Waste Disposal Research Articles (Page 1)

The OR generates over 30% of a healthcare facility's total waste, with more than 60% classified as regulated medical waste (RMW). Municipal waste (MW) is commonly incorrectly classified as RMW, resulting in unnecessary costs and environmental burden. As such, this pilot study aimed to determine if interventions that provide visual cues for waste classification and improve ergonomics in the operating room (OR) can improve waste sorting accuracy. In groups of two to four, participants were tasked with quickly solving tangram puzzles while periodically given simulated medical waste to dispose of into either a MW container or a RMW container. Groups first engaged in a control simulation, followed by an intervention simulation where educational signage and the novel adapted waste bin was placed in the OR. Sorting accuracy was assessed, and participants completed a post-participation survey. 23 participants took part of this pilot study. The proportion of correctly classified waste increased between control (53%) and intervention (88%) conditions, p < 0.01. Cost (n = 21) and sustainability (n = 20) were highly cited reasons why it might be important to correctly dispose of waste. Participants cited location of the containers (n = 13), time issues or OR stress (n = 10), and confusion in waste classification (n = 13) as barriers to accurate waste sorting. Participants had significant improvement in OR waste classification accuracy after the implementation of educational signage and a novel adapted bin system. These strategies can be employed to increase waste sorting accuracy in the OR or be used as an educational tool during trainings to improve staff understanding of proper waste disposal.

Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solutions Using Thermal Power Plant Gas Purification Waste (Reduction and Adsorption of Hexavalent Chromium), Interpretation of Mechanism: Disposal of Waste and Residues

Situated on the eastern outskirts of Kolkata, India, Dhapa offers a remarkable natural environment where agricultural operations, waste disposal, and naturally regenerating vegetation coexist. Although commonly perceived as a landfill, Dhapa sustains a mosaic of human-modified and semi-natural habitats that support considerable insect diversity. The study was conducted across three distinct sections of the Dhapa dumpsite—agricultural fields, mixed vegetation zones, and disturbed areas—to quantify insect diversity and assess habitat variation. The study of diversity of insects is very important to determine the number of insect species present in a particular area for conservation purposes, and pest management strategies are also fundamentally based on insect diversity. A total of 1,301 insect individuals from 10 orders and 55 families were documented between September 2024 and February 2025. The dominant order was Hemiptera (31.24%), followed by Diptera (20.31%) and Hymenoptera (20.01%). According to diversity indices, disturbed sites had the lowest values of species richness and Shannon diversity, while mixed vegetation had the highest values (d = 3.556; H' = 2.302). ANOVA verified that the three habitats' diversity differed statistically significantly (p &lt; 0.05). Cluster analysis also revealed that while disturbed areas stood apart, reflecting the effects of anthropogenic disturbance, agricultural fields and mixed vegetation formed a close cluster due to their ecological smilarity. These results demonstrate the importance of vegetation complexity in forming insect communities and the necessity of combined waste management and conservation approaches.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of lime and quarry dust, both individually and in combination, on the geotechnical properties of Puducherry inland clay using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modelling. Methods: Clay samples were treated individually with varying proportions of lime and QD (7%, 14%, 21%, and 28% by dry weight) as well as in combination to assess improvements in geotechnical behaviour. Laboratory tests, including Atterberg limits, Free Swell Index (FSI), compaction characteristics, direct shear test, and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), were conducted to evaluate changes in soil properties. To forecast the parameters of stabilized soil, the ANN Simulink model was simulated using a neural network fitting tool after training. Findings: The experimental findings showed that the plasticity index was reduced by 25% and 37% with lime and QD stabilization, respectively. Lime- and QD-stabilized clay reduced the optimum moisture content by 20% and 35%, while maximum dry density increased by 10% and 35%, respectively. Cohesion was reduced by 28% in both cases. Regarding UCS, lime-stabilized clay showed an increase up to 21% addition before declining, whereas QD-stabilized clay showed continuous strength gain. FSI decreased by 35% and 28% in lime- and QD-stabilized clay, respectively. The combination of both lime and QD showed superior performance due to synergistic effects. ANN modelling with statistical indicators (R2: 0.95–0.99, RMSE &lt;30%, MAPE &lt;20%) effectively predicted geotechnical properties with less than 25% error. Novelty: Utilizing QD provides a sustainable alternative to lime while improving the geotechnical performance of clay soil comparable to lime. Using QD as a stabilizer also helps in addressing environmental waste disposal issues. Keywords: Stabilization, Artificial neural network, Lime, Quarry dust, Simulink model

