Search

This paper demonstrates the characteristics of soil-like material extracted from the landfill mining activity at the Ariyamangalam dump yard, located in Tiruchirappalli city of southern India. The landfill mining waste was collected and characterised for contaminant potential, thereby its suitability for reuse applications offsite. Soil-like materials of size fractions finer than 2 mm have been assessed for their physico-chemical characteristics and compared the acceptability criterion with the drinking standard IS 10500: 2012. Total soluble solids and closely associated parameters have been determined in the water extract from soil-like materials and local soils and compared with the international regulatory standards for reuse acceptability. From the total heavy metal concentration of soil-like material and local soil, three different pollution indices, namely contamination ratio, geo-accumulation index, and enrichment factor, have been identified and categorised soil-like material as low contaminated for lead; low to moderately contaminated for chromium, nickel, and iron; moderately contaminated for manganese; and moderately to strongly contaminated for copper and zinc. The organic and moisture content of soil-like material was reported as 22 and 19.6%, whereas the local soil showed 2.4 and 1.5%, respectively. Due to its enormous organic content, soil-like materials pose as less efficient in utilising offsite applications without primary treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the end of 2020, Talang Gulo Landfill Site 1 in Jambi City was officially closed due to overcapacity. Municipal solid waste disposal has shifted to the Talang Gulo site 2 with a life expectancy of ± 90 years based on the design plan. However, this is difficult to realize because segregation and composting are not optimal, so more than 90% of the waste transported to the final processing site (TPA) is in a landfill. Thus, landfill mining was executed to utilize excavated landfill waste as a material and energy. It was carried out at depths of 3, 5, and 7 meters with an estimated sample age of > 9 years. The mixed landfill samples contained 55.6-66.2% moisture content, 50.3-80.6% volatile content, 19.4-49.7% ash content, 2.6-4.2% fixed carbon, and 3.5-5.7 MJ/kg calorific value. Furthermore, the landfill waste was dried using the biodrying method, combining fresh and landfill waste in the pile composition. The ratio of landfill waste to the addition of fresh waste is 1:0 (control pile), 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. The drying method reduced moisture content of 9-29.1% with a lower calorific value of 5-6.8 MJ/kg. Based on statistical analysis, it is known that waste ratio has a significant effect on moisture content. Based on the weighting results, the optimum mixture ratio is 1:1 (pile 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorption-enhanced steam gasification (SESG) has the potential to increase hydrogen (H 2) yield and facilitate the utilization of municipal solid waste (MSW) resource. However, the application of SESG technology in MSW still has broad research space. Therefore, this study innovatively used simulated MSW for gasification experiments. The bi-functional catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method. In the CO 2 cyclic adsorption test, Ni0.1CA3 exhibited the highest total adsorption capacity, with 75% of the initial adsorption capacity still preserved. In the SESG test, Ni0.1CA3 showed excellent catalytic performance and the H 2 yield reached 31.69 mmol/g MSW. In addition, Ni0.1CA3 also demonstrated good stability and low carbon deposition in the SESG cycles. This could be attributed to the synergistic effect of the well-structured surface, appropriate basic sites, and calcium aluminate skeleton in Ni0.1CA3. This study served as a reference for the production of high-purity H 2 through the gasification of MSW, aligning with the development direction of green finance policy. [Display omitted] • MSW gasification realized the resource utilization of solid waste. • Ni0.1CA3 retained 75% of initial capacity after 10 CO 2 adsorption cycles. • Ni0.1CA3 showed superior hydrogen production potential in SESG of MSW. • The highest H 2 gas concentration reached 80.76 vol%. • The highest H 2 yield reached 31.69 mmol/g MSW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The quality of municipal solid waste governance is a key public issue associated with environmental, social, and health concerns that still demands appropriate indicators to encompass different policy, management, and data availability settings worldwide. This study aimed to develop and apply a Municipal Solid Waste Governance Index (MSWGI) to support the monitoring and assessment of the ultimate factors that influence the performance of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in municipalities, incorporating particularities of Global South countries. Methods: The development of the MSWGI comprised two approaches: (1) the establishment of a general theoretical framework with the identification of dimensions for monitoring MSW governance and (2) the development and application of the index using Brazil as a study case. The latter was accomplished through five incremental steps: (i) data selection and data quality analysis, (ii) data normalization and definition of data scores, (iii) data weighting and aggregation through statistical and participatory methods, (iv) data classification and, finally, (v) visualization of the index and its dimensions. Based on a broad literature review, three dimensions were proposed as the framework of the MSWGI: (i) regulatory quality (e.g., laws), (ii) voice and accountability (e.g., access to information; existence and functioning of the municipal council for the environment), and (iii) government effectiveness (e.g., financial and human resources; execution of government programs). A case study was then carried out with the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities to showcase the application and relevance of the MSWGI in a Global South context. Results: Despite the high regulatory quality condition in Brazil, this was not reflected in the MSWGI. In general, most municipalities have high (31.4%) and very high (23.7%) regulatory quality, contrasting low voice and accountability (32.4%), and medium government effectiveness (27.8%), the latter associated with the low quality of public services performed in municipalities. The index was also negatively influenced by the precarious mechanisms and structure of social participation; high levels of informality in the recycling sector, and low completeness and consistency of databases. The MSWGI was associated with socioeconomic development, and its concept and dimensions captured the complexities associated with MSW management. Discussion: The index, and the approach behind it, can be used as an objective tool to improve databases and the enabling conditions to foster MSW governance and management, while also creating indicators to assess its progress, facing the policy implementation gaps that are common to Global South countries. Also, rather than presenting an index to be directly transposed and applied to other locations, the steps of a strategy for generating an MSWGI from existing data were outlined. In this sense, this study creates mechanisms to refine these indicators within data-deficient context, presenting strategies that can be broadly applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate forecasting of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation is critical for effective waste management, given the rising volumes of waste posing environmental and public health challenges. This study investigates the efficacy of hybrid forecasting models in predicting MSW generation trends across Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The empirical analysis utilizes five distinct approaches – ARIMA, Theta model, neural networks, exponential smoothing state space (ETS), and TBATS models. MSW data spanning 1995–2021 for 29 OECD nations are analyzed using the hybrid models and benchmarked against individual ARIMA models. The results demonstrate superior predictive accuracy for the hybrid models across multiple error metrics, capturing complex data patterns and relationships missed by individual models. The forecasts project continued MSW generation growth in most countries but reveal nuanced country-level differences as well. The implications for waste management policies include implementing waste reduction and recycling programs, investing in infrastructure and technology, enhancing public education, implementing pricing incentives, rigorous monitoring and evaluation of practices, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. However, uncertainties related to model selection and data limitations warrant acknowledgment. Overall, this study affirms the value of hybrid forecasting models in providing robust insights to inform evidence-based waste management strategies and transition toward sustainability in the OECD region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs a numerical computation model based on a municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator in Nanning to investigate the impact of different sewage sludge (SS) co-combustion ratios and MSW incinerator temperatures on combustion efficiency. Using the FLUENT simulation method, this study systematically analyzes the distribution characteristics of the temperature field, velocity field, and pollutant concentration field within the furnace under various SS mixing ratios (5%, 7%, 10%, and 15%) and MSW incinerator temperatures (800 K, 1000 K, and 1200 K). The simulation results indicate that the combustion efficiency was optimal at an MSW incinerator temperature of 800 K, where the co-combustion of SS with MSW mixed effectively, leading to a stable and efficient combustion process. Furthermore, an SS co-combustion ratio of 7% was identified as the most effective in maintaining high combustion efficiency. These findings contribute to the optimization of co-combustion strategies for MSW and SS, enhancing both operational efficiency and environmental compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are naturally produced biopolymers with significant scientific and biotechnological potential. