Method Of Solid Waste Disposal Research Articles

Solid Waste Disposal Methods and Their Impact on Development of the Territories of Municipal Entities

Solid Waste Disposal Methods and Their Impact on Development of the Territories of Municipal Entities

Spatial Pattern and Distribution of Malaria Cases in Owo Local Government Area, Nigeria

This study investigates the spatial pattern and distribution of malaria cases in Owo Local Government Area, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used, such that 50% of the 7 urban political wards were selected. The selected 4 urban political wards comprise of 12,466 household heads. Also, 10% of the 127 rural settlements were randomly selected making 14 rural settlements with 9,095 household heads. In all, 1.5% of the total household heads, comprising 187 in the urban areas and 136 in the rural settlements were interviewed using systematic random sampling techniques. A secondary data source obtained from relevant healthcare facilities was used for spatial analysis. Specifically, 59 selected residential settlements were used as the input feature class, while the records on malaria cases in each residential settlement during the reviewed year serve as the input field for the analyses. Spatial statistical functions provided by ArcGIS 10.8 and Geospatial tool are utilized for data analysis. Findings revealed preponderance of malaria within the urban core area of Owo. This can be attributed to inadequate wastewater management, poor waste disposal methods, and inadequate environmental education and awareness. On the other hand, malaria cases in rural areas were relatively low due to the use of alternative disease treatment methods. To ameliorate these challenges, there is a need for improved access to a safe and high-quality environment, implement suitable sanitation facilities and solid waste disposal methods, promote community-based educational initiatives and awareness campaigns, and encouraging hygienic behaviors. Through these, the health challenges of malaria can be mitigated.

Rejuvenated end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes for landfill leachate treatment and reuse water reclamation

Landfills remain a prevalent method for municipal solid waste disposal, yet concerns persist regarding leachate generation and its environmental impact. This research paper investigates the reuse of end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes for treating landfill leachate (LL) after their rejuvenation. The rejuvenation process involved a specific chemical cleaning procedure that allows for permeability recovery without compromising the membrane rejection capacity when compared to o pristine reverse osmosis. It was also explored the hypothesis how previous membrane use affects the rejuvenation process by considering end-of-life membranes used for desalination of brackish water and treated water. While both could be effectively rejuvenated, those used for brackish desalination were more susceptible to irreversible fouling. In such cases, recycling the membrane and converting it to porous ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes is recommended. For membranes previously used for treated water desalination, it was observed high efficiency in LL treatment across multiple filtration cycles. The average flux for these membranes corresponded to 6.9 ± 0.4 L/m2h (operating pressure: 10 bar), and the rejection were greater than 89.4 % for chemical oxygen demand and 98.6 % for color. In complement, it was investigated the contribution of pretreatment with ultrafiltration membranes. Ultrafiltration was effective in preventing membrane fouling and improving the physicochemical quality of reclaimed water from landfill leachate. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the potential reuse of end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes from treated water desalination plant for LL treatment, contributing to sustainable waste management and wastewater treatment solutions.

Analysis of Solid Waste Treatment and Management in Typical Chinese Industrial Parks with the Goal of Sustainable Development and Future Suggestions

Solid waste disposal and management have become a global problem, which is particularly tricky in China with its large population and rapid urbanization. This study focused on the disposal status of multi-source solid waste as well as the park management of some typical cities of China. Firstly, the main technical methods for solid waste disposal were summarized as follows: landfill, incineration, anaerobic digestion and aerobic compost. Secondly, the network analysis method was applied to seek an optimized method for solid waste disposal and management. Thirdly, typical demonstration parks for solid waste disposal and management were analyzed to study their respective operating modes and strategies for synergistic development in terms of resources, environment and economy and to explore the sustainable development potential of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao operating mode. The results showed that the collaborative disposal and recycling of solid waste are important for cities (especially megacities) to achieve resource conservation and environmental protection. The NIMBY effect and environmental pollution risks caused by decentralized construction could be reduced through the construction of circular industrial parks. Advanced technologies and the national policy for solid waste disposal and recycling in industrial parks of small–medium cities, large–medium cities and megacities were systematically analyzed so as to explore a self-operating management mode of industrial parks. Finally, reasonable suggestions, such as sharing, saving and cycling and propaganda education, as well as green and low-carbon solutions were put forward for solid waste disposal and management in typical industrial parks, effectively resolving the contradiction between economic development and environmental protection so as to help urban sustainable development.

