Waste Policy Research Articles

National Solid Waste Policy: An Analysis in the Municipalities that Make Core of Vale do Jaguari – RS

National Solid Waste Policy: An Analysis in the Municipalities that Make Core of Vale do Jaguari – RS

Efficiency of construction waste and carbon reduction in the construction industry: based on improved three stage SBM-DEA model in China

PurposeReducing construction waste generation and carbon emission in the construction industry is crucial for the “dual carbon” goal. Evaluating the efficiency of reducing construction waste generation and carbon emission in the construction industry at the regional level is an important evaluation basis for the sustainable development of the construction industry. It provides a basis for formulating construction waste and carbon reduction policies tailored to local conditions and comprehensively promote the sustainable development of the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA three stage SBM-DEA model based on non-expected outputs is proposed by combining the SBM-DEA model with the SFA method. The proposed model is used to evaluate the efficiency of construction waste and carbon reduction in the construction industry in 30 regions of China from 2010 to 2020. Moreover, the study explores the impact of environmental variables such as urbanization level, proportion of construction industry employees, resident consumption level, and technological progress.FindingsFrom 2010 to 2020, the efficiency of construction waste and carbon reduction in China’s construction industry has been increasing year by year. Provinces with higher efficiency of construction waste and carbon reduction in the construction industry are mainly concentrated in the eastern coastal areas, showing an overall pattern of “East>West>Northeast>Middle”. There is a clear correlation between the level of urbanization, the proportion of construction industry employees, residents’ consumption level, technological progress, labor input, machinery input, and capital investment. The construction waste and carbon emission efficiency of the construction industry in various provinces is greatly influenced by environmental factors.Practical implicationsThe research results provide policy makers and business managers with effective policies for reducing construction waste generation and carbon emission in the construction industry, especially circular economy policies. To provide empirical support for further understanding the connotation of construction waste and carbon reduction in the construction industry, to create innovative models for construction waste and carbon reduction, and to promote the multiple benefits of construction waste and carbon reduction in the construction industry, and to provide empirical support for countries and enterprises with similar development backgrounds in China to formulate relevant policies and decision-making.Originality/valueThe construction industry is a high investment, high energy consumption, and high pollution industry. This study uses the three stage SBM-DEA model to explore the efficiency of construction waste and carbon reduction in the construction industry, providing a new perspective for the evaluation of sustainable development in the construction industry, enriching and improving the theory of sustainable development.

Impacts of a municipal solid waste classification policy on carbon emissions: case study of Beijing, China

National and local governments implement municipal solid waste classification policies to reduce waste disposal and minimize environmental pollution. Beijing started implementing its classification of municipal solid waste policy in May 2020. This study evaluates the impact of Beijing’s household waste classification policy on carbon emissions during collection, transportation, and treatment. The policy’s introduction reduced the number of trash bins, influenced transportation modes, and altered waste treatment emissions. We found a notable reduction in average net carbon emissions post-policy implementation (2403 kg CO2eq per metric ton of waste) compared with pre-policy (3584 kg CO2eq per metric ton of waste). If Beijing reaches its 2025 waste target, these emissions will decrease further to 1760 kg CO2eq per metric ton of waste. Translating these findings into monetary terms confirms this policy’s environmental and economic efficacy.

Assessing the Impact of Environmental Waste Policies on Manufacturing Industry Practices

Assessing the Impact of Environmental Waste Policies on Manufacturing Industry Practices

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.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT RELATIVE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND PROGRAMS TOWARDS SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

This study aims to investigate solid waste management programs and policies implemented to promote a safe and healthy school environment in Anao-Kiling Elementary School, Roxas, Isabela. Fifty internal and 30 external stakeholders served as respondents of the study. This research uses a descriptive-normative approach to assess stakeholders' awareness, implementation levels, and challenges. The data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed through statistical tools such as percentages, weighted means, ANOVA, Chi-Square C-Test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results showed that there is a high level of awareness among respondents regarding the policies of segregation, reduction, reuse, and recycling. However, challenges remain regarding waste disposal, showing the need for improvements in the overall implementation of the program and advocacy efforts. In addition, the level of stakeholder participation varied, with composting of biodegradable waste showing the highest level of implementation. Internal stakeholders experienced excessive waste, whereas external stakeholders experienced problems such as a lack of time. There was a significant relationship between existing programs, dissemination, and implementation levels. However, the respondents' perceptions and their profile variables did not show a significant correlation. Conclusions emphasize stakeholder representation, adequate dissemination of program information, and the need for targeted solutions to address implementation challenges. As a result of this study, holistic waste management strategies are crucial to creating a sustainable and healthy educational environment.

