Waste Management Company Research Articles

Gestion des déchets associés aux soins et éco responsabilité des cabinets dentaires en Tunisie : Enquête nationale

AIM or PURPOSE: The increasingly production of medical waste(MW) is a public health problem. The impact on human health and environment are very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the practices and knowledges of Tunisian dentists about this field of interest.MATERIALS and METHOD: We conducted a cross sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire of 29 questions was published in a specific group of dentists in the social media. Data were collected immediately on GoogleForms and treated with SPSS.RESULTS: We collected 187 responses, of whom 82.8% were concerned about the impact of their practice on the environment. Practitioners who had been in practice for more than 10 years were more concerned about this issue (p=0.022).In 87,71% of cases, they stored the MW separetly, 12.3% outsourced to a waste management company. For the remaining, 95.12% of them disposed of in public bins. Most participants (87.3%) did not have a special container for sharps waste. Amalgam waste was disposed of with other waste for 35% of participants, increasing the risk of air and water contamination. The majority of participants used digital radiography (83.5%).Most participants (92.5%) had not received any training in healthcare waste management.CONCLUSION(S): There was a gap in the knowledge of proper MW management among Tunisian dentists. This issue must be a priority for the various national stakeholders involved, because protecting the environment is the responsibility of all of us. We must preserve this planet for future generations.

Exploring Gender Involvement in Solid Waste Management in Ibadan, Nigeria: Roles, Challenges, and Opportunities for Sustainable Development

Solid waste management practice in Ibadan has been largely focused on the technical issues of waste disposal with little or no attention paid to the gender involved. This study examines gender involvement in solid waste management in Oluyole local government, Ibadan, Nigeria. Gender activities play an important role in solid waste management as there is clear understanding of the perceptions of both men and women that is required in waste management. Data analysis was based on 374 households/shop owners and 2 waste management companies by survey questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Results showed that waste management practices are influenced by the demographic factors such as income level. The result also shows that both gender handles solid waste effectively but the women participation are found to be higher than that of men in some areas of waste management practices. The study concludes that proper integration of both men and women into the existing solid waste management can lead to sustainable management practices and possibly alleviate poverty. Based on this research results, recommendations are made to improve gender involvement in solid waste management for sustainable development in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Assessing the readiness of Greek municipalities to manage bioplastics in municipal waste management streams

Each year citizens of the European Union (EU) generate 2.5 billion tonnes of waste; equating to five tonnes of waste per person per year. To ensure optimal material recovery, and to support the move towards a circular economy, proper separate collection of waste is necessary. The current trend of increasing collection rates, encouraged by EU legislation, is promising; however, progress is uneven both across and within EU member states. While European and national targets provide the overarching driver for better waste collection, regional and local implementation is crucial for achieving continued progress. Therefore, it is vital to consider the disparity among the different EU countries when introducing new materials, such as bioplastics (bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics), into current national waste management streams, and any new introductions should be carefully evaluated before further actions are recommended by local authorities. As a member state that is heavily reliant on tourism, proper solid waste management is of vital importance in Greece, especially during the peak summer season. Considering the rapid expansion of bioplastics in the European market, it is important to assess the readiness of municipalities in Greece to manage this new category of solid waste. Data collected from 51 Greek municipalities via questionnaire (distributed to public authorities or waste management companies) showed that the current situation and capacities for adapting waste management streams to process bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics is still limited in Greece. Therefore, the readiness of Greece to process an increasing proportion of bioplastics within the waste stream (using the current waste management systems) is very low, as a result, such innovative materials are currently seen more as a problem than a ready-to-implement solution.

Green business process management in a Polish municipal waste treatment plant-regional case study

Despite COVID-19, the world economy still contributes to the growth of production and consumption worldwide. Waste disposal, recycling management and energy generation are challenges for many companies in developing economies, including Poland. This article aims to assess the operation of a municipal waste treatment plant (MWTP) from the perspective of green business process management (BMP) solutions. The processes implemented in the MWTP were discussed, with specific consideration of the mechanical waste processing (sorting) process, including the reuse and recycling of materials, composting, energy production (anaerobic process), landfill storage and efficiency parameters of the sorting line. A sustainable waste management system was identified; the cost as well as social and environmental perspectives were analyzed. Also, strategic goals and key performance indicators were considered. The performed analysis included costs, environmental criteria and key environmental indicators. This paper has shown the successful implementation of green BPM, with potential cost and material savings results. The findings of this case study are expected to inspire other waste management companies to adopt green BPM. The presented case study might help raise awareness and promote the implementation of green BPM in municipal plants in Eastern and Southern Europe.

