Waste Collectors Research Articles

Potensi dan Tantangan Pemulung Menuju Ekonomi Sirkular di Kota Jambi

Waste pickers in Jambi city reduce solid waste by collecting and sorting recycled waste at the ‘Solid Waste Temporary Shelters’ or Tempat Pembuangan Sementara (TPS). However, most waste pickers cannot improve their performance due to challenges confronting waste pickers and lack of attention from the government and the public. This research identified and quantified the solid waste collected and marketed by individual waste pickers and collectors ‘pengepul’. Convenience sampling methods with literature reviews, questionnaires, and interviews were carried out in this study. Most respondents were male waste pickers, 67%, and women, 33% (n=100). The average daily collection rate of male waste pickers is 10.43 kg/day. For female waste, pickers are 7.92 kg/day (waste category: plastic bottles, cardboard, and wastepaper), with an estimated recycling rate of 0.09%-0.89%. Meanwhile, collectors have an average sales rate of 2-5.5 tons/month, with an estimated recycling rate of 1.5%. The recycling value of waste pickers and collectors could be more optimal, impacting the average income of waste pickers Rp. 581,250/month which showed that the market is neither profitable nor socially protected. The research findings could help develop a waste pickers' integrated system to improve the implementation of the circular economy.

Epidemiological Review: Mapping Cases and Prevalence of Helminthiasis in Indonesia on 2020-2022

Background: Helminthiasis cannot be separated from society in Indonesia. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified helminth infections as neglected tropical diseases (NTD) that require large-scale control, because more than 23% of the world's population is infected with helminthiasis. In Indonesia, there are still few articles that comprehensively review the epidemiological mapping of the latest helminthiasis cases. The purpose of writing this article is to map the prevalence of helminthiasis in Indonesia in 2020-2022. This article is a systematic study conducted from January-April 2023. The literature search was carried out through an electronic database. Result: The findings of this study indicate that in the last three years, helminthiasis has not been eliminated in Indonesia. The results of helminth species found to infest communities in several provinces in Indonesia include Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Hookworm, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Oxyuris vermicularis, Schistosoma japonicum, Strongiloides stercoralis, and Wuchereria bancrofti. The diagnosis of helminth infestation and infection is confirmed through microscopic examination by finding eggs, larvae, proglottids, and even adult worms that come out spontaneously through defecation. In addition, helminth transmission can occur through food contaminated with worm eggs. The government has tried to control helminthiasis through Permenkes number 15 of 2017 concerning Helminthiasis Management. However, the indicators of achieving the target of reducing the prevalence of intestinal worms to below 10% in each Regency/City as stated in Pasal 3 ayat 2 of the Permenkes have not been fully met. Conclusion: It can be seen in this study that there are still many provinces that have not reached the helminth control target. This condition is especially experienced by high-risk groups, such as children, mining workers, plantation workers, farmers, livestock workers, staff at slaughterhouses, and waste collectors.

Internet of Things enables smart solid waste bin management system for a sustainable environment.

Solid waste management (SWM) is a pressing concern and significant research topic that requires attention from citizens and government stakeholders. Most of the responsibility of waste management is on the municipal sector for its collection, reallocation, and reuse of other resources. The daily solid waste production is more than 54,850 tonnes in urban areas and is difficult to manage due to limited resources and different administrative and service issues. New technologies are playing their role in this area but how to integrate the technologies is still a question, especially for developing countries. This paper is divided into two main phases including a detailed investigation and a technological solution. In the first phase, the data is collected by using the qualitative method to investigate and identify the issues related to waste management. After a detailed investigation and results, the gap is identified by using statistical analysis and proposed a technological solution in the second phase. The technology-based solution is used to control and manage waste with a low-cost, fast, and manageable solution. The new sensor-based technologies, cellular networks, and social media are utilized to monitor the trash in the areas. The trash management department receives notification via cellular services to locate the dustbin when the dustbin reaches a maximum level so the department may send a waste collector vehicle to the relevant spot to collect waste. The smart and fast solution will connect all stakeholders in the community and reduce the cost and time and make the collection process faster. The experiment results indicated the issues and effectiveness of the proposed solution.

