A critical review on functionalized biochar from solid waste: Advancing sustainable construction and CO2 capture.

Life cycle assessment of integrated waste management systems towards carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability

Novel enzymatic cocktail enhances bioplastic hydrolysis and biomethane production during anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste.

Economic and environmental prospects of implementation of waste management systems in higher educational institutions (HEIs): A study on IIT Indore campus

Synergistic removal of methanethiol and other odorant gases by a metabolically complementary synthetic consortia isolated from food waste.

This article examines the optimization of sanitation and municipal solid waste management systems in the markets of Conakry, a critical issue for major African cities and undoubtedly one of the environmental challenges with significant adverse impacts on human health. The study analyzes waste management practices in Conakry’s markets, taking into account the specific types of products traded, in order to propose sustainable management strategies. The analysis is based on interviews conducted between February and June 2024 and April 2025 with municipal and market authorities, as well as vendors and customers. In addition, a structured questionnaire was designed to assess the current state of waste management in the major markets of Conakry. The results reveal a proliferation of illegal dumping sites and the absence of a systematic waste collection system, thereby exposing market users to continuous health and environmental risks. The study also highlights the main constraints affecting waste management, as well as the various stakeholders involved. Furthermore, there is no effective policy for waste collection or for the segregation of solid and liquid waste streams. These findings underscore the urgent need to propose an optimized and integrated system to improve waste management in Conakry’s markets.

Heavy metal poisoning of water and soils remains a serious environmental and public health issue in Africa, fuelled by growing industrialisation, mining operations, urban growth, and insufficient waste management systems. Although artificial intelligence has been widely regarded as a transformative tool for global environmental monitoring, existing research rarely addresses Africa-specific constraints, rarely integrates detection and remediation, and offers limited guidance for policy implementation in data- and resource-constrained contexts. This study conducts a systematic review using a structured literature synthesis guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) screening principles to investigate artificial intelligence-based approaches for heavy metal detection, prediction, mapping, and remediation in African water and soil systems. The evaluation assesses the performance, data needs, and contextual applicability of machine learning, deep learning, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems, Internet of Things-enabled sensing, and geospatial artificial intelligence in comparison to worldwide applications. The synthesis shows that remote sensing-artificial intelligence frameworks and Internet of Things-integrated systems enable scalable monitoring and early-warning capabilities, whereas artificial neural networks and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems achieve high predictive accuracy (coefficient of determination frequently > 0.90) under limited data conditions. Despite showing potential, adoption is hampered by fragmented datasets, poor digital infrastructure, talent gaps, and insufficient integration with regulatory frameworks. To address these issues, the report suggests an Africa-focused artificial intelligence-environment policy framework to promote sustainable heavy metal management and increase environmental governance.

ABSTRACT Sustainable waste management is very challenging in the present world, emphasis on the innovative approaches to reduce environmental impact while promoting resource conservation is required. By manipulating material at the nanoscale, nanotechnology offers promising solutions to support waste treatment, recycling and disposal processes. Due to high efficiency and effectiveness nanotechnology can provide novel methods for waste degradation, energy recovery and pollutant removal. For the development of advanced filtration systems, sensors and environmental monitoring tools, nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, nanocatalysts and nanocomposites are utilized for more sustainable waste management practices. It is essential to clear away heavy metals from polluted water because of their toxic effects on ecosystems and human health. Present chapter explores and provides solutions from nanotechnology in achieving sustainable waste management, including its application in reducing hazardous waste, improving recycling processes and enabling to recover energy from waste materials. Further discusses the challenges, risks and future directions for the integration of nanotechnology into sustainable waste management system. Keywords: Nanotechnology, sustainable waste management, Nanomaterials, Nanotubes, Environmental Monitoring.

Abstract Background: Food waste, which is a component of municipal solid waste, is incinerated or dumped in open area which may cause severe health and environmental issues. A complete and environmentally sound Solid Waste Management requires effective contribution from all those who are involved in this problem. Objective: To evaluate the impact of an organized model of waste management system and community mobilization on food waste disposal practices. Materials and Methods: The present Quasi Experimental Study was conducted among 198 households in Thiruvalla. A semi structured, pilot tested questionnaire was used to collect information about the baseline waste disposal methods practiced. An individual ring compost unit was set up for each individual household.The beneficiaries were given training and the survey was repeated to evaluate any change in practices after a year. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for before and after comparison of mean values across groups. p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The number of study participants practicing segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes increased from 18% (before intervention) to 80.3% (after intervention). The change in the household waste disposal practices of the study population after Setting up of a ring compost unit and waste management training was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Provision of ring compost units and training of the community could help in providing a long term solution to the domestic food waste problem.