This study aims to survey scientific literature from 2020 to 2025 on agro-industrial waste. Proper waste disposal is essential for environmental preservation. In the agro-industrial sector, the pursuit of sustainability in processes and waste management is a current issue and is linked to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The scientific articles for this study were collected from the Capes Portal platform, which compiles high-quality global databases. The topic of agro-industrial waste was divided into three areas for structuring this work: energy generation; agricultural inputs and bioproducts with higher added value; and the production of adsorbents and absorbents for water resource decontamination. The studies discussed in this article present scientifically proven practical applications for reusing this waste, demonstrating the potential to add value to materials that would otherwise be discarded, promote a circular economy, and reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal in nature.

Methane is a potent but short-lived greenhouse gas and rapid reductions of its anthropogenic emissions could help decrease near-term warming1. Solid waste emits methane through the decay of organic material, which amounts to about 10% of total anthropogenic methane emissions2. Satellite instruments3 enable monitoring of strong methane hotspots4, including many strongly emitting urban areas that include solid waste disposal sites as most prominent sources5. Here we present a survey of methane emissions from 151 individual waste disposal sites across six continents using high-resolution satellite observations that can detect localized methane emissions above 100 kg h-1. Within this dataset, we find that our satellite-based estimates generally show no correlation with reported or modelled emission estimates at facility scale. This reveals major uncertainties in the current understanding of methane emissions from wastedisposal sites, warranting further investigations to reconcile bottom-up and top-down approaches. We also observe that managed landfills show lower emission per area than dumping sites, and that detected emission sources often align with the open non-covered parts of the facility where waste is added. Our results highlight the potential of high-resolution satellite observations to detect and monitor methane emissions from the waste sector globally, providing actionable insights to help improve emission estimates and focus mitigation efforts.

The paper presents a theoretical rationale for organizing wastewater treatment suitable for the conditions of Yakutia. The presented topic is relevant due to the fact that the development of urbanized city areas significantly affects the anthropogenic load on natural ecosystems, primarily on aquatic ecosystems. In this regard, approaches to wastewater treatment and efficient waste disposal are being developed and improved. Presented is variant according to which wastewater treatment is represented by three stages: mechanical, biological and waste processing. The presented activities can serve as a rationale for choosing a method of wastewater treatment to obtain fertilizers for plants. Composting technology is proposed for the production of fertilizers; this technological stage of production allows for the efficient utilization of the solid fraction of waste.

Subsurface Micro-Environments Around a Municipality Solid Waste Disposal Site of Northern India – Oxic-suboxic Transitions, Groundwater-Aquifer Processes and Trace Metal Behaviour

The Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), operated by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, serves as a premier hub for scientific research and specialized services. This study aimed to assess background radiation levels in various locations within the AERE campus, identified using ArcGIS software. Soil and herb/grass samples were systematically collected and analyzed to determine the presence of primordial radionuclides using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of radionuclides in soil samples were found to be 56.8 ± 6.7Bq/kg for 226Ra, 93.7 ± 5.8Bq/kg for 232Th, and 369.5 ± 35.1Bq/kg for 40K. Corresponding values in herb/grass samples were 20.0 ± 10.9Bq/kg, 8.3 ± 2.0Bq/kg, and 272.5 ± 67.4Bq/kg, respectively. Notably, the activity concentrations of artificial radionuclides (e.g.,137Cs, 60Co, 131I,and 54Mn) were found to be below the minimum detectable activity (MDA) of the gamma spectrometric counting system. The obtained data were compared with the reported data from national and international studies. The associated radiological hazard indices were also evaluated to assess potential health risks. These findings underscore the importance of rigorous monitoring and safety protocols during reactor operation and waste disposal.

