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We study a newsvendor problem with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the disposal stage regulated by a cap-and-trade policy. We first consider a synchronous version of the problem where the replenishment period and the emission assessment period are the same. For this problem, we propose simple algorithms to derive the optimal quantity and cost for both continuous and discrete demand distributions. We show that ignoring the carbon tax may lead to large overcost, especially when the GHG quota is small. For a normally distributed demand, we also show that the demand standard deviation has a non-linear and non-monotonic effect on the order quantity. We then investigate an asynchronous version of the problem where replenishment decisions occur at a higher frequency than the quota allocation. We formulate this lot sizing problem as a Markov decision process and solve it with a dynamic programming algorithm whose complexity is assessed. Through a numerical experimentation and theoretical results, we demonstrate how and when the flexibility of the optimal dynamic replenishment decisions allows to reduce costs. When approaching the end of the time horizon, the uncertainty reduction allows the decision maker to adopt a riskier policy and order larger quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In La Moitié de la Gloire, Axel Mayenfisch's documentary about the 1952 Swiss expedition to Chomolungma (Mount Everest), André Roch recalls how the retreating climbers simply abandoned much of their gear, either leaving it where it was or "throwing it into holes [crevasses]." Roch's tale was by no means unusual, as mountaineers at that time gave little thought to what became of their waste. By the 1970s, however, climbers were becoming increasingly aware of their impact on the environment. The resulting change of attitude led many mountaineering organizations to take concrete steps to protect the mountains (e.g., cleanup campaigns) and to issue waste management guidelines for trips into the high mountains. The Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme 1982 Kathmandu Declaration—a charter of ten principles for achieving greater harmony with the mountain environment—was an important milestone in this process. Drawing on documents held in the extensive archives of the Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme, the current paper retraces the path that led to the Kathmandu Declaration and the process by which the environment became an important aspect of the aforementioned organization's work. It also examines the hypothesis that the organization has progressively adopted a conservationist stance toward protecting nature; its aim is to reconcile environmental protection and economic development (especially tourism). The history of the Kathmandu Declaration supports this hypothesis, as it shows how the notion of sustainable development, which emerged in the 1980s, came to dominate conceptions of mountain protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and understand the experiences and impact of the Paralympic School Day program on disability-related perceptions of rural high school students. Methods: Ninth- and tenth-grade physical education classes from a rural high school participated in the Paralympic School Day event. Of the 68 who attended the event, 42 students furnished assent and consent to participate. Data from reflective writing responses were analyzed inductively using a three-step approach. Findings: The analysis revealed three interrelated themes: (a) "I didn't expect it to be fun": preconceptions and reality of trying parasport, (b) "Anyone can play a sport": developing new perceptions of disability, and (c) "I never realized how blessed I was": persistence of ableist framing. Discussion: As a result of participants interacting with and learning from athletes with physical disabilities, they developed an understanding of parasport and a new paradigm through which to view individuals with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syngas (CO + H 2) production through biomass gasification offers a promising and sustainable alternative to conventional fuels. This study investigates the co-gasification of palm oil decanter cake (PODC) and Alum Sludge (AS), utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques to optimize and predict syngas production. Conducted in a fixed bed horizontal reactor, the experiment investigates temperature, airflow rate, and particle size as input parameters. Results revealed that optimal condition of 900 °C temperature, 10 mL/min airflow rate, and 2 mm particle size yielded the highest syngas production at 39.48 vol%. The RSM showed an R2 value of 0.9896, whereas ANN network revealed an overall R2 value of 0.971. Both models demonstrated strong alignment with experimental data and the modelled equation. This research demonstrates the effective use of statistical modelling to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of syngas production, thereby fostering advancements in sustainable energy production. [Display omitted] • PODC and AS co-gasification was carried out in fixed bed horizontal tube furnace reactor. • RSM and ANN were applied for optimization and prediction of syngas production. • At optimal condition of 900 °C, 10 mL/min, and 2 mm, 39.48 vol% syngas was produced. • RSM and ANN model prediction accuracy were 98.96% and 97.1%, respectively. • Both RSM and ANN satisfactory validate and predict the response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remarkable miniaturization of Internet of Things (IoT)-based systems and the rise of distributed intelligence are promising research paradigms in the design of smart cities. IoT and distributed intelligence are conjoined. On the one hand, IoT provides a digital connection to everyday physical devices, and on the other hand, distributed intelligence allows these connected devices to work together in a distributed environment to solve complex problems through learning and reasoning. In this article, we investigate and report the recent premier advances in distributed intelligence for IoT-based smart cities. We use bibliometric techniques which provide essential insights into many studies to evaluate the literature including publication year, type, and citation status on distributed intelligence and its variations published between 2013 and 2023. We categorize and classify literature by devising a taxonomy based on essential parameters, technologies, approaches, applications, and implications with respect to distributed intelligence. Moreover, we provide recent ongoing advancements in distributed intelligence and IoT such as sustainability, blockchain, 5G technologies, AI, edge computing expansion and IoT expansion. We also highlight some of the use cases which include traffic management, energy management, waste management, public safety, and healthcare. We provide core layers and services for implementing distributed intelligence in IoT-based smart cities and present several research challenges and issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Larvae of Hermetia illucens regularly develop on PVC-MPs-supplemented diet. • PVC-MPs are ingested by the larvae and reduced in their size. • Midgut morphology