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of the PHA-producing bacterial community and PhaC genes in soil samples collected from a municipal solid waste disposal site known as "Qoshe" in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, using a shotgun metagenomics approach. The SqueezeMeta pipeline was used to analyze the microbial community in the waste samples. A CD search against the TIGRFAM protein family database was performed to identify the complete-length multidomain sequences of PhaC genes and classify them into their respective classes. Statistical analysis and data visualization were performed using RStudio with R version 4.2.3. Results: The findings of this study suggest that known and unknown taxa likely contribute to the phaC genes of municipal solid waste. Taxonomic profiling of the metagenomic data revealed that the majority of the PHA-producing taxa belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria (80%), followed by Actinomycetota (16.5%). Furthermore, this study identified Thiomonas and unclassified Mycobacterium as the main contributors to class I PhaC genes. Class II PhaC genes are predominantly associated with the Pseudomonadaceae family, followed by unclassified Hyphomicrobials and Acidimicrobiales. Class III PhaC genes are abundantly related to the Methylococcaceae family, specifically the Methylocaldum genus. The analysis of PhaC gene sequences revealed high level of diversity, with a significant proportion of putative PhaC genes exhibiting low sequence identity with each other and PhaC gene in the database. Notably, the sequence variation observed within the same PhaC gene classes suggests the potential presence of previously unidentified PhaC gene variants. Conclusions: Overall, this research improves our understanding of the diversity of PHA-producing taxa and PhaC genes in municipal solid waste environments, providing opportunities for sustainable PHA production and waste management strategies. However, additional studies, including the isolation and characterization of specific strains, are necessary to confirm the PHA production capabilities of these strains and explore their biotechnological potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mini-review emphasises the role of municipal solid waste (MSW) as the biggest contributor to climate change, as well as the need for more grounded climate action. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2023 Synthesis Report by the co-facilitators on the technical dialogue Key Finding 3 of applying the 'whole-of-society' approach in this article is interpreted as a cultural approach in MSW management planning and implementation process. Using anthropological critiques of development, the cultural approach is frequently considered an obstacle or a justification for a project's failure rather than an important aspect of the people being developed. Therefore, the goal of this mini-review is to showcase the findings and explore the practical application of UNFCCC Key Finding 3, emphasising its importance in every phase of the solid waste management process for climate action. This mini-review argues that applying a cultural perspective presents both opportunities and challenges. More importantly, without careful acknowledgement and consideration, opportunities can become challenges, if not vice versa. The discussion section explores the ways in which religious and economic conditions might offer a contextual understanding and effective techniques for managing MSW at the local level. To apply Key Finding 3 in practice, academia needs to move away from generality and embrace multiple 'modernities', while practitioners also need to include cultural perspectives to complement scientific knowledge. [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]

Disposal of municipal solid waste in open dumpsites remains widespread throughout the developing world. While harm to local environments and public health may seem apparent, the lack of credible estimates of damages from open dumpsites is a major reason for their continued use. This paper estimates the disamenity damages imposed by an open dumpsite in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on nearby property owners using hedonic regression methods and a novel data set collected for the purpose. We find that property values increase by 10% for every additional 100 m of distance from the edge of the dumpsite and thus provide the first credible estimate of costs imposed by open dumping in a developing country. As open dumpsites are often sited in less affluent areas, our results suggest that such sites are likely exacerbating urban inequities in urban agglomerations across the developing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of municipal solid waste (MSW) has led to an unprecedented level of environmental pollution, worsening the global challenges posed by climate change. Researchers and policymakers have recently made significant strides in the field of sustainable and renewable energy sources, which are viable from technological, environmental, and economic perspectives. Consequently, the waste-to-energy programs enhance nations' socioeconomic status while positively impacting the environment. To predict the higher heating value (HHV) of MSW fuel based on carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur content, the current study introduces a Gradient Boosting Regression Tree (GBRT) model optimized with the Slime Mold Algorithm (SMA). This model was evaluated using an additional 50 data points after being trained with 202 MSW biomass data points. The performance of the model was assessed using three metrics: root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and the coefficient of determination (R2). The results indicated that our model outperformed previously developed models in terms of accuracy and reliability. Additionally, a graphical user interface (GUI) was developed to facilitate the practical application of the model, allowing users to easily input data and receive predictions on the enthalpy of the combustion of MSW fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important problems and the main obstacle of this process is the transformation of the complex structure of lignocellulose. One of the ways to break the lignocellulosic structure is to use suitable pretreatment compounds and nanoparticles with appropriate concentration. For this purpose, the synergistic effect of 6%NaOH pretreatment with different magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) concentrations was assessed for maximizing the biogas production. In this study, the optimal mixing ratio of MSW and SS codigestion was determined from our previous studies (MSW:SS 60:40). Application of the 6%NaOH pretreatment alone increased biogas and methane production by 24.6 and 35.4%, respectively, compared to the control. Also, the 6%NaOH pretreatment alone elevated cellulose by 85% while reducing lignin and hemicellulose by 64 and 33%, respectively. The greatest biogas and methane production was obtained in the reactor of 6%NaOH with an MNP concentration of 110 ppm, experiencing an 86 and 162% increase compared to the control. The greatest reduction in total solids and volatile solids was also obtained in this digestor by 76.6 and 79%, respectively, compared to the control reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with EU legislation, the Czech Republic has been progressively implementing stringent regulations for the landfilling of municipal waste. The main reason is to facilitate the transition to circular economy and maximise material and energy utilisation. The aim of this study was to provide insights on biodegradable waste management in Czechia and to monitor changes related to landfilling at two distinct landfill sites in the Czech Republic fulfilling new legislation requirements. The analysis, underpinned by monitoring data on the amount and composition of waste landfilled from 2014 to 2023, has delineated a decline in the proportion of biodegradable waste. This trend aligns with that observed in other European countries. Furthermore, reduced energy production with a decreasing proportion of biodegradable waste in municipal solid waste was confirmed. The study points to the need for improved biodegradable waste separation, and it stands as a case study in the formulation of biodegradable waste strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the behaviour of the Discharge Points in a Municipal Solid Waste Management System to evaluate the feasibility of making individual predictions of every Discharge Point. Such predictions could enhance system management through optimisation, improving their ecological and economic impact. The current approaches consider installations as a whole, but individual predictions may yield better results. This paper follows a methodology that includes analysing data from 200 different Discharge Points over a period of four years and applying twelve forecast algorithms found as more commonly used for these predictions in the literature, including Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, and Decision Tree, to identify predictive patterns. The results are compared and evaluated to determine the accuracy of individual predictions and their potential improvements. As