Background: Diesel power plants (DPP) are crucial for energy production but can significantly impact the environment through the release of heavy metals such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). Pollutants originating from diesel combustion, lubricating oils and waste disposal often accumulate in sediments and aquatic ecosystems, posing risks to environmental health. Methods: This study aims to evaluate the concentration and distribution of heavy metals, namely copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), in sediments around the suppa diesel power plant located in Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi. The analytical methods used include the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), ecological risk index (ERI) and co-kriging spatial analysis. Result: The results indicate that the measured concentrations of heavy metals, with Cu reaching 45 mg/kg, Fe 1,200 mg/kg and Zn 30 mg/kg, show significant variation among sampling locations. The findings reveal that the sediments in the area are generally uncontaminated; however, moderate contamination is observed at Station 1, indicating localized pollution, particularly near the shoreline and around the plant, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring. The limitations of this study include a limited number of samples and a short sampling period, which may not fully reflect seasonal fluctuations in heavy metal concentrations. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in formulating more effective and sustainable waste management strategies, as well as contributing to a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges posed by DPP operations, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring.

Waste collection and disposal are a major challenge for many District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Assemblies in Ghana due to rapid economic and population growth. Techiman Municipality and, for that matter, Techiman Township, is no exception. Currently, all the waste generated ends up at the final disposal site without the retrieval of useful materials. This study was the culmination of research carried out to investigate the level of public participation in solid waste management by assessing physical composition and per capita waste generated, as well as the current practice of the public towards municipal waste management. Questionnaire survey and interviews with key stakeholders were also carried out. The results show solid waste composition of 57% biodegradables and 42.5% non-biodegradables. The average per capita waste generated was 0.70 kg/capita/day. The study further revealed that 30% of the respondents were aware of the existence of a dump site in the Techiman Municipality. The public engagement in solid waste management includes waste collection, sorting of waste, transportation, and recycling. Other potential roles of the public identified include the reuse of waste, composting, and waste separation. It is recommended that active participation and public sensitization in solid waste management be carried out through mass education on radio, television, newspapers, and other media.

Nuclear data bears a critical nexus with marine radioactive pollution surveillance, serving as the evidentiary foundation for source attribution and impact assessment. This article adopts an empirical research approach, integrating nuclide simulation modeling with radioactive monitoring data, to demonstrate that Japan's discharge of Fukushima radioactive wastewater has resulted in the dispersion of radionuclides from inland waters into the North and West Pacific Transition Zones via ocean currents, thereby posing potentially irreversible, multigenerational threats to marine ecosystems. The current deficiencies in the international legal governance framework for marine pollution-combined with weak legal enforcement, a low level of cooperative consensus, and a transparency deficit in radioactive pollution monitoring-further exacerbate these risks. Accordingly, employing a doctrinal research method, this article examines the legal foundations for a Pacific Rim regional nuclear data regulatory framework and proposes a regional legal cooperation mechanism composed of legal principles, legal rules, organizational structures, and operational procedures. By constructing such a mechanism, the transparency of radioactive waste disposal monitoring data can be enhanced, the legal accountability challenges arising from Japan's wastewater discharge mitigated, and regional consensus strengthened on nuclear data classification, monitoring, and disclosure-ultimately improving the safety of nuclear energy development and utilization within the Pacific Rim.

