Municipal Solid Waste Production Research Articles

Global perspective of municipal solid waste and landfill leachate: generation, composition, eco-toxicity, and sustainable management strategies.

Globally, more than 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) are generated each year, with that amount anticipated to reach around 3.5 billion tonnes by 2050. On a worldwide scale, food and green waste contribute the major proportion of MSW, which accounts for 44% of global waste, followed by recycling waste (38%), which includes plastic, glass, cardboard, and paper, and 18% of other materials. Population growth, urbanization, and industrial expansion are the principal drivers of the ever-increasing production of MSW across the world. Among the different practices employed for the management of waste, landfill disposal has been the most popular and easiest method across the world. Waste management practices differ significantly depending on the income level. In high-income nations, only 2% of waste is dumped, whereas in low-income nations, approximately 93% of waste is burned or dumped. However, the unscientific disposal of waste in landfills causes the generation of gases, heat, and leachate and results in a variety of ecotoxicological problems, including global warming, water pollution, fire hazards, and health effects that are hazardous to both the environment and public health. Therefore, sustainable management of MSW and landfill leachate is critical, necessitating the use of more advanced techniques to lessen waste production and maximize recycling to assure environmental sustainability. The present review provides an updated overview of the global perspective of municipal waste generation, composition, landfill heat and leachate formation, and ecotoxicological effects, and also discusses integrated-waste management approaches for the sustainable management of municipal waste and landfill leachate.

Properties of RDF after Prolonged Storage

Increasing production of municipal solid waste (MSW) drives the need for its disposal in a manner that is safe for the environment and human health. However, this may require short- or long-term storage before it can be properly processed. Similarly, a way of processing waste material is necessary for the re-cultivation of dump sites. This article presents the results of an investigation into the effects of long-term open-air storage upon waste material to be turned into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) by standard methods for the assessment of MSW and RDF pellet quality including bomb calorimetry, sieve analysis, furnace drying/burning for water/ash content assessment, and pellet expansion measurements. Results of the investigation indicate that such a form of storage bears no notable negative effect on the quality of the material; the pellet expansion coefficient, heat of combustion, and ash content were all found to be approximate to pre-storage values, with positive implications for the storage of solid waste and the prospects of its subsequent processing into solid fuel. It is shown that such material can be stored in open-air conditions for prolonged periods without the loss of desired parameters. In addition, a discussion of differences between the properties of material drawn from varying depths of the pile is provided and the potential impact of the findings in the context of the production and the storage of refuse-derived fuel is assessed.

A Master’s Course Can Emphasize Circular Economy in Municipal Solid Waste Management: Evidence from the University of Pisa

Municipal solid waste (MSW) represents a significant global threat, which has to be managed by a model of production and consumption involving the sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling of existing materials and products for as long as possible, otherwise known as a circular economy (CE). However, there is not a universal rule for waste recycling strategies, and it has been demonstrated that active public participation is crucial in the satisfactory management of waste. In this context, citizen participation and education are two interrelated approaches, which can help to engage and inform people regarding waste and its wider impact. The present study describes the development of an interdisciplinary hackathon (hackathons are events whereby individuals from different backgrounds are brought together to work on the solutions to different problems), targeted to students of a postgraduate Master’s course on Sustainable Development and Climate Change in order to develop and understand the MSW problems and priorities currently being targeted, with the aim to propose new potential solutions for MSW reduction, reuse, and recycling. Following an empirical approach, four working groups were established and assigned the following specific tasks: (i) communication/citizen education on MSW; (ii) the reduction of MSW production; (iii) innovative solutions to recover and enhance secondary raw materials deriving from MSW processing; and (iv) the eco-design of the cities of the future concerning CE principles applied to MSW recycling. Overall, the following main findings were derived from the hackathon event: (i) an essential objective of the CE strategy is to drive Europe’s internal market towards the production and consumption of more sustainable products, thus reducing environmental and social pressures, while still retaining value; (ii) the most effective ways of tackling environmental problems are to ‘change the way we consume’, as well as to ‘change the way we produce and trade’, with the responsibility shared between businesses, governments, and the EU, as well as the citizens themselves. In this scenario, research and innovation play a key role in driving the necessary systemic changes to reach climate neutrality and ensure an inclusive ecological and economic transition. Overall, the present study confirms how the hackathon represents an effective tool to engage citizens in participation and education.

