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Waste Management for Sustainable Development

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Waste and Recycling".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (14 February 2022) | Viewed by 56724

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Munjed A. Maraqa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Interests: modeling environmental systems; waste management; water quality; EHS management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rapid economic development and population growth have resulted in a huge increase in waste production. Waste is a burden on development, as it is typically associated with high management cost and vast carbon footprint. With this realization, innovative solutions are needed to manage produced waste in a manner that adheres to environmental, economic, and social constraints. Waste management is a complex dynamic system that is challenged in most cases by technical, managerial, logistical, and legal issues. Ideally, a sustainable waste management system should be based on technically sound approaches to eliminate or minimize public health hazards while maintaining environmental quality, cost affordability, and public satisfaction. While tremendous work has been done in the field of waste management, more attention is needed on sustainable approaches with consideration of individual system components, interlinked components, and the system as a whole.

This Special Issue will cover progress in the areas of waste management design, operation, policy or practice with emphasis on sustainable development. The intention is to promote fundamental and applied research that could be beneficial to waste management researchers, practitioners, or policy makers. Issues that will be covered include waste generation and characterization, collection, cleaner production, waste utilization, life cycle assessment, planning, policy and regulations, innovative technologies, education and training, and system/process optimization.

We are soliciting high-quality work in the form of original research articles, best practices, and critical reviews. Case studies will be considered but should extend the discussion beyond the locality of the study. All articles should address waste management problems and solutions that are of general interest to readers with emphasis on sustainability.

Dr. Munjed A. Maraqa
Guest Editor

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.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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

  • Generation and characterization
  • Collection and transport
  • Reduction, reuse, and recycling
  • Composting
  • Thermal treatment
  • Landfilling
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Economic sustainability
  • Social sustainability
  • Public health
  • Policy and regulations
  • Education and training
  • Planning
  • Optimization
  • Sustainable practices

Published Papers (16 papers)

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20 pages, 5243 KiB  
Article
A Phosphonic Functionalized Biopolymer for the Sorption of Lanthanum (III) and Application in the Recovery of Rare Earth Elements
by Mohammed F. Hamza, Walid M. Abdellah, Doaa I. Zaki, Yuezhou Wei, Khalid Althumayri, Witold Brostow and Nora A. Hamad
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2843; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032843 - 3 Feb 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
Phosphonic acid functionalization of gellan gum and chitosan biopolymers was successfully performed. In the first step, the sorption was investigated using La(III) ions before testing for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from pretreated industrial acidic leachate. The sorbent was characterized by [...] Read more.
Phosphonic acid functionalization of gellan gum and chitosan biopolymers was successfully performed. In the first step, the sorption was investigated using La(III) ions before testing for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from pretreated industrial acidic leachate. The sorbent was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and pH of zero charge (pHPZC) determination. FTIR and EDX results show efficient grafting of phosphoryl groups. The sorption was determined for the crude materials before functionalization (PGEG) and after phosphorylation (TBP-PGEG). More efficient sorption was seen for phosphorylated sorbent than for the crude composite. The sorption capacity is 0.226 mmol La g−1 for the PGEG while the value is 0.78 mmol La g−1 for the TBP-PGEG. We infer that phosphonate groups participate in the sorption. The most effective sorption is at pH = 4. The kinetic behavior was described using pseudo first-order equations (PFORE), pseudo second-order equations (PSORE), and resistance to intraparticle diffusion (RIDE). The sorption isotherms can be better represented by Langmuir and Sips equations than by the Freundlich equation. The sorbent shows high stability performance during reuse cycles with a limit on the decrease in the sorption performances and stability in the desorption performances. We have thus developed a good tool for the recovery of REEs with a selectivity higher than that of the non-functionalized components. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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21 pages, 16686 KiB  
Article
Vapor Phase Alkylation of Isomeric Cresols with Tert-Butyl Alcohol over Perlite Supported Sulfated Zirconia Catalyst
by Sakshi Kabra Malpani, Deepti Goyal, Sampath Chinnam, Sunil K. Sharma, Stuti Katara and Ashu Rani
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5149; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095149 - 24 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1676
Abstract
In the present study, perlite was thermally activated and then modified desirably to generate super acidity by loading different weight percentages of sulfated zirconia (SZ) via the two-step sol-gel method. As-prepared sulfated zirconia perlite (SZP) catalysts showed suitable catalytic potential in the vapor [...] Read more.
