Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Research Articles

Investigation of odor pollution by utilizing selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and principal component analysis (PCA).

Odor pollution, also referred to as odor nuisance, is a growing environmental concern that is significantly associated with mental health. Once emitted into the air, the concentration of odorous substances varies considerably with wind conditions, leading to difficulties in timely sampling. In the present study, we employed selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) to measure 22 odor-producing molecules continuously in an urban-rural complex city. In addition, we applied statistical analyses, principal component analysis (PCA), and a conditional probability function (CPF) to the datasets obtained from SIFT-MS to identify the odor characteristics at two study sites. At site A, odorants related to livestock farming and industry showed high factor loadings on principal components (PCs) from the PCA. In contrast, we estimated that the odorous gaseous chemicals affecting site B were closely related to sewage treatment and municipal solid waste disposal. Similar CPF patterns of grouped substances from the PCA supported the association between potential odor sources and specific odorants at site B, which helped estimate possible source locations. Consequently, our findings indicate that continuous monitoring of odorous substances using SIFT-MS can be an effective way to provide sufficient information on odor-producing molecules, leading to the clear identification of odor characteristics despite the high variability of odorous substances.

Valuing the Disamenity of Open Dumpsites: A Sri Lankan Case Study

Valuing the Disamenity of Open Dumpsites: A Sri Lankan Case Study

Assessing the impacts and contamination potentials of landfill leachate on adjacent groundwater systems

Landfilling is a globally prevalent method for managing municipal solid waste disposal. Nonetheless, the potential for serious contamination and the significant regional disparities in the leachate produced pose varying degrees of risks to groundwater quality. Previous studies have focused on a single landfill or the same geo-climatic conditions, with a limited number of samples having resulted in a narrow distribution of landfill age and scale, which prevents the description of the pattern of change in landfill age and scale. As well as the effect of this change on the contaminants in the landfill leachate and surrounding groundwater is still unclear. Therefore, we sampled and analyzed leachate and surrounding groundwater from 62 landfills with different landfill ages, scales, and operating conditions in a region with dense and varied topography and climate. Aim to explore the effects of different landfill ages, scales, and operating conditions on contaminants in leachate and surrounding groundwater. Findings indicate that pollutant profiles in different media are influenced by the age, scale, and operational status of the landfill, and the impact of leachate on pollutant types and concentrations in groundwater is limited. A significant correlation exists between the concentration of contaminants in the groundwater affected by leaching from the impermeable layer and the age and scale of the landfill when compared to the leachate. The contamination potentials posed by different pollutants vary across environmental media. Total dissolved solids and NH4+-N in leachate presented high contamination potentials, whereas elemental metalloids (Mn, Al, Ba, and Fe) in the surrounding groundwater posed high environmental concerns. These insights furnish new avenues for monitoring, identification, and safeguarding against pollutants in landfills and proximate groundwater, which is imperative for the sustainable management of municipal waste.

Prophet time series modeling of waste disposal rates in four North American cities.

In this study, three different univariate municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal rate forecast models (SARIMA, Holt-Winters, Prophet) were examined using different testing periods in four North American cities with different socioeconomic conditions. A review of the literature suggests that the selected models are able to handle seasonality in a time series; however, their ability to handle outliers is not well understood. The Prophet model generally outperformed the Holt-Winters model and the SARIMA model. The MAPE and R2 of the Prophet model during pre-COVID-19 were 4.3-22.2% and 0.71-0.93, respectively. All three models showed satisfactory predictive results, especially during the pre-COVID-19 testing period. COVID-19 lockdowns and the associated regulatory measures appear to have affected MSW disposal behaviors, and all the univariate models failed to fully capture the abrupt changes in waste disposal behaviors. Modeling errors were largely attributed to data noise in seasonality and the unprecedented event of COVID-19 lockdowns. Overall, the modeling errors of the Prophet model were evenly distributed, with minimum modeling biases. The Prophet model also appeared to be versatile and successfully captured MSW disposal rates from 3000 to 39,000 tons/month. The study highlights the potential benefits of the use of univariate models in waste forecast.

