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Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 39774

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Hani Abu-Qdais

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Guest Editor

Civil Engineering Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
Interests: integrated solid waste management; circular economy; application of artificial intelligent in solid waste management

Prof. Dr. Anna Kurbatova

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Guest Editor

Department of Ecological Monitoring and Forecasting, Faculty of Ecology, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6, Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198 Moscow, Russia
Interests: global climate change; waste management; integrated water resources management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gaining and preserving value in solid waste resources are becoming increasingly relevant global challenges. Local socio-economic specificities raise different needs for solid waste management and engender diverse strategies in terms of waste reduction, collection systems, recovery and recycling. In this sense, it is crucial that new policies in view of Circular Economy are correctly contextualized. This issue focuses on sustainable municipal solid waste management in different contexts (i.e., urban vs. rural, region-specific, etc.).

As municipal solid waste management has become an area of increasing interest and concern, our goal is to publish articles on recent research concepts, models and tools for sustainable municipal solid waste management. We welcome original research as well as review papers in relevant areas, including: indicators for assessing the sustainability of municipal solid waste management systems, material flow analysis and life cycle assessment, municipal solid waste management logistics, best available technologies in municipal solid waste management, use of artificial intelligence in solid waste management, municipal solid waste treatment technologies, profitability assessment in municipal solid waste management, economic aspects and tools of solid waste management and regional case studies. This issue is aiming to stimulate the consolidation of scientific potential in the field of sustainable municipal waste management by publishing state-of-the art studies that will lead to a deep understanding of the structure of the municipal solid waste management systems according to the principles of a circular economy.

Prof. Dr. Hani Abu-Qdais
Prof. Dr. Anna Kurbatova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

municipal solid waste management
zero waste
green technologies
circular economy
material flow analysis
life cycle assessment

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 192 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial: Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts

by Hani A. Abu-Qdais and Anna I. Kurbatova

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11438; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141811438 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1591

Abstract

On a global level, communities are generating and disposing of increasing quantities of solid waste [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

24 pages, 3210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Evaluation of Determining Factors and Actors in the Management and Use of Biosolids through Prospective Analysis (MicMac and Mactor) and Social Networks

by Camilo Venegas, Andrea C. Sánchez-Alfonso, Fidson-Juarismy Vesga, Alison Martín, Crispín Celis-Zambrano and Mauricio González Mendez

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6840; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14116840 - 03 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2505

Abstract

The reuse of biosolids in agriculture and its inclusion within the circular economy model requires evaluating and analyzing factors that intervene in its management. The objective of the study was to analyze those factors that influence the management and use of biosolids. Fifty-three actors were questioned, and their answers were analyzed using two prospective methods and Social Network Analysis (SNA) identifying between 14 and 19 variables. Six should be prioritized due to their criticality and potential in management and reuse scenarios. It was observed that the formulation of objectives, such as the improvement of infrastructure, creation of an institutional policy, and the establishment of definitions for the kinds of biosolids, are opposed by internal agents. Seven key actors and four to six determining agents were identified in the scenarios. The network of management and use of biosolids in agriculture presented low density (0.28) and the exclusive action of three key actors. Consequently, the participation of a greater number of better-connected actors is required to project networks with a higher density (between 0.49 and 0.57), facilitating the diffusion of information and the inclusion of new actors not previously contemplated. The application of prospective and SNA methodologies focused on biosolids allows the prioritization of determinants, the evaluation of the level of involvement and communication between actors, and other aspects that have not been considered previously in the management of WWTPs in Colombia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

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30 pages, 2478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Practical Challenges and Opportunities for Marine Plastic Litter Reduction in Manila: A Structural Equation Modeling

by Guilberto Borongan and Anchana NaRanong

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6128; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14106128 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4384