In the present study, perlite was thermally activated and then modified desirably to generate super acidity by loading different weight percentages of sulfated zirconia (SZ) via the two-step sol-gel method. As-prepared sulfated zirconia perlite (SZP) catalysts showed suitable catalytic potential in the vapor phase alkylation of o, m, and p-cresols with tert-butyl alcohol. The presence of crystalline phases in SZP catalysts was confirmed by XRD and FT-IR studies. TEM images revealed the nano size of the catalysts in the range of 9–25 nm. The presence of SZ on the surface of perlite was further confirmed by N2 adsorption–desorption, SEM, SEM-EDX, TGA, and UV-Vis DRS techniques. The pyridine FT-IR results confirmed the existence of Brønsted, Lewis acidic sites and their combination as super acidic catalytic active centers on the surface of catalyst utilized in the vapor phase alkylation of o, m, and p-cresols with tert-butyl alcohol. The regeneration and reusability of the preferred catalyst until the 5th reaction cycle without any considerable loss in catalytic activity demonstrated the stability of the catalyst. Comparative studies show that SZP can be regenerated and is superior compared to other catalysts previously used for other alkylation reactions with the potential for use on a large scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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14 pages, 3249 KiB  
Article
Composted Sewage Sludge Application Reduces Mineral Fertilization Requirements and Improves Soil Fertility in Sugarcane Seedling Nurseries
by Rafael dos Santos Silva, Arshad Jalal, Raimunda Eliane Nascimento do Nascimento, Nathércia Castro Elias, Karen Cossi Kawakami, Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior, Fernando Carvalho Oliveira, Arun Dilipkumar Jani, Zhenli He, Fengliang Zhao, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho, Raffaela Rossetto, Gian Franco Capra and Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4684; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084684 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2209
Abstract
Sugarcane demands large amounts of nutrients to reach a high level of productivity. Nutrients are generally supplied by mineral fertilizers, but their high costs and negative environmental impacts have generated interest in greater use of organic nutrient sources such as composted sewage sludge [...] Read more.
Sugarcane demands large amounts of nutrients to reach a high level of productivity. Nutrients are generally supplied by mineral fertilizers, but their high costs and negative environmental impacts have generated interest in greater use of organic nutrient sources such as composted sewage sludge (CSS). In this study, we evaluated changes in soil chemical properties after the application of CSS or CSS/mineral fertilizer (MF) combinations to soil containing sugarcane seedlings under nursery conditions. Treatments included: T1: conventional mineral fertilization (MF) without application of CSS, T2: 100% of the recommended MF (06–30–24); T3: application of 2.5 Mg−1 CSS; T4: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS, T5: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS, T6: 2.5 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T7: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T8: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T9: 2.5 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF, T10: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF, T11: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF. Soil chemical properties were evaluated from the soil surface (0.0–0.25 m) and subsurface (0.25–0.50 m) horizons. The results showed that the increase in CSS application did not affect soil organic matter content at either depth, while Zn concentrations increased in the soil subsurface horizon. The application of CSS at 5.0 Mg ha−1 with or without 50% MF resulted in the highest pH values, sum of bases, cation-exchange capacity, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn in surface horizons. The use of CSS as an organic fertilizer in sugarcane nurseries improves soil fertility, reduces mineral fertilizer requirements, and, thus, facilitates the sustainable disposal of sewage sludge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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15 pages, 2658 KiB  
Article
Composted Sewage Sludge Application in a Sugarcane Seedling Nursery: Crop Nutritional Status, Productivity, and Technological Quality Implications
by Rafael dos Santos Silva, Arshad Jalal, Raimunda Eliane Nascimento do Nascimento, Nathércia Castro Elias, Karen Cossi Kawakami, Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior, Fernando Carvalho Oliveira, Arun Dilipkumar Jani, Zhenli He, Fengliang Zhao, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho, Raffaella Rossetto, Gian Franco Capra and Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4682; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084682 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2223
Abstract
Composted sewage sludge (CSS) contains large amounts of organic matter and nutrients and can be used as an organic fertilizer to improve growth, yield, and quality of sugarcane. However, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of CSS application on sugarcane [...] Read more.