is not affected by PVC-MPs in the larval diet. • PVC-MPs in the larval diet do not affect microbial alpha- and beta-diversity. • PVC-MPs selectively affect the abundances of gut bacterial and fungal taxa. In a world with a population exceeding 8 billion people and continuing to grow, pollution from food and plastic waste is causing long-term issues in ecosystems. Potential solutions may be found by exploiting insect-based bioconversion. In this context, we investigated the impact of polyvinyl chloride microparticles (PVC-MPs) on the development of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly; BSF) and its midgut bacterial and fungal microbiota. The impact of PVC-MPs was evaluated feeding BSF larvae with a PVC-MPs-supplemented diet. The larvae exposed to different PVC-MPs concentrations (2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20% w/w) developed into adults with no significant increase in pupal mortality. Faster development and smaller pupae were observed when 20% PVC-MPs was provided. The BSF larvae ingest PVC-MPs, resulting in a reduction in MPs size. Larvae exposed to PVC-MPs did not exhibit differences in gut morphology. Regarding the impact of PVC-MPs on the structure of both bacterial and fungal communities, the overall alpha- and beta-diversity did not exhibit significant changes. However, the presence of PVC-MPs significantly affected the relative abundances of Enterobacteriaceae and Paenibacillaceae among the bacteria and of Dipodascaceae and Plectospharellaceae among the fungi (including yeast and filamentous life forms), suggesting that PVC-MP contamination has a taxa-dependent impact. These results indicate that BSF larvae can tolerate PVC-MPs in their diet, supporting the potential use of these insects in organic waste management, even in the presence of high levels of PVC-MP contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A microwave-assisted protocol towards biofuel precursor furfural (FF) was implemented. • Namely almond hull (AH), olive stone (OS), and wine-derived by-products were evaluated. • Mild conditions (150 °C, 10–20 min) and green strategies (AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O) were applied. • Noted molar yield (38–42 %) and selectivity (50–60 %) were achieved from AH and OS. • Sustainable waste management and biorefinery approaches were assessed. This work outlines the first microwave (MW)-assisted protocol for the production of biofuel precursor furfural (FF) from the raw agricultural waste almond hull (AH), olive stone (OS), and the winemaking-derived grape stalk (GS), grape marc (GM) and exhausted grape marc (EGM) through a one-pot synthesis process. To enhance the overall yield, a catalytic process was firstly developed from xylose, major constituent of hemicellulose present in lignocellulosic biomass. This method afforded FF with 100 % selectivity, yielding over 85 % in isolated product when using H 2 SO 4 , as opposed to a 37 % yield with AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O, at 150 °C in only 10 min. For both catalysts, the developed methodology was further validated, proving adaptable and efficient in producing the targeted FF from the aforementioned lignocellulosic raw materials. More specifically, the employment of AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O resulted in the highest selectivity (up to 89 % from GM) and FF yield (42 % and 39 % molar from OS and AH, respectively), maintaining notable selectivity for the latter (61 and 48 % from AH and OS). At this regard, and considering the environmental factor of sustainability, it is important to point out the role of AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O in contrast to H 2 SO 4 , thus mitigating detrimental substances. This study provides an important management of agricultural waste through sustainable practises for the development of potential bio-based chemicals, aligning with Green Chemistry and process intensification principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Estimates of modeled CH 4 emission (E) data for 1,325 U.S. landfills were reviewed. • Operators use two methods to estimate E from landfills with a gas collection system. • First-order decay (FOD) method shows increasing emissions. • Collection efficiency assumption method shows decreasing emissions. • FOD method shows some agreement to remotely sensed national estimates. As part of its commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the U.S. annually develops a national estimate of methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills by aggregating activity data from each facility. Since 2010, the U.S. has reported a 20 % decrease in MSW landfill emissions despite a 21 % increase in tons disposed. Operator-submitted data were investigated to understand the causes of this decline. In the U.S., operators of landfills with a gas collection and control system (GCCS) calculate their facility's emissions via two separate approaches – (1) first-order decay (FOD) and (2) collection efficiency assumption (CEA) − and select either result to feed into the annual inventory. The FOD model predicts methane generation proportional to waste disposal and that approach calculated a 19 % increase in total methane generated from 2010 to 2022, whereas generation via the CEA approach decreased by 8.9 %. The amount of measured methane collected has increased 7.5 % for the same years. Discrepancies between the two models' generated methane, assumed gas collection efficiencies, and oxidized methane compound into substantive differences in national estimates. Operators more frequently select the CEA method, which results in decreased national estimates. If only the FOD method was used, U.S. MSW landfill emissions would be 1.3-1.7 times greater than current estimates which is similar to recent extrapolations from remote sensing campaigns in the U.S. Both models contain parameters with large inherent uncertainty. Without measurement methods that continuously quantify both point-source and diffuse emissions, an assessment of either equation's accuracy cannot be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gamma shielding parameters of an admixture of waste borosilicate glass (BS) and geopolymer (GP) made from activated metakaolin are presented in the present study. The influence of the BS quantity on the density and different gamma shielding quantities is investigated over a wide gamma energy range. Four batches of the G-BS composite were prepared using the solid-state diffusion method, containing 0 (G), 10 % (G-10BS), 20 % (G-20BS), and 30 % (G-30BS) by weight of BS, respectively. The chemical compositions of the G-xBS samples were determined through X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In addition, the density of the BS-doped geopolymers was determined using the liquid displacement method using deionized water as the displacement fluid. The theoretical determination of estimating shielding parameters began by estimating the mass (μ ρ) and linear (μ) attenuation coefficients of the geopolymers for photon energies in the range of 15 keV to 15 MeV using the XCOM data library. The B and Si content and density of the geopolymer samples increased as the BS weight proportion increased in the geopolymer. The values of the attenuation coefficients (ACs) decreased with energy. For μ, the decrease was from 9.1533 to 0.0355 cm−1, 6.7486 to 0.0374 cm−1, 10.2964 to 0.0396 cm−1, and 10.7722 to 0.0414 cm−1, while for μ ρ , it was 5.3217 to 0.0206 cm2 g-1, 5.3860 to 0.0206 cm2 g-1, 5.3627 to 0.0206 cm2 g-1, and 5.3594 to 0.0206 cm2 g-1, for G, G-10BS, G-20BS, and G-30BS, respectively. There are no significant differences between the photon energy absorption capacity of the geopolymers, especially at energies greater than 1 MeV. The photon buildup factors of the G-xBS samples have very close relative values with no clear order. The introduction of waste borosilicate glass is therefore a way of improving the photon attenuation capacity of geopolymer and, therefore, the potential of shielding applications of geopolymer-based concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose two bilevel models to cope with problems concerning waste management. The first formulation stems from a multi-objective version of the problem present in the literature, while the second one improves upon the first by taking into account a theoretical result associated with the first formulation. For both models, we provide the optimistic and the pessimistic versions. We validate these formulations in a case study in the Pathum Thani province in Thailand. Moreover, we compare the results obtained by the bilevel formulation to those obtained by a multi-objective version of the problem. Finally, we provide our thoughts on future applications in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the use of electric arc furnace (EAF) slag, as a substitute for conventional filler, such as calcium carbonate, in nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) composites in different volume fraction. The results demonstrate that slag exhibits morphological traits comparable to calcium carbonate when used as a filler, moreover their processability and mechanical properties are similar. Specifically, at 20% v/v, slag-flled NBR exhibits slightly longer scorch times but unchanged vulcanization times. Both fillers at 20% v/v show comparable hardness, compression strength, and elastic modulus. Tensile properties are also comparable, except for the strain at break, where slag-filled NBR shows a 40% higher tensile strain at break. The environmental impact of this innovative slag application has been evaluated through a comparative life cycle assessment. All assessed impact categories demonstrate a reduction of at least 89%. The study suggests that the use of EAF slag has the potential to promote sustainable waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic, waste management posed escalating challenges attributed to the imprudent disposal of medical waste, notably surgical masks. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken concomitantly to confront the dual concerns of mitigating environmental pollution and managing discarded face masks. The experimental methodology entailed the utilization of filtration chambers featuring surgical mask layers of distinct thicknesses, labeled as Treatment-0 (no mask layer), Treatment-1 (5 mm mask layer), Treatment-2 (10 mm mask layer), and Treatment-3 (15 mm mask layer), to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms from contaminated river water, Buriganga. At the end of the observation, Treatment-3 exhibited the most significant declination (88.15%) of the bacterial population. This treatment also removed most pathogens, including E. Coli (19.85%), total coliform (16.42%), and fecal coliform (12.02%). The findings underscore the significance of modern filtration systems and the efficient, ecologically viable recycling of medical waste, with a specific focus on surgical masks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The juridical construction of India’s Right to Life has recognized right to water and sanitation in ‘informal’ settlements but not right to clean environments, the latter instead applied to label them as polluters. Given past evictions based on nuisance law in Delhi, and the emerging juridical construction of Rights of Nature for River Yamuna – polluted by waste disposal – the biophysical impact of ‘formal’ vs. ‘informal’ settlements needs clarification. Water quality and land use analyses at stormwater drain-adjacent settlements in Delhi show pollution occurs upstream but becomes visible here, lending settlement residents environmental agency in an emerging Conflict of Rights scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste has recently become a major global environmental concern and one of the biggest challenges has been seeking for alternative management options. Several studies have revealed the potential of several coleopteran species to degrade plastics, and this is the first research paper on plastic-degradation potential by lesser mealworms from Africa. This study evaluated the whole mitogenomic profile of the lesser mealworm to further identify the insect. The ability of the mealworm to consume Polystyrene (PS) was also evaluated alongside its associated gut microbiota diversity. Our results showed a complete circular mitochondrial genome which clustered closely to the Alphitobius genus but also suggested that our insect might be a new subspecies which require further identification. During the PS feeding trials, overall survival rates of the larvae decreased when fed a sole PS diet while PS intake was observed to increase over a 30-day period. The predominant bacteria observed in larvae fed PS diets were Kluyvera, Lactococcus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus, while Stenotrophomonas dominated the control diet. These findings demonstrated that the newly identified lesser mealworm can survive on a PS diet and has a consortium of important bacteria strongly associated with PS degradation. This work provides a better understanding of bioremediation applications, paving the way for further research into the metabolic pathways of plastic-degrading microbes and bringing hope to solving plastic waste pollution while providing high-value insect protein towards a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: African swine fever (ASF) poses a threat to the global pig industry, leading to significant economic losses and widespread disruptions in pig farming and associated sectors. In September 2023, the first case of ASF in Swedish wild boar triggered immediate responses from authorities, including the establishment of restricted zones and culling measures. A new ASF certification programme for pig herds was initiated to improve biosecurity and proactive disease management. This survey aimed to assess the sentiments and actions of Swedish pig farmers six months post-outbreak, particularly regarding biosecurity measures. Such information is important to improve preparedness for future disease threats. A questionnaire was distributed to members of the Swedish pig producers' organisation. Results: A total of 113 farmers responded (response rate 27%), with the majority considering the risk of ASF reappearing in Sweden as high. The estimated cost for connecting the farms to the ASF certification programme varied greatly, with a majority identifying cost as a substantial hurdle. While many farmers sought biosecurity advice from veterinarians, 43% had not implemented suggested measures. Over one