Sustainable Waste Management Solution Research Articles

Management of Agri-Food Waste Based on Thermochemical Processes towards a Circular Bioeconomy Concept: The Case Study of the Portuguese Industry

Sustainable biomass production has a significant potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, providing an alternative to produce eco-friendly biofuels, biochemicals, and carbonaceous materials for biological, energetic, and environmental applications. Biomass from agroforestry and agricultural wastes is the richest natural carbon source and a sustainable option for woody biomass from a circular economic perspective. The European Union (EU) is estimated to produce 1.3 billion tons of agri-food waste annually. Portugal has a large supply of residual biomass, as well as other byproducts and wastes from forestry, agriculture, and the food industry, and has a high availability of residual biomass. By using biomass waste to create high-value products, Portugal envisages an improvement in its economic performance, while reducing its dependence on energy imports and fossil fuel use. This review explores the potential of agri-food waste obtained from Portuguese industries through thermochemical conversion technologies as a promising sustainable substitute for wood-based biomass for the development of eco-friendly biofuels, biochemicals, and high-value carbonaceous materials, and their applications. This strategy, based on the circular bioeconomy concept, can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fulfil the needs of the growing population, and offer a sustainable waste management solution.

Overcoming Head Contractor Barriers to Sustainable Waste Management Solutions in the Australian Construction Industry

The construction industry has one of the highest waste intensities in Australia. While there are barriers to the implementation of sustainable waste management (WM) practices, there is a lack of viable solutions for head contractors to overcome these barriers. This research investigates the role of incentives in achieving sustainable WM in the Australian commercial construction industry. A qualitative approach was adopted through interviews with experts in the field to explore the role of incentives as possible solutions to the barriers presented. The findings show that participants are willing to use more sustainable WM practices. However, the barriers are perceived to be too substantial. Many types of incentives can encourage changes in behavior, which contribute to better waste outcomes. The findings also indicate key stakeholders such as the client, government, and industry regulators may provide incentives, including enhancing relevant key performance indicators, amending existing legislations, and implementing government programs to foster a Circular Economy to improve sustainable WM practices. This study contributes to the field by raising awareness about the role of incentives for head contractors to achieve sustainable WM practices.

Thermodynamic and Economic Simulation of an Organic Rankine Cycle for the Utilization of Combustion Gas Produced in Small Landfills in Antioquia, Colombia

This study presents a simulation of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) for the utilization of combustion gas produced in small landfills in Antioquia, Colombia, with a focus on the municipality of Angostura. This municipality has been chosen as the focus of this study due to its growing population and industrial and tourism development, bringing with them the need for sustainable waste and energy management solutions. The proposed ORC system includes two evaporators, two turbines, a condenser, a pump, and a generator, similar to successful systems reported in the literature. A sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the impact of pressure, temperature, and mass flow on the system’s net power output and thermodynamic efficiency. The results showed that the system reached a net power output of 64.33 kW with an overall power plant efficiency of 13.03% and an investment cost of 192,340 USD based on a reference cost of 2990 USD/kW. The study also found that the system’s use in Angostura is economically feasible, with a net present value of 31,208 USD over a 10-year investment study. The sensitivity analysis revealed that temperature and pressure have direct effects on the system’s performance and economic viability. The municipality’s geomorphological characteristics were found to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination, while surface waters may still be vulnerable to contamination from leachates. Overall, this study highlights the feasibility and potential benefits of utilizing an ORC system, in which the combustion heat from methane gas produced in small landfills in Antioquia, Colombia, is harnessed for energy production.

Sustainable incorporation of Plaster of Paris kiln dust for stabilization of dispersive soil: A potential solution for construction industry

The presence of dispersive soils in the region of Khushab, Pakistan, has been recognized as a significant element causative to numerous challenges in construction. This research intended to examine the efficacy of Plaster of Paris kiln dust (PKD) as a cost-effective and eco-friendly material in stabilizing the strength properties and dispersion potential (DP) of dispersive soil at optimal curing period. Different contents of PKD (from 0.5% to 3%) were added to the soil. A series of tests have been carried out over various curing times (0, 7, 14, 28, and 60 days) to evaluate the effectiveness of PKD as a stabilizing agent. The tests included a double hydrometer, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, compaction, unconfined compression strength (UCS), consolidation, physiochemical properties (pH, Electrical conductivity), and chemical analysis (percentage sodium, sodium adsorption ratio). The results illustrated that DP decreased from 74.12% to 8.57% while the increase in UCS value was observed from 124.3 kPa to 1212.5 kPa (an increase of 875%) by increasing PKD up to 3% after curing for 60 days. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy exhibited the development of cementitious products (Calcium silicate hydrate, Calcium aluminate hydrate) due to the pozzolanic reaction with 3% PKD after a curing time of 28 days, which is responsible for the increment in strength. PKD exhibits both favorable economic and environmentally friendly characteristics, as it has the lowest cost among several additives used previously and provides a significant portion of the treated area (92.6%) free from pollution and landfill. PKD improved the stability and strength of dispersive soil and provided a sustainable waste management solution, making it a highly viable option for soil improvement applications in the construction industry.

