Sustainable Waste Management System Research Articles

Community-based assessment of the dynamics of urban landscape characteristics and ecosystem services in the rainforest and guinea savanna ecoregions of Nigeria

Understanding the dynamics of urban landscapes and their impacts on ecological well-being is crucial for developing sustainable urban management strategies in times of rapid urbanisation. This study assesses the nature and drivers of the changing urban landscape and ecosystem services in cities located in the rainforest (Akure and Owerri) and guinea savannah (Makurdi and Minna) of Nigeria using a combination of remote sensing and socioeconomic techniques. Landsat 8 datasets provided spatial patterns of the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalised difference built-up index (NDBI). A household survey involving the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire to 1552 participants was conducted. Diminishing NDVI and increasing NDBI were observed due to the rising trend of urban expansion, corroborating the perception of over 54% of the respondents who noted a decline in landscape ecological health. Residential expansion, agricultural practices, transport and infrastructural development, and fuelwood production were recognised as the principal drivers of landscape changes. Climate variability/change reportedly makes a 28.5%–34.4% (Negelkerke R2) contribution to the changing status of natural landscapes in Akure and Makurdi as modelled by multinomial logistic regression, while population growth/in-migration and economic activities reportedly account for 19.9%–36.3% in Owerri and Minna. Consequently, ecosystem services were perceived to have declined in their potential to regulate air and water pollution, reduce soil erosion and flooding, and mitigate urban heat stress, with a corresponding reduction in access to social services. We recommend that urban residents be integrated into management policies geared towards effectively developing and enforcing urban planning regulations, promoting urban afforestation, and establishing sustainable waste management systems.

Life Cycle Patterns of Epigeic Earthworm Species (Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei, and Dendrobaena veneta) in a Blend of Brewery Sludge and Cow Dung

Comprehending the growth and reproductive capabilities of vermicomposting worm species across diverse wastes from various sources is crucial for the effective utilization of earthworms in sustainable waste management systems. This study evaluated the growth and reproductive potential of three epigeic earthworm species in a substrate comprising brewery sludge mixed with cow dung. Following the introduction of sexually matured earthworm species into the experimental substrate, E. fetida released 165 ± 0.88 cocoons at a reproduction rate of 32.8 ± 0.67 cocoons/worm, E. andrei released 164 ± 1.48 cocoons at a cocoon production rate of 32.19 ± 1.38 cocoons/worm, and D. veneta released 110.25 ± 1.2 cocoons at a cocoon production rate of 22.7 ± 1.5 cocoons/worm. The incubation period for E. fetida and E. andrei ranged between 3 and 4 weeks, while D. veneta required a relatively longer period of 5 to 7 weeks. After the introduction of newly hatched hatchlings into the test substrate, a similar pattern of biomass increment was observed between E. fetida and E. andrei, with both species exhibiting progressive growth up to the 5th week. In D. veneta, successive biomass increments were recorded up to the 7th week, after which the biomass of each experimental species gradually declined. The current study demonstrated that all experimental earthworm species exhibited robust growth and reproductive performance in brewery waste mixed with cow dung.

Designing a sustainable municipal solid waste management system over multiple periods using extended exergy accounting method – a case study of Shanghai

Waste-to-energy technologies can significantly alter urban metabolism and sustainability. This article proposes a multicriteria analysis framework based on the extended exergy accounting method to assess and plan a sustainable municipal solid waste management system from urban metabolism perspective. This framework includes three components. Firstly, an accounting model that integrates material, energy, social, economic, and environmental criteria was developed to identify the contribution of municipal solid waste management system to urban sustainability and to decide whether it is sustainable. Then, a multiperiod municipal solid waste management system planning model was developed to provide the optimal strategy for waste-to-energy facilities deployment and municipal solid waste allocation for different periods. Finally, multidimensional indicators were proposed for a sustainability comparative analysis in overdeployment, pressure on urban ecosystem and urban resource conversion efficiency. The proposed method was applied to the case study of household solid waste management in Shanghai and two scenarios were considered. Our comparison showed that the hybrid scenario (in which various waste recycling technologies were applied together) theoretically performs significantly more sustainable than the incineration scenario in terms of material investment, emissions, economic performance, resource depletion, and recovery. Sensitivity analysis of three parameters—the maximum deployment number of each unit waste-to-energy facility ([Formula: see text]), the minimum utilization rate ([Formula: see text]), and the capacity budget ([Formula: see text])—were carried out. The proposed hybrid method was found to be sensitive to [Formula: see text], but less sensitive to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Lessons learnt can be used to plan similar waste-to-energy strategies in other countries.