third had not received concrete measures that would fit their farms, and 14% had not received any biosecurity advice from veterinarians at all. Discussions among farmers emphasized concerns about ASF outbreaks, transmission mechanisms, and regulatory compliance, highlighting the importance of ongoing communication and knowledge exchange to address the challenges posed by ASF effectively. Additionally, participants also mentioned the role of dense wild boar populations and shortcomings in municipal food waste management as important risk factors. Conclusions: The responding farmers expressed widespread concern about new ASF outbreaks. A majority identified cost as a substantial hurdle for joining the ASF certification programme. While many farmers consulted veterinarians for advice on biosecurity, a significant number had yet to implement suggested measures and one third had not received specific guidance suitable for their farms. Stakeholder conversations highlighted concerns about ASF outbreaks, transmission, and compliance. They also discussed the role of dense wild boar populations and issues with municipal food waste management as significant risk factors for ASF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsafe patient care in hospitals, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is often caused by poor infection prevention and control (IPC) practices; insufficient support for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and inadequate waste management. We looked at the intersection of IPC, WASH, and the global initiative of improving health care quality, specifically around maternal and newborn care in Bangladesh health facilities. We identified 8 primary quality improvement and IPC/WASH policy and guideline documents in Bangladesh and analyzed their incorporation of 30 subconditions under 5 critical conditions: water; sanitation; hygiene; waste management/cleaning; and IPC supplies, guidelines, training, surveillance, and monitoring. To determine how Bangladesh health care workers implemented the policies, we interviewed 33 informants from 16 public and private facilities and the national level. Bangladesh's 8 primary guidance documents covered 55% of the 30 subconditions. Interviews showed that Bangladesh health facility staff generally rely on eight tools related to quality improvement (five); IPC (two); and supportive supervision (one) plus a robust supervision mechanism. The stakeholders identified a lack of human resources and environmental hygiene infrastructure and supplies as the main gaps in providing IPC/WASH services. We concluded that the Bangladesh government had produced substantial guidance on using quality improvement methods to improve health services. Our recommendations can help identify strategies to better integrate IPC/WASH in resources including standardizing guidelines and tools within one toolkit. Strategizing with stakeholders working on initiatives such as universal health coverage and patient safety to integrate IPC/WASH into quality improvement documents is a mutually reinforcing approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a major oil crop that significantly contributes to the Indonesia's and Malaysia's economic growth. However, oil palm processing for oil extraction generates substantial waste, such as palm kernel cake, palm‐pressed fibre, oil palm empty fruit bunches and palm oil mill effluent, which pose noticeable environmental challenges. This review explores green extraction techniques for palm waste processing, which include microwave‐assisted extraction, deep eutectic solvents, ultrasound‐assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, enzyme‐assisted extraction and subcritical water extraction. The potential for industry scaling, mechanisms, applications and challenges of each technique used for oil palm waste are discussed. Microwave‐assisted extraction, ultrasound‐assisted extraction and supercritical fluid extraction are particularly promising for large‐scale production, while deep eutectic solvents paired with ultrasound‐assisted extraction show the potential to improve extraction efficiency. This review also reveals that green extraction techniques are sustainable alternative to conventional techniques by effectively recovering valuable compounds from waste with reduced environmental impact. Additionally, the diverse applications of bioactive compounds (vitamin E, phytosterols, phenolics, polyphenols and flavonoids) extracted from oil palm waste in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and other industries are also presented. Valuable components such as cellulose, dietary fibres and bioactive peptides derived from the waste can be applied in food coatings, high‐protein products and drug delivery systems. Biosorbents, biofuels and biodegradable products derived from the waste would also provide environmental benefits. Future research should focus on optimising the green extraction techniques for industrial use to promote responsible production and circular waste management to foster health and environmental safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste is a major issue that affects the environment, the economy, and society at large. Food waste management has become a crucial concern in the context of Saudi Arabia, a nation undergoing fast economic expansion and shifting consumer patterns. This thorough analysis looks at the options and problems related to food waste in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the effects on the country's economy and ecology. The report starts by describing the extent of food waste in Saudi Arabia, using studies and statistics that are currently accessible to provide readers a clear picture of the problem's scope. The main causes of food waste in the nation are then identified, including dietary habits, supply chain inefficiencies, cultural norms, and a lack of infrastructure for food recovery and redistribution. It also looks into the financial effects, including what it costs for individuals, companies, and the government, as well as any possible profits from programs to recycle and reduce food waste. The report also looks at current programs and tactics used to combat food waste in Saudi Arabia, including public-private partnerships, regulatory interventions, awareness campaigns, and technology advancements. It assesses the efficacy of these activities and pinpoints any shortcomings or potential areas for development. This study concludes by highlighting the critical need for coordinated effort to eliminate food waste in Saudi Arabia and highlighting the significance of governmental support, infrastructure investment, multi-stakeholder engagement, and public awareness. Saudi Arabia can lessen its environmental impact, preserve resources, provide economic opportunities, and support international efforts for sustainable development by reducing food waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a systematic framework centered on superstructure optimization to identify the most efficient economic and environmentally friendly approach for managing plastic waste. Applying the proposed framework to low-density-polyethylene (LDPE) plastic waste, we determine that pyrolysis is the most profitable technology followed by hydroformylation to C4-C8 olefins, and the