Legal Framework of Plastic Packaging and Labelling in Sri Lanka: A Comparative Analysis

Plastic packaging plays a pivotal role in delivering quality products to consumers but poses significant waste management challenges once discarded. Landfilling, the primary method for solid waste disposal in Sri Lanka, exacerbates plastic pollution due to poor waste separation, leading to environmental contamination and health hazards. Mismanaged plastic packaging waste also threatens key industries like tourism, fisheries, and agriculture, endangering the country's economy and biodiversity. This research utilized secondary data to examine plastic packaging waste regulations, incorporating expert strategies such as the circular economy and extended producer responsibility. An extensive literature review, including German and EU directives, identified effective waste management practices, while primary data on food packaging was collected through observation to propose improved labelling regulations for Sri Lanka. The findings recommend mandatory labelling by manufacturers to inform consumers about the recyclability and quantity of plastic packaging, promoting awareness and sustainable consumption. Additionally, implementing eco-labelling and legislation for plastic packaging in Sri Lanka will enhance waste separation, recycling, and recovery, reducing plastic pollution and mismanaged waste.

Engineering properties optimization of dispersive soil by calcium silicate waste—The role of steel-making slag

Steel slag (SS) is a byproduct that comes from the production of crude steel in alkaline oxidation furnaces. Resource utilization of steel slag, a calcium-silicon solid waste, is an urgent problem. This paper investigates a solid waste disposal method that applies different steel slag contents to modify dispersive soil. The engineering properties and modification mechanisms of dispersive soil specimens are studied and revealed by performing microstructure, mineral evolution, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and tensile strength analysis. The pinhole test, mud ball crumb test (BCT), and mud cube crumb test (CCT) were carried out to determine the dispersivity of the soil specimens. Results show that when the steel slag content increases from 1% to 10%, the unconfined compressive strength and tensile strength increase by 176.05% and 75.40%, respectively. For soil specimens without curing time under 50 mm water head, the weight loss of the specimen with 10% steel slag content decreases by 72.03% compared to specimens with 1% steel slag content. Microstructural and mineralogical analyses indicate that the hydration reaction of steel slag changes the ionic composition of the soil and generates reaction products with effects such as filling and connection. To sum up, steel slag effectively improves water stability and mechanical properties of dispersive soil.

Building Characteristics and Incompatible Land Uses as Drivers of Fire Disaster Risk

Risk-based land use planning is regarded as a controlling tool for reducing environmental disasters in urban settlements. However, unsustainable land use practices allow building and infrastructural developments in fire disaster-risk areas. Losses to urban fires are largely dependent on building and land use characteristics across settlements. This paper examines the underlying characteristics that increase fire risks in urban buildings by analyzing the relationship between land use patterns, types of building use, and fire disaster risk in the metropolitan area of Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were collected through a field survey using a structured questionnaire supplemented by focus group discussion. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 88 neighborhoods and 1,803 building occupants were selected using systematic random sampling. Findings indicate incompatible land use developments in many areas of the city. The study revealed that one out of five buildings were not accessible to fire-fighting vehicles owing to inadequate road widths (43.7%) and pot-holes (39.8%). One out of seven buildings (14.1%) had no water supply. About 10% of the buildings had emergency doors on permanent lock. About half of the building occupants relied on power supply sources that increased risks of fire occurrence (52%) and 49.4% used unsustainable waste disposal methods that threatened fire safety. The paper concluded that land use attributes, such as accessibility, compatibility of uses, water supply sources, sources of electricity supply and solid waste disposal method, and building characteristics, such as burglar proofs, nature of entrance/exit, type of lighting fuel are factors that are relevant in fire disaster risk analysis.

