selecting an appropriate strategy remains a critical issue for municipal authorities without applying a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. This study aims to select the best MSWM strategy from five potential MSW management strategies under various factors that influence waste strategy selection, such as economic, social, technical, and environmental factors. This study used three fuzzy integrated MCDM methods, namely the Decision-Making Trail and Evaluation Laboratory (DMATEL), the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to select best MSWM strategies. The study used data from a survey of experts who had knowledge of waste management. The survey data was then analyzed using the DMATEL, ANP and TOPSIS methods under a fuzzy environment. The Fuzzy DEMATEL method is used to identify the causal relationships among the criteria and sub-criteria, while ANP is applied to determine the relative weights of MSWM strategy selection sub-criterion. Finally, TOPSIS is used to rank the waste management strategies depending on established sub-criteria. The result of fuzzy TOPSIS demonstrated that recycling of municipal solid waste is the best alternative which has the highest closeness coefficient followed by reuse. Thus, the result of this study revealed that MSWM strategies are ranked as: waste recycling (A1), reuse (A2), reduce (A1), energy recovery (A4), and disposal (A5), with closeness coefficient values of 0.80, 0.61, 0.60, 0.47, and 0.17, respectively.

Application of the modified RIAM method in assessing the environmental impact of municipal solid waste management scenarios (A case study)

Application of the modified RIAM method in assessing the environmental impact of municipal solid waste management scenarios (A case study)

Evaluation of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill by HELP Model and Leachate Modelling by Hydrus-1d: A Review

The effective management of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills is vital for minimizing their environmental and public health impacts. The Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP) model and HYDRUS-1D are widely used tools for modeling landfill hydrology and leachate dynamics, respectively. This review consolidates recent advances in their application for evaluating MSW landfills. The HELP model's capabilities in simulating landfill hydrological behavior and HYDRUS-1D’s precision in modeling leachate transport through porous media are explored. The paper highlights the advantages, limitations, and future directions for integrating these models in landfill studies to promote sustainable waste management practices.

Assessment of geological environment for the territorial scheme of municipal solid waste management

The current trends in the municipal waste management development are considered and the problems in using spatial geological data are shown, which consist in the complexity of combining geological information with other data in the waste management system. A methodological approach is proposed to take into account the geological environment specifics in the territorial scheme of waste management on the basis of digital mapping by the example of the Moscow region. An assessment zoning of a representative key site was carried out in the QGIS program according to its suitability for the municipal solid waste disposal depending on the presence of low-permeable soils and rocks in the geological section.

Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Management Systems: Case Study at Tuy Hoa City

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG). Evaluating GHG emissions is one of the actions that must be done in the fight against climate change. However, the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam is limited, especially concerning the municipal solid waste management systems. Landfilling is the sole method of managing solid waste in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen province. In this study, the guideline of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2006) used to estimate GHG emissions from solid waste management systems. The baseline calculation shows that the GHG emission is 655.43 kg CO2-eq/tonne of waste landfilled and from transportation about 0.19 kg CO2-eq /tone of waste transported. This is the first study to compile the GHG emission inventory from waste management in Tuy Hoa City. Therefore, the GHG emission result is intended to assist in the development of successful climate change mitigation strategies.

Temporal Evolution of Environmental Impact Arising from Municipal Solid Waste Treatment Systems: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China

It is important to assess the temporal evolution of environmental impacts arising from municipal solid waste (MSW) under different policies, especially in China. However, most previous research has primarily focused on the effects of policies at the system management level, neglecting their influence on technical-level implementation, which compromises the accuracy of policy effect simulations. This study developed a comprehensive simulation model that integrates a life cycle assessment (LCA) and a dynamic simulation model of a complex system to enhance the accuracy of environmental impact simulations of the MSW management system in Guangzhou. The model considers how different measures affect changes in the physical composition of MSW at the technical level and their subsequent impact on MSW generation at the system level. The study employed five scenarios to simulate the impacts of different strategies on MSW generation levels and environmental consequences of MSW treatment systems, encompassing the entire process of generation, collection, and disposal. LCA results simulate a 24.14% reduction in the unit environmental impact of incineration technology due to MSW classification, which alters the material composition, decreases water content, and enhances the caloric value. The comprehensive simulation model’s results illustrate that implementing measures such as MSW charging, economic control, and population control can effectively reduce overall MSW by 31.35%. In terms of environmental impact, Guangzhou reached its peak in 2018 but experienced a subsequent decline due to the continuous implementation of MSW classification policies. Among the various strategies considered, the scenario focusing on technological improvement exhibited the most significant reduction in overall environmental impact by enhancing power generation efficiency and minimizing pollution emissions, followed by metering and charging policies utilizing economic levers. Finally, recommendations on the coupling effect of policies, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and incineration residue recycling are proposed. The comprehensive simulation model can provide scientific theoretical support to build a sustainable MSW treatment system for Guangzhou and other cities worldwide.

