Waste Generation Research Articles

Quantification of Inorganic Waste from Estero Atascoso: Mitigation Strategies

Objective: The objective of this study was to quantify the inorganic waste of the Atascoso estuary as a mitigation strategy. Theoretical Framework: This topic presents the main concepts and theories that support the research. Highlighting the diagnosis of the current situation and dynamics of inorganic waste generation, also the quantification of inorganic waste, and for the design of a comprehensive management plan for inorganic waste using mitigation strategies; providing a solid foundation for understanding the context of the research. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes diagnosing the current situation and generation dynamics of inorganic waste, also to quantify inorganic waste, and methodology to design a comprehensive management plan for inorganic waste using mitigation strategies. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed the critical situation of the estuary is due to the increase in the accumulation of garbage and the lack of environmental awareness. Therefore, it is essential that the population and the authorities act immediately to promote sustainable and responsible habits in the community. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. This section also considers possible discrepancies and limitations of the study. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature through specific applicability, for a given area. The relevance and value of this research is evident in the use of mitigation strategies to promote sustainable and responsible habits in the community.

Analisis Penerapan Faktor-Faktor Green Supply Chain pada Proyek Konstruksi Gedung di Kota Palangka Raya

Climate change due to increased greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. The construction sector contributes to economic development by providing equipment and physical infrastructure. However, there are negative impacts such as waste generation and environmental pollution, especially in developing countries. Green supply chain as a way to reduce the negative environmental impact of construction projects. Green supply chain practices are considered as environmentally friendly practices that include water efficiency, energy efficiency, waste management, environmental conservation, recycling and reuse. But the lack of research on green supply chains has led to very little information about the application of green supply chains in building construction projects. The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the dominant factors in the application of green supply chain factors in building construction projects in Palangka Raya City. This research uses quantitative descriptive methods and data collection in the form of surveys and distributes questionnaires to 36 contractors with a return rate of 89%. This study identified 68 green supply chain factors applied to building construction projects in Palangka Raya City. The results showed three dominant factors in the application of green supply chain factors in building construction projects in Palangka Raya City as a whole: There are performance evaluations for workers, Quality testing is carried out on installed mechanical and electrical installations, There are SOPs for work control and supervision.

Unlocking the Impact of Chemicals on the Health and Safety of Pharmaceutical Workers: A Concise Review

The paper presents a concise review of the historical development of the pharmaceutical industry and the problems related to chemical exposure on the health and safety of employees. The industry has greatly improved healthcare worldwide, but it is one of the riskiest due to problems like exposure to dangerous chemicals. Herein, we provide evidence of the health repercussions of pharmaceutical exposure. The paper notes that a diversified approach is required to address these issues. Firstly, there is a need to extensively examine and understand the degree of chemical exposure and its long-term health implications. Tighter laws are necessary to implement higher environmental and safety standards, whereas employee education and training will help to raise awareness of possible hazards. Green chemistry and sustainable methods will curb or mitigate the use of hazardous chemicals and waste generation. Moreover, there is a need to promote sustainable and safer work cultures through safer behaviours, increased public awareness, and community interaction. Pharmaceutical companies must commit to continuous enhancement of their operations, decrease the risks associated with chemical exposure, and put worker and environmental health first. This strategy contributes to a safer and more sustainable pharmaceutical future by being in line with the industry’s commitment to innovation and safety.

Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Surrounding Mining Region of Kizhnica in Kosovo

This study investigated the distribution of heavy metals in agricultural soils in the vicinity of three large mining landfills of the Kizhnica mine in the Republic of Kosovo. The mining sector is one of the most important sectors of Kosovo’s economic development, and the Kizhnica mine is one of the most important ore producers in Kosovo. Besides the positive aspects, the development of production also has some negative side effects, such as the generation of industrial waste and the possible contamination of surrounding areas, including agricultural land. Therefore, ten sampling sites were selected in the vicinity of the Kizhnica mine. These sites were characterized and assessed as the most important due to the anthropogenic impact of mineral processing and open-tailing waste deposits in Kizhnica. The concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu, As, Cd, Ni, Mn and Sb in the selected samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. The data obtained were used to create geochemical maps and calculate the contamination factor, pollution load index and geoaccumulation index. Cluster analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient and air spatial distribution patterns using the air dispersion model were used to evaluate within the area. The results showed that heavy metal levels are influenced by the anthropogenic nature of pollution, confirming a current ecological threat from mining activities in the region. In order to improve waste management, reduce the hazardous impacts of mining and contribute to the sustainable development of the region, the potential reuse of the deposited waste material in the construction industry is proposed.

Waste heat-driven water generator with optimized multi-cycle strategy for high water yield

Water scarcity and energy crisis have recently become two severe global problems. Low-grade waste heat, a substantial byproduct of energy consumption, promises to provide safe water by driving sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) device. Herein, a low-grade waste heat-driven atmospheric water generator (LWG) is constructed with rapid kinetics at the system level. Solely in 3 h, the device obtains 1.766 g g−1 of water productivity and up to 98 % of water recovery ratio driven by 120 °C of waste heat. Further, an optimized multi-cycle operation strategy is proposed to guide LWG's daily water harvesting, enabling it to predictably obtain over 15 kg m−2 day−1 water productivity by maximizing systemic sorption and desorption-condensation rates. The strategy not only is widely suitable for all SAWH devices, but also provides a universal optimization guideline for sorption-based dehumidification, thermal storage, and electric thermal management.

Use of Socio-economic, Climatic, and Land use Land Cover Patterns in Solid Waste Forecasting with Integrated Gradient LSTNet Based Model in Lomé, Togo

ABSTRACT Few studies have explored recurrent neural network models in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation forecasting regarding the inefficiency of conventional and probabilistic tools. This study aimed to develop a new approach of Integrated Gradient Long- and Short-term Time series Network (LSTNet+IG)-based models, assess the baseline neural network models, and provide features influences explanation on MSW generation by using socio-economic, climatic, and Land Use Land Cover (LULC) patterns. Hence, the Random Forest Regressor and Gradient Boosting Regressor methods were used for feature selection, and the IG component was incorporated to LSTNet model for feature influence explanation alongside baseline models implementation. Moreover, the metrics such as root relative square error (RSE) and relative absolute error (RAE) were used to evaluate models’ performance. As a result, the LSTNet+IG outperforms others with the lowest RSE (0.9727) and RAE (0.9108). Moreover, five key influencing features were found, namely the number of households and institutions, mean relative humidity, electricity consumption, built area, and mean temperature. Hence, the socio-economic, climatic, and LULC features in MSW generation forecasting have shown to be important in decision-making for effective MSW management. Therefore, the LSTNet+IG model adoption by stakeholders could help to anticipate and mitigate MSW mismanagement through better planning.

Investigation of mechanical, durability, and thermal properties of sustainable self-compacting mortars containing construction demolition waste and supplementary cementitious materials

This study aims to produce sustainable self-compacting mortar (SSCM) to provide solutions to the waste generation caused by the construction industry and to provide alternative solutions to the increasing consumption of natural resources and cement. In SSCM designed as 12 different mixtures; recycled sand (RCS) and pumice were used as aggregate and silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA) were used as supplementary cementitious materials (SCM). The mechanical, durability, and thermal properties of the produced SSCM were investigated. Compressive and flexural strengths were determined at age of 7, 28 and 90 days. Significant increases in flexural and compressive strengths were observed for 10 % SF and 10 % FA substitutions. After 90 days of water curing, the specimens were exposed to high temperature. A decrease of up to 93.4 % in flexural strength was observed after high temperature effect. Sorptivity, water absorption and porosity values were determined. Thermal conductivity test was also performed on the specimens. Significant changes were observed due to the use of SCM. The global warming potential (GWP), and energy consumption (EC) were considered to evaluate environmental properties. Significant reductions in GWP and EC values were observed for mortar series with 30 % SCM. Significant gains were achieved in economic properties due to the use of SCM, with total costs decreasing by approximately 10 %, especially in series with 30 % SCM. SSCM produced using recycled aggregates and SCMs have provided significant contributions to sustainability.