Assessing groundwater quality dynamics in Madhya Pradesh: Chemical contaminants and their temporal patterns

Groundwater is essential for maintaining ecosystem health and overall well-being as a pivotal resource for plants and animals. The increasing public consciousness of the deterioration of groundwater quality has emphasized the significance of undertaking extended evaluations of groundwater water quality, particularly in regions undergoing substantial hydrological alterations. This study primarily aims to investigate the spatio-temporal variations in groundwater quality and evaluate its suitability for potable purposes in the region of Madhya Pradesh. The study combines the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and Sen's Slope (SS) to analyze the changes in groundwater quality of all 51 districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, utilizing 12 water quality indices using MATLAB. Data was sourced from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in India from the year 2001–2021. The data was then tested for homogeneity at all 1154 sampling stations using the software XLSTAT. Piper plot clustering characterized the state's groundwater as bicarbonate-calcium-magnesium (HCO3−-Ca2+-Mg2+) type. The study found that the groundwater in the area is heavily impacted by high levels of nitrate and hardness, which is caused by an increase in multivalent cations. The water was classified as ranging from hard to extremely hard, and approximately 25.49% of the state's groundwater has nitrate levels that exceed the acceptable limits. The MK test showed a significant increasing correlation in trends for parameters such as nitrate, sulfate, fluoride, chloride, bicarbonate, total hardness, and electrical conductivity. It also showed a significant decreasing correlation for calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. These results were observed at a confidence level of 95%. The analysis of trends has shown that human-related factors have a considerable effect on the characteristics of groundwater quality. It is therefore recommended that such human-related factors be taken into consideration when developing policies for managing groundwater resources. Consequently, these policies should emphasize the strict enforcement of rules and standards that limit the overuse of fertilizers, ensure the appropriate disposal of municipal solid and liquid wastes, and regulate industrial pollutants.

Unveiling the Air Quality Impacts of Municipal Solid Waste Disposal: An Integrative Study of On-Site Measurements and Community Perceptions

This study examines air quality conditions in and around a classroom located in the Sarıçam/Adana region of Türkiye, near the campus of Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University and the Sofulu municipal solid waste (MSW) facility. This academic setting was strategically chosen due to its proximity to the waste facility. The study aims to provide a comprehensive view of the environmental and social impacts of solid waste management through a methodological approach that combines quantitative on-site measurements and qualitative survey studies. Findings from measurements and surveys underline the significant and measurable impacts of MSW facilities on the ambient air quality of university residents. The analysis revealed a marked increase in concentrations of key pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), dust, and methane (CH4). At sampling point N1, H2S levels rose from 0 ppm in July to 13 ppm in November. Methane increased from 0.2% to 2.5% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) at the same point, although it remained within safety limits. Additionally, CO levels showed a 40% increase, and dust concentration levels rose from 0.21 mg/m3 to 2.36 mg/m3 from summer to winter, indicating a seasonal variation likely influenced by the landfill’s operational dynamics, as well as changes in temperature and relative humidity. In particular, the results indicate high concentrations of CO, H2S and dust, which are directly related to air quality degradation. The study also sheds light on the impacts of these waste disposal facilities on the general well-being and health of the university community, particularly on students and staff. In addition to these findings, the study highlights a general lack of awareness in the university community about the impacts of MSW facilities on air quality. This highlights the need for increased education and information dissemination. The results support the development of comprehensive and effective strategies, including technical solutions and public awareness initiatives, to mitigate the impacts of these facilities on residential areas. In conclusion, the impacts of MSW facilities on air quality should be seen as a multidimensional issue that requires a holistic approach addressing environmental, health, social, and educational dimensions.