Assessment of plastic waste management in Bangladesh: A comprehensive perspective on sorting, production, separation, and recycling

The handling of plastic garbage has become a significant environmental and social issue worldwide, including in Bangladesh. This study thoroughly evaluates the methods used in Bangladesh for managing plastic trash, explicitly focusing on sorting, manufacturing, separation, and recycling. The research utilizes qualitative and quantitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, and analysis of existing data, to get insights into the present condition of plastic waste management infrastructure, policies, and practices in Bangladesh. This text examines the difficulties and advantages of categorizing plastic garbage, including the involvement of the informal sector and the absence of organized procedures. In addition, the research examines the manufacturing and consumption habits that contribute to the accumulation of plastic trash, emphasizing the necessity for sustainable alternatives and efforts to raise consumer awareness. The global mismanagement rate is 22%, and the recycling rate for plastic trash is 9%, which is lower. Six hundred forty-six metric tons of plastic waste are collected daily in Bangladesh, yet only 10% of that waste is recycled, and 37.2% needs to be correctly disposed of. Many techniques are utilized to recycle plastic trash worldwide, but Bangladesh wants to recycle 50% of plastic garbage by 2025. Moreover, the research investigates methods for separating plastic waste, highlighting adequate segregation's significance in streamlining recycling procedures. The process assesses current recycling activities and infrastructure, pinpointing any deficiencies and potential opportunities for enhancement. The analysis highlights the importance of improving recycling capability and advocating for circular economy concepts to reduce plastic pollution and prevent resource depletion. In summary, this comprehensive analysis of plastic waste management in Bangladesh provides significant insights for policymakers, industrial players, and civil society participants.

Domestic Facemask Waste Policy Based on Environmental Ethics in the Covid-19 Pandemic: Urgency and Challenges.

The Covid-19 pandemic greatly affected various aspects of life. To prevent and control its spread, people are morally and legally obliged to wear face facemasks. The use of facemasks brings many waste problems. However, the Indonesian policy on facemask waste management does not regard the massive environmental consequences, as the amount of domestic facemask waste reaches hundreds of tons daily with limited management capacity application. Hence, this study aims to assess current issues and policies on facemask waste from the perspective of environmental ethics. This research used the juridical-normative method, where legal rules and principles were processed to address current issues, supported by literature sources. This research employed qualitative approach to collect and analyze data. Results showed that there was a legal void which caused terrible facemask waste management in Indonesia. There was confusion in categorizing facemask waste, whether it is domestic or infectious waste, causing hazards in its management. From a deep ecology perspective, the applied facemask waste management was only beneficial for humans while completely neglecting biotic and abiotic components. To overcome this, several suggestions were: 1) categorizing domestic disposable facemask waste as hazardous waste, 2) applying sanctions for the violation of norms and tight social control on first-level management of facemask waste, and 3) using reusable facemask. The obligation of wearing facemasks that were protective for humans during the Covid-19 pandemic must be followed with policies regulating facemask waste management that consider the environment and its biotic and abiotic components.

Plastic litter assessment of the riverbanks of Pulot River and its tributary in Sofronio Española, Palawan Island, Philippines

Rivers are essential sources of plastic litter in the marine environment. Recently, the Philippines was reported as the biggest polluter of plastic litter from riverine sources. However, the riverine plastic litter's origin has been less established. In this study, we determined the density, composition, and accumulation of plastic litter on the riversides of Pulot River and its tributary in Palawan Island, Philippines. We also identified the possible sources of plastic litter. Results showed that the plastic litter density was highest at the river edge during the first sampling period. Litter densities for the predefined zones and sampling periods all showed no significant differences. The most dominant plastic litter types were food packaging and plastic bags, followed by toiletries. ‘Others’ consisted of multilayers, mixed, and plastics accounted for the most abundant polymer types. We identified the residents in the vicinity illegally dumping litter, for there were small illegal dumping sites along the river. These results suggest the urgent need for better waste policy implementation measures to protect the riparian environments and reduce the input of riverine plastic litter into the marine environment to ensure river resource sustainability.

