Dimensions Of Sustainability Research Articles

An Overview of Hydrogen Production from Renewable Sources and Its Main Applications

AbstractThere is a misconception that sustainability is only related to greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and that this is the only risk to which the planet is exposed. Sustainability is a multidimensional concept and must advance simoutaneously on several fronts, such as the urgent need to increase energy, clean water, clean air, food, mobility, health, and poverty reduction. All the problems of these multi‐dimensions are aggravated by the continuous growth of the world population, mainly in economic and socio‐environmental issues. However, the biggest challenge is to increase the supply of clean energy from renewable sources, as all other dimensions of sustainability depend on energy supply and policy decisions. The consumption of fossil fuels has supplied the current energy demand by approximately 87 %. Still, there are predictions of depletion, and the effects caused on the environment by the production of greenhouse gases bring significant economic losses. In this review, we will address the most common methods for hydrogen production, as well as its main technological applications in organic synthesis and for energy generation.

Designing a new sustainable healthcare network considering the COVID-19 pandemic: Artificial intelligence-based solutions

The COVID-19 pandemic, which is still spreading its new mutations all around the world, is considered a healthcare challenge around the world. The best approach to forestall this pandemic is to avoid exposure to the virus. Therefore, medical protective equipment is essential for fighting this pandemic. This underlines the chief role of having a sustainable supply chain network (SCN) for producing and distributing personal protective equipment to avoid shortage and augmenting costs. The reality, however, is that the COVID-19 pandemic leads to many developments in countries and this study is another step for these purposes. This research developsa multi-period, multi-objective, multi-echelon, and multi-product medical protective equipment sustainable SCN considering the production, distribution, allocation, and inventory with “risk pooling” strategy effect with the aim of filling the existing gaps in health SCN research during the COVID-19 pandemic. By applying the risk pooling strategy, lower inventory levels or higher service levels can be achieved without increasing inventory costs. This model explores the possibility of lateral transshipments between distribution centers, as a way to increase the reliability of SCN performance. We model a new production, inventory, distribution, location, and allocation problem and consider four objectives for our suggested model (i) minimizing total SCN costs, (ii) minimizing environmental effects, (iii) minimizing social impacts, and (iv) maximizing the reliability of demand delivery. The proposedmodel simultaneously examines all three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) as well as the reliability of demand delivery. Considering all of these decisions and assumptions brings the studied problem closer to reality. We employ various algorithms for solving our developed model with different sizes: the improved version of the augmented ε-constraint (AUGMECON2) algorithm for small and medium-sized problems and two meta-heuristic algorithms, i.e., Multi-Objective Whale Optimization Algorithm (MOWOA) and Multi-Objective Variable Neighborhood Search (MOVNS) algorithm, for large-sized ones. The Taguchi approach is used to tune the parameters of meta-heuristic algorithms, and a comparison is performed using four evaluation metrics: Mean Ideal Distance (MID), Number of Pareto Solutions (NPS), Maximum Spread (MS), and Spread of Non-Dominance Solution (SNS). Proposed solving methods for the studied problem and making comparisons between them are another innovation of this study. A couple of numerical examples are provided to illustrate the applicability of the presented solution methods. Finally, sensitivity analysis for problem parameters is performed to validate our suggested model. Our study reveals the superiority of the MOWOA over the other algorithms.

The links between sustainability dimensions and green campus initiatives in mountain universities

Sustainability and green campus initiatives are widely examined in developed countries but less attention has been paid in developing countries such as Pakistan. Therefore, this study intends to examine the links between sustainability dimensions and green campus initiatives by mediating role of teachers and students’ involvement. Green campus or sustainable campus or environment friendly campus is based on the principles of environmental sustainability, incorporating social, and economic and environmental dimensions. Questionnaire for assessment of sustainability was adopted and 529 responses were received from the faculty, management and servicing staff of the seven Mountain Universities of the Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Northern Pakistan. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PL-SEM) was used to analyse the data. The results indicated that energy conservation, water conservation, green transport, sustainable waste management have enhanced campus green initiatives. Teachers and students’ involvement partially mediate the relationship between green transport strategies, sustainable waste management and green campuses initiatives. While on another hand, teachers and students’ involvement have not mediated the links between energy conservation, water conservation and green campus initiatives. The study contributes to theory building in the area of green and environment friendly campus initiatives by enriching the understanding of the processes carrying the effect of sustainability dimensions and both teachers and students’ involvement.