the results show that the algorithms do not capture the individual Discharge Points behaviour, alternative approaches are suggested for further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and ineffective management can cause adverse impacts on the environment (air and water pollution) and human health. Therefore, a sustainable approach for handling MSW is required. This study aims to develop a tool to select the most promising MSW management system using the superstructure optimization technique to ensure that the selected system can achieve minimization of the total annual cost and environmental impacts. This can lead to a multi-objective superstructure optimization problem solved by using the augmented ϵ -constraint method. The developed model is based on the concept of material balance and all potential technologies include anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, gasification, incineration, sanitary landfill, material recovery facility and composting. The proposed methodology is applied to synthesize the MSW management system in Warin Chamrap district to determine its applicability. In this research, the composition of MSW includes organics, paper, plastic, glass, and others. The results show that the Pareto-optimal solutions optimizing both total annual cost and environmental impacts can be developed. The MSW management system with the lower total annual cost tends to have the higher environmental impacts and the trade-offs between each objective can be identified so the decision-makers are able to consider before making their decision. Further investigation on sensitivity analysis reveals that the selling prices of products, annual capital cost, and operating cost factors have different degree of impacts on the waste management strategies and total annual cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and frass in agriculture can make an important contribution to food and nutrition security. However, it is important to understand whether consumers are willing to consume food products resulting from the use of BSF larvae as animal feed or BSF frass as fertilizer. This study employed the stated preference approach as food products produced using BSF larvae and frass are not currently available on the market. Questionnaires were administered to a total of 4412 consumers in Ghana (1360), Mali (1603), and Niger (1449). The results show that the vast majority of respondents are willing to consume vegetables (88%) produced using BSF frass and meat (87%) produced using animal feed made of BSF larvae. A smaller percentage of respondents are even willing to pay USD 1.32 and USD 1.7 more if the base price of BSF-based products were USD 5 per kg. Age, gender, education, and country positively influenced the respondents' willingness to consume food produced using BSF products. In contrast, neighborhood status, income, and household size are inversely related to the respondents' willingness to pay for and consume these products. Our findings are, therefore, important to scaling up BSF technologies in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to evaluate the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping on the quality of soil and groundwater at six specific sites (S1-S6) located in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. An analysis of selected physicochemical and heavy metal characteristics (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, and Cr) was conducted on groundwater and soil samples collected between July 2022 and June 2023 using standard techniques. Furthermore, the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) was also analysed, revealing a significant proportion of biodegradable waste in comparison to non-biodegradable wastes. The areas affected by urban and industrial activity showed markedly higher concentrations of physicochemical and heavy metal parameters in both soil and groundwater samples (p < 0.05). An study of groundwater revealed concentrations from BDL to 0.170 ± 0.008 mg/L (S6), 0.034 ± 0.004 mg/L (S4) to 1.565 ± 0.048 mg/L (S6), 1.786 ± 0.089 mg/L (S4) to 10.630 ± 0.279 mg/L (S6), 0.096 ± 0.006 mg/L (S4) to 0.321 ± 0.005 mg/L (S6), and 0.110 ± 0.005 mg/L (S6) for Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cd mg/kg, respectively. Cr was detected at the BDL level in all groundwater samples from all sites. Findings revealed that metals exceeded the BIS range, with Iron over the limit at all sites, Manganese at S1, S2, and S6 sites, and Cadmium at S1, S2, S3, and S6 sites. The examination of the soil samples revealed concentrations ranging from 0.399 ± 0.125 mg/kg (S5) to 2.806 ± 0.083 mg/kg (S6), 1.207 ± 0.044 mg/kg (S5) to 3.813 ± 0.238 mg/kg (S2), 24.972 ± 1.128 mg/kg (S5) to 47.417 ± 1.713 mg/kg (S3), 2.297 ± 0.43 mg/kg (S5) to 14.641 ± 0.229 mg/kg (S2), and BDL (S4, S5, and S6) to 0.194 ± 0.291 mg/kg (S2) for their respective elements. The Cr content was BDL in all soil samples from all sites. Several metals over the BIS range were detected, including Cu at site S6, Zn at sites S1, S2, S3, S4, and S6, Fe at all sites and Mn at site S2. In S1-S6, the total bacterial population in the soil ranged from 397 ± 67 CFU to 459±88 CFU, with values of 442 ± 86 CFU, 404 ± 78 CFU, 459 ± 88 CFU, 397 ± 67 CFU, 405 ± 67 CFU, and 451 ± 77 CFU, respectively. The findings revealed soil and groundwater pollution caused by the elevated levels of heavy metals in the groundwater, rendering the water unfit for drinking. The study underscores the need of adopting effective waste management strategies to reduce the adverse effects of solid waste disposal sites. The results can guide the formulation of development policies and laws aimed at enabling the implementation of suitable solid waste management techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective waste management is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals, which require a comprehensive understanding of environmentally sound practices. This study introduces a pioneering methodology by employing Microsoft's Power BI data visualization tool to analyze and predict trends in sustainable waste management in India. The investigation spans a decade of sustainable handling of diverse waste categories, identifying key research entities and influential journals. Notably, Elsevier and Springer are prominent publishers, with hybrid publishing accounting for 62% of articles. Research focuses predominantly on municipal solid waste management (57%), followed by biomass waste management (15%). Leveraging Power BI facilitates intricate temporal analysis of waste patterns, providing a nuanced view of the evolving landscape in sustainable waste management. The study innovatively integrates data visualization with predictive analytics to forecast trends through 2034, particularly in converting municipal solid and biomass waste into valuable energy resources. These predictive insights are indispensable for long-term strategic planning and informed policy decisions, empowering stakeholders with actionable intelligence for sustainable energy and waste management strategies. By harnessing Power BI's forecasting capabilities and analyzing historical Scopus data, this research underscores the strategic significance of visual analytics in guiding data-driven decision-making for sustainable practices. This comprehensive examination of waste management dynamics establishes a benchmark for future research and policy formulation in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breakdown and disintegration of plastic waste is one of the main ways that microplastics (MPs) enter the environment. Therefore, by collecting compost samples from the main compost production site in Kermanshah city, this study examined the presence of MPs in the compost obtained from mixed municipal solid waste (MSW). Sample preparation steps included hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) digestion, sodium iodide (NaI) flotation and filtration using a Buchner funnel flask and a glass fiber filter. Then the filters were analyzed using a stereomicroscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that all compost samples were contaminated with MPs with an abundance range of 1000–4300 MPs/kg and an average of 2160 ± 968 MPs/kg. It was found that the use of compost from mixed MSW can add 118.8 × 106 MPs/ha to the soil annually. In terms of shape, the most frequency was related to fiber (75%) particles. Transparent/ white (56%), golden-brown (13%), and blue (13%) MPs had a greater share than other colors, respectively. Also, the most prevalent particles were those with a diameter of less than 2500 µm. MPs' surface morphological features indicated the existence of other contaminants and impurities. FTIR analysis identified the presence of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) polymers in the compost samples. Based on the composition of the MPs in the compost, the study assessed three ecological risk scenarios and found a medium (H = 20.5) to high (H = 644) ecological risk associated with the presence of MPs. The study's conclusions highlight the need for practical methods to lessen MPs contamination in compost and other environmental systems. In order to reduce MPs pollution, this study also highlights how important it is to regulate the entry of plastic products into the consumption cycle and enhance waste management procedures. Highlights: • The compost samples contained 1000 to 4300 MPs per kilogram. • Pollutants were present on the surface of MPs in the compost samples. • Fiber particles were the most frequent shape at 75%. • The presence of MPs in the compost posed a medium to high ecological risk. • All compost samples were contaminated with an average of 2160 MPs per kilogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a proposal was presented to improve