oligomerization of higher carbon olefins. Coupling the results with geographical information, the selected superstructure has the potential to improve the economics of plastic waste management by approximately $3 per kgLDPE in countries like the United States. On the other hand, the lowest CO2 emission plastic waste management uses solvent-based recycling only when there is significant degradation during mechanical recycling. When plastic waste can be recycled mechanically more than five times, the emissions in mechanical recycling are lower. These technologies collectively contribute to emissions reductions ranging from 1.5 and 3 kgCO2eq. per kgLDPE, for mechanical and solvent-based recycling, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transboundary pollution is a major global challenge and monitoring beach litter along international borders can reveal some of the pathways by which litter enters water bodies, and hence advance the implementation of measures to prevent pollution emissions into international waters. Methods: In this paper, participatory mapping was used to detect beach litter in Imperial Beach, California, along the U.S.-Mexico international border. This study implemented a 3-step protocol including an introductory awareness workshop, a macro-debris survey to categorize and remove beach litter, and a qualitative assessment of pollution drivers. Results: Results show that plastic litter is the most dominant across all transects (304 debris, 52.6% of all litter observations), with an average density of 76 pieces/transect, with plastic being the most common material. Participants identified some of the major causes of pollution with paucity of waste management facilities, tourism activities near/on the beach, and inflow of pollution across the border. Discussion: The paper highlights the role of citizen science in monitoring pollution along large and border regions. Implications of this study include methodological and practical contributions to the study of marine pollution to supplement the current paucity of information on pollution movement and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The substantial rise in global energy demand, propelled by industrial expansion, population growth, and transportation needs, poses a formidable challenge. The concurrent urbanization places pressure on the disposal of solid municipal solid waste and the management of plastic waste. Addressing the global waste crisis requires innovative and sustainable garbage disposal solutions with an environmentally friendly approach. This review tackles the challenges of worldwide waste management, focusing on renewable and sustainable fuels and waste recycling through the exploration of co‐pyrolysis as an innovative method. It explores the characteristics and environmental impact of municipal solid waste (MSW) and plastic waste (PW), delving into pyrolysis fundamentals, processes, and challenges. The primary emphasis is on co‐pyrolysis, elucidating its integration of municipal and plastic waste, synergistic effects, and advantages. The manuscript thoroughly analyzes reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and the feasibility of co‐pyrolysis for energy recovery. It also delves into the synthesis of renewable fuels and valuable chemical intermediates, considering optimization of product distribution. Environmental and economic sustainability aspects, including impact assessment, greenhouse gas emissions, life cycle analysis, and cost analysis of co‐pyrolysis processes, are comprehensively investigated. The review underscores the economic benefits of renewable fuel and chemical materials synthesis. The conclusion addresses challenges, proposes future directions, outlines limitations, technical challenges, environmental considerations, and recommends further exploration and integration with other waste management techniques. The manuscript emphasizes the ongoing importance of research in this critical field, aiming to contribute to the development of effective solutions for the escalating global waste management crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plastic is very widespread in the world and the spread of plastic waste has also reached the oceans. Observing marine debris is a serious threat to the management system of this pollution. Because it takes years to recycle the current wastes, while their amount increases every day. The importance of mathematical models for plastic waste management is that it provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of this waste in the ocean and helps to identify effective strategies for its management. A mathematical model consisting of three compartments plastic waste, marine debris, and recycle is studied in the form of a system of ordinary differential equations. After describing the formulation of the model, some properties of the model are given. Then the equilibria of the model and the basic reproduction number are obtained by the next generation matrix method. In addition, the global stability of the model are proved at the equilibria. The bifurcations of the model and sensitivity analysis are also used for better understanding of the dynamics of the model. Finally, the numerical simulations of discussed models are given and the model is examined in several aspects. It is proven that the solutions of the system are positive if initial values are positive. It is shown that there are two equilibria E 0 and E ∗ and if B R < 1 , it is proven that E 0 is globally stable, while when B R > 1 , the equilibrium E ∗ exists and it is globally stable. Also, at B R = 1 the model exhibits a forward bifurcation. The sensitivity analysis of B R concludes that the rates of waste to marine, new waste, and the recycle rate have most effect on the amount of marine debris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of sustainability concepts within the energy sector has prompted a heightened interest in exploring alternative avenues to meet global energy demands. The embracement and integration of SDG 7 as a pivotal objective for the future energy landscape have spurred the development of comprehensive frameworks aimed at embedding sustainability principles within the energy sector's core fabric. In this pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, bio-hydrogen has emerged as a promising waste-to-energy concept, serving as a bridge between SDG 6 and SDG 7, thereby addressing both waste management and energy production imperatives. Among the diverse array of methods, biomass fermentation stands out as an effective approach, wherein waste streams derived from industrial and municipal sources can be utilized as feedstock for biohydrogen fermentation. While this approach exemplifies a step towards a circular economy, the treatment of the fermentation broth poses significant challenges, primarily due to the generation of bio-hazardous and toxic effluents. The fermentation broth is replete with microbial species, metabolites, organic compounds, and inorganic residues, rendering direct discharge untenable due to the adverse environmental and ecological ramifications. Consequently, the treatment and management of fermentation effluent have emerged as formidable techno-economic barriers inhibiting the industrial-scale upscaling of biohydrogen production