Synergies and trade‐offs quantification from regional waste policy to sustainable development goals: The case of Kyoto City

AbstractWaste management policies introduced at regional levels can have a bearing effect on sustainable development goal (SDG) achievement at such levels, promoting certain SDG targets, while hindering other SDG targets. This work introduces an empirical methodology for estimating the synergies and trade‐offs for a city‐level waste management policy with SDG achievements, taking the case of Kyoto City's extensive waste management policy package and its interactions with renewable energy (RE) development (SDG 7), decent economic growth (SDG 9), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and sustainable consumption (SDG 12). Similar interactions at the national‐level are also enumerated with the justified indicators at the city‐level being extended to the national‐level. Through pairwise correlation, multiple correlation, and regression, four hypotheses for circular economy compatibility with SDG achievement were tested. It was found that manufacturing value and small business growth is stunted by circular economy‐based waste policies, while resource efficiency is promoted. Cultural and social structures have trade‐offs with stringent waste management at city‐levels, but is neutral at aggregated levels. RE development is also synergetic with circular economy‐based waste management. This methodology shows a pathway as to how national‐ and city‐level policies can be integrated with each other in order to optimize waste management and overall sustainability.

Analysis of Community-Based Waste Management Policies to Achieve Clean and Healthy Environment

This research aims to analyze community-based waste management policies as an effort to create a clean and healthy environment. Using the literature review method, this research explores various aspects of waste management policies, the role of communities in policy implementation, and their impacts on the environment and public health. The findings indicate that an approach involving active community participation, integration of social justice aspects, technological utilization, and sustainable evaluation are crucial in achieving effective and sustainable waste management. These findings provide valuable insights for formulating future waste management policies, with an emphasis on the importance of a holistic approach involving all stakeholders.

CHARACTERISATION OF MACRO-PLASTIC WASTE ALONG THE PHILIPPINES' LONGEST COASTAL BOULEVARD: BASIS FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND POLICY FORMULATION

This study focused on the characterisation of macro-plastic waste in terms of types and quantities along the Philippines' longest coastal boulevard, considering density and cleanliness as a basis for solid waste management and policy formulation. Macro-plastic identification and counting were conducted in four (4) municipalities and eight (8) barangays using the standing stock survey method. There were six (6) types of macro-plastic waste, with the highest quantity consisting of beverage (37.2%) and food packaging (30.5%), followed by fishing gear (17.0%), plastic utensils (9.2%), toiletries (4.8%) and household wastes (1.4%). The computed overall density from a total of 3,978 macro-plastic waste items over 12,000 m2 of beach area sampled was 0.3 (CM), meaning there were 0.3 litter items of plastic per m2 throughout the whole boulevard. The computed overall beach cleanliness was 6.6, which means that the cleanliness status is moderate. Overall, most macro-plastic waste is generated by locals or visitors. In conclusion, a policy regulating the use, littering, and carrying of plastic along boulevards is recommended to prevent plastic pollution considering the province's growing ecotourism and the future expansion of the coastal boulevard.

National Solid Waste Policy (NSWP): Challenges and Advances after 10 Years of Implementation

A decade after the implementation of the National Solid Waste Policy (NSWP), municipalities continue to face challenges in implementation. This study aimed to assess the influence of the Municipal Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (MISWMP) and proper waste disposal in the main cities of the country, in light of the National System of Information on Solid Waste Management (NSISWM). The analyzed data indicate slight advances related to what the National Solid Waste Policy (NSWP) proposes, stemming from difficulties in implementing the policy itself and/or making its instruments viable, especially in cities in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. Practices such as improper waste disposal in open dumps or controlled landfills and incineration characterize the reality of Brazil, even a decade after the publication of the NSWP. Among the adopted strategies, waste recycling emerges as significant, with emphasis on composting and energy generation from biogas. There is a need for the integration of municipalities, states, and the Union to provide support for them to better exploit the potential in the generated waste, based on dominant technologies. It is also noteworthy the absence of updated data and cities' non-compliance with individual declarations in the NSISWM, regarding the provision of public solid waste management services, contradicting the policy itself and hindering the transparency of each municipality's data, making it difficult or even preventing monitoring by interested parties, civil society, and public and private entities.

Which is the larger issue in Indonesia: waste exports or imports? Interests in politics, economics, or the environment?