Does product market competition affect corporate waste management? International evidence

We investigate the impact of product market competition (PMC) on corporate waste generation and Recycling. Analysing a global sample of 42 countries from 2002 to 2020, we find a positive (negative) association between the PMC and corporate waste generation (Recycling). Our channel analysis reveals that PMC diminishes both a company's profitability and cash flow, leading to lower waste management (Recycling). In further analysis, we demonstrate that the positive effect of PMC on waste generation is more prominent in financially constrained firms. Our study provides novel evidence of the consequential impact of competition on sustainability initiatives and presents important policy implications for regulators.

Evaluation of TPS 3R and Waste Bank Management in Sungai Penuh City

Sungai Penuh City has 16 units of TPS 3R and 1 unit of waste bank that are not operating optimally. The evaluation to determine the condition of TPS 3R and waste bank and the potential reduction obtained if they are operated again. The research began by collecting data on generation of solid waste, composition, and recycling possibilities for household waste. Sampling of waste generation based on SNI 19-3964-1994 in 8 sub-districts in Sungai Penuh City for 8 consecutive days with the household generation of solid waste outcome of 0.328 kg/person/day or 2.789 l/person/day. The composition of household waste in Sungai Penuh City includes 57.74% food waste, 14.38% plastic waste, 11.62% paper waste, 5.19% yard waste, 4.89% other waste, 2.79% glass waste, 2.16% fabric waste and 1.24% metal. Sungai Penuh City has the capacity to recycle household solid waste is 68.90%. TPS 3R and waste bank was evaluated based on the Technical Guidelines for TPS 3R of The Ministry of Public Works and Housing in 2023 and the Regulation by the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number 14 of 2021. The evaluation results show that 3 units of TPS 3R are in the medium category, 4 units of TPS 3R are in the less category and 9 units of TPS 3R are in the bad category. Meanwhile, waste bank is in the bad category. The potential for waste reduction by TPS 3R and waste bank if operated optimally is 23.26% of the total waste generated in Sungai Penuh City.

Organic Reactions Enabled by Mechanical Force-Induced Single Electron Transfer.

Mechanochemical reactions, achieved through milling, grinding, or other mechanical actions, have emerged as a solvent-free alternative to traditional solution-based chemistry. Mechanochemistry not only provides the opportunity to eliminate bulk solvent use, reducing waste generation, but also unveils a new reaction strategy which enables the realization of reactions previously inaccessible in solution. While the majority of organic reactions facilitated by mechanical force traditionally follow two-electron transfer pathways similar to their solution-based counterparts, the field of mechanochemically induced single-electron transfer (SET) reactions has witnessed rapid development. This review outlines examples of mechanochemical reactions facilitated by the SET process, focusing on the reagents that initiate SET, thereby positioning mechanochemistry as a burgeoning field within the realm of single-electron chemistry.

Assessment of Solid waste generation and composition in Bungoma County Urban Centres for appropriate waste management approaches

Assessment of Solid waste generation and composition in Bungoma County Urban Centres for appropriate waste management approaches