processes, prompting widespread attention within the research community. This review aims to elucidate the various practices employed in post-fermentation broth treatment and management, shedding light on current methodologies, and highlighting areas for future advancement, particularly towards achieving zero liquid discharge from hydrogen fermentation processes. • Scale up of biohydrogen as clean and green energy source hindered by technical, economic and environmental factors. • Post-fermentation broth from biohydrogen production poses ecological ramifications. • Manging the broth while adding value to waste need of the hour. • Pathways for simultaneous effluent management and adding economic value to the waste overviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face profound challenges from pollution, exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and resource limitations. This paper examines the longstanding pollution issues plaguing SIDS, highlighting their vulnerability to environmental degradation due to underdeveloped waste management systems and unique oceanographic conditions. The case study of Eleuthera Island in The Bahamas illustrates these challenges vividly, showcasing the island’s struggle with e-waste management. This example reinforces the urgency of integrated strategies to enhance environmental resilience and sustainable development in SIDS. Emerging concerns include the proliferation of technology-critical elements (TCEs) in e-waste, driven by rapid urbanization and tourism growth. Despite their crucial role in technological advancement, TCEs pose significant recycling and management difficulties, particularly in the context of limited waste infrastructure. The paper also highlights the imperative for comprehensive regulatory frameworks and sustainable practices to mitigate pollution impacts and safeguard ocean and human health, particularly by shedding light on legislative gaps and opportunities for enhancing pollution control measures in The Bahamas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reuse and recycling of retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries offer a sustainable waste management approach but face decision-making challenges. Based on the process-based life cycle assessment method, we present a strategy to optimize pathways of retired battery treatments economically and environmentally. The strategy is applied to various reuse scenarios with capacity configurations, including energy storage systems, communication base stations, and low-speed vehicles. Hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, and direct recycling considering battery residual values are evaluated at the end-of-life stage. For the optimized pathway, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries improve profits by 58% and reduce emissions by 18% compared to hydrometallurgical recycling without reuse. Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries boost profit by 19% and reduce emissions by 18%. Despite NMC batteries exhibiting higher immediate recycling returns, LFP batteries provide superior long-term benefits through reuse before recycling. Our strategy features an accessible evaluation framework for pinpointing optimal pathways of retired EV batteries. Reuse and recycling of retired electric vehicle batteries offer sustainable waste management but face decision challenges. Ma et al. present a strategy with an accessible economic and environmental evaluation framework for treating these batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key guidelines in the European waste management policy is the diversion of waste from landfills, preventing harmful effects on human health and the environment and ensuring that economically valuable waste materials are efficiently recycled and reused through proper management. The organic fraction of municipal waste is abundant and contains biodegradable ingredients such lignocellulose, starch, lipids, pectin, and proteins, making it suitable for biotechnological production. Taking into account that a large amount of organic waste is disposed of in landfills, within this work, the amount of organic waste disposed of in the landfill in Banja Luka was considered. Four simulation model scenarios of the integrated production of bioethanol and biogas are generated, and their process and economic aspects are discussed. In the first two modelled scenarios, the pretreatment conditions (1% sulfuric acid and a different neutralization agent) were varied, while in the other two, the share of the amount of raw material used for the production of bioethanol, i.e., biogas, was varied (split factor: 10–90%). The modelled plant, with a designed capacity of 6 tons/h of organic waste, is a significant bioethanol producer, generating 5,000,000 L/year. The profitability indicators, when examined, revealed that dedicating a portion of the organic municipal waste input exclusively to biogas production leads to decreased process efficiency. Based on the modeled process parameters, ethanol's minimum feasible selling price is $0.6616 per liter, while regarding the composition of organic municipal waste, carbohydrates have the most significant impact on the viability of the process. The developed model represents an excellent basis for further development of this integrated bioprocess in such a way that it can be modified with new process parameters or economic or ecological indicators and used at all levels of bioprocess design. Additionally, the obtained sustainable integrated bioethanol and biogas production plant models could support forthcoming steps in municipal waste management by providing reliable data on the conditions under which the integrated process of bioethanol and biogas production would take place, as well as the technical feasibility and economic profitability of such organic municipal waste utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pavement management system (PMS) is crucial to providing the best services for the transportation of freights and people while concerning the environment and waste management. The concept of circular economy has emerged in the PMS, especially in pavement materials. However, there has not been a holistic circular economy perspective into all phases of the PMS to date. The main aim of this study is to develop a PMS index under the umbrella of the circular economy concept. First, PMS phases are defined based on their relation to the circular economy. After that, circular economy indices are introduced for each PMS phase. Finally, a universal circular economy index is proposed using a weighted summation of indices introduced for each phase, and its application is presented through a case study. It is concluded that by applying the data required for circular economy assessment, each PMS can be evaluated using the proposed index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing vegetable waste to produce bioactive compounds through microbial consortia represents a holistic solution to waste management challenges. Efficient waste collection systems in major cities ensure proper segregation of vegetable waste and lay the groundwork for resource utilization. Segregating waste at its source enhances waste stream quality and facilitates downstream processing. Research and development