A Review of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Their Application in Sustainable Solid Waste Management

Indigenous communities have always used their knowledge systems to improve their quality of life. For example, rural communities’ resort to indigenous cultural practices to manage their own waste when local administration lacks coordinated ways to manage waste. In the context of indigenous knowledge systems, the idea of waste is non-existent. As indigenous knowledge is believed to provide a holistic framework for an approach that effectively promotes sustainability. As such, the current study conducted a systematic review to evaluate the extent to which indigenous solid waste management practices contribute to sustainable waste disposal methods. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, a literature search was carried out in the field of indigenous solid waste management practices. The results indicate a significant imbalance in the amount of conclusive evidence that has been produced to date that suggests the sustainability of indigenous solid waste management practices. It is for this reason that the current study has discovered a substantial literature gap in sustainable solid waste management associated with indigenous knowledge systems. This is an unprecedented trend, especially for a knowledge system that is supposed to promote sustainability practices. However, to improve the likelihood of incorporating indigenous solid waste disposal methods into modern practices, it is imperative to understand the foundational elements that contribute to the advancement of sustainability, lest the sustainability aspect associated with this knowledge system in the discipline of solid waste management remain a mere rhetoric.

Study on the macro–micro evolution of compaction characteristics of coal gangue with different grain sizes under side-limit compression conditions

Currently the main method of mine solid waste disposal and utilization is to apply gangue to underground filling. For the grading characteristics of coal gangue in the hollow zone in underground filling, the state of pressure and the mechanical properties of coal gangue filling materials under different particle sizes. In this paper, through laboratory tests and numerical simulations, the bearing characteristics and deformation damage of gangue are deeply investigated and analyzed from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. The results of the study show that when the axial pressure reaches a certain threshold, the strain increases accordingly with the increase in grain size. Under the axial pressure condition of 15MPa, the bearing capacity of gangue with different grain sizes under the lateral pressure of steel cylinder showed obvious positive correlation. In the software PFC3D simulation, as the particle size of gangue particles increases, it has a significant effect on the natural stacking porosity of the specimen, and gangue particles are more prone to force chain instability and failure. Mixed particle size gangue can significantly reduce the natural accumulation porosity of the specimen, thus improving its overall stability. Significant displacement triangles existed in the top and lateral directions of the B1 (0–5 mm), B2 (5–10 mm), and B5 (0–20 mm) specimens under the same circumferential pressure conditions. The results of the study are of great significance for further selection of reasonable gangue gradation and determination of its mechanical properties.

CFD–DEM Simulation of Heat Transfer and Reaction Characteristics of Pyrolysis Process of MSW Heated by High-Temperature Flue Gas

Pyrolysis is a promising disposal method for municipal solid waste (MSW) due to the high-value utilization of the organic components of MSW. Traditional indirect heating has low heat transfer efficiency and requires an increase in the heat exchange area. In this study, a refined numerical simulation model for the pyrolysis of four typical MSW components with high-temperature flue gas was established to study the influence of flue gas on the heat transfer and reaction characteristics of MSW. The temperature distribution and particle size change in different components were obtained, and the effects of flue gas temperature and velocity on the pyrolysis process were analyzed. It was found that the temperature difference of the four components along the bed height direction was about 1.36–1.81 K/mm, and the energy efficiency was about 55–61%. When the four components were uniformly mixed, the temperature increase rates of each component were similar during the pyrolysis process. As the flue gas temperature increased, the amount of gas consumption decreased and the energy efficiency increased. When the flue gas velocity increased, the flue gas consumption increased and the energy efficiency decreased. The research results are of great significance for the promotion and application of pyrolysis technology to MSW with high-temperature flue gas.

Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practices in Higher Educational Institutions in Makurdi Metropolis Benue State, Nigeria

This study examined solid waste management practices in higher educational institutions within the Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in three higher institutions, namely: Joseph Saawuan Tarkaa University, Makurdi; Benue State University, Makurdi; and Alfred Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi. The study sampled 395 respondents covering all the solid waste generators (students, staff and school mini-market operators) using simple random and purposive sampling procedures. Descriptive statistical method such as frequency count, percentage, mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis were employed in data analysis. The result revealed that the majority of respondents were male (69.9%), falling predominantly within the 18-40 age bracket (82.0%), and unmarried (70.7%). A substantial portion of respondents had educational backgrounds of NCE/ND or secondary school certificates (39.4% and 31.5% respectively), with 70.7% still actively pursuing their education and 71.0% earning less than or equal to N30,000.00 per month on average. Solid waste generating entities were identified, with school mini-markets (labour markets) being the primary contributors (37.7%), followed by offices/lecture halls (34.7%), students’ hostels (28.6%), and general school premises (26.8%). The dominant types of solid waste generated included organic waste such as food remnants (81.2%), papers (67.1%), and plastic waste (64.6%). The municipal waste management authority, BENSESA, was found to be directly responsible for managing 58.5% of the solid waste in the study area, while 20.07% and 17.1% indicated that solid waste was managed by contractors hired by the selected institutions and institutions’ waste management departments/units respectively. Regarding waste storage and collection facilities, 46.0% of respondents reported that their institutions lacked such facilities, and 61.0% mentioned waste being dumped at open temporary dumpsites. Waste collection and disposal services were also found to be lacking, with 35.1% indicating that their institutions did not have these services. The most prevalent methods of solid waste disposal were open dumping (75.3%) and burning (61.3%), indicating suboptimal waste management practices. Inadequate service coverage from BENSESA was identified as a major challenge with a mean score of 4.30. In conclusion, this study highlights the inadequate solid waste management practices in higher educational institutions in Makurdi Metropolis, resulting in uncollected and improperly disposed waste. This poses significant health and environmental risks to residents of these campuses. The study recommends several measures to address these issues, including the establishment and enforcement of waste segregation programmes, improving waste collection and disposal services, conducting awareness campaigns, enforcing waste management policies, and investing in waste disposal infrastructure.

Determination of Gas Potential and Urban Solid Waste Management in Elazığ

Solid wastes make the most important environmental problems caused by human all over the world. In recent years, the amount of solid waste has been increasing in Elazig day by day with rise in the population and industrialization. 
 The solid waste managing systems contain the methods such as proper storage, recycling, processing the solid waste by means of biological methods (compost), and disposal with thermal methods (burning, gasification, and pyrolysis). Of these methods, the proper storage is the most common one in Elazig. By time, using up the oxygen within the wastes stored in the proper fields, the storage gas occurs as a result the decay without oxygen (anaerobic) with the help of anaerobic bacteria proliferate in this environment. 
 In this study, solid waste disposal methods have been investigated for storage gas by giving Elazig example.

Research of processes of thermochemical disposal of components of the morphological composition and model analogs of MSW