Comprehensive characterization of unscientifically disposed municipal solid waste (MSW) in Kashmir Region, India.

Unscientific dumping of municipal solid waste (MSW) is a common practice in Kashmir. To have an environmentally friendly and sustainable waste management system, MSW was collected from nine study locations of this region. They were air-dried, then oven-dried at 105°C for 24h, segregated, and characterized for various components. The overall average organic waste was > 55%, plastic waste about 17%, inert material about 10%, paper 9%, and cloth waste 7%. The calorific value of paper and plastic wastes exhibited was 4910kcal/kg, while organic waste had a calorific value of 1980kcal/kg. The proximate analysis showed that the moisture content ranged from 16 to 29%, volatile matter ranged from 49 to 72%, ash content ranged from 0.03 to 5%, and fixed carbon ranged from 5 to 20%. In S7, the volatile matter content recorded the lowest value at 49.15%, while in S5, the volatile matter content was notably higher at 71.84%, indicating easier ignition. Further, elemental analysis revealed that the major elements in MSW were carbon and oxygen, 53% and 37%, respectively, with small traces of heavy metals with an average of 0.02% cadmium (Cd) and 0.006% lead (Pb). Moreover, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrographs provided confirmation that the majority of components in the MSW exhibited either partial or complete degradation, resulting in a rough surface texture. In addition, the presence of silica and other silicate groups was also detected. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis revealed that the main functional groups were alcohol. In the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, all the major mineral phases were detected between 20 and 30° 2θ, except for the peaks at 50-60° 2θ in S3 and S9 where catalysts such as zeolite Y and zeolite X were detected. Overall, the MSW had low moisture content but higher calorific value, making it a viable feedstock.

A novel parallel heuristic method to design a sustainable medical waste management system

Efficient management of waste generated in healthcare systems is crucial to minimize its environmental impact and ensure public health. Sustainable medical waste management (MWM) systems require careful network design, which can be achieved through efficient optimization techniques. This work develops a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) to formulate the problem, a two-step MILP (TSMILP) to generate quality lower bounds, and a novel parallel heuristic algorithm to configure a sustainable waste management system including waste generation centers (WGCs), waste treatment centers (WTCs), waste recycling centers (WRCs), waste disposal centers (WDCs) and waste incineration centers (WICs). Such a hybrid methodology has not been yet offered in the literature wherein the aim is to address strategic (establishment of facilities), tactical (employment of transportation system), and operational decisions (transportation planning) optimally in large networks. As reflected in the literature, there is a huge gap in efficiency and application of combinatorial optimization, and parallel computing in sustainable MWM systems, where the suggested MILPs' solvers are not technically capable of discovering quality solutions in reasonable runtimes on large-sized instances. Thus, we suggest a novel heuristic equipped with parallel computing to share the complexity of the problem, with all the CPU cores to shorten runtime. Comparing the results generated by the parallel heuristic with those of the sequential heuristic, the MILP, and the TSMILP on three sets of benchmark instances using Nemenyi's post-hoc procedure for Friedman's test, it is inferred that the parallel heuristic is so effective in coping with the problem, and produces high-quality solutions, especially on the large-sized set. Finally, sensitivity analysis is adopted to analyze the effects of parameters on the objective values and provide useful managerial insights.

Solid waste management practices and challenges in Besisahar municipality, Nepal.