An emerging concern of medical waste management in Rohingya refugee camps at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: existing practice and alternatives

The plight of humanity in refugee camps is an age-old issue, as is the ever-increasing issue of waste management, especially medical waste. Though situations have improved in recent times for refugee camps, the same cannot be concurred about medical waste management, as it increases in amount every day. This is the first study on the refugee camp, which was conducted to assess the status of medical waste management and to quantify and characterize medical wastes disposed of in the Rohingya refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional, qualitative, and quantitative study was done. A total of 499 households, 30 solid waste collectors, 30 HCF workers, and 21 solid waste management (SWM) plant workers were interviewed by KoBo Toolbox. Monthly medical waste collection data from February to June 2022 was also collected. Data collection, processing, and statistical analysis were done using Origin Pro and SPSS software. It was found that the camps did not follow any specific guidelines for medical waste management except for a few segregations in healthcare facilities (HCF). Though 88% of the respondents were aware of the hazardous nature of medical waste, most of them disposed of these wastes in open places (49%) and drains (44%), and 70% did not segregate it from regular waste at the household level. Moreover, 73% of solid waste management workers found medical waste daily in communal bins. The HCF did not keep any records on the production of medical waste. Different types of medical waste were found in communal bins; glass bottles containing medicines were common among them. Data from the material recovery facility (MRF) of this camp showed that the highest amount of medical waste found in the communal bins was in April (65 kg) during the seasonal change from spring to summer and the lowest in February (12.7 kg). Moreover, HCF’s existing medical waste management practices were analyzed with SWOT and DPSIR framework. Based on all the findings, a comprehensive on-site and off-site management plan for medical waste is also proposed here. That will help the concerned prepare a camp medical waste management guideline.

Assessment of Knowledge of Occupational Health Hazards among Formal and Informal Waste Collectors in Rivers State

Study was performed to assess the knowledge of occupational hazards and safety practices among formal and informal waste collectors in Rivers State, Nigeria. A concurrent nested mixed design method was employed for this research. 314 formal and 314 informal waste collection workers were sampled for the study using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire, observational checklists, clinical, laboratory measurements and a study guide. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 to analyze the data collected from respondents. The finding showed that majority of the organized waste collection workers had an idea about the occupational hazards they are exposed to 206 (65.6%) compared to the informal waste collection workers 93 (29.6%) and the difference was statistically significant with p=0.001. This implies that only a few formal waste collectors and a little over ten percent of the informal waste collectors were seen to possess a poor knowledge of the occupational hazards in Rivers State. The poor knowledge and practice of safety precautions among formal and informal waste collectors in Rivers State would most likely expose the handlers to avoidable health problems. Though more than half of both formal and informal waste collectors had good knowledge about the occupational hazards and safety measures required for their job type. This finding is in consonance with the findings of [1,2]. More formal waste collectors possessed good knowledge of the occupational hazards associated with waste collection in Rivers State compared to the informal waste collectors. periodic training and retraining programs, including risk communication should be done by responsible waste management agencies for the formal waste collectors and by the government for the informal waste collectors, to improve the knowledge level of waste collectors in the state

Quantification and molecular characterization of intact rotavirus species A (RVA) in municipal solid waste leachate.

Leachate comprises a solid waste decomposition product found fresh in collection trucks or as an effluent in landfills. This study aimed to assess the occurrence, concentrations, and genetic diversity of intact rotavirus species A (RVA) in solid waste leachate. Leachate samples were concentrated by ultracentrifugation, treated with propidium monoazide (PMA), and exposed to LED photolysis. Treated and untread samples were extracted using the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool mini kit, and nucleic acids were screened for RVA employing a Taqman® Real-time PCR. The PMA RT-qPCR method detected RVA in eight out of nine truck samples and in 15.40% (2/13) of the landfill leachate samples. The RVA concentrations in the PMA-treated samples ranged from 4.57×103 to 2.15×107 genomic copies (GC) 100 mL-1 in truck leachate and from 7.83×103 to 1.42×104 GC 100 mL-1 in landfill samples. Six truck leachate samples were characterized as RVA VP6 genogroup I2 by partial nucleotide sequencing. The high intact RVA detection rates and concentrations in truck leachate samples indicate potential infectivity and comprise a warning for solid waste collectors concerning hand-to-mouth contact and the splash route.