The article emphasizes that processing and disposal of household waste mainly concerns large densely populated cities, where millions of cubic meters of solid household waste (MSW) are accumulated annually. It was noted that thermal methods of solid waste disposal are among the most advanced methods of their processing. The advantage of these methods is a significant reduction in the volume of processed material. When waste is burned, its weight is reduced by 85-90%. In addition to reducing the volume and mass of waste, incineration of household waste allows you to obtain additional energy resources. Indicators of the amount of heat of combustion of MSW are similar to indicators of brown coal - from 1000 to 3000 kcal/kg.
 To date, existing waste incineration plants have a number of disadvantages, the main of which is low efficiency. The rate of useful use of thermal energy does not exceed 65%, even with the use of a more advanced property.
 The combustion processes themselves, the formation and composition of ash residues are affected by a large number of factors, starting with the properties and characteristics of the fuel, the physical and chemical properties of the raw materials, the parameters of the combustion process, the dispersed size of the fuel, the type of reactor, and the level of oxygen in the working area.
 Thus, the selection of the range of temperatures and pressures, the rate of heating of the gas medium for the thermogravimetric method of disposal of carbon-containing waste plays a decisive role in overcoming the shortcomings of this method.
 The purpose of the article is the development of a thermogravitational installation for studying the peculiarities of the flow of kinetic processes during the combustion of MSW samples.
 The article presents the development of an experimental thermogravitational unit for researching processes of thermochemical processing of carbon-containing alternative fuels with wide possibilities, which allows to study the influence of technological parameters on the combustion process. A description of the main nodes and the measurement system, the methodology of the experiment and the analysis of the obtained data is given. 
 A series of experiments was conducted with all the main components of solid waste: wood, food waste (potatoes, meat), office and chart paper, leather, garden waste, tetrapak, plastic. It is shown that the nature of the mass change curves of various components practically does not depend on their chemical composition and is determined mainly by the staged course of the combustion process, and the latter, in turn, by the rate of heating of the sample, the only exception being the combustion of plastic. The oxidation time of all components, except plastic, after reaching the temperature of the beginning of combustion (~ 200-250, sometimes 300 °С) is from 5-7 to 40-50 minutes, while the intensive combustion of plastic ends in 1 minute. 
 It was determined that the composition and thermophysical properties of ash play an important role in the processes of thermochemical disposal of MSW, affecting the value of the specific calorific value of MSW as a fuel and the value of the adiabatic temperature of the gaseous products of the process.

Analysis of practices and factors of solid waste management among urban households of Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia

The management of solid waste is crucial for urban areas to prevent the spread of diseases, reduce pollution, enhance cleanliness, promote resource recovery, and create employment opportunities. This study aims to examine the practices and factors related to the management of solid waste among urban households in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia. A survey was conducted with 200 participants from four districts in two sub-cities. The survey utilized an interview questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the multinomial logit regression model. The results indicate that various factors such as gender, age, education, employment status, income, family size, and attitude significantly influence the selection of solid waste disposal methods by households. Gender significantly influences the preference for nearby containers over open spaces when it comes to waste disposal. Females are 7.55 times more inclined than males to choose nearby containers instead of open spaces. Age also plays a substantial role, with respondents aged 46-64 being 604 times more likely to utilize nearby containers. Respondents aged 65 and above are 69 times more likely, while respondents aged 31-45 are three times more likely to use nearby containers. Education level is also a significant factor, as individuals holding college diploma or higher degree are more likely to opt for nearby containers and door-to-door pickers rather than open spaces. Retired individuals are less likely to utilize door-to-door pickers compared to government employees. The decision between nearby containers and open spaces for waste disposal is influenced also by family size. The likelihood of choosing nearby containers decreases by 45% with each unit increase in family size. Attitude also plays a role in the preference for door-to-door pickers over open spaces. The likelihood of using door-to-door pickers increases by 64% for each unit increase in attitude. Individuals with higher incomes are unexpectedly inclined towards using open spaces as a method of waste disposal, possibly due to their increased consumption levels, resulting in higher generation of solid waste in their households. To promote a clean, healthy, and sustainable urban environment, the government needs to formulate and implement solid waste management strategies that effectively consider the specific demographic and socio-economic characteristics of households.

Porous carbon material production from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of peanut shell