the MSW collection service in the municipality of Reforma, in Chiapas, Mexico. Specific field work was developed and various spatial analysis techniques were applied in the GIS environment. The application of a multivariate analysis technique (Grouping Analysis) allowed the study area to be clustered into three waste collection sectors with common characteristics, which were the basis for generating three collection route scenarios. Scenario 1 corresponds to the current situation, where 478 waste collection points are served, with an average travel distance of 60.30 km and a collection time of 8.00 h. Scenario 2 was generated through the "maximize coverage" algorithm and vehicle route modeling in ArcGis 10.8. In this scenario, 1220 waste collection points are served, with an average travel distance of 143.21 km and an average collection time of 12.38 h. Scenario 3 was created using the "minimize facilities" algorithm, as well as collection modeling in ArcGis 10.8. Using this algorithm, impedances (distances) were automatically minimized so that 697 waste collection points could be served, with an average travel distance of 100.00 km and an average collection time of 9.66 h. In terms of improvement, scenario 3 gives the best results, because it minimizes distances and average travel times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined plastics and toxic metals in municipal solid waste compost from various regions in Sri Lanka. Plastics were extracted using density separation, digested using wet peroxidation, and identified using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflection mode. Compost and plastics were acid-digested to quantify total Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Pb, and Zn concentrations and analyzed for the bioavailable fraction using 0.01 M CaCl2. Notably, plastics were highly abundant in most compost samples. The main plastic types detected were polyethylene, polypropylene, and cellophane. However, the average Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Pb, and Zn levels were 0.727, 60.78, 3.670, 25.44, 18.95, and 130.7 mg/kg, respectively, which are well below the recommended levels. Zn was the most bioavailable (2.476 mg/kg), and Cd was the least bioavailable (0.053 mg/kg) metal associated with compost. The Contamination factor data show that there is considerable enhancement of Cd and Cu, however, Cr, Cu, Co, and Pb are at low contamination levels. Mean geo accumulation index values were 1.39, 1.07, − 1.06, − 0.84, − 0.32, and 0.08 for Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Pb, and Zn. Therefore, the contamination level of compost samples with Cd and Cu ranges from uncontaminated to contaminated levels, whereas Co, Cr, Pb, and Zn are at uncontaminated levels. Despite no direct metal-plastic correlation, plastics in compost could harm plants, animals, and humans due to ingestion. Hence, reducing plastic and metal contamination in compost is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composting is an integral component of sustainable Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management within the circular bio-economy platform. However, it faces challenges due to malodorous emissions that impact environmental and societal equilibrium. The present study aims to minimize odorous emissions and expedite compost maturation using a novel, efficient microbial consortium. Bacteria sourced from open dump sites in Sri Lanka were carefully screened based on concurrent enzyme production. Five developed consortia were tested for their performance in reducing malodors during the composting process of MSW. Consortium No. 5 (C5), comprised of Bacillus haynesii, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and Bacillus safensis, demonstrated outstanding performance with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in odorous emissions. Additionally, consortium C5 exhibited impressive control over gas emissions, maintaining VOC, CH4, NH3, and H2S concentrations within ranges of 0.5-6 ppm, 0.5-0.8 ppm, 0.3-0.5 ppm, and 0.5-0.6 ppm, respectively, compared to control concentrations of 4.5-10.2 ppm, 0.5-5.5 ppm, 0.3-5.5 ppm, and 0.5-6.4 ppm, respectively. Additionally, comprehensive Electronic nose (E-nose) analysis substantiated C5's efficiency in attenuating Methane-Aliphatic compounds, Sulfur and Aromatic compounds, along with low-polarity aromatic and alkane compounds, all with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Further, the developed consortium could reduce the composting time from 110 ± 10 days to 17 ± 3 days, offering a sustainable solution for global MSW management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) establishes a decisive facet in the development of sustainable and vigorous societies that requires an adequate framework in order to prevent a risk of environmental pollution. Therefore, it's imperative to establish a robust framework to handle the generated MSW. In this regard, early predictions of waste generation with high accuracy emerges as a pivotal factor in serving the municipal authorities to formulate an effective MSW management system. Various researchers have significantly contributed to the field of early waste predictions by developing different deep learning models to attain the highly accurate predicted results. However, it is important to note that each model has its strengths and limitations. This study has predominantly focused on the enhancement of the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) model. The primary limitation in the standard GRU model lies in both of its gates (reset and update) processing the identical data. This redundancy has contributed to a prolonged training time and a diminished convergence rate. Therefore, this study has proposed an enhanced GRU model with optimized update gate (EGRU-OU) to address the redundancy issue that lies between the two gates. The EGRU-OU model will provide the filtered data specifically to the update gate which is instrumental in significantly reducing the redundant information between the two gates. Moreover, this study has employed two different datasets to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the results. One dataset has been collected for 16 different developed countries, whereas, the other dataset has been collected for Multan City, Pakistan. These datasets have been segmented into three subdivisions: training data, constituting 70% of the dataset for model training; testing data, comprising 15% for model evaluation; and validation data, representing the remaining 15% for additional model validation. In addition, The EGRU-OU model has been compared with other benchmark models including standard GRU model, Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model based on three distinct error metrics: Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and the coefficient of determination (R²). The outcomes have clearly demonstrated a superior performance of the EGRU-OU approach as compared to other models with the least error matrices values of MAE being 0.036 and RMSE being 0.0684. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When municipal solid waste (MSW) is placed in a landfill, it undergoes anaerobic decomposition, leading to the production of landfill gas, which primarily consists of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Reducing methane emissions is essential in the fight against climate change. It must be implemented at global and European levels, as set out in 2030 in the impact assessment of the climate goal plan. This assessment states that to achieve the goal by 2030 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55%, the methane emissions must be reduced, considering the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Glasgow Climate Pact includes a global mitigation target of the year 2030: to reduce CO2 emissions by 45%, and the emissions of methane and other greenhouse gasses. For that purpose, looking for new, more advanced ways of managing such waste is necessary. The main objective of this experimental study was to evaluate the influence of aeration, probiotic introduction, and water supply on the production of landfill gasses (CO2, CH4, N2, H2, etc.) in five different landfill models during the management of MSW and to propose the best solutions for reducing environmental pollution. The results of the research showed that the first and second models of landfills, using only anaerobic conditions, can be used for the treatment of MSW for the production of biogas (CH4, CO2), as up to 40–60% of it was released during the 120-experiment period. The third landfill model can be applied in old, already closed landfills, where the rapid stabilization and aeration of MSW are required to minimize pollutant emissions (N2, etc.) and unwanted odors and shorten biodegradation processes. The results of the fourth and fifth landfill models, in which aerobic–anaerobic conditions were applied, showed that the developing nitrification–denitrification processes resulted in complete nitrogen removal (from 20% to 0%), and overall waste stabilization improved the biodegradation of the MSW. Later, relatively good (on average, 30%) results of biogas (CH4, CO2) emissions are achieved during anaerobic condition formation results. Summarizing all experiment results of all landfill models for the further evaluation of the processes, all models can be applied in real practice depending on where they will be used and what result they want to achieve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste management has become a critical global issue due to the rapid increase in waste generation driven by urbanization and population growth. This surge in waste poses significant environmental, social, and health challenges, exacerbated by inefficient recycling and waste-to-energy