Waste Management Technologies Research Articles

Waste management developments in the last five decades: Asian perspective.

Solid waste management was explored in Asia's last five decades, and the issues and challenges were identified. Waste generation has increased in all nations in the previous 50 years, although more recently, a declining trend has been observed in Japan and Korea. The composition has been predominantly organic, with 45-50% being kitchen waste. Material extraction and productivity to sustain the most populous part of the globe are explained. Waste management technologies have evolved, with more nations slowly transitioning from landfills to using waste-to-energy options. However, landfilling and open dumps are still the major disposal choice in most developing countries in Asia. Thus, the issues of concern include dumpsites management, the informal sector, waste collection, open burning and food waste. Changes (increasing trends) in the recycling technologies and quantum are evident, as seen in several country reports from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. There are several issues and challenges for recycling, which are explored in the text. Lastly, the drivers that propel the whole scenario of waste management in Asia and the evolution of these drivers over time are discussed. Several recommendations are included to achieve sustainable waste management in Asia.

Regional management options for floating marine litter in coastal waters from a life cycle assessment perspective

PurposeDespite the increasing number of publications focusing on the management of marine plastic debris, most research is carried out using an upstream perspective, focused on sources and pathways of marine litter accumulation, as well as actions to prevent plastics from entering the environment. The aim of this paper is therefore to investigate a combination of waste management technologies for marine litter in order to inform decision-making on environmental impact hotspots at regional level.MethodA study of the North Sea German Bight identified existing technologies suitable for the collection and treatment of floating marine debris including, recycling of plastics, mechanical biological treatment (MBT), and landfilling. Processing data for reported marine litter compositions in the region are used to inform the modelling of a waste management strategic plan (WMSP) aimed at valorising various fractions. Hence, collected floating marine litter is separated into derelict fishing gear (DFG) and mixed marine litter (MML) which are sent respectively to a recycling plant for plastic granulates production and to an MBT plant for recovery of metals and electricity generation. Environmental impacts of the WMSP are evaluated using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology and compared with incineration considered as the prevalent waste scenario.Results and discussionAs partly expected, the LCA results reveal higher environmental performance in all impact categories for the incineration scenario. In particular, the WMSP contributes to Global Warming Potential (GWP) more than 10 orders of magnitude less than the incineration scenario. However, the breakdown of results related to the WMSP indicates the highest contribution to environmental impacts attributed to electricity and heat generation from refused-derived fuel and emissions at the combined heat and power plant, as well as electricity and diesel consumption. Lowest contributions are attributed to the recycling plant. The sensitivity analysis revealed low contributions to GWP if plastic debris such as DFG is diverted to recycling while toxicity-related categories are improved by efficient metal and energy recovery at the MBT plant.ConclusionFindings of this study show that no single treatment method is enough rather a combination of different treatment pathways should be designed considering the composition and properties of accumulated marine litter in a specific area. However, recovering plastic litter and diverting useful materials from waste-to-energy to recycling improve the environmental performance. Reviews suggest inclusion of valorisation treatment options in future WMSPs of marine litter such as plastic-to-fuel technologies.

Evaluating the environmental performance of mezcal production in Michoacán, México: A life cycle assessment approach

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to evaluate the environmental impacts of mezcal production from Agave cupreata in Michoacán, México. The central question is the influence of management options for vinasse, bagasse, and biomass energy.MethodsThe study was conducted using life cycle assessment (LCA) based on the conceptual framework of ISO 14040, guidelines of ISO 14044, and material and energy flow analysis, in a cradle-to-gate approach. The functional unit considered is a packaged mezcal of 0.75 ls produced in compliance with the official Mexican standard for this type of alcoholic beverage. Site measurements were conducted at two agave processing facilities, and descriptive surveys were carried out in collaboration with local producers. Related ecoefficiency indicators were evaluated and shown in a transparent and reproducible way. Environmental impact categories such as global warming potential (GWP), fine particulate matter formation (PMFP), freshwater eutrophication (FEP), and cumulative energy demand (CED) were calculated.ResultsThe results indicate that bioenergy is 87% of the cumulative energy for production. The main source of impacts from the PMFP category was the distillation process (50%). The vinasse contribution is around 60.4% for the FEP category. Bagasse’s contribution to the GWP category is around 22.7%. Even though carbon dioxide produced from biomass is considered biogenic, the overall impact is still significant due to the presence of other compounds such as methane. We also evaluate barriers to the implementation of alternative waste management technologies for bagasse and vinasse.ConclusionsFrom this study, it is concluded that biomass energy plays a crucial role in the sustainable manufacturing of mezcal.