Access to green and gray urban nature amenities: exploring equity in Montreal's built environment

ABSTRACT Contemporary ideologies have identified two main paradigms contributing to sustainable cities: green urban and gray urban nature. The first refers to features that make cities greener, such as parks or tree coverage. The second refers to gray but sustainable areas, such as dense areas or the proximity to key amenities that can foster active travel. Accessibility to green and gray urban nature amenities by active transport is essential for evaluating if cities are sustainable. We analyzed the accessibility to green (green spaces) and gray (food stores and pharmacies) urban nature in Montreal. The findings show that most people have sufficient access to green and gray urban nature, and low-income groups have better access than high-income groups. Areas with access to both tend to be highly dense, suggesting that dense areas have sustainable attributes. Transport planning interventions in areas lacking access are necessary to achieve sustainable goals in Montreal.

Sustainable city tourism—A systematic analysis of Budapest and Mumbai

International Tourist arrivals, guest nights and their contribution to GDP are key indicators reflecting a country’s actual perception. A growing percentage of tourists prioritize environmental awareness across tourism products and services each year. Destinations aiming to meet the expectations of eco conscious travellers must center sustainability in their branding strategies. This approach aligns with UNWTO (World Tourism Organization of United Nations) Agenda 2030 of sustainable tourism development. This paper examines various dimensions of sustainability in tourism, focusing on Mumbai and Budapest. Using specific sustainability indicators, it employs sustainability city index to compare international tourism in these cities, which face distinct environmental and infrastructural challenges. By using specific sustainability indicators such as: (1) Carbon Emissions: Measurement of the total greenhouse gases produced by the city. (2) Proportion of Green Public Spaces: Evaluation of the percentage of urban areas dedicated to parks and natural spaces. (3) State of Infrastructure: Assessment of the quality and sustainability of urban infrastructure, including transportation systems. (4) Water Usage: Analysis of the amount of water consumed by the city and its conservation practices. (5) Waste Management: Review of the city’s effectiveness in managing and recycling waste. (6) Air Pollution: Monitoring of the levels of pollutants in the air to assess environmental health. This research provides a comprehensive view of how cities can attract environmentally conscious tourists. The findings offer guidance for policy makers and tourism professionals to align strategies with sustainable development goals. This detailed assessment highlights each city’s commitment to sustainability and delivers actionable insights for improving tourism strategies in accordance with global standards. While valuable for tourism professionals, it is important to note that this research covers only six SCI factors, with incomplete data for studied countries. The practical and social implications indicate areas needing improvement to enhance tourist appeal, beneficial for industry professionals and educational purposes. This comparative analysis aids in promoting sustainable tourism and can guide governments in achieving sustainability goals with raising awareness of environmental quality and conscious living.

Measuring Social Sustainability in the Italian Agri-Food Sector: Proposed Key Performance Indicators.

The social dimension of sustainability in the agri-food sector is gaining more and more attention from both scholars and policymakers. In Europe, among different countries, Italy stood out for the active role played in including social conditionality in the Common Agricultural Policy. Despite such interest, there is still confusion concerning the concept of social sustainability, and tools aimed at measuring the social performance of farms are still lacking. The current study aims to identify indicators to measure the social sustainability of farm practices in the Italian agri-food system. The methodology included an analysis of the most relevant literature, legislation, and guidelines to identify five macro-areas of interest, which served as the foundation for developing theoretical social sustainability key performance indicators. The results of this study provide useful insights for both practitioners and policymakers to develop strategies and policies focused on social sustainability.

Advancing Sustainable Development through the lens of Energy Efficiency: A Systematic Literature Review

The global focus on Sustainable Development (SD) encompasses social, economic, and environmental concerns. Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in this transition, defined as efforts to reduce energy consumption by lowering service demand. It is widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective, tested, and accessible strategies to achieve SD, fostering economic growth, social progress, and carbon reduction. To understand the interplay between energy efficiency and SD, a comprehensive review is needed. This study examines previous research on SD through the lens of energy efficiency, utilizing the SCOPUS database to select 46 publications from 2006 to 2022. These studies are categorized by year, publishers, journals, country, sectors, citations, data analysis methods, and sustainable dimensions. The classification helps identify gaps, such as the lack of a unified research framework. Advanced nations conducted 30.43% of the studies, with most research focusing more on environmental aspects than economic or social ones. This study expands the literature by highlighting connections between energy efficiency and SD, aiding scholars and practitioners in promoting sustainable development alongside energy efficiency. Consequently, the literature review focused on empirical research.