facilities. Effective waste management requires comprehensive strategies encompassing waste reduction, efficient collection, sorting systems, and advanced recycling and energy recovery technologies. This study highlights the potential of incineration as a waste-to-energy solution, specifically focusing on Kuwait. By analyzing various waste management technologies and their applicability, this study emphasizes the role of incineration in transforming municipal solid waste into electricity, thereby reducing landfill use and environmental impacts. The research includes a detailed review of the existing technologies, a case study on Kuwait's waste management practices, and an evaluation of the economic and environmental benefits of implementing waste-to-energy incineration. The findings underscore the importance of tailored waste management solutions to address specific regional challenges, promote sustainability, and enhance public health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new method for comprehensively evaluating GHG emissions from HFWC-MSW landfills. • HFWC and LFWC MSW have greatly different time distributions of GHG emissions. • Method for assessing unmonitored fugitive LFG emissions. • Collecting LFG in advance is essential for reducing GHG emissions with HFWC MSW. • HFWC-MSW landfills have great GHG emissions reduction potentials. This study proposes a comprehensive evaluation method based on a two-stage model to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reductions in high-food-waste-content (HFWC) municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The proposed method considers typical processes such as fugitive landfill gas (LFG), LFG collection, flaring, power generation, and leachate treatment. A case study of an HFWC MSW landfill in eastern China is considered to illustrate the evaluation. The findings revealed that the GHG emissions equivalent of the case landfill amounted to 21.23 million tons from 2007 to 2022, averaging 1.03 tons CO 2 -eq per ton of MSW. There was a potential underestimation of LFG generation at the landfill site during the initial stages, which led to delayed LFG collection and substantial fugitive LFG emissions. Additionally, the time distribution of GHG emissions from HFWC MSW was significantly different from that of low-food-waste-content (LFWC) MSW landfills, with peak emissions occurring much earlier. Owing to the rapid degradation characteristics of HFWC MSW, the cumulative LFG production of the landfill by 2022 (2 years after the final cover) was projected to reach 77 % of the total LFG potential. In contrast, it would take until 2030 for LFWC MSW landfills to reach this level. Furthermore, various scenarios were analyzed, in which if the rapid LFG generation characteristics of HFWC MSW are known in advance, and relevant facilities are constructed ahead of time, the collection efficiency can be improved from 31 % to over 78 %, resulting in less GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brunei, similar to other nations, encounters difficulties in effectively managing solid waste, with 70% of the waste ending up in landfills, 2% through composting, and the remainder being disposed of through conventional methods. The current landfill site is anticipated to reach its maximum capacity in 2025. Energy recovery from waste is crucial for Brunei since it can improve waste management, mitigate environmental consequences, produce economic advantages, bolster energy security, and promote a circular economy. This study aims to identify the potential for energy recovery through landfill gas generated from solid waste disposal in Brunei Darussalam. The study finds that Brunei Darussalam can produce 129 thousand tonnes of CO2e/year landfill gas. Utilising gas to generate electricity of 367 GWh could save 1.6 million USD annually. In addition, it also identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the existing solid waste management in Brunei Darussalam. Furthermore, it formulates a waste management policy in Brunei Darussalam by identifying relevant stakeholders to overcome the weakness. Lastly, the framework for waste management is designed to consider short-, intermediate- and long-term goals and targets, with actions to be taken by respective stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The building sector is responsible for about 37% of the global carbon dioxide emissions, 6% of which result from concrete (and particularly cement) production. Using recycled and supplementary cementitious materials and adopting a whole building life cycle approach can be seen as multi‐beneficial strategies for materials' design. In this framework, this study aims to formulate a green concrete, by replacing 10, 15 and 20% of cement with a secondary raw material constituted of vitrified bottom ash derived from municipal solid waste incineration. The basic physical and mechanical properties were measured up to 365 days, so to evaluate the effects of the cement replacement both on short and long‐term behavior. Life Cycle Assessment was used as a tool to evaluate the environmental performance of the developed green concrete. An Eco‐Mechanical Analysis was also performed to match the environmental impacts with the mechanical behavior, allowing to assess that the concrete produced by replacing 20% of cement with vitrified municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (if classified as hazardous waste) is the one that leads to optimize the overall sustainability. The approach proposed in this work, which can be easily generalized, contributes to the definition of a route for the implementation of innovative green construction building materials by using waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most of developing countries, open dumpsites are frequently opted as the best choice to get rid of waste, but this type of practice has severe threats to the environment. This may be considered as one of the factors in contamination of soil and groundwater. The study examined the arsenic and physicochemical properties of soil around a municipal waste dumpsite in Rohtak city, Haryana. For Rohtak city, leachate secretion and generation of various gases at landfill site may be a factor in contamination of soil around the dumpsite. 13 samples of soil were collected from the surrounding area of dumpsite within 2 km area. Soil samples were tested for various parameters like pH, EC, moisture content, bulk density, water holding capacity, organic matter, chloride and arsenic. The pH values of the various samples of different locations ranged from 7.14 to 8.34, EC ranged from 1034-9536 add μS/cm with a mean value of 3484 μS/cm, organic matter of the soil samples of present study ranged from 1.26 to 3.16%. Water holding capacity of soil samples ranged from 51.02% to 59.14%, moisture content was found from 3.12 to 13.86%, bulk density was found from 1.28-1.89 g/cm³. Range of chloride content was 358-4165 mg/ kg with mean value 1679 mg/kg. Higher level of arsenic contamination is found in the surrounding soil samples, ranged from 410 ppb to 840 ppb with mean value of 618 ppb which may be due to leachate secretion at dumpsite area that make soil unsuitable for agricultural purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The optimal plastic content for MSW is 6–9 %. • Stress path influences the optimal plastic content. • The influence patterns of particle size distribution on MSW. • Traditional well-graded criteria are unsuitable for MSW. Plastics within municipal solid waste (MSW) are non-degradable. As MSW continues to degrade, the relative content of plastics rises, and particle gradation may also change. Moreover, throughout the landfilling process, MSW is subjected to various stress conditions, potentially influencing its mechanical properties. This study explored the effects of varying plastic contents, different particle gradations, and distinct stress paths on the mechanical properties of MSW, and consolidated drained triaxial tests of 42 groups of reconstituted MSW specimens were conducted. The results showed that there was an optimal plastic content of 6–9 % for MSW, where the shear strength of MSW was higher than that of MSW with other plastic contents. When the stress path changed from TC45 to TC72, the optimal plastic content of MSW changed from 6 % to 9 %. As the plastic content increased, both the cohesion and internal friction angle of the MSW initially increased, then subsequently decreased. The impact of plastic content on cohesion was more pronounced than on the internal friction angle, especially at larger strains. Under various stress paths, MSW with distinct particle size distributions demonstrated diverse stress–strain behaviors. Traditional criteria for evaluating well-graded conditions in soils are not suitable for MSW. The effect of gradation on the cohesion of MSW is essentially due to the predominant role of fiber content; the relationship between gradation and the internal friction angle in MSW is complex and correlates closely with the content of both coarse and fine particles, as well as fibers. This study serves as an essential reference for predicting deformations in landfills and analyzing the stability of landfill slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMFs) with low organic carbon (Corg) content have been associated with higher mineral fraction nutrient use efficiency. However, the extraction of peat, which is typically used in these OMFs, from endangered ecosystems causes long-time stored Corg to mineralize and to be released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). This study analyzes the replacement of peat in OMFs with biowaste materials. These materials, considered organic byproducts that microorganisms and other living things can decompose through composting and aerobic or