Management Of Waste Materials Research Articles

Report: The assessment of hospital waste management: a case study in Tehran

Hospital waste management is an important process that must be dealt with diligently. The management of hazardous waste material requires specific knowledge and regulations and it must be carried out by specialists in the field. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the main stages of hospital waste management including separation, containment, removal and disposal of waste materials in public hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). We selected 108 units of six hospitals (three general hospitals and three subspecialty hospitals) from those hospitals supervised by TUMS using the cluster sampling method. The measurement was conducted through a questionnaire and direct observation by researchers. Association analysis was done by statistical tests; Fisher exact test and chi-squared using SPSS software. According to the results obtained by the questionnaire, most of the studied wards scored moderately in terms of quality of their performance in all stages of waste management. About one-fifth of the wards were suffering from poor management of their medical waste and only a minority of wards obtained good scores for managing their waste materials. The findings also revealed significant associations between temporary waste storage and collection and the level of education of the managers (P = 0.040, P = 0.050, respectively). In summary, the study indicated a moderate management in all processes of separation, collection, containment, removal and disposal of waste materials in hospitals with several observed problems in the process.

Quality

Quality

On the application of a transportation model for revenue optimization in waste management: a case study

This paper describes an interactive decision support system called Opti-Link which has been developed for a company operating in the area of waste and raw material management. Built around a specific transportation problem, the system is used to maximize the revenue generated by selling waste paper to paper mills. Furthermore, the dual variables of the linear program allow the planner to identify upper bounds for setting bid prices to buy waste paper from waste collection companies. First operational results indicate a significant increase in profit while at the same time the duration of the planning process could be cut by more than half.

Project "exchange of secondary raw materials and technology between northwest Russia and southeast Finland": perspectives and opportunities

Waste management and utilization of waste materials are current and remarkable problems inNordic Countries and, especially, in Russia, In the city of St. Petersburg and Leningrad oblastwaste causes a difficult environmental and health problem because plenty of waste is left tothe environment without relevant handling, As a result, it is obvious that a negativeenvironmental impact will occur to the whole region of Gulf of Finland. It is possible todevelop joint solutions for the waste problems in cooperation between Russian and Finnishparties especially for the regions in the adjacent areas of the border. Increasing of volumesimproves the profitability of waste utilization and makes it easier to execute the necessaryinvestments. This favours the exchange and trade of materials derived and/or refined fromwaste and necessary technologies, between Russian and Finnish actors.T ASIC project "Exchange of secondary raw materials and technology between NorthwestRussia and Southeast Finland" is financing by the European Community, represented by theCommission of the European Communities.

Impact of solid shrimp pond waste materials on mangrove growth and mortality: a case study from Pak Phanang, Thailand

One of the most serious threats to tropical mangrove ecosystems caused by shrimp farming activities is the poor management of pond waste materials. We hypothesise that mangroves can tolerate chemical residues discharged from shrimp farms and can be used as biofilters, but the capability of mangroves to cope with solid sediments dredged from shrimp ponds is limited. Our study in Pak Phanang, Thailand, confirmed that the excess sediments discharged from nearby shrimp ponds reduced mangrove growth rates and increased mortality rates. A series of transformed multi-temporal satellite images was used in combination with the field data to support this claim. In addition, a comparison between four dominant mangrove species revealed that Avicennia marina could tolerate sedimentation rates of >6 cm year−1, while Bruguiera cylindrica tolerated sedimentation rates of 5 cm year−1 (total sediment depth = 25 cm) before dying, while Excoecaria agallocha and Lumnitzera racemosa performed intermediate. This outcome implied that in our situation A. marina and to lesser extent E. agallocha and L. racemosa could be more effective as biofilters than B. cylindrica, as they may survive the sedimentation longer in the disposal areas. Further studies on the impact of sedimentation and chemical pollution of shrimp farm wastes on mangrove mortality and growth are required.

The treatment of infectious waste arising from home health and medical care services: Present situation in Japan

The management of waste materials arising from home health and medical care services (HHMC wastes) in Japan is now receiving greater attention from governmental workers dealing with general household waste materials. In general, HHMC waste materials are collected in a mixed form, transported and disposed of along with municipal solid wastes. As a result, municipal workers are suffering needle stick accidents so that infections associated with HHMC waste materials may occur. The collection and transportation by patients and their families of HHMC waste materials with sharp-edges, such as injection needles, to medical-related facilities can prevent municipal workers from experiencing needle-prick accidents. One of the most important strategies for medical-related facilities is hence the education of patients and their families. Improved rules for handling HHMC waste materials are essential for the safe and effective management.

Strategies for building material reuse and recycle

Reuse and recycling of building material is a growing area of interest and concern in many parts of the USA. Current practices and trends in the building material waste management area are examined from a building life cycle standpoint or cradle to reincarnation concept. Strategies include zero waste, integrated recycling, international approaches, reuse of materials, resource optimisation, waste reduction, and deconstruction. Examination of the waste management hierarchy and life cycle management of material is used to improve the understanding of reuse and recycle opportunities. Other considerations include cost, economic factors, social factors and environmental factors. All of these assessments are needed to develop a comprehensive waste management plan for a specific project. Four case studies are also presented to illustrate the benefits that can be derived from effective building material reuse and recycle.

