Municipal Solid Waste Research Articles

Evaluating the environmental effects of open dumps and waste farming: A case study

Dhapa, the landfill situated in Kolkata, is a very active site for municipal dumping. A humongous amount of municipal solid waste is added in this dump daily and the nearby farmlands produce a significant yield for the local population. The current study seeks to examine the environmental associated with leachate migration due to open dumping of unsorted solid waste in Dhapa, Kolkata, India. Also, the second goal of the study is to assess the risk to public health associated with the consumption of agricultural products possibly contaminated with heavy metals through soil and groundwater. The seasonal soil and groundwater sample, and samples of products grown near the landfill were collected around the periphery of Dhapa. The presence of heavy metals in the samples was determined using classical methods in a specialized laboratory. The soil and groundwater results compared to FAO/WHO, and BIS/WHO was found that toxic metal Cd, Cr, Zn, Pb & Hg were present in high concentrations. For the vegetables grown at the site fields, multiple samples were collected as multiple different vegetables are grown around the year, it was found that mainly Cd, Cr, Zn, Pb and Hg exceeding Indian permissible standards of consumptions many fold. Finally by the use of multiple indices like Average Daily Dose (ADD) & Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) along with Hazard Quotient (HQ) it was found that carcinogenic risk, on human health, was highest in the ground water and vegetables. The current study fills the gap associated with the scientific substantiation of actively developing environmental hazards at the regional level.

Bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration: composition, leaching of heavy metals, treatment, possibilities of application and permissibility of burial

Bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration: composition, leaching of heavy metals, treatment, possibilities of application and permissibility of burial

Estimative engineering geological zoning for allocation of municipal solid waste landfills (by the example of Vladimir Region, Russia)

Estimative engineering geological zoning for allocation of municipal solid waste landfills (by the example of Vladimir Region, Russia)

Mulching with Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Compost Has Beneficial Side Effects on Vineyard Soil Compared to Mulching with Synthetic Films

Municipal solid waste (MSW) compost represents a sustainable alternative to plastic film for mulching in viticulture. This study investigated the effects of MSW compost on vineyard soil properties, specifically focusing on side effects such as soil temperature and microbial decomposition activity, independently from its role in weed control. The experiment was conducted in a vineyard located in the Mediterranean region (Southern Italy), with six different mulching treatments: black polyethylene (PE) film, black and white biodegradable film, three different amounts of MSW compost (8, 15, and 22 kg plant−1), and a control without mulching. Weed growth was monitored to determine the optimal compost application amount. The 15 kg plant−1 treatment was selected for further analyses, as it did not significantly impact weed growth compared to the control. Results indicated that MSW compost mulching maintained lower soil temperatures compared to other treatments (up to 5 °C in the warmest hours) and reduced the amplitude of the thermal wave up to 50% compared to the non-mulched soil and even more compared to black film mulched soil, particularly during the warmest periods. This suggests that MSW compost can mitigate heat stress on plant roots, potentially enhancing plant resilience and preserving crop production also in stressful growing conditions. Microbial decomposition activity, assessed using the tea bag index, was higher in the MSW compost treatment during spring compared to the control, indicating temperature as a key driver for organic matter decomposition, but this effect disappeared during summer. These findings highlight the potential of MSW compost to support sustainable viticulture by reducing reliance on synthetic mulching materials and promoting environmental sustainability through the recycling of organic municipal waste.

Multi-criteria sustainability assessment of solid waste management in Jordan

This study comprehensively evaluates Jordan's municipal solid waste (MSW) management sector from 2022 to 2030, in alignment with Jordan Vision 2030. This study introduces new sustainability indicators and innovative waste management alternatives to address the challenges of rapid industrialization and population growth. Four strategic scenarios—1) recycling, composting, and sanitary landfilling; 2) recycling, anaerobic digestion, and sanitary landfilling; 3) incineration and sanitary landfilling; and 4) sanitary landfilling alone—were assessed against the business-as-usual scenario. Using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and sensitivity analysis, this study evaluates net greenhouse gas emissions, annual operating expenses, revenue streams, and employment rates to measure environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The results indicate that Scenario 1 is the optimal scenario for integrating a material recovery facility (MRF) with a composting plant and sanitary landfill, achieving the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, annual costs, and employment opportunities. This study offers practical and sustainable solutions to Jordan's waste management challenges, provides novel insights through the developed MCDA and sensitivity analysis, and significantly contributes to sustainability research.