This study is a comprehensive assessment of the waste management system in Besisahar municipality. Information and some data have been collected from the municipality of Besisahar, followed by interviews with municipal officials responsible for waste management, stakeholders, waste workers, and residents. A total of 230 households, 20 schools, 10 government and private offices, 10 financial institutions, 60 commercial hotels, restaurants, and shops, and 20 medical shops and healthcare institutions, were selected in this study by random sampling. An extensive field study was conducted within all municipal wards and at dump sites. The results indicated that 42.14% of solid waste was collected through door-to-door collection services, 5.87% was mismanaged in open public places, 11.21% was used as compost manure, and the rest was discarded on riverbanks, dug up, and burned. A large component of the characterization of household waste consisted of organic waste (68.03%), followed by paper/paper products (8.13%), agricultural waste (5.5%), plastic (5.21%), construction (3.81%), textile (2.72%), metals (0.54%), glass (1.01%), rubber (0.10%), electronic (0.05%), pharmaceutical (0.1%) and others (4.78%) in the Besishahar municipality. Solid waste generation was found to be at 197.604 g/capita/day, as revealed by cluster sampling in 230 households. Around 4.285 tons-solid waste/day were generated in urban areas, while 16.13 tons-solid waste/day was estimated for the whole municipality. An important correlation between the parameters of solid waste was found by statistical analysis. Currently, solid waste is dumped on riverbanks, open fields, and springs, creating environmental and health hazards. The findings of this study will be useful to Besisahar municipality and its stakeholders in forming policies that facilitate waste management practices in this region and promote sustainable waste management systems.

Integrated design of a sustainable waste management system with co-modal transportation network: A robust bi-level decision support system

Efficient waste management practices play a critical role in addressing the acute challenges of environmental protection, public health and resource conservation. A well-designed system guarantees that waste is efficiently collected, treated and disposed while minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems and human well-being. This work presents a robust bi-level decision support system to establish a sustainable waste management system using a co-modal transportation network to treat municipal solid waste timely and efficiently. Consequently, two integrated multi-objective mathematical models are developed to formulate the problem. Configuring the municipal solid waste network in the first level of the suggested decision support system, the transportation network is designed in the second level taking into account non-identical modes. The objectives are to minimize total cost and total emission in both levels, while maximization of total job creation is also addressed in the first level. Robust optimization method and weighted goal programming method are then utilized to accommodate the developed decision support system against uncertainty and multi-objectiveness, respectively. To validate the efficiency of these methods, they are assessed against possibilistic linear programming technique and Lp-metric approach with the help of simple additive weighting (SAW) method, respectively. Eventually, several numerical examples are generated based on the benchmarks given in the literature, which are then tackled using CPLEX solve to appraise the applicability and complexity of the developed methodology. The findings reveal the efficacy of the decision support system in terms of finding solutions in less than 448 s on average. Finally, sensitivity analyses are performed to draw out useful practical implications and decision aids.

A fuzzy synthetic evaluation approach to assess the risks associated with municipal waste management: Implications for sustainability

The rapid growth of industry, urban areas, and populations has substantially increased waste production worldwide. The inadequacy of robust waste management systems and limited resources poses significant challenges for many emerging economies, including Bangladesh, resulting in environmental contamination. Despite numerous academic studies on sustainable waste management, there is a noticeable gap in the literature concerning identifying, evaluating, and modeling critical risks associated with adopting sustainable municipal waste management systems, particularly in emerging economies like Bangladesh. This study, therefore, aims to fill this gap by identifying, categorizing, and assessing the crucial risks in implementing sustainable municipal waste management systems. Through an extensive review of existing literature and validation with expert feedback, this study employs a fuzzy synthetic evaluation method-based framework to prioritize the identified risks. The study calculates the probability of occurrence and degree of impact values to provide decision-makers with insights into the severity of different risk categories, aiding in case-by-case attention. Scores assigned on a 1 to 5 scale range from 2.59 to 4.14 for the various risk categories. Notably, “Industrial challenges related” and “Community and infrastructure requirements related” emerge as the most significant risk categories among those analyzed. This study contributes to the existing literature by employing fuzzy synthetic evaluation, a methodology rarely used to determine critical risks in municipal waste management. Furthermore, it is poised to offer valuable insights to industrialists and waste management authorities, empowering them to develop responsive strategies and contribute to the sustainable development of cities and urban communities.