The current situation in the worldwide society is paradoxical, as it is characterized by a scarcity in addressing the demand for food. Hence, the garbage predicament in Indonesia remains an environmental concern that necessitates resolution, in conjunction with the challenge of importing waste from industrialized nations to Indonesia. This practice came into existence. Habits of Indonesian individuals who continue to dispose of garbage negligently. This practice of mishandling waste will lead to the emergence of other issues. The issue of waste importation is further compounded by the unreliability of Indonesian waste sorting as a supply source. As one of the developing nations in Southeast Asia that receives waste imports, Indonesia experiences substantial consequences due to this phenomenon. Hence, this paper seeks to examine the issue of trash imports in Indonesia from a political-ecological standpoint, encompassing the social and economic dimensions and the environmental consequences. Furthermore, the article above, which examined the issue of trash imports in Indonesia, has also been conducted. Further investigation is required to explore political ecology, social and economic dimensions, and environmental ramifications. In addition, this article provides an overview of the relevant legislative requirements for the trash importation process in Indonesia. This paper employed the literature review approach to gather research material about waste imports and policies in Indonesia during the past five years. The research information was sourced from multiple studies utilizing the SLR 7P technique. The study findings indicate that trash imports in Indonesia can be understood as a manifestation of ecological politics, wherein the environmental issues are significantly shaped by political factors (namely ego-sectoral features) and economic components within them. The primary objective of the environmental interests outlined in the Basel Convention, which was subsequently translated into laws and regulations in Indonesia, has yet to safeguard environmental and human well-being from the adverse effects of imported trash. In addition, it is essential to comprehensively evaluate Indonesia's trash import policy to clarify its requirements. Furthermore, the issue of enforcing laws effectively in cases of infractions will also be addressed.

Life cycle thinking for the assessment of waste and circular economy policy: status and perspectives from the EU example

Life cycle thinking methods such as life cycle assessment (LCA) and costing (LCC) were originally developed to assess the performance of products and services (business-making decisions). However, they are increasingly deployed to support policy-making along the entire policy cycle, including via impact assessment (IA) of different policy options. These applications are associated with a number of challenges, mainly related to the dynamic and prospective nature of policy IA, typically forward-looking into 10–20 years ahead. This requires the application of prospective scenario analyses to develop the baseline scenario, reflecting the ‘do nothing’ into the future (business-as-usual), and the alternative scenarios, reflecting the consequences incurred by the implementation of the policy options under study. Such prospective and broadened boundary nature of policy IA challenges traditional LCA/LCC practices mostly based on retrospective, static scenarios and datasets. The present study provides an overview of recent IA studies supporting waste policy to show the state-of-the-art and the main challenges associated with the application of life cycle methods in IA, focusing on the most recent EU waste and circular economy policies. Moreover, since specific and transparent guidance on how to implement consistently these methods in policy IA is lacking, the study provides an initial guidance for application of life cycle thinking in IA drawing upon the knowledge obtained conducting waste policy IA studies. Key challenges in the field are still to be addressed, and might inspire further research to improve the application of life cycle thinking to policy assessment.

Challenges Encountered by the SLP Beneficiaries in the Operations of the Marinated Boneless Milkfish Business

This study explores and develops an in-depth understanding of challenges encountered by the SLP beneficiaries towards business operations regarding food waste management, policy implementation, business marketing, records management, and supply chain. The output of this study will serve as the basis for further training enhancement programs. A qualitative study using the case study method was conducted in the municipality of Candijay, Bohol. Selected members of Mauswagong Pundok sa Pantawid SLP Association who were officers undergo an exploratory interview in the first phase as a basis for the structured interview guide for phase two interview. The findings have highlighted the interplay of various factors that influence the success and sustainability of this venture, encompassing food waste management, policy implementation, business marketing, records management, and supply chain management. The challenges encountered by SLP beneficiaries in the operations of the Marinated Boneless Milkfish business are multifaceted and interconnected. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort from various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the beneficiaries themselves. The theoretical contribution and originality of this research lie in its holistic examination of the challenges encountered by beneficiaries of the Marinated Boneless Milkfish business, considering the intersection of various elements. This research uniquely integrates these factors into a comprehensive analysis. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of how these challenges are interrelated and how addressing them collectively can lead to a more sustainable and prosperous business model. The findings of this research have significant implications for practitioners and policymakers. Clear and supportive policies regarding environmental regulations, quality standards, and fisheries management are vital to creating a conducive business environment. For practitioners, there is an urgent need to address food waste management by exploring innovative sourcing and preservation techniques, and potentially partnering with organizations to reduce waste. Keywords: Business Management, Challenges Encountered, Qualitative Research, Thematic Analysis

Responsibility and innovation for low waste and circular economy transitions: what roles for households?