Analysing the factors influencing groundwater quality with different pollution indices and PLS-SEM approach in the vicinity of an open dumping yard in Saduperi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Open dumping is the prevailing municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal technique in India. Unsanitary landfill releases leachate that contaminates valuable groundwater. Hence, the present study was carried out in the vicinity of the Saduperi open dumpsite, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, to explore the key factors that influences groundwater contamination. A total of 216 groundwater samples were collected between May 2021 and April 2022. These samples were categorised into four different seasons such as summer, southwest monsoon (SWM), northeast monsoon (NEM), and winter. Pollution indices such as the Leachate Pollution Index (LPI) and the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) were used to evaluate the contamination potential. The calculated LPI > 35 in all seasons indicates the prevailing poor environmental condition. It was observed that about 56% of the sampling site was affected by heavy metal concentrations such as Cd, Cr, and Ni. The HPI value was found to be more than the critical value of 100 in the 10 sampling wells for all seasons. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) has also been carried out in this study to create a link between latent variables such as 'IOT Parameters', 'Leachate Parameters', 'Heavy Metal', and 'Groundwater Quality' which were quantified by the yield of R2 value. The R2 value of the sampling well ahead of the dumpsite and along the direction of the groundwater flow values ranges from 24.7 to 86.5% in comparison to the wells located behind the dumpsite, which are prone to more contamination due to migration of leachate. Hence, this present study shows various influencing factors that affect the groundwater quality.

Advancing towards circular economy: Environmental benefits of an innovative biorefinery for municipal solid waste management

Inadequate municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal represents a current global challenge, contributing to environmental and societal issues. Instead of viewing waste as a problem, an alternative would be integrate it back into the production chain through a circular economic perspective. In response, an innovative and integrated biorefinery (2IB) has been implemented to effectively manage MSW, without the need for pre-treatment or source separation. This paper aims to evaluate the environmental performance of the 2IB using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, comparing the results with a MSW landfilling alternative. The ReCiPe-LCA method is applied, and nine impact categories are calculated. Focusing on net emissions, the results show that 2IB yields higher environmental benefits than sanitary landfill in eight out of nine impact categories. For each 1 tonne of MSW treated, the 2IB causes from 2.6 to up to 8.9 times lower global warming, fossil depletion, photochemical oxidant formation, and freshwater eutrophication, 18.9 times lower metal depletion, 22.3 times lower human toxicity, 42.5 times lower terrestrial acidification, and 161 times lower particular matter formation. However, the sanitary landfill leads to two times lower water depletion compared to the 2IB. These findings advocate for prioritizing the 2IB over the sanitary landfill in propositions for public policies focused on MSW management. This work contributes by providing technical information on the 2IB that can be evaluated under methods other than LCA, besides showing its environmental advantages that would boost better decisions towards MSW disposal from a circular economy perspective.

Improving the Environmental Efficiency of a Mobile Power Plant with a Low-Emission Gas Generator

A mobile power unit is proposed to prepare for the processing of municipal solid waste using an environmentally friendly boiler unit developed by "Baltkotlomach" LLC. The design, principle and results of operation of an integrated combustion product purification system are presented. The conclusion was made that the developed power system meets environmental requirements and allows for efficient disposal of municipal solid waste.

Waste oxy-fuel combustion integrated with supercritical CO2 cycle and high-temperature electrolysis technologies for e-methanol production: A feasibility analysis

The municipal solid waste (MSW) oxy-fuel incineration power plant based on the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycle integrated with high-temperature electrolysis technology has been developed with the aim of compensating the energy penalties of air separation unit (ASU), reducing the carbon emission and producing renewable methanol by CO2 hydrogenation process. Results shows that the suitable excess oxygen ratio, flue gas circulation ratio and methanol synthesis temperature are 1.1, 0.74 and 240 °C, respectively. The thermal efficiency of proposed system reaches 74.83%, above the that of traditional MSW incineration power plant. In addition, environmental analysis shows that the carbon retention index (CRI) is 97.76%, and the goal of near zero carbon emission can be achieved. Economic analysis demonstrates that the levelized cost of methanol (LCOM) of proposed system is 728.40 $/t, which is more than double the current market price of methanol. However, with the technological breakthrough and expansion of market scale in the further, e-methanol shows economic competitiveness when the cost of water electrolysis unit is reduced to 40 M$/250 MW and carbon emission credit is higher than 70 $/t. This work is innovative, and provides a high-efficiency and sustainable MSW disposal and energy recovering scheme for e-methanol production.