Abstract

Land-based plastic pollution has increased to the level of an epidemic due to improper plastic waste management, attributed to plastic waste flux into the marine environment. The extant marine plastic litter (MPL) literature focuses primarily on the monitoring and assessment of the problem, but it fails to acknowledge the link between the challenges and opportunities for MPL reduction. The study aimed to examine the practical challenges and opportunities influencing the reduction of marine plastic litter in Manila in the Philippines. Data collected through an online survey from 426 barangays were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and were then validated using interviews and focused group discussions. Good internal consistency (0.917) and convergent and discriminant validity were achieved. The empirical study has established structural model fit measures of RMSEA (0.021), SRMR (0.015), CFI (0.999), and TLI (0.994), with a good parsimonious fit of the chi-square/degrees of freedom ratio of 1.190. The findings revealed that environmental governance regarding waste management policies and guidelines, COVID-19 regulations for waste management, community participation, and socio-economic activities have positively affected marine plastic litter leakage and solution measures. Environmental governance significantly and partially mediates the effects of, e.g., COVID-19-related waste and socio-economic activities on MPL leakage. However, there is no relationship between the waste management infrastructure and environmental governance. The findings shed light on how to enhance environmental governance to reduce marine plastic litter and address Manila’s practical challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

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13 pages, 2033 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Planning of Household Waste Management: A Case Study from the MENA Region

by Feriel Kheira Kebaili, Amel Baziz-Berkani, Hani Amir Aouissi, Florin-Constantin Mihai, Moustafa Houda, Mostefa Ababsa, Marc Azab, Alexandru-Ionut Petrisor and Christine Fürst

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5461; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14095461 - 01 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3765

Abstract

Solid waste management is one of the most important environmental issues worldwide, particularly in MENA countries. The present study was carried out in the city of Algiers, the capital city of Algeria. This urban area is marked by an increase in waste flow combined with a demographic surge. In order to investigate waste production and its drivers, we used both multiple regression and correlation analyses to test this dependence. Geospatial analysis was performed using principal component analysis integrated with GIS in order to look at the spatial distribution of waste management and potential drivers of waste production. The results indicate that household waste management is influenced by drivers related to the size of the settlement and the characteristics of waste management companies (p ≤ 0.05). The findings also show that none of the sociodemographic variables were found to significantly influence waste production. However, the spatial distribution is influenced by the geographic and sociodemographic characteristics of Algeria at all territorial levels. Algiers is still a landfill-based city in the MENA region, where mixed waste collection prevails in all districts. This study reinforces the importance of expanding source-separated waste collection schemes in order to increase the household waste diversion from landfills and, more importantly, shows how modern tools such as GIS, principal component analysis, and spatial analysis urban planning are useful for monitoring household waste, in line with circular economy principles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

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12 pages, 2181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Physio-Chemical Characteristics of Bio Fertilizer Produced from Organic Solid Waste Using Composting Bins

by Aseel Najeeb Ajaweed, Fikrat M. Hassan and Nadhem H. Hyder

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4738; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14084738 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2474

Abstract

Background: The possibility of converting the organic fraction of municipal solid waste to mature compost using the composting bin method was studied. Nine distinct treatments were created by combining municipal solid waste (MSW) with animal waste (3:1, 2:1), poultry manure (3:1, 2:1), mixed waste (2:1:1), agricultural waste (dry leaves), biocont (Trichoderm hazarium), and humic acid. Weekly monitoring of temperature, pH, EC, organic matter (OM percent), and the C/N ratio was performed, and macronutrients (N, P, K) were measured. Trace elements, including heavy metals (Cd and Pb), were tested in the first and final weeks of maturity. Results: Temperatures in the first days of composting reached the thermophilic phase in MSW compost with animal and poultry manure between 55–60 °C, pH and EC (mS/cm) increased during the composting period in most composting bin treatments. Overall, organic matter (OM percent) and the C/N ratio decreased (10.27 to 18.9) as result of microbial activity during composting. Organic matter loss percent was less in treatments containing additives (biocont l humic acid) as well agricultural waste treatment. Composting bin treatments with animals and poultry showed higher K and P at the mature stage with an increase in micronutrients. Finally heavy metals were (2.25–4.20) mg/kg and (139–202) mg/kg for Cd and Pb respectively at maturation stage. Conclusion: Therefore, the results suggested that MSW could be composted in the compost bin method with animal and poultry manure. The physio-chemical parameters pH, Ec and C/N were within the acceptable standards. Heavy metals and micronutrients were under the limits of the USA standards. The significance of this study is that the compost bin may be used as a quick check to guarantee that the outputs of long-term public projects fulfill general sustainability requirements, increase ecosystem services, and mitigate the effect of municipal waste disposal on climate change particularly the hot climate regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

