Waste Management Sector Research Articles

Environmental assessment of gasification and green hydrogen potential role in waste management decarbonization

Achieving sustainability involves implementing a circular economy model and decarbonizing the waste management sector. The development of innovative technologies that enable the reduction of emissions and resource recovery is one of the sector's greatest challenges. From this perspective, the waste-to-methanol (WtM) process represents a viable prospect, the potential environmental impacts of which have never been studied from a life-cycle perspective. A cradle-to-grave LCA analysis was conducted, studying WtM technology and its potential implementation of green hydrogen (WtM-GH) in the process, through a comparison with traditional waste-to-energy (WtE).The results showed that WtM-GH performs best for global impacts, with a global warming potential of 3.52·107 kgCO2eq instead of 1,04·108 kgCO2eq proper of the WtE. Positive effects take place also for the fossil resource scarcity. Looking for non-toxic regional/local impacts WtE represents the best scenario, with the best performance on water consumption (7.96·107 m3) and ionising radiation (2.82·107 kBq Co-60eq). Cumulative impact results, obtained through the normalization, found that WtM is the best scenario, thanks to the less toxic impact compared to the other two, especially for freshwater ecotoxicity (5.26·106 kg 1,4-DCB) and marine ecotoxicity (6.73·106 kg 1,4-DCB).WtM-GH allows the production of 1366 kg of methanol per ton of Refuse Derived Fuel, thanks to the conversion of the entire CO2 contained in the waste, enhancing the value of by-products and carbon credits on the market and making the process more economically sustainable.

Enabling sustainable circular economy in Indian municipal solid waste management system: an ISM and fuzzy MICMAC approach

PurposeMismanagement of municipal solid waste (MSW) has led to resource depletion, ecosystem degradation and socio-economic risks, emphasizing the necessity to promote sustainable circular economy (SuCE) practices. This article identifies relevant enablers and unveils their interconnected roles in facilitating a municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system aligned with the principles of SuCE.Design/methodology/approachTo identify pertinent enablers for MSWM systems based on SuCE principles, the study conducted a literature review and engaged experts from waste management sectors and academia to consolidate the final list of enablers. Following this, the study investigated the inter-relationships among these enablers using both Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) integrated and fuzzy Matrix Impact Cross-Reference Multiplication Applied to a Classification (fuzzy MICMAC) with MATLAB.FindingsThe study identified a comprehensive set of 23 enablers and categorized them into four control measures instrumental for the effective integration of SuCE principles in the context of the Indian MSWM system. Notably, the analysis highlighted that “authoritative pressure” and “policy transformation” are the highly influential enablers.Practical implicationsThe study emphasizes actionable implications for stakeholders in the Indian MSWM sector. Policymakers and governmental bodies can enforce “authoritative pressure,” “policy transformation” and “budget allocation”. Meanwhile, managers can focus on “promotion of SuCE awareness”, “formalizing the informal workforce”, “infrastructure modernization”, “stakeholder engagement and alignment”, “segregation strategy”, “disruption preparedness”, and “local-based strategy”.Originality/valueThis study proposed a unique ISM diagraph and cluster of enablers to enhance the novelty of the study.

The Role of Plastic Recycling Shops in Khulna City Within A Circular Economy Framework

Plastics are widely used in many industries, leading to a growing plastic waste problem. To address this, a shift from a linear economy to a circular economy is required. In Bangladesh, the waste management sector predominantly relies on the informal sector, which remains underappreciated and inadequately supported. This study evaluates the environmental, economic, social, and urban development dimensions of recycling shops within the informal sector, highlighting their potential to alleviate ecological burdens, enhance energy efficiency, and generate local employment. A comprehensive methodology encompassing field surveys, environmental and economic benefit calculations, and fuzzy logic analysis are employed. The findings demonstrate that recycling shops, through a circular economy approach, substantially mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce litter, save energy, and conserve landfill space. Among the 35 recycling shops examined, 22.86% were identified as low-volume recyclers, 48.57% as medium-volume recyclers, and 28.57% as high-volume recyclers, each group exerting correspondingly low, medium, and high positive impacts on the environment and society. Collectively, these shops manage 6.68 tons of PET bottle labels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 509.35 MTCE, prevent 202,186.9 tons of litter, save 5,728.1 m³ of landfill space, and conserve 406.8 barrels of oil monthly. Additionally, they employ 427 individuals. Expanding recycling shop operations, exploring new recycling technologies, and examining supportive policies are crucial for improving Khulna City's plastic waste management and overall sustainability. Journal of Engineering Science 15(1), 2024, 31-43

