Waste Area Research Articles

Towards a taxonomy of waste management research: An application of community detection in keyword network

Our global environment is facing significant waste and waste management challenges, despite minor differences in definitions and what constitutes waste. In recent decades, waste has been the subject of a great deal of research since civilized society needs to manage waste efficiently and effectively. As a result of all of these issues, researchers have focused on improving waste management. To do so, a taxonomy based on the research conducted on waste management will help them. Research taxonomies and visualizations help us find the most important areas of research in waste management. There are a few researchers who taxonomize research waste according to their methodology, but there is no quantitative and data-oriented approach. By using community detection and social network analysis, this study aims to quantify and systematize waste area taxonomy.There have been 9095 articles published on waste management since 2000, and these articles were retrieved from the WOS database to create a keyword network made up of 17,808 members (unique keywords) and 79,763 links in this study. To discover the research areas of waste management, the community detection technique was used in the keyword network, and 10 main communities that represent the main research areas of waste management were discovered and named based on waste management characteristics and waste types. These 10 communities include more than 90% of all waste management research.In the next step and to achieve a hierarchical taxonomy of waste management studies, the community detection algorithm was implemented in ten communities and by discovering sub-communities, a waste management taxonomy with 10 main branches and 26 sub-branches was presented.

Improvement in Multidisciplinary Provider Rounding (Surgical Rounds) in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU: An Application of Lean Methodology.

Provider-only, combined surgical, and medical multidisciplinary rounds ("surgical rounds") are essential to achieve optimal outcomes in large pediatric cardiac ICUs. Lean methodology was applied with the aims of identifying areas of waste and nonvalue-added work within the surgical rounds process. Thereby, the goals were to improve rounding efficiency and reduce rounding duration while not sacrificing critical patient care discussion nor delaying bedside rounds or surgical start times. Single-center improvement science study with observational and interventional phases from February 2, 2021, to July 31, 2021. Tertiary pediatric cardiac ICU. Cardiothoracic surgery and cardiac intensive care team members participating in daily "surgical" rounds. Implementation of technology automation, creation of work instructions, standardization of patient presentation content and order, provider training, and novel role assignment. Sixty-one multidisciplinary rounds were observed (30 pre, 31 postintervention). During the preintervention period, identified inefficiencies included prolonged preparation time, redundant work, presentation variability and extraneous information, and frequent provider transitions. Application of targeted interventions resulted in a 26% decrease in indexed rounds duration (2.42 vs 1.8 min; p = 0.0003), 50% decrease in indexed rounds preparation time (0.53 vs 0.27 min; p < 0.0001), and 66% decrease in transition time between patients (0.09 vs 0.03 min; p < 0.0001). The number of presenting provider changes also decreased (9 vs 4; p < 0.0001). Indexed discussion duration did not change (1 vs 0.98 min; p = 0.08) nor did balancing measures (bedside rounds and surgical start times) change (8.5 vs 9 min; p = 0.89 and 38 vs 22 min; p = 0.09). Lean methodology can be effectively applied to multidisciplinary rounds in a joint cardiothoracic surgery/cardiac intensive care setting to decrease waste and inefficiency. Interventions resulted in decreased preparation time, transition time, presenting provider changes, total rounds duration indexed to patient census, and anecdotal improvements in provider satisfaction.

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TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT AND BERRY PRODUCTS ON PEBBLE IANDS