efforts investigating tailored microbial consortia seek to optimize waste degradation and bioactive compound yields, thereby unlocking the potential of waste. This approach significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by diverting vegetable waste from landfills, thereby mitigating climate change effects and improving air quality. Moreover, it conserves natural resources by reducing the need for virgin materials and promoting biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable resource management. Here, the enzymatic activities and phenolic concentrations derived from the biodegradation of vegetable waste were analyzed over 14 days. Protease activity that plays a vital role in breaking down proteins reached a notable level of 300 µg/ml after 14-day incubation. Lipase activity which is essential for lipid breakdown was observed at a concentration of 6.3 µg/ml. Furthermore, phenolic concentration analysis revealed a significant range, with values ranging from 225 µg/ml to 240 µg/ml after 14 days of incubation. Phenolics are phytochemicals possessing antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. These findings provide valuable insight into the efficacy of utilizing vegetable waste as a substrate for enzymatic and phytochemical production. The observed enzymatic activities and phenolic concentrations highlight the potential of vegetable waste as a valuable resource for the sustainable production of industrially relevant compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitally controlled reactors can optimize biological reactions and process control through a neural network system. This study reports on the design, fabrication, and automation of a laboratory‐scale anaerobic reactor for the management of agrifood byproducts and bioenergy recovery. The process described here can digitally control the operational parameters, which is beneficial for stable methane production. The proposed process comprises the digital measurement of temperature, pH, humidity, biogas volume, and methane composition by integrating the data in a processor module. The proposed automated reactor can assist significantly in controlling and monitoring the anaerobic digestion process, providing decision making during waste management and bioenergy recovery. A case study is described with the application of automated reactors in a pilot‐scale plant, operated with the flow of 8 m3 slaughterhouse wastewater per day and a biogas production of 10 m3 h−1. The automated pilot‐scale process presents many advantages, including a continuous mode of operation and a faster adaptation of the microorganisms to the substrate, improving biogas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic by‐product and waste streams generated from agriculture and food production are important future feedstocks for manufacturing chemicals, polymers, and other materials in a circular bioeconomy. These waste streams are currently underutilized and under‐explored in the context of biomanufacturing though much funding and infrastructure have been made available for their use in energy generation. The natural ability of microorganisms to utilize compounds in organic wastes, coupled with advances in engineering biology that enable scientists to manipulate biological systems to produce chemicals, polymers, and materials, and improve upon those processes, present a promising technological approach to the utilization of these waste streams as feedstocks. However, the characteristics of waste streams make them challenging to incorporate into biomanufacturing processes. These challenges can be addressed with additional advances in engineering biology research and thoughtful approaches to process development. Research and process development around the use of existing, localized waste streams present distinct benefits and raise interesting considerations, and are important undertakings. These activities will be as complex as the waste streams targeted; as such, coordination of efforts across relevant agencies and organizations, and collaborations between researchers, waste generators, customers, and other stakeholders will be critical to their success. To make meaningful and rapid contributions towards utilization of organic wastes as biomanufacturing feedstocks we recommend: (1) The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at the US Department of Agriculture should incorporate into existing programs the development of organic waste conversion into chemicals, polymers, and other materials using engineering biology and, if possible, establish new programs focused on this area; and (2) NIFA should oversee, coordinate, and publicize collaborative efforts that include federal agencies, state and regional agricultural research centers and cooperatives, and program‐related infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, a thorough examination of waste composition was undertaken in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. The methodology employed was carefully designed, incorporating both commercial and residential sectors as well as various socioeconomic classes. Source-based sampling of waste materials covered a range of locations, including households, markets, hotels, and restaurants, while socioeconomic-based categorization followed the zoning of the metropolis. Waste audit sampling involved collecting a total of 90 batches of solid waste over the three-month period from August to October 2023. The primary objectives were to physically characterize the waste and evaluate its chemical properties through proximate and ultimate analysis of waste fractions, aiming to determine the waste-to-energy potential and compatibility with waste-to-energy technologies. The study revealed that the Tamale Metropolis generates 176.1 tons/day of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) at a rate of 0.47 kg/capita/day. Organic matter constituted the majority (44.9%), followed by inert, miscellaneous, and plastic waste at 20% each. The remaining 14.3% comprised paper, metal, glass, leather, and textile components. Notably, the hospitality sector exhibited the highest organic matter content at 62.3%, contrasting with average households and markets at 44.9% and 13.1%, respectively. Moisture content ranged from 5.4% to 12.6%, volatile solids from 21.8% to 77.2%, and gross calorific values from 7.9 MJ/kg to 28.9 MJ/kg. Household waste demonstrated the highest energy content at 6693.8 kcal/kg, followed by hotels/restaurants (2003.94 kcal/kg) and markets (1883.62 kcal/kg). This study's findings offer valuable insights that can inform the development of effective policies by regulatory bodies such as the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Ghana Ministry of Energy, as well as city authorities like the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency. These insights can be used to address waste and energy challenges in the metropolis. Implications: The findings reveal critical insights with substantial implications for stakeholders and regulatory bodies. It emphasizes the waste-to-energy potential of various waste fractions, highlighting the need for sustainable municipal waste management strategies. Particularly, the high organic content in the hospitality sector presents significant energy recovery opportunities. For