Waste Management In India With Special Reference To Ahmedabad City

This comprehensive study examines the complex landscape of waste management in India, with a particular focus on Ahmedabad city in Gujarat. The research delves into the current state of waste management practices, the socio-economic conditions of rag pickers, and the emerging trends in eco-friendly packaging. Through extensive literature review, field surveys, and data analysis, this paper provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in India's waste management sector. The study reveals significant gaps in waste collection and processing systems, the precarious living conditions of rag pickers, and the potential for eco-friendly packaging to mitigate waste generation. The findings underscore the need for integrated waste management approaches, improved working conditions for informal waste workers, and widespread adoption of sustainable packaging solutions. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on urban waste management in developing countries and offers policy recommendations for more sustainable and equitable waste management practices.

Enhancement of concrete performance and sustainability through incorporation of diverse waste carpet fibres

Carpet fibres have demonstrated the potential to mitigate early-age cracking and improve tensile properties in concrete. However, a detailed analysis of the varied types of standard carpet fibres in reinforced concrete has been lacking. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the performance of concrete reinforced with widely used waste carpet fibres, namely Nylon, Polypropylene, Polytrimethylene terephthalate, and Polyester. The study employs fibres at 0.3 % and 0.5 % volume fractions with a 12 mm length. The research examines mechanical properties, shrinkage and cracking behaviour, pore structure, microstructure, and the ITZ. Results show that 0.3 % fibre volume yielded optimal performance based on GRA analysis. All fibre types reduced shrinkage compared to the control with no fibres. Nylon T1 at 0.3 % achieved a 22.3 % reduction at 90 days. Furthermore, fibre inclusion enhanced flexural and splitting tensile strengths up to 12 % and 39 % respectively due to fibre bridging, pore refinement, and reduced porosity. Notably, individual fibre mechanical properties influenced concrete performance significantly. Hydrophilic fibres exhibited a thinner 10 µm ITZ compared to 15 µm for hydrophobic fibres, contributing to denser interfacial regions and improved bonding. This study demonstrates the potential of carpet fibre-reinforced concrete as a sustainable solution, offering enhanced mechanical properties, shrinkage mitigation, and effective utilization of carpet waste, addressing critical issues in construction and waste management sectors.

A study on value addition of cow dung-based anaerobic sludge for biomethane and bio-oil production via co-liquefaction with rice straw and clam shells as a catalyst.

The waste management sector is moving towards sustainable approaches for facilitating resource-recovery possibilities. Agriculture residue (rice straw), cow dung (cattle waste), and clam shells from the ocean are the primary waste materials possessing a huge value addition opportunity. In this study, the effective usage of rice straw and anaerobic sludge from cow dung for bio-energy production was studied. Cow dung was initially anaerobically processed for the generation of biomethane and sludge in a digester for a retention time of 40 days. The anaerobic sludge with rice straw was hydrothermally processed in varying proportions of 1 : 0, 0 : 1, 1 : 1,1 : 2, 2 : 1, 3 : 1, 1 : 3 and temperatures of 240-360 °C for 1 hour with varying biomass loads of 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 g. Additionally, clam shells, one of the best bioresources, were used as a catalyst in the hydrothermal process at concentrations of 0.2-1 wt%. The maximum bio-oil produced was 36.23 wt% at a temperature of 320 °C, with a biomass load of 100 g, mixed proportion of 2 : 1 and catalyst loading of 0.6 wt%. The produced bio-oil comprised hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and carboxylic acids, as confirmed through GC-MS. In the anaerobic study, ≈0.018 m3 cumulative gas was produced at a retention time of 40 days. The biochar had a higher carbon content and its feasibility for further usage shows promise towards sustainability.