Drivers and barriers in farmers’ adoption of vermicomposting as keys for sustainable agricultural waste management

ABSTRACTThe conversion of agricultural waste into organic fertilizer through vermicomposting is a sustainable waste management solution and an income source for organic fertilizer producers. Most of the agricultural waste in Iran is burned, triggering an array of negative consequences. Vermicompost production at the farm level is rarely practiced in Iran, and farmers play a central role. The study aimed to identify the factors influencing the adoption of on-farm vermicomposting and its level (number of cycles), barriers to it, and to provide adapted policy recommendations. The study used a mixed-method approach, with a survey on 142 farmers and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders. The study showed that attitude (β = 0.515, sig. = 0.01), subjective norms (β = 1.745, sig. = 0.01), vermicomposting training (β = 2.160, sig. = 0.01), safe spraying (β = 2.915, sig. = 0.01), and integrated pest management (β = 1.793, sig. = 0.01) influenced the participation in vermicomposting. Some of the barriers to vermicomposting revealed by the qualitative research were the initial investment cost, farmers’ short-term vision, lack of necessary infrastructure, and lack of subsidies. The study complements the scant information on farmers’ vermicomposting behavior and proves that its understanding is essential to remove barriers and engage farmers in vermicomposting. Practical recommendations based on findings support sustainable agricultural waste management.

Soil stabilization using waste “Bagasse ash and lime”: A review

Sugarcane, with an annual global production of over 1907 million tons, is cultivated in approximately 110 countries worldwide. India alone generates around 376 million tons of sugarcane each year. The processing of sugarcane in alcohol and sugar factories results in the generation of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) as a byproduct. SBA contains a considerable amount of silica, which, when introduced to soil, reduces its plastic behavior without altering its engineering properties. Soil stabilization is a critical technique employed to enhance and improve soil characteristics, thus strengthening it for construction purposes. Soils exhibiting plastic behavior are generally unsuitable for construction activities and require stabilization. Chemical stabilization is achieved using various materials or waste products with cementitious properties, such as bagasse ash and lime. This review paper presents a thorough examination of the numerous research efforts conducted in the field of soil stabilization, utilizing lime and SBA as admixtures in varying proportions. The findings of these studies indicate that SBA not only improves the performance of the stabilized soil but also reduces the overall material cost in most cases. Therefore, the valorization of SBA in the production of soil blocks presents a genuinely cost-effective and environmentally sustainable waste management solution.

Plastic waste management in the smart cities: Poland and Turkey as a case study

Introduction/background: Waste in various forms, such as solid waste, gaseous waste, and liquid waste, increases as a result of population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, and has a global impact. Waste management entails activities such as reuse, recycling, and reducing waste generation, as well as other strategies to combat the effect of waste generation caused by increasing population and industrialization. Monitoring is a critical function of waste management because it is required to address waste management issues such as waste generation, waste collection, waste transportation, waste treatment, and waste disposal. The article presents plastic waste management in the context of smart cities. Purpose: The goal of the article is to present and compare of the production of plastic waste in Poland and Turkey in the context of smart cities. Sustainable and eco-innovation plastic waste management solutions to reduce plastic waste are provided to be implemented in smart cities. In this study, smart cities are explained, how to manage plastic waste by using smart city components, and methods of dealing with plastic waste are explained. Methodology: The article is based on a review of the literature, own observations and own experience. The currently available plastic waste management solutions were analyzed and examples in the implementation of the technology in a smart city are described. Findings: The incorporation of smart city technology into waste management practices provides a smart way to solve waste issues. The main of plastic waste management is to develop methods to transform plastic waste into a circular economy. As estimated by 2030 plastic leakage to ecosystems should be 30% reduced, double the global recovery of plastic (collection and recycling), and shift to sustainable inputs for remaining plastic, including recycled content, sustainably sourced biocontent, advanced products and reducing unnecessary plastic through a business model, innovation, reduction and substitution. Originality: The goal of waste management is to recover as much useful material as possible, including energy. Waste generated in smart cities is a category of municipal waste. Traditional approaches to waste management have failed because they are not reliable or sustainable because they require a lot of input for little or no work output. The incorporation of smart city technology into waste management practices provides a smart way to solve waste issues. The main of plastic waste management is to develop methods to transform plastic waste into a circular economy. Keywords: Plastic wastes, waste management, smart cities, eco-innovation solutions.