Composted sewage sludge (CSS) contains large amounts of organic matter and nutrients and can be used as an organic fertilizer to improve growth, yield, and quality of sugarcane. However, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of CSS application on sugarcane seedling performance in nursery environments. A field study was conducted using a randomized complete block design to evaluate the development, nutritional status, productivity, and technological quality of sugarcane seedlings after CSS application with or without mineral fertilizer. Morphological variables (stem height, diameter, and number, as well as leaf area), technological attributes (total recoverable sugar: ATR; quantity of sucrose in sugarcane juice: Pol; Brix: percentage (weight/weight) of soluble solids contained in juice; TAH: tons of sugar per hectare), nutritional status, and sugarcane productivity were evaluated. Treatments did not influence morphological and technological variables except for TAH but did positively alter nutritional status and seedling productivity. The application rates of 5.0 and 7.5 Mg ha−1 of CSS with or without mineral fertilizers (MF) provided the greatest increase in crop productivity. Our results indicate that CSS can be a sustainable nutritional management option in sugarcane seedling nurseries, resulting in greater crop productivity at lower mineral fertilization rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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16 pages, 5270 KiB  
Article
ANN Hybrid Model for Forecasting Landfill Waste Potential in Lithuania
by Vidas Raudonis, Agne Paulauskaite-Taraseviciene and Linas Eidimtas
Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 4122; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074122 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1864
Abstract
Waste management is currently a fast-growing environmental business and one of solutions to manage the huge amount of waste being generated on landfills is to use the disposed waste as an energy source. There is a major focus on energy forecasting, highlighting the [...] Read more.
Waste management is currently a fast-growing environmental business and one of solutions to manage the huge amount of waste being generated on landfills is to use the disposed waste as an energy source. There is a major focus on energy forecasting, highlighting the importance of having reliable data on the volume and composition of municipal solid waste in landfills. However, the lack of historical data is forcing the development of machine-learning based models. This study contributes to this field by proposing a hybrid ANN-based model to forecast the total amount of landfill waste, different waste fraction and the potential for energy recovery. The proposed model includes an adaptive number of inputs adjusted to the relevant waste fraction and to the specific landfill. The obtained results substantiated that the proposed model allows for stable and accurate forecasting of recovered energy potential in cases where there is insufficient historical data. The experiments showed that the model with 12 inputs (meaning the forecast of the future value takes into account the last 12 months of data) was the most accurate in the energy forecasting task, with the lowest forecasting error in terms of mean absolute error −8.9878 gigawatt hours per year. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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18 pages, 2685 KiB  
Article
Eco-Efficiency Analysis of Integrated Waste Management Strategies Based on Gasification and Mechanical Biological Treatment
by Abdulrahman Abdeljaber, Rawan Zannerni, Wedad Masoud, Mohamed Abdallah and Lisandra Rocha-Meneses
Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 3899; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073899 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2517
Abstract
Integrated solid waste management (ISWM) strategies are developed towards promoting sustainable approaches for handling waste. Recently, gasification and mechanical biological treatment (MBT) technologies were recognized as effective processes for treating municipal solid waste. This study investigates the feasibility of integrating gasification and MBT [...] Read more.
