Sustainable Solid Waste Management Research Articles

Residents’ willingness to pay for sustainable solid waste management services: a case of Glenview suburb, Harare, Zimbabwe

AbstractSolid waste generation is an inevitable outcome of anthropogenic activities, which is an issue of concern in Zimbabwe. Among other challenges, inadequate finance is a key challenge to reach sustainable waste management. This study focuses on residents’ willingness to pay for improved solid waste management services. Analytical case study research design, employing quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and presentation was adopted. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, observations while analysis was done using SPSS and content analysis. Results indicated that most respondents were house owners (53.92%) and 46.08% were tenants. Solid waste generated consists of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Solid waste collected by the city council (57.84%), private collectors (36.27%) while remaining is collected by other individuals and scavengers. Interviews and questionnaires outcomes denote that solid waste was collected once a week (43.14%), twice a week (3.92%) and rarely collected (38.24%). Solid waste is disposed through open dumping, burning, pits and landfilling, although most of the disposal strategies pose environmental health problems. Solid waste mismanagement is attributed to lack of awareness, weak legal framework and shortage of resources, specifically finance. Questionnaire respondents (66.67%) argued that proper solid waste management is important and needs to be improved. Participants (65.69%) revealed that they were willing to pay for improved solid waste management, however, 34.31% were unwilling. Willingness to pay for improved solid waste management was determined by educational level and house ownership status. Improving residents’ willingness to pay for proper solid waste management requires an integrated approach and increasing residents' awareness.

Household Solid Waste Management and Environmental Impacts in the Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Given the current rate of urbanization, municipalities in most Nigerian cities have struggled with the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste. This is due to waste generation, both residential and commercial, occurring in a dispersed manner across homes, buildings, streets, parks, and even vacant spaces within communities. This manuscript aims to evaluate the state of municipal solid waste management in Ibadan, household solid waste storage practices, and the locations of solid waste storage containers (skip points) in relation to accessibility and health risks to the community, in accordance with Nigerian National Solid Waste Management Standards and other pertinent international standards. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 21 micro and small firms and 250 homes in each of the three local government areas of the metropolis, with descriptive statistics used to interpret the data. According to the study results, inadequate Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) service delivery in the Ibadan metropolitan area can be attributed to several issues, including a lack of institutional coordination among urban planners. The study’s conclusions indicate that the state of MSWM in the sampled areas is either inadequate or has poor spatial coverage and container utilization. Lastly, the study primarily suggests that these measures can reduce problems associated with MSWM by encouraging public-private partnerships, fostering effective institutional coordination with urban planner consultants in MSWM and skip-point location, and motivating the community to adopt integrated sustainable Solid Waste Management (SWM) strategies.

Technosols Made from Iron Mine Tailings and Construction and Demolition Waste as an Alternative for Sustainable Solid Waste Management

ABSTRACTBrazil faces urgent environmental challenges due to large waste production from mining and construction activities particularly regarding the disposal and management of the solid waste generated by these activities. The extraction of iron ore and the storage of tailings in dams, most of which are at imminent risk of rupture, represent foretold environmental disasters. Additionally, the disposal of construction waste raises environmental concerns due to the decreasing vailability of inert landfill space. To address these challenges, we evaluated the potential of Technosols made from construction and demolition waste (CDW) and iron mining tailing (IMT) in different proportions (60:40, 70:30, 80:20, and 100% of IMT and CDW, respectively) to support grass development. The Technosols were compared to a natural soil (Haplic Ferralsol). The soils were cultivated with Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in a field experiment conducted for 120 days. At the end of experiment, soil samples were collected and analyzed their chemical, physical, and mineralogical attributes, while plants were analyzed for dry biomass. Plants cultivated in Technosols exhibited dry biomass production 3.3‐fold (825 ± 270 g) greater than those cultivated in the natural soil (251 ± 77 g). Higher biomass production in the Technosols, especially in the TEC70:30, was associated with the favorable chemical conditions of these soils, such as slightly neutral pH (~7.5), higher cation exchange capacity (68.1 ± 12.4 mmol dm−3) and nutrient availability, especially Ca and P (57.8 ± 0.8 and 28.2 ± 0.4 mmol dm−3, respectively). These results aim to provide insights for the effective use of different Technosols in mitigating environmental impacts and promoting sustainable land and waste management practices, primarily to prevent future environmental disasters.