The problem of involvement in the economic turnover of pebble lands is considered, taking into account the fact that agricultural technology of agricultural crops on such lands has its own characteristics. A number of elements of crop cultivation and care technology differ from elements of agricultural technology on conventional soils. The main factor determining the need for the use of special technology in these conditions is the high skeletality of soils. The different thickness of the colmatation horizon, its absence in places, as well as the different degree of enrichment of pebble deposits with a fine-grained fraction along the profile create different conditions for plant growth and, above all, with regard to the provision of the latter with soil moisture and nutrient reserves. To bring environmental conditions in line with the needs of agricultural crops grown on soils with different content of fine-grained soil in them, the use of differentiated agricultural machinery and new technical solutions is required. (Research purpose) The research purpose is developing technological and technical solutions for the cultivation of fruit and berry products on pebble lands. (Materials and methods) Used the results of the functioning of technical means in conditions of intensive gardening. Conducted theoretical research using methods of physical and mathematical modeling, process optimization and mathematical statistics. (Results and discussion) A device has been developed, the use of which, according to the results of production tests, will allow: to involve pebble lands, inconveniences, waste areas, disturbed lands, land plots with complex geomorphological conditions in agricultural production. (Conclusions) It was shown that when implementing the proposed device in intensive gardening (up to 10 thousand columnar fruit trees per hectare), 50-160 tons per hectare of environmentally friendly products can be obtained from one hectare of an apple orchard, in berry growing, 40 to 60 strawberry bushes can be grown on one module and a harvest of 120-180 tons per hectare can be obtained, which is 1.8-2.7 times more than the yield obtained using traditional technology.

A PERSPECTIVE OF MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES IN AURANGABAD CITY, MAHARASHTRA STATE, INDIA

The methods for managing and disposing of municipal solid waste in Aurangabad City, Maharashtra State, India, are discussed in this paper. An environmentally responsible, sustainable civilization is fundamentally dependent on proper garbage management. In this context, we have characterized and composed of these litters and the conservational problems associated with its management are also studied Primary data was collected from a randomized sample of residents in the Municipal Corporation highest-concentration areas of solid waste by means of designed feedback forms. Open spaces and specific rubbish dumping sites on the city's main thoroughfares were designated. Verbal meetings and field observations in the study zones were used to assess environmental and health issues resulting from the unmaintainable management of the trash. The findings demonstrate the diversity of the waste structure in the city as a result of the inclusion of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable elements, including plastic, polythene, electronic wastes, medical wastes, and so forth. According to our analysis, the Maharashtra State Government should seriously explore implementing "waste to energy" as a means of reducing the risk associated with garbage management and simultaneously meeting the city of Aurangabad's desire for vibrancy. Meanwhile, AMC should proceed with its operations.

Cartografia da gestão de resíduos sólidos no sul da Bahia, Brasil

Abstract Although the Brazilian Solid Waste Policy is in force, cities continue to face difficulties in complying with it, thus perpetuating negative environmental impacts caused by solid waste. This study analyzed, from a cartographic perspective, the deficits and the implications of inadequate urban solid waste management in an area of the Brazilian northeast. A questionnaire structured in 3 sections and 26 questions (management of public cleaning services, waste collection, and solid waste disposal) was applied to eight managers of the municipal agencies responsible for solid waste areas. The quality index of landfills was applied, and the gravimetric characterization of solid waste was performed by the technique of quartering and segregation of waste in visits to the disposal sites of each city. It was identified that 75% of the cities do not have hierarchical strategies for prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, and adequate treatment of urban solid waste, with insufficient budget. Only one city collects throughout its perimeter, and the waste collected is destined to open dumps considered inadequate or of low quality. The waste mass is composed, on average, of 50% organics, 20% rejects, 15% plastics, and 9% paper and cardboard. The recent Brazil sanitation regulation can be a way to reduce the aggravation and regularize the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste.

Waste Management in Cities of India Need Introduction of Modular Concept for Sustainable Solutions