Sustainable Smart Waste Management Adoption Challenges in Developing Countries

Internet of things (IoT) implementations are gaining increased momentum worldwide. IoT infrastructures may aid in better and more efficient resource management and attain sustainability goals. Thus, with limited resources in developing countries (DCs), IoT solutions have the potential to optimize operations and efficiently manage those resources. One of the challenges facing countries worldwide is the need for more sustainable and smart waste management (WM) solutions. Hence, IoT technologies can significantly improve the overall WM process and its logistics. It is then crucial to identify the challenges of IoT adoptions for WM in DCs, to ensure more successful adoptions. While the IoT literature is booming, very little research has been conducted focusing on WM in DCs specifically. Hence, this research summarizes and provides an overview of the existing literature on the challenges of implementing IoT technologies for WM in DCs. The primary purpose of this review is to present the findings from the reviewed articles, shed light on current research gaps, and offer recommendations for future research. Our main findings suggest that DCs can develop optimization plans for WM processes that may aid them in joining the worldwide efforts to protect public health and reach the sustainable development goals put forward by the UN. Facing the social, environmental, economic, and technical challenges when implementing IoT in WM can further increase the efforts for sustainable development in DCs.

Trends in research publication topics related to eco enzymes with bibliometric analysis

Ecoenzyme is a potential sustainable waste management solution that could make waste management more beneficial. This study seeks to analyze the evolution of ecoenzyme-related research publication topic trends over the past decade, then visualize them and identify potential ecoenzyme-related research topics for future study. Using Publish or Perish software with Google Scholar database sources and VOSviewer software, this research method employs a literature review and bibliometric analysis. The investigation and search produced a collection of published document metadata regarding ecoenzymes that included up to 666 documents from 2013 to 2023. During that time, ecoenzyme-related research publications covered a variety of topics, including composition, training, and product development. N. Ginting and T. Wikaningrum are the authors who have contributed the most to the publication of the ecoenzyme topic, with a total of 12 publication documents. Further research can be conducted on the development of ecoenzymes, such as the investigation of the efficacy and effectiveness of using ecoenzymes and the investigation of other ecoenzyme research involving various other scientific disciplines. This study has limitations due to its reliance on data obtained through Google Scholar and its lack of a rigorous screening process. Therefore, it is recommended that future research take additional measures to filter more collected data.

Role of Informal Waste Workers for Sustainable Waste Management in Nigeria and Nepal

Informal waste workers (IWWs) play a vital role in recovery, disposal and recycling of waste materials. This study examines the current solid waste management practices in Nigeria and Nepal, with a particular focus on the roles of IWWs in effective waste management. Through comprehensive secondary literature reviews, including journal databases, books, reports, and websites, this study highlights the inadequate solid waste management systems in both countries, resulting in limited reuse of generated waste. Common challenges related to waste collection, transportation, sorting, processing, and final disposal were identified in Nigeria and Nepal. The important role played by IWWs in waste management activities, such as collection, sorting, recovery, and recycling, is evident. However, the lack of appropriate legislation addressing their involvement serves as a major hindrance. This study also presents key findings on Nigeria’s waste generation, recycling rates, and reliance on the informal sector, as well as Nepal’s municipal solid waste composition, recycling rates, and the significant role played by informal waste workers. The study emphasizes the need for inclusive waste management policies, strengthened waste collection and segregation systems, investment in recycling infrastructure, and enhanced collaboration among government agencies, waste management companies, and informal waste workers. Enforcing existing legislation and providing support to IWWs, including improved working conditions and social protection measures, are essential steps toward improving waste management practices. The study concludes by highlighting the importance of research, innovation, and international cooperation in developing sustainable waste management solutions for Nigeria and Nepal.