Bankruptcy Analysis of Polish Waste Management Companies

The waste management system should be constantly monitored to ensure rational waste management, limit the possibility of contamination of surface and groundwater, reduce the risk of waste fires and illegal storage. Unfortunately, in many cases this system remains without constant supervision, and subsequent waste management enterprises remain bankrupt, are closed or are subject to bankruptcy proceedings. Main aim of this paper is the construction of the author's model of financial bankruptcy prediction dedicated to the specificity of waste management companies activity. That discriminatory model will allow entities dealing with waste management to be given early warning of the risk of bankruptcy and for them to take corrective actions that will allow them to continue their very important activities aimed at protecting the natural environment. Based on the backward stepwise regression procedure on a group of 136 bankrupt and 136 still operating enterprises from the analyzed sector of economy, a discriminatory model was proposed. It was able to accurately predict the bankruptcy/continuation of business activity of over 76% of the analyzed waste management enterprises. The effectiveness of the predictions of the original model is much higher than the predictions calculated using other, popular discriminatory models. Obtained research results indicate that the proposed models should be constantly developed for waste management companies, not only for economic reasons, but above all for environmental reasons.

An Overview of Circular Economy Management Approach for Sustainable Construction and Demolish Waste Management

<p>The construction industry has been identified as a major contributor to environmental degradation, particularly through the generation of waste. Unsustainable production and consumption patterns in the construction industry have resulted in high amounts of waste, which is often disposed of in landfills. To address this challenge, a circular economy management approach has been proposed to achieve sustainable construction and demolition waste management. This review provides an overview of the circular economy management approach for sustainable management of construction and demolition waste. The circular economy management approach emphasizes the need to reduce waste generation and promote the reuse and recycling of materials. This approach also advocates the use of sustainable materials and the implementation of effective waste management practices throughout construction and demolition. The circular economy management approach to sustainable management of construction and demolition waste includes several key strategies, including adopting sustainable design and construction approaches, promoting reuse and recycling of materials as well as developing effective waste management systems. These strategies require the cooperation and involvement of all stakeholders in the construction and demolition process, including architects, contractors, developers, and waste management companies. The circular economy management approach offers a promising framework for achieving the goals of destructive waste management and sustainable construction. By promoting sustainable patterns of production and consumption, this approach can help reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry while generating economic benefits for stakeholders. However, successful implementation of this approach requires strong regulatory support and the willingness of all stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices.</p>

Towards circular fashion: Management strategies promoting circular behaviour along the value chain

The fashion industry is a significant driver of cultural, societal, and economic growth worldwide, but its traditional linear approach has led to negative environmental and social impacts. This study addresses the need to transition towards sustainable and circular practices by exploring the relationship between management strategies and behaviours across the fashion value chain. Through 10 semi-structured interviews with top industry decision-makers, thematic analysis revealed eight core themes, including collaborations, marketing strategies, product-related characteristics, education and awareness, business models, integration of technology, regulations and legislation, and strategic planning. The study provides targeted recommendations for stakeholders to promote a more sustainable and circular behaviour in the fashion industry. For instance, it emphasises strategic partnerships with suppliers, waste management companies, and consumers to minimise waste and promote circularity across the value chain. It urges the adoption of sustainable materials and eco-friendly designs for environmentally conscious consumers and encourages visual storytelling for transparency. Additionally, the study highlights the need for circular business models, recommending on-demand and made-to-measure manufacturing to align production with demand and reduce overproduction. Offering end-of-life strategies such as take-back programs, recycling initiatives, and repair services extends product lifecycles and creates sustainable value. Integrating advanced technologies such as digital IDs improves supply chain transparency and accountability. These actionable recommendations guided the development of a comprehensive framework for the practical application of sustainable and circular practices across the value chain, offering industry practitioners, researchers and policymakers effective strategies for driving impactful change within the fashion industry.