Due to the complex porous structure, biochar usually has good adsorption capacity. Therefore, compared with direct combustion, conversion of peanut shell into biochar by pyrolysis is considered to be an environmentally friendly and efficient method for agricultural solid waste disposal. In this study, biochar production from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of peanut shell was detailed. The yields, surface topographies, and pore structures (pore size distribution and micropore volume) of biochars prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures (700, 750, 800, 850, 900, and 950 °C), microwave powers (350, 400, 450, 500, and 550 W), and residence times (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 h) were elaborated. The results showed that the biochar yield gradually decreased and finally stabilized to around 30% while the specific surface area improved within the range of 4.68–67.29 m2/g when the pyrolysis temperature, microwave power, or residence time increased. Biochar with micropore was first obtained at pyrolysis temperature of 800 °C, microwave power of 500 W, and residence time of 2.0 h. This study further proposed quantitative relationships between the pore structures of peanut shell based biochars and experimental conditions (pyrolysis temperature, microwave power and residence time). The results presented in this study can provide guidance for the reuse of peanut shell and the production of porous biochar. The peanut shell biochar prepared in this study can be used in soil remediation, air purification, liquid purification and other fields for its porous structural characteristics.

Comparison Of Sewage And Solid Waste Disposal Methods Among Households In Urban And Rural Local Government Areas Of Anambra State

Improper sewage and solid waste disposal lead to environmental pollution and increased risk of communicable diseases. This study compared the sanitation and solid waste disposal facilities utilized in selected rural and urban local government areas of Anambra State, Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1310 households and data was collected from household heads or a designated adult representative using of quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (KII) data collection methods. The independent variables in this study are the sociodemographic variables and the geographical location of the respondents while the dependent variables are the toilet facilities and solid waste disposal methods. Data from the questionnaire was analyzed using the SPSS version 23 and the hypotheses were tested with the inferential statistics of Chi square at 0.05 level of significance. Most respondents lie between the age group of 31-50 years. Most of the respondents in both the urban (84.4%) and rural(65.0%) areas had secondary education and above but a higher proportion in the urban compared to rural have tertiary education(41.9% versus 22.1%). The difference in educational status was statistically significant (p = 0.0001). There were more business men (46.6%) and civil servants (38.8%) in the urban area than the rural area. Most rural respondents were farmers(41.5%). Many urban household use toilet with sewer connection 152(11.7%) while pit latrine with slab is the most commonly used toilet facility 242 (18.6%). Burning was more commonly used by the rural households (n = 266, 20.5%). Open dumping of refuse and disposal into gullies and water ways were commonly done by the urban households. The gaps that exist between rural and urban areas of Anambra state may present serious health risk and environmental degradation .This issues can be addressed through health education, building more sanitary infrastructure to include the rural areas and enforcing sanitation laws.
 

Biodegradation of high cellulose-lignin content agricultural wastes in bioreactors

The bioreactor landfill is a solid waste disposal method that provides rapid degradation of solid waste and acquisition of methane. Bioreactors in which leachate circulation is carried out are generally operated anaerobically. The biodegradation of wastes with high lignin and cellulose content is very difficult. Especially under anaerobic conditions (moreover, if there is a lack of moisture), such wastes almost never decompose. In this study, the degradation of waste sunflower stalks that are difficult to biodegrade and have a high lignin-cellulose content and the production of methane gas in semi-aerobic bioreactors have been investigated. Sunflower stalks were loaded into the bioreactors in different proportions and mixed with the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFSWM). The bioreactors have been operated under different operating conditions. The contents of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and initial and final organic matter in the wastes loaded into the bioreactors were examined. Parameters such as pH, COD, BOD5, TKN, NH4-N in leachate were analysed and the amounts of total and methane gas were measured. Initially, all bioreactors have been operated anaerobically. In the decomposition of the sunflower stalk, while 43% of the organic matter removal was achieved in the anaerobic bioreactor, 60% of the organic matter removal was realized in the semi-aerobic/anaerobic bioreactor. The other agricultural wastes were then subjected to decomposition under semi-aerobic/anaerobic operating conditions. As a result of the study, it can be said that semi-aerobic pretreatment accelerates the decomposition of agricultural waste with a high lignin and cellulose content, decreases the COD values of leachate, and increases the amount of methane.