Minimizing the environmental impacts of waste valorization systems using multi-criteria life cycle optimization

Unsustainable waste management practices impose severe environmental hazards, health risks, and financial burdens. Waste valorization systems have emerged to mitigate the negative impacts of landfilling while recovering finite materials and renewable energy. This study aims to develop a life cycle assessment (LCA)-based multi-criteria framework using linear programming to optimize municipal waste allocation to multiple valorization facilities. The developed optimization model minimizes the life cycle impacts of integrated waste management on several life cycle impact categories. A multi-criteria decision-making analysis is implemented to account for the relative importance of the examined environmental categories, and a sensitivity analysis is conducted to study the effect of varying the importance weights. The variation between different LCA methods, IMPACT, CML, and ReCiPe, is also investigated. The proposed framework is applied to Egypt based on local conditions and strategic priorities. The LCA findings reveal that processing recyclables in material recovery facilities enhances the environmental performance in all impact categories except ozone layer depletion. To achieve minimum environmental effects on the assessed impact categories, single objective models suggest the diversion of recyclables to material recovery facilities and non-recyclables to gasifiers. The Pareto front of IMPACT involves anaerobic digesters and incinerators, CML comprises composting facilities, and ReCiPe includes incinerators. Overall, this study provides a lifecycle-based decision-making guide for the planning and optimization of sustainable waste management systems, and highlights the potential variations in the outcomes of different LCA methods adopted.

Approaching sustainability and circularity along waste management systems in universities: an overview and proposal of good practices

In recent years, the importance of sustainability and circularity in waste management systems has become increasingly evident. As the world grapples with the environmental consequences of excessive waste generation, it has become crucial to find innovative and sustainable solutions. Universities, as centres of knowledge and research, play a vital role in achieving sustainability and circularity in waste management. The key contribution of this study is to provide: 1) a systematic review of the existing literature concerning sustainable waste management systems (SWMS) implemented in universities; 2) an analysis of the studies presented in this paper identifying applicable approaches and sustainable practices to provide novel guidelines by including waste management system in a circular and sustainable model within universities. Through research, collaboration, education, implementation of sustainable practices, and support for entrepreneurship, universities can strongly contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable waste management practices. As the world continues to face the challenges of waste generation, universities will continue to be at the forefront of finding innovative, sustainable, and circular solutions.

Study of sustainable solid waste management system of Carocok Beach Painan tourism area using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method

This study aims to assess the environmental impact and compare two scenarios of the solid waste management system of the Carocok Beach Tourism Area using the Life Cycle Assessment method. System boundaries include operational and technical aspects of waste management, the energy required, and emissions generated. The functional unit is 30.546 kg/day of waste treated. Scenario 1 is the existing conditions using a city-scale approach with a 1% reduction of waste at the source by scavengers, using a collection of motorized pedicabs, applying transportation to landfills by arm roll truck, and processing Integrated Solid Waste Treatment Plant by composting and landfilling with controlled landfill operation. Scenario 2 is the planning system with different phases of waste processing at the Recycling Center by composting and recycling with plastic chopping machines, producing handicrafts, and practices of sanitary landfill on landfilling. The impact assessment method uses the CML-IA method. The impact categories studied are Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), and Eutrophication Potential (EP). Scenario 2 showed the best scenario because it has a smaller impact value for the three impact categories. However, to become a more sustainable management system, some improvement options recommended include a substitution of collection and vehicle fuel and waste processing using the Takakura method.