By the time of this study, Kiteezi landfill was Uganda’s largest waste disposal site and received substantial volumes of municipal solid waste. In the present study, water (n = 36), leachates (n = 36), superficial sediments (n = 30), and Colocasia esculenta corms (n = 6) were sampled from Kiteezi landfill in the dry and wet seasons of 2022 before its tragic collapse in 2024. The physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, and oxidation–reduction potential) and concentration of potentially toxic elements (As, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed using standard methods and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, respectively. Significant seasonal variations (p &lt; 0.05) were observed for all the physicochemical parameters of water and leachates except temperature. Further, significantly higher concentrations (p &lt; 0.05) of potentially toxic elements (PTXEs) were quantified in environmental matrices sampled during the dry season than the wet season. Arsenic and Pb concentrations in water surpassed their WHO permissible limit of 0.01 mg/L. The concentrations of PTXEs were higher in downstream samples (p &lt; 0.05), indicating that landfill activities led to their enrichment in matrices near the facility. Ecological and pollution risk indices indicated that there is severe enrichment of Cu and Zn in the sediments, with dry season downstream samples having contamination factors and geoaccumulation indices of 539.3 and 74.7 and 8.5 and 5.6, respectively. Although ingestion of water may not cause probable health risks, consumption of Colocasia esculenta corms could lead to non-carcinogenic and cancer health risks in both children and adults (hazard indices = 0.085–189.0 and total cancer risk values of 7.33 × 10−6–4.87 × 10−3). These results emphasize the need that any new replacement for Kiteezi landfill should be properly planned and managed to mitigate potential environmental pollution with xenobiotics.

Aims: Management of organic waste from markets and slaughterhouses is a major challenge for African cities. The disposal of these wastes in landfills or simple abandonment without treatment constitutes a significant pollution source to surface and groundwater due to the infiltration and runoff of organic and mineral compounds. The present study aims to simultaneously use those wastes for agricultural use through composting to mitigate water pollution and establish sustainable waste management. Study Design: Market and slaughterhouse wastes were firstly collected. One part of these has been dried before composting process. Both dried wastes and composts from the above mentioned process were characterized by weighting and physico-chemical analyses. Then the effect of composts has evaluated on crops development and yields. In fine, this effect has been optimized with biochar produced with rice husks. Place and Duration of Study: Market wastes were collected at Sinistre Market and slaughterhouse wastes were collected at municipal slaughterhouse of Korhogo, between December 2024 to January 2025. Composting and plot experiments were carried out from February 2025 to March 2025 Methodology: Wastes were collected from Sinistre Market over 22 days and at municipal slaughterhouse of Korhogo over 55 days. Before composting process, wastes have been weighted and one part dried. Composting process have used Berkley method (18 days), which consists in superimposing layers of dry materials rich in carbon and fresh materials rich in nitrogen to form piles (pyramidal pile) of at least 0.90 m³ which will undergo periodic reversals. A sample of 1 kg of each produced compost was taken, dried and following physico-chemical parameters were analyzed: total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, calcium, sulfur, carbon. Laboratory Analyses were done by using Mehlich 3 method, along with an infrared spectrometer. The influence of resulting compost on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) crops has been evaluated compared to control and NPK treatment. Results: Collecting data revealed substantial generated wastes: about 1,244 kg of fresh market wastes was collected and 26,000 kg of fresh viscera from the slaughterhouse collected. Physicochemical analyses confirmed high nutrient content of obtained composts, with concentrations of nitrogen ranging from 4 to 4.3 g/kg, phosphorus contents from 4.6 to 6.3 g/kg, and potassium lelvels from 19.4 to 20.6 g/kg. the application of produced composts improved significantly the growth and yield of okra. The best results has been achieved with compost from slaughterhouse dry matter in association with fresh market matter and ¼ to ½ quantity of biochar, yielding 3.2 kg, compared to 0.42 kg in control plots. Conclusion: These results indicate that co-composting of market and slaughterhouse wastes reduces the environmental impact of wastes disposal, while providing a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers in agriculture.