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34 pages, 10683 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Waste to Hydrogen: Elaboration of Hydroreactive Materials from Magnesium-Aluminum Scrap

by Olesya A. Buryakovskaya, Anna I. Kurbatova, Mikhail S. Vlaskin, George E. Valyano, Anatoly V. Grigorenko, Grayr N. Ambaryan and Aleksandr O. Dudoladov

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4496; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14084496 - 10 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1952

Abstract

Ball-milled hydroreactive powders of Mg-Al scrap with 20 wt.% additive (Wood’s alloy, KCl, and their mixture) and with no additives were manufactured. Their hydrogen yields and reaction rates in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution at 15–35 °C were compared. In the beginning of the reaction, samples with KCl (20 wt.%) and Wood’s alloy (10 wt.%) with KCl (10 wt.%) provided the highest and second-highest reaction rates, respectively. However, their hydrogen yields after 4 h were correspondingly the lowest and second-lowest percentages—(45.6 ± 4.4)% and (56.0 ± 1.2)% at 35 °C. At the same temperature, samples with 20 wt.% Wood’s alloy and with no additives demonstrated the highest hydrogen yields of (73.5 ± 10.0)% and (70.6 ± 2.5)%, correspondingly, while their respective maximum reaction rates were the lowest and second-lowest. The variations in reaction kinetics for the powders can be explained by the difference in their particle sizes (apparently affecting specific surface area), the crystal lattice defects accumulated during ball milling, favoring pitting corrosion, the morphology of the solid reaction product covering the particles, and the contradicting effects from the potential formation of reaction-enhancing microgalvanic cells intended to induce anodic dissolution of Mg in conductive media and reaction-hindering crystal-grain-screening compounds of the alloy and metal scrap components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

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15 pages, 7710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Eco-Industrial Parks in Promoting Circular Economy in Russia: A Life Cycle Approach

by Hani A. Abu-Qdais and Anna I. Kurbatova

Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 3893; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14073893 - 25 Mar 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3304

Abstract

As an approach to move towards a sustainable waste management system, circular economy (CE) is gaining an increased interest by most countries. Russia is among the countries where the CE is one of the priorities of the country’s economy, with a market value of the CE is USD$ 755.05 billion. However, such a strategy is facing challenges and barriers which are country specific. This study aimed to review the status of the CE in Russia and to identify the obstacles that are hindering the country from achieving its objectives. Moreover, the study aimed to evaluate the role of eco-industrial parks (EIP) in Russia in promoting the CE model. The study findings indicate that the CE adoption in Russia is still in its early stages. To create an enabling environment for CE promotion in Russia, there is a need to overcome several institutional, technical, and social barriers. Russian higher educational institutions are playing a major role to create the critical mass of experts that will help the country transition towards a CE model. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) to analyze the environmental performance of one of the EIPs in Russia revealed that such enterprises are more sustainable than the business-as-usual scenarios, under which the generated solid waste is buried into landfill. The comparison shows that by diverting 1.813 million tons of mixed municipal solid waste that is generated in Moscow to EIP would lead to a reduction in environmental impacts. The total global warming potential of the EIP scenario is less, by 59%, than the direct landfilling scenario, while the eutrophication, acidification, smog, and ozone depletion are less, and fossil fuel depletion impacts under the second scenario are less, by 81%, 26%, 18%, and 81%, respectively. Furthermore, the health impacts including carcinogenic, non-carcinogenic, eco-toxicity were found to be 92%, 96%, and 96%, respectively, less than the baseline scenario. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