Evaluation of the Quality of Organic Compost Produced From Fish Filleting Waste: Application and Use in Agriculture

Objective: This study aims to chemically characterize the compost resulting from fish filleting waste, identifying macro and micronutrients, and investigating the effects of different dosages of this compost on lettuce fertilization. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on concepts of sustainable management of urban solid waste, highlighting composting as an effective practice for recycling organic matter. Previous studies on composting animal waste and its application underpin the context of the research. Method: The methodology consisted of experiments with 28 plants, applying 7 treatments with 4 replications, ranging from 10% to 50% fish compost. Fresh and dry mass, root size and volume, and nutrients were analyzed. Results and Discussion: The results indicated that fish waste compost has significant potential as a source of nutrients, with medium to high levels of macro and micronutrients. In lettuce cultivation, the 10% dosage was the most cost-effective, although proportions of up to 30% promoted good development in all the indicators evaluated. Research Implications: The practical implications of this research suggest that fish waste compost could be a viable alternative for organic fertilization, promoting sustainable practices in waste management and agricultural production. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by exploring the use of fish filleting waste compost as a fertilizer, demonstrating its effectiveness and potential as a source of nutrients for lettuce cultivation.

Studying of Mechanical Behavior of Waste Materials Modified Cement Mortar

Large-scale environmental problems have been triggered by ceramic tiles from demolished buildings and animal bone waste. Therefore, optimizing their potential for reuse and recycling is an important goal of sustainable solid waste management. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of partial replacement of the fine aggregates in cement mortar with a combination of natural animal bone powder and industrial waste materials which is wall tiles ceramic powder. This study measures thermal and mechanical characteristics. Recycling construction waste is one of many ways to deny waste material from entering landfills and create new eco-friendly material that reduces energy consumption in buildings. Modified mortar cement specimens with 5% up to 25% mixtures were combined using a 1:3 ratio and a 0.5 W/C ratio to see how the ratios would affect the material’s properties. The addition of a superplasticizer boosted the cement mortar’s workability and compressive strength. The compressive strength, flexural strength, density, and thermal conductivity were evaluated for each mortar mixture ratio. Results showed that compared to regular cement mortar, cement mortar combined with 20% bone and ceramic powder wastes reached the optimal replacement percentage. Compressive strength increased by 54% and flexural strength by about 67%. At the 28-day mark, thermal insulation was lowered by 25%.It is concluded from this study that it is possible to use bone waste as a natural material with ceramic waste as an industrial material to modify the insulation and mechanical properties of cement mortar.

Solid waste characterization in the slum areas of Bagmati River—A case of Kathmandu, Nepal

Solid waste management (SWM) is a challenging environmental issue globally, with developing nations experiencing considerable difficulties in its efficient and effective implementation. Urban slum areas within these regions, particularly, have been reported to face unique challenges in SWM due to a combination of factors, including the low socio-economic status of residents, high population density, inadequate infrastructure, and a thriving informal economy. Despite these critical concerns, most SWM research in Nepal has concentrated on major cities and tourist hotspots. As a result, the condition of SWM in urban slum areas, typically found along the banks of major rivers in Nepal, remains a critical yet neglected aspect in research and policy discussions. This study, therefore, aims to evaluate SWM in the densely populated urban slum areas situated along the Bagmati River, a key river system in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Four major slum locations within the central metropolitan area of Kathmandu—Sinamangal, Thapathali, Teku, and Balkhu—were selected for the study, and systematic random sampling and characterization of household solid waste was conducted. The results reveal that the average household solid waste generation rates in the four study sites were 155.32 g capita−1 d−1, 124.69 g capita−1 d−1, 149.9 g capita−1 d−1, and 218.44 g capita−1 d−1, respectively. Organic wastes was the most prevalent type, comprising 63.34% of the total waste, followed by paper and paper products (13.72%), plastics (12.15%), dirt and construction debris (5.57%), glass (4.31%), and other wastes (0.91%). Qualitative data from the survey revealed that although municipal waste management programs exist, awareness and participation among residents were limited. As a result, many households ended up managing their waste on their own, often in an unscientific manner polluting the river water in the vicinity. The study offers critical insights for policymakers, operators, and regulators in addressing the growing challenges of SWM. Findings are expected to aid in the sustainable management of solid waste along the river basin in central urban regions of the capital city. Under Nepal's new federal governance system, provincial and local governments are recommended to collaborate with all stakeholders, including households, to develop comprehensive, multimodal SWM strategies that also address the needs of slum areas.

