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• C&DW's Technosols support native tree growth. • C&DW's Technosols combined with compost enhance plant growth. • Technosols are sustainable solutions to address C&DW disposal. • C&DW's Technosols presents a high soil health index. • Technosols offer a green solution for degraded lands. Population growth has driven an increased demand for solid construction materials, leading to higher amounts of construction and demolition waste (C&DW). Efficient strategies to manage this waste include reduction, reuse, and recycling. Technosols—soils engineered from recycled waste—can potentially help with environmental challenges. However, there is a critical need to explore the potential of Technosols constructed with C&DW for land reclamation, through the growth of native vegetation. The objective of this study was to investigate this potential by studying two Brazilian native tree species (Guazuma ulmifolia and Piptadenia gonoacantha). Technosols were created using C&DW, with and without organic compost and a liquid biofertilizer. A soil health index (SHI) was applied to evaluate the soil quality regarding physical, chemical, and biological indicators of Technosols compared to a control soil (Ferralsol). The results showed that P. gonoacantha plants presented the same height and total biomass in all treatments, while G. ulmifolia plants exhibited greater height and total biomass when grown in Technosols. The enhanced plant development in the Technosols was primarily associated with higher cation exchangeable capacity and nutrients concentration in plant tissues. Technosols with added compost provided higher fertility and total organic carbon. Additionally, Technosols presented higher SHI (∼0.68) compared to control (∼0.38) for both studied species. Our experiment reveals that construction and demolition waste (C&DW) have significant potential to form healthy Technosols capable of supporting the growth of native Brazilian trees. This approach offers a promising alternative for addressing C&DW disposal challenges while serving as a nature-based solution for land reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world population grows, the need to meet greater resource demands leads to a proportional increase in solid waste generation. This trend has been difficult to reverse in the last decade, but when it comes to minimizing waste generation, there is an innovative model that has successfully reduced per capita production (PPC) in the medium term called the "Volume-based Tariff System". South Korea implemented this model since 1995 under the motto "polluter pays", managing to decrease PPC from 2,3 to 1,1 kilograms of waste per day per inhabitant in just 5 years, in a country with an average of 51 million inhabitants. Inspired by this success, the canton of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos province replicated the Volume-based Tariff System, adapting it to local realities. They justified its implementation with the goals of reducing local PPC, increasing recycling, creating incentives, complying with the reform of the Organic Law of the Public Service of Electric Energy (2019), and implementing a variable tariff based on volume. The results mirrored those of South Korea: since its implementation in May 2021, Santa Cruz reduced per capita waste generation from 0,77 kilograms per day per inhabitant in 2019 to 0,44 kg by 2022. Additionally, within 6 months, recyclable materials increased from 78,17 tons in May to 132,47 tons in December 2021, these achievements led the Municipal GAD of Santa Cruz to win the 2022 Green Award from the Development Bank of Ecuador. This experience demonstrates that the Volume-based Tariff Model could be successfully replicated in Santa Cruz. While challenges remain for improvement, being the first replication in Ecuador has yielded excellent results.

Albania is now implementing a range of steps as part of its journey towards European Union integration, based on agreements that have been achieved. Key to these initiatives is the extensive adoption of circular economy concepts through comprehensive waste management systems. This collaboration is based on systematically implementing measures that align with the fundamental principles of the waste management hierarchy. Albania wants to lead in waste-to-energy conversion exploration by focusing on trash minimization, reuse, recycling, and energy generation from residual waste. Although there has been notable advancement, especially in aligning laws with EU requirements, there are practical obstacles, especially in the execution of waste-to-energy projects. The challenges involve the need for effective waste segregation, higher recycling rates, and the use of advanced waste-to-energy technologies. The essay utilizes meticulously selected data on Albania's waste generation from reputable organizations and the legal framework regulating waste management to assess the current situation and predict future possibilities, which may be advantageous for government ministries and agency platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective and efficient waste collection and management is critical to achieving sustainable cities and communities, public health, and sustainable development. This notwithstanding, the rapid and ever-increasing rate of urban waste generation in developing countries has led to the emergence of a dual system of formal and informal waste collection schemes with unclear effectiveness and efficiency. This study compared the operational effectiveness and efficiency of formal and informal waste collectors in the urban waste management system in Ghana. A case study research design is employed with a focus on households and waste collectors in the Suame Municipality in the Ashanti of Ghana. Data were collected through questionnaire administration and interviews, waste quantification, and field measurements. The findings reveal that 61.5 % of households rely on informal waste collectors, 35 % on formal waste collectors and 3.5 % use indiscriminate dumping. The formal waste collectors were more effective serving 111 households and collecting 11.239 tonnes of waste per trip but utilises 62 % of their collection capacity while the informal sector collects 846.67 kg per trip and uses 106 % of their collection capacity. Formal waste collectors were also more efficient with the use of time. The study unveils an opportunity to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in municipal waste management in low- and middle-income countries with reforms and practices that build upon existing waste management practices and integrate informal waste collectors into formal waste management systems.