Investigation of Solid Waste Collectors with Economic and Social Dimensions

Solid waste collectors play a key role in collecting domestic waste and recycling it. The negativities in the working environment and conditions of those who try to make a living by collecting solid waste affect their position in the social context. For this reason, in this study, the waste collection experiences of the actors in the solid waste collection sector were discussed. The economic and social disadvantages associated with their work were tried to be understood. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants (one of whom owns a waste sorting facility and two of whom are facility employees) who make a living by collecting solid waste in Ordu, Turkey. The sampling of the interviews was determined by sequential sampling. But there were also those who were determined by a little snowball sampling. The data collected through interviews were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis techniques. The findings of the study revealed the experiences of solid waste collectors and the challenges they face in the sector with their economic and social dimensions. In this way, ideas were obtained about the working conditions of solid waste collectors and their place in working life, migration experiences, poverty levels and stigma situations. It also allows policymakers to gain insight into improvements to waste collectors' working conditions and social status.

Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practices and Role of Community Participation in Mettu Town, Ethiopia

Solid waste management has become a major public health and environmental concern in urban areas of Ethiopia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the status of the existing solid waste management and to assess the attitude and role of the community in Mettu town. In order to accomplish these objectives, both primary and secondary data were gathered and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The sample size included of 96 members of households, business owners, kebele leaders, municipal workers, solid waste collectors and health extension workers who were selected randomly. Based on the data that generated from the respondents municipal solid waste management system is very weak in terms of status, spatial coverage, community involvement, and solid waste management facility. Among 96 about 84 (87.5%) respondents are not satisfied with the existing solid waste management. The communities participate very careless to clean their front yards, street and see it as the responsibility of the municipality. This poor status of solid waste management is intensified by poor contribution of stakeholders. Therefore, the government should be engaged in awareness creation and training all communities and stakeholders to upgrade the existing low status of solid waste management services in Mettu town.

Magnitude and possible risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners and solid waste workers: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn the absence of a standardized work environment, insurance system, occupational safety measures and expanding workload an uptrend of musculoskeletal disorders secondary to occupational hazards is observed among a wide range of occupations in developing countries including street sweepers/cleaners. The aim of this study is to determine the burden and potential factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners/solid waste collectors in Gondar town, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used to determine the burden and identify potential risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners. Street cleaners (n = 422) working experience of at least one year were randomly selected from the community at their respective work sites (street). A face-to-face interview recorded the participant’s response addressing socio-demographic, occupational, job satisfaction, disability related to basic ADL, physical measurements, and self-reported pain using the Nordic-Musculoskeletal questionnaire. The logistic regression model was created to identify potential factors associated with self-reported MSDs.ResultsThe sample consists of women street sweepers/cleaners (100%, n = 422, response rate 100%) with at least one-year of work experience with a mean age of 37.03 ± 8.26. About 40% of women sweepers were illiterate and 95% reported no job satisfaction. The overall prevalence of MSDs was 73% (n = 308, 95% CI; 68.5, 77.2), among them nearly 65% reported having experienced disability in performing basic ADL in the past 12 months. Low back pain was the most prevalent region (n = 216, 70.1% case versus MSDs n = 308). In univariate and multivariate logistics analysis, being overweight/obese (AOR of 4.91 (95%, 2.22, 10.87)), age group 35 and above (AOR 2.534 (1.51, 4.26)), not-satisfied with job (AOR 2.66 (1.05, 6.75)), and street cleaning distance of longer than 2 km (AOR 2.82 (1.64, 4.83)) were significantly associated with self-reported musculoskeletal disorder..ConclusionThis study demonstrated higher self-reported MSDs among street sweepers/cleaners. Modifiable predictors like overweight, lack of job satisfaction, and cleaning longer distance were identified to be associated. Hence, there is a need for ergonomic measures and policy to curb these factors to reduce the burden of MSD among women street sweepers.