Selecting the Suitable Landfill Location for Efficient Waste Management in Udham Singh Nagar District, Uttarakhand: A Geospatial and Multi-Criteria Approach

The effective management process of solid waste is a pressing concern in Udham Singh Nagar district, where approximately 245 metric tons of waste is generated daily. To address this issue, it is essential to identify suitable landfill sites. This research aims to identify optimal sites for waste disposal in the district by combining the capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques. A total of ten key factors were evaluated and prioritized according to their respective significance. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using theses parameters, including distance from road networks, rivers, railroads, sensitive area, geology, slope, elevation, population density, soil and land use/land cover (LULC). The study area was categorized into four suitability zones: high, moderate, low, and very low, representing 43.22%, 16.09%, 28.16%, and 12.53% of the area, respectively. The locations were selected based on the optimal distances considered for efficient waste management. The final results were validated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, which utilized a randomly selected set of 50 potential landfill site locations. The analysis demonstrated good accuracy, with the area under the curve (AUC) indicating that 84% of the results effectively validated the spatial analysis. To achieve sustainable solid waste management, planners should consider implementing alternative strategies such as source reduction, composting, sanitary landfills, and public awareness programs. The resulting map provides potential sites for landfilling waste, which can aid urban planners and authorities in implementing effective urban waste management strategies.

Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Malaysia: Overview of Costing and Incentives

This study addresses the critical challenges and initiatives in solid waste management (SWM) within the context of sustainable urban development in Malaysia. Acknowledging the complicated nature of SWM, the research explores municipal planning, transportation systems, water and sanitation, disaster risk reduction, education, and waste management. The literature review incorporates global perspectives, highlighting SWM hierarchies, institutional effectiveness, sustainability challenges in diverse regions, and practical guidelines. The Malaysian context underscores the nation's dedication to sustainable development, regulatory structures, and the growing expenses associated with SWM. The discussion highlights the limitations of landfills in Malaysia, urging consideration of alternative solutions like waste-to-energy plants. The study aims to investigate SWM practices, operators' costs, and government incentives in Malaysia, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject for informed policymaking.

Strategies for the Sustainable Management of Solid Waste from Sinfra's Urban Hotel Establishments

Located in the Marahoué region in the central-west of Côte d'Ivoire, the town of Sinfra is a victim of inappropriate hotel waste management. This poor management of solid waste from hotel establishments has repercussions on the environment of this urban area, which is exposed to an abundance of rainfall. The aim of this study is to propose actions and strategies to mitigate the impact of poor hotel waste management. The methodology used is based on documentary research and field surveys supported by semi-directive interviews, questionnaires and direct observation.Systematic random sampling was used, which made it possible to include half of the city's hotel establishments. The reasoned choice method was used to target the hotels to be surveyed on the basis of certain criteria. The results showed that in the town of Sinfra, 45% of hotels dispose of their waste in unauthorised dumps and collection sites, 33% of hotels entrust their waste to pre-collectors and 22% of hotels have their waste collected by municipal services. This situation has given rise to environmental problems affecting people's quality of life. In response, solutions have been proposed for the sustainable management of hotel waste. These include supporting hotel managers in changing their practices, setting up and encouraging waste recovery channels and creating appropriate solid waste management infrastructures.

Integrated production of ethanol and 1,3-propanediol from food waste enzymatic hydrolysates in a biorefinery approach

The sustainable management of Urban Solid Waste (USW) is one of the most relevant global environmental challenges. Food waste (FW) constitutes a significant fraction of USW. One way to valorize FW is by producing biofuels and high-value-added chemicals. Therefore, this study aimed to produce 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) from vinasse obtained after ethanolic fermentation of FW. Following the chemical characterization, the optimum composition of hydrolysate was generated from experimental design 23 + 3(0). Assay 7, with 69.12 g/L of glucose and 2.60 g/L of glycerol, was selected from the statistical analyses. Fermentation assays by Meyerozyma caribbica produced 26.88 g/L of ethanol and 6.36 g/L of glycerol. After ethanolic distillation, Lentilactobacillus diolivorans produced 1,3-propanediol with 74.28 % efficiency. This shows that the integrated production of ethanol and 1,3-PDO is a promising alternative for the biorefinery of FW.