Integrated solid waste management (ISWM) strategies are developed towards promoting sustainable approaches for handling waste. Recently, gasification and mechanical biological treatment (MBT) technologies were recognized as effective processes for treating municipal solid waste. This study investigates the feasibility of integrating gasification and MBT technologies in multiple ISWM strategies, compared to incineration- and anaerobic digestion (AD)-based strategies. A comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessment was carried out to evaluate the performance of the examined ISWM strategies. The evaluation was based on the energy generation potential, carbon footprint, and life cycle costing (LCC). An eco-efficiency analysis was conducted to quantify the environmental costs by incorporating the carbon footprint and LCC results. The proposed strategies were applied for the city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, based on local bylaws and guidelines. The analysis revealed that the gasification-based strategy had the highest energy production of 47.0 million MWh, followed by the incineration- (34.2 million MWh), AD- (17.2 million MWh), and MBT-based (14.9 million MWh) strategies. Results of the environmental analysis indicated that the MBT- and AD-based strategies contributed the least to global warming with greenhouse gas emissions of 4442 and 4539 GgCO2-eq, respectively, compared to the gasification- (9922 GgCO2-eq) and incineration-based (15,700 GgCO2-eq) strategies. Furthermore, over a 25-year assessment period, the LCC findings demonstrated that the gasification- and MBT-based strategies were the most financially feasible with a positive net present value (NPV) of USD 364 and USD 284 million, respectively. The eco-efficiency analysis indicated that the MBT and gasification strategies are the most sustainable among the examined strategies. The sustainability of the assessed systems was improved by implementing policy and legal reforms, including incentive programs, less stringent bylaws on digestate, and encouraging source separation of wastes. Overall, this research emphasized the potential environmental and financial benefits of incorporating MBT and gasification technologies into ISWM strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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16 pages, 2359 KiB  
Article
A Sustainable Approach towards Disposable Face Mask Production Amidst Pandemic Outbreaks
by Salman Alfarisi, Mar’atus Sholihah, Yuya Mitake, Yusuke Tsutsui, Hanfei Wang and Yoshiki Shimomura
Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 3849; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073849 - 24 Mar 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4965
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has become a global pandemic, causing many disruptions in multiple sectors. The World Health Organization has urged the public to wear face masks as part of the countermeasure. As the demand for face masks increased, research on the environmental sustainability of face [...] Read more.
SARS-CoV-2 has become a global pandemic, causing many disruptions in multiple sectors. The World Health Organization has urged the public to wear face masks as part of the countermeasure. As the demand for face masks increased, research on the environmental sustainability of face masks production started to emerge. However, the scope of the prior studies is limited to environmental impacts during the manufacturing process. Broadening the research scope is critical to acquire a comprehensive environmental impact analysis. Therefore, this study investigates the life cycle impact assessment of disposable face mask production, from raw material extraction to the point of sale, by adopting the life cycle assessment method. Disposable face masks are assessed for a single person, over one functional unit (FU) of 30 12-h days. The ReCiPe approach was used with a Hierarchist perspective. The results reveal that disposable face mask manufacture contributes significantly to enormous environmental impact categories. As a solution, this study proposes a reconfiguration of the manufacturing process, by altering the design and material proportion of the earloop to minimise the environmental impact. The investigation indicates that the proposed design might decrease the global warming contribution, from 1.82593 kg CO2 eq. to 1.69948 kg CO2 eq. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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10 pages, 237 KiB  
Article
Compostable Packaging Waste Management—Main Barriers, Reasons, and the Potential Directions for Development
by Marta Raźniewska
Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 3748; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073748 - 22 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2826
Abstract
The paper aims to identify the main reasons for the low level of compostable packaging waste management and to propose potential directions for development. Based on qualitative research (individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions using the Social Innovation Lab), these are: (1) [...] Read more.
The paper aims to identify the main reasons for the low level of compostable packaging waste management and to propose potential directions for development. Based on qualitative research (individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions using the Social Innovation Lab), these are: (1) the lack of uniform and transparent regulations regarding the planning and organization of a closed-loop system for compostable packaging, (2) insufficient communication between the private and public sectors on how to increase the use of compostable packaging, (3) poorly developed infrastructure for compostable waste recycling, and (4) a lack of financial incentives to support activities for the circular economy of composting packaging at the communal level. Moreover, the portfolio of bottom-up (initiated by consumers, educational institutions, and NGOs) and bottom-down dimension (national, regional programs) proposals are presented. The diagnosis of different view perspectives of the supply chain underlines the crucial role of stakeholder cooperation improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
30 pages, 2719 KiB  
Article
Streamlining the Municipal Waste Management System in the City of Nitra (Slovak Republic) Based on a Public Survey
by Zuzana Pucherová, Imrich Jakab, Anna Báreková and Jarmila Králová
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13992; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413992 - 18 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2433
Abstract
The main problems of the city of Nitra (Slovak Republic) in the field of municipal waste management include: 1. High production of municipal waste per capita; 2. Low rate of its separation; 3. High landfill rate; 4. No opportunity for composting; 5. Establishment [...] Read more.