The impact of sustainable design and construction upon FM: four case studies

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the impact of sustainability measures taken during the design and construction phases, by examining two categories of sustainability: energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions and material selection and waste management. These aspects are examined from the perspectives of long-term building performance and maintenance practices, as well as user/tenant satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach This study includes a literature review related to the two topics under consideration, followed by a comparative case study analysis of four projects to determine practical validity. All case studies in this paper used a semi-structured survey with various project stakeholders, which helped the authors identify measures taken as well as obstacles and challenges during the process. Findings According to the four case studies, adequate attention should be paid to the two areas of interest during a project’s design and construction phases. Including case studies from around the world (four case studies from three different countries) offers insights into effective sustainability practices in building design and construction, providing instances of successful implementation and emphasizing the obstacles and potential when incorporating sustainability into the design and construction phases. Research limitations/implications The findings also show that design and construction participants and companies should reduce waste generation and carbon emissions. In addition, they should make decisions on material selection to enhance projects’ sustainability and to contribute to creating a habitable planet for the future. Originality/value The influence of the design and construction phases on long-term project sustainability is of major importance and concern to users, owners, designers, contractors and facility managers. This study illustrates the necessity of including sustainability measures in the design and construction phases, highlighting the importance of sustainability in building design and construction through effective implementation techniques and interdisciplinary teamwork to realize sustainable goals.

Critical factors for assessing building deconstructability: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis

In various cities/other urban settlements, buildings are replaced with newer stocks, ending many buildings' lives. Unfortunately, these buildings nearing or at end-of-useful lives are mostly not deconstructed; instead, they get demolished, resulting in waste generation and pollution, among other environmental concerns. Deconstruction supports closing the material loop in construction, facilitating reuse at end-of-life of the building; however, it is not always easy to assess the feasibility of deconstruction for existing buildings – deconstructability. For this purpose, this paper investigated critical factors that needed to be checked to make informed decisions about the deconstructability of buildings. These factors cover economic, social, environmental, legal, and technical dimensions. Based on the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), 31 significant drivers were identified. These drivers were classed into seven factors. The findings in this paper contribute to the practice of deconstruction, mainly supporting deconstructability decision-making and are helpful for deconstruction/demolition auditors, waste-management consultants and/or other stakeholders with waste minimisation goals, particularly for buildings nearing or at the end-of-useful lives.

Development of the Optimal Logistics System for Organic Recycling

Abstract Along with the socio-economic development, the generation of solid waste in Vietnam is increasing, becoming an environmental problem. The amount of domestic solid waste generated in Vietnam is currently about 25.5 million tons/year, and is expected to increase on average by 10-15% per year due to rapid population growth, combined with the process of industrialization and urbanization. However, the collection and treatment system of solid waste is still a dilemma. Domestic solid waste management is still treated in traditional ways such as incineration and landfill, causing many harms to the environment. The Optimal Logistic System for Organic Recycling study aims to develop an IoT integrated Logistics system, called LogiOT system, to promote the circular economy model in Vietnam, and proposes a plan to combine waste segregation and utilization of domestic organic wastes as food for worm farming sites to produce organic fertilizers, will reduce CO2 emissions in greenhouse gas emission, contributing to the promotion of model development Circular economy in Vietnam helps to make the environment greener and cleaner. In addition, the logistics model is proposed to solve the problem of the collection system of waste from households, as well as the distribution of organic solid waste to worm farms and distribution of organic fertilizers to the vegetable gardens appropriately, optimizing the cost of the transportation as well as balancing the amount of organic solid waste distributed and the amount required by the garden owners and the amount of solid waste discharged.

Green endoscopy, one step toward a sustainable future: Literature review.

Rapid climate change or climate crisis is one of the most serious emergencies of the 21st century, accounting for highly impactful and irreversible changes worldwide. Climate crisis can also affect the epidemiology and disease burden of gastrointestinal diseases because they have a connection with environmental factors and nutrition. Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a highly intensive procedure with a significant contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Moreover, endoscopy is the third highest generator of waste in healthcare facilities with significant contributions to carbon footprint. The main sources of direct carbon emission in endoscopy are use of high-powered consumption devices (e.g. computers, anesthesia machines, wash machines for reprocessing, scope processors, and lighting) and waste production derived mainly from use of disposable devices. Indirect sources of emissions are those derived from heating and cooling of facilities, processing of histological samples, and transportation of patients and materials. Consequently, sustainable endoscopy and climate change have been the focus of discussions between endoscopy providers and professional societies with the aim of taking action to reduce environmental impact. The term "green endoscopy" refers to the practice of gastroenterology that aims to raise awareness, assess, and reduce endoscopy´s environmental impact. Nevertheless, while awareness has been growing, guidance about practical interventions to reduce the carbon footprint of gastrointestinal endoscopy are lacking. This review aims to summarize current data regarding the impact of endoscopy on GHG emissions and possible strategies to mitigate this phenomenon. Further, we aim to promote the evolution of a more sustainable "green endoscopy".