Utilizing household kitchen waste is one of the strategic solutions to reduce the volume of organic waste while supporting environmentally friendly agriculture. This activity aims to describe the process of converting kitchen waste from the residents of Lubuk Banjar Village into liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) through an integrated waste management system and its application to planting red shoot trees. The methods used include socialization of organic waste management, training on making LOF using kitchen waste, and applying LOF to red shoot plants as a form of direct implementation in the community. Data were obtained through observation, documentation, and evaluation of plant growth results after the application of LOF. The results of the activity indicate that the community is capable of processing kitchen waste into liquid organic fertilizer (POC) independently, and the application of POC has a positive impact on the growth of red-tip plants, such as improving soil fertility and better leaf development. This activity not only contributes to reducing environmental pollution caused by organic waste but also increases community awareness and participation in sustainable waste management. Thus, the utilization of kitchen waste into POC through an integrated waste management system can be an effective and sustainable alternative solution for the residents of Lubuk Banja Village.

Nuclear waste management represents a challenge due to the hazardous characteristics. The most efficient alternative is to prevent improper disposal, thereby avoiding environmental harm and optimizing the resources needed for transport and storage, which in turn minimizes the associated costs. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the use of plasma technology in waste management for radioactive waste. To understand the impact of implementing a plasma reactor in the radioactive waste management systems, various scenarios were created to analyse the behaviour, particularly in terms of disposal costs for this waste, in this studied case. In light of the present work, the methodology, positive results and analyses may encourage further studies for the development of plasma systems with greater capacity and plasma processes designed to treat low-level radioactive waste. It is essential to acknowledge a limitation in this study, which is the existence of various factors and experimental conditions that can influence the performance of the plasma thermal process. There is also a need for test procedures specifically designed to evaluate the immobilization of radioactive waste.

This study aims to analyze the green transformation processes of existing hospitals and the sustainable design principles of newly constructed healthcare facilities in Türkiye. Given the healthcare sector's significant environmental impacts-including high energy consumption, carbon emissions, water management challenges, and waste recycling issues-this research investigates strategies to minimize these impacts and support the transition toward sustainable healthcare systems within the national context. A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 24 healthcare managers from both public and private hospitals across Türkiye. Participants were selected using criterion and maximum variation sampling techniques, supplemented by snowball sampling to identify relevant stakeholders. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA 2020 qualitative analysis software to extract key components of sustainable healthcare facilities. The analysis revealed several critical environmental challenges facing existing hospitals in Türkiye, such as the lack of sustainable infrastructure leading to excessive energy consumption, inefficient waste management systems, suboptimal water use, and limited initiatives aimed at reducing carbon footprints. In contrast, newly designed healthcare facilities demonstrate solutions including the integration of solar panels and renewable energy systems, implementation of water recycling, adoption of green roof designs and natural ventilation, and the expansion of smart energy management technologies. Healthcare managers highlighted that the main barriers to green hospital transformation include high costs, structural limitations of existing buildings, and insufficient managerial support. To effectively advance green transformation in the Turkish healthcare sector, it is recommended to establish sustainable architectural standards for new hospital buildings, develop financial and managerial frameworks to incentivize the green transformation of existing facilities, and accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral healthcare systems through targeted policy and strategic initiatives. The widespread adoption of green practices in healthcare institutions is critical for environmental sustainability and public health. Efficient resource management, waste control, and environmental awareness programs are essential to align healthcare institutions in Türkiye with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Not applicable.