Sustainable Waste Management Companies with Innovative Smart Solutions: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Model

Overflowing garbage bins and unnecessary truck visits to collect waste have always been core issues of sustainability and maintaining a green environment. In the recent past, a transition has been observed in waste management towards a better environment and the achievement of sustainability goals. Companies are not only focused on producing less but also transforming waste into energy and reusable products. This transition process needs to evolve through sustainable solutions and innovative marketing initiatives that increase awareness and education among end users. This study used a systematic literature review protocol to identify and review the available research on sustainable waste-management solutions, innovative marketing initiatives, and a proposed conceptual model. It analyzed the latest literature from 1976 to 2022 to assess waste-management trends using the Web of Sciences and Scopus databases. To evaluate the practical perspective, this study analyzed ten waste-management companies offering services in the USA, the UK, Korea, Finland, Ireland, Turkey, Brazil, Slovakia, Portugal, Denmark, and Canada to assess their technological and marketing development for the creation of a better future. It was found that Ecube, Enevo, smart bins, Compology, Bigbelly, Sensoneo, Citibrain, ACO recycling, Evrek, Rico, and BrighterBins focus more on technology and less on user awareness and marketing. There is minimal focus on education and empowerment of end users. Our study’s findings guide academics, practitioners, and policymakers to apply ambidextrousness in energy innovation, particularly in the waste-management sector. By implementing sustainable and innovative solutions, companies can not only reduce waste products, but they can also recover, recycle, and better dispose of the waste. However, to do so, companies also need to educate end users.

Energetic valorization of municipal solid waste in Morocco: financial feasibility of refuse derived fuel production

The management of municipal solid waste is considered as a problem of municipalities in developing countries due to its impact on the environment and on human health. Energy recovery is considered as a sustainable waste management solution. The objective of this paper is to carry out a financial feasibility study of refused derived fuel (RDF) recovery in a region in Morocco. The results show that the cement plant requires 24,000 tons of RDF to substitute 15% of the pet coke used to produce 1 million tons of clinker per year. Thus, 14,000 tons of pet coke will be saved annually in this case. The results of comparing the net present values (NPV) of three investment scenarios show that the project is profitable if the investor is the cement plants or the group of municipalities with a selling price of 36 USD/ton of RDF. On the other hand, if the landfill company is the investor, the project becomes profitable from a sale price of 39USD/ton of RDF.

Chula model for sustainable municipal solid waste management in university canteens

Managing the large amount and variety of waste produced by university canteens is challenging. This study used life cycle assessment (LCA) to investigate sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) management solutions for Chulalongkorn University (CU) canteens. This study assessed three scenarios for MSW management in CU canteens: the past scenario (prior to the Chula Zero Waste Project in 2016; S1); the current scenario (2017–2021, when the Chula Zero Waste Project’s MSW management system was used; S2); and the future scenario (after 2021 with the new MSW management option for CU canteens under Chula Zero Waste; S3). The obtained results were characterized by eight impact categories: climate change, ozone depletion, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, human toxicity, photochemical oxidant formation, particulate matter formation, and fossil depletion. The LCA results show that the future scenario (S3) under the Chula Zero Waste Project is sustainable for MSW management. The most environmentally sustainable MSW plan for CU canteens is to reduce, separate it at the source, and reuse materials instead of landfilling mixed waste.

Cost-effective and eco-friendly synthesis of MIL-101(Cr)-CS from chromium-containing sludge waste and its exploration of adsorption anddehumidification performance

In the context of a circular economy, there is an increasing need for more sustainable waste management solutions to recycle and utilize elements in waste. Chromium-containing sludge is a common and difficult to treat industrial waste, but there is currently no effective treatment method to recycle the “chromium resource” in it. On the other hand, the metal-organic framework material MIL-101(Cr) has high specific surface area and large pore volume, good thermal and chemical stability, usually analytically pure Cr(III) is used with the help of hydrofluoric acid (HF) which salt is prepared, and its preparation cost is high, and HF is toxic and harmful to the environment. Here, we report a new method for treating industrial chromium-containing sludge. The method uses the chromium in the chromium-containing sludge as the chromium source, and adopts X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), infrared and pore size analysis. The experimental results show that the particle morphology of MIL-101(Cr)-CS synthesized from chromium-containing sludge as chromium source is similar to that of MIL-101(Cr)–HF prepared from analytical pure Cr(III). High specific surface area (2412 ​m2/g), large pore volume (1.83 ​m3/g). Furthermore, adsorption experiments show that MIL-101(Cr)-CS has a higher adsorption capacity for CO, CO2, and gaseous water, which makes it a potential candidate for some dehumidification devices and flue gas treatment. This work provides a new idea for the high-value utilization of “chromium resources” in chromium-containing wastes.