Scenario analysis of the eco-efficiency for municipal solid waste management: A case study of 211 cities in western China

Mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is vital for creating sustainable municipal solid waste management systems (MSWMS). In this study, we constructed an MSWMS considering recycling and carried out GHG emission accounting for MSWMS in western China from 2012 to 2021 based on the IPCC mass balance (MB) method. Then, we modeled the emission reduction potentials and economic benefits under different scenarios for 211 prefectural and county-level cities. We formed an eco-efficiency analysis framework that can be used to explore the sustainable development mode. Results revealed that: (1) Emissions from the western region's municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal exhibit an inverted “U” pattern, increasing at an annual rate of about 1.3 % since 2012, peaking in 2019, and then decreasing at rates of 14.4 % and 10.6 %. (2) The GHG emissions show a spatial pattern of decreasing evolution from east to west and south to north, and the provincial-municipal level shows different trends. (3) The SB3 scenario (optimization of landfill gas power generation technology) was the most ecologically efficient in 43 % of the western cities, followed by SB4 (33 %) and SA3 (24 %). (4) The development of integrated urban domestic waste management strategies by the three-level scenarios derived from this study will help local governments achieve the goal of sustainable urban development. Clarifying the differences in GHG emissions and eco-efficiency among cities will help provide policy recommendations for regions with similar characteristics to explore technically applicable, economically affordable implementation paths for city management according to local conditions.

Investigating waste disposal methods and public perceptions of government-supervised contractors in selected Port Harcourt residential communities

This research investigates waste disposal methods and the public's perceptions of government-supervised contractors in selected residential communities within Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study focuses on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach implemented by the Rivers State Government through the establishment of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA). It explores various dimensions of waste management, encompassing practices of refuse disposal, public attitudes, waste segregation, household waste disposal behaviours, community satisfaction levels, and community involvement. The study unveils a spectrum of refuse disposal methods utilized by households, emphasizing their regulatory and environmental implications. Public perceptions of the waste management system exhibit considerable diversity across different aspects, underscoring the necessity of addressing concerns and enhancing overall public satisfaction. Furthermore, the research highlights a lack of waste segregation practices among residents and service providers, stressing the importance of promoting waste segregation for recycling and environmental sustainability. Private waste handlers are predominantly relied upon by residents for household waste disposal, necessitating vigilant regulation and environmental considerations. In light of these findings, recommendations are put forth, including bolstered regulation, increased infrastructure investment, educational campaigns, advocacy for recycling, and enhancements in service quality. These recommendations aim to establish a more efficient and sustainable waste management system in Port Harcourt, aligning with global sustainability objectives and environmental preservation.

Effect of green gram pod ash (GGPA) as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in mechanical and durability properties of concrete

Agriculture waste generation is increasing daily, and agricultural waste management has become one of the most challenging issues for many countries. To contribute towards a sustainable waste management system, this experimental study evaluates the impact of using agricultural waste materials in concrete. Concrete that does not harm the environment and has improved engineering properties can be produced using agricultural waste ash such as green gram pod ash. Green concrete has been examined for its mechanical, durability and microstructure properties when partially replaced with Portland cement by green gram pod ash (GGPA). Conducting various tests using concrete containing different weight proportions of green gram pod ash in a mix at 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%, respectively. This paper examines the mechanical, durability and morphological characteristics of green gram pod ash blended with cement concrete. It has been shown that concrete containing 8% green gram pod ash enhances the properties of GGPA concrete. It was observed that the addition of 8% green gram pod ash enhances the compressive strength. Split tensile strength, flexure strength, modulus of elasticity and impact strength of concrete by 4.26%, 4.07%, 35.19%, 16% and 10.3% at 28 days of curing. It was concluded that green gram pod ash was shown to satisfy engineering application design requirements and significantly reduce concrete production costs and environmental pollution. The cement replacement with 8% of GGPA is optimum for achieving better concrete properties.

A system dynamics model and analytical hierarchy process: an integrated approach for achieving sustainable solid waste management system.