Sustainable practices in last-mile logistics of small Brazilian e-retailers: an analysis using an MCDM approach

ObjetivosEl objetivo es contribuir al desarrollo de estrategias mediante la identificación de prácticas sostenibles. Por lo tanto, la investigación tiene un doble objetivo: revelar las prácticas de sostenibilidad integradas en las actividades logísticas de última milla de minoristas de comercio electrónico, analizar las interrelaciones entre estas prácticas y categorizarlas según su importancia para los pequeños minoristas de comercio electrónico en Brasil.MetodologíaSe llevó a cabo un mapeo de la literatura para identificar prácticas de sostenibilidad en las actividades de última milla adoptadas por minoristas en línea, lo que llevó a la propuesta de un metamodelo. Un total de 67 artículos forman parte de la muestra final. Posteriormente, el estudio aplicó la técnica de toma de decisiones multicriterio Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) para estructurar el problema de investigación mediante análisis de causa y efecto entre las prácticas, con el objetivo de priorizar las prácticas críticas.ResultadosEl resultado indica una fuerte dependencia de prácticas económicas para implementar la sostenibilidad en la logística de última milla. En la dimensión económica de la sostenibilidad, los costes operacionales y la calidad de los servicios son variables de efecto y presentan una fuerte correlación.OriginalidadLa originalidad de esta investigación radica en identificar prácticas de sostenibilidad económica, social y ambiental adoptadas por minoristas en línea en los procesos logísticos de última milla. Además, el estudio se centra en el segmento minorista de comercio electrónico a pequeña escala, un área poco explorada en el contexto brasileño. Por último, el metamodelo propuesto contribuye a abordar prácticas desde la perspectiva de la Teoría de los Stakeholders y el enfoque de Sostenibilidad.Limitaciones/implicaciones para la investigaciónEl artículo proporciona contribuciones teóricas al abordar dos áreas complementarias de conocimiento: la Teoría de los Stakeholders y la Sostenibilidad, alineándose también con las directrices de la Iniciativa de Reporte Global (GRI). En términos prácticos, destaca al ofrecer ideas valiosas sobre la implementación de estrategias sostenibles al identificar prácticas económicas, ambientales y sociales en la logística de última milla, particularmente en el contexto de las pequeñas empresas en el segmento minorista en línea.Implicación prácticaLos resultados ayudan a los minoristas electrónicos a reevaluar los procesos logísticos de última milla desde una perspectiva de sostenibilidad. Este estudio pretende contribuir el avance del conocimiento de la literatura actual sobre la adopción de prácticas sostenibles en pequeñas empresas de comercio electrónico.Implicación socialTeniendo en cuenta que uno de los pilares de la sostenibilidad es el compromiso con el desarrollo social, este estudio contribuye a comprender la visión de los pequeños minoristas electrónicos sobre los trabajadores independientes encargados de la entrega de mercancías.

Developing an analytic hierarchical process-based tool for assessing sustainability in public schools: a developing country context

ABSTRACT Sustainability and the seventeen sustainable development goals (17SDGs) are gaining increasing importance in different contexts in the globe. Among them are SGD 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). To promote these goals, this study aims to develop a reliable tool to assess the economic, environmental and social sustainability in public schools in Palestine, based on the analytic hierarchical process (AHP) approach. To this end, primary data were collected from a random sample of 70 schools via personally administered questionnaires answered by school principals. A school sustainably assessment tool (SSA-tool) was developed based on the analytic hierarchical process (AHP) results using Expert Choice 11 software. The AHP results revealed that environmental, economic and social sustainability weights are 30.3%, 36.5% and 33.2%, respectively. Also, a comparison of the SSA-tool’s weights with other international rating systems, namely, LEED, CASBEE, BREEAM and GP-tool was conducted. To facilitate the use of the SSA-tool, an Excel template of the SSA-tool was developed and validated. The study concludes with recommending specific implementable actions in each sustainability dimension.