Waste Management in major cities in India is generally a grey area that needs proper attention. The rapid growth in population in cities caused due to mass influx of rural population in search of employment and better living and also the fast changing living standard in various strata of society are some of the major factors which are rendering even a properly planned scheme to a stage of inadequacy in a very short span of time. A scheme on waste management by the time it is physically implemented on ground is found to become under capacity, facing deficiencies all over places.Whether it is solid waste management or Waste Water Management, the issue of under design and need of augmentation is a common problem being faced on the ground. In such situations of rapid expanding dimensions of problems, introduction of Modular Concept in design of schemes can be more effective and convenient in design, implementation, and subsequent augmentations in phases.Solid waste management which is basically on the principle of 6 R i.e., Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Re-gift, and Recover, can be planned and designed on a modular basis for a population of 5000 to 10,000 and earmarking a zone of 100,000 sq. ft. as Solid Waste Area having various facilities for composting, incineration, plastic shredding facility, metal segregation cells, cell for electronic waste, and everything at a place to function in an organized manner. Such operations can be handled by RWAs collectively with necessary aids from municipal authorities and the government. Such modular units of waste handling can serve as a tool for local employment.The Modular Concept similarly can also be well applied to Waste Water Management for handling liquid waste from colonies of population of 5000 to 10,000. There are various methodologies for waste water treatments and waste water recycling depending on the nature of the waste, but out of the lot, use of RBC (Rotating Bio Contactors) is more appropriate for small/medium capacity which can be conveniently subjected to phase wise augmentation by adding additional modules time to time.The present concept for aggregating the waste and handling it to transport the entire waste, be it the solid waste or the liquid waste to a far corner of city area for purpose of centralised handling/treatment and disposal. This concept of centralised handling of large mass needs a re-look in the present scenario.

Trend in Global Environmental Pollution

The context of environmental pollution especially economic development being associated to each other studied. Time series data for several years are studied, analyzed and used to develop statistical models and inferred for helping the planners. The models for environmental problem areas of greenhouse gas emission, noise pollution, plastic pollution, municipal waste, fertilizer pollution and industrial process pollution show consistent increasing. The models of environmental problem areas of the aspects of safe drinking water, safe sanitation, life expectancy and death rate show consistent improvement. It is recommended that the measures to prevent the environmental problems must be mad as inbuilt into the relevant project body and must be implemented.

IMPROVING EXISTING HOUSING STOCKS A MODEL WITH ARTIFICIAL SMART SUPPORT

Habitable housing and a healthy environment are a fundamental human right. In ensuring that existing housing stocks are re-acquired with artificial intelligence support, in making them healthy and sustainable, the development of a support intelligent system is the main topic of this study. The improvement of what is present provides a holistic benefit that has a return in economic, social, cultural and environmental contexts. It is increasingly important to take advantage of technology to make predictions and assessments with effective policies as well as effective strategies, algorithms, software development, and simulation in improvement projects. The goal is to preserve the resources and energy we have, reduce waste production to zero, reduce carbon footprint, and use the smart model supported by artificial intelligence in this study. Demolition and rebuilding should only be considered as the last resort, as the growth of environmental, cultural, waste areas, and waste resources and energy waste. Improving robust and functional buildings without demolishing them, adapting structures with cultural value to current technology, ensuring sustainability with a smart system can be achieved. In this study, it is aimed at achieving a ‘Smart Model’, which is supported by artificial intelligence, which is designed in light of examples around the world to evolve existing housing stocks with high environmental impact and resource utilization, into buildings with technology-appropriate equipment that have sustainable properties for resource use.

Assessment of maternal services in China based on WHO’s comprehensive evaluation model

BackgroundTo understand the trend of equalization in maternal services and to guide policy-makers regarding resource allocation and public health policy in China.MethodsTwelve indicators, including maternal services needs, utilization, and resource allocation, were collected from China Health Statistical Year Book 2010 and 2020. WHO’s comprehensive evaluation model and the non-integral Rank Sum Ratio (RSR) method were used to analyze, rank, and categorize maternal services of 31 provinces (cities, autonomous regions) in China.ResultsAll provinces (cities, autonomous regions) are grouped into relative balance areas, low input areas, resource shortage areas, overutilization areas, and resource waste areas. In 2019, there were 18 provinces (cities, autonomous regions) in the relative balanced area, and more than one-half had achieved equal development. Compared to 2009, the resource shortage area decreased from three to zero, and the resource waste area increased from four to six. Among the provinces (cities, autonomous regions) with a type change compared with 2009, eight changed to a relative balance areas, and four showed an improvement.ConclusionUnder the policy guidance of promoting the equalization of public health services, maternal services are gradually realized. However, several provinces (cities, autonomous regions) still have problems such as the mismatch between resource input and health needs, resource waste, over-utilization, etc. Therefore, specific policies should be formulated according to the actual types to promote the transformation into equalization regions.