Complexity of Waste Handling Technology at Final Disposal Site of Bantargebang, Bekasi City

Major problems at final waste processing sites (TPAs) include leachate, groundwater pollution, public health, and social aspects. Landfills are a major contributor to environmental damage in the world with effects on warming, acidification, smog formation, eutrophication, ecotoxicity and cancer to human health and non-cancer categories. Waste management in D.K.I Jakarta Province is currently facing a shortage of Integrated Waste Management Site (TPST) space with waste production reaching 7,000 to 7,500 tons/day. The main challenge in today’s municipal solid waste management is the selection of the most appropriate waste processing scenario, where the chosen method must be efficient and effective in minimizing leaching and emissions and reducing landfill waste, so that the service life of final disposal will be longer. Final disposal Bantargebang is the largest final disposal in Indonesia with an area of 132,5 Ha, where 80% is used for waste management and 20% of the land is used for support facilities. Final disposal Bantargebang implements various technologies in waste management including landfill, PLTSA, composting, and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and involves scavengers in waste management at final disposal Bantargebang. The most dominant type of waste is food waste which reaches 39%. Various current technologies are still not effective, the implementation of sanitary landfills in final disposal Bantargebang is still very difficult to meet the planned design criteria, and tends to implement open dumping. This increases the potential for groundwater and surface water pollution and contributes to increased GHGs. Surface water in final disposal Bantargebang is highly polluted with COD and BOD parameters that exceed quality standards. Therefore, the multi-technology applied at final disposal Bantargebang only achieves an efficiency of 8% of incoming waste and the rest is still landfill waste in the landfill zone which is 92%.

Examining the Occupational Safety and Health Hazards encountered by Municipal Waste Collectors in Murewa Rural District Council, Zimbabwe

The failure of Zimbabwean local authorities to implement contemporary waste management technology, combined with refuse management incapacity exposes handlers of solid waste to work-related diseases and accidents. The study sought to use Murewa Rural District Council (RDC) as a case study and a mixed-method that triangulated qualitative and quantitative research methodologies was employed as a method of inquiry. The study established that, in Murewa, there is an irregular garbage collection schedule which results in piles of uncollected refuse on roadsides, street corners and other undesignated areas. The illegal dumping of refuse and overflowing of garbage bins have become an eyesore in Murewa Township Centre. The people employed to clean this mess are often ill equipped to clean the garbage in hygienic ways as they often use their bare hands to shovel the garbage from dumpsites and overloaded bins into the refuse collection trucks. In doing this, these workers are exposed to biological hazards such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites and cysts. To minimise the associated hazards, the study suggests, among other things, that the Murewa Rural District Council should improve workplace safety and health for employees by modifying workplace and process design and by adhering to the hazard identification and risk assessment methodology.

A study on restructuring plastic waste management post COVID in the wake of industry 4

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the confusions of waste management. Our fear towards the disease has forced us to shift to the usage of personal protective equipment and the usage of disposable equipment. The issue connected with the existing system has compelled us to change to a new process. Change in implementing environment oriented substances like bio plastics and coming with sustainable technologies are very much needed to fight future pandemics. The idea to promote a sustainable plastic waste management technology as well as to decrease plastic pollution can be achieved by giving priority to our systems to bring changes in personal and institutional policies. Coming up with measures that are encouraging circularity and sustainable practices and private-public investments in infrastructure, researches are helping in bringing the upcoming changes. To address the difficulties posed by the current methodologies, it is imperative to build efficient waste management systems using cutting-edge technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as an important technology with lot of functions. Studies have also documented the use of AI methods for solid waste management. The most current developments in the use of AI approaches for solid waste management are reviewed critically in this article. The important barriers that are avoiding AI from its usage in waste management are highlighted. These include the lack of reproducibility, the choice and accessibility of pertinent data, and the paucity of applications in actual solid waste. Suggestions for work in the future are done on the basis of the loopholes already studied. All parties involved in the solid waste management industry, such as policymakers, governments, waste management companies, municipalities, and researchers can gain from this review.