Impacts of solid waste management strategies in urban high density suburbs: a case of Amaveni suburb, Kwekwe, Zimbabwe

Improper solid waste management is one of the causes of environmental and health problems in many cities worldwide. It is in this context that the study aimed to determine the solid waste management strategies used in Amaveni suburbs in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe and assess the health and environmental problems associated with the solid waste management strategies used in Amaveni. Researchers used a mixed method design in which quantitative and qualitative data was collected at the same time. Semi –structured interviews, field observations and questionnaires were used to collect data. The sample comprised 380 Amaveni residents, 3 Kwekwe City employees and one Environmental Management Agency (EMA) official. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while quantitative data was analyzed using inferential statistics. Open dumping and open burning were the dominant solid waste management strategies in Amaveni. The main health problems identified were cholera and malaria. Air pollution, water pollution and loss of urban beauty were the main environmental problems identified. From the findings it can be concluded that solid waste management strategies used in Amaveni were associated with many health and environmental problems and as a result sustainable solid waste management was proposed.

Rule-Based Games for Meaningful Learning in Sustainable Solid Waste Management

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of rule-based games as a pedagogical strategy for meaningful learning about sustainable solid waste management among 6th-grade students (Class 08) at the Leónidas Acuña Educational Institution (Cesar Department, Municipality of Valledupar, Colombia). Theoretical Framework: The research is based on the theories of Piaget (1962) and Ausubel (1983), highlighting the importance of play in children's cognitive development and meaningful learning. It also addresses sustainable solid waste management according to the environmental regulations and policies implemented in Colombia. Method: The study was developed using a non-experimental, cross-sectional quantitative approach. The sample included 28 students selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. A questionnaire with a Likert scale was used to collect data on knowledge and practices of waste management, learning disposition, and students' perception of using games. Results and Discussion: The results showed that 75% of the students have a high level of knowledge about solid waste, but there are significant deficiencies in sustainable management and recycling techniques. Additionally, 92.86% prefer classes that include games, highlighting their positive influence on meaningful learning. Research Implications: The research demonstrated the need to integrate playful strategies into environmental education to improve solid waste management. The results can influence educational policies and pedagogical practices, promoting deeper and more sustainable learning. Originality/Value: This study contributes to strengthening environmental pedagogy by demonstrating the effectiveness of rule-based games as an innovative educational tool to foster meaningful and sustainable learning about solid waste management. The findings can guide future research.

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

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

Assessing Challenges to Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Authorities in Uganda: A Case Study of Arua Municipality

Purpose: Waste generation is associated with and comes with human activities and as such, waste management is an issue which should be shared by every individual, community, organisation or Country worldwide. Depending on climate, life style and behavioural differences, level of industrialisation, available waste management programmers and economic incentives, the problem of waste generation and its management continues to be a major environmental problem in urban centres worldwide. This Paper attempts to assess the Challenges to Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Authorities in Uganda with specific reference to Arua Municipality in North Western Uganda. A Case study design was used. Materials and Methods: A sample of 391 respondents was selected out of a Target population of 7,881 which included; Heads of Households, Business Operators, Elected leaders, Heads of Departments and Solid waste Collectors. The Methods for data collection adopted were Questionnaires, Interviews, Observation and Documentary Review. The Researcher used Regression Technique for data analysis. Findings: The study findings showed that, urban population growth had an inverse relationship with solid waste management while funding had a positive significant effect on solid waste management. The study further found out that, urban population behaviour had a negative relationship with solid waste management. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: From these findings the researcher concluded that lack of waste segregation; inadequate facilities and equipment, lack of legislation and bye-laws, and ineffective enforcement are among the major challenges to solid waste management in Arua Municipality. Based on the above findings, the researcher recommends the following; Solid waste segregation (separation), enforcement, legislations and bye-laws, provision of adequate solid waste management facilities and equipment and training/Capacity building programmes on solid waste management. The study findings will help policy makers in formulating sustainable solid waste management policies and designing appropriate methods of managing solid waste in urban Local Authorities. The study findings will help raise awareness on issues pertaining to solid waste management at community level. This awareness will help build initiatives to reduce the solid waste management problem in Arua Municipality. The study will further contribute to the body of knowledge on the studies already conducted on solid waste management in developing countries.