Synthesis of layered double hydroxides from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash for heavy metal adsorption

The process of urbanization has resulted in a continuous growth of the production of municipal solid waste, consequently leading to the increase of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) over time. This has prompted the need for effective disposal and value-added utilization strategies for MSWI FA. In this study, a hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize CaAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) using MSWI FA as the raw material. The main objective was to investigate how different synthesis parameters affect the crystallinity of the layered bimetallic hydroxides. Subsequently, the synthesized LDHs were characterized using various techniques such as BET, SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS. The results revealed the presence of calcium and aluminum cations in the interlayer region of the synthesized material, with chloride ions, sulfate ions, and acetate ions being the predominant anions. Moreover, the formation of LDHs presents an effective approach for the self-purification of leachates derived from MSWI FA. The LDHs exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for Cd2+ and Cu2+ in wastewater, with maximum values of 730 mg·g−1 and 446 mg·g−1, respectively. The adsorption mechanisms involved isomorphous substitution, complexation, as well as the precipitation of hydroxides or interlayer anions. This method presents a novel approach for effectively utilizing MSWI FA to produce environmentally friendly value-added adsorbents.

Gasification potential of municipal solid waste in Iran: Application of life cycle assessment, risk analysis, and machine learning

This paper focuses on a comprehensive solution for dry municipal solid waste (MSW) management with describes the scenario of the gasification process. For this purpose, the potential of implementing the MSW gasification process in Southeast Asia (Iran) with three agents of air, steam, and air-steam is investigated. In order to manage the MSW gasification process as accurately as possible in the study area, a thermodynamic, exergy, economic, environmental, carbon footprint, water footprint, ecological emergy, and risk assessment for the three mentioned gasification agents were carried out in the most populated cities of Iran. In the capital of Iran (Tehran) with the largest population and as a result of largest MSW production, the potential of the gasification process has been investigated at different times (10 consecutive years and 12 months of a year). Finally, by combining artificial neural networks and genetic programming, comprehensive relationships have been established to predict the thermodynamic conditions of gasification with an air-steam agent. The general results of the survey indicate that gasification with air agents has good potential for most regions. The use of the steam agent has created worse economic, environmental, and risk conditions than the other two agents. Investigating the potential of the gasification process in Tehran shows that this city has a good potential to implement this process compared to other cities in Iran, and the most suitable location for establishing the gasification process is the 4th region of this city.

Analysis of the pattern of solid waste production in greater Amman Municipality, Jordan

AbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate the spatial distribution of municipal waste production and its impact on urban environmental sustainability in greater Amman. The GIS techniques were used to analyze the distribution pattern within the municipality regions and the factors that affect this pattern. The analysis shows that the presence of a positive correlation is significant at a 0.01 confidence level between the population size, and education level type graduate, postgraduate, and read and write with 0.888, 0.754, and 0.687, respectively. There is an obvious positive relationship between the income level and waste production, and this is shown clearly in the Western part of Amman. On the other hand, the low‐income level in the Eastern part of Amman has resulted in a lower amount of municipal solid waste production. The amount of waste generated in the city of Amman represents a significant increase in the rates of municipal solid waste production, rising from 0.77 kg per capita per day in 2007 to 0.84 kg per capita per day over the past 15 years. The increase in economic and commercial activities in some regions has played the main role in increasing the quantities of solid waste produced in the central business regions. This result provides a better vision for the environmental management planners and decision‐makers regarding solid waste production management in Amman municipality.

Spatiotemporal Variability in Municipal Solid Waste Production and the Determinants in Hefei’s Core Urban Districts