The main problems of the city of Nitra (Slovak Republic) in the field of municipal waste management include: 1. High production of municipal waste per capita; 2. Low rate of its separation; 3. High landfill rate; 4. No opportunity for composting; 5. Establishment of illegal landfills in the city; 6. Low waste prevention rate. To identify the attitudes and opinions of the respondents, and to evaluate certain behavioural practices of the inhabitants of Nitra in the management of municipal solid waste, we used a structured questionnaire (realized in 2020). The results of the questionnaire correspond to the behaviour of 4911 inhabitants of the city (6.46%). This paper evaluates the respondents’ answers, which could be utilised by the local government—not only for a more appropriate setting of municipal waste management and separation, but also in waste prevention and monitoring changes in the consumer behaviour of city residents. The degree of separation in individual housing construction (IHC) and complex housing construction (CHC) was statistically evaluated and compared separately. For paper and glass, a higher degree of separation was reflected in CHC; while conversely, households living in CHC avoided bio-waste and kitchen waste more than IHC households. The most common reason for not participating in the separate collection was the lack of collection containers, the distance of containers from their households, or the low frequency of their collection. The results of the questionnaire show the need for more rigorous education about waste generation, its proper separation, and its prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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10 pages, 547 KiB  
Article
Study of the Potential Uses of Hydrochar from Grape Pomace and Walnut Shells Generated from Hydrothermal Carbonization as an Alternative for the Revalorization of Agri-Waste in Chile
by René A. Garrido, Camila Lagos, Carolina Luna, Jaime Sánchez and Georgina Díaz
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12600; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212600 - 15 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2211
Abstract
A myriad of resources and efforts have been devoted to assessing the possibilities of using locally sourced biomass to produce energy, reduce CO2 emissions, and, in turn, lower dependance on petroleum. Grape pomace (GP) and walnut shells (WS) are organic waste generated [...] Read more.
A myriad of resources and efforts have been devoted to assessing the possibilities of using locally sourced biomass to produce energy, reduce CO2 emissions, and, in turn, lower dependance on petroleum. Grape pomace (GP) and walnut shells (WS) are organic waste generated in Chile. Within the last decade, the potential benefits and application of biomass have received significant attention, both in terms of producing functionalized carbon materials, and the various potential applications in the field of energy storage and environmental protection. The proposed research motivation is on the development of carbonous materials through thermal decomposition processes. Few researchers have addressed the idea of developing a multipurpose carbonaceous matrix from hydrochar, and there remains a need for an efficient method to obtain hydrochar specially from grape pomace. Hence, the general objective of this research is to study the potential of grape pomace and walnut shells treated with hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) as an alternative low-cost and efficient carbonous matrix. Proximate and elemental analysis was determined to distinguish the nature of the feedstock along with the hydrochar produced. Yield and reaction severity were also studied to study the impacts of temperature and residence time for both feedstocks. Successful results from the proposed work have broad applications for increasing the sustainability biomass applications, contributing to a positive economic impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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17 pages, 15627 KiB  
Article
A System for the Inclusion of the Informal Recycling Sector (IRS) in Mexico City’s Solid Waste Management
by Francisco Gutiérrez-Galicia, Ana Lilia Coria-Páez, Ricardo Tejeida-Padilla and Emma Frida Galicia-Haro
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12490; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212490 - 12 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2615
Abstract
With 19 million inhabitants, Mexico City is the most populated agglomeration in Latin America, concentrating 30% of the national population. More than 61% of municipal solid waste (MSW) is sent to landfills, and 13% of MSW is recovered by Informal Sector Recyclers (ISRs) [...] Read more.