Challenges in municipal solid waste management-A comparative case study between selected metropolitan areas Brazil and Portugal

This research was aimed at analysing the management of urban solid waste in Brazil and Portugal, with an emphasis on the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto and the Recife/PE/Brazil Metropolitan Area. An exploratory research project was conducted with a survey of secondary data, technical visits to institutions and companies in the waste sector, and a comparative analysis of the situation in the areas studied. In Portugal, the management of municipal solid waste in the period before 1995 was predominantly municipal, which evolved into a consortium of municipalities with the entry of Portugal into the European Union in 1986. The country adapted its legislation to the EU Directives, and from 1997, the waste sector suffered a boost with the adoption of the first Strategic Plan for Urban Solid Waste, which was constituted by 40 public waste management companies that associated several municipalities, and some of them also had the state's share in their share capital. However, due to the lack of economic scale of some of these companies, there were mergers, and at the end of 2010, the total number of companies was 23, grouped into entities of a multi-municipal character (when the state enters into the composition of the share capital of the society) and inter-municipal (only constituted by municipalities), currently responsible for the management of waste in Portugal. In Brazil, the National Solid Waste Policy was approved by law in 2010, establishing lines and guidelines for integrated waste management with defined time targets. However, it is not yet fully implemented because about 45% of municipalities still dispose of waste at dumping sites. With regard to the municipalities of the Recife Metropolitan Area, the disposal of waste has already been environmentally appropriate since 2019. According to 2022 data from Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning and Special Waste Companies, the average rate of selective collection in the country is approximately 4%. The research results reveal that Brazil needs to increase selective collection, eliminate approximately 3,600 existing landfills and finally regulate urban solid waste services. While in Portugal, management is well organized as a result of the implementation of PERSU in 1995, there are still challenges to be overcome in order to meet the goals set in the New Legislative Framework, which have not yet been achieved. The specificities and the context are obviously different between the countries, drawing attention to the difference in effectiveness in the implementation of public policies edited by the legal diplomas of the two countries for solid waste management.

How Indonesia’s Cities Are Grappling with Plastic Waste: An Integrated Approach towards Sustainable Plastic Waste Management

In Indonesia, plastic constitutes the second largest component of municipal solid waste; however, 58% remains uncollected. Most plastic recycling depends on informal sectors, accounting for only 10% of the total, leaving the remainder to potentially harm the environment. This paper analyzes how cities in Indonesia have tackled their plastic waste problems from the perspective of the integrated sustainable waste management framework. This study focuses on plastic waste management (PWM) in three cities: Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Magelang. Data were collected from 41 semi-structured interviews, a plastic waste composition data analysis, and site visits. The research outcomes include a comprehensive analysis of stakeholder roles, plastic waste flow, plastic waste composition data, and various challenges in PWM. This study identifies three main stakeholders in collecting plastic wastes: the Department of Environment as the main local government body, community-based waste banks, and private waste management companies. Most recyclable plastic waste is recovered through waste banks and private collection services. In 2022, the predominant types of plastic waste in Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Magelang City were soft plastics, thick plastics, and hard plastics, respectively. The challenges for the PWM stem from various aspects in political, legal, and institutional; environmental; financial and technical; and socio-cultural spheres. Positive trends towards an integrated system are observed, although full integration has not yet been achieved. The research recommends a multi-stakeholder cooperative approach involving municipal authorities, waste banks, and private collectors, responsive to local conditions and emphasizing sustainability aspects throughout waste management stages for a sustainable resource recycling in developing countries.

E-Waste Bin: An Interactive Waste Management and Monitoring System Via IoT Platform

Nowadays, waste management has become a challenge faced by the developing and the developed countries. The main problem occurred when waste accumulates beyond capacity before schedule collection. This situation may led to huge environmental pollution and potential outbreaks of disease in the society. In this case, waste pickers are essential in waste management by ensuring timely waste collection and preventing bin overflow. However, monitoring bin levels in real-time poses a challenge for them. Hence, this research proposes a mobile application for solid waste management, designed to monitor the garbage fill level of the waste bin. The app alerts both users and waste pickers to potential overflowing bins, allowing users to communicate directly with waste management company. Employing an ESP8266 NodeMCU, HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, MQ-4 gas sensor, and solar power for energy efficiency, this system results in a user-friendly mobile application. This innovation is aimed at mitigating the issue of waste overloading and improves the environmental quality.