Panel: safeguarding nuclear waste management

Abstract. When the world's first encapsulation plant and geological repository (EPGR) for spent nuclear fuel disposal will start operations in Finland in a few years, this will also be the first facility of this kind for which international safeguard measures (e.g. Niemeyer et al., 2021) will be implemented. This two-part panel takes this as an opportunity to focus on the approaches, concepts, methods and technologies for safeguarding nuclear waste management. The first part discusses the current state and challenges in safeguarding spent fuel storage facilities, encapsulation plants and geological repositories and elaborates on the recent progress of safeguard developments and implementation, as well as existing gaps. Panellists will address the following questions. (i) Which safeguards approaches are currently developed for or implemented at spent fuel storage facilities, encapsulation plants and geological repositories? (ii) How do we make best use of safeguards concepts, such as safety–security–safeguards (3S) and safeguards by design (SBD), in nuclear waste management? (iii) Lastly, what are the most important research and development (R&D) activities regarding safeguards methods and technologies in nuclear waste management (related to the technical readiness levels (TRL) 4–8)? The second part then looks at future challenges of safeguarding nuclear waste management in the medium and long term and develops some priorities in order to meet these challenges, based on the following questions. (i) Which challenges are on the horizon regarding safeguards implementation at spent fuel storage facilities, encapsulation plants and geological repositories in the medium and long term? (ii) What are medium- and long-term challenges of safeguards implementation from the operator's point of view? (iii) What are the most promising methods and technologies for safeguarding nuclear waste management in the medium- and long-term future (related to the technical readiness levels (TRL) 1–4)? Both parts will include panellists from safeguards inspectorates, national safeguards authorities, the nuclear industry and research entities. The panel will be held with the Final Disposal Working Group of the European Safeguards Research and Development Association (ESARDA) (https://esarda.jrc.ec.europa.eu/working-groups/final-disposal-fd_en, last access: 24 August 2023).

Impact of Eggshell Powder on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Lightweight Geopolymer

Adopting proper waste management technology in the place of the construction industry to the extent possible to lower the production of new materials and intern reduces the environmental impact pertaining to the industry. In this work, eggshell powder (ESP; waste from the poultry industry) and fly ash (FA; waste from combustion of coal) were utilized as precursors for producing geopolymer and to substitute conventional cement-based construction materials. Three different weight percentage ratios of precursors, namely, 90FA:10ESP, 80FA:20ESP, and 70FA:30ESP were reinforced with two different weight percentages, namely, 15 and 30 wt% of paddy straw in the presence of suitable combinations of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide to obtain lightweight geopolymer panels. Results received from different analytical tests, namely, density, water absorption, compressive strength, and flexural strength infer that the incorporation of ESP enhances the performance of the geopolymer products to a considerable extent. The specimen sample made using 70FA:30ESP in the absence of paddy straw reinforcement possesses a compressive strength value of 15.64 MPa, which is higher than that of paddy straw reinforced panels. It was observed that there was a reverse trend noticed in the case of flexural behavior on reinforcement of paddy straw, namely, 15 wt% possesses a higher value than that of the panel (70FA:30ESP) made using in the absence of reinforcement. The lowest thermal conductivity value was observed at 0.0633 W/m·K for the sample 90FA:10ESP reinforced with 30% paddy straw. Data from different studies infer that using ESP and paddy straw reinforcement influences strength properties and thermal conductivity. The present study indicates valid information related to the using biowastes for the production of insulation materials and environmental preservation and energy conservation.

Review of Household Waste Management Technology for a Greener Solution to Accomplish Circular Economy in Salatiga, Indonesia

Review of Household Waste Management Technology for a Greener Solution to Accomplish Circular Economy in Salatiga, Indonesia

Innovative Strategies and Technologies in Waste Management in the Modern Era Integration of Sustainable Principles, Resource Efficiency, and Environmental Impact

In the context of waste management in the modern era, environmental challenges are increasingly complex. Innovative strategies and sustainable technology are important to answer this problem. This study aims to analyze the environmental impact of implementing innovative strategies and technologies in waste management and to provide recommendations for mitigating negative impacts. The literature study method is used to collect and analyze relevant data. The results of this research illustrate the positive potential of innovative strategies in waste management but also emphasize the need for careful mitigation measures to reduce negative impacts on the environment. In facing the challenges of waste management, innovative strategies, and technologies provide real opportunities to achieve environmental sustainability in the future.