anaerobic digestion, offer a viable opportunity. This study investigated three stabilized biowastes--green compost (GC) from pruning residues, municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), and manure-based vermicompost (VC)--as the organic matrices for granular OMFs. These matrices were impregnated with dissolved ammonium sulfate and urea and used to coat diammonium phosphate granules. Each biowaste OMF contained 7.5% Corg, 20% mineral N, and 10% mineral P2O5 (OMF20-10). Fertilizers with high nutrient concentrations have the advantage of requiring low application volumes, facilitating their application in the field. Biowaste OMFs were compared with peat OMFs with the same Corg-N-P2O5 concentration. Peat and MSWC were also used to create OMFs containing 7.5% Corg, 10% mineral N, and 5%mineral P2O5 (OMF10-5). A 75-day tunnel trial was conducted under semi-controlled conditions using tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fertilized to an equivalent of 81mg N kg-1 soil and 18mg P kg-1 soil. Controls included no fertilization (N0P0) and mineral N and P fertilization (MFNP). The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter and the BBCH (from German Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie) scale as well as the number of shoots weremeasured over time, as berry and total aboveground yield, N and P uptakes, and N and P use efficiencies (NUE and PUE, respectively) were calculated at harvest. All treatments outperformed the control N0P0 in most indicators. Peat20-10 did not have more berry yield than other OMF20-10; however, the higher number of shoots indicated a higher potential yield in the event of prolonging the experiment. At the end of 75 days, VC20-10 and MSWC20-10 showed similar PUE to peat, suggesting that those materials can be used as replacements. In the case of OMF10-5, MSWC10-5 had yield and N and P uptakes like peat OMFs, confirming the potential use of MSWC as peat replacement even at different nutrient concentrations. This research provides reassuring evidence of the effectiveness of biowaste OMFs, offering a positive outlook for sustainable agriculture. However, their use is not recommendable for short growing seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term monitoring and treatment of landfill leachate (LFL) and landfill gas (LFG) is required until landfilled municipal solid waste (MSW) is sufficiently stabilized and post-closure care can be terminated. Monitoring data of methane (CH4) emissions in LFG from a marine landfill over 30 years were compared with the IPCC first order decay (FOD) model estimates. The observed changes in CH4 showed a similar attenuation trend to the estimates, but the observed CH4 emissions were only about 30% of the estimate over 30 years; LFL is considered to be another pathway for organic carbon to be released to the environment, but the total organic carbon in discharged LFL was only about 0.2% of CH4 carbon in LFG emission over the same period. The increase in the CO2/CH4 ratio in LFG over time suggests that the discrepancy between estimated and observed emissions is due to methane oxidation in the overlying soil, in addition to the high coefficient values used in the FOD model. Total organic carbon (TOC) in LFL discharged as effluent reached a maximum value in the early stages of the landfill and gradually decreased, but only to about one-third of the maximum value after more than 30 years and a decrease in the amount of effluent. As incineration of MSW is expected to reduce organic carbon and nitrogen, the CH4 reduction effect of incineration of business and household waste and sewage sludge was investigated using FOD model estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three representative materials, wood, paper, and cloth from municipal solid waste, were studied separately in an atmospheric fluidized bed gasifier. The effects of different feedstock, equivalence ratio, gasification temperature, and calcium carbonate presence on syngas composition, the lower heating value, and carbon conversion efficiency were investigated at different operating temperatures (800-950 °C), and the equivalence ratio range from 0.2 and 0.5. As the equivalence ratio increased, the yields of syngas and its lower heating value decreased, whereas the CO2 yield and carbon conversion efficiency increased generally from wood gasification. Higher gasification temperature favored enhancing the CO and H2 yield and lowering the CO2 yield while the lower heating value and carbon conversion efficiency of syngas increased. Different variations of CO2 yield and the lower heating value of syngas were observed in different feedstock gasification. CaCO3 was more supportive for enhancing the yields of syngas components (H2, CO, and CH4) and lowering the CO2 yield, while a lower heating value of syngas was also increased from different feedstock gasification. However, an optimum temperature of 900 °C was the highest lower heating value of syngas, reaching 8000 kJ/Nm3 from wood gasification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aim was to optimise the C/N ratio, improve the compost quality, reduce pathogenic bacteria load in the compost, and improve guava yield. Vegetable wastes were mixed with cow dung, grasses, and food wastes in ratios of 4:3:2:1 (w/w) for achieving a C/N ratio of approximately 37. Cocomposting is an important strategy because the mixture of bulking agents can help achieve optimal composting conditions. Experimental results were obtained from a pilot-scale rotary drum reactor with forced aeration. In the reactor, the temperature increased during the thermophilic phase (58±2 °C) and decreased after 10 days (54±2 °C). The pH values moderately increased, then decreased, and were near to neutral after maturation. The results indicated that co-composting of bio-wastes at a C/N ratio of 37.6%±1.02% could be effectively decomposed to reduce the residuals to just 13.6%±1.05% after 28 days. The microbial population increased in both mesophilic and thermophilic stages and decreased at the end of the composting, reflecting stability. The stable compost was applied to the growth of guava plant, and the yield was calculated. The organic compost improved plant growth, fruit yield, and enriched phytochemical compounds in the fruit and peels. The phytochemical compounds improved antioxidant activity in the guava fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced reliance on synthetic chemical fertilizers necessarily requires using renewable biomaterial-derived soil organic amendments (SOAs) in agriculture for sustained retention of nutrients through improvement in the soil organic matter (SOM). SOM replenishment through SOAs derived from wasted materials could help in its valorization by furthering the sustainability prospects of agronomic crop production systems. In the current study, compost (CP) and biochar (BC) were derived as SOAs from combustible and compostable fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW) for their potential valorization by adding SOAs as potential sustainable sources of nutrients as a replacement of chemical fertilizers (CF) for sunflower crops cultivated in potted soils. The experimental design included quadruplicated soil application of MSW-derived BC and CP in discrete and combined forms, each in three doses (% w:w), viz., low (L), medium (M), and high (H), i.e., BC-L, BC-M, BC-H; CP-L, CP-M, CP-H; and BC + CP-L, BC + CP-M, BC-CP-H. The results showed that, compared to the control (soil only), the sunflower growth and harvestable yield were significantly greater in BC + CF with a medium dose and were comparable to the growth and yield obtained in soils with CF. Sunflower growth in the discrete SOAs remained less than in the combined SOAs (BC + CP) and was attributed to the comprehensive soil health improvement rendered by the applied SOAs. The soil health improvement factors included SOM, CEC, and concentrations of total and available NPK. The dose-effect comparison of the SOAs showed highly variable trends, i.e., the sunflower growth did not correspond with the increase in dose of the SOAs. It is concluded that the combined application of BC + CP derived from MSW components at a medium dose could act as a potential alternative to CF. The developed approach resulted in MSW valorization, which improved soil health and yielded a better sunflower crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borehole samples were collected from a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill in Xi'an, China, and subjected to a series of basic geotechnical and compression tests. This study aims to investigate the influence of composition, dry unit weight, moisture content, organic content, and landfill age on the compressibility of MSW. The results show that with increasing landfill age, the compressible components and organic content exhibit a decreasing trend while the dry unit weight increases. The moisture content does not vary significantly. There is also a linear trend between the logarithm of the primary compression strain and vertical stress. In addition, with an increase in compressible components content, moisture content, and organic content, the modified primary compression index (Cc') shows an increasing trend, whereas with an increase in dry unit weight and landfill age, Cc' shows a decreasing trend. Furthermore, regarding the 34 sets of data, authors only selected five data points for a detailed comparative analysis, this decision was made on the basis that these data points are representative. A modified primary compression index prediction model that considers the dry unit weight, moisture content, and landfill age of the MSW as influencing factors results in a fitting coefficient of 0.797. The Cc' values in this study are within the range of 0.12 to 0.36. These