Sustainability index development by integrating lean green and Six Sigma tools: a case study of the Indian manufacturing industry

PurposeIndia’s manufacturing sector employs about 12% of the labour force and contributes to about 17% of the nation’s GDP. The Indian government intends to implement several initiatives under the “Make in India” and Atma Nirbhar Bharat banners to increase the manufacturing sector’s share of the nation’s GDP to 25% by 2025. Applying lean manufacturing, green manufacturing and Six Sigma is crucial to ensure that India’s manufacturing sectors grow sustainably in international markets. This study aims to identify sustainability indicators and ascertain their respective weights to evaluate the sustainability performance of the Indian manufacturing industry.Design/methodology/approachThis research identifies 25 sustainability indicators and classifies them into the triple bottom line of sustainability based on an evaluative literature review and expert opinion. The Best Worst Method was utilised to determine the weights of the sustainability indicators. The sustainability index was developed to evaluate economic, social and environmental sustainability.FindingsThe sustainability performance of a foundry in a significant Western Indian State city was assessed by applying the developed sustainability index. After the adoption of integrated lean, green and Six Sigma (LG&SS) strategies and related practices in the foundry, there has been a notable improvement of 68.03% in the economic index, 61.62% in the social index and 13.24% in the environmental index.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed sustainability index is applied and evaluated specifically for assessing the sustainability performance of Indian manufacturing SMEs. It can be used to substantiate firm’s sustainability performance and also to assess the improvement in firm’s performance in economic, environmental and social dimensions after implementing various operational excellence practices. However, it cannot serve as a benchmark tool across similar companies or organisations.Practical implicationsThe developed sustainable index can be used to analyse the company or organisation’s sustainability performance and see how various strategies have improved things. Practitioners can use this index to assess social, economic and environmental performance and focus on areas that need improvement.Social implicationsThe proposed sustainability index serves as a vital tool for monitoring a firm’s progress in triple bottom line (TBL) dimensions of sustainability, tracking a diverse range of indicators and encouraging sustainable organisational practices.Originality/valueThis study attempts to assess the economic, social and environmental performance of Indian Manufacturing SMEs by proposing a sustainability index.

Are social justice and sustainability interdependent? If so, how and under what conditions?

AbstractSustainability often entails dealing with issues of justice in the distribution of goods and bads, such as resources and restrictions. Applications of justice to concrete situations, including what is deserved and entitled, call for specifications of several issues, like the meaning of “deservingness” and “entitlement” and how justice should be accomplished. This is a key aspect for sustainability, as social arrangements that are not experienced as fair may not be long‐lived. Conversely, justice may be an empty notion unless it is sustainable. With this in mind, we provide an inventory of factors to analyze the relationship between (un)sustainability and social (in)justice from a social psychological perspective. We (a) clarify the gist of the two subjective notions, (b) discuss their interdependences, (c) provide a list of factors for analyses, and (d) illustrate how they may be applied to two cases, one at a global level (food accessibility) and the other at a local level (distribution of renewable energy resources in communities). The proposed framework forms the basis of empirical analyses of the social dimension of sustainability.

Toward sustainable development: The triple nexus for enhanced supply chain performance through information technology, resilience, and sustainability integration

AbstractThe dynamic interaction between supply chain resilience (SCR) and sustainability has become a crucial area of study in the evolving business landscape. While research has made strides in connecting information technology (IT) and SCR, a gap remains in understanding how sustainability dimensions integrate into these aspects, particularly in socio‐economically and environmentally challenged countries. This study aims to address this gap by investigating how IT and SCR contribute to enhancing overall supply chain performance, with a specific focus on the role of social (SS), environmental (ENS), and economic (ECS) sustainability dimensions. To achieve this, we formulated hypotheses that were tested using structural equation modeling, based on data from a sample of 321 apparel enterprises in Bangladesh. The findings reveal that IT significantly enhances resilience, while SCR does not directly improve supply chain performance when sustainability dimensions are considered. However, SCR positively influences all dimensions of sustainability, underscoring the importance of the combined strength of IT and SCR for achieving enduring sustainability in an uncertain world. Moreover, the results show that the triad of sustainability (SS, ENS, and ECS) fully mediates the relationship between resilience and supply chain performance, serving as the linchpin that binds and strengthens these elements. This research advances the understanding of the interplay between IT, resilience, and sustainability, providing valuable guidance for policymakers and sustainability professionals. Moreover, by integrating sustainability into IT and resilience strategies, organizations can enhance their supply chain performance and ensure long‐term success.