Green Tech and Human Dynamics: Transforming Indonesia’s Waste Industry with VR, AR, and Renewable Energy Innovations

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of implementing virtual reality technology, augmented reality, renewable energy, and green leadership on industrial sustainability in waste management in Indonesia. Additionally, this study aims to examine the role of HR attitudes as a moderating variable in this context. The study focuses on leaders of large and medium-sized companies in Indonesia in 2022. The study examines several variables, including virtual reality, augmented reality, the application of renewable energy, and the application of green leadership. The study also considers exogenous variables such as industrial sustainability in waste management in Indonesia, and moderating variables such as HR behaviour. The data analysis employs SEM analysis using SMART PLS 3.0 software. The study methodology employed entails a quantitative descriptive approach utilising data analysis through the structural equation model (SEM) method. The data processing using the SEM method is conducted with the PLS application. Based on the findings of previous studies, it can be inferred that virtual reality, augmented reality, renewable energy, and green leadership have a partial impact on the sustainability of industrial businesses involved in waste treatment in Indonesia. Additionally, these variables also influence the behaviour of HR in responding to technological changes and the adoption of renewable energy in waste management companies in Indonesia. The variables of virtual reality, augmented reality, renewable energy, and green leadership have a simultaneous impact on the sustainability of industrial businesses involved in waste treatment in Indonesia. This impact is mediated by the HR behaviour in response to changes in technology adoption and the use of renewable energy in waste management companies in Indonesia. By implementing virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, as well as embracing the latest energy solutions and fostering a green leadership mind-set, companies can drive changes in human resource behaviour. This will enable employees to continuously adapt to technological advancements, particularly in smartphone applications, and leverage them to enhance existing businesses and ensure their sustainability. Moreover, the promotion of green energy will induce a shift in human resource practices towards consistently utilising eco-friendly energy sources and embracing sustainable leadership models within each organisation. This will ensure the long-term survival of the organisations and mitigate environmental harm caused by global warming.

Working Paper 49: Dirty deals – Case studies on corruption in waste management and trade

Waste management is a huge industry at the local, national and international levels. Public services play a key role in dealing especially with waste generated by households. Getting waste management right is essential if we are to achieve a circular economy and the Sustainable Development Goals.
 Complex legal frameworks and their weak implementation open up spaces for criminals to profit from illegally managing or trading in waste. The consequences on the environment and human health can be severe. The role of corruption in crimes involving waste is unexplored.
 An initial analysis shows the potential for corruption to play a role in:
 
 influencing policy decisions involving waste management;
 corrupt deals involving the selection of waste management companies linked to powerful elites;
 schemes to gain lucrative waste management contracts through systematic bribery;
 illegal imports of hazardous substances for profit, avoiding or suppressing formal controls.
 
 The report explores five case studies (Albania, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Canada–Philippines, US–South America) and proposes a typology of corruption patterns in crimes involving waste management and trade.

From dumping to circular economy: There is no success like failure.

Waste management has been developing in response to needs. The need to get rid of unwanted materials has always been a motivation but using the resource value of waste has also been a driver from the stone age and forwards. In affluent times not so much. Sanitation became a motivation with the discovery of pathogenic microorganisms in the mid-19th century, and after World War 2 (WW2) a strong focus on environmental protection developed, and in recent times, the resource aspect has received an interest despite material affluence. Legislation has been one of the drivers for recent developments, in the case of Sweden, the environmental protection legislation came in the late 1960s, and a few years later, the municipalities got the exclusive right to collect and manage household waste. Many local and regional waste management companies were established, owned by the municipalities. These organizations became agents of development, due to the increased scope and capacity. Adding to the environmental protection agenda, a renewed interest in waste as a resource was initiated by the oil crises of the 1970s, resulting in new waste incineration plants, with energy recovery, connected to already existing district heating networks. Mistakes, failures and alarms in the 1970s and the 1980s resulted in treatment method improvements and the establishment of source separation as an integral part of waste management. The waste management community stands strong today and is taking a more proactive role than before, which includes a stronger focus on communication with other stakeholders.

Precursors of circular economy practices

The study examined the precursors of circular practices among waste management firms in Ghana. Its objectives were to assess the internal financial environment and the external financial environment of the firms as the precursor of its circular economy practices The study used a cross-sectional design and a quantitative research method. Data was collected from the owners/managers of integrated waste management firms in the Environmental Service Providers Association of Ghana database. On that note, 524 firms participated in the survey. The data was collected using a closed-ended questionnaire consisting of a seven-point Likert-like scale. The findings show that the factors influencing the adoption of circular economy techniques by waste management companies in Ghana include the internal environment that is firm-level financial environment, financial readiness, and investment readiness. External factors such as country level financial environment and international level financial environment were not significant precursors. It is advised that companies in the circular economy, such as waste management companies, establish the enabling conditions for moving ahead with sustainable business practices.