Precision in discerning the spatiotemporal dynamics of municipal solid waste (MSW) production and its drivers is pivotal for informing the seasonal management and recycling of urban waste streams. This investigation zeroed in on Hefei’s central urban zone, deploying a nuanced principal component analysis and geographically and temporally weighted regression (PCA-GTWR) to quantify the sway of the environmental, economic, and living standard variables on the MSW generation patterns. The methodology unfolded across four main phases: (1) leveraging nocturnal light data to approximate the MSW output; (2) employing spatial autocorrelation to probe the variable trends and spatial interdependencies of the waste generation; (3) harnessing principal component analysis to pinpoint critical determinants and preprocess these as inputs for the GTWR model; (4) mapping the GTWR outcomes to elucidate the differential impacts of various factors on the waste production patterns. Key findings reveal a distinctively polycentric MSW distribution, with high-density areas anchored in the urban core and diminishing intensities beyond the secondary periphery. The trio of socioeconomic variables, residents’ living standard variables, and natural variables emerge as pivotal, with the PCA-GTWR offering a vivid spatial delineation of their effects. Notably, socioeconomic growth exerts a pronounced positive influence in more affluent quarters, residential standards bear greater relevance in burgeoning urban sections than in the established core, and environmental influences wield the least sway, ebbing and flowing with the seasons. These insights demystify the undercurrents shaping the MSW production in urban China, serving as a strategic compass for waste minimization initiatives and policy formulation.

Manufacture of alkali-activated cementitious materials using municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA): The effect of the Si/Al molar ratio on fresh and hardened properties

Due to the escalating production of municipal solid waste and the widespread adoption of incineration technology, there is a substantial demand for secure disposal of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA). In this research, alkali-activated MSWIFA via combination with metakaolin (MK) and cement was used to produce an eco-friendly composite. The influence of Na2O content and modulus (Ms) of alkali activator on the early compressive strength and setting time of the composites was investigated, and 4 wt% Na2O content was found to be the most appropriate alkali content. Then, the influence of the Si/Al ratio (2.35–3.18) on the fresh properties (initial setting time, rheology properties, and hydration heat) and hardened properties (compressive strength and shrinkage performance) of composite materials was studied. The microscopic mechanism of the effect of the Si/Al ratio on material properties was explained by XRD, TG, and SEM-EDX. The results showed that the compressive strength of the composite can reach 16.4 MPa at 28 days, which met the quality standard of MU15 (GB/T 25779–2010) of load-bearing concrete perforated brick. With the increase of the Si/Al ratio, the setting time of the slurry is prolonged and the rheological property has deteriorated. The composites with a lower Si/Al ratio (2.35) have the densest structure and the lowest degree of drying shrinkage, which leads to a higher strength. This study provides a potential solution for MSWIFA solidification in low-carbon construction applications.

Characteristics of Municipal Solid Waste in Some Urban Agglomeration in the Past Five Years

The treatment and disposal of municipal solid waste has increasingly become a common concern around the world, and the characteristics of municipal solid waste(MSW) are an important basis for the selection of terminal treatment methods. In this study, more than 400 MSW samples from over 30 cities across China were collected, and the basic physical and chemical properties, such as the physical composition, pollutant content, and calorific value, were analyzed. Shenzhen was taken as an example to analyze the influence of time and waste sorting measures on the physical and chemical characteristics of MSW. The correlation model between MSW composition and calorific value was established using partial least squares(PLS) regression, and the model was verified. The results showed that with per capita GDP increasing by 10,000 yuan, per capita MSW production and the low calorific value of MSW increased by 0.1 kg·(person·d)-1 and 373.8 kJ·kg-1, respectively. However, when per capita GDP was less than 60,000 yuan, the correlation between per capita GDP and per capita MSW production was relatively poor. Kitchen waste was still the most abundant component of MSW, and the content of most samples was between 40% and 60%. The combustible content of rubber/plastic and paper was relatively high, between 20%-30% and 10%-20%, respectively. The inorganic content did not usually exceed 5%, and the moisture content of the MSW was between 50% and 60%. After the implementation of waste classification in 2019, the content of kitchen waste in MSW had been significantly reduced, the content of rubber/plastic had increased, and other components had not changed much. Additionally, the calorific value of waste had been improved to a certain extent. The pollution element contents in MSW, S Cl, and N were all below 1%, and the average value was:N>Cl>S. The contents of Hg, As, Cr, Cd, and Pb in MSW samples did not change significantly with the composition and sampling time, and the content of Pb and Cr in MSW was affected by the environmental background value. The model analysis revealed that rubber/plastics and moisture content were the main variables that affected the calorific value of MSW. The deviation between the measured value and the predicted value was less than 20% for 85.96% of the samples. The model established in this study can meet the needs of the prediction of the calorific value of MSW.