Hybrid machine learning-based model for evaluating the performance of agile-sustainable supply chains in the context of industry 4.0: a case study

In today’s world, businesses and, in general, supply chains have undergone extensive transformations, and relying solely on traditional metrics such as cost and quality cannot provide a comprehensive and complete evaluation of companies active in various sections of supply chains. One of the main concerns of supply chain managers is to create an integrated and comprehensive structure for evaluating the performance of active branches. In this context, this study presents a structure that, by simultaneously considering agility and sustainability metrics within the context of the industry 4.0, which has brought about fundamental changes in the supply chain environment in recent years, aims to evaluate the active branches in the dairy product supply chain. On the other hand, the increase in the volume of data produced in the supply chain environment and the development of the applications of machine learning algorithms in various fields, which offer better applications compared to intuitive approaches, have led this study to use hybrid data-driven approaches, which are a combination of expert-based methods and documented organizational data, to evaluate the performance of supply chain branches. Therefore, this study is innovative in terms of the evaluation metrics and the data-driven approach developed. In the first step, evaluation metrics appropriate to the dimensions of agility, sustainability, Industry 4.0, and general metrics were identified, and then the fuzzy best-worth method (FBWM) approach was used to weight the metrics. According to the findings, data-driven, marketing, overhead costs, delivery timeframe, and product quality were selected as the most important metrics. Subsequently, using the developed artificial neural network algorithm, which calculates the input weights of the metrics using the FBWM method, a model for evaluating the supply chain was presented, and the findings show that the developed approach performs better than other algorithms on the problem data with more than 92% accuracy.

Neighborhood housing design using fifth generation manifesto towards nearly zero energy urban developments

Abstract Since cities are growing faster than ever before, this paper traces directly that the fifth generation of sustainable city dimensions is not a prosperous idea or a welfare mode of sustainability but a vital effective way to adapt to Climate change, provide energy production, increase carbon reduction, and enhance pedestrian-occupant thermal comfort. It is a systematic method to alleviate urban canyon temperatures, maximize shading in summer, enhance energy production, and minimize heat transfer. It shows better results than designing apartment buildings with parcel planning with its four wall surfaces absorbing heat all day long. Early from schematic design, the emphasis is based on freehand sketching, adjusting urban aspect ratio, courtyard housing closure ratio, compactness degree, and microclimatic orientation, then adding a layer of humanization with green corridors, and tree species numerically modeled based on microclimate with courtyarded passive housing clusters, moving towards detailed design execution with SCEB bearing wall construction having the majority of its mixture of clay which enhances thermal mass insulation, climate adaptation, indoor thermal comfort, and a green job opportunity. Afterward adding energy plus BIPV on the whole constructed microclimatic-based roof to twist the neighborhood into a power bank saving energy consumption, and to work as a double roof shading. It shows on the other urbanism coin side walkability, sequential visual order, urban identity, and architectural character. Numerical outdoor-indoor coupled simulations took place using Envi-met and DesignBuilder while meteorological and biometeorological parameters were measured. The new recipe ignites a sense of harmonizing results in enhancing environmental sustainability measures.

Let the Employees Strengthen for a Sustainable Future: A Systematic Literature Review of Sustainable HRM

This study aims to analyze the developments in construct of sustainable human resources management and to identify key elements, trends and research gaps for future. Therefore, a systematic literature review was carried out using Google Scholar database, covering the period from 2001 to 2024, which resulted in a corpus of 115 scientific articles.The date is simply tabulated The results showed four categories, which comprise 74% of the elementary units of the corpus analyzed. The first comprised studies on sustainable leadership, based on individual and group power and embedded in its principles, processes, practices and organizational values. The second demonstrated the relationship among human resources management, environmental sustainability and organizational performance. The third category considered the tensions and paradoxes between human resources management practices and sustainability: on the one hand, human resources management should focus on cost reduction and corporate profitability (in the short-term); on the other, their actions should provide long-term sustainability of organizational performance. The last category dealt with the link between human resources management and the social dimension of sustainability, especially with regard to organizational social responsibility and the company’s relationship with its stakeholders. In conclusion, this paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the topic of sustainable human resources management by analyzing the state of the art and future directions of human resources studies.

Identifying the social hotspots of German steelmaking and its value chain

Steel production is highly material and energy intensive. As the industry sources large amounts of raw materials globally, the need to assess the sustainability dimensions of the steelmaking process and its value chain is increasing. This paper sets out to investigate the social dimension, by identifying social hotspots tied to the value chain and production of primary steel in Germany. To achieve this, a literature review is conducted, and the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) methodology is applied in the form of a social hotspot assessment for the production of 1 t of hot rolled steel coil. Import data for the German steel industry are combined with social data from the social hotspot database, to gain an comprehensive overview of social risks and hotspots tied to the value chain and production of steel. The literature review finds the application of S-LCA in the steel industry to be low overall, with great variety in impact subcategories and indicators assessed. The social hotspot assessment shows a high number of social risks tied to the value chain of the German steel industry. These relate primarily to worker health and safety, delocalization and migration, access to immaterial resources, forced labour, and social benefits/social security. In particular, the extractive industries of iron ore and coal are established as social hotspots. Based on the findings of the literature review and the social hotspot assessment, it is recommended that the following impact subcategories be considered in a full scale S-LCA study on steelmaking including the value chain: Worker health and safety, freedom of association and collective bargaining, delocalization and migration, and forced labour. Furthermore, it is recommended to prioritize the collection of primary data on 16 indicators, that are identified as high risk or very high risk across multiple assessed countries and sectors.