Selection of municipal solid waste disposal technology using the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Genetic Algorithm for Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management represents a significant challenge in rapidly urbanizing regions, notably within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This study focuses on Kuwait, exemplifying the GCC context, to identify the most suitable MSW disposal methods. We integrate the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Genetic Algorithms (GA) for a comprehensive evaluation and optimization of disposal options, considering 13 criteria across economic, environmental, technical, and safety dimensions. Five disposal methods (landfilling, controlled dumpsites, composting, incineration, and refuse-derived fuel [RDF] combustion) are analyzed for their fit to Kuwait's unique environmental and socio-economic conditions. The AHP analysis highlights the paramount importance of "Health & Safety of Employees" (19.8%), "Water Pollution" (16.2%), and "Air Pollution Control" (15.4%) as criteria, underscoring a regional prioritization of health and environmental considerations over cost. Composting and RDF combustion emerge as the preferred disposal methods, with AHP-derived priority percentages of 22.7% and 22.3%, respectively. GA optimization further validates these methods as optimally aligned with the regional waste management framework. Conclusively, composting and RDF combustion are identified as the most feasible MSW disposal options for Kuwait, with potential applicability across the GCC, contingent on alignment with local economic and environmental policies. This research provides a critical foundation for policymakers and stakeholders in crafting sustainable, region-specific waste management strategies.

New Insights into Microplastic Contamination in Different Types of Leachates: Abundances, Characteristics, and Potential Sources

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is an important destination for abandoned plastics. During the waste disposal process, large plastic debris is broken down into microplastics (MPs) and released into the leachate. However, current research only focuses on landfill leachates, and the occurrence of MPs in other leachates has not been studied. Therefore, herein, the abundance and characteristics of MPs in three types of leachates, namely, landfill leachate, residual waste leachate, and household food waste leachate, were studied, all leachates were collected from the largest waste disposal center in China. The results showed that the average MP abundances in the different types of leachates ranged from (129 ± 54) to (1288 ± 184) MP particles per liter (particles·L−1) and the household food waste leachate exhibited the highest MP abundance (p < 0.05). Polyethylene (PE) and fragments were the dominant polymer type and shape in MPs, respectively. The characteristic polymer types of MPs in individual leachates were different. Furthermore, the conditional fragmentation model indicated that the landfilling process considerably affected the size distribution of MPs in leachates, leading to a higher percentage (> 80%) of small MPs (20–100 μm) in landfill leachates compared to other leachates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study discussing the sources of MPs in different leachates, which is important for MP pollution control during MSW disposal.

A review of existing methods for predicting leachate production from municipal solid waste landfills.

Landfilling is one of the predominant methods of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal worldwide, while the generation of leachate, a kind of toxic wastewater, is among the primary factors behind landfill instability and environmental contamination problems. Precise prediction of leachate production is crucial to landfill safety evaluation and design. This paper presents a comprehensive review of methods for predicting leachate production from MSW landfills. Firstly, compositional characteristics of MSW and leachate generation mechanism are analysed. Factors influencing leachate production are summarised based on the generation mechanism, including the components of MSW, climatic conditions, landfill structure, and environmental factors. Then, we classified the existing methods for predicting leachate production into four categories: water balance formula, water balance model, empirical formula, and artificial intelligence model methods. Advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of different leachate production prediction methods are compared and analysed. Furthermore, limitations in the existing leachate production prediction methods for MSW landfills and scope for future research are discussed.