With 19 million inhabitants, Mexico City is the most populated agglomeration in Latin America, concentrating 30% of the national population. More than 61% of municipal solid waste (MSW) is sent to landfills, and 13% of MSW is recovered by Informal Sector Recyclers (ISRs) for recycling, which is the most crucial treatment option in the city. This article adopts a systemic approach to addressing the problem of the operationalization of relationships between ISRs and public services in Mexico City to design a recursive organizational structure with the identification of the critical roles and functions of management and governance in multi-level and multi-stakeholder relationships to integrate ISRs into MSW management. Using the Viable System Model (VSM) recursive structure to propose functional organizational structures in Mexico City is a new route for the study and application of systemic thinking in ISR integration. The VSM of the recycling system in Mexico City considers the recycling activities and characteristics of the territory at each recursion level. The authorities of the corresponding hierarchical level, who have sufficient knowledge of the physical and socioeconomic characteristics of the territory, are responsible for the design and operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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18 pages, 3102 KiB  
Article
Do Social Media Posts Influence Consumption Behavior towards Plastic Pollution?
by Maria Zunally Rapada, Derrick Ethelbhert Yu and Krista Danielle Yu
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12334; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212334 - 9 Nov 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 9992
Abstract
The continuous generation of plastic wastes is one of the most serious environmental problems that we are facing. Information campaigns have been used to encourage people to reduce plastic consumption. Moreover, social media has become the most prevalent and influential form of communication [...] Read more.
The continuous generation of plastic wastes is one of the most serious environmental problems that we are facing. Information campaigns have been used to encourage people to reduce plastic consumption. Moreover, social media has become the most prevalent and influential form of communication in this current era. This study seeks to analyze the influence of social media on consumer behavior towards plastic products. The survey includes 213 individual observations wherein four information posts that represent the overall facets of plastic usage problem were presented. These scenarios include (1) a general information post on sachet use, (2) an information post discouraging use of plastic bottles in celebration of zero waste month, (3) an information post on the adverse health effects of plastic food storage and (4) an information post on the harmful effects of plastic use to marine life and its indirect effect to human health. Results show that, prior to any information, most participants consume products in plastic packaging except for the usage of single-use plastic containers for storing food. For the first three scenarios, it has been found that social media intensifies the probability of avoiding plastic consumption when the likelihood on the involvement of self-interest on the topic, as well as the ability to read the link attached to the post, increases. However, for the scenario that shows harmful effects of plastic use to marine life, the probability of avoiding the use of plastic packaged products after seeing the post is only affected by the likelihood that the respondent will recommend the link to friends or network. This study establishes that social media can effectively influence consumer behavior towards plastic consumption if the information presented are from confirmed studies that can easily translate to results based on their own action and has a direct impact on their health. The contrasting findings based on the different scenarios can be used as palettes in constructing modulated social media posts that can effectively influence consumer behavior towards reducing plastic pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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10 pages, 249 KiB  
Article
Illegal Waste Dumping under a Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme: Application of the Neutralization Theory
by Amanda M. Y. Chu
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9279; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169279 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4889
Abstract
Illegal waste dumping has become a threat to human health and the global environment. In Hong Kong, the government has proposed a quantity-based municipal solid waste charging scheme to reduce waste. However, individuals may still dispose of waste improperly, even if such a [...] Read more.
Illegal waste dumping has become a threat to human health and the global environment. In Hong Kong, the government has proposed a quantity-based municipal solid waste charging scheme to reduce waste. However, individuals may still dispose of waste improperly, even if such a scheme has been implemented. In this study, the neutralization theory was adopted and an online survey with 273 respondents was conducted to examine the reasons for improper dumping intentions. A principal component analysis identified two types of neutralization: intrinsic neutralization (including denial of responsibility, denial of injury, and defense of necessity) and extrinsic neutralization (including condemnation of the condemners and appeal to higher loyalties). A regression analysis showed that intrinsic neutralization and gender were significant factors for illegal waste dumping intentions when attitude toward illegal waste dumping was controlled. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
24 pages, 3603 KiB  
Article
Properties of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete Made with Recycled Concrete Aggregates and Dune Sand
by Hilal El-Hassan, Jamal Medljy and Tamer El-Maaddawy
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8017; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148017 - 18 Jul 2021
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 2854
Abstract
Reutilizing industrial by-products and recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) to replace cement and natural aggregates (NA) in concrete is becoming increasingly important for sustainable development. Yet, experimental evidence is needed prior to the widespread use of this sustainable concrete by the construction industry. This [...] Read more.