Determinants of Young Polish Consumers’ Food Product Purchases

ABSTRACT This article investigates the factors influencing food product purchases by young Polish consumers aged 18–25 – a group important for the development of the economy. In the process of deciding to purchase specific food products, consumers pay attention to various economic and non-economic factors, including marketing. We carried out survey in October/November 2020 using the CAWI method (Google Forms) to test the importance of 17 factors on young Polish consumers’ food purchases, applying factor analysis and cluster analysis to the resulting data. The results reveal that price and product expiration date are young Polish consumers’ primary concerns when purchasing food products. The study also found that environmental sustainability attributes, although less critical than price or product quality, are increasingly influencing young Polish consumers' purchasing decisions.

May urban digital twins spur the New Urban Agenda? The Spanish case study

The New Urban Agenda was conceived as a global endeavor to transpose the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda into urban areas. Both initiatives were merged into the Spanish Urban Agenda (SUA), which includes 10 strategic and 30 specific goals, among which leading and promoting digital innovation toward the development of smart cities stand out. As Urban Digital Twins (UDTs) are a technology that arises to enhance smart cities, this research aims at assessing how they may contribute to the achievement of the SUA. A framework was accordingly built to associate UDTs with the SUA to then be applied to the Barcelona digital twin as case study. A combination of an in-depth literature review on UDTs and the Delphi technique was used as methodological approach. More than 70 % of the strategic and specific goals included in the SUA, as well as the four sustainability dimensions are represented in the new instrument. The case study reflected a limited contribution in pursuing the SUA. Nevertheless, the proposed framework offers potential lines of action to reinforce the role of the Barcelona digital twin towards the SUA.

Driving EU sustainability: Promoting the circular economy through municipal waste efficiency

The need to balance ecosystems and ensure the well-being of all people underlines the urgency of closing product life cycles. In recent years, the circular economy (CE) has emerged as one of the most relevant factors in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of waste management efficiency at the European level. Furthermore, it presents a standard data envelopment analysis (DEA) of 27 European countries over the period 2017–2021, focused on municipal waste. Three models (i.e., economic, technical, sustainable) are proposed to optimise the rates of municipal waste recycling and circular material use.The SLR, based on an initial set of 216 articles that was subsequently refined through double screening to 31, highlights the strategic role of the waste management, recycling and municipal solid waste triangle. The results of the DEA indicate stronger synergy between technical and sustainability dimensions than between economic and sustainability components. Moreover, they highlight fragmented performance in Europe, with distinct clusters of countries emerging as top performers in each of the three models, and the Netherlands, Slovenia, France, Italy, Germany and Sweden demonstrating superior performance for both CE outcomes and sustainable performance. Overall, the results emphasise the strategic role played by technology in facilitating an efficient circular model of municipal waste management to minimise landfilling and other environmentally detrimental practices, thereby stimulating the development of sustainable communities for optimised waste management, in line with broader sustainability objectives.

Lactic and propionic acid bacteria starter cultures for improved nutritional properties of pea, faba bean and lentil

Increasing plant-based food consumption as a sustainable and health-oriented alternative to meat is pivotal. Pulses are rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins; however, they also contain antinutritional compounds, impairing their nutritional value. This study addresses this challenge through the development and application of four distinct microbial consortia in pulse-based fermentations, featuring lactic acid bacteria or a combination of lactic and propionic acid bacteria. Microbial starters significantly reduced galacto-oligosaccharides in all pulse materials, concurrently degrading vicine and convicine in faba beans, while the impact on tannins in faba beans and lentil was moderate. Fermentation with lactic acid and propionic acid bacteria consortia exhibited notable vitamin B12 production, and the effect on the content of phenolic compounds of the studied pulses was also evidenced. Additionally, genomic analyses discerned distinctive profiles among the samples, elucidating the microbial community dynamics shaping fermentation outcomes. The results of this study proved how fermentation can advance the development of pulse-based products with improved nutritional and sustainability attributes.