Scenario analysis of the eco-efficiency for municipal solid waste management: A case study of 211 cities in western China

Mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is vital for creating sustainable municipal solid waste management systems (MSWMS). In this study, we constructed an MSWMS considering recycling and carried out GHG emission accounting for MSWMS in western China from 2012 to 2021 based on the IPCC mass balance (MB) method. Then, we modeled the emission reduction potentials and economic benefits under different scenarios for 211 prefectural and county-level cities. We formed an eco-efficiency analysis framework that can be used to explore the sustainable development mode. Results revealed that: (1) Emissions from the western region's municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal exhibit an inverted “U” pattern, increasing at an annual rate of about 1.3 % since 2012, peaking in 2019, and then decreasing at rates of 14.4 % and 10.6 %. (2) The GHG emissions show a spatial pattern of decreasing evolution from east to west and south to north, and the provincial-municipal level shows different trends. (3) The SB3 scenario (optimization of landfill gas power generation technology) was the most ecologically efficient in 43 % of the western cities, followed by SB4 (33 %) and SA3 (24 %). (4) The development of integrated urban domestic waste management strategies by the three-level scenarios derived from this study will help local governments achieve the goal of sustainable urban development. Clarifying the differences in GHG emissions and eco-efficiency among cities will help provide policy recommendations for regions with similar characteristics to explore technically applicable, economically affordable implementation paths for city management according to local conditions.

Urban aspects of selecting lands for municipal solid waste disposal facilities

The article discusses the main approaches to the selection of a land plot for municipal solid waste disposal facilities, taking into account urban planning features. According to the analysis and theoretical studies, the selection of a land plot for municipal solid waste disposal facilities implies an interdisciplinary study and design of the territory, planned for development. The main objectives of the study include environmental protection requirements, building codes and regulations, sanitary and hygienic, engineering-environmental and urban planning rules. The paper analyses the main aspects of organising a land plot for municipal waste disposal facilities. The greatest attention is paid to the study of the regulatory framework in the field of urban planning in terms of determining the legal status of territories for the location of municipal solid waste disposal facilities. The paper develops an interdisciplinary model for studying the criteria of selecting a land plot for municipal solid waste disposal facilities. The necessary industrial regulations, defining the composition of requirements for the selection of a land plot for municipal solid waste disposal facilities, which should be improved taking into account urban development, are highlighted.

Comprehensive Study of Energy Characteristics and Biohazard Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste from the Landfill of the City of Atyrau

This article presents the results of the study of the morphological composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) from the landfill of Atyrau city, and the waste’s energy characteristics and presence of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. This study was carried out under a government order to determine the feasibility of recycling accumulated and incoming waste into electricity and its hazard to the environment and the workers involved in handling it. At the moment, there is no MSW recycling in Kazakhstan, which has led to the accumulation of more than 125 million tons of waste with an annual increase of 5 million tons. The research included four major cities (Almaty, Shymkent, Atyrau and Astana), which were selected not only on the basis of population, but also because the cities were located in different climatic zones. Samples were collected at the city landfills: 10 samples with an average distance of 100 m from each other were collected to provide a maximum coverage of both recently received waste and long-time stored waste. The research showed that neither climatic conditions nor the population size had a significant impact on MSW density, the values of which ranged from 120.1 kg/m3 to 145.4 kg/m3, as this indicator directly depends on the quality of life. The mass of the combustible fraction ranged from 39.41% to 54.62% and was mainly represented by plastic, textile and paper waste. The average value for the four cities was 50.30%. The higher calorific value fell in the range of 24.22–30.49 MJ/kg, with an average value of 26.71 MJ/kg. Microbiological studies showed little difference in average composition regardless of climatic conditions. Thus, no sharp differences in MSW composition, its energy characteristics and microbiological composition were found. The results of this study may be useful for optimising MSW recycling and disposal processes, as well as for developing measures to reduce their negative impact on the environment and human health.

Prediction of municipal solid waste treatment and disposal in high cold and high altitude area based on system dynamics: a case study of Lhasa

At present, the high cold and high altitude areas of China continue to face challenges in achieving high rates of resource utilization for the municipal solid waste (MSW). In this paper, for the first time, a prediction method based on system dynamics (SD) for the treatment and disposal of municipal solid waste in high cold and high altitude areas is proposed and applied to Lhasa City. The model simulate and predict the proportion of treatment methods (including landfill, incineration, kitchen waste disposal, recycling) and the rate of resource utilization (other disposal methods except landfill) of municipal solid waste under Natural Tendency and regulation schemes (Strengthened Municipal Solid Waste Classification Scheme and Municipal Solid Waste Classification and Treatment Scheme). The results show that strengthening municipal solid waste classification and treatment can significantly enhance the resource utilization rate of municipal solid waste in Lhasa, with an expected rate of 100% by 2026. This outcome has the potential to promote sustainable and healthy development of society, economy and environment of a city.