Finding the best path based on geographic information systems for transporting construction waste

With the continued growth of the population, the activities resulting from this growth increased, especially urban expansion, which produced large construction waste. The random accumulation of this waste has turned into a global problem that cannot be ignored or postponed. Therefore, special landfills were established to transport the waste generated in any area to it, and because the cost of transportation depends the path that is taken directly, the best path had to be chosen. With the lack of scientific awareness of choosing the best path, this increased the cost of transportation, and here the need to intensify efforts and use technology to solve this problem. In this paper, the selection of the best path was studied. The field of study is in the city of Baghdad, where a specific building and two landfills approved by the Municipality of Baghdad were chosen. The required locations were obtained using (Google Earth) software, and the road network was downloaded with (QGIS) software, then (ArcMap) was used to determine the best path. As the first landfill was the closest in distance and the second was less in time. The study found that GIS technology is effective in the selection process and recommended the need to use GIS technology in construction waste management, and to install special steering devices on construction waste transport vehicles.

YOLO (YOU ONLY LOOK ONCE) ALGORITHM-BASED AUTOMATIC WASTE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Our paper presents the design and implementation of an automated waste management system that utilizes the You Only Look Once (YOLO) algorithm and computer vision techniques for efficient waste sorting. The escalating global concern regarding waste management necessitates the development of automated systems to address the challenges associated with waste sorting. By leveraging YOLO’s object detection capabilities and the power of computer vision, our system accurately identifies and classifies various types of waste in real time. The YOLO algorithm’s efficiency and speed enable the swift processing of waste items, facilitating efficient sorting into predefined placements. This automated system not only improves accuracy but also reduces health risks for workers and minimizes environmental harm. Complemented by public awareness campaigns promoting proper waste separation and recycling practices, our research contributes to advancing waste management technologies and fostering sustainable practices for a healthier environment.

Valorization of Moroccan Hemp Waste: Study of the Possibility of its Use in Thermal and Acoustical Insulation of Buildings

This paper aims to study the possibility of valorizing hemp residues in order to develop new local bio-composites from Moroccan hemp shiv and epoxy. The goal is to use them as thermal and acoustical insulation panels since these hemp residues exist in large quantities in landfills and present a national concern due to a lack of waste management technologies. For this purpose, several samples were prepared for different densities and two sizes of hemp shiv; crushed shiv (CS) and fibred shiv (FS). The results revealed that the increase of density resulted in an increase in thermal conductivity and a decrease in thermal diffusivity. However, the thermal conductivity of composites is still lower than 0.1 W/mK for the most studied samples. The samples show values of acoustic absorption coefficients varying between 0.2 and 0.59 for crushed shiv composites (CSC) at the frequency range (578-1396 Hz) and between 0.2 and 0.73 at the frequency range (662-1396 Hz) for Fibred shiv composites (FSC). It has been observed that the density has a significant effect on the sound absorption coefficient. Increasing the density shifts the acoustic absorption curve towards the low frequencies. Also, decreasing the particle size enhances the sound absorption in the medium frequency range (300-600 Hz). The obtained results are satisfactory for manufacturing these new composites that can be used as thermal and acoustic insulators. Moreover, it offered the best solution for hemp waste management.

Exploring industrial waste management challenges and smart solutions: An integrated hesitant fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approach

Industrial waste encompasses all types of waste generated from industrial, manufacturing, and mining activities. To minimize adverse environmental impacts, industrial waste can be effectively managed through implementingsmart technologies. The present study aimed to identify the challenges of industrial waste management and propose smart solutions to effectively manage these challenges. The findings derived from a systematic literature review indicate that the challenges of industrial waste management can be classified into five dimensions within the STEEGO model. By evaluating the weights of each dimension using the HF-BWM method, the “organizational” dimension, with a weight of 0.27, was found to be the severest challenge, while the “technological” dimension, with a weight of 0.347, was considered to be the most probable challenge. Furthermore, the findings from conceptual modeling, using the TISM method, show that the primary challenges in industrial waste management include: “a lack of culture for effective waste management”, “insufficient training on legal waste drainage and proper waste digestion”, and “a lack of specific technical instructions for refining and recycling." To overcome these challenges, smart solutions have been proposed. The result of the HF-QFD method indicate that the most important solution is “constructing smart infrastructure for proper waste management”, with a score of 0.27.The novelty of this study lies in the theoretical development of the model for the challenges of industrial waste management by applying the “organizational” dimension, considering both biological and physical aspects in the “environmental” dimension, identifying smart solutions to overcome the challenges for cleaner industrial waste systems, as well as using smart industrial waste management technologies in different industries.Our results emphasize that, given the type of waste, industry managers should employ specific smart technologies for disposing and recycling industrial waste. This approach can prevent the loss of raw materials and protect the environment from various types of waste.