Quantification & Management of Solid Waste Generated in Municipal Area Lucknow

Abstract: In India's cities and towns, managing solid waste is one of the most difficult issues. In Indian cities, the production of municipal solid waste (MSW) is accelerated by rising population levels, brisk economic expansion, and rising community living standards. Solid Waste Management (SWM) at the community level presents a number of challenging issues that must be understood and addressed, and the Center's survey for the characterization and quantification of solid waste in Lucknow's Gram Panchayats is an important undertaking. Solid waste management (SWM) is an organized process that addresses solid waste storage, collecting, transportation, processing, and disposal. Each of these steps is essential for reducing the negative effects of solid waste on human health, the environment, and aesthetics. By stratifying Gram Panchayats according to population size, the survey took a logical approach to the task. displaying a careful, data-driven strategy. To gain a thorough understanding of solid waste generation and disposal procedures in Gram Panchayats with more than 10,000 residents, a comprehensive survey of 300 families was carried out. In order to ensure that the study adequately reflected the different demographics of the area, a proportional number of households were polled in Gram Panchayats with populations of less than 2,000, 2,000 to 5,000, and 5,000 or more. Information regarding the types and subcategories of garbage created was learned from the data gathered over a 7-day period from each studied household. Block-Bakshi ka Talab, Block-Chinhat, Gram-Dig, Block-Sahjanwa, Gram-Budhat, and Gram-Juggaur

Evaluation of the Methane (CH4) Generation Rate Constant (k Value) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Mogadishu City, Somalia

Landfills are the third largest source of the greenhouse gas methane, contributing to 25% of global warming. Therefore, the characterization of national municipal solid waste (MSW) and estimation of methane generation rate are very important for the solid waste management (SWM) toward sustainable development goal no. 13, climate action. This study presents (a) an assessment of daily MSW generation, (b) the characterization of MSW, and (c) an evaluation of the methane generation rate constant (k value) in Mogadishu, Somalia. The MSW samples were collected from three (3) sampling zones (Zones 1, 2, and 3; 204 households) and weighted (kg). Next, the waste generation per person per day was estimated. The MSW characterization includes sorting (based on plastic/polythene, food wastes, wood, metals, yard waste, paper/cardboard, textile, glass/ceramic and miscellaneous components, %), the determination of bulk density (kg/L), and measuring moisture content (%). The k values were evaluated from the percentages of different components in MSW based on first-order decay models. Mogadishu city generated 1671.03 kg MSW per week (maximum on Friday: 348.72 kg, and minimum on Monday: 152.04 kg). The total mean MSW generation rate observed in this study was 0.2 kg/person/day. The solid waste generation found was in the decreasing order of food waste > plastic/polythene > yard waste > miscellaneous > papers/carboard > wood > glass/ceramic > textiles > metals by weight. The average bulk density was found to be 0.269 kg/L. The average moisture content was ranged from 61.6 to 73%. The total k values were categorized as fast (Zone 1: 0.216053 yr−1, Zone 2: 0.228739 yr−1, and Zone 3: 0.244595 yr−1) and moderate (Zone 3: 0.244595 yr−1) degradation. This research serves as Somalian MSW baseline data and projected the methane generation rate from the MSW production in the country. The MSW sorting may reduce the impact of global warming and is highly recommended for better SWM in the future.

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.

Municipal Solid Waste Management in Skardu: Current Status, and Corrective Measures

Solid waste management (SWM) is a marginalized sector in Gilgit Baltistan, causing a frightening situation, especially in the municipal area of district Skardu. The total municipal area of Skardu is about 4260 sq. km with a population of approximately 112996. In line with other government departments, the Gilgit Baltistan waste management company (GBWMC) is responsible for collecting and dumping solid waste. The current study was devised to calculate, characterize, and analyze the past status, and current position of municipal solid waste (MSW) production, so that necessary management practices and corrective measures can be carried out more efficiently in the study area. A series of interviews of concerned persons as well as extensive field surveys were conducted. The method used by GBWMC to collect waste was: door-to-door collection, placement of waste bins, and collection from the arterial roads. Waste was collected manually in polythene bags, handcarts, and baskets. The findings revealed that approximately 45-50 tonnes of waste was generated per day in the winter and in the summer it increases to 50-55 tonnes. The average waste generation was 0.43 kg per capita per day and is increasing at a rate of 2.28% annually. The main sources of waste were commercial and household waste contributing approximately 60 % and 40% of the total waste production respectively. There was no scientific disposal system for the collected waste which is dumped on the dumping sites by utilizing available resources considering Environmental protection agency (EPA) regulations along the Indus River bank. Thus specific steps should be taken to develop a proper scientific disposal system of collected wastes by incorporating the experts' expertise and modern technologies.