Urban flooding is a growing concern in many cities around the world; due to the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and storms. This study assessed the impact of urban flooding on infrastructure, public health, and the economy in the Landzun corridor of Bida, Niger State. Descriptive research design was employed for the research. The research used data from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced through a structured questionnaire administered to 118 respondents who were randomly selected along the Landzun corridor, a very busy route in Bida. The secondary data were from related literature from journals and textbooks. Business owners accounted for 50.85% of the respondents. A total of 54.23% of the respondents experienced annual flooding. However, the major identified factors aiding flooding in Landzun corridor were poor drainage (62.71%), insufficient drainage facilities (28.81%) and disposal of waste along drainage channels (44.07%). The physical effects of the flooding resulted to collapsed building parts of 42.37% of the respondents and 24.58% had their properties destroyed during flooding. The health effects on the respondents included Malaria fever (36.44%), cholera (32.20%) and mental health (38.98%). 39.83% admitted that the cost of repairs of their damaged properties ranged between ₦101,000 and ₦200,000. As support, 33.05% of the respondents got infrastructural provisions from government. The respondents consequently suggested flood management strategies through community engagement (28.81%), the provision of more drainage facilities (53.40%) and enforcement of urban planning practices through zoning regulations (13.56%). The study concluded that the major causes of flooding were insufficient drainage facilities, dumping of refuse along drainage and indiscriminate siting of buildings on waterways. The study, therefore, recommends stakeholders collaboration to make informed decisions like building indigenous sustainable embarkments along landzun flood plains, flood awareness programmes, enforcement of urban planning regulations, and recycling of waste to reduce the impact of flooding on the Landzun corridor of Bida.

This study explores the transformation of community behavior regarding the use of hygienic latrines in Pengikik Village, a remote island community with historically poor sanitation practices. Inadequate latrine management contributes significantly to environmental degradation. Promoting the widespread use of healthy latrines, which are facilities designed for safe and sanitary human waste disposal, is a key strategy for improving public health. Using a phenomenological framework design, the research draws on data from six purposively selected informants through semi-structured interviews. The analysis employs Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann’s theory of social construction to examine behavioral changes. The findings indicate that 19 out of 53 households have constructed private healthy latrines, and eight communal units have been built with septic systems. Behavioral change occurred through three interrelated processes: targeted socialization and education by health workers, gradual internalization of hygienic practices, and normalization of latrine use in daily life. These processes have reshaped community perceptions, fostering a collective understanding of the importance of sanitary facilities in the community. As a result, the community has shifted away from open defecation and toward the consistent use of healthy latrines.

Groundwater is the primary source of domestic water in Kano Metropolis, yet its quality is increasingly threatened by rapid urbanization and anthropogenic activities. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal variation in groundwater quality using systematic sampling and multivariate statistical approaches. Forty-eight water samples (24 boreholes and 24 wells) were purposely collected across eight Local Government Areas during dry and wet seasons (feb-sept 2023). Physicochemical parameters were analyzed in line with WHO standards. Results indicated significant seasonal differences, with higher contamination observed during the dry season. Chloride concentrations peaked at 579.38 mg L⁻¹, turbidity at 8.01 NTU, and total dissolved solids (TDS) at 538 mg L⁻¹, both exceeding WHO permissible limits and posing potential risks of salinity-related health effects. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified four key factors explaining 76.1% of the total variance, attributed to salinity and mineralization, carbonate buffering, organic contamination, and sulphate enrichment. Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) distinguished boreholes, which showed relative stability, from wells, which were highly susceptible to surface contamination. Hydrochemical facies plots from Piper diagrams revealed dominance of Ca–Mg–SO₄–Cl and Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ water types, reflecting both geogenic and anthropogenic influences. The findings demonstrate that groundwater in Kano is vulnerable to deterioration from industrial effluents, poor sanitation, and unregulated land-use practices. To mitigate contamination risks, the study recommends an integrated groundwater management strategy that includes continuous monitoring, stricter waste disposal regulations, improved well and borehole siting, and community education on water safety. These interventions are critical to ensuring long-term groundwater sustainability and safeguarding public health in the metropolis