Reutilizing industrial by-products and recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) to replace cement and natural aggregates (NA) in concrete is becoming increasingly important for sustainable development. Yet, experimental evidence is needed prior to the widespread use of this sustainable concrete by the construction industry. This study examines the performance of alkali-activated slag concrete made with RCA and reinforced with steel fibers. Natural coarse aggregates were replaced with RCA. Steel fibers were added to mixes incorporating RCA at different volume fractions. Desert dune sand was used as fine aggregate. The mechanical and durability properties of plain and steel fiber-reinforced concrete made with RCA were experimentally examined. The results showed that the compressive strength did not decrease in plain concrete mixes with 30 and 70% RCA replacement. However, full replacement of NA with RCA resulted in a 20% reduction in the compressive strength of the plain mix. In fact, 100% RCA mixes could only be produced with compressive strength comparable to that of an NA-based control mix in conjunction with 2% steel fiber, by volume. In turn, at least 1% steel fiber, by volume, was required to maintain comparable splitting tensile strength. Furthermore, RCA replacement led to higher water absorption and sorptivity and lower bulk resistivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and abrasion resistance. Steel fiber incorporation in RCA-based mixes densified the concrete and improved its resistance to abrasion, water permeation, and transport, thereby enhancing its mechanical properties to exceed that of the NA-based counterpart. The hardened properties were correlated to 28-day cylinder compressive strength through analytical regression models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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10 pages, 672 KiB  
Article
A Techno-Economic Evaluation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Conversion to Energy in Indonesia
by Muhammad Mufti Azis, Jonas Kristanto and Chandra Wahyu Purnomo
Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7232; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137232 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4850
Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) processing is still problematic in Indonesia. From the hierarchy of waste management, it is clear that energy recovery from waste could be an option after prevention and the 5R (rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle) processes. The Presidential Regulation No [...] Read more.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) processing is still problematic in Indonesia. From the hierarchy of waste management, it is clear that energy recovery from waste could be an option after prevention and the 5R (rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle) processes. The Presidential Regulation No 35/2018 mandated the acceleration of waste-to-energy (WtE) plant adoption in Indonesia. The present study aimed to demonstrate a techno-economic evaluation of a commercial WtE plant in Indonesia by processing 1000 tons of waste/day to produce ca. 19.7 MW of electricity. The WtE electricity price is set at USD 13.35 cent/kWh, which is already higher than the average household price at USD 9.76 cent/kWh. The capital investment is estimated at USD 102.2 million. The annual operational cost is estimated at USD 12.1 million and the annual revenue at USD 41.6 million. At this value, the internal rate of return (IRR) for the WtE plant is 25.32% with a payout time (PoT) of 3.47 years. In addition, this study also takes into account electricity price sales, tipping fee, and pretreatment cost of waste. The result of a sensitivity analysis showed that the electricity price was the most sensitive factor. This study reveals that it is important to maintain a regulated electricity price to ensure the sustainability of the WtE plant in Indonesia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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Review

Jump to: Research

37 pages, 23338 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress in the Application of Coconut and Palm Oil Fibres in Cement-Based Materials
by Erika Futami, Payam Shafigh, Herda Yati Binti Katman and Zainah Ibrahim
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12865; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212865 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3262
Abstract
Cementitious materials are widely used in the construction industry. These materials have high compressive strength and huge environmental effects but low tensile and flexural strength. Thus, researching these materials to make them environmentally friendly is very important in terms of the sustainable development [...] Read more.
Cementitious materials are widely used in the construction industry. These materials have high compressive strength and huge environmental effects but low tensile and flexural strength. Thus, researching these materials to make them environmentally friendly is very important in terms of the sustainable development of the construction industry. In recent years, the amount of research about cementitious composites reinforced with natural fibre has increased annually. This review paper was presented to understand the latest research progress on these fibres and the needs of future research to encourage the construction industry to apply these materials. The optimum dosage of natural fibre depending on the purposes can improve the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of cementitious composites, and natural fibre is highly expected to become an alternative material of synthetic fibres, such as steel, plastic and carbon fibre. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management for Sustainable Development)
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