Methodological bases for assessing geoenvironmental and socioeconomic conditions of optimal allocation of MSW landfills

The issues of solid municipal waste (MSW) management are very urgent now due to the increasing accumulation of MSW amount along with rapidly rising urban population. Despite all the efforts undertaken for developing a high-tech infrastructure for waste treatment and disposal, a significant part of it is still disposed to landfills. The index of favorability for the MSW landfill allocation is determined on the basis of a comprehensive account of geoecological constraints and socioeconomic conditions; it reflects the regional differentiation between the administrative subjects of the Russian Federation. The suggested approach to assessing the subjects’ territory for the scientifically grounded placement of MSW landfills contributes to solving the problem of effective waste management.

Institutionalism to Drive Source of Financing for Municipal Solid Waste Management Acceleration in Indonesia

Purpose – Waste becomes a major problem when improperly managed. In Indonesia, one solution that is being discussed is to convert the waste to electrical energy. This study is expected to comprehend potential institutionalization engagement among relevant stakeholders to support the Waste to Energy project acceleration. Methodology – In-depth interview was conducted to explore the topic, while qualitative data were coded under institutionalism factors and analyzed using an interpretive method with QDAS – Nvivo. Findings – The results showed policy-making ideas on WtE were primarily influenced by mimetic and coercive institutionalism factors, which had the strongest correlation. This was followed by the correlations between normative and mimetic, as well as normative and coercive. Moreover, the study showed the importance of expanding financing paradigm for WtE projects toward non-budgetary sources, which could accelerate development across the country. Originality – Several studies have explored the potential and development of WtE in Indonesia, but only a few have addressed alternative financing sources and fiscal aspects. The current study explored institutionalism from the perspective of Indonesian stakeholders.

Institutionalism to Drive Source of Financing for Municipal Solid Waste Management Acceleration in Indonesia

Purpose – Waste becomes a major problem when improperly managed. In Indonesia, one solution that is being discussed is to convert the waste to electrical energy. This study is expected to comprehend potential institutionalization engagement among relevant stakeholders to support the Waste to Energy project acceleration. Methodology – In-depth interview was conducted to explore the topic, while qualitative data were coded under institutionalism factors and analyzed using an interpretive method with QDAS – Nvivo. Findings – The results showed policy-making ideas on WtE were primarily influenced by mimetic and coercive institutionalism factors, which had the strongest correlation. This was followed by the correlations between normative and mimetic, as well as normative and coercive. Moreover, the study showed the importance of expanding financing paradigm for WtE projects toward non-budgetary sources, which could accelerate development across the country. Originality – Several studies have explored the potential and development of WtE in Indonesia, but only a few have addressed alternative financing sources and fiscal aspects. The current study explored institutionalism from the perspective of Indonesian stakeholders.

Enhanced Landfill Mining in Thailand: Policy Implications from Qualitative Case Study Analysis

Limited landfill capacity and increasing waste production present obstacles for the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Thailand, where 7.1 million tons of MSW were non-sanitarily managed in 2022. This provides an opportunity for the nation to recover valuable materials and energy from landfill waste through excavation by implementing the enhanced landfill mining technique, which is consistent with business sustainability goals. This study evaluates regulatory, financial, and institutional challenges to enhanced landfill mining implementation, identifying key barriers such as Thailand’s restriction on using refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in waste-to-energy (WtE) projects, despite its higher calorific value (18–24 MJ/kg compared to 13.7–16.6 MJ/kg for fresh MSW-derived RDF). Case studies, particularly from European nations, are comparatively evaluated using a combination of qualitative analysis methods. The results of this study highlight that the potential of enhanced landfill mining in Thailand is restricted by the prohibition of the use of RDF in WtE projects, as well as a lack of financial incentives to follow existing regulations. This demonstrates that the implementation of enhanced landfill mining could be facilitated by changing Thai regulations to permit the use of RDF in WtE projects and providing financial incentives such as tax credits and feed-in tariffs. Implementing such reforms can help Thailand achieve its sustainability objectives while reducing the amount of waste in landfills and generating energy.