Assessment on the awareness and attitude about waste recycling in three Vietnamese universities in the framework of GREENUS project

Abstract GREEN waste management new edUcation System for recycling and environmental protection in Asia (GREENUS) is a project funded by the European Union to develop the technical capabilities of the younger generations in the waste management sector in Vietnam, enhancing the fundamental role of universities. As a part of the GREENUS project, this study aims to investigate the level of awareness and attitude of the Vietnamese universities about waste recycling and the impact of the project activities. Data were gathered from a questionnaire, which was distributed to three universities in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Can Tho University, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology) for three months in 2023. Descriptive statistics and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis were used to analyze the data. The results show that Professors/lecturers as well as older people have higher level of awareness and appear more inclined to engage in waste separation. In addition, females express more willingness to participate in the separate collection of waste for recycling than males. Regarding small electronic devices, the majority replace their mobile phones within three to five years due to damage, while laptops tend to have a longer lifespan, often exceeding five years. Furthermore, the majority of respondents (over 70%) find the GREENUS initiative effective in enhancing their awareness of the importance of proper waste management. They believe that the initiative is valuable since it simply explains why appropriate waste management is everyone responsibility, provides new knowledge on waste management techniques and inspires/motivates people to handle waste correctly. The study can represent a good source of references for suggesting practical policies that spread a new recycling culture, promoting the use of innovative waste collection and recycling systems in the Universities.

A bottom-up approach for greenhouse gas emission estimation at the community level: A case study in Japan

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation and climate change adaptation in urban communities are urgent. There is enormous potential to improve the GHG inventory at the community level. This research aims to develop a community-scale GHG emission inventory and improve its accuracy and consistency through a bottom-up approach. This study covers direct and indirect emissions categorized into three scopes and selects the Honjo Waseda community in Japan as a case study community. Energy consumption from different sectors (the residential and commercial, transport, and waste management sectors) is evaluated and calculated through Residential Energy Estimation based on the Daily Activities (REEDA) database, National Census, and first-hand field data. The outcome revealed that the residential and commercial sector emissions rank highest in the total GHG emissions of the community, with a value of 39 %. Translated into the scope concept, the emissions under scopes 2 and 3 account for 39 % and 61 %, respectively. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the implementation of green technologies to reduce GHG emissions is also conducted. Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) implementation could yield the largest emission reduction (18 %–22 %), followed by implementing electric vehicles, ultralightweight vehicles, photovoltaic systems, and ground heat utilization.

Recycling of Blended Fabrics for a Circular Economy of Textiles: Separation of Cotton, Polyester, and Elastane Fibers

The growing textile industry is polluting the environment and producing waste at an alarming rate. The wasteful consumption of fast fashion has made the problem worse. The waste management of textiles has been ineffective. Spurred by the urgency of reducing the environmental footprint of textiles, this review examines advances and challenges to separate important textile constituents such as cotton (which is mostly cellulose), polyester (polyethylene terephthalate), and elastane, also known as spandex (polyurethane), from blended textiles. Once separated, the individual fiber types can meet the demand for sustainable strategies in textile recycling. The concepts of mechanical, chemical, and biological recycling of textiles are introduced first. Blended or mixed textiles pose challenges for mechanical recycling which cannot separate fibers from the blend. However, the separation of fiber blends can be achieved by molecular recycling, i.e., selectively dissolving or depolymerizing specific polymers in the blend. Specifically, the separation of cotton and polyester through dissolution, acidic hydrolysis, acid-catalyzed hydrothermal treatment, and enzymatic hydrolysis is discussed here, followed by the separation of elastane from other fibers by selective degradation or dissolution of elastane. The information synthesized and analyzed in this review can assist stakeholders in the textile and waste management sectors in mapping out strategies for achieving sustainable practices and promoting the shift towards a circular economy.

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.