Enhancing trash classification in smart cities using federated deep learning

Efficient Waste management plays a crucial role to ensure clean and green environment in the smart cities. This study investigates the critical role of efficient trash classification in achieving sustainable solid waste management within smart city environments. We conduct a comparative analysis of various trash classification methods utilizing deep learning models built on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Leveraging the PyTorch open-source framework and the TrashBox dataset, we perform experiments involving ten unique deep neural network models. Our approach aims to maximize training accuracy. Through extensive experimentation, we observe the consistent superiority of the ResNext-101 model compared to others, achieving exceptional training, validation, and test accuracies. These findings illuminate the potential of CNN-based techniques in significantly advancing trash classification for optimized solid waste management within smart city initiatives. Lastly, this study presents a distributed framework based on federated learning that can be used to optimize the performance of a combination of CNN models for trash detection.

Identification of potential landfill site suitability for urban solid waste disposal of Balurghat Municipality of Dakshin Dinajpur District using GIS and multi-criteria decision-making approach

The production of urban solid waste is one of the most dangerous environmental health risks on the planet. By selecting suitable landfill sites, it is possible to resolve the issue of health risks and environmental pollution driven by the unscientific disposal of solid waste. The current research is centered on determining suitable landfill locations for solid waste disposal within the Balurghat municipality through the integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach. Ten factors were taken into consideration according to their weightage including elevation (0.022), Lithology (0.027), Slope (0.032), Land use and land cover LULC (0.040), Depth of water (0.057), Population density (0.075), Distance from sensitive places (0.107), Distance from road (0.154), Distance from river (0.205) and Land value (0.282). After conducting thorough field visits, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) under the MCDM approach using GIS reveals acceptable sites that were noted and referenced. Final results are validated through a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using randomly selected 80 potential landfill-suitable site location points with higher accuracy, and a total of 93% of the area under the curve (AUC) has been found worthy to validate the spatial result. The present investigation revealed that only 0.65% of land is very highly suitable, 31.06% of land is highly suitable, 52.54% of land is moderately suitable and 14.74% of land is not suitable for landfilling in Balurghat Municipal area and surroundings respectively. The highly suitable site belongs to the Mamna, Katna, Kuaran, Amtali, Noksha, Bannapara, and Malancha villages of the study area which is a very negligible area. So, the planners should adopt alternative strategies like source minimization, composting, sanitary landfills and awareness programmes for sustainable solid waste management. Hence, the Balurghat Municipality administration, urban planners, and administrative authorities stand to gain valuable insights from the findings of this study as they endeavour to enhance the management of urban solid waste in the area.

A framework to support localized solid waste management decision making: Evidence from Qatar

Solid waste management is a pressing global issue, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 12. Despite increasing awareness, the annual rise in waste generation is expected to persist for decades. Efficient waste management is crucial for channeling valuable resources into circular economy flows while safeguarding health and the environment. While best practices are informative, localized actions tailored to specific contexts are essential. This study proposes a thematic framework, grounded in techno-policy, to prioritize actions for achieving sustainable solid waste management (SSWM) in Qatar, with potential applicability to other countries. The prioritized recommendations include enhancing research and policy coordination, harnessing value from waste, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting awareness campaigns. The study underscores the significance of private sector training, plastic recycling, and addressing the impact of mega-events on waste management. It identifies key stakeholders, such as researchers, businesses, government, and the community, emphasizing their roles in implementing effective waste management strategies. Challenges, however, arise from the absence of comprehensive and up-to-date open data, hindering a full understanding of recent developments and identification of priority areas for future research. In summary, this study introduces a novel techno-policy-driven framework for prioritizing SSWM actions, emphasizing the need for targeted efforts in diverse contexts to address the escalating global waste challenge.