The development of eco-friendly cities necessitates collaboration between the government and communities in shaping sustainable urban waste management. The issue of waste presents a significant challenge in efforts to enhance environmental quality and public health in urban areas. Well-managed waste not only reduces negative environmental impacts but also creates new economic opportunities. In this context, this research employs a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews and observation techniques to examine waste management in Ambon City. In-depth interviews were conducted with informants from the Ambon City Environmental and Waste Management Agency, while document studies were utilized to analyze information related to waste issues in the city. The findings indicate that collaboration between the government and communities is crucial for achieving success in waste management. Ambon City and its residents require joint efforts to address waste issues, particularly due to the low level of public awareness regarding government efforts in waste management. Increased community participation and full government support are necessary to achieve clean, healthy, and sustainable urban environments.

Albania is now implementing a range of steps as part of its journey towards European Union integration, based on agreements that have been achieved. Key to these initiatives is the extensive adoption of circular economy concepts through comprehensive waste management systems. This collaboration is based on systematically implementing measures that align with the fundamental principles of the waste management hierarchy. Albania wants to lead in waste-to-energy conversion exploration by focusing on trash minimization, reuse, recycling, and energy generation from residual waste. Although there has been notable advancement, especially in aligning laws with EU requirements, there are practical obstacles, especially in the execution of waste-to-energy projects. The challenges involve the need for effective waste segregation, higher recycling rates, and the use of advanced waste-to-energy technologies. The essay utilizes meticulously selected data on Albania’s waste generation from reputable organizations and the legal framework regulating waste management to assess the current situation and predict future possibilities, which may be advantageous for government ministries and agency platforms.

This paper examines how global climate mitigation policies articulate with urban political–ecological transformations. It focuses on South African waste-to-value projects as case studies, exploring how local processes of urban ecological modernization combine with global climate finance through the now largely defunct Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Whilst it is generally recognized that waste-related CDM projects in South Africa (and elsewhere) have been an unmitigated failure in terms of climate and socio-economic benefits, we demonstrate that landfill-to-gas/energy projects have functioned effectively as geographical–discursive dispositifs through which particular knowledge systems are enrolled, specific 'solutions' are projected, and singular imaginaries of what is possible and desirable foregrounded, thereby crowding out alternative possibilities. This not only nurtures the commodification and marketization of non-human matter with an eye towards sustaining capital accumulation but, rather more importantly, successfully installs state-orchestrated private property relations around common resources, thereby deepening the dispossessing socio-ecological relations upon which expanded capitalist reproduction rests. We argue that whilst the formal outcome of the CDM is a failure, its success resides precisely in how it permitted local and global elites to create administrative and regulatory practices that solidify and naturalize a neoliberal market-based framework to approach the climate crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effects of age, climate and size were studied in full-scale landfills in Portugal. • Effects of landfill age and size on leachate volume are prevalent over climate. • Ammonia compounds increase with age and size and between wet and dry seasons. • High correlations between macro inorganics and within heavy metals were found. • Two main clusters represent the early and final stages of landfill stabilization. The leachate generated by in urban waste landfills can cause environmental pollution if not controlled and treated. With different proportions of biodegradable waste, urban waste degrades over several phases in anaerobic conditions within a landfill. Using multivariate leachate data from 32 engineered landfills in Portugal, each with a similar waste composition, and all classified as non-hazardous waste landfills receiving urban waste, statistical inference was applied to categorise and deduce significant statistical differences in leachate volume and quality between landfill age, size, and climate, as well as the interactions and effects within these categories. The findings show that the effects of size and age on the leachate volume are prevalent over local, Mediterranean climate conditions; in larger landfills, waste may not be degrading as efficiently as in medium-sized landfills; hotter zones showed higher levels of COD and lower levels of BOD 5 than warmer zones, indicating increased biological activity under higher temperature conditions; TN and NH 4 -N increase significantly with age and size; Cl- also significantly increases with age, showing higher levels, along with SO 4 2-, in hotter zones as well as a concentration effect in the dry season, along with K+; heavy metals maintain levels as landfills age from intermediate to old, with only Cd2+ and Pb2+ showing significant reductions. High correlations between macro inorganics and between heavy metals were found. Cluster analysis showed two main branches, one representing the initial to intermediate stages of anaerobic degradation, and the other the interactions between leaching parameters in the later methanogenic phase of landfill stabilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays, the context of social life requires accurate planning and promotion of organizational performance using appropriate methods. There are different models to measure various factors affecting organizational performance. The aim of this study was to determine optimal urban waste management strategies in Meshgin Shahr, Iran. Methods: The present descriptive-analytical survey research utilized the SWOT analysis to identify and formulate optimal urban waste management strategies. After determination of strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O) and threats (T) by the SWOT analysis, the TOWS matrix was used to extract all possible SO, WO, ST and WT strategies, which were then prioritized by QSPM approach based on their attractiveness scores (AS). Results: Fifteen items were identified in each internal strengths and weaknesses as well as external opportunities and threats factors. Based on the results, the municipal waste management has been relatively strong towards internal factors. However, it has not been able to seize opportunities and deal with threats. The first and second priorities were WT1 and WO1 strategies, respectively. In WT1, AS was equal to12.15 and a plan was developed to establish a sanitary landfill management system at the landfill. In WO1, AS was equal to10.86 and a plan was defined to establish a plant fertilizer of high volume of perishable materials to reduce the waste volume. Conclusion: Our results highlighted the need for using defined strategies to reduce internal weaknesses and external threats to take advantage of opportunities. Therefore, the results revealed that the SWOT matrix as well as the QSPM approach can be utilized simultaneously as an integrated method for formulating, evaluating and prioritizing strategies.

