Waste Generation Research Articles

Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste of the Karwi

Abstract: Due to rapid increasing population, urbanization and industrialization waste generation rate also increases but, Municipal authorities are not able to collect all waste and they are not having advance technology for treating such waste it gives result in form of pollution. The paper aims to characterize the waste generated in municipality of Karwi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Municipal Solid waste(MSW) is a heterogeneous waste and composition of the waste varied from place to place. First of all, the entire study area was surveyed to obtain essential information regarding waste generation areas and collection points. On the basis of information, representative sample were selected in each point. Collected samples were thoroughly mixed and segregated into different categories and data represented in percentage. The characteristics of the municipal solid waste were determined in terms of the components, average mass (kg) and percentage .Characterization of municipal solid waste shows Karwi waste comprise maximum plastic (29.01%), Metal (0.025%), Wood(0.0215%), Cardboard(3.77%), Rubber(1.9%), Paper(5.1%), Rags(3.22%), Packaging Material (11.02%), Glass (8.42%), Compost (8.025%). Thus, on the basis of this study we may conclude that solid waste management and recycling is major issue of Varanasi district. We can reuse various types of waste depending upon the nature of waste. We can also make alternate use of that waste like energy production. Community participation in solid waste management may be a better option

Electricity Generation by Waste Material

The mighty growth in the amount of waste materials produced in India and their potentially dangers in the environment and human health which have led to create several disease in Human bodies. This is an novies idea of generating electricity Using waste material idea of Waste to Energy in India. Firstly, a map plan was carried out for research to collect the fact of total waste generation in India. During this research it was found that some locals were generating electricity using this process ago which encouraged the researchers to carry forward this Project.

Nuclear Decommissioning and Sustainable Environment: Insights on Decontamination Processes

Nuclear energy accounts for ≈10% of global energy production, positioning it as a promising solution for achieving carbon neutrality amid escalating concerns over climate change. Nonetheless, the effective management of radioactive waste, which can remain hazardous for up to one hundred thousand years, presents considerable challenges that must be addressed to uphold public trust and safeguard environmental safety. This review outlines the fundamental stages of nuclear decommissioning including strategic planning, decontamination, dismantling, remediation, encapsulation, deregulation, and site reuse as a critical component of sustainable environmental practices. The review also highlights the significance of efficient decontamination processes in reducing waste generation. Various decontamination techniques, including mechanical, electromechanical, chemical, and advanced methods such as laser and plasma decontamination, are evaluated for their effectiveness and limitations. Moreover, the review emphasizes the need to enhance the recovery and recycling of ion exchange resin and potential radionuclides during decontamination processes to minimize waste and to address the depletion of potential radionuclide resources. Future research should prioritize the development of innovative techniques for decontamination and radioactive waste management, fostering sustainable decommissioning and supporting the ongoing development of nuclear energy in an environmentally responsible manner.

Application of the Clark–Wright Method to Improve the Sustainability of the Logistic Chain

The incessant consumption of goods and materials underscores the need to address the growing problem of waste generation and its profound impact on environmental sustainability. The problem of waste removal can be approached in different ways, whether it is the routing of vehicles, the work of drivers, the optimal distribution of waste bins, or other matters in the entire waste process. The aim of this study is to investigate the possibilities of optimizing waste collection processes in the region using a slightly modified Clark–Wright method. Optimal waste collection routes are defined with a focus on cost reduction and overall optimization of logistic chain processes. The established mathematical model for the capacitated vehicle routing problem includes the principles of sustainability and environmental friendliness. The results indicate that the largest messenger of all the newly proposed routes are the routes containing the surrounding settlements. Newly designed routes lead to significant reductions in fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance, which has a positive impact on financial and environmental resources. The conclusion indicates that by applying the Clark–Wright method, we have achieved a reduction in the number of routes of twenty fewer routes. This study provides regions with a detailed plan to improve waste management practices, contributing to a future of increased sustainability and environmental awareness.

Development of a deep learning-based object recognition system for pre-stage separation to improve the recycling rate of major general-purpose plastics

ABSTRACT The generation of plastic waste has been increasing annually, necessitating various recycling methods. Among these, material recycling with low carbon emissions should be prioritized. This study aims to enhance the material recycling rate by developing a separation system using deep learning-based object recognition. To improve labeling efficiency, image data were acquired for each material type, and the performance of different labeling methods was evaluated. The average precision (AP) values for the single-material learning model using hybrid labeling (manual + automatic) were 0.947 for PET, 0.951 for PP, 0.892 for PE, and 0.896 for PS, demonstrating superior performance compared to other methods. An integrated learning model was also developed for composite materials, achieving AP values of 0.972 for PET, 0.976 for PP, 0.963 for PE, and 0.961 for PS. These results demonstrate the model’s strong applicability for plastic waste recognition.