Introduction Mongolia’s transition to electric mobility presents environmental opportunities to mitigate air pollution and potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also generates complex waste streams such as end-of-life (EoL) Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIB). This study investigates the status of Mongolia’s waste management system and how it can be optimized to enhance the circularity of such waste streams. Methods Original data was collected through field research at collection, repair, storage, and disposal sites, and complemented by stakeholder interviews and an analysis of the country’s waste management legislation. Official vehicle fleet statistics (2010–2023) were used to forecast the quantity of EoL NiMH and LIB until 2050 and conduct a Material Flow Analysis for 10 different scenarios. The dataset comprises both qualitative data, describing the current waste management scenario, and quantitative data on vehicle imports, fleet composition, and battery specifications, with assumptions for missing values based on market trends. Results Results reveal that Mongolia lacks infrastructure and policy for safe and sustainable EoL battery management. EoL battery outflows were estimated using a two-parameter Weibull distribution model; forecast reliability was assessed via out-of-sample backcasting of the vehicle-fleet projection against historical fleet statistics (2019–2023 hold-out: MAPE = 4.71%). The results of the EoL battery quantities are scenario- and parameter-dependent projections for the lifetime and battery-specification assumptions. The results show that cumulatively (from 2023 to 2050), in the Current Scenario, 10,302 tons of EoL NiMH and 38,650 tons of EoL LIB are expected to be generated. In contrast, for the Climate Focus Scenario, 10,455 tons of EoL NiMH and 102,586 tons of EoL LIB are expected. Discussion The lower values of NiMH in 2050 are due to the expected transition from NiMH to LIB in HEV. Recommendations to enhance EoL battery management’s circularity include focusing on improving EoL battery collection, implementing Extended Producer Responsibility, integrating the existing informal sector, enhancing regional and international cooperation, and improving data acquisition and management. In summary, a combined approach involving local and international cooperation and socio- and technological development is essential for improving the circularity of EoL battery management in Mongolia.

The accumulation of large volumes of waste worldwide has made the implementation of effective waste management systems a necessity. Waste management encompasses waste collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and other related measures. The primary objectives of waste management are to minimize environmental risks and to maximize the use of waste as a source of energy.

Food waste is one of the most important world-wide challenges whose environmental, economic and social impacts have far-reaching effects that include contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, resources depletion as well as the rising levels of food insecurity. These problems are further intensified in Asia due to high rate of urbanization, population growth, changing dietary habits, and lack of waste management facilities. These conditions complicate the fact that countries are increasingly struggling to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which is to ensure that by 2030, half of the world has dropped per-capita food waste, and food losses at the entire supply chain spectrum are cut by half. This review discusses the latest food waste management activities, challenges, and developments in Asian nations based on the evidence found in 170 academic articles published between 2015 and 2025 and chosen according to PRISMA guidelines. This research paper assesses food waste sources different region, treatment, and policy responses, but with special attention to the realm of sustainability and a circular economy. The results indicate that East Asian nations have developed policy-making and waste-to-energy technologies. South Asian countries, on the contrary, remain plagued by structural issues, such as poor waste separation, lack of experience, low awareness of the population, and poor infrastructure. Such cross-cutting concerns as land shortages, financial constraints, and ineffective policy enforcement also make it less likely to achieve SDG 12.3. In general, the review determines some important gaps, regional differences and potential areas of improvement of food waste management systems in Asia. Therefore, this review shows the necessity of consistent strategies, more coordination, and better interaction with the population to contribute to sustainable and effective food waste reduction solutions throughout the region.

Introduction. With the adoption of Federal Law No. 306-FZ of August 8, 2024, “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation,” hospital waste management was integrated into the federal waste management system. However, a closer analysis of certain provisions and their correlation with the practical work of medical institution has raised new questions.Objective. To analyze regulatory changes and identify new uncertainties that could impact on the practical work of medical institution and the environment.Material and methods. The provisions of the new law were analyzed in relation to issues related to the practical work of medical institutions, as well as ensuring the environmental and sanitary-epidemiological safety of waste management.Results. A number of uncertainties have been identified, relating to both specific waste management issues (responsibility for developing environmental documentation and its practical implementation) and broader issues, such as environmental safety (the possibility of further processing of Class A medical waste and the consequences of certain waste from medical institutions being classified as municipal solid waste, even though they are not, by definition, municipal solid waste) and sanitary and epidemiological safety (the lack of priority given to hardware-based treatment methods over physical impact methods). These uncertainties stem from insufficient legislative development of certain issues and provisions (the delineation of responsibilities for ensuring environmental requirements, the clarity of terminology, and the impossibility of legitimately defining hazard classes and issuing certificates by either a medical institution or a regional solid municipal waste management operator).Conclusion. The identified uncertainties lead to a lack of clear understanding of certain aspects of medical waste management. Their elimination requires a consolidated decision by several government agencies regulating both medical waste management and its production and consumption.Contribution: Balakaeva A.V. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing a text; Skopin A.Yu. — collection and processing of material, writing a text. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final versionConflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Funding. The study had no sponsorship.Received: November 18, 2025 / Accepted: December 2, 2025 / Published: February 10, 2026