Compressed stabilised earth block synergistically valorising municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash and sisal fiber: Strength, durability and life cycle analysis

Compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) represent an eco-friendly substitute for traditional building materials, predominantly utilizing earth. Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash (MSWIBA) is a by-product of municipal waste treatment that can be creatively repurposed in construction projects. This research explores integrating MSWIBA as a substitute for Earth in CSEB production to conserve natural resources and repurpose waste, potentially reducing its landfill disposal. The sisal fibers (SF), often regarded as by-products of agricultural processes, offer an intriguing research material. The SF was treated with a 5 % NaOH alkaline solution to improve the CSEB bonding, increasing the flexural strength. The study aims to determine the optimal mix of stabilizers, in addition to a 10 % cement content, using various percentages of MSWIBA (10–40 % by weight of dry sand) and SF content (0.25–1 % by weight of dry soil). These blocks undergo comprehensive tests to determine their strength and durability. Wet and dry compression, flexural tests and indirect tensile tests were used to assess strength qualities, while wetting-drying cycles and acid exposure were used to determine durability. MSWIBA replaces 20 % sand in CSEB satisfying the strength. However, exceeding this amount increases void content and lowers strength, emphasizing the importance of balanced proportions for best performance. The 20 % MSWIBA and 0.75 % SF combination enhanced the compressive strength by 6.45 MPa, flexural strength by 0.92 MPa and water absorption by less than 18 %. The durability test displayed increases in compressive strength of 14.7 % and flexural strength of 93.48 % and optimized water absorption rate. Furthermore, microstructural analysis has been performed on CSEBs and the results highlight the importance of balanced cement and SF proportions for structural integrity. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) investigation shows that construction costs using CSEB are 12.24 % higher than those with FCBs. Additionally, the study suggests that CSEB with MSWIBA and SF will be an environmentally sustainable construction material, considering factors such as energy usage, Global Warming Potential, and other environmental considerations

Solidification of heavy metal in municipal solid waste incineration fly ash and performance evolution of alkali-activated foam concrete

The heavy metals in municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA) limit its large-scale application. To improve the utilization ratio of MSWIFA, a slag-MSWIFA-fly ash alkali-activated foam concrete (ASFC) was prepared in this study. The influence of MSWIFA content on the performances of ASFC and the solidification effect of heavy metals in MSWIFA by alkali-activated materials were studied. The results show that the performance of ASFC was directly related to the pore structure, which was affected by the fluidity and setting time of the paste, as well as the quantity and type of hydration products. When the MSWIFA substitution rate was 25–50 %, the fluidity of the paste was better, the pore diameter decreased, and the number of closed pores increased. The compressive strength of ASFC at 28 d was 1.72–2.01 MPa, and the thermal conductivity was 0.1305–0.1340 W/(m∙k). The leaching concentrations of the six heavy metal elements in the 28 d hardened paste of ASFC were all lower than 0.04 mg/L, and the solidification efficiencies of Pb and Zn, the two heavy meta elements with higher concentrations in MSWIFA, were both greater than 90 %. This study provides a technical and theoretical reference for applying MSWIFA in alkali-activated foam concrete.