Technology development and challenges for the transformation of municipal solid waste into sustainable energy production

Municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal methods that are not under control, such as open burning, unrestricted incineration, landfilling and dumping into water bodies, pose a severe hazard to the environment and public health. As a result, the development of cheap and ecologically suitable disposal methods is currently extensively demanded by the expanding contemporary communities across the globe. However, the heterogeneous structure and variable physicochemical qualities are a key technical impediment to a total transformation in present conversion methods. Under a green biorefinery strategy, an organic-rich portion of MSW might serve as a low-cost, readily accessible substrate for making fuel and high-value chemicals. The present review examines the new issues in municipal solid waste production and management and the generation of diverse bioproducts with added value. In addition, the conversion of organic waste materials into a variety of biofuels, such as liquids, solids, gases, and power, is discussed in this paper. The most up-to-date methods for turning organic waste into high value bioproducts like compost and organic acids are thoroughly examined. The biorefinery technique is bolstered by converting organic solid waste to high value bioproducts that reduce waste, increase energy output, and provide additional healthcare commodities. As a result, it can be said that recycling MSW into high value bioproducts and biofuels will aid in reaching high levels of energy security, environmental protection, and a more robust bioeconomy.

Sustainable ceramic tiles incorporated with waste fly ash from recycled paper production

Waste incineration is an effective solid waste disposal method; however, its by-product pollutants hinder its widespread adoption. This research aims to develop novel unglazed ceramic tiles by recycling industrial solid waste incineration fly ash (IWA) from recycled paper mills. Experimental investigations were conducted on ceramic tiles with IWA additions (0–30 wt%) and firing temperatures (1100 °C, 1200 °C, and 1300 °C). Various scientific tests, including XRF, XRD, strength, water absorption, thermal properties, heavy metal leaching, SEM analysis, and micro-CT analysis, were performed. The results suggest that the addition of IWA may deteriorate the technical performance of ceramic tiles; however, satisfactory performance can still be achieved by tailoring the firing temperature due to the existence of iron and calcium in the IWA, which narrows and displaces the densification temperature range. Remarkably, tiles with 30 wt% IWA, which completely replaced the flux materials and fired at 1300 °C, achieved the highest flexural strength (exceeding 30 MPa). These tiles exhibited promising attributes such as water absorption of 5.9%, an estimated energy saving of 33.86%, and compliance with heavy metal leaching limits. This study proposes a sustainable solution for IWA disposal by utilising recycled paper mill fly ash as a substitute for flux material in ceramic tile manufacturing. The findings contribute to minimising environmental impact and conserving non-renewable natural resources, supporting sustainable development.

Leachate leakage enhances the microbial diversity and richness but decreases Proteobacteria and weakens stable microbial ecosystem in landfill groundwater.

Sanitary landfill is the most prevalent and economic method for municipal solid waste disposal, and the resultant groundwater pollution has become an environmental problem due to leachate leakage. The pollution characteristics in groundwater near landfill sites have been extensively investigated, although the succession characteristics and driving mechanisms of microbial communities in leachate-contaminated groundwater and the sensitive microbial indicators for leachate leakage identification remain poorly studied. Herein, results showed that leachate leakage enhanced the microbial diversity and richness and transferred endemic bacteria from landfills into groundwater, producing an average decrease of 17.73% in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria. The key environmental factor driving the evolution of microbial communities in groundwater due to leachate pollution was organic matter, which can explain 16.13% of the changes in microbial community composition. The |βNTI| values of the bacterial communities in all six landfills were <2, and the assembly process of microbial communities was primarily dominated using stochastic processes. Leachate pollution changed the assembly mechanism, transforming the community assembly process from an undominated process to a dispersal limitation process. Leachate pollution reduced the efficiency and stability of microbial communities in groundwater, increasing the vulnerability of the stable microbial ecosystems in groundwater. Notably, microbial indicators are more sensitive to leachate leakage and could accurately identify landfills where leachate leakage occurred and other extraneous pollutants. The phylum Proteobacteria and mcrA could act as appropriate indicators for the identification of leachate leakage. These results provide a novel insight into the monitoring, identification of groundwater pollution and the scientific guidance for appropriate remediation strategies for leachate-contaminated groundwater.