Environmental risk assessment of plastic waste from riverside traditional markets at Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam

Abstract Traditional markets in Mekong Delta are usually located close to waterways such as rivers, streams, or channels. Although market’s waste is collected daily, a significant volume of them, including plastic waste was dumped to surrounding aquatic environments. In this study, a total of 20 composite solid waste samples from 10 riverside markets in coastal districts of Tra Vinh Province, were collected. In the laboratory, after the determination of the physical composition of market waste samples, the plastic waste was classified into seven common types including PET, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PP, PS, and others. Then, five markets with the highest solid waste generation were selected to collect one sediment and three water samples along the beside waterways to analyse bisphenol A (BPA) contents. The results showed that plastic amount in solid waste samples inside markets ranged from 23.3% to 36.7%, while those along the waterways presented 26.7% to 43.3%. The highest amount of plastic type was PET, followed by PP, LDPE, PS, HDPE, and PVC. The highest BPA contents in both water and sediment samples right in front of the riverside market gates suggested the high risk for aquatic environment around the markets.

Landfill reclamation using the example of the municipal waste disposal plant in Puławy – a case study

Landfilling remains a dominant method of waste disposal worldwide, largely due to inadequate waste management frameworks, despite efforts to promote recycling and reuse. As populations and consumption levels grow, waste generation continues to increase, highlighting the need for effective waste management solutions. Landfills are sites where waste undergoes various physical, chemical and biological transformations, making the implementation of safety measures, leachate collection and gas recovery systems critical. This article presents a case study of the reclamation of the Puławy municipal landfill, which has been in operation since 1998. The reclamation process involved extensive steps such as forming the landfill body, securing the slopes, constructing a degassing layer, implementing a sealing layer and applying a cover layer. These measures were crucial in mitigating the negative environmental impact of the landfill, reducing harmful emissions and improving local groundwater quality. The results of the Puławy municipal landfill reclamation include reductions in leachate and gas emissions, improvements in air/groundwater quality and the transformation of the site into a green space that provides recreational opportunities for the community. This reclamation project serves as a model of responsible waste management and community involvement, demonstrating how degraded landfills can be transformed into valuable public resources. The article also discusses the broader implications of landfill reclamation, noting both the positive and negative aspects. Benefits include environmental protection, resource recovery, enhanced biodiversity and improved quality of life for local communities. However, challenges such as the long-term monitoring and maintenance of reclaimed sites and the financial costs associated with reclamation efforts are also considered. This study also underscores the importance of landfill reclamation in the process of shaping and promoting environmental sustainability, as well as addressing modern waste management challenges.

Characterization of municipal solid waste in Kuwait: Sector-specific composition analysis and implications

