Research

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21 pages, 1038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bayesian-Based NIMBY Crisis Transformation Path Discovery for Municipal Solid Waste Incineration in China

by Qing Yang, Yanxia Zhu, Xingxing Liu, Lingmei Fu and Qianqian Guo

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2364; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082364 - 20 Apr 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4526

Environmental conflicts have been a top global focus and issue for human’s sustainable development. China is confronted with a serious situation with a rigid demand of ecological governance, in which the “Not In My Back Yard” (NIMBY) crisis outbreaks frequently. NIMBY has a [...] Read more.

Environmental conflicts have been a top global focus and issue for human’s sustainable development. China is confronted with a serious situation with a rigid demand of ecological governance, in which the “Not In My Back Yard” (NIMBY) crisis outbreaks frequently. NIMBY has a great impact on government management and social stability. This study aims to analyze the NIMBY crisis transformation path for municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) in China. Considering environmental, social and economic influences, this study seeks to find methods of transforming dangers into opportunities. A conceptual framework for realizing the NIMBY crisis transformation in waste management decision-making was conducted with a hybrid approach. A fishbone diagram was applied to explain the key factors of NIMBY crisis transformation for MSWI. Integrating Bayesian network structure discovery and co-word analysis into a qualitative analysis, searched data and key factors from a literature search engine with specific themes were used for structure learning. The results showed that project location, benefit compensation, publicity and education, public decision, public participation, the rule of law and multiple governance have distinct influences on the NIMBY crisis transformation process in China. In summary, the conceptual framework describes the complex process of NIMBY crisis transformation and helps to deepen data mining for municipal solid waste management (MSWM). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Waste Management)

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15 pages, 557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of the Operational Research Method to Determine the Optimum Transport Collection Cycle of Municipal Waste in a Predesignated Urban Area

by Ondrej Stopka, Maria Stopkova and Rudolf Kampf

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2275; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082275 - 16 Apr 2019

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3761

Abstract

This paper deals with waste management. The aim is to find out whether the number of municipal mixed waste bins can be reduced due to the impact of waste separation and to determine the optimum municipal waste collection cycle within a predesignated area [...] Read more.

This paper deals with waste management. The aim is to find out whether the number of municipal mixed waste bins can be reduced due to the impact of waste separation and to determine the optimum municipal waste collection cycle within a predesignated area with an existing urban road network. The number of mixed waste bins depends on two factors—household waste volume and household waste composition. Both of these factors have a significant impact on the number of mixed waste bins required, with household waste composition being of particular importance when it comes to calculating the potential reduction in the number of mixed waste bins required due to waste separation. The calculations for the weight and volume of mixed household waste per person and the composition (types) thereof are presented accordingly. The results reveal which types of waste are the most useful in minimising the number of mixed waste bins by up to 30–50%. To determine the optimum waste collection cycle within the predesignated area with a real urban road network, the Nearest Neighbour Search method was applied. In the discussion, the focus is on whether other methods, including the Two-Phase Heuristic approach and the Bellman-Ford Algorithm, could be applied to solve the problem, whereby parameters such as application time and the capacity of the waste collection vehicle are compared. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Waste Management)

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15 pages, 1113 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring the Efficiency of Public and Private Delivery Forms: An Application to the Waste Collection Service Using Order-M Data Panel Frontier Analysis

by Cristina M. Campos-Alba, Emilio J. De la Higuera-Molina, Gemma Pérez-López and José L. Zafra-Gómez

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2056; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072056 - 06 Apr 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3086

Abstract

Many studies have been undertaken to determine whether waste collection services are provided more efficiently by private or by public management. To date, however, the findings reported are inconclusive, partly due to the need to evaluate this question over a broad time horizon. [...] Read more.

