Recent Advances in Waste Management and Recycling

A special issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 3984

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: urban metabolism; sustainable energy systems; industrial ecology; urban digital twins; sustainable cities; waste management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the focus of waste management and recycling has shifted towards a circular economy and sustainable practices. This transition, however, is not uniform and varies by region, influenced by factors such as local economies, legislation, and public pressure. To make informed decisions on technological options, optimization and simulation models are necessary. However, there is still much room for improvement, both in technology as well as in modeling dimensions, such as the use of thermo-chemical valorization of waste or exploring waste streams to create marketable co-products. Acknowledging the important role of informal sectors in waste collection and recycling is also critical.

Moreover, exploring marketing mechanisms to incentivize waste reduction efforts and incorporate waste into new products can also be beneficial. To ensure accurate and reliable waste management optimization models, it is necessary to improve the traceability of case study data, specify the rationale of uncertainty analysis, and detail the mathematical models. Other areas for improvement include considering the time dimension, multi-commodity, economies of scale, and uncertainties in tactical decisions.

Overall, recent advances in waste management and recycling aim to transition to a circular economy and sustainable practices. In this Special Issue, the submission of manuscripts on the use of rigorous mathematical optimization and simulation models and innovative technologies to support localized waste management strategies, is welcome to contribute towards creating a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Prof. Dr. Paulo Ferrão
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • waste management
  • circular economy
  • waste processing technologies
  • waste management models
  • waste policy
  • waste collection and recycling

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3766 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Methodology for Assessing the Hazardousness of Waste Categorized in the European Union Legislation as “Mirror Entries”—Case Studies
by Lidia Kim, Adriana Cuciureanu, Luoana Florentina Pascu, Oana Cătălina Tache (Țăpurică) and Gina Alina Catrina (Trăistaru)
Environments 2023, 10(10), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10100183 - 18 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2050
Abstract
In the European Union List of Wastes, the category of “mirror entry” waste refers to either hazardous or non-hazardous waste, depending on their composition and specificity. Classifying waste as hazardous or non-hazardous is essential because it influences the feasibility and economic viability of [...] Read more.
In the European Union List of Wastes, the category of “mirror entry” waste refers to either hazardous or non-hazardous waste, depending on their composition and specificity. Classifying waste as hazardous or non-hazardous is essential because it influences the feasibility and economic viability of subsequent management methods. Thus, waste classification represents a challenge both for the scientific community and for the producers/holders of waste. The methodology presented in this paper describes the stages that are the basis for evaluating the dangerousness of “mirror entry” waste and the potential factors that influence the evaluation process. Three case studies that represented three types of industrial waste were selected: waste from the non-metallic minerals industry (W1), waste from glass manufacturing (W2), and waste from the iron and steel industry (W3). The case studies were characterized and evaluated according to hazardous properties and the assignment of a waste code. The W1 and W2 waste samples did not present the hazardous properties HP1–HP15 and were included in the non-hazardous waste list. The W3 waste sample exhibited five dangerous properties and was classified as hazardous waste. The assessed wastes maintain the classifications as long as there are no changes in the technological process generation and in their composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Waste Management and Recycling)
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Review

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29 pages, 2881 KiB  
Review
Municipal Solid Waste Management in Laos: Comparative Analysis of Environmental Impact, Practices, and Technologies with ASEAN Regions and Japan
by Vongdala Noudeng, Dek Vimean Pheakdey, Tran Thi Ngoc Minh and Tran Dang Xuan
Environments 2024, 11(8), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11080170 - 9 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1346
Abstract
Municipal solid waste management in developing countries faces limitations, especially concerning technologies for treatment and disposal, which is crucial for achieving environmental and economic sustainability goals. This paper investigates municipal solid waste management in Laos, compared with the ASEAN-Japan regions, focusing on background [...] Read more.
Municipal solid waste management in developing countries faces limitations, especially concerning technologies for treatment and disposal, which is crucial for achieving environmental and economic sustainability goals. This paper investigates municipal solid waste management in Laos, compared with the ASEAN-Japan regions, focusing on background information, waste characteristics, environmental impact, and treatment technologies for resource utilization. The findings indicate a continuous rise in municipal waste generation in Laos, particularly in the capital Vientiane, from 0.21 million tons in 2012 to 0.37 million tons in 2021. Treatment methods include unsanitary landfilling, basic recycling, and open dumping, as well as burning or discharge into rivers, posing potential risks to the environment and human health. Japan and Singapore have shown decreasing trends, with Japan reducing from 45.23 million tons in 2012 to 40.95 million tons in 2021 and Singapore from 7.27 million tons in 2021 to 6.94 million tons in 2021. Laos encounters challenges in managing municipal waste, especially in waste recovery and waste-to-energy practices, crucial elements of integrated solid waste management aimed at promoting environmental and economic sustainability. Enhancing waste management in Laos involves developing a waste management act with segregation, recycling, and extended producer responsibility policies. Implementing mechanical biological treatment facilities, waste-to-energy plants, and upgraded landfills is crucial. Capacity building and public awareness campaigns on waste management will improve sustainability, reduce environmental impacts, and advance sustainable development goals for sustainable cities and communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Waste Management and Recycling)
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