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24 pages, 2328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Solid Waste Management in the Context of a Circular Economy in the MENA Region

by Safwat Hemidat, Ouafa Achouri, Loubna El Fels, Sherien Elagroudy, Mohamed Hafidi, Benabbas Chaouki, Mostafa Ahmed, Isla Hodgkinson and Jinyang Guo

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 480; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14010480 - 03 Jan 2022

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 15105

Abstract

Solid waste management in most MENA countries is characterized by lack of planning, improper disposal, inadequate collection services, inappropriate technologies that suit the local conditions and technical requirements, and insufficient funding. Therefore, waste management is mainly limited to collection, transportation, and disposal. As the circular economy has recently been given high priority on the MENA region’s political agenda, all MENA member states are seeking to move away from old-fashioned waste disposal, “waste management”, towards a more intelligent waste treatment, “resource efficiency”. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of national systems for municipal solid waste (MSW) management, and material and energy recovery as an important aspect thereof, in the context of the circular economy in selected countries in the MENA region. Since policy, regulation, and treatment technologies are traditionally connected to MSW management, the focus of this article is twofold. Firstly, it aims to identify the different practices of solid waste management employed in selected MENA region countries and their approaches to embracing the circular economy and, secondly, it examines the extent to which policies and technologies applied play any role in this context. The study revealed that most waste management issues in the countries analyzed appear to be due to political factors and the decentralized nature of waste management with multi-level management and responsibilities. In fact, material and energy recovery in the context of municipal solid waste management does not differ significantly in the countries in the MENA region considered. In most cases, “waste” is still seen as “trouble” rather than a resource. Therefore, a fresh vision on how the solid waste management system can be transformed into a circular economy is required; there is a need for paradigm shift from a linear economy model to a circular-economy model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

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14 pages, 1176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Techno-Economic Analysis of Sustainable Material Recovery Facilities: The Case of Al-Karak Solid Waste Sorting Plant, Jordan

by Esra’a Amin Al-Athamin, Safwat Hemidat, Husam Al-Hamaiedeh, Salah H. Aljbour, Tayel El-Hasan and Abdallah Nassour

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13043; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132313043 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2202

Abstract

Solid waste sorting facilities are constructed and operated to properly manage solid waste for both material and energy recovery. This paper investigates the possible technical and economic performance of the Al-Karak solid waste sorting plant in order to achieve financial sustainability and increase the profits that return on the plant to cover its operating costs. A standard procedure was followed to quantify and characterize the input materials of commercial solid waste by determining the recyclable materials in the sorting products. Thus, possible different equipment and material flows through the plant were proposed. An economic model was used in order to know the feasibility of the proposed options of the plant according to three economic factors, which are net present worth (NPW), return on investment (ROI), and payback period values. The results inferred that the characterization of the input materials contains a high portion of recyclable materials of paper, cardboard, plastic, and metals, which accounted for 63%. In this case, the mass of rejected waste to be landfilled was 9%. Results for the proposed options showed that the economic analysis is feasible when working loads on three and two shifts with ROI values of 4.4 and 3.5 with a payback period of the initial cost in 2 and 3 years, respectively. Working load on one shift was not feasible, which resulted in an ROI value of less than 2 and a payback period larger than 5 years. This paper recommended operating the sorting plant at a higher input feed with a working load on three shifts daily to ensure a maximum profit and to reduce the amount of commercial solid waste prior to landfilling through the concept of sorting and recycling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Local Issue with Global Impacts)

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