Экологические проблемы моногородов российской Арктики в оценках населения

The article considers the environmental problems of single-industry towns in the Russian Arctic via population assessments. When assessing environmental problems, a whole range of studies is applied — a sociological survey of respondents living in the single-industry towns of Kirovsk and Kostomuksha, economic statistics and desk research. Desk research makes it possible to draw conclusions about environmental complaints of mono-town residents and the environmental responsibility of the largest enterprises in the Arctic. The results of the study show that situation in Arctic regions with waste sorting and recycling is very acute. Almost all Arctic regions are among the outsiders. In conclusion, the authors formulate recommendations to improve environmental policy pursued in the Arctic mono-towns taking into account the population opinion. The proposed recommendations include the development of a migration model for the Arctic mono-towns, implementation of measures for the disposal and recycling of municipal solid waste, strengthening public environmental control, economic incentives for the use of clean technologies, development of ecological tourism, etc.

Physicochemical characteristics of bottom ash from waste-to-energy incineration pilot plant in Indonesia

Municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal has emerged as a major concern in large cities across Indonesia. Waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration is an attractive method that can significantly reduce volume of waste; however it generates residues, namely bottom ash and fly ash. This study presents the characteristics of bottom ash from the MSW WtE incineration pilot plant in Indonesia. The physicochemical characterization of bottom ash was determined X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The results showed that CaO (46.80%) was the major component, followed by SiO2 (12.30%), Al2O3 (8.80%), and Fe2O3 (8.20%). SEM images showed that the surface morphology of bottom ash appeared flaky, rod-like, and irregular shape. Inert materials, like iron scrap, glass, ceramic, and stone, accounted for 16.7% of the total dry weight of bottom ash. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test of 11 heavy metals in bottom ash was carried out, and all of them were detected at very low concentration, indicating that bottom ash possessed a low risk level to human health and environment. This study provides important information on the characteristics of bottom ash from MSW WtE incineration in Indonesia that would be useful in facilitating management and disposal of bottom ash.

Revealing subsurface structure at the former municipal solid waste disposal site Leuwi Gajah of Cimahi Town by using geophysical data: a preliminary result

Municipal solid waste disposal site Leuwi Gajah, situated in Cimahi, is near Bandung City. It was a vast open dumping site closed in 2006 due to a harmful geological hazard in 2005, causing hundreds of victims’ deaths. After 16 years of the tragedy, Bandung local government planned for the former municipal solid waste to become a food field with high technology that benefits the community around the area. We applied the Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) technique to image the study area’s subsurface structure as a non-invasive geophysical method. We collected apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) and apparent susceptibility data from the study site in a gridded pattern to map their distribution using EM-38 MK-2 technology. We chose three sites to map those parameter values: site 1, site 2, and site 3. Site 1 is cassava cultivation land by the community. Site 2 is the boundary between former waste and non-waste land, and site 3 is the same land as site 1 but has a steeper slope (20°). The selection of sites 1 and 3 compares land at higher and lower elevations affected by the former landfill landslide. Site 2 shows the difference in characteristics between waste and non-waste land.Our research in the study area delivers good results. First, we can identify the boundaries of waste and non-waste material, as shown in the low susceptibility value at site 2. This identification is probably related to the thermo-remanent magnetization that results from burning waste. On the other hand, water content influences the distribution of ECa values. Moreover, topography has effects that cause water accumulation in certain areas at sites 1 and 3. These findings recommend using other geophysical methods to detect the boundary between the waste deposit body and underlying bedrock and to characterize the waste body.