Energy self-sufficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions in Latin American dairy farms through massive implementation of biogas-based solutions

The transition towards sustainable economies with improved resource efficiency is today’s challenge for all productive sectors. The dairy sector in Latin America is growing without considering a clear path for sustainable energy and waste management solutions. This study proposes integrated solutions through a waste-to-energy approach. The solutions consider biogas production (via cow manure) as the main energy conversion pathway; technology solutions include biodigesters, power generators, and combined heat and power systems that supply not only the energy services demanded by dairy farms (for cooking gas, electricity, refrigeration and hot water) but also provide organic fertilizers. Biogas’ potential was estimated to verify whether it can cover the energy demands of the farms, while the levelized costs of producing biogas and electricity were the indicators for the techno-economic evaluation of the solutions. Greenhouse gas emission reductions were estimated by following IPCC guidelines. Specifically, the proposed solutions lead to energy self-sufficiency in most dairy farms with relevant biogas and electricity costs in the range of 1.7–3.7 and 6–12 USD cents/kWh, respectively. In addition, implementing the proposed solutions in Latin American dairy farms would allow annual greenhouse gas emission reductions of 32.8 Mton CO2 eq. with an additional 17 Mton if widespread use of the supplied organic fertilizers is achieved.

An evaluation of feedstocks for sustainable energy and circular economy practices in a small island community

Maximising the use of anaerobic digestion to generate power from waste feedstocks is becoming a practical way to use waste contributing to the transition from a linear to a circular economy and reducing the carbon footprint. In addition to harnessing the production of biogas generated from anaerobic digestion plants, there are a stream of potential bioresources such as fertiliser, chemicals, gases and bioplastics which may provide sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. Island communities are constantly faced with waste management challenges often shipping waste off the island, which increases the 'islands' carbon emissions. This study investigated Orkney Islands as a model example, focusing on establishing whether an anaerobic digestion plant is a feasible sustainable waste management solution through analysis of waste quantities and composition, available technology, community buy-in, environmental impacts and economics. A survey of waste revealed 76,000 tonnes/annum of waste on Orkney over a variety of organic, textile and plastic categories which could generate 5 M m3 biogas and 11 M kWh electricity per year. Four scenarios of producer clusters for anaerobic digestion plant operations were modeled and showed an average of 19 years for investment pay back, demonstrating that significant investment would be required to make the project economically viable for the business. A life cycle analysis was performed, and the project found that anaerobic digestion produces the greatest environmental benefits for processing waste compared to landfill or producing animal feed. This study demonstrates the contributions of anaerobic digestion in the community and represents a blueprint on how communities can reduce waste and develop a circular economy. The benefits of implementing a combined heat and power plant were explored and the study found that the community would profit. The anaerobic digestion plant will provide a constant base load of energy to help fill the gaps created with other intermittent energy supplies (wind and tidal). The inclusion of a waste disposal system on the island significantly reduces the communities carbon footprint due to removing the need to ship waste to the Shetland Island for disposal. The energy produced in the combined heat and power plant can supply many end users, such as 97% of energy needs for the largest distillery on the island, 4 compressed natural gas trucks for the island or a 1-acre greenhouse. However, individual efforts will not be enough to create the change that is needed, community and regulatory collaborations are essential to create a circular economy in Orkney and significantly reduce the carbon footprint.

Sustainable waste management solutions for the foodservice industry: A Delphi study.

Foodservice businesses influence the sustainability of their natural environment by producing significant amounts of waste. Yet, research has, thus far, been dominated by studies that limit their scope to food waste alone. Few studies have taken a broader look at sustainable waste initiatives, including innovative waste processing techniques, with a view to constructing management indicators for foodservices. This study combines management innovation practices related to resource management, waste prevention, processing and disposal techniques, and stakeholder involvement to offer sustainable standards. It primarily adopts the Delphi technique to propose specific solutions pertaining to waste management. Experts from government, industry, and academia reveal that potential waste management initiatives comprise three facets - service, process (operational), and organisational practices and innovations, 15 sub-facets and 41 indicators. This study thus establishes a catalogue of solutions for food, packaging and other 'non-food' waste that foodservice establishments can implement. In addition to its practical implications, an important contribution is its focus on management systems to establish waste management standards for hospitality, food and beverage (F&B) services, restaurants, and non-commercial catering.