Municipal solid waste management practices and sanitary landfill site selection using the AHP approach for emerging industrial zones

Selecting the right location for waste management is crucial for emerging and rapidly growing industrial towns. The intricate nature of waste management systems necessitates careful consideration of numerous options and evaluation criteria when selecting a suitable landfill site. This study, conducted in Arerti Town, Ethiopia, utilized the GIS and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to establish a hierarchical model for identifying a suitable landfill location by considering the ten main influencing factors (groundwater table depth, proximity to boreholes, slope, soil, geology, land use, land cover, proximity to reservoirs and proximity to lineaments, built-up area, and road availability). Besides, GIS were used to manipulate and display spatial data, with all maps graded on a scale of 1 to 5, representing the lowest to highest suitability, respectively. The combined results of the AHP and GIS analyses indicated that 20.6% of the study area was deemed unsuitable, 77.67% moderately suitable and 1.75% highly suitable for a landfill. We chose a 12.5-hectare site in the southwest as the optimal location, taking into account future town expansion and its proximity to urban areas and roads. The findings of this study serve as a valuable resource for decision-makers in assessing waste management challenges in emerging towns and rapidly developing urban areas.

Impact of solid waste classification on urban ecology and economy in Beijing: A quantitative research

ABSTRACT The challenge of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management has become a critical barrier to the harmonious development of society. China has implemented MSW classification as a pivotal strategy for fostering ecological civilization. Despite extensive research on waste management, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluations that integrate both socio-economic and environmental impacts of MSW, particularly in the context of urban ecological systems. In response, this paper developed an integrated system dynamics (SD) model to evaluate the impacts of MSW classification on urban ecology and economy in Beijing, China. This model comprises three subsystems: waste generation, socio-economic benefit, and environment-resource benefit subsystem. It incorporates feedback loops, sensitivity tests, and extreme scenario testing, all of which have validated the robustness and consistency of the model. Scenario analysis was conducted to examine benefits and loss of MSW classification under different conditions. Using the MSW classification in Beijing from 2010 to 2019 as a case, the model assesses the socio-economic, environmental, and resource effects of waste classification. The assessment of results indicate a correlation between increasing separation rates of MSW and socio-economic gains. Specifically, as the separation rate rises, the socio-economic benefits shift from negative to positive. At optimal MSW separation rates, these benefits could represent up to 0.78% of Beijing's GDP. Environmentally, the model suggests that greenhouse gas emission reductions (in CO2 equivalent) over the 2010–2019 period could have varied from 2.4–3.62 million tons annually. Additionally, our findings reveal that for every 1% increase in MSW separation rate, the yearly potential land savings might range from 1,069.92 m² to 1,276.98 m². These insights from the SD model underscore the importance of waste classification. They serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, and motivate resident participation in waste classification, highlighting the significant role of waste classification in sustainable development.

Why do cities in the global South pursue waste incineration rather than source segregation and recycling? Insights from Bangladesh