ABSTRACT Municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization plays a pivotal role in devising effective waste management strategies conducive to fostering a circular economy. This study presents composition analysis across twenty-four subcategories sourced from residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in Kuwait. The study is conducted in accordance with the Standard Test Method for Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste (ASTM D5231). The results indicate that organic waste comprises 45.3%, followed by paper waste (19.9%) and plastics (19.8%). The remaining waste comprises glass waste (3.5%), diapers (2.7%), textiles (2.6%) and other waste. Paper waste (19.9%) consists mainly of mixed paper (12.1%), cardboard (3.7%), newspaper (3.3%), printer printouts (0.6%) and other office paper (0.2%). Plastic waste (19.8%) consists mainly of film (11.2%), PET (3.1%), HDPE (1.1%) and other mixed plastics (4.4%). Residential and mixed areas have the highest proportion of organic waste. Commercial areas produce the highest proportion of wastepaper (22.4%) and textiles (3.7%). Industrial areas produce the highest proportion of plastic waste (29.1%), most of which is film (17.3%). The study also provides an overview of the MSW management system in the country, an overview over the legislative framework, and forecasts of future waste generation rates with comparison to historical baselines. Implications: The precise and up-to-date characterization of municipal solid waste is imperative for scholarly journal submissions, as it establishes a foundational understanding of waste composition, aiding researchers and policymakers in the development of effective waste management strategies, resource recovery initiatives, and sustainable solutions to address the evolving challenges in waste management systems. This study provides detailed composition analysis for twenty-four municipal solid waste (MSW) subcategories collected across different sources: residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed areas. Time series forecasting is applied to predict MSW generation based on historical data obtained through the local municipality over the past decade. Factorial analysis is applied to investigate changes across source areas, and a hypothesis test is used to compare the current MSW composition against previous baselines. The results demonstrated significant variation across most waste categories. The plastic waste proportion has increased by 48.5% compared to 2013 data, despite awareness campaigns. Paper waste has also increased in proportion from 6.8% to 16.2%; this increase is associated with the mixed paper subcategory, which is mostly used for packaging. The composition data provided in this study are necessary for long-term monitoring, strategy assessment, and legislation associated with waste reduction and remediation.

Characterizing the packaging waste generation patterns and carbon emissions of university delivery service

As the main consumer group for online shopping and ordering fast food, young people—particularly university students—have contributed to a substantial amount of packaging waste. In the present study, the material flow method was employed to quantify the generation and end-of-life flows of packaging waste from both the express delivery and food delivery sectors at universities in China. Moreover, this study takes reusable packaging materials for food delivery services as a case study to evaluate their environmental benefits through a simplified life cycle assessment approach. The results show that approximately 1.7 (±0.3) million metric tons and 123 (±1.0) kilo metric tons of packaging waste were generated from express delivery and food delivery services, respectively, for university students in 2021. Although reusable food packaging is more complex and costly than regular disposable food packaging is, our modeling results show that reusable food packaging has significant emission reduction benefits under the current practice of 63 cycles per year of actual operation at a specific university. The reusable packaging mode in universities is feasible from an environmental perspective; however, it faces significant challenges due to a few concerns among stakeholders, such as high costs and inadequate recycling supply systems.

Evaluating the spatiotemporal variation of Ba River water quality in the agricultural and urban watershed in the highland of Vietnam.

The Ba River in Vietnam has been facing pollution due to waste generation from agricultural and urban areas. This study focuses on evaluating the spatiotemporal variations in river water quality based on physicochemical characteristics and pesticide parameters for different seasons in 2022-2023. The results indicate that the concentrations of most parameters in the rainy season were higher than those in the early-dry and dry seasons due to the non-point sources in agricultural areas. Notably, the analysis of pesticide residue in both the rainy and dry seasons revealed low levels of chlorpyrifos (ethyl), and deltamethrin was detected in the only rainy season. The results from the hierarchical cluster analysis and water quality index show that the water quality at Ben Mong, An Khe, and Ba River Bridges was classified as moderately to highly polluted. These areas should focus on regular water quality monitoring and appropriate pollution source management. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Agriculture activities strongly affected the water quality of the Highland Ba River of Vietnam. Chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin pesticides (0.0074-0.0218 μg/L) were detected in Ba River. Non-point pollution sources significantly influenced water quality in the Ba River. Variations in river water quality mainly depend on seasons and locations. Water quality index values in rainy seasons (26-88) are lower than that in dry season (37-92).