Web-Based Information System Development for Building Demolition Management

The demolition of buildings produces enormous amounts of waste materials that are hardly reused or recycled and therefore result in significant waste streams to landfills. This research aims to develop a Web-based information system for promoting management methodologies for demolition projects. Instead of the waste materials exchange in current online waste material management systems, this research aims to explore the possibility of exchange of demolition projects, by which the utilization of demolished materials may be ascertained before the demolition action is actually produced. With reference of the needs and difficulties of online drawing acquisition in architecture and building discipline, an online multimedia data acquisition tool is developed to collect the drawing data of a project to be demolished. Following the introduction for developing a Web-based distributed database system, a prototyped information system is demonstrated in detail through the system environment, structure and functions.

Nitrogen management considerations for landspreading municipal solid waste compost.

Many municipalities have examined composting as an alternative to landfilling for the management of organic solid waste materials. Ultimately these materials will be land-applied and therefore some knowledge of nutrient availability will be necessary to optimize crop yield and minimize environmental risk. Field studies were conducted in 1993 and 1994 on a silt loam and a loamy sand soil in Wisconsin to determine the effect of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) on corn (Zea mays L.) yield, plant nutrient concentration, and soil nitrate N content. Municipal solid waste composts with ages of 7, 36, and 270 d were applied at rates of 22.5, 45, and 90 Mg ha(-1) to small plots. Rates of commercial nitrogen (N) fertilizer, ranging from 0 to 179 kg N ha(-1), were applied to separate plots to determine the N availability from the MSWC. Treatments were applied in the spring and incorporated before planting corn. The 270-d MSWC increased corn whole-plant dry matter and grain yield at each location in both years above the 7- and 36-d MSWC. Rate of MSWC only affected grain yield at the loamy sand site in 1994. Municipal solid waste compost had minimal effect on the levels of plant nutrients in the whole-plant tissue measured at physiological maturity. Nitrate N measured in the top 90 cm of soil was higher throughout the growing season in treatments receiving recommended N fertilizer when compared with any of the MSWC treatments. It was estimated that 6 to 17% of the total N in the 270-d MSWC became available in the first year. The land-application of mature MSWC at the tested rates would be an agronomically and environmentally admissible practice.

The building materials decree: an example of a Dutch regulation based on the potential impact of materials on the environment

Some 20 years ago Dutch society became very aware of the problem of the increasing production of waste materials and of the need to find solutions. Technical solutions had to be developed and introduced into society. Due to the discovery of many soil pollution problems and other environmental calamities, people asked for clear criteria on which proper and safe solutions could be based. Therefore a large number of environmental aspects had to be taken into account in the developing field of environmental policy. The Dutch building materials decree is one of the steps on the road towards a sustainable society. The decree is based on the soil protection act and the surface water protection act. The decree gives quality criteria for the application and re-use of stony materials and earth used as building materials. No difference is made between primary materials, secondary materials and waste materials. The decree is applicable in case these materials are used in constructions where they are in contact with rain, surface water and ground water (e.g. in embankments, road building, outside walls of buildings, foundations and roofs.) For implementation of the decree in the construction industry it was necessary to develop standards, methods for testing and certification schemes. In order to guarantee independent testing and judgement, laboratories had to meet quality standards put forward in an accreditation scheme. Although this legislation does not cover all environmental aspects, it has proved to be an important element in judging the environmental quality of construction materials in a direct or indirect way, and a contribution to the management of waste materials. The question of clear and fair criteria was easily put forward. Answering this question, however, turned out to be a complex task in which a great number of aspects had to be considered and a great many tools had to be developed, checked and thoroughly discussed. In some cases practical choices had to be made in order to prevent an unclear situation continuing too long. After an introduction period of three years, the decree came into full operation on 1 July 1999.

Environmental Thinking in the Early Years: understanding and misunderstanding of concepts related to waste management

summary This paper provides an overview and discussion of a study of young children's knowledge and understanding of the management of waste materials. It describes a semi‐structured interview and discussion methodology used to ascertain details of children's knowledge and misconceptions about this key environmental issue. Interviews described are with 4 and 6‐year‐old children. The paper presents examples of data recording and analysis, and raises important implications of findings for teachers of children in their first 3 years in school. The study described forms a part of a larger international research project which focuses on acquisition of environmental subject knowledge and development of concern for the environment.

Unified Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Management Regulatory Program: ABSTRACT

Unified Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Management Regulatory Program: ABSTRACT

A study of biodegradation of polyethylene and biodesulfurization of rubber

The present study provides preliminary data on the involvement of such microorganisms asAspergillus niger in the biodegradation of commercially available polyethylene packaging thin films and T.ferroxodans andT. thiooxidans in pure and mixed cultures in the desulfurization of rubber samples. Further studies are in progress, and it is expected that the generated results will contribute to the solution of certain problems associated with the disposal and management of polymeric waste materials.

Regulation of Wastes From the Metals Mining Industry: The Shape of Things to Come

The metals mining industry generates enormous quantities of waste materials. In the past these waste materials were not regulated. In some instances, inadequate management practices regarding these wastes resulted in significant environmental damage. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) contain provisions affecting the management of waste materials from mining. This paper reviews the amounts and types of waste material generated during the mining and beneliciation stages. The provisions of RCRA and CERCLA affecting the disposition of these wastes are discussed. Special attention then is given to natural resources damage suits under CERCLA aimed at old mining sites and the recently announced EPA program for regulating newly generated mining wastes.