Waste management in low-income countries faces challenges with an average cost of $35/ton approximately 51% collection efficiency. Despite investments in treatment, processing, and recycling, the system remains unsustainable owing to poor planning and policies. The current analysis of Lahore's solid waste management (SWM) system, selected as a major city of a low-income country as a case study, focuses on collection efficiency and waste generation. However, it neglects the complex and dynamic nature of SWM systems. To capture the complexities and dynamic nature of the SWM system, system dynamic (SD) modeling is proposed for its effectiveness in modeling complex and dynamic systems. Unlike previous attempts at SD modeling that mostly consider only some components of the SWM system with varying success, this study attempts to use a holistic approach by considering all aspects of an integrated SWM system. In addition, this study explores different financial and management policies, highlighting the weaknesses of the system through a quantitative comparison of three scenarios: (1) business-as-usual (BAU) which considers the current trends in waste generation and practices of collection and disposal to landfill, (2) waste treatment system (WTS) in which various waste treatment systems are included to reduce burden on landfill, and (3) introduction of user fee with awareness campaigns (UFAC) which encourages community participation towards reduction in waste generation and financially supports the SWM. All three scenarios use four indices: waste generation, waste ending up in landfill, uncollected waste, and annual budget deficit as performance indices. These scenarios were simulated over a 25-year period using an SD model, covering all six components of the SWM system. The BAU scenario shows a 16% increase in waste generation, a 173% increase in landfill waste, an 11% reduction in uncollected waste, and a 64% increase in the budget deficit over the simulation period, indicating an unsustainable SWM system. The WTS scenario exhibits a 16% increase in waste generation, a 155% increase in landfill waste, an 11% reduction in uncollected waste, and a 61% increase in the budget deficit, showing a significant reduction in landfill waste and a slight reduction in deficit but it remains unsustainable. The UFAC scenario, however, results in a 40% reduction in waste generation, a 67% decrease in uncollected waste, an 8% decrease in landfill waste, and a 59% decrease in the budget deficit. These results demonstrate that instituting user fees for SWM services and incentivizing community participation towards waste reduction and segregation can make the SWM system of Lahore sustainable. This SD model provides insights for policymakers, aiding what-if analyses and long/short-term waste management plans for metropolitan cities in low-income countries. To validate the sustainability judgments based on performance indices, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tool commonly used for ranking policy decisions based on competing criteria, was employed. It considered the same four criteria as in the SD model. The results of the AHP analysis aligned with those of the SD model, ranking the UFAC scenario as the most sustainable option.

Wastewater Treatment Using Shear Enhanced Flotation Separation Technology: A Pilot Plant Study for Winery Wastewater Processing

The agricultural sector is one that requires and consumes enormous amounts of fresh water globally. Commercial wine production in particular uses large volumes of fresh water and, through various processes, generates significant quantities of wastewater. The wastewater produced by wineries typically exhibits elevated levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), an acidic pH, and varying salinity and nutrient contents. The overall characteristics of winery wastewater indicate that it is a potential environmental hazard if not processed and disposed of appropriately. Due to significant variations in wastewater contaminant levels among wineries, the implementation of a universally applicable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable waste management system seems practically unattainable. This study investigated the design, fabrication, and modification of a shear enhanced flotation separation (SEFS) pilot plant to be used as a primary treatment stage during winery wastewater processing. This technology combines the synergistic advantages of hydrodynamic shear, coagulation, flocculation, and dissolved air flotation. To date, there have been only limited publications on the feasibility and application of hydrodynamic shear and its potential to assist with coagulation/flocculation and flotation efficiencies specifically for winery wastewater treatment. The results obtained indicate that the SEFS pilot plant may well be able to process winery wastewater to a quality level where reuse of the water for irrigation of crops may be considered.

Tariff setting for solid waste management services in Kazakhstan: problems and ways to solve them

The improvement of the pricing mechanism in the field of solid household waste management (MSW) is due to the need to transition to a sustainable waste management system. The current state of affairs in the field of solid waste management is characterized by chronic underfunding. Regulatory documents on the current regulatory instruments in this area do not fully implement the regulatory impact on the financial provision of the sphere of solid waste management. In this regard, the problem of scientific research and the search for ways to improve the efficiency of the process of tariff formation for solid waste management services is extremely urgent. The article provides a critical analysis of the normative primary sources for calculating the tariff for solid waste management services and determining the norms for the formation and accumulation of municipal waste (CO). The results of experimental author's studies of calculating tariffs and determining norms in retrospect over recent years with the identification of local features in their dynamics are presented, recommendations are given to improve the organization of sample observations in determining norms, as well as determining the volume of waste exported. Based on the logic of the economic factor analysis of the regulatory model of tariff calculation, the problematic provisions of the current methodology for calculating the need for financial resources for the collection and transportation, sorting and disposal of solid waste, determining the annual tariff per unit of solid waste and determining the rate of formation and accumulation of CO, appropriate recommendations have been developed to eliminate the identified problems. The conclusions and recommendations of the study will be useful to state bodies, local representative and executive authorities, economic entities, experts interested in the development of the sphere of solid waste management.