Many studies have been undertaken to determine whether waste collection services are provided more efficiently by private or by public management. To date, however, the findings reported are inconclusive, partly due to the need to evaluate this question over a broad time horizon. In this paper, the question is examined taking into account an extended study period (2002–2014) and applying an order-m data panel method that provides more robust findings than those reported in previous research. The results show that, in general, public-sector provision of the waste collection service is more efficient than private alternatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Waste Management)

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19 pages, 3826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Public–Private Partnership in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

by Vin Spoann, Takeshi Fujiwara, Bandith Seng, Chanthy Lay and Mongtoeun Yim

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1228; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051228 - 26 Feb 2019

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 10210

Abstract

The overall responsibility for waste management in Phnom Penh Capital (PPC) has rested with the municipal authorities and contracted waste collection companies. Providing waste collection services is a major challenge for Phnom Penh due to the increasing waste volume and the deficiency of [...] Read more.

The overall responsibility for waste management in Phnom Penh Capital (PPC) has rested with the municipal authorities and contracted waste collection companies. Providing waste collection services is a major challenge for Phnom Penh due to the increasing waste volume and the deficiency of the system under public–private partnership. In response to continuing population growth and urbanization, sustainable management is necessary. This study reviewed the details of the processes and examined the performance of the private sector and local government authorities (LGAs). The study used sustainability assessment, according to a success and efficiency factor method. This assessment method was developed to support solid waste management in developing countries. Multiple sustainability domains were evaluated: institutional, legislative, technical, environmental and health aspects as well as social, economic, financial and critical aspects. The results indicate that the long-term contract design attempts for partnership may actually result in a worsening of the situation by facilitating new ways of concentration, inefficiency and political interest. The limited institutional capacity of the public sectors is a consequence of the inefficient decentralization of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) policies. Public–private partnerships can be neither effective nor sustainable if LGAs and CINTRI co. Ltd. waste collection company do not build proper incentives into their management of the two sectors. Revisiting the legal framework, establishing a facilitating agency that will assist in the design and the nurturing of partnerships, competitive tendering, and transparency and financial accountability are essential elements for PPP on the provision of waste services in PPC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Waste Management)

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22 pages, 320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Voters’ Information, Corruption, and the Efficiency of Local Public Services

by Graziano Abrate, Federico Boffa, Fabrizio Erbetta and Davide Vannoni

Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4775; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124775 - 14 Dec 2018

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2580

Abstract

This paper explores the link between voters’ information, corruption, and efficiency in the context of a career concern model, where politically connected local monopolies are in charge of the provision of a local public service. We find that both a corrupt environment and [...] Read more.

This paper explores the link between voters’ information, corruption, and efficiency in the context of a career concern model, where politically connected local monopolies are in charge of the provision of a local public service. We find that both a corrupt environment and a low level of voters’ information on managerial actions induce managers to reduce effort levels, thereby contributing to drive down efficiency. We test our predictions using data on solid waste management services provided by a large sample of Italian municipalities. We estimate a stochastic cost frontier model that provides robust evidence that services produced in more corrupted regions with low voters’ information are substantially less cost-efficient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Waste Management)

21 pages, 1629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resource Harvesting through a Systematic Deconstruction of the Residential House: A Case Study of the ‘Whole House Reuse’ Project in Christchurch, New Zealand

by Atiq U. Zaman, Juliet Arnott, Kate Mclntyre and Jonathon Hannon

Sustainability 2018, 10(10), 3430; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103430 - 26 Sep 2018

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5208

Abstract

This study analyzes the case study of a deconstruction project called the ‘Whole House Reuse’ (WHR) which aimed, firstly, to harvest materials from a residential house, secondly, to produce new products using the recovered materials, and thirdly, to organize exhibition for the local [...] Read more.