Assessment of inorganic solid waste management techniques using full consistency and extended MABAC method.

Population and industrial growth have spiked product consumption, which in turn have caused an abrupt rise in municipal solid waste (MSW) production. Due to the lack of resources allocated to waste management, municipal inorganic solid waste (ISW) has increased exponentially, posing a significant strain on the environment and health. To mitigate these issues, sustainable waste management strategies need to be implemented to reduce environmental impacts and improve waste collection and disposal efficiency. The objective of our work was to analyse and identify the most effective techniques for disposing of ISW in India by employing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). This technique entails selecting the most suitable alternative based on a variety of competing and interactive criteria. A fusion decision model named the FULL COnsistency Method (FUCOM) and Multi-Attributive Border Approximation area Comparison (MABAC) based on the interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy (IV q-ROF) was developed. Finally, a comparative analysis was performed to demonstrate the system's robustness.

Indian Scenario of Biomass Availability and Its Bioenergy-Conversion Potential

The current energy scenario and policies demand the transition of the fuel economy from conventional fossil fuels to renewable fuels, carbon-neutral fuels, and/or decarbonized fuels. The impact of biomass-derived fuels is well-known as their radiocarbon dating indicates their contribution to young carbon emissions in addition to fewer emissions of particulates, sulfur dioxide, and air pollutants compared to fossil fuels. The various kinds of biomass available in India are already being established as potential sources for the production of biofuels and power generation. In this context, besides the quantity of biomass, environmental and economic factors are critically important for determining the range of conversion processes. Currently in India, agricultural-based biomass is the major partner for bioenergy generation. The annual surplus of agriculture-based biomass from major crops, available after its utilization for domestic use, cattle feeding, compost fertilizer, etc., is about 230 million metric tons (MMT). The estimated gross biomass power potential (based on trends) for 2019–2020 from the selected crops is around 30,319.00 Megawatt electric (MWe) at the pan-India level. However, it can be as high as 50,000 MWe after expanding the scope of available biomass from different energy sources. Moreover, the increasing trend of the country for the production of municipal solid waste (MSW) at a rate of 0.16 million tons (Mt) per day also indicates its potential for bioenergy generation. Nevertheless, its decentralized collection and segregation are key issues to its availability for bioenergy conversion/power generation. Therefore, the need of this hour is an effective utilization strategy plan for every type of available biomass including biomass-based refineries, renewable energy carriers, and/or other value-added products. This review aims to compile the various biomass resources (agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, forest-based biomass, industry-based biomass, and aquatic biomass) available in India and their potential for the generation of bioenergy (CBG, bioethanol, power, co-generation, etc.) through various bioconversion technologies that are available/in progress in the country. It also summarizes the current bioenergy scenario of India and initiatives taken by the Indian Government to achieve its future demand through biomass to energy conversion.

Technical, Economic, and Environmental Review of Waste to Energy Technologies from Municipal Solid Waste

Global municipal solid waste production and electricity demand gradually increased as a result of urbanization, population increase, and economic growth. The appropriate selection of Waste to energy (WTE) technologies needs consideration of energy efficiency, financial, and environmental aspects. This article discusses the technical, financial, and environmental side of existing WTE technologies. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies include thermal, physical, biochemical, and bio-electrochemical technology. Pyrolysis, gasification, and incineration are thermal technology used to generate energy from waste in the form of heat and syn-gas. Anaerobic digestion and landfill are biochemical technology to to generate energy from waste in the form of biogas. Physical technology is used to to generate energy from waste in the form of refuse-derived fuel (RDF). Microbial fuel cells (MFC) and microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) are the most recent WTE technology that produces electricity and hydrogen fuel. The results of the assessment of existing technology show that anaerobic digestion and landfill are low-cost WTE technology but have a low potential for energy generation. Plasma gasification is WTE technology with a high potential for energy generation, cold gas efficiency (CGE), carbon conversion efficiency (CCE), and H2/CO ratio, low CO2 emissions, and high operating costs. MEC has a high H2-potential for energy generation, low CO2 emissions, and the highest capital cost. Incineration is a common conversion technology with a low potential for energy generation, high CO2 emissions, and high capital costs. The selection of WTE technologies is influenced by technical, economic, and environmental factors.

