Solid Waste Generation and Disposal Using Machine Learning Approaches: A Survey of Solutions and Challenges

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors present an interesting review on smart waste management solutions for waste generation and disposal using machine learning approaches. In my opinion the article is relevant for the contemporary approach to a common problem in different countries. I believe that the article can be published if the following recommendations are followed:

• An important part of the introduction is based on the reference [1], it is suggested to diversify the reference to reduce the dependence of the text on a single bibliographic source.

• Figure 1 can be modified and incorporate a map where the percentage by region is identified.

• The introduction requires a final paragraph describing the objective, innovation and scope of the manuscript. It is also recommended that section 2.1 be included in this final paragraph.

• The manuscript has several figures that could be grouped and identified by subsections, Figure 2(a)…(b)…etc.

• The font size in Figure 12 should be increased.

• In some sections after the subtitle a description of the content in that section is included, it is recommended to be more precise in that introduction or to omit them.

• The discussion should be broader. The first part of this section only shows an analysis of the results of the literature review, but the scope of this analysis, limitations and prospects should be discussed in depth. Sections 6.2 and 6.3. satisfactorily comply with this recommendation.

I hope these comments will help improve the manuscript.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

This paper presents a survey of machine learning works in the domain of smart waste management. This paper focuses on the waste disposal phase in which citizens, households, and municipalities attempt to get rid of their solid waste through the application of intelligent computational models. Overall this is a good survey. However, there are still some problems and improvement room.

1. In Line 579-580 Page 28, "Thirdly, we restricted our search to studies that were published between the year 2010 and 2021, hence there is a possibility that our analysis might have not included some relevant studies before 2010 or after 2021." It is still recommended that more recent studies can be added, especially those published in 2022. At least some discussions can be added about the new development directions or topics in 2022.

To name a few examples,

[1] Jońca J, Pawnuk M, Arsen A, et al. Electronic Noses and Their Applications for Sensory and Analytical Measurements in the Waste Management Plants—A Review[J]. Sensors, 2022, 22(4): 1510.

[2] Vishnu S, Ramson S R J, Rukmini M S S, et al. Sensor-Based Solid Waste Handling Systems: A Survey[J]. Sensors, 2022, 22(6): 2340.

[3] Guna J, Horvat K P, Podjed D. People-Centred Development of a Smart Waste Bin[J]. Sensors, 2022, 22(3): 1288.

2. The discussion for the connection between smart waste management and Internet of Things (IoT) can be added. Since all the models are to be deployed in a physical device, e.g., a smart waste bin, IoT plays an important role in smart waste management and the relevant discussion would be vital.

3. The third suggestion is the discussion for smart waste management under the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to our society. It also affect the way of waste management. The waste disposal behavior and patterns would also change during these extreme days. The authors may want to add more investigation.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The presented review is really very current and necessary, very long in scope. However, this is due to the large number of tables, graphs, calculations. However, this fact is not negative. However, the authors forgot to focus, at least briefly, on an integral part of the investigated problem, which is the administration and management of smart cities. Without this key factor, we would not only be unable to write about waste management and disposal, but would not even be able to think about it. It follows from the above that it is necessary to devote some space to this question and to be inspired by the current works of several authors such as

 

Srebalová M, Peráček T. Effective Public Administration as a Tool for Building Smart Cities: The Experience of the Slovak Republic. Laws. 2022; 11(5):67. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws11050067

 

Žofčinová, V., Čajková, A., Král, R.: Local Leader and the Labor Law Position in the Context of the Smart City Concept through the Optics of the EU. TalTech Journal of European Studies, 12(1), pp. 3-26, (2022). doi: 10.2478/bjes-2022-0001

 

Joamets, K., Chochia, A.: Access to artificial intelligence for persons with disabilities: Legal and ethical questions concerning the application of trustworthy AI. Acta Baltica Historiae et Philosophiae Scientiarum, 9(1), pp. 51-66, (2021). doi: 10.11590/ABHPS.2021.1.04

 

Poiană, O.: An overview of the European energy policy evolution: From the European energy community to the European energy union. Online Journal Modeling the New Europe, 22(1):175-189, (2017), doi: 10.24193/ojmne.2017.22.09

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors followed the suggested recommendations. I consider that the article is viable for publication.

Author Response

Thank you very much for your valuable time and comments. 

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors,

The revisions are satisfactory and no further revisions are needed.

 

Author Response

Thank you very much for your valuable time and comments. 

Reviewer 3 Report

Despite the fact that the authors extensively reworked their review and used knowledge from the recommended scientific works, they somehow "forgot" to cite them.

Such a procedure is contrary to the principles of honest scientific work, which may ultimately lead to the rejection of the article for violation of ethical principles. I recommend the authors to proceed in such a way that I can recommend a review for the publication.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 3

Reviewer 3 Report

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Author Response

Thank you very much for your valuable time and feedback.