Accounting for nature contributions to people in corporate sustainability: The case of a waste management company in Portugal

AbstractNature's contributions to people (NCP) are contributions of natural capital to people's quality of life, being at the center of political and societal concern. There is an increasing recognition of businesses' responsibility toward conservation and responsible use of natural capital. In this exploratory study, we identified gains of corporate investments on natural capital, focusing on LIPOR, a waste management company that closed and converted a dumpsite into a multifunctional Urban Green Space. We gathered and reviewed available data and concluded that there are €113,020,478 in NCP benefits, from €7,760,032 business investments by LIPOR, roughly representing a positive cost–benefit ratio of 14, over 2 decades. Results suggest that well‐targeted business investments in natural capital can provide high rates of return associated with people's benefits. Our case study contributes to fulfilling a gap in business literature by deliberately linking rates of investment on natural capital with the valuation of NCP benefits.

A mathematical model of optimal pricing for the equilibrium budget balance of a company specializing in solid household waste collection

This paper proposes a pricing model to ensure the budget balance of a company responsible for collecting and treating solid household waste in a city. The model used is of the Principal-Agent type which considers two actors at play, namely the leader (the service provider company) and the follower (the households and establishments that are the beneficiaries of the waste collection service). The model is a constrained bi-level optimization program. The model was applied in the case of Benin to the Grand Nokoué waste management and healthiness Company (SGDS-GN) whose intervention area, in the beginning, covers five communes in the southern part of the country. The solving of the optimization program was made with three (03) scenarios: the company spends two (02) times a week for waste collection (scenario 1), the company spends three (03) times a week for waste collection (scenario 2) and the company spends four (04) times a week for waste collection (scenario 3). The simulation results show that scenario 2 with three (03) passages per week appears more optimal for both the company (the operating result is higher) and the beneficiaries of waste collection services (the rate to be paid is lower).

Productive Management of Garbage: A Case of Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC)

This study quantifies the role and importance of Rawalpindi Waste Management Company, the whole processes that take place in it, and the policies on which they work. Urbanization has led to the increasing use of industrial by-products. Industries influence the environment in two folds one is creating waste during the manufacturing process and the second is products make more waste after they are used. Waste is managed by using (R-3) Reuse, Recycle, and Restore. Waste composition varied from time to time and region to region. RWMC’s target is Clean and Green Rawalpindi. Waste from Households, Hospitals, industries, and others is properly discarded by fulfilling the National Environmental Quality Standards. In this regard, the main concern is to focus on ‘’Sustainable Development’’ to secure our environment for the next generations.

The Influences of Traces of Oxygen and Sulfide on the Corrosion of Copper Under Canadian Nuclear Waste Disposal Conditions

The Canadian repository concept for the permanent disposal of used nuclear fuel is to seal it in Cu-coated steel containers and dispose of it in a deep geological repository (DGR) surrounded by compacted bentonite clay. The Cu coating will be directly bonded on the steel vessel and lid using electro-deposition (ED-Cu), with the final container closure weld sealed with a cold-sprayed Cu deposit (CS-Cu). To assess the durability of such a container, long-term corrosion experiments have been performed on CS-Cu and ED-Cu specimens, and compared with those performed on wrought Cu specimens provided by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB-Cu).Experiments were conducted in 3 M NaCl solutions containing traces of sulfide (< 10- 6 M) for exposure periods of ≥150 days. These conditions reflect a generic groundwater that may influence container corrosion in a Canadian DGR Since conditions in a DGR will evolve from initially oxic to eventually anoxic, experiments were conducted under three sets of redox conditions: (i) aerated (oxic) conditions; (ii) Ar-purged (oxic to anoxic transition conditions (with a dissolved [O2] ~ 10- 6 M)); and (iii) anaerobic chamber (anoxic) conditions ([O2] < 1.3 × 10- 9 M). The exposure process was followed using open circuit (i.e., corrosion) potential and polarization resistance (RP) measurements. Specimens were analyzed before and after corrosion using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy on surfaces and focused ion beam cut cross sections, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron/Auger spectroscopy.In all environments, all three types of specimens (ED-Cu, CS-Cu, SKB-Cu) showed similar behaviour. Under anoxic conditions, minor corrosion, indicated by large RP values, leading to the deposition of traces of chalcocite (Cu2S) (identified by Raman spectroscopy) and observed by SEM, indicated that corrosion could be attributed to reaction with the trace amounts of sulfide present in NaCl. In Ar-purged solutions, the RP values were approximately one order of magnitude lower (i.e., the corrosion rate was one order of magnitude higher) than those measured under anoxic conditions, and significant corrosion damage was observed in SEM micrographs. Both Cu2O and Cu2S were detected by Raman spectroscopy. The detection of oxidized sulfur species (SO3 2 - and SO4 2 -) on the corroded surface by XPS/Auger confirmed that even trace amounts of dissolved O2 led to sulfide oxidation and the possible formation of potentially more corrosive species such as thiosulfate (S2O3 2 -). Under aerated conditions, extensive corrosion occurred leading to the formation of green CuII products (atacamite (Cu2(OH)3Cl)) with no detectable Cu2S formation.Within the DGR, corrosion of Cu under anoxic conditions will be limited by the available supply of sulfide, which may be produced remotely at the host rock/clay interface and/or in the porewater within the rock fractures. In the presence of even trace of dissolved O2, the corrosion process is significantly accelerated with the formation of potentially aggressive oxidized sulfur species. Under aerated conditions, extensive corrosion due to reaction with O2 leads to the deposition of CuII deposits. On the time scale of these experiments with only trace of sulfide present, no detectable conversion of copper oxide to Cu2S was observed. Keywords: Copper; Sulfide; Corrosion; Nuclear waste disposal