bodies like the Public Utility Regulatory Commission and the Ghana Ministry of Energy, this data is crucial for developing policies that support waste-to-energy technologies. Additionally, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency can use these insights to improve local waste management practices, customizing interventions to address specific sectoral waste composition. The study also underlines the importance of ongoing monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of these strategies over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization plays a pivotal role in devising effective waste management strategies conducive to fostering a circular economy. This study presents composition analysis across twenty-four subcategories sourced from residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in Kuwait. The study is conducted in accordance with the Standard Test Method for Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste (ASTM D5231). The results indicate that organic waste comprises 45.3%, followed by paper waste (19.9%) and plastics (19.8%). The remaining waste comprises glass waste (3.5%), diapers (2.7%), textiles (2.6%) and other waste. Paper waste (19.9%) consists mainly of mixed paper (12.1%), cardboard (3.7%), newspaper (3.3%), printer printouts (0.6%) and other office paper (0.2%). Plastic waste (19.8%) consists mainly of film (11.2%), PET (3.1%), HDPE (1.1%) and other mixed plastics (4.4%). Residential and mixed areas have the highest proportion of organic waste. Commercial areas produce the highest proportion of wastepaper (22.4%) and textiles (3.7%). Industrial areas produce the highest proportion of plastic waste (29.1%), most of which is film (17.3%). The study also provides an overview of the MSW management system in the country, an overview over the legislative framework, and forecasts of future waste generation rates with comparison to historical baselines. Implications: The precise and up-to-date characterization of municipal solid waste is imperative for scholarly journal submissions, as it establishes a foundational understanding of waste composition, aiding researchers and policymakers in the development of effective waste management strategies, resource recovery initiatives, and sustainable solutions to address the evolving challenges in waste management systems. This study provides detailed composition analysis for twenty-four municipal solid waste (MSW) subcategories collected across different sources: residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed areas. Time series forecasting is applied to predict MSW generation based on historical data obtained through the local municipality over the past decade. Factorial analysis is applied to investigate changes across source areas, and a hypothesis test is used to compare the current MSW composition against previous baselines. The results demonstrated significant variation across most waste categories. The plastic waste proportion has increased by 48.5% compared to 2013 data, despite awareness campaigns. Paper waste has also increased in proportion from 6.8% to 16.2%; this increase is associated with the mixed paper subcategory, which is mostly used for packaging. The composition data provided in this study are necessary for long-term monitoring, strategy assessment, and legislation associated with waste reduction and remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 50 nations worldwide have Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs), including Canada's National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), which comprise large public datasets of chemical releases to air, water, and land and also transfers to various on and off-site waste management practices. These inventories aim to support a myriad of audiences in pollution-related decision-making. While the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) framed a role for PRTRs as indicators for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 - the sound management of chemicals and wastes, research to date has focused only on air and water releases, omitting vast PRTR data on pollutant transfers to waste management. For Canada's NPRI, 30 years of waste management transfers data on 250+ chemicals has been collected but rarely used in environmental research. Here we show how this overlooked NPRI data may be used to inform snapshots and trends in progress towards SDG 12 using the OECD's framework. Results show that over 28 million (M) tonnes (t) of NPRI pollutants have been transferred from industrial facilities to various waste management practices from 2006 to 2021, of which ~10M t were transferred off-site for waste management operations both within and outside Canada. Time trends show pollutant transfer quantities are increasing, driven by on-site disposals to tailings and waste rock management (of mainly phosphorous, manganese and other metals) and underground injection (of mainly hydrogen sulphide). New route maps reveal that interprovincial and international pollutant transfers are common, and that chain of custody analyses is a burgeoning opportunity but hampered by data limitations. The findings create a state of the knowledge launching point for mainstreaming the use of this overlooked data from both Canada's NPRI and PRTRs around the world, to better track both national and international progress towards sound management of chemicals in waste and SDG 12. Implications: Pollutant transfers and disposals data has not previously been widely used in environmental research. This paper shows how it can be, in the context of SDG 12. Doing so can inspire uptake by researchers and a range of other public users, both strengthening the justification for collecting this data, and bolstering public participation in environmental decision-making from a local to global scale. Doing so also provides the foundation for more in-depth analysis on the domestic and international transboundary movement of Canadian industrial pollutants in waste in the lens of SDG 12 – a topic that was beyond scope here but addressed elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is now one of the top five countries in the world for PV and solar thermal power generation. At the same time, we must develop a plan for recycling these massive numbers of solar panels in the future. This article has contributed to proposing the resulting regulatory system. The PV waste management sector is extremely neglected, leaving it entirely to the scrap trading underground. There is not enough of a system in place to collect and reuse the solar panels' components for recycling. In addition, a solid institution to manage this procedure on a commercial scale has yet to be established. As a result, the purpose of this work was to use cost–benefit analysis to determine the economic viability of a solar module recycling project in India. The benefit–cost ratio (BCR) and net present value (NPV) were calculated to be 1.64 and 25.22 million USD, respectively. According to the sensitivity study, the most delicate issues impacting the project's economy were the selling benefits of recycled materials and tax. Finally, this analysis offered strategies for the government and linked businesses to enhance the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]