ABSTRACT The need for waste policy to embrace CE principles through measures to avoid waste generation and improve recycling rates can be understood within the broader context of sustainability transitions. We analyze three Australian waste policies to understand how households are framed as framing policy actors. Using a governance rationalities framework inspired by Hajer (2005) and Dryzek’s (2013) work on environmental governance, we identified four discursive structures, i.e. four different problem frames with suggested solutions, measures and responsibilities. These problem frames reveal an expanding role for government and industry in waste management, alongside a more passive role for households. While anticipating that households will undertake more sorting and will reduce the amount of waste they generate, the policies lack a coherent conceptualization of the role of households as actors in circular economy transitions in Australia. Our analysis highlights and helps to understand the discrepancy between high-level CE and zero-waste policy ambitions and their implementation in practice. We conclude with suggestions on how waste policy could benefit from deliberative approaches that engage with agency for social innovation and transformation in norms and practices at the household scale.

Impact assessment of construction waste policy intensity on environmental efficiency based on system generalized method of moments

With the acceleration of urbanization in recent years, China has witnessed large-scale construction across its provinces, generating massive amounts of construction waste that pose challenges to environmental protection and sustainable development. This study evaluated the impact of construction waste policy intensity on its environmental efficiency. Firstly, the content analysis method was used to analyze the construction waste policy text quantitatively. Second, this study constructed a slack-based measure (SBM) model based on data envelopment analysis (DEA), considering resource input and construction waste output to measure environmental efficiency. Finally, we built and tested an econometric model of how policies affect environmental efficiency using the system generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM). The findings indicate a non-linear U-shaped link between policy intensity and environmental efficiency. Among all five control variables, population density, urbanization level, and technological innovation enhance environmental efficiency, while economic development and highway density will lower it. This study advances the research on construction waste policies and offers some insights for the construction industry to pursue sustainable development.

From Legal to Customary Approach: Seeking an Alternative Policy on the Coastal Area Solid Waste Management in Jambi, Indonesia

The waste issue in coastal areas is an important and urgent problem for maritime regions like Indonesia. The task of the government in coastal areas is more complex than in mainland areas because the problem of coastal waste is more complex, and it causes more environmental impacts. This article analyzes waste management policies in the coastal areas of Jambi Province, especially in East Tanjung Jabung Regency. The research uses literature study as the primary method, supported by qualitative field studies on government and community paradigms on waste management regulations. The study shows that the East Tanjung Jabung Regency Government has a waste management policy, but none specifically concerns coastal or marine waste. However, the waste management program in the coastal area has not been implemented due to various technical reasons, especially geographical conditions, which are difficult to reach from the district capital. These constraints are caused by the positive regulation paradigm, in which the laws in Indonesia are hierarchically stopped at the district/city level so that waste management work is concentrated in the district government. The village government has the right to issue village regulations, but innovation in village regulations still needs improvement, especially in Jambi Province. This condition allows the decision maker to uphold the customary approach as a local alternative policy.

TANTANGAN DAN PELUANG IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN ZERO WASTE DI KOTA BAUBAU

This research aims to evaluate implementing the Zero Waste policy in Baubau City, focusing on identifying challenges and opportunities encountered in the implementation process. The research method used is qualitative, with data collection conducted through in-depth interviews and direct observation in the field. The results of the study indicate that despite efforts from the government to promote the concept of Zero Waste and improve waste management infrastructure, several challenges still hinder the implementation of the policy. The main challenges identified include the lack of public awareness about the importance of sustainable waste management, limitations in waste management infrastructure, and the lack of active participation from the community in Zero Waste programs. However, the research also reveals significant opportunities to enhance the implementation of Zero Waste policy through collaboration with the private sector and NGOs, as well as through participatory approaches and community empowerment. By strengthening collective commitment and active participation from all stakeholders, it is hoped that Baubau City can successfully achieve the Zero Waste goal and serve as an example of environmentally friendly and sustainable waste management.