A comprehensive study on criteria of sustainable urban waste management system: using content analysis

The present study was developed to comprehensively analyze experts' views and content of documents focusing on goals and criteria of sustainable waste management system in Tehran, Iran. To this end, the suitable goals for sustainable waste management system in Tehran city were adopted from domestic, national and international documents. For this purpose, 27 national and international documents and 2 domestic documents related to waste management were selected and analyzed by using content analysis according to Gall, 1994. Further, in order to formulate goals in case of bottlenecks and challenges of waste management in Tehran, the focus group technique was used based on Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014. At this stage, 24 key experts in the field of waste management were interviewed in the form of 4 focus groups. Data collection were performed via audio recording and word-for-word implementation of conversations, taking notes and writing field notes. The data collection continued until reaching theoretical saturation. Next, content analysis and coding methods were used to analyze the data. Finally, the goals of waste management were divided into five general categories including: institutional (with emphasis on the integration and inclusion of the key elements of the urban waste management system), technical and infrastructural (with emphasis on the optimization of existing processes in the use of urban waste management technologies), environmental (with emphasis on minimizing the adverse health and environmental effects of the urban waste management system, economic (with emphasis on the economic and financial sustainability of the urban waste management system), and cultural-social (with emphasis on attracting the maximum participation of citizens and service recipients). The results clearly showed that sustainable waste management measures in Tehran should follow these five components in order to reduce the problems caused by unrealistic waste management and make sustainable use of basic, natural, financial and human resources.

The environmental impact of medical waste: challenges and legal solutions

This paper analyses the impact of medical waste on the environment and identified the challenges and legal solutions for its management. Medical waste is a major global problem with significant environmental and public health impacts. The challenges of medical waste management, as well as the lack of adequate regulations, poor management practices and lack of awareness and education are problems that need to be addressed to improve environmental quality. An integrated legal framework, the creation of a reporting and monitoring system, the implementation of a system of extended producer responsibility, international collaboration and adequate financing of medical waste management should be considered in order to create an efficient and sustainable medical waste management system.

Nature-Saving Practices on the Territory of a Higher Educational Institution

Relevance. One of the global problems of our time is environmental pollution. The problem of filling huge territories with plastic waste is becoming more acute every year. The main reason for this is the inability to process the entire volume of plastic formed as a result of the vital activity of the population. The problem can be mitigated by reducing the amount of plastic consumption in a person's daily life and organizing the practice of separate collection of plastic, which will still be used by the population. The purpose is to research and develop one of the options for nature–saving practice on the territory of Southwestern State University. Objectives: to study the respondents' readiness to improve the plastic waste management system; to identify the main problems associated with the formation of an effective plastic management system; to develop one of the options for nature-saving practices. Methodology. Theoretical-methodological, structural-functional and sociological analysis of studying the issue of improving the plastic waste management system were used to solve the tasks. Results: the main problems of the formation of the plastic waste management system are identified; the readiness of employees and students of the university to improve the plastic waste management system is analyzed; the option of installing an apparatus for receiving plastic as a nature-saving practice on the territory of a higher educational institution is proposed. Conclusions. The implementation of nature-saving practices on the territory of a higher educational institution is a way to solve the growing conflicts in the socio-ecological sphere. The formation of a sustainable and efficient plastic waste management system will contribute to ensuring the environmental safety of the territory. According to the results of the conducted sociological research, the main problems of forming an effective plastic waste management system are insufficient or incorrect location of plastic collection/reception sites, weak popularization of separate waste collection, as well as insufficient motivation to carry out.