Overlooked risk of microplastics from municipal solid waste–storage site

Overlooked risk of microplastics from municipal solid waste–storage site

Modeling environmental and economic factors in regional energy optimization

This article addresses the contemporary environmental challenges stemming from rapid economic growth, surging energy consumption, urban expansion, and mounting waste issues. The study explores the optimisation of a regional energy system, considering not only the electric energy sector but also the fuel and thermal energy sectors for the selected geographical destination. In this study, the application of the Linprog optimisation function in MATLAB programming tool to solve Regional Energy System Optimization with renewable resources is explained. The primary objective is to develop a mathematical model that identifies the optimal energy balance structure, allowing for the partial replacement of hydrocarbon sources with bioresources and waste in heat and electricity generation, as well as in vehicle fuel consumption. The modelling approach involves linear programming and integrates two key criteria: economic (cost of energy for consumers) and environmental (carbon footprint). The novelty of this approach lies in applying life cycle analysis to assess potential environmental consequences. Results reveal optimal generation volumes based on economic and environmental considerations. When optimising solely for economic criteria, municipal solid waste, along with wind energy, emerges as the preferred source. In contrast, the simultaneous optimisation of economic and environmental parameters aligns with the economic calculation, demonstrating a balanced approach to sustainable development.

Zinc speciation in fly ash from MSWI using XAS - novel insights and implications

The chemical forms of zinc in fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) crucially affect ash management, influencing both material recovery options and the risk of unwanted leaching into ecosystems. The zinc speciation was investigated in fly ash samples sourced from full-scale MSWI plants, including four grate fired boilers (GB) and one fluidized bed boiler (FB). We applied X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), and the spectra were analyzed against a unique library of over 30 relevant compounds, tailored to the nuances of zinc chemistry of fly ash. Nano-XANES and sequential leaching were employed as complementary analytical methods. Multiple chemical forms of zinc were found in the ash, whereof potassium zinc chloride salts (K2ZnCl4) emerged as the predominant form in GB fly ash representing 41–64 % of the zinc content, while less for FB fly ash (19 %). The mere exposure to humidity in the air during storage resulted in hydroxylation of the alkali zinc chlorides into Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O. Other forms of zinc in the ash were Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O, ZnFe2O4, ZnAl2O4, surface adsorbed zinc, and Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6. Notably, the proportion of zinc in spinel forms (ZnFe2O4 and ZnAl2O4) increased threefold in FB ash compared to GB ash, representing ∼60 % and ∼10–20 % of the zinc, respectively.

Municipal Solid Waste as a Potential Reducing Agent for Substituting Coal in Ferronickel Production

Municipal Solid Waste as a Potential Reducing Agent for Substituting Coal in Ferronickel Production

Bacteriological quality of drinking water from wells located near municipal solid waste dumps and liquid waste sites in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the contamination level, seasonal distribution and the persistence of Salmonella sp, Vibrio cholera, and E. coli in well waters located near municipal solid and liquid waste dumpsites in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 186 samples: well water samples (96), soils from waste dump sites (72) and waste water (18), were collected for this study. Samples were plated using freshly prepared molten plate count, Eosine methylene blue agars, poured and swirled properly for a uniform mixture. The presence of E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio sp were determined for the two seasons (dry and wet). The bacteria count revealed a significant difference between well waters, soil samples, liquid waste and the control (total plate count - p < 0.005; 0.0001, total coliform count - p < 0.005; 0.0021). All the sampled well water had coliform counts higher than the recommended standard. The counts were higher in the wet season than the dry season. Out of a total of 125 suspected isolates tested, 70 (56%) were positive for Vibrio cholerae, out of this, 38 (54.3%), 28 (40%) and four (5.7%) isolates were from well water, solid waste dumps and liquid waste respectively. Out of the 177 suspected E. coli isolates from well water, solid waste dumps and liquid waste tested, 162 (91.5%) were positive with 82 (50.6%) of the positive E. coli further confirmed to be E. coli 0157:H7. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) statistical difference between the wet and the dry seasons for all the water samples studied and between control and the other well water samples. Adequate treatments of well water, as well as public health education are highly recommended.