CAPTURE—Computational Analysis and Predictive Techniques for Urban Resource Efficiency

ABSTRACTMunicipal waste management (MWM) poses significant challenges in the context of rapid urbanisation and population growth. Accurate forecasting of waste production is crucial for designing sustainable waste management strategies. However, traditional forecasting methods often struggle to capture the complexities of waste generation dynamics. This paper proposes a novel methodology leveraging deep learning techniques to forecast municipal waste production. By harnessing the power of deep neural networks, our approach transcends the limitations of conventional models, providing more accurate and impactful predictions. We integrate heterogeneous data sources, including demographic and territorial information, into a comprehensive graph representation of municipalities. Graph Neural Networks are then employed to extract intricate spatial and temporal patterns from the graph structure. Empirical validation through a case study in the Apulia region demonstrates the effectiveness of our methodology in furnishing accurate forecasts for waste production. Our framework is adaptable and scalable, making it suitable for application across diverse geographical areas. This research contributes to advancing waste management practices by providing stakeholders with actionable insights for informed decision‐making.

Hospital waste management system in Kermanshah: challenges, future and sustainable management with circular economy

Proper hospital waste management poses important concerns due to the risk capacity of hospital waste to health and the environment. Healthcare management approaches have changed in recent years, motivated by the desire to minimize the environmental impact. The review aims to examine the current HCW and considers the local challenges associated with establishing a circular economy (CE) to improve hospital waste management regarding training along Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA). The study found that mean medical and general waste segregation rates in public hospitals were 50.15 and 49.85, respectively. On average, 3.6 kg of waste was generated per bed per day. Analysis revealed a significant correlation between total waste and infectious waste with the number of occupied beds in the hospital (p < 0.05). Updating national laws by the CE approach is necessary. Our insights into circular hospital waste urge establishing a green management team, new training methods, and continuous supervision. Using PDCA to enhance waste segregation, training, and other aspects of hospital waste management is vital.

Enhancing Sustainable Production of Biodiesel from Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge Oil Using Bio-Based Heterogeneous Catalyst

The swift exhaustion of natural oil reserves and worsening environmental issues have prompted the quest for an economical method to produce biofuels. The superiority of heterogeneous catalysis promotes the development of bio-based catalysts. Carbon materials prepared from agricultural and forestry biomass waste have good application prospects in catalysis. In the present study, Xanthoceras sorbifolia shell waste was used as the raw material, Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge Carbon (XC) was used as the catalyst carrier, and K2CO3 was used as the activator to prepare a heterogeneous catalyst (KXC). The heterogeneous catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis techniques to evaluate its chemical composition, structure, and physical morphology. EDS and XPS revealed the presence of K metal, which provided an alkaline site for the transesterification reaction to produce biodiesel. The biodiesel yield was observed by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GCMS). Under the reaction conditions of a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 12:1, a reaction time of 90 min, a temperature of 65 °C, and a catalyst loading of 4 wt.% using 25KXC-600-4, the yield of biodiesel can reach 95.13 ± 0.82%. After being repeated five times, the yield was still 58.11 ± 3.80%. The catalyst has no waste generation, and has the characteristics of simple preparation and environmental friendliness, which make it a green heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production.

Potensi Sampah Organik TPS 3R Menjadi Biogas dan Pupuk (Studi Kasus: TPS 3R Kasih, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta)

The generation of organic waste at TPS 3R Kasih increased and dominated but its separation has not been carried out optimally. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical characteristics of organic waste and analyze the potential for biogas that can be produced from organic waste anaerobically. The research method included sample collection using the purposive sampling method, surveys, and laboratory experiments using a batch or closed anaerobic reactor without any reactant movement to determine the potential for methane formation during 40 days of processing. The chemical characteristics of the slurry before and after processing were analyzed to determine its potential use after biogas formation as compost. The results showed that the slurry content before and after processing did not meet the fertilizer quality standards. Methane gas was formed starting on the 35th day in both reactors 1 and 2 with the highest concentration achieved at 1.2% of a mixture of organic waste, water, animal waste and EM4 with an optimum time of 40 days.