Characterization of vegetation and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community in soils impacted by gold mining in Colombia

Mining extraction has a substantial impact on soil and vegetation cover. However, little is known about its effect on the flora and microorganisms associated with these environments. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) form associations with plants, improving their development in environments contaminated with heavy metals, among other benefits. Native plants and AMF found in the soil degraded by mining play an essential role in establishing programs dealing with recovering areas influenced by these activities. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize vegetation and AMF abundance and diversity in an area affected by gold mining in Colombia. Vegetation was evaluated in two areas, one adjacent to mining deposits with native vegetation (SI-N) and the other in an intermediate area with mining waste and initial natural plant successions (SI-SV). AMF was assessed in the SI-N and the mining waste area (SI-M). Vegetation was quantified using the RAP method, and AMF was assessed using wet sieving from direct soil samples and trap crops. Vegetation evaluations identified 605 individuals belonging to 29 families, 46 genera, and 54 species, and AMF assessment identified 11 species and five genera. Diversity was established using Hill numbers, finding that SI-N was more diverse for vegetation (Q1: 11.94) and SI-M for AMF (Q1: 3.07). Heavy metals and vegetation decreased the diversity and abundance of AMF in the SI-M. Plant species of the genera Baccharis, Agrostis, Miconia, and the AMF Glomus microcarpum were the most frequent species with potential for recovery in degraded areas.

Low-temperature method for desiliconization of polymetallic slags by ammonium bifluoride solution.

Throughout the period of operation of non-ferrous metal deposits, a significant amount of waste has been accumulated. The accumulated waste contains valuable metals in concentrations that allow considering them as valuable raw materials. However, it is worth noticing the presence of problems that previously did not allow for more complete extraction of the target components. Such problems include the presence of significant amounts of silicon dioxide in the form of a silicate matrix, the removal of which will allow the extraction of valuable components with the elimination of industrial waste areas. The paper considers a method for removing silicon from the polymetallic slags. According to the results of the work, it was found that silicon passes into solution in the form of ammonium hexafluorosilicate. Iron, aluminum, and a number of other components react with ammonium hydrofluoride, but do not leach into the solution due to their low solubility in the resulting system. After removing silicon, the solid residue was subjected to pyrohydrolysis to obtain a product that can be subjected to magnetic separation to obtain a magnetic iron concentrate and a non-ferrous metal concentrate. The formed concentrate can later be used to extract zinc, lead, silver, etc. The productive solution was directed to the deposition of silicon with the subsequent production of silicon dioxide. The resulting solution can be directed to evaporation in order to regenerate and reuse ammonium hydrodifluoride.

Comprehensive investigation of rock fracture behaviour in clay-rich rocks under the effect of temperature: Experimental study under three loading modes (I, I/II, II)

Rock fracture behaviour is a crucial aspect in many geological and engineering projects and can be affected by different environmental factors such as temperature, especially in projects where the rocks are exposed to a change in temperature such as geothermal energy, oil and gas exploitation, nuclear waste areas, etc. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the effect of temperature on rock fracture behaviour under four loading modes; pure mode I, pure mode II, and two mixed-mode loadings I/II in SCB specimens of clay-rich rocks (mudstone). Thirty-six SCB specimens were prepared and tested under three temperatures (Ambient temperature (AT), 250 and 500 °C), and some important parameters such as fracture toughness, fracture envelope, crack propagation speed, and crack acceleration were measured and discussed as a function of temperature. The main results concluded that due to the gradual loss of water from the structure of high clay content in the mudstone during thermal treatment, the behavior of mudstone gradually changed from ductile to brittle behaviour, and as a result, fracture toughness and crack propagation speed increased significantly. In addition, our results showed that the area under the fracture envelope which represents fracture resistance to growth under mixed-mode loading increased by 1.86 and 2.68 orders in magnitude after thermal treatment at temperatures of 250 and 500 °C, respectively. Under the four loading mode mixities, fracture grows through three main stages, high acceleration (0–5 mm), high deceleration (5–10 mm), and low deceleration (10–15 mm) stages. Crack propagation speed and crack acceleration depend strongly on the mode mixity ratio (KII/KI) and it increased by changing the loading mode from pure mode I to mixed mode loading I/II and pure mode II.