Role of compost in assisted phytostabilization via three naturally occurring species on mine-contaminated soil and health risk alleviation for livestock

Phytostabilization emerges as an efficient and enduring remediation technique for heavy metal-contaminated mine soils using plants acclimatized to such circumstances. In this research, the synergistic effects of Marrubium cuneatum, Verbascum speciosum, and Stipa arabica species, alongside municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) amendment at 0, 1, 3, and 5 % rates, were assessed for a six-month pot experiment aimed at remediating naturally polluted soil containing lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) and mitigating the health risks associated with these metal exposures for grazing ruminants. Applying compost improved the aboveground biomass of M. cuneatum and V. speciosum and S. arabica by 13, 19, and 18 %, respectively. Also, soil dehydrogenase and urease enzyme activities were enhanced up to 131 and 34 %. Upon MSWC application, all three species uptake Cd and Pb at a significantly lower rate, except in the V. speciosum shoot at 3 and 5 % doses, and bioaccumulation factors were markedly diminished. Compost notably augmented the antioxidant system, leading to a reduction in malondialdehyde content of V. speciosum, M. cuneatum, and S. arabica by 35, 29, and 23 %, respectively, and an elevation in chlorophyll level. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase activities either increased or displayed no significant differences. Risk assessment revealed that MSWC substantially decreased the daily intake of Pb and Cd and their accumulation in animal organs, thereby eliminating limits on meat consumption. Findings affirm the combined efficacy of MSWC and the study species in stabilizing contaminated Pb and Cd soils, diminishing risks to animal feed security and human health.

Identification of municipal solid waste disposal sites for sustainable solid waste management in Cooch Behar Municipality, West Bengal: A RS-GIS based MCDA approach

The proper disposal of solid waste represents one of the most intricate environmental challenges encountered by the municipalities of West Bengal. The municipality of Cooch Behar, a rapidly developing part of the Koch Bihar district of West Bengal, was selected as a case study. A health and environmental threat is created by the disposal of solid waste from the municipality area in an open place in Guriahati G.P., 6 km from the town and near the Torsa River. This study aimsto identify the most suitable areas for the disposal and dumping of municipal solid waste. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, the weights of the seventeen causative factors were allocated based on their relevance to identify the appropriate locations. The present study also introduces an innovative methodology employing GIS-based sensitivity analyses to enhance the optimisation of factors influencing suitable solid waste disposal site selection. Three possible waste disposal sites have been identified based on low land costs, the availability of barren land and the distance to settlements and sensitive places. The area under the ROC curve reveals that the AUC value is 0.895, which indicates that the level of accuracy of the model is 89.50 %. With a weight of 0.184, land value was found to be the most important criterion in the model, followed by distance to settlement (0.135) and distance to road (0.123). By carefully choosing suitable locations, this research could assist urban planners in developing a waste management system that is resilient and environmentally sustainable.

Application of municipal solid waste (MSW) char during rotary drum co-composting (RDC) of vegetable waste and its characterization.

Composting, a sustainable method for handling biodegradable waste constituting nearly 50% of municipal solid waste (MSW), can be enhanced by incorporating char produced from MSW pyrolysis. This study investigates the impact of MSW char (0% char-Control, 2.5% char-Trial 1, 5% char-Trial 2) on the physicochemical properties of vegetable waste compost. A thermophilic temperature range of 53.8°C was detected in Trial 2, 50.8°C in Trial 1, and 46.8°C in Control. The pH of the mixes increased at day 20 to 7.5, 7.87, and 8.2 in Control, Trial 1, and Trial 2, respectively. The highest drop of total organic carbon (TOC) and volatile solids in Trial 2 is about 21.18% and 21.02%, respectively. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) increased, particularly in Trial 2 (2.35%), while NH4-N concentrations decreased, and phosphorus levels rose notably to 23.48mg/kg, with 2.49mg/kg available phosphorus in Trial 2. The C/N was reduced to 10 in Trial 2. Total potassium increase was highest for Trial 1 (6.9g/kg). Trial 2 had the highest overall macronutrient concentration and correspondingly showed the greatest decrease in volatile solids. Furthermore, Trial 1 demonstrated a reduction in heavy metal concentration in comparison to Control and Trial 2. Consequently, the utilization of MSW char during rotary drum composting enhances the process of composting and significantly improves compost quality, making it a sustainable waste management solution.