Environmental Management and Construction Waste Strategies in Malaysia: An Overview of Green Materials and Waste Management Challenge

This review provides an overview of Malaysia's environmental management practices, with a focus on construction waste management, to address the country's growing waste generation in the construction sector. The paper highlights key challenges Malaysia faces in implementing effective environmental practices and offers potential solutions to overcome these hurdles. Additionally, it examines the use of green materials, such as recycled concrete aggregate and bamboo, which have demonstrated significant potential in reducing resource consumption and carbon emissions. The challenges of adopting these materials are analyzed, along with a discussion of their advantages and limitations. Ultimately, the review underscores the importance of environmental management and the role of sustainable materials in transforming Malaysia’s construction industry, while calling for stronger regulatory frameworks and industry collaboration to address these challenges. The objective of this review is to provide insights into the current environmental management efforts in Malaysia and to explore the potential of green materials in mitigating environmental impacts.

Household Solid Waste Management and Environmental Impacts in the Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Given the current rate of urbanization, municipalities in most Nigerian cities have struggled with the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste. This is due to waste generation, both residential and commercial, occurring in a dispersed manner across homes, buildings, streets, parks, and even vacant spaces within communities. This manuscript aims to evaluate the state of municipal solid waste management in Ibadan, household solid waste storage practices, and the locations of solid waste storage containers (skip points) in relation to accessibility and health risks to the community, in accordance with Nigerian National Solid Waste Management Standards and other pertinent international standards. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 21 micro and small firms and 250 homes in each of the three local government areas of the metropolis, with descriptive statistics used to interpret the data. According to the study results, inadequate Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) service delivery in the Ibadan metropolitan area can be attributed to several issues, including a lack of institutional coordination among urban planners. The study’s conclusions indicate that the state of MSWM in the sampled areas is either inadequate or has poor spatial coverage and container utilization. Lastly, the study primarily suggests that these measures can reduce problems associated with MSWM by encouraging public-private partnerships, fostering effective institutional coordination with urban planner consultants in MSWM and skip-point location, and motivating the community to adopt integrated sustainable Solid Waste Management (SWM) strategies.

Prediction of municipal waste generation using multi-expression programming for circular economy: a data-driven approach.

The existing surge in municipal waste generation (MWG), characterized by swiftly changing and uncontrollable factors, poses a significant challenge to sustainable development. This prompted the need for improved predictive models to guide strategic waste management within the circular economy framework. This study aims to develop a predictive model using multi-expression programming (MEP) to assess MWG. The model was developed using historical data on socioeconomic and environmental factors and validated via comparative analyses with artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (RF), and multiple linear regression (MLR) using various evaluation metrics. The parametric and sensitivity analyses of the MEP model were also conducted. The MEP, ANN, RF, and MLR models have a coefficient of determination (R2) (for testing datasets) of 0.977, 0.974, 0.957, and 0.964, respectively. The MEP model is superior in terms of accuracy and performance for the prediction of MWG when compared to the other three models. The sensitivity analysis revealed the relative importance of each input variable in the established MEP model. The novelty of this research lies in the application of MEP to predict MWG and the formulation of a new mathematical model that links socioeconomic and environmental factors with MWG. The model can be used by waste management authorities to optimize waste collection, transportation, and disposal infrastructure for an effective circular economy and sustainable development. This model also aids in the development of effective waste management policies.

Waste 4.0: transforming medical waste management through digitalization and automated segregation

Medical waste management is a crucial issue due to its potential health risks to humans and harm to the environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises separating medical waste into seven groups based on its type. However, despite the implementation of color-coded bin bags, cases of missegregation still occur frequently, leading to injuries and spreading diseases. Infectious waste such as sharps, human tissue, and body parts are often found mixed in waste bins, posing a severe threat to waste employees. To address this issue, this paper proposes exploring the potential of digitalization in waste segregation. The literature on current segregation methods and technology applications is analysed and compared, and a framework for utilizing barcode tagging and scanning to ensure waste is correctly categorized is presented. The barcodes and scanner will be connected through a monitoring system, which can notify waste generators and collectors of misplacing or mixed waste. This digitalization system is expected to serve as a monitoring agent for segregating waste before it is collected from any health facilities. Additionally, the exchanged data from waste generator bins can inform collectors and other waste stakeholders about the waste's condition, potentially opening up opportunities for recycling companies to purchase used plastics or metals from hospital wastes. By implementing digitalization in medical waste management, waste segregation can improve, reduce the spread of diseases and injuries, and promote the recycling of hospital waste materials.