Sero-prevalence of hepatitis viral infections among sanitary workers across worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSanitation or sanitary workers are exposed to hepatitis virus infections because of filthy and dangerous working conditions. The current global systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled sero-prevalence of occupationally associated hepatitis virus infection among them.MethodsPreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA), and Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and study design (PICOS) were used for flow diagram, and review questions, respectively. Four databases other methods were used published articles from 2000 to 2022. Boolean logic (AND, OR), MeSH, and keywords were used: (Occupation *OR Job *OR Work) AND (Hepatitis A *OR Hepatitis B virus *OR Hepatitis C virus *OR Hepatitis E virus) AND (Solid waste collectors [SWCs] *OR Street sweepers [SS] *OR Sewage workers [STWs] *OR health care facilities cleaners [HCFCs)) AND (Countries). Stata MP/17 software was used for pooled prevalence analysis, meta-regression analysis (Hedges) at a 95% confidence interval (CI:95%).ResultsA total of 182 studies were identified studies, a total of 28 studies were included from twelve countries. Of these, from developed (n = 7) and developing countries (n = 5). From total a of 9049 sanitary workers, 5951(66%), 2280 (25%) and 818 (9%) were STWs, SWCs and SS, respectively. Globally, the pooled sero-prevalence of occupational-related hepatitis viral infections among sanitary workers was 38.06% (95% CI: 30–0.46.12). Of this, it was 42.96% (95% CI: 32.63–53.29) and 29.81% (95% CI: 17.59–42.02) for high-income and low-income countries, respectively. Meanwhile, by sub-analysis, the highest pooled sero-prevalence of hepatitis viral infections by categories, type and year were 47.66% (95%CI: 37.42–57.90), 48.45% (95% CI: 37.95–58.96), and 48.30% (95% CI: 36.13–60.47) for SWTs, HAV, and 2000 to 2010 year, respectively.ConclusionThe consistency of the evidence suggests that sanitation workers, particularly sewage workers, are susceptible to occupationally acquired hepatitis regardless of their working conditions, necessitating significant changes to occupational health and safety regulations from governmental policies and other initiatives to reduce risks among sanitary workers.

Circular economy and household e-waste management in India. Part II: A case study on informal e-waste collectors (Kabadiwalas) in India

Rapid advances in electronics and telecommunications technologies have contributed significantly to making e-waste one of the largest and fastest-growing solid waste streams. India produces over 3.23 million tonnes of e-waste each year. Over 90% of the total e-waste generated in the country is processed by the informal waste management sector. Informal waste collectors in India are known as ‘kabadiwalas’. Many people in India employ their services to discard household solid waste items, including e-waste. However, the percentage of people disposing of their e-waste to kabadiwalas is unknown. Moreover, detailed research studies on kabadiwalas’ waste collection activities are very limited to date. A case study was therefore formulated to determine the likelihood of e-waste disposal to kabadiwalas and their solid waste collection strategies, including e-waste fraction. A global positioning system (GPS) based real-time waste collection route tracking method was employed. The results indicated that many people in India (∼45% of survey respondents) prefer to dispose of their e-waste to kabadiwalas. Based on the GPS tracking results, the informal waste collectors were found to travel considerable distances using manual and modified three-wheeler vehicles (20–30 km per day) to collect household waste, out of which e-waste accounted for about 10%. It was deduced that their large workforce and low operating costs enable them to collect e-waste from households all over the country effectively. The results from this study indicate that kabadiwalas play an integral role in the e-waste management system of India and that their integration into the existing formal e-waste industry could help establish improved e-waste management and value recovery operations in India.

Work-Related and Behavioral Characteristics of Formal and Informal Waste Collectors in Rivers State, Nigeria

The study assessed the work-related and behavioral characteristics of formal and informal waste collectors in Rivers State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was employed for this study. 314 formal and 314 informal waste collection workers were sampled for the study using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-designed pretested questionnaire, observational checklists, clinical, laboratory measurements and a study guide. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 to analyze the data collected from respondents. The finding shows that at p = 0.05, the calculated chi-square value of 455.661 with the degree of freedom 92 was more than the critical chi-square value of 115.390. Thus, the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted, which states a significant difference in the work-related and behavioral characteristics among formal and informal waste collectors in Rivers State. However, training and retraining the informal waste collectors, enforcing personal protective equipment, and counselling on using hard drugs will go a long way in arresting their poor behavior.