Ingress of municipal solid waste into water resources: an environmental assessment and monitoring tool near dumpsites in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping sites are only used for trash discarding. Beyond the reek that the dumpsites generate, which defiles the milieu, the primary issue is the spreading of fluid from the landfills. The thrust of this research is to utilize the contiguous data from geophysics and laboratory analysis of groundwater samples to decipher the influence of MSW on aquifer systems in Uyo and Eket Counties. Geo-electrical studies featured vertical electrical sounding (VES) and constant electrode separation techniques to generate 1D and 2D electrical resistivity models. The analyzed field data were integrated with water sample analysis to deduce the influence of leachate on groundwater. The VES curve types conformed to A (7.1%), HK (21.4%), Q (21.4%), and K (50.0%). The created 2D image maps for MSW locations lay bare the fact that leachate dispersal between source and sink obeys the inverse square rule. The heavy ions, which were all higher than the approved standards have, chromium as the highest and nickel as the least. The anionic average relative abundance has hydrogen trioxocarbonate ion concentration as the highest and fluoride ions as the least. The survey demonstrates that leachate has a considerable impact on groundwater.

Decarbonising waste-to-energy: A life cycle assessment study

With Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants expected to play an expanding role in managing municipal solid waste (MSW), it is critical that the sector decarbonises if climate targets are to be met. Here we investigate the climate and environmental performance of capturing and sequestering (CCS) carbon emissions from WtE via process modelling and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), exploring multiple scenarios, including e.g. carbon capture rates and MSW composition, to identify trades-offs and preferable scenarios. The LCA results show that, despite associated energy penalties, carbon capture significantly lowers climate change impacts, with WtE qualifying as a Carbon Dioxide Removal technology for capture rates above 50 %. We also find that CCS increases impacts in all other environmental categories and that the waste composition plays a key role in determining the environmental performance. Overall, we argue that economics is the chief deployment challenge, particularly because of additional transportation costs due to dispersed nature of waste.

Peronia peronii as a bio-indicator to assess the toxicity of waterpipe tobacco leachates in aquatic and sediment media.

This study was aimed to survey toxicity of waterpipe wastes leachates on Peronia peronii in aquatic and sediment environments as two exposure media. For this, leachates of four tobacco types including burnt traditional tobacco (BTT), fresh traditional tobacco (FTT), burnt fruit-flavored tobacco (BFT) and fresh fruit-flavored tobacco (FFT)) were prepared and used to assess their toxic effects on P. peronei in two aquatic and sediment media. The in-vivo toxic effects of five different concentrations of waterpipe tobacco waste leachates on P. peronii were evaluated. The LC50 values of BTTs leachates to P. peronii were 17.50, 16.05, 11.31 and 9.38g/L at exposure times of 24, 48, 72 and 96h, respectively in aquatic media. These values for BFTs leachates were 14.86, 12.38, 9.53 and 7.46g/L at exposure times of 24, 48, 72 and 96h, respectively. In the case of sediment media, the LC50 values of BTTs leachates were 15.33, 13.70, 9.09 and 6.70g/L at exposure times of 24, 48, 72 and 96h, respectively while these values for BFTs leachates were 12.00, 10.32, 8.20 and 5.65g/L. Fruit-flavored tobacco leachates had significantly higher toxicity than traditional tobacco leachates for P. peronii. The findings also showed significant differences between the LC50 values of different leachates in different media of water and sediment. The results demonstrated that even small amount of tobacco waste (~ 5 to 6g/L) can lead to P. peronii mortality and may also pose a hazard to other aquatic and benthic organisms. The results obtained from the present study can be used as a baseline data to assess local effects causing from unsafe disposal of post-consumption tobacco waste in beach areas. In addition, these findings can lead to encouraging decision-makers to focus more on the types of tobacco waste in the municipal solid waste management system and to implement a source separation process for these wastes.