The Environmental Impact of Orthopaedic Surgery

There are a growing number of opportunities within the field of orthopaedic surgery to address climate change and investigate ways to promote sustainability. Orthopaedic surgeons can take a proactive role in addressing climate change and its impacts within the areas of operating-room waste, carbon emissions from transportation and implant manufacturing, anesthetic gases, and water usage. Future studies are needed to further these initiatives on quantifying and decreasing environmental impact and furthering sustainable use of our resources.

Planetary Health and Hospitals' Contribution-A Scoping Review.

Climate change is one of the greatest global threats for planetary and human health. This leads to new challenges for public health. Hospitals emit large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG) in their healthcare delivery through transportation, waste and other resources and are considered as key players in reducing healthcare’s environmental footprint. The aim of this scoping review is to provide the state of research on hospitals’ carbon footprint and to determine their contribution to mitigating emissions. We conducted a systematic literature search in three databases for studies related to measurement and actions to reduce GHG emissions in hospitals. We identified 21 studies, the oldest being published in 2012, and the most recent study in 2021. Eight studies focused on GHG emissions hospital-wide, while thirteen studies addressed hospital-based departments. Climate actions in the areas of waste and transportation lead to significant reductions in GHG emissions. Digital transformation is a key factor in implementing climate actions and promoting equity in healthcare. The increasing number of studies published over time indicates the importance of the topic. The results suggest a need for standardization of measurement and performance indicators on climate actions to mitigate GHG emissions.

The role of third-party audits in ensuring producer compliance with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification system

Certification systems for sustainable agricultural commodities typically rely on auditors to verify that producers comply with environmental, social, and legal standards. In the oil palm industry, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification system promises to address core sectoral sustainability concerns—including deforestation, fire, biodiversity loss, peatland drainage, forced labor, and land tenure conflict—by applying third-party audits to large-scale oil palm growers. Audits are designed to detect noncompliances with the standard, and to ensure that growers resolve these nonconformities. Yet, the role of RSPO audits in generating additionality across key sustainability issues remains unclear. Here, we compiled and analyzed data from a timeseries of annual audit reports for two-thirds of all certified oil palm growers in Indonesia as of December 2015 (n = 114 certified growers and 262 reports). We found that certified growers were required to address a median of four noncompliances per audit (range 0–37), with more noncompliances detected at initial certification than during subsequent audits. Certification demanded the most changes under our thematic areas of Waste & Pollution (9% of all noncompliances) and Employment (7%) and the least changes in Fire (<1%) and Corporate Social Responsibility programs (<1%). Thus, while many RSPO certified growers make real changes to achieve certification, these changes do not always address core sectoral performance concerns. Regression analysis indicated that RSPO member and certification body were significantly correlated with noncompliance frequency. This suggests that each member has a different cost of compliance and indicates heterogeneous stringency of standard application by certification bodies. We recommend that future research evaluate how post-2015 changes in RSPO assurance processes have interacted with a more robust and comprehensive certification standard to alter the additionality from third-party audits.