Fruit and vegetable waste as a raw material for obtaining functional antioxidants and their applications: A review of a sustainable strategy

AbstractThe growing concern about environmental sustainability and increasing fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) generation have stimulated research into their potential valorization. This paper explores using this type of waste to obtain beneficial antioxidants in various fields of study. It is imperative to delve into the problems associated with FVW, shedding light on the staggering amounts generated and the environmental and economic challenges of waste disposal. The biochemical composition of FVW reveals the diverse array of components present, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and of course antioxidants, which can be obtained through different extraction methods, depending on the conditions, the efficiency and the purpose that is required during the process of separation of these compounds from the organic matter. Antioxidants are compounds that can neutralize free radicals, which contributes to combating various conditions and diseases to promote and preserve human health. Several groups of antioxidants have been described, such as polyphenolic compounds in significant amounts in plant biomass as FVW. These antioxidants demonstrate benefits, efficacy and potential applications in industries like medicine, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and functional foods. The valorization of FVW as a source of antioxidants presents a promising avenue for sustainable waste management and the production of natural antioxidants. This approach contributes to environmental preservation and promotes circular economy principles by transforming waste into valuable resources. This paper provides valuable insights into the vast potential of FVW valorization for antioxidant production and its application across diverse industries.

Enhancing PET degradation efficiency through fusing carbohydrate-binding modules in LCC-ICCG

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a largely-produced polymer worldwide. However, its extensive waste generation and resistance to degradation pose significant environmental concerns. Consequently, there is considerable interest in researching enzymatic degradation of PET. Relevant studies have shown that the addition of a carbohydrate binding module (CBM) can increase the affinity between the enzyme and the substrate, enhancing the enzyme's degradation ability. In order to develop more efficient PET hydrolytic enzymes, this study introduced carbohydrate binding domains (CBMs) from different families with different substrate affinities into the PET-degrading enzyme LCC-ICCG. High crystallinity PET powder and amorphous PET film were used as substrates to characterize the degradation efficiency of the modified enzymes, aiming to explore the enzyme with the optimal degradation ability. The results showed that the fusion of type B CBM reduced the degradation rate and Tm value of the enzyme towards PET, while the introduction of type A and type C CBMs significantly improved the degradation rate of the enzyme towards the film-like substrate. The degradation rate and Tm value of PET were also enhanced, especially with the fusion enzyme LCC-ICCG-CBM9-2, which showed an over 10-fold increase in the degradation rate compared to the original enzyme LCC-ICCG. Therefore, this study demonstrates that by introducing type A and type C CBMs, the degradation rate and thermal stability of LCC-ICCG towards film-like PET can be improved, addressing the issue of its low activity and enabling more effective PET degradation. This research provides support for plastic degradation technology and contributes to environmental conservation efforts.

Experimental study on recycling rubber to increase the impact resistance of cement mortar

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in medical waste generation, posing hazards to both the environment and global health. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic’s medical waste hazard may persist long after the pandemic itself subsides. Improper disposal of medical waste can contaminate environment, posing risks to ecosystems and public health. Discarded medical rubber gloves, for example, can become a source of infection, improper disposal of these gloves can escalate the spread of infectious diseases and increase the risk of transmission of the virus to the general public. This study proposes an innovative and sustainable method to reinforce cement mortar by adding recycled glove rubber as an additive to cement mortar to increase its resistance to impact loads. This study conducted uniaxial compression tests, separating hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiments and SEM observations to evaluate the quasi-static compressive strength and dynamic stress of recycled rubber fiber mortar (RRFM) with varying recycled rubber fiber (RRF) contents (0, 1%, 2%, 3%). Strain curves, dynamic increase factor (DIF), energy absorption rules, failure modes, and microstructure of RRFM mixtures. The experimental results demonstrate that with the addition of RRF, the dynamic stress-strain curve flattens and the peak strain gradually increases. The RRFM sample shows stronger toughness. In comparison to regular cement mortar (NM), RRFM has a higher DIF and specific absorbed energy, a faster increase in dynamic compressive strength, and the ability to absorb more energy per unit volume. Under the same impact load, RRFM has fewer and smaller cracks than NM. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) testing also observed that RRF formed a strong connection pattern with the cement mortar matrix.

Design for Circular Manufacturing and Assembly (DfCMA): Synergising Circularity and Modularity in the Building Construction Industry

Modular construction is emerging into the limelight in the construction industry as one of the front-running modern methods of construction, facilitating multiple benefits, including improved productivity. Meanwhile, Circular Economy (CE) principles are also becoming prominent in the Building Construction Industry (BCI), which is infamous for its prodigious resource consumption and waste generation. In essence, the basic concepts of modular construction and CE share some commonalities in their fundamental design principles, such as standardisation, simplification, prefabrication, and mobility. Hence, exploring ways of synergising circularity and modularity in the design stage with a Whole Life Cycle (WLC) of value creation and retention is beneficial. By conducting a thorough literature review, supported by expert interviews and brainstorming sessions, followed by a case study, the concept of Design for Circular Manufacturing and Assembly (DfCMA) was proposed to deliver circularity and modularity synergistically in circularity-oriented modular construction. This novel conceptualisation of DfCMA is envisaged to be a value-adding original theoretical contribution of this paper. Furthermore, the findings are expected to add value to the BCI by proposing a way forward to synergise circularity and modularity to contribute substantially towards an efficient circular built environment.