Forecasting End-of-Life Vehicle Generation in the EU-27: A Hybrid LSTM-Based Forecasting and Grey Systems Theory-Based Backcasting Approach

End-of-life vehicle (ELV) forecasting constitutes a crucial aspect of sustainable waste management and resource allocation strategies. While the existing literature predominantly employs time-series forecasting and machine learning methodologies, a dearth of studies leveraging deep learning techniques, particularly Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, is evident. Moreover, the focus on localized contexts within national or municipal boundaries overlooks the imperative of addressing ELV generation dynamics at an international scale, particularly within entities such as the EU-27. Furthermore, the absence of methodologies to reconcile missing historical data presents a significant limitation in forecasting accuracy. In response to these critical gaps, this study proposes a pioneering framework that integrates grey systems theory (GST)-based backcasting with LSTM-based deep learning methodologies for forecasting ELV generation within the EU until 2040. By introducing this innovative approach, this study not only extends the methodological repertoire within the field but also enhances the applicability of findings to supranational regulatory frameworks. Moreover, the incorporation of backcasting techniques addresses data limitations, ensuring more robust and accurate forecasting outcomes. The results indicate an anticipated decline in the recovery and recycling of ELVs, underscoring the urgent need for intervention by policymakers and stakeholders in the waste management sector. Through these contributions, this study enriches our understanding of ELV generation dynamics and facilitates informed decision-making processes in environmental sustainability and resource management domains.

Sustainability in the Waste Management Sector: An Analysis through the GRI Reports

This work aims to determine if the characteristics of the sustainability reports issued by companies in the waste management sector of the European Union in their GRI reports are influenced by the particularities of these companies. Specifically, we study their location (country), the type of company, whether it is listed on a stock market, and its size and explain the relationships between sustainability GRI reports and these variables. The waste management sector is highly relevant in achieving sustainability objectives. Therefore, this paper is focused on studying the factors that determine the disclosure level of the sustainability reports of European companies in this sector. The background shows how certain factors that characterize the companies that issue sustainability reports influence the level of transparency or voluntary disclosure and the reports’ characteristics. Specifically, much of the research finds evidence that relates these aspects to factors such as the country in which the company is located, its size, its public or private nature, or the fact that the company is listed on a stock exchange, characteristics that are analyzed in this study. A statistical study is carried out on the reports reported in the GRI database for a sample of all the European companies in the waste management sector through the statistical technique of Chi-square contrast on the independence of variables, adjusted standardized residual analysis, and logistic regression model. The factors analyzed have been determined based on the experience of previous studies. This is the case of the country variable that has been characterized based on Hofstede´s dimensions. The results show that the factors analyzed are consistent and influence some of the elements selected for the characterization of the reports. Specifically, the type of report, its level of adherence, the inclusion of the OECD guidelines, the mention of the UNGC pact, or the existence of external verification depends on the company´s characteristics. Furthermore, the explanatory analysis was done by running a logistic regression model, allowing us to add knowledge to the current process of sustainability standardization and to explain the differences in sustainability information in a sector crucial for the circular economy. Este trabajo se propone determinar si las características de los informes de sostenibilidad que emiten las empresas del sector de gestión de residuos de la Unión Europea en sus informes GRI están influenciadas por las particularidades de estas empresas, en concreto, por su ubicación (país), el tipo de empresa, si cotiza en un mercado de valores y su tamaño, así como explicar la relación entre los informes GRI de sostenibilidad y estas variables. El sector de gestión de residuos tiene gran relevancia en la consecución de los objetivos de sostenibilidad, no abundando la literatura relativa a la información no financiera de este sector, por lo que el presente trabajo se va a centrar en el estudio de los factores que determinan el nivel divulgativo de los informes de sostenibilidad de las empresas europeas de este sector. Los antecedentes muestran cómo determinados factores que caracterizan a las empresas emisoras de los informes de sostenibilidad influyen en el nivel de transparencia o en el nivel de divulgación voluntaria y las características de los informes emitidos. En concreto, gran parte de las investigaciones encuentran evidencias que relacionan estos aspectos con factores como el país de ubicación de la empresa, su tamaño, su carácter público o privado o el hecho de que la empresa cotice en una bolsa de valores, características que son analizadas en este estudio. Se realiza un estudio estadístico sobre los informes reportados en la base de datos GRI para una muestra de todas las empresas europeas del sector de gestión de residuos, mediante la técnica estadística de contraste Chi-cuadrado sobre la independencia de variables, el análisis de los residuos tipificados ajustados y el modelo de regresión logística. Los factores analizados se han determinado en base a la experiencia de estudios previos. Este es el caso de la variable país que se ha caracterizado siguiendo el modelo de dimensiones de Hofstede. Los resultados muestran que los factores analizados son consistentes y evidencian que los factores analizados influyen en algunos de los elementos seleccionados para la caracterización de los informes. En concreto, en el tipo de informe, su nivel de adherencia, la inclusión de las directrices OECD, la mención al pacto UNGC o la existencia de verificación externa. Además, el análisis explicativo se ha realizado mediante un modelo de regresión logística, lo que nos ha permitido agregar conocimiento al actual proceso de normalización de la sostenibilidad y explicar las diferencias en la información en materia de sostenibilidad en un sector vital para la economía circular.