Urbanization and aging populations challenge public health in developing cities like Shiraz, where environmental factors significantly influence old adults' health. This study examined urban environmental impacts on older adults' health in Shiraz and developed predictive machine learning models for health outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025, involving 3,000 older persons aged 60 years and above across 11 municipal zones of Shiraz. Stratified random sampling was used. Environmental data (green space per capita, population density, waste production) were extracted from municipal records. Health outcomes (BMI, frailty, depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction) were assessed using validated tools (GDS-4, GAI-5, LSI-Z). Statistical analyses included regression models and machine learning (Decision Tree, SVM). The SVM model demonstrated superior predictive performance (R²=0.75 for frailty) compared to Decision Trees (R²=0.71). Key predictive relationships emerged: each 1m² increase in green space per capita predicted a 0.8-point reduction in depression scores (95% CI: -1.2 to -0.4) and 0.3-point lower frailty index. Waste production exceeding 250kg/capita was associated with 35% greater fall risk (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.12-1.63). Population density showed nonlinear associations with outcomes in SVM models, with thresholds varying by health indicator. Environmental quality plays a critical role in older adults' health. "Urban planning strategies that enhance green spaces and strengthen waste management systems may substantially improve health outcomes among older adults in urban settings.

Abstract Plastic pollution is a significant ecological challenge of the 21st century. Conventional recycling and disposal strategies remain inadequate, and there is growing interest in biological approaches to counter plastic waste. Here, we discuss insect-based plastic degradation, highlight the potential of cockroaches and their gut microbiota and examine molecular mechanisms, to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We argue that insects should be considered not only as opportunistic feeders but also as living bioreactors capable of extending their metabolic repertoire through microbial symbiosis.

Waste management in the coastal area of Lhoknga District Aceh Besar Regency, still faces various challenges, both technical and non-technical. Waste is generally disposed of without segregation, openly burned, or directly discharged into the environment without adequate treatment. This study aims to analyze the existing conditions of solid waste management, map material flows within the waste management system, and formulate strategies for implementing a circular economy approach using SWOT analysis. The methods employed include field observations, waste generation measurements, and in-depth interviews with local residents. The results indicate that household activities are the dominant source of waste generation, with the largest composition consisting of organic waste, particularly coconut waste with a generation rate of 0.061 kg/person/day and food waste amounting to 0.072 kg/person/day. The application of the 9R principles by the community remains limited and is primarily confined to reuse, recycle, and recovery practices. Based on the SWOT analysis, the waste management strategy is positioned in Quadrant I, indicating a favorable condition characterized by strong internal capacities and significant external opportunities. The recommended strategies emphasize an aggressive growth approach through the establishment of Waste Collecting Points (WCPs), the development of educational tourism initiatives, and the strengthening of local partnerships. This approach integrates material flow analysis with strategic assessment at the local level and is expected to support sustainable coastal waste management based on circular economy principles.

Waste management challenges at the University of West Sulawesi (Unsulbar) are primarily driven by low awareness, limited knowledge, and inconsistent waste-sorting practices among campus communities. This community service program aims to enhance the capacity of students, lecturers, administrative staff, and cleaning personnel through educational interventions, environmental campaigns, and the provision of organic–inorganic waste-sorting facilities. The methods included an initial survey, interactive socialization sessions, practical demonstrations, group discussions, installation of categorized waste bins, and on-site mentoring. The results indicate a significant improvement in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills in waste sorting. Post-intervention observations show positive behavioral changes, reflected in the increased accuracy of waste disposal and stronger commitment to adopting 3R practices. The program demonstrates that combining educational approaches with facilities and campaign activities is effective in fostering a more responsible environmental culture within higher education institutions. Sustaining this progress requires continuous monitoring and alignment of waste-sorting behavior with the campus waste-management system.