Brief Overview of Refuse-Derived Fuel Production and Energetic Valorization: Applied Technology and Main Challenges

A large part of municipal solid waste (MSW) still goes to landfills, representing an environmental concern. A circular economy approach can enable safe management of MSW while mitigating the increasing energy needs when waste is used as a feedstock in energy production processes (waste to energy). Currently, MSW can be converted into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) through mechanical and biological treatment processes. This study analyzes the status of MSW and RDF production, as well as its main destinations in Portugal and Europe. The legislation applied, possible energy-recovery routes, and challenges associated with energy recovery are discussed throughout this paper. This research finds that the production of RDF in Portugal has been neglected, mostly because of RDF composition being quite heterogeneous and its poor fuel properties. Therefore, the need to improve and upgrade the characteristics and properties of RDF for waste-to-energy processes was detected. RDF can be pretreated to be further applied to waste-to-energy and waste-to-gas processes, such as incineration and gasification. The technology readiness level data, costs, and SWOT analysis allowedto assess that although incineration is the most mature and widely used technology, gasification becomes more attractive, having lower costs and gaseous emissions, proving to be more efficient and sustainable for MSW and RDF conversion.

Understanding municipal solid waste production and diversion factors utilizing deep-learning methods

We propose a hybrid deep learning neural network model for accurately calculating municipal solid waste (MSW) production and diversions with socioeconomic and demographic factors across 220 municipalities of Ontario, Canada, from 2010 to 2021. The proposed SDAE model is constructed by layering multiple denoising autoencoders (DAEs) and Bootstrap aggregation (bagging). The proposed methodology is tested against benchmark ML techniques, including Decision Trees, ANNs, and SDEs. The findings indicate that deep learning techniques can develop solid waste models with high prediction accuracy. Moreover, it has been statistically confirmed that socioeconomic factors affect solid waste management.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on municipal solid waste generation: a case study in Granada city (Spain)

The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has involved a series of political and social measures that have been adapted to the spread of the disease. Apart from the severe effects on health sector, the most effects of the pandemic have been felt in households and day-to-day life. Consequently, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the generation of not only medical and health care waste but also of municipal solid waste production and composition. In this context, this work studied the implications of COVID-19 for municipal solid waste generation in Granada, Spain. Granada is a city where the economy is based mainly on the services sector, tourism and the University. Therefore, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the city and it can be analyzed through the municipal solid waste generation. For the study of the incidence of COVID-19 in the generation of waste a period that goes from March 2019 to February 2021 has been chosen. The results show that, in the global calculation, a decrease in the generation of waste in the city is observed in this last year, reaching − 13.8%. Regarding the organic-rest fraction, the decrease in the COVID year represents − 11.7%. However, bulky waste has shown an increase in the COVID year which may be related to higher home furnishings renovation rates than in other years. Finally, glass is the waste flow that best indicates the effect of COVID in the service sector. In leisure areas, a significant reduction in the collection of glass is observed (− 45%).

Characterization of kitchen and municipal organic waste for biogas production: Effect of parameters

Globally, the production of municipal solid waste is rising annually because of consumerism and the urbanization process. In the past few years, different researchers have explored strategies for generating biogas from various organic wastes. In this study, kitchen waste and municipal solid waste were characterized by several physical-chemical parameters. Ten of these substrates were mono-digested for biogas production in batch reactors where cabbage showed a 96.36 ± 1.73% volatile solid and biogas yield of 800 ± 8.8 mL within 10 days, while cooked rice had an 83.00 ± 1.49% volatile solid, and a biogas yield of 2821 ± 31.03 mL within 28 days. The CN ratio for cabbage and cooked rice waste was 13.9 and 30.9 respectively, whereas their pH values were 6.2 and 7.2. Based on the characterization and biogas yields attained, cooked rice waste could be mono-digested for biogas production and no published work showed a high yield as the current study while the other substrates require co-digestion to improve the biogas yield.