Optimizing material circularity pathways in industrial waste streams: A decision-making model

The increasing pressures of environmental regulation and the introduction of new policy frameworks by various nations have accelerated the popularization of industrial solid waste management and recovery, underscoring the transition towards a circular economy. This paradigm shift emphasizes the importance of material recovery, reuse, and recycling of industrial waste to minimize environmental impact and enhance sustainability. Despite the availability of individual approaches for waste recovery, there exists a significant gap in the systematic selection of optimal recovery pathways that facilitate the reintegration of materials into the production cycle. Addressing this gap, our study introduces a novel optimization model designed to identify the most efficient material circularity routes that leverage both the technical and biological cycles of the circular economy framework. Utilizing the Genetic Algorithm optimization tool in MATLAB, our model prioritizes pathways that maximize material recovery and profit generation simultaneously. This dual-objective function serves as the cornerstone of our analysis, ensuring a balanced approach to environmental sustainability and economic viability. The model's efficacy was tested on pre-calculated quantities of fabric waste generated by the Biyagama Export Processing Zone, providing a practical case study for its application. Our findings reveal diverse scenarios under which the model can allocate varying weights to each objective, demonstrating its flexibility and utility as a decision-making tool for stakeholders in the waste management sector. The results indicate that the model is not only capable of optimizing waste circularity pathways for maximum material recovery and profit generation but also offers a customizable framework that can adapt to the specific priorities of different stakeholders. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by filling a critical gap in the selection of sustainable waste recovery pathways, offering a practical, optimized, and scalable solution that can significantly advance the goals of the circular economy in the industrial sector.•Decision-making model for stakeholders in the waste management sector.•Model selects the best material recovery pathways.•Textile industrial fabric waste stream used as a pilot to test the model's effectiveness.

IMPLEMENTASI EKONOMI SIRKULAR PADA SEKTOR PENGELOLAAN SAMPAH DI KAWASAN ASIA TENGGARA

Countries in Southeast Asia tend to still use a linear economic system, where the economic system continues to experience losses. This has made countries in Southeast Asia start planning to change their linear economic system to a circular economy. A circular economic system has the principle of sustainably maintaining the value of products, materials and resources in the economy, thereby generating economic growth. The research method used is literature review or literature study, namely by searching for data related to the discussion in the research title that the researcher took. The research results show that countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia are starting to plan and implement a circular economy system in the waste management sector to ensure waste reduction and sustainable waste management.