Large-scale religious events generate considerable amounts of solid waste calling for dedicated research to quantify wastage, explore its drivers, understand stakeholder perceptions and design effective management strategies. Responding to this call, this study investigated the generation of food and plastic waste during the 2023 Arba'een pilgrimage in Karbala, Iraq, one of the world's largest annual religious festivals. A mixed-methods research design was employed combining quantitative waste audits, conducted over 20 days at selected mawkibs (volunteer-run foodservice stations) and municipal waste disposal points, with qualitative semi-structured interviews (n = 60) involving mawkib owners, pilgrims, religious leaders and municipal authorities. Audits revealed substantial waste: 7900 tonnes of food and 4000 tonnes of plastic. Per pilgrim, 0.36 kg of food and 0.18 kg of plastic were generated, accounting for 0.72% and 0.58% of Iraq's total annual hospitality food waste and all-sectors-total plastic waste, respectively. Interviews explored such thematic areas as waste drivers, behavioural practices and responsibility attribution. Findings highlighted a 'blame game' dynamic between mawkibs and pilgrims regarding wastage. Religious leaders cited a moral tension, noting how observed excess in consumption contrasted sharply with Islamic values of modesty and resource conservation, while authorities stressed logistical constraints. This study provides novel empirical data, highlighting the complex interplay between traditional Islamic hospitality and sustainability. It outlines scope for waste reduction interventions, such as portion control at mawkibs and promoting alternative serving materials, such as bio-plastics, for future large-scale religious events.

Introduction: The presence of landfills can threaten groundwater quality because the decomposition process of waste containing hazardous chemicals can cause surrounding groundwater pollution. As the amount of waste increases, the risk of environmental pollution around the landfill also increases, especially to groundwater sources used by the local community. The study aims to analyze family health problems related to the use of groundwater located near landfills. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design around the Kebon Kongok landfill, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (WNT), Indonesia. The sample amounted to 300 respondents who met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed descriptively, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression by analyzing the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) results, p-value &lt;0.05, and 95% confidence interval. Results: 164 respondents (54.7%) used well water for their daily needs. The results of the study based on binary logistic regression tests showed a significant relationship between history of diarrhea in children (p=0.002; AOR=3.65), nutritional status of the child (p=0.001; AOR=3.95), maternal history of fetal miscarriage (p&lt;0.001; AOR=4.08), family history of skin disease (p=0.010; AOR=2.75), family history of ARI (p=0.011; AOR=2.72), disability status in the family (p&lt;0.001; AOR=4.10), family history of chronic disease (p&lt;0.001; AOR=4.79), history of mother giving birth to a low birth weight (LBW) infant (p=0.003; AOR: 2.97), and history of mother giving birth to a premature infant (p=0.009; AOR=2.64) with the use of groundwater in families around the landfill. Conclusions: Groundwater use near contaminated waste disposal sites is closely related to family health issues related to diarrhea, nutritional status, fetal miscarriage, skin diseases, ARI, disability, chronic diseases, LBW, and history of mother giving birth to a premature infant. This indicates the need for significant health and environmental interventions to protect surrounding communities from the health risks of using polluted groundwater.

Waste management is an urgent environmental issue that requires addressing, especially in rural areas with minimal waste management facilities. This qualitative study, involving 20 informants, including village officials and the community, aims to analyze the waste management system of the Karang Rejo community in Nagori, Gunung Maligas District, Simalungun Regency. A descriptive qualitative approach was used to gather information through interviews, observation, and documentation. The results indicate that waste management in this area is suboptimal. Residents generally burn or dispose of waste in rivers and yards due to the lack of temporary waste disposal sites (TPS) and transportation facilities. Furthermore, public awareness of the environmental and health impacts of waste remains low. This study recommends improving waste management infrastructure and public education to support sustainable and environmentally conscious waste management.