Study on the Properties of All-Solid Waste Fluidized Filling Materials Applied to Mine Void Area Filling Engineering

The extraction of mining resources, as well as processing processes such as ore beneficiation and smelting, generate large amounts of tailings that are difficult to directly utilize. Meanwhile, substantial filling materials are required for the voids formed after mining operations, and the environmental issues and safety hazards brought on by massive solid waste disposal cannot be ignored. By utilizing solid waste with alkaline and pozzolanic activity as the binder component and gold tailings as filler aggregate to prepare filler material to fill up the void areas, the purpose of waste treatment can be achieved. In this study, salt sludge, steel slag, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and gold tailings were used to prepare all-solid waste fluidized filling material for filling mine void areas, which not only solves the engineering safety problem of easy collapse of the mine airspace in the mining process but also ensures a backfill effect with high strength, which continuously guarantees the uninterrupted progress of the mining project. At the same time, the preparation of fluidized materials can consume a large amount of tailings and other solid waste, solving the problem of their stockpiling. The components of the solid wastes used are all general industrial solid wastes, so the preparation of the fluidized materials will not have an impact on the surrounding environment. The effects of binder ratios on the workability of the filling materials were investigated by means of the slump and slump flow tests. Combined with the unconfined compressive strength test, the change in backfill material strength with curing age and the water–binder ratio was studied. The experimental results showed that the slump and slump flow value of the filling material were positively correlated with the water–binder ratio. The water–binder ratio range satisfying a slump value of 180~260 mm and a slump flow value not less than 400 mm was 0.95~1.106. However, the strength decreased with the increase in the water–binder ratio, conforming to a hyperbolic relationship. The all-solid waste fluidized filling material had strengths not less than 0.22, 1.09, and 1.95 MPa at 3, 7, and 28 d, respectively, meeting the workability requirements. Finally, a method for determining the optimal range of water–binder ratio considering both workability performance and strength is proposed based on the relationship between slump value, slump flow value, unconfined compressive strength, and the water–binder ratio.

Perancangan Bangunan Pengolahan Sampah Terpadu (TPST) di Desa Turirejo Kecamatan Kedamean Kabupaten Gresik

This planning aims to determine the generation of waste, the composition of the waste, the design of the TPST and the Budget Plan in Turirejo Village, Kedamean District, Gresik Regency. The method used to plan this TPST is the method of projection and data analysis. The projection method that will be used in this planning is the Least Square method. The data processing method used is the Slovin method and the Krecjie-Morgan method. Then the design criteria used to plan the design of the TPST in Turirejo Village are guided by the Minister of Public Works of the Republic of Indonesia 2016 concerning the 3R TPS Technical Guidelines. The TPST building consists of an organic waste storage area, an enumeration room, a composting area, a compost warehouse, and an inorganic waste processing area. The Budget Plan required from the TPST development design plan in Turirejo Village is Rp. 677,049,266.

Evaluation of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation rates: A case study in the district of Cumba, Northern Peru

The objective of this research was to evaluate the unit rates of MSW generation in Cumba in the years 2016 and 2022. The calculations were based on the weights of the MSW disposed in the dump located 5 km from the city of Cumba since 2012. The GPC, physical composition, density, humidity were determined in the years 2016 and 2022, studied according to the methodology and group classification of Peruvian regulations. The results show that 5.45 Tn/day−1 are generated in 2016, 4.37 Tn/day−1 in 2022; according to its physical composition, 82% RO, 14% MICVC and 4% MISVC in 2016; 77% RO, 16% MICVC, 7% MISVC in 2022; density 137.90 kg/m−3 in 2016 and 172.69 kg/m−3 in 2022; humidity 67.67% in 2016 and 63.43% in 2022. It was also found that in 100.00% there is no solid waste treatment; Everything generated in homes, businesses and streets is evacuated to the final disposal site, which is a dump. In 2022, Cumba acquired 10 hectares to have adequate sanitary infrastructure and begin the closure and recovery of its current dump. This study will contribute to providing accurate data on MSW generation that allows the local government to promote the optimization of collection routes and schedules, resulting in cost savings and reduction of carbon emissions in the Amazon Region. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness at all levels of society through various means of communication and education, so that the risks of spreading health risks can be minimized by improving MSW management.