IntroductionSource segregation and recycling of waste are crucial components of sustainable solid waste management. They receive little attention due to lack of political interest and institutional capacity, weak regulatory frameworks and enforcement, lack of economic incentives and low priority in planning. A complex economic system is involved in waste management in the global South, along with an informal sector that collects and recycles valuable materials. Rather than searching for solutions to improve collection and disposal services, this study uses a political ecology approach to understand how political economy influences and controls municipal solid waste management practices on the ground focusing on source segregation and recycling and how power relations influence how waste is handled, disposed of, and recycled. Dhaka’s waste governance regime emphasizes waste-to-energy generation without considering source segregation and recycling. Waste governance wants to benefit from informal waste collection and recycling without integrating them into policy frameworks, even though they have high resource recovery potential. The paper asks why, despite the potential to implement the 3R strategy by source segregation and promote sustainable waste management, the government opted for a centralized mechanical solution (incineration) for handling waste.MethodsThis study uses qualitative social research techniques to investigate a contemporary city-scale case study. The data collection techniques consisted of interviews with key stakeholders, focus group discussions, field observations and document reviews in Dhaka, Bangladesh between July and September 2022.ResultsThe city authorities are interested in incineration technology due to the scarcity of land and the difficulty of obtaining it, while the existing dump sites are overflowing. Incineration technology can help city authorities avoid acquiring land by reducing their waste disposal footprint. City authorities perceive segregated waste collection as an additional burden because they lack the institutional and financial capacity to develop reliable separate waste collection systems. Additionally, high-level politicians have used images of incineration technologies to support modernist ideas about national development by emphasizing a centralized mechanical waste management system. On the other hand, international investors are interested in investing in technology and finance for incineration. In addition, city authorities believe composting and recycling on a small scale are not effective at managing the city’s large volumes of waste. It is likely that the new waste policy intervention (incineration) in Dhaka will lead to conflict over resources if city authorities do not properly recognize the existing waste infrastructures and informal recycling sector.DiscussionUsing the political ecology approach, the study examines why the government is less interested in implementing the 3R strategy (reduce, reuse, recycle) by segregating waste at the source level through the use of existing waste infrastructure rather than promoting centralized mechanical solutions. The city authorities are not interested in source segregation due to lack of institutional and financial capacity. The government needs to provide incentives for household source segregation and primary waste collection. City authorities are not interested in supporting incentives for source separation or waste recycling due to lack of financial capacity and political risk. Source segregation is essential for reducing waste volume and promoting sustainable resource recovery. Effective and sustainable waste management in the global South requires an integrated formal and informal approach to enhance source segregation and resource recovery. The study provides an evidence-based understanding of political ecology’s influence on MSW management practices, policy interventions and decision-making processes and offers insight into how to support effective 3R strategy implementation, facilitate policymaking, and contribute to additional knowledge for other megacities in the global South that face similar challenges.

A two-stage optimization approach for big-scale problems in long-term planning of municipal solid waste management systems

A two-stage optimization approach for big-scale problems in long-term planning of municipal solid waste management systems

Reference Scenarios for Policies to Minimize the Generation and Recycling of Municipal Solid Waste

This article aims to design and propose time-evolution scenarios to support the implementation of policy instruments that promote recycling and minimize MSW generation. Two reference scenarios, Audacious and Realistic, are presented, drawing on international and Brazilian references and represented by S-shaped curves and your inflection points. For each scenario, instruments and guidelines are proposed and classified by experts for their applicability to Brazilian municipalities of various population groups. Findings highlight educational and economic instruments as primary drivers of recycling and waste reduction, yielding significant decreases in per capita generation (47%) and recycling rates (24% recyclables and 20% organics). The survey with experts confirms that these strategies are broadly applicable across different population groups. The proposed scenarios contribute to the policy instruments implementation to reduce MSW generation and promote recycling, enabling decision-makers to select effective strategies for MSW management plans and supporting future studies in evaluating policy impacts through mathematical modeling.

Characterization and analysis of municipal solid waste generated in the semi-urban region of Thanamandi, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India: a basis for developing a suitable waste management approach.

Population growth, urbanization, lifestyle changes, and consumption patterns increase waste management problems in Thanamandi town. The waste generation rate in Thanamandi town is expanding, and there is a need for adequate waste segregation, recycling programs, and sorting facilities. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the municipal solid waste (MSW) generation rate in Thanamandi town, including an analysis of its composition. Additionally, statistical methods are used to assess the potential MSW management approaches. A comprehensive methodology has been adopted, including house-to-house waste collection from 25 pre-selected locations, to ensure representation across different income groups. The collected waste was segregated into food, plastic, paper, and textile waste categories, and the moisture content was analyzed using the oven-drying method. Further, it has been observed from the obtained result that 0.44kg per/capita/day of MSW has been generated from the study area. The result shows that vegetable waste contributes the most followed by food waste and plastic. Additionally, the moisture content of the waste ranged between 12% and 76.25%, with high moisture content primarily found in organic wastes. Moreover, interpolation maps created using QGIS highlighted the spatial distribution of waste generation across the town. They showed a strong correlation between vegetable and food waste and paper and plastic waste. Thus, to manage MSW in the study area, a holistic approach to MSW management is necessary to deal with a mixture of Vegetable and Food waste, i.e., organic matter.

Developing a comprehensive framework for municipal solid waste management alternatives: a case study in Turkey

Developing a comprehensive framework for municipal solid waste management alternatives: a case study in Turkey