Cogeneration for radioactive material using solar panels

The global demand for clean energy is growing, as the World is looking for ways to compensate for Green House Gases (GHG) emissions and fight global warming through what is being called energy transition. In this context, the present article has as its guiding question: can solar panels be used as radioactive sources for energy generation? The objective of this study was to explore the potential usage of solar panels with radioactive sources, a potential for cogeneration for radioactive systems. This was a documental and literature review study based on the potential of the interaction of photons with the solar panels for energy maximum utilization. As conclusion there is an opportunity on using the solar panels not only for energy conservation – converting nuclear waste areas into power plants, but also as an extra barrier to detect radiation and prevent incidents.

Behavioral Specialization of Workers of the Leafcutter Ant Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with an External Bacterial Layer

Leafcutter ants live in symbiosis with fungi they grow for food and different bacteria they use for protection against fungal parasites. Some workers are covered with a layer of bacteria like Pseudonocardia, but the behavior of these workers has been the subject of little research. In order to obtain a clearer understanding of this phenomenon in Acromyrmex octospinosus, two experiments were conducted with majors, minors, workers with little bacterial layer and workers with a well-developed bacterial layer. In a first step, scan sampling was used to distinguish the preferred location of workers with bacterial coats, compared to the preferences of their nestmates. Finally, 21 behavior patterns of workers with a bacterial layer on their integument were investigated through focal observations and compared to the behavior of their nestmates. Our findings suggest that workers covered with a high amount of Pseudonocardia differ from their sisters in their preference of location, in that they significantly prefer the bottom part of the nest and cannot be found outside the fungus chamber in the feeding area or the waste area. Additionally, these ants show more fungus grooming and are groomed by nestmates more often than the other workers. These results suggest that workers with an external bacterial layer evolved behavioral specialization.

Sosialisasi Aplikasi Pengaduan Masyarakat Terkait Kondisi Lingkungan Pada Yayasan Peduli Lingkungan Kota Sorong

The Sorong environmental care foundation is a non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental sustainability, particularly in the areas of waste, reforestation, water and air pollution and plant and wildlife investigations in Sorong City. In the process of resolving complaints, it is still by telephone or WhatsApp, and due to lack of staff sometimes complaints are not recognized and are not processed by the foundation. Therefore, community service activities were carried out with partners, namely the Sorong City Environmental Care Foundation to help solve the problems faced. Where this activity is divided into 4 stages, namely data collection, application design and manufacture, socialization and implementation and evaluation. The conclusion obtained is that this activity can be said to take place very well and successfully. This can be seen from the results of the questionnaire and the positive response from the foundation and the community regarding this activity. The results achieved are that the Sorong City Environmental Care Foundation has an Android-based mobile application that can make it easier for the public when they want to make a complaint and a website that makes it easier for the foundation to recap data on complaints that have been made by the community.

Time-Series Monitoring of Dust-Proof Nets Covering Urban Construction Waste by Multispectral Images in Zhengzhou, China

Rapid urbanization has produced a huge amount of construction waste. The operations and consequences of construction and demolition can lead to windblown dust problems, profoundly affecting the living environment of residents. Fortunately, dust-proof nets have been used in construction sites to reduce and prevent pollution by fine particles such as dust, so it is important to monitor and evaluate their efficacy. In this study, Earth observation techniques were used for the extraction and monitoring of solid waste and dust-proof nets. In order to fully perceive the validity and necessity of dust-proof nets for urban air health, we conducted a case study in Zhengzhou, China. We explored the potential of multispectral remote sensing available for monitoring urban construction waste and proposed a multi-layer classification method to identify construction waste and dust-proof nets based on Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2 MSI data, with an average identification accuracy and Kappa coefficient of 96.27% and 0.93 for construction waste in the study area from 2015 to 2020, respectively. In addition, our study revealed the driving factors and impact of temporal variations in regional construction waste areas and dust-proof nets coverage. The results indicate the classification can track municipal solid waste management and changes in air pollutant concentrations and is useful for achieving SDG 11.6 (reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management). This study has the potential to monitor construction waste and dust-proof nets, paving the way for better urban environmental governance and surveillance actions in the future, especially involving big data.