Water Supply, Waste Management, Waste and Recycling Sector in Indonesia: A Study of Location Quetion, Classic and Spatial Shift Share and Export-Import

The Water Supply, Waste Management, Waste and Recycling sector is one of the constituent sectors of the Indonesian economy. Water is an important component of human life, especially clean water. The provision of clean water is an activity that should be prioritized, in line with the 6th SDGs goal of clean water and proper sanitation. Waste and waste as by-products of economic activities, then management into useful goods is very important in supporting sustainable development, in accordance with what was launched by the United Nations through the concept of SDGs in goals 8, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The data used is sourced from BPS from 2017-2022. Data analysis using LQ, ΔLQ, Classic and Spatial Shift Share and Export-Import. The results showed that (1) The PAPASLIDU sector in West Java is a superior sector in the present and future. (2) Sector growth in DKI is best compared to West Java, Central Java and East Java. The competitiveness of Central Java and East Java is still low (3) DKI and Central Java still remain importers, West Java changed from importers to exporters and East Java remained as an exporter. Suggestions (1) Policies in West Java in the PAPASLIDU sector need to be maintained, and the DKI, Central Java and East Java regions need improvement, (2) Improvements to reduce imports and increase competitiveness by striving to increase the provision of clean water for the community. Reducing waste generation and waste by managing it into useful and economically valuable goods, namely expanding activities that have been carried out and adding new activities for areas that do not yet exist.

Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practices Following Private Partnership Operations in Zaria Urban Area of Kaduna, Nigeria

The safe disposal of municipal waste is very important in promoting a healthy environment. High-quality public services and promoting competition in the waste management sector leads to the formation of private sector participation (PSP) to handle solid waste management in Kaduna. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted which involves dividing the local government into localities. Stage two involves the purposive sampling technique which was adopted in selecting locality with high population and low population density areas, a total of 400 households from both strata were interviewed. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the information from the questionnaires and results were presented using frequency tables and charts. The findings revealed that quality of service among the PSP operators recorded high success in the high-income areas and much less in the low and medium-income areas. On average, industry productivity was 5.63 tonnes per day per vehicle. 12 out of which in the study area were above this average and in meeting increased productivity, year of experience in operations, number of trips made, number of times trucks were serviced, and adhering to regulatory agency requirements were among the factors influencing company’s productivity in the state. It also shows less effectiveness of the system in waste management in the area. The study, therefore, recommends that regulatory agency should be more aggressive in playing their statutory roles of managing the PSP operators.

Moving Waste Sector Towards Climate Neutrality. Scenario Analysis

The upward economic growth, the development of the industrial, transport and agricultural sectors, and technological innovations contribute to the constant stimulation of the demand and supply of new products and services, inevitably contributing to the increase in the amount of waste. Mitigation of climate change is not a short-term goal; therefore, sustainable and reasonable practices in the waste management sector could contribute to positive changes in mitigating GHG emissions and climate change in general. However, it is not clear whether by implementing the current domestic waste management policy of Latvia and the action measures contained in it, it is objectively possible to achieve the strategic goals and desired results set at the European Union as well as at the national level, what is the impact of the set goals and the success of their implementation so far, and whether these political settings will not remain only at the level of ideas and wishes. In the scientific literature, several proposals developed as a result of research have been put forward for reducing the climate neutrality of the waste sector with the help of various technologies and technological innovations. At the same time, it is difficult to evaluate the proposals and solutions put forward in the research results in relation to an individual situation; for example, if a municipality in Latvia would like to implement it in order to evaluate their effectiveness, benefits and applicability. Difficulties are caused by the research results presented in the scientific literature, which are not expressed as indicators that would help to apply this solution to each individual case and its characteristic values. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the political goals set by Latvia in the household waste management sector in the context of the political goals set by the European Union for achieving climate neutrality and to provide an objective assessment of the achievement of the goals set by Latvia. In order to achieve the goals, an analysis of the scenarios of the household waste management sector established by Latvia's policy will be carried out, an evaluation of the actions implemented as a result of the policy and still planned will be carried out. Also, in order to achieve the goals of the study, indicators will be developed, with the help of which the effectiveness and applicability of the implementation of various technological innovations could be assessed. The development of indicators will be based on the information reflected in the scientific literature about the results of the implementation of technological innovations in the household waste management sector. As a result of the literature analysis, the absolute values of the selection of criteria for the implementation of technological innovations will be determined, as well as key performance indicators will be determined in such categories as technological solution, economic factor, impact (mitigation) on the environment, social factor. The scientific novelty of the research is based on the creation of a value database of the criteria for the implementation of technological innovations, and the development of an evaluation matrix based on it, based on the collected indicators, which would help to assess the applicability and availability of the technological innovations introduced in the waste management sector in order to promote the goals set in the political documents for achieving climate neutrality. As a result of the research, an assessment of the compliance of the climate neutrality goals set in the political planning documents will be carried out based on the indicators included in the developed matrix, in order to achieve the best waste management solutions.