Musculoskeletal discomfort and wrist flexor tendonitis among street sweepers and associated risk factors.

Street sweepers are reported to suffer from high rates of work-related musculoskeletal discomfort worldwide, especially in their wrists. The study aimed to 1) determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and 2) specifically determine the prevalence of wrist flexor tendonitis and its associated risk factors among street sweepers. Three hundred and eighty-five sweepers employed by the Faisalabad Waste Management Company (FWMC) participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data: the first section provided demographic information, the second assessed musculoskeletal disorders, and the third section assessed the wrist flexor tendonitis among street sweepers. The mean age of the sweepers was 38.34 years. Out of 385 street sweepers, the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort was reported in 265 (68.83%). The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort in sweepers reported during COVID-19 according to the past 12 months, the highest three prevalence rates were 46.5% in the wrists/hands, 37.9% in the shoulders and 35.1% in the lower back. The three highest prevalence rates of musculoskeletal discomfort in sweepers according to the last 7 days were 29.6% in the wrists/hands, 24.4% in the lower back and 24.2% in the shoulders. Out of total 385 participants, prevalence of wrist flexor tendonitis was reported in 103 (26.8%) sweepers. Significant association was found (p < 0.05) between wrist flexor tendonitis and gender (p < 0.003), age (p < 0.05), working experience (p < 0.003), street sweeping distance (p < 0.01), number of brooms used per month (p < 0.002) and getting tired at the end of work (p < 0.001). The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort and wrist flexor tendonitis seen during COVID-19 is high among sweepers, with wrist/hand being the most commonly reported region for pain. This study emphasizes the importance of providing guidelines about effective precautionary healthcare measures for street sweepers.

Empirical analysis of cost-effective and equitable solid waste management systems: Environmental and economic perspectives

The solid waste management (SWM) system is in a transitional phase in developing economies, and local municipalities and waste management companies are stepping toward integrating a waste treatment approach in the scheme of waste handling. However, there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective techniques, models, and potential revenue streams to sustain the state-run waste sector self-sufficiently. The proposed SWM model aims to support the local waste sector in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, with 100% service area coverage to attain environmental and economic sustainability by defining dedicated waste collection streams to ensure quality material recovery under a cost-effective approach and modality. The innovative approach is applied to allocate the tonnage to various streams as per the city's current land use plan. The estimated/cost of the cleanliness services will be USD13.1 million per annum with an estimated per ton cost of USD 23. The establishment of the proposed material recovery facility (MRF) will process about 500 t/d of waste to produce 45 t/d compost and recover 130 t/d of recyclables. The environmentally friendly model saves 2.4 million tons of CO2‒eq/month from composting and recycling. The average economic potential from MRF and debris-crushing plants, including environmental benefit value, is calculated as USD 3.97 million annually. Recovery of services fee (70%) for various collection streams based on city land use and socio-economic conditions will generate revenue of USD 7.33 million annually. The total revenue will be USD 11.31 million (86% of total annual expenditures) to track the sector's self-sufficiency. To successfully reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), engaging the private sector from environmentally advanced economies to collaborate in the waste sector to enhance local technical capabilities is recommended.