Bioenergy production from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge using mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion: An experimental and kinetic modeling study

Following the rapid surge in global demand for energy as well as the rising generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) worldwide, much more attention has been drawn to sustainable waste management solutions to tackle both problems. The present study investigated the potential for biogas production from the anaerobic co-digestion (ACD) of the organic fraction of MSW (OFMSW) and sewage sludge after physical and chemical pretreatments at three inoculum-to-substrate (I/S) ratios (ISR: 2, 4, & 6) and three levels of total solids (TS: 3, 5, & 7%). A series of experiments were further carried out in laboratory-scale (1-L) single-stage digesters in batch mode at the temperature of 35 °C (viz. Under mesophilic conditions) for 50 days. The results demonstrated that the digestion produced the best outputs at TS = 5% and ISR = 2, whereby it offered the biogas yield of 0.697, the methane (CH4) production of 0.448 m3/Kg-volatile solid (VS)added, and the total VS (TVS) removal by 65%. Moreover, it was observed that most reactors with TS = 7% encountered the phase separation problem while augmenting the TS content from 3 to 5% increased the biogas yield and CH4 production. The kinetic study of the mesophilic ACD additionally showed that both models of modified Gompertz (GM) equation and logistic function (LF) provided a reasonably accurate description of biogas production, but the first-order (FO) model failed in this task. Furthermore, the amount of sludge (namely, ISR) in the digester enlarged and the models showed a better fit to the experimental data.

Inhalational anaesthetics, ozone depletion, and greenhouse warming: the basics and status of our efforts in environmental mitigation.

Following their use for medicinal purposes, volatile inhalational anaesthetic agents are expelled into the atmosphere where they contribute to anthropogenic climate change. We describe recent evidence examining the benefits and harms associated with their use. The environmental harms associated with desflurane and nitrous oxide likely outweigh any purported clinical benefits. Life cycle analyses are beginning to address the many gaps in our understanding, and informing choices made on all aspects of anaesthetic care. There is, however, an urgent need to move beyond the debate about anaesthetic technique A vs. B and focus also on areas such as sustainable procurement, waste management, pharmacological stewardship and joined-up solutions. There is now compelling evidence that anaesthetists, departments and hospitals should avoid desflurane completely, and limit nitrous oxide use to settings where there is no viable alternative, as their environmental harms outweigh any perceived clinical benefit. Life cycle analyses seem supportive of total intravenous and/or regional anaesthesia. There are many other areas where choices can be made by individual anaesthetists that contribute towards reducing the environmental burden of healthcare, such as prioritising the reduction of inappropriate resource use and over-treatment. However, this all requires joined up solutions where all parts of an organisation engage.

Solid waste management in rural areas nearby river Ganga at Haridwar in Uttarakhand, India

The solid waste found in rural areas can be used as a soil conditioner providing essential nutrients to crops and enhancing agricultural productivity. It is an eco-friendly and economic preference for Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSW). This study investigates the solid waste management scenario in rural areas along the river Ganga and proposes a sustainable waste management solution. Waste quantification and composition were determined in the five villages (rural areas) viz. Sajanpur, Shyampur, Kangri, Bhogpur and Dummanpuri of district Haridwar in Uttarakhand and their waste management and disposal systems were evaluated. Findings revealed that the average daily waste generation was 0.665 kg/day and per capita generation of household waste was around 0.16 kg/person/day. Major fraction of household waste was bio-degradable (74.14%) and remaining fraction comprised of paper (6.62%), polythene (2.82%), textile (2.52%), plastic (1.15%), glass (0.61%), metal (0.60%), rubber (0.35%), and inert (5.01%). The average bulk density of household waste was 460 kg/m3, whereas cattle waste bulk density was 834 kg/m3. Other waste characteristics included moisture content (60%), organic carbon (40%), nitrogen (1.7%), phosphorus (0.9%) and ash (31%). The calorific value of household waste (biodegradable) was 937.6 kcal/kg (dry basis). Since most of the waste was biodegradable, hence co-composting with cattle waste is recommended. The dry waste can be separated and stored for further processing and transported to nearby waste to energy-producing plants. The main hurdle to the program of waste recycling was the unsegregated collection of waste in rural areas. Hence, separation at the source comprised biodegradable waste, dried waste (paper, plastic, and metal) and other components are essential for the future solid waste management program.