Municipal Solid Waste Management: An Assessment of the Management Framework In Zambia

Governance mechanisms for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) are critical to the sustainable management of waste for effective environmental management and public health. These mechanisms are dependent on management frameworks upon which they are based. This study aimed at assessing current frameworks for managing MSW in Zambia using a descriptive research design with a questionnaire being the data collection tool. Eighty purposively sampled respondents were administered and the tool had a 90 per cent response rate. Data analysis involved the use of frequency tables, percentages, bar, the mean, and standard deviation. The results were as follows; male respondents were 73 per cent as compared to female respondents at 27 per cent, respectively, while source of generation for residential areas was at 88 per cent. Public sector role in the governance of MWS 66.7 per cent, private sector (18.9%), NGOs (7.8%), with academia 2.2 per cent, others 4.4 per cent respectively. Frequency of collection was as follows: daily (45.7%), twice a week (14.9%), weekly (39.4%). Recycling of MSW by the private sector (47.2%), municipality (14.6%), and a combination of both accounted for 38.2 per cent. Management of final disposal sites by private sector (11.7%), municipalities (44.6%) and co-managed sites (43.5%). Lack of technical capacity to develop and implement policies by municipalities was 33 per cent while lack of financial resources for the waste management sector (39%). The results of the study indicate a growing and rooted challenge in the governance of MSW in Zambia. Therefore, governance mechanisms must be based on robust and effective frameworks that will ensure effective service delivery by local authorities with the involvement of all stakeholders, gender and social inclusion and also effective development and application of policies, technology and financial resources. This will result into sustainable waste management service to protect public health and the environment and ultimately implement a circular economy model.

A comprehensive protocol for evaluating health, safety, and environmental risks of hospital solid waste through FMEA technique

This protocol outlines a comprehensive approach to evaluating hospital solid waste levels and assessing associated health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risks using the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) methodology. The study focuses on Imam Khomeini Hospital (RA) and employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. Over a 3-month period, waste production and potential risks are assessed, with specific attention to household, infectious, medicinal, and sharps waste. Through FMEA, potential failure modes and associated risks in waste management sectors are identified, enabling targeted interventions for risk mitigation. The protocol emphasizes the importance of aligning waste management practices with international standards and highlights the need for comprehensive training, awareness campaigns, and effective waste management methods to ensure the safety and environmental responsibility of hospital waste management practices

The determinants of municipal solid waste management efficiency in EU countries

The main purpose of this paper is to assess the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) efficiency of European Union countries and to identify the determinants of this efficiency before and after introducing Directive (EU) 2018/851. The research was conducted for 23 EU Member States in order to analyse the two highest-priority waste treatment methods (material recycling and energy recovery) and the level of greenhouse gases emitted by the waste management sector. The data for 2015-2020 were extracted from the Eurostat database. The period of data was divided into two sub-periods: 2015-2017 (the period before introducing the Directive) and 2018-2020. MSWM efficiency scores were calculated using the DEA method. Later, the Tobit Regression Model (TRM) was applied to identify the determinants. The efficiency analysis showed that the countries which joined the EU before 2000 improved their MSWM efficiency in 2018-2020 compared with 2015-2017. On the other hand, the average efficiency scores of the countries that joined the EU after 2000 decreased. In 2015-2017, the following determinants of MSWM efficiency occurred to be statistically significant: population density, unemployment rate, the number of patents and the tourism intensity index, while in 2018-2020: population density, unemployment rate, Research & Development (R&D) expenditure, higher education proportion and MSW generated. A detailed analysis of these variables showed that the countries that joined the EU after 2000 should first increase their R&D expenditure and support their inhabitants in increasing their educational level.