This study analyzes the case study of a deconstruction project called the ‘Whole House Reuse’ (WHR) which aimed, firstly, to harvest materials from a residential house, secondly, to produce new products using the recovered materials, and thirdly, to organize exhibition for the local public to promote awareness on resource conservation and sustainable deconstruction practices. The study applies characterization of recovered materials through deconstruction. In addition to the material recovery, the study assesses the embodied energy saving and greenhouse gas emissions abatement of the deconstruction project. Around twelve tons of various construction materials were harvested through a systematic deconstruction approach, most of which would otherwise be disposed to landfill in the traditional demolition approach. The study estimates that the recovered materials could potentially save around 502,158 MJ of embodied energy and prevent carbon emissions of around 27,029 kg (CO_2e). The deconstruction could eventually contribute to New Zealand’s national emission reduction targets. In addition, the project successfully engages local communities and designers to produce 400 new products using the recovered materials and exhibits them to the local people. The study concludes that there is a huge prospect in regard to resource recovery, emission reduction, employment, and small business opportunities using deconstruction of the old house. The sociocultural importance of the WHR project is definitely immense; however, the greater benefits of such projects are often ignored and remain unreported to wider audiences as most of the external and environmental costs are not considered in the traditional linear economy. It is acknowledged that under a favorable market condition and with appropriate support from local communities and authorities, deconstruction could contribute significantly to resource conservation and environmental protection despite its requirement of labor-intensive efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Waste Management)

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29 pages, 2654 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of an Ex-Ante Sustainability Assessment Methodology for Municipal Solid Waste Management Innovations

by Jing Wang, Stephanie D. Maier, Rafael Horn, Robert Holländer and Ralf Aschemann

Sustainability 2018, 10(9), 3208; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093208 - 07 Sep 2018

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 7142

Abstract

Various municipal solid waste management (MSWM) innovations have emerged in developing countries in face of the challenges posed by increasing waste generation and poor MSWM practice. We present a methodology to assess the potential sustainability impact of MSWM innovations in a holistic manner. [...] Read more.

Various municipal solid waste management (MSWM) innovations have emerged in developing countries in face of the challenges posed by increasing waste generation and poor MSWM practice. We present a methodology to assess the potential sustainability impact of MSWM innovations in a holistic manner. The Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis (LCSA) framework and the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) facilitated the methodology development. The result of applying the methodology to the case of waste bank (WB) in Bandung City shows that WB potentially generates the greatest sustainability impact in the resource recovery phase and the smallest impact in the collection and final disposal phase. All negative impacts could arise in the economic dimension. Surprisingly, WB as a national strategy to achieve 3Rs would not effectively solve Bandung City’s landfill problem. Almost all SDGs would benefit from the WB program under the assumed conditions. This methodology will facilitate the decision-making in MSWM by (1) comparing available innovations to find the optimal solution, (2) identifying the hot spots and taking measures to combat the negative impacts, (3) providing the basis for monitoring the implementation process and the ex-post performance assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Waste Management)

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Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 4002 KiB

Open AccessReview

LCA of Wood Waste Management Systems: Guiding Proposal for the Standardization of Studies Based on a Critical Review

by Giusilene Costa de Souza Pinho and João Luiz Calmon

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 1854; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031854 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2251

Abstract

In environmental management, there are many opportunities to improve wood waste (WW) management practices. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), according to ISO 14040, is a tool used to assess the environmental impacts related to a product throughout its life cycle. Thus, this article aims [...] Read more.

In environmental management, there are many opportunities to improve wood waste (WW) management practices. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), according to ISO 14040, is a tool used to assess the environmental impacts related to a product throughout its life cycle. Thus, this article aims to propose guidelines for the creation of future LCAs of wood waste management systems in a consistent and standardized way based on the deficiencies and examples found in the studies that comprise the extensive bibliographic review of this research. During the selection of studies, the methodology termed Methodi Ordinatio was used, which considers the three most relevant points to qualify a scientific study: the impact factor; the year of publication; and the number of citations. Fifty (50) articles were identified to create a general map of the literature relevant to the topic under study. We carried out a critical review that highlights the lack of standardization and clarity of the research in this area. For example, in relation to the total number of studies analyzed, 67% did not clarify the type of analysis (attributional or consequential). Several recommendations and perspectives within the LCA of WW management were highlighted, such as the need to analyze impact categories other than climate change and to include economic and social analyses in new studies. In order to leverage all these research opportunities, it is important that LCA practitioners adopt global standardization. In future research, the guiding proposal presented in this study can improve the comparison between scenarios and the consistency of results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Waste Management)

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