KAJIAN PENGELOLAAN LIMBAH MEDIS COVID-19 DI RUMAH SAKIT

Background: Hospitals are one of the largest producers of medical waste. If the medical waste is not managed properly in accordance with applicable standards, it can be dangerous and cause health problems, especially for officers who handle waste, patients, visitors and the community around the hospital.Objective: This study aims to explore the management of COVID-19 medical waste in hospitals, both from input, process and output.Methods: This research is qualitative research with a descriptive case study design. The informants in this study consisted of 15 people who were selected using the purposive sampling method from the internal UGM academic hospital and the surrounding community. Research conducted in May 2022.Results: In the input evaluation it was found that the UGM RSA already had an SOP for handling COVID-19 medical waste, there was already an adequate allocation of funds for the management of COVID-19 medical waste, and human resources had also met the standards. Most of the facilities and infrastructure owned are adequate for processing COVID-19 medical waste. RSA UGM has provided PPE for COVID-19 medical waste collectors but it has not been used optimally. As for process evaluation, sorting and storage have been carried out according to standards. The transportation of COVID-19 medical waste has met the standards but the B3 medical waste TPS has not met the standards. In the output evaluation, none of the respondents experienced health problems related to the management of COVID-19 medical waste.Conclusion: There needs to be improvement in the management of COVID-19 medical waste, especially in the input and process sections.

Medical waste management during COVID-19 situation in India: Perspective towards safe environment

The situation in the world of pandemics is rapidly changing, and the COVID-19 has put a lot of pressure on the government and private sector, who are primarily responsible for controlling the situation. COVID-19 positive cases have increased in 2021 relative to 2020, and the number of patients admitted to hospitals has also increased, despite the fact that few of them were denied admission due to shortage of beds. Normal people who experience any symptoms immediately isolate themselves and begin taking the COVID medications prescribed by medical personnel and their team. During these times, all domestic people tossed the wrappers and boxes of medicines into the regular trash can, and the waste was handed over to the waste collector, who treated it like any other domestic waste and disposed of it using open dumping or other methods. The objective of this perspective is to suggest the collection of these types of waste from domestics, and protect the natural resources like water, soil, and even living beings including animals from pollution (from the effect of SARS-CoV-2). One of the developing nation's hospitals (Indian hospitals) generates 136.89 tons of BMWs every day. During a pandemic, a considerable amount of medical waste is generated from households. The main challenge for environmental waste management agencies is determining who is affected by COVID or viruses and which houses generate these types of waste; thus, the proposed strategy of collecting medical waste separately would be beneficial to the long-term sustainability of natural resources and animals.

PLASTIC WASTE RECYCLING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MBARE, HARARE, ZIMBABWE

This study examines the alternatives for recycling of plastic waste and gives a general overview of the main environmental issues related to plastic disposal. It gives a rundown of the amounts and sorts of plastics in the waste stream and furthermore the primary impacts of recycling on the plastic material itself, the environment and also the national economy. The two main types of recycling are mechanical and chemical recycling. The research also compares the methods of recycling which are already in use and selecting the best in a bid to save the environment from pollution. The study also seeks to discover the challenges and benefits associated with plastic waste recycling. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were used to conduct the study. Data was analysed through hand tallying in the form of tables, graphs and pie charts. From the main findings, there is a lot of plastic waste in Mbare (Harare) because of the shortage of bins and an ineffective waste collection system. However, the plastic waste collection system should be complimented by the Harare city council which should register waste collectors and recyclers for incentives by signing agreement contract terms with them. Mbare has become the most ideal urban area to develop a waste collection centre as plastic waste has become a major problem.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0009/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice and associated factors on the prevention of occupational health risks among solid waste collectors in Lideta Subcity

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice and associated factors on the prevention of occupational health risks among solid waste collectors in Lideta Subcity

Pelaksanaan Pengolahan Sampah Pada Dinas Lingkungan Hidup dan Kebersihan Kota Palembang

This study aims to analyze the waste management carried out by DLHK Palembang City. This study was a qualitative descriptive research. In collecting the research data, the writer conducted observation and interview, literature study and documentation. The results showed that the waste reduction activities implemented by the Environment and Sanitation Service Palembang were the establishment of Garbage Bank and TPS 3R, providing socialization and technical guidance on waste management to community, issuing appeals, circulars and socialization on reducing plastic waste to retail entrepreneurs, using tumblers, and restrictions on using plastic bags. The amount of waste made in Palembang in 2020 was 426,390.66 tones, with waste reduction (19.79%) and waste management (76.69%), managed waste (96.49%) and unmanaged waste (3.51%). The waste composition was dominated by food waste. There were obstacles in waste management, where the Garbage Bank, TPS 3R, waste collectors did not operate due to crowd restrictions, reduced volume of segregated waste from waste sources, and lack of public awareness in waste segregation and the use of re-useable products

Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Coverage Rates in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The annual volume of waste generated in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) increased from 81 million tonnes to 174 million tonnes per year between 2012 and 2016 and is projected to reach 269 million tonnes in 2030. In 2018, SSA’s municipal solid waste (MSW) collection coverage was estimated at 44%. Concerned that the waste generation rate outweighs the collection pace, we conducted a systematic review of studies on MSW collection to examine the current situation in the region concerning the waste collection and coverage rates and to highlight the impediments to rapid progress in waste collection using the lens of four cities. Findings reveal that, despite the involvement of private waste collectors, collection and coverage rates are still below the desired 100% with backlogs of uncollected waste in public spaces, especially in low-income neighbourhoods where coverage remains abysmally low. This study fortifies the systematic discussion on MSW collection and coverage rates by conducting a meta-analysis. The result of the analysis shows that the waste collection and coverage rates are 65% and 67% in SSA, respectively. Aside from the paucity of data on waste generation rate and characterisation, most available data are incongruent. The review further shows that although several studies have been carried out on waste disposal, waste treatment and recycling in SSA studies directly focused on MSW collection are still few, leaving room for more research in this area. The review offers suggestions on how collection and coverage rates can be increased and equally proposes a strategy for reducing scavenging activities in the region’s unsanitary landfills, given its concomitant health impacts on the scavengers.

ADPMDesign: The use of a Participatory Methodology to design a dry anaerobic digestion power plant for municipal solid waste treatment

This work proposed the use of a Participatory Methodology to design a biogas-based power plant (ADPMDesign). The power plant treats the organic waste from Sabana Centro, Colombia. ADPMDesign considered the involvement of relevant stakeholders in different tasks during the design process. Stakeholders included researchers, biogas producers, members of the community, waste collector associations, representatives of local public services companies, and environmental entities. Researchers evaluated technical feasibility through pilot-scale experiments. Interviews with other stakeholders of Sabana Centro enabled the identification of two different production scenarios to forecast organic fraction of municipal solid waste generation capacity in Sabana Centro by 2030. The final use of the biogas produced during anaerobic digestion was defined through the application of a combined Analytical Hierarchy Process with Benefit Opportunity Cost and Risks in focus groups with relevant stakeholders. Then, workshops with biogas producers in the United Kingdom allowed the identification of key lessons based on their experience to improve the process design. After applying ADPMDesign, the best biogas production scenario was determined. Stakeholders in Sabana Centro, including the Municipal Government of the eleven municipalities and public service companies, should collaborate to build a single municipal plant for processing organic waste from all eleven municipalities instead of three small-scale biogas plants. This approach would not only be more efficient, but it would also facilitate better coordination and management of resources. The plant will have a capacity to treat 126.22 t/day and a power generation capacity of 3659 kW providing electricity for around 12,000 homes. The estimated cost of energy production is 78.92 COP/kWh (0.017 USD/kWh), and a payback time of 4.8 years could be achieved dispatching electricity to the national grid and selling fertilizers to local farmers.

Waste as Resource for Pakistan: An Innovative Business Model of Regenerative Circular Economy to Integrate Municipal Solid Waste Management Sector

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a global concern, especially in low–middle-income countries such as Pakistan, which require the redressal of MSW treatment issues to attain sustainability in the waste sector. The prosperity of municipal solid waste (MSW) collectors, i.e., the sanitary workers, is critical in the waste management hierarchy. Hence, the health, safety, social welfare, economic conditions and overall wellbeing of this tier need to be focused on more. Safeguarding the interests of the sanitary workers will support the MSW management sector in sustainability, which will help to generate revenue and minimize climatic impacts. An innovative MSW business model with waste ownership and technological intervention has excellent potential to support the sector towards a circular economy in Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world, generating about 100,000 metric tons of MSW per day. The proposed recycling business model will ensure a daily material recovery of 26,070 tons with 4721 tons of compost manufacturing in the country, which ultimately helps towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and meeting the targets of nationally determined contributors (NDCs) by 2030. In addition, the sector’s economic potential can contribute 5.5% to the total annual budget and possibly pay 1.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP) per annum to service national foreign debt, thus helping maintain the debt threshold value with an opportunity to accelerate the economic growth of Pakistan.