findings provide a reference for the vertical expansion design of existing landfills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste incineration with energy recovery is a matured Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technology which has contributed immensely to the disposal and management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in industrialised nations. The adoption of this technology in developing countries is currently gaining momentum due to the numerous benefits that can be derived from its use. In this study, a techno-economic assessment of MSW incineration in proposed waste incineration facilities for use in Ghana was carried out. The technical assessment was conducted by determining the plant capacity and annual electricity production based on the combustible residues of MSW collected from various population sizes in the country, while the economic assessment was carried out by determining two key economic indicators, Net Present Value (NPV) and Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE). It was found that a total of about 400 MW of electricity can be generated from the total of about 14,000 tonnes of MSW generated in the country daily. The NPV for a 35.81 MW installed capacity of waste incineration facility was found to be USD 166,410,969.24. However, the LCOE for the 35.81 MW capacity and all others considered was greater than the tariff of electricity for their respective capacities, which means waste incineration facilities are not economically viable ventures in Ghana. The implementation of these facilities in the country would, therefore, need governmental support in the form of subsidies and tax rebates. Three locations were proposed for the piloting of waste incineration facilities in the country, and these locations are in the Accra Metropolitan, Asokore-Mampong Metropolitan, and Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assemblies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfill leachate contains antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microplastics (MPs), making it an important reservoir. However, little research has been conducted on how ARGs are enriched on MPs and how the presence of MPs affects pathogens and ARGs in leachates and soil. MPs possess the capacity to establish unique bacterial populations and assimilate contaminants from their immediate surroundings, generating a potential environment conducive to the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), thereby exerting selection pressure. Through a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, we have carried out a practical assessment of this topic. The gathering of pollutants and the formation of dense bacterial communities on microplastics create advantageous circumstances for an increased frequency of ARG transfer and evolution. Additional investigations are necessary to acquire a more profound comprehension of how pathogens and ARGs are enriched, transported, and transferred on microplastics. This research is essential for evaluating the health risks associated with human exposure to these pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is mainly aimed at exploring effects of the aging-induced chemical decomposition of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) on the shear response and physical properties of locally available MSW of Fars province, Iran, at its in-situ condition. To this end, a large direct shear device (1×1×1.1 m3) is designed, fabricated and employed to evaluate the parameters of the failure envelop at plane strain condition representing slopes of engineered landfills. Bulk disturbed samples of fresh MSW are exhumed from an operational disposal site to be implemented into the study and subsequently remolded in the large-scale shear box. Four drained shear tests are performed under a variety of vertical stresses. Next, intact components of MSW are landfilled over a period of 3, 6, and 9 months. Similar shear experiments are conducted at the end of each mentioned time interval. Mechanical behavior of MSW is completely frictional and internal friction angle of the studied MSW non-linearly increases with time from 44.2º to 55.7º. The stress-strain response is almost bilinear over a wide range of displacement. The decomposition process is further clarified in light of results of pH tests conducted on the leachate of the MSW at the end of various landfilling time intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the current study was to use a GIS analysis of the Mymensingh division to place municipal solid waste to energy conversion facilities in the optimal location. A geographic information system (GIS) is used to identify appropriate locations and weed out unsuitable ones that produce a land suitability map (LSM). The relative preferences of environmental, social, and economic aspects are assessed using a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) based on an analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Overall, this study measures the MSW potential, examines geographic locations for the dispersed MSW feedstock, chooses the most suitable locations for W2VA facilities throughout the Mymensingh division in Bangladesh, and prioritizes these locations. Furthermore, the GIS-MCDA model provided might benefit local governments' waste management efforts, if necessary, adjustments were made to consider more pertinent exclusion and preference criteria, as well as their interactions concerning tradeoffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted many daily activities and services we depend on. Due to changes in waste quantity and types, solid waste management (SWM) services such as waste collection, transportation, and treatment/disposal suffered. Global rules and mandates were issued to address these changes and the COVID-19 pandemic. This mini review examines seven countries and summarises the pandemic's effects on municipal solid waste (MSW) and medical waste (MW) generation in terms of amount and composition, the SWM sector's challenges, and government or other SWM guidelines and management measures. The data are analysed to provide suggestions for stakeholders on SWM worker protection, waste segregation, and recycling. This article identified that extending MW incineration, separating infectious waste at the source, and discontinuing recycling for infection control are the best ways to manage solid waste. The waste management system's readiness was crucial to the pandemic response. Thus, countries like China, which has a robust SWM system, were able to contain the crisis and restrict danger, while others with weaker systems struggled. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of revising waste management policies and developing crisis response strategies that integrate flexible, innovative solutions to adapt quickly to changing waste demands and ensure public health and environmental protection during global health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores whether the government should implement a cost-sharing or penalty mechanism to control waste incineration pollution and investigates which policy can best incentivize incineration plants to invest in pollution control. We design two differential game models, one based on a cost-sharing approach and one on a penalty system, to model the interactions between the government and incineration plants. We then compare and analyze the equilibrium outcomes in both scenarios. Our findings reveal that when incineration pollution significantly impacts the government, both the cost-sharing and penalty mechanisms are effective in stimulating incineration plants to enhance their pollution control efforts. However, when incineration pollution significantly affects the incineration plants themselves, the cost-sharing mechanism proves to be more effective in terms of pollution control. Furthermore, we find that the government derives greater utility under the cost-sharing mechanism compared with the penalty mechanism, especially as the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) increases. In contrast, incineration plants tend to generate higher profits under the cost-sharing mechanism. These findings and their accompanying managerial implications may provide valuable guidance for government agencies in formulating policies to manage incineration pollution and encourage waste incineration plants to invest in improving their pollution control systems. Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 71571149], Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation for Youth Scholars of Ministry of Education of China [Grant 22YJC630171], and Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province of China [Grant 2023NSFSC1055]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biorefineries (BRFs) that process the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and generate bioproducts and bioenergies have attracted attention because they can simultaneously address energy and environmental problems/needs. The objective of this article was to critically review the microbial production of hyaluronic acid (MPHA) and its production profile for its integration into a GBAER-type BRF (a type of BRF based on organic wastes) and to identify the environmental and economic sustainability aspects of the modified BRF that would confirm it as a sustainable option. It was found that the MPHA by selected strains of pathogenic Streptococci was moderate to high, although the trend to work with genetically transformed (GT) (innocuous) bacteria is gaining momentum. For instance, A GT strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum reached a maximum HA production of 71.4 g L−1. MPHA reports that use organic wastes as sources of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are scarce. When alternative sources of C and N were used simultaneously, HA production by S. zooepidemicus was lower than that with conventional sources. We identified several knowledge gaps that must be addressed regarding aspects of process scale-up, HA industrial production, economic feasibility and sustainability, and environmental sustainability of the MPHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the gas permeation characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW), a set of test equipment is independently developed. The experimental equipment measures MSW's gas permeability, porosity, and gas preferential flow parameters. The composition and operation method of the equipment are introduced. Moreover, the self-developed equipment carries out laboratory tests on gas permeation of MSW under the influence factors of initial pressure and moisture content. Test application results show that the equipment can realize all pre-designed functions. The experimental results showed that the peak value of the gas breakthrough curve increased gradually with the increase of initial pressure and increased with the growth of moisture content. When the moisture content is 54.6%, 70.6%, and 86.6% as the initial pressure is 0.05 MPa, the gas permeability of MSW is 1.096×10-12 m², 0.937×10-12 m², and 0.787×10-12 m², respectively, and the porosity is 0.573, 0.501, and 0.358, respectively. When the initial pressure of 0.02 MPa, 0.05 MPa, and 0.1 MPa as the moisture content is 54.6%, the peak value of gas flow rate at the outlet of MSW is 0.006 L/s, 0.012 L/s, and 0.02 L/s, respectively, and the time of gas passing through the sample is 47s, 58s, and 65s, respectively. The research results enrich the experimental equipment for studying the gas permeation characteristics of MSW and provide data support for the subsequent research on the migration model of landfill gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the stability analysis of two adjacent waste landfills located in a potentially unstable territory. One of the waste landfills is reclaimed and consists of ash. Municipal solid waste is actively deposited in the second landfill. In the space between the landfills, the expansion of the municipal solid waste landfill is planned, with a partial overlap of the reclaimed ash landfill. The instability of the area where the landfills are located is due to its susceptibility to the formation of landslides. The article presents the results of experimental verifications of the peak shear strength parameters of the ashes and the peak and residual shear strength of the soils forming the subsoil of both landfills and serve as input for stability analyses. The shear strength parameters of municipal waste are defined on the basis of literature research. The potential instability of both waste landfill territories was taken into account using the parameters of the residual shear strength of the subsoil. The stability analysis of waste landfills is expressed using both the peak and residual shear strength parameters of the subsoil of waste landfills. In addition, the effect of seismic loading on both landfills is considered in the stability analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation plays an essential role in effective waste management. The main objectives of this study were to develop models for accurate prediction of MSW generation (MSWG) and analyze the influence of dominant variables on MSWG. To elevate the model's prediction accuracy, more than 50 municipal variables were considered original variables, which were selected from 12 categories. According to the screening results, the dominant variables are classified into four categories: urban greening, population size and residential density, regional economic development and resident income and expenditure. Among the seven machine learning methods, back propagation (BP) neural network has the best model evaluation effect. The R 2 of the BP neural network model of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces were 0.969, 0.941 and 0.971 respectively. The prediction accuracy of Shandong province (93.8%) was the best, followed by Jiangsu province (92.3%) and Zhejiang province (72.7%). The correlation between dominant variables and the MSWG was mined, suggesting that regional GDP and the total retail sales of consumer goods were the most important dominant variables affecting MSWG. Moreover, the MSWG might not absolutely associate with the population size and residential density. The method used in this study is a practical tool for policymakers on regional/local waste management and MSWG control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) during the transport of landfill leachate (LL) in porous medium should be explored, considering the high levels of DOM in the LL of municipal solid waste. Column experiments were carried out at 25 °C at a Darcy's flux of 0.29 cm/h for 2722 h to compare the transport of Cl−, ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the simulated porous medium by using the CXTFIT2.1 code. Results showed that the convection–dispersion equation (CDE) could describe Cl− transport well. The high levels of λ and D could be highly correlated with the physicochemical properties of the porous medium. The transport of the studied DOM with evident aromatic character could be described appropriately by the CDE model with the first-order reaction assumption, considering the similar variation trends of UV254, COD, and DOC in the effluent during experiments. Specifically, the values of retardation factor (R) were in the following order: DOC > UV254 > COD, whereas the low values of the first-order decay coefficient (k1) for DOC and COD were still higher than that for UV254. High contents of humic-like substances in the DOM with complex toxic components resulted in the natural low removal efficiencies of COD, DOC, and UV254 (≤ 23%), which could be confirmed by the variations of fluorescence index (FI) and humification index (HIX) in the effluent. The results should be helpful in evaluating the environmental risk induced by the LL leakage in a landfill site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to evaluate the economic feasibility of leveraging H 2 generated from biogas for 28 sanitary landfill consortia in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two processes were analyzed: steam methane reforming (SMR) and pyrolysis reforming. Both were assessed via the economic analyses of Net Present Value (NPV), Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Potential biogas production from sanitary landfills was estimated along with the production of hydrogen and ammonia. Installation (CAPEX) along with operation and maintenance (OPEX) costs were estimated for the biogas purification processes and attainment of H 2. The sales rate for H 2 as a fuel source was derived for each consortium. The capacity for ammonia attainment from H 2 was determined as well as the Levelized Cost of Ammonia (LCOA). The installed capacity of the consortia varied from 18,332.05 to 2,470,525.30 kg H 2 /year. The LCOH varied from 7.01 US$/kg to 44.45 US$/kg. Comparing the three scenarios, the Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) without CO 2 capture obtained the best economic results; however, this scenario leads to the emission of CO 2. The novelty of this research resides in the use of biogas to obtain H 2 and ammonia, as well as in comparing SMR with pyrolysis. The consortium CIDES showed the best economic results. The reformation processes of CH 4 in H 2 with zero CO 2 emissions obtained the best LCOH values, thus making it less competitive in relation to fossil fuels. Public policy changes are necessary to incentivize the production and use of H 2 and ammonia from biogas. • Economic feasibility of leveraging H 2 from biogas for sanitary landfill in Brazil. • Two processes were analyzed: steam methane reforming and pyrolysis reforming. • Biogas production was estimated along with the production of hydrogen and ammonia. • Ammonia attainment from H 2 and the Levelized Cost of Ammonia were determined. • Installed capacity of consortia varied from 12,738.08 to 1,716,651.77 kgH 2 /year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water retention curve (WRC) of municipal solid waste (MSW) is the important hydraulic parameter for the study of unsaturated seepage analysis in landfills. Due to the compressibility and degradability of the waste, the search for a method to quickly and accurately test its water retention curve (WRC) is a current problem that needs to be solved. In this paper, considering the volume change of the waste specimens in test, the test principle of centrifuge testing of WRC is corrected to make it applicable to the testing of waste WRC. In addition, the WRCs of 20 MSW specimens with typical landfill compositions and porosities are measured using the corrected centrifuge test. The effects of compositions and porosities of waste specimens on WRC parameters were analyzed. The results are summarized as follows. Disregarding the height reduction of specimens resulted in overestimated matric suction values and underestimating volume water content values. By comparing uncorrected and corrected values, the maximum difference of the matric suction and volumetric water content reach 233 kPa and 11%, respectively. This study can provide a reference for accurately measuring the WRC of MSW using a centrifuge. For the waste specimen without kitchen and yard waste, composition had less of an effect on the WRC of waste compared to porosity. The effect of the content of the non-absorbable fraction on the residual volumetric water content θr and the parameter nv in the van Genuchten model was significant. The initial porosity n had a great effect on the parameter α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]