The waste management without considering the role of people who are the main waste manufacturers, will be impossible. In our country, in discussion of waste management and collection, repulsion and recycling in terms of type and quality of wastes, is diffrent from other countries of the world and has different nature and taking action from any method and technology without examining and recognizing materials and compatibility of local factors, especially the issue of citizens' participation, will not be feasible.The present research with an explanatory approach has been addressed to the issue that the capacity of citizens participation in each dimensions of managerial decision making is to be explored. The results of 24 items in the form of 385 questionnaires in 10 municipalities showed that the score obtained in the Likret scale equals 3.08 . The highest extractive averages is related to areas 1, 2, 9 and 5 are 3.15, 3.13, 3.12 and 3.11, and the lowest average is associated to area 4 equals 3.03. Despite the fact that these areas are at the average of the Likert spectrum, there is a possibility of instability in this section due to the low levels of Urban mismanagement in this section.The study 44 Index of Waste sphere and Urban Management with opinion apply of 50 Related Experts to determine the importance of factors using interaction analysis method / structural in Mic MacFase software demonstrated that the most influenced direct factors of the system are: Creating social capacity, Active participation of beneficiaries people, Social trust, Social capital, Institutions and civil, society,organizations (CSO), Interaction and balance between participater and participating,Education of citizenship rights and NGO assignments. The effects obtained showed the role of social factors, cultural infrastructure and the role of beneficiaries.

AbstractThe spinach can be cultivated on urban farms using compost from black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and urban organic waste. The study examined (1) the existence of heavy metal pollutants in household and market waste, (2) the impact of BSF larvae waste compost on spinach growth and product quality, and (3) the ingestion of compost components in spinach plant tissue. The experiment used a complete randomised block design (RCBD) with five treatments, specifically: (1) soil media without compost or urea; (2) soil with BSF compost as household waste substrate without fertiliser; (3) soil with household waste substrate BSF compost fertilised with urea; (4) soil with BSF compost as fruit waste substrate without fertiliser; and (5) soil with BSF compost as fruit waste substrate with fertiliser. Spinach growth and product, nutrient content, and heavy metal absorption in spinach tissue were parameters. BSF larva waste compost with household or fruit waste as a substrate contains macro and micronutrients required by plants and heavy metals that may harm vegetable plant tissues. Applying BSF larvae waste compost increased the vitamin A, vitamin C, chlorophyll, and carotene content in spinach production. The spinach product showed no significant difference in fibre, nitrate, nitrite, and oxalate levels compared to the control (100% soil). While the plant did absorb heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn) from the compost, the concentrations were below the threshold set by WHO/FAO. The use of compost for organic vegetable cultivation ought to be appropriately evaluated due to the potential existence of heavy metals.