A comprehensive emission inventory of air pollutants from municipal solid waste incineration in China's megacity, Beijing based on the field measurements

The rising of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI), constituting 5 % of NOx emissions in Beijing, poses a significant challenge to improving air quality. This study establishes a comprehensive historical inventory of air pollutants (APs) emitted from MSWI plants between 2004 and 2023. The inventory was developed using both the continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS)-based method and the EF (emission factors) -based method, incorporating detailed plant-level activity data and localized EF derived from field measurements. These include data from CEMS and manual monitoring. Analysis of CEMS data reveals high compliance rates with emission limits for MSW in Beijing, with 99.9 %, 99.5 %, 99.8 %, 98.7 %, and 99.5 % of units meeting standards for PM, SO2, NOx, CO and HCl, respectively. This suggests effective implementation of emission standards in Beijing, although further strengthening of policies, particularly for CO emissions, is warranted. Overall, total AP emissions have increased annually largely attributed to measures implemented for DeSOx, DeNOx, and DePM since 1998. Most MSWI facilities are located in suburban areas rather than urban cores. Emissions of SO2, HCl, CO, Hg, Cd + Ti, other metals, dioxins, VOCs, and NH3 exhibit a spatially homogeneous distribution at the district level, while PM and NOx emissions demonstrate heterogeneity. Scenario analysis underscores the importance of continuous improvement and upgrading of advanced air pollution control devices. This study contributes a methodological framework for estimating emissions, reducing uncertainties, and informing policy-making to mitigate APs emissions in megacities. It serves as a valuable reference for similar cities grappling with air quality challenges.

Response of tomato to innovative organo-mineral fertilizers

Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMFs) with low organic carbon (Corg) content have been associated with higher mineral fraction nutrient use efficiency. However, the extraction of peat, which is typically used in these OMFs, from endangered ecosystems causes long-time stored Corg to mineralize and to be released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). This study analyzes the replacement of peat in OMFs with biowaste materials. These materials, considered organic byproducts that microorganisms and other living things can decompose through composting and aerobic or anaerobic digestion, offer a viable opportunity. This study investigated three stabilized biowastes—green compost (GC) from pruning residues, municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), and manure-based vermicompost (VC)—as the organic matrices for granular OMFs. These matrices were impregnated with dissolved ammonium sulfate and urea and used to coat diammonium phosphate granules. Each biowaste OMF contained 7.5% Corg, 20% mineral N, and 10% mineral P2O5 (OMF20 − 10). Fertilizers with high nutrient concentrations have the advantage of requiring low application volumes, facilitating their application in the field. Biowaste OMFs were compared with peat OMFs with the same Corg-N-P2O5 concentration. Peat and MSWC were also used to create OMFs containing 7.5% Corg, 10% mineral N, and 5% mineral P2O5 (OMF10 − 5). A 75-day tunnel trial was conducted under semi-controlled conditions using tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fertilized to an equivalent of 81 mg N kg−1 soil and 18 mg P kg−1 soil. Controls included no fertilization (N0P0) and mineral N and P fertilization (MFNP). The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter and the BBCH (from German Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie) scale as well as the number of shoots were measured over time, as berry and total aboveground yield, N and P uptakes, and N and P use efficiencies (NUE and PUE, respectively) were calculated at harvest. All treatments outperformed the control N0P0 in most indicators. Peat20 − 10 did not have more berry yield than other OMF20 − 10; however, the higher number of shoots indicated a higher potential yield in the event of prolonging the experiment. At the end of 75 days, VC20 − 10 and MSWC20 − 10 showed similar PUE to peat, suggesting that those materials can be used as replacements. In the case of OMF10 − 5, MSWC10 − 5 had yield and N and P uptakes like peat OMFs, confirming the potential use of MSWC as peat replacement even at different nutrient concentrations. This research provides reassuring evidence of the effectiveness of biowaste OMFs, offering a positive outlook for sustainable agriculture. However, their use is not recommendable for short growing seasons.