A Review of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Their Application in Sustainable Solid Waste Management

Indigenous communities have always used their knowledge systems to improve their quality of life. For example, rural communities’ resort to indigenous cultural practices to manage their own waste when local administration lacks coordinated ways to manage waste. In the context of indigenous knowledge systems, the idea of waste is non-existent. As indigenous knowledge is believed to provide a holistic framework for an approach that effectively promotes sustainability. As such, the current study conducted a systematic review to evaluate the extent to which indigenous solid waste management practices contribute to sustainable waste disposal methods. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, a literature search was carried out in the field of indigenous solid waste management practices. The results indicate a significant imbalance in the amount of conclusive evidence that has been produced to date that suggests the sustainability of indigenous solid waste management practices. It is for this reason that the current study has discovered a substantial literature gap in sustainable solid waste management associated with indigenous knowledge systems. This is an unprecedented trend, especially for a knowledge system that is supposed to promote sustainability practices. However, to improve the likelihood of incorporating indigenous solid waste disposal methods into modern practices, it is imperative to understand the foundational elements that contribute to the advancement of sustainability, lest the sustainability aspect associated with this knowledge system in the discipline of solid waste management remain a mere rhetoric.

Measurement and Spatial Difference Analysis of the Development Level of Urban Solid Waste Resource Utilization from the Perspective of "Waste-Free City"

While the domestic economy is developing rapidly, the impact of municipal solid waste on the ecological environment is increasing. The construction of "waste-free cities" has become an inevitable choice and an important tool to promote the sustainable development of cities and the sustainable management of solid waste. This paper evaluates the level of solid waste resource utilization in 27 central cities in the Yangtze River Delta region from four dimensions: technical level, economic benefit, social benefit and environmental protection benefit. Firstly, the gray correlation is used to calculate the gray correlation between the selected indicators and the green low-carbon city index, and the results show that the gray correlation of all the indicators is greater than 0.80, which has strong explanatory ability. Then, the entropy weighting method was used to calculate the weights of the indicators and the comprehensive score of the cities, and the top five cities in the comprehensive score were Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo and Nanjing. Then, by comparing the average scores of Shanghai, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province, the difference analysis is carried out, and it is found that the regional economic level and industrial structure are the main factors affecting the development level of municipal solid waste resourceization. Finally, the results of the empirical analysis are combined to make suggestions for the construction of "waste-free cities" in China.

Solid waste characteristics and management strategies at ST Theresa (STT) and Holy Cross (HC) hospitals in Chirumanzu rural District, Zimbabwe

AbstractManagement of solid waste from rural hospitals is among major problems affecting developing countries. This is mostly attributed to inadequate data related to quantity and quality of hospital solid waste. Similarly, information related to rural hospital solid waste characteristics and management is limited in Zimbabwe. However, SDGs complemented by Zimbabwe Vision 2030, NDS 1 advocates for sustainable solid waste management. Hence, enough data related to characteristics of solid waste from rural hospitals are required to attain sustainability. This research focuses on hospital solid waste characteristics and management strategies at STT and HC rural hospitals. Descriptive cross sectional research design which triangulates qualitative and quantitative paradigms was utilized. Interviews, observations, questionnaires were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereas qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. Solid waste generated at STT encompasses non-hazardous (77.35%), hazardous waste (22.65%). At HC solid waste consists of non-hazardous (79%) and hazardous waste (21%). Respondents at STT (70.4%) and HC (72.7%) noted that solid waste was increasing. Solid waste was increasing due to various factors namely high use of disposable materials at HC (35.1%), STT (42.5%) and increase of patients at HC (30%) and STT (29.7%). Solid waste was indiscriminately stored in various types of containers although pedal operated bins and sharp containers were highly used at STT (72.4%) and HC (69.1%). Waste receptacles were transported to disposal sites using wheelbarrows and manual handling. Open pits and burning were among disposal strategies but incineration was regarded as the golden approach at STT (44.8%) and HC (41.8%). Inappropriate hospital solid waste management was due to shortage of finance at STT (38.1%) and HC (30.9%) and unawareness among health workers. Although it was worsened by lack of all stakeholder participation at STT (79.0%) and HC (76.4%). Consequently, the study recommended application of strategies which support circular economy, integrated approach, raising awareness of health workers and provision of enough resources to rural hospitals.