Modern Technologies for Waste Management: A Review

Facing the problem of increasing waste, scientists, foundations, and companies around the globe resulted in ideas and invented technologies to slow down the process. Sources of waste range from industrial waste (e.g., construction and demolition materials, hazardous wastes, ashes) to municipal solid waste (e.g., food wastes, paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles). Modern solutions do not focus only on technological aspects of waste management but also on sociological ones. Thanks to the Internet and social media platforms, scientists can influence ecological consciousness and awareness on a much larger scale. This research was conducted using the search keywords related to modern technologies for waste management. This paper presents a spectrum of selected modern solutions that changed in recent years and how they have impacted waste management. It also discusses challenges and future directions of waste management in the context of the circular economy. The use of modern solutions in waste management allows to achieve selected goals of sustainable development.

The pollution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) waste from PLN electrical activities

PCB waste pollution from PLN (State Electricity Company) electrical activities is a serious problem that affects the environment and public health. This article discusses the sources and impacts of PCB waste pollution, as well as the steps that can be taken to address it. PCB waste originates from transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment used by PLN, and it can contaminate the soil, water, air, and surrounding living organisms. The consequences include ecosystem damage, disturbance of ecological balance, health risks, and even economic implications. To tackle this issue, effective waste management technologies such as retrofilling, thermal processes, and sodium processes need to be implemented. Additionally, strict waste management policies and regulations should be established, and public awareness of the dangers of PCB waste should be raised. By adopting these measures, we can mitigate the negative impacts of PCB waste pollution and work towards a cleaner and healthier environment.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Impacts Towards Plastic Waste by Using Pyrolysis

Plastic waste pollution is a developing global issue that must be addressed immediately. Despite increased recycling rates, most plastic still ends up in landfills, contaminating the environment and destroying ecosystems. Pyrolysis technology offers a potential solution to this issue by dissolving plastic trash into its component parts and producing electricity without releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Since it can be used without emitting toxic gases into the atmosphere, pyrolysis is a unique and sustainable method of energy recovery. The use of accessible and affordable bentonite clay in pyrolysis could considerably help in the reuse of plastic wastes. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on pyrolysis technology for plastic waste management, with a specific focus on the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The study reviews pyrolysis research from the past and now, discussing its environmental advantages, catalytic and thermal yield, and potential for further study. The report also explores several possible pyrolysis technology constraints and other plastic waste end-of-life solutions. The findings of the review point out the promising potential of pyrolysis as an eco-friendly technique for handling plastic waste and outline areas that require additional study and improvement. The findings presented in this review can be used by policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to solve the plastic waste issue and make well informed choices.

Decentralized in-vessel composting: an efficient technology for biodegradable solid waste management

Decentralized in-vessel composting: an efficient technology for biodegradable solid waste management

Modeling and optimization of biogas production in a batch bioreactor

Ever increasing demands for renewable energy sources are the driving force for the development of waste management technologies such as anaerobic digestion (AD) technology. For AD process understanding and optimization the numerical simulations provide a useful tool. Therefore, in this work, the main attention is focused on the development of an efficient and stable optimization approach. The optimization procedure is coupled with a suitable mechanistically inspired selfdeveloped BioModel. For BioModel calibration, a special procedure was developed which incorporates the used BioModel, a sensitivity analysis, and a gradient-based optimization algorithm. The results of numerical simulation, obtained by the AD of various animal manures in a batch lab-scale bioreactor, confirm the reliability of BioModel and the efficiency of the presented calibration procedure. Furthermore, the results of AD process optimization show that the biogas quantity and quality as well as energy used up for bioreactor heating can be improved essentially when amount of added bacteria, temperature and pH values are optimized properly.

Domestic Waste Management Study of Community Based in Kupang City

This research aims to find the existing waste management system and create a development model of waste technology management. Besides, this study will focus specifically on the variables that influence participatory community-based waste management technology. This study uses descriptive analysis crosstab and chi-square. The data collected using distributing questionnaires and interviews with respondents randomly. The results of this study are mostly waste generated by society and less managed well. The integration of variable dimensions of public participation can cultivate people’s willingness to reduce waste generation. Community participation can increase recycling and composting activities that waste going into a landfill can be reduced. Variable work and income results have a relationship with the waste that the people in Kupang did sorting. Simultaneously, the variables age, gender, education, type of housing, and the number of people do not have a significant relationship with waste sorting. Not all respondents addressed the garbage by the janitor, so most of them deal with their waste by burning and dispose of vacant land.