Introduction and aims: In the context of increasing population and decreasing soil fertility, food security is one of humanity's greatest challenges. Large amounts of waste, such as sewage sludge, are produced annually, with their final disposal causing environmental pollution and hazards to human health. Sludge has high amounts of nitrogen (N), and, when safely recycled by applying it into the soil as composted sewage sludge (CSS), its residual effect may provide gradual N release to crops. A field study was conducted in the Brazilian Cerrado. The aims were to investigate the residual effect of successive applications of CSS as a source of N in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. BRS Estilo)-palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha (A.Rich.) R.D. Webster)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation under notillage. Additionally, N cycling was monitored through changes in N metabolism; the efficiency of biological N2 fixation (BNF) and its implications for plant nutrition, development, and productivity, was also assessed. Methods: The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design comparing four CSS rates (10, 15, 20, and 25 Mg ha-1, wet basis) to a control treatment (without adding mineral or organic fertilizer) over two crop years. Multiple plant and soil analyses (plant development and crop yield, Falker chlorophyll index (FCI), enzymatic, biochemical, 15N natural abundance, was evaluated, root and shoot N accumulation, etc.) were evaluated. Results and discussion: Results showed that CSS: i) maintained adequate N levels for all crops, increasing their productivity; ii) promoted efficient BNF, due to the stability of ureide metabolism in plants and increased protein content; iii) increased the nitrate content and the nitrate reductase activity in soybean; iv) affected urease activity and ammonium content due to changes in the plant's urea metabolism; v) increased N accumulation in the aerial part of palisade grass. Composted sewage sludge can be used as an alternative source to meet crops' N requirements, promoting productivity gains and N cycling through forage and improving N metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), particularly the indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were first quantified in water and sediments of two wadis, Boujemaâ and Seybouse, as well as in the effluents from a fertilizer and phytosanitary production industrial plant (Fertial). Since these contaminated discharges end in Annaba Bay (Algeria) in the Mediterranean Sea, with a significant level of contamination, all the potential sources should be identified. In this work, this task is conducted by a multivariate analysis. Liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods were applied to quantify seven PCB congeners, usually taken as indicators of contamination. The sum of the PCB concentrations in the sediments ranged from 1 to 6.4 μg/kg dw (dry weight) and up to 0.027 μg/L in waters. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used for the multivariate analysis, indicating that the main sources of PCB emissions in the bay are urban/domestic and agricultural/industrial. The outfalls that mostly contribute to the pollution of the gulf are the Boujemaâ wadi, followed by the Seybouse wadi, and finally by the Fertial cluster and more precisely the annex basin of the plant. Although referring to a specific site of local importance, the work aims to present a procedure and a methodological analysis that can be potentially applicable to further case studies all over the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural use of biosolids is an alternative to the environmental problems caused by the sludge generated in the biological treatment of domestic or sanitary sewage. This waste can promote savings in the acquisition of fertilizers because it is a soil conditioner and has essential nutrients for plant development. Following the regulations in force in the country is a determining condition to make this reuse feasible. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of biosolids from an ascending flow anaerobic reactor for use in agriculture, comparing the results of its characterization with the recommended quality criteria established by current Brazilian standards. The biosolid used was from upflow anaerobic reactors after drying and sanitization with lime. The biosolid meets the requirements of Resolution number 498/2020 of the National Council of the Environment for application in agriculture. The residue only does not meet the tolerance limits for the elements nickel, copper, zinc, iron and manganese established by Normative Instruction No. 25 of 2009 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. The biosolids can be used for physical conditioning and soil/substrate fertilization, contributing to minimize environmental impacts from a possible improper disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population growth and industrial development have led to an increase in urban solid waste globally. Collection and disposal of urban waste remain the biggest challenges that countries face at the moment. Proper management in various stages of production, storage, transportation, and disposal of waste can ensure minimal impact to human and environmental health. There are several tools for evaluating a waste management system; among these, life cycle assessment (LCA) is an important one. This article aims to evaluate the life cycle of waste management in the city of Rasht and prioritize decisions to develop its waste management system. To achieve this purpose, four waste management scenarios were designed. In addition, the life cycle cataloging of the scenarios was done using the IWM‐1 model in order to calculate the consumption of energy and also obtain the number of pollutant emission sources in each scenario. In the next step, the LCA of the scenarios was performed using the Eco‐Indicator 99 index. The results of the study showed that scenario 4 had the most positive effects on the environment, with 40% compost, 25% recycling, 20% sanitary landfill, and 15% waste incineration, based on the index. Therefore, it was chosen as the best option for waste management in the city of Rasht. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1385–1393. © 2023 SETAC Key Points: Efficient scenarios are presented to manage urban waste in the city of Rasht, Iran.Life cycle cataloging in the scenarios is carried out using the IWM‐1 model.Life cycle assessment of the scenarios is performed using the Eco‐Indicator 99 index.Scenario 4 with 40% compost, 25% recycling, 20% sanitary landfill, and 15% waste incineration is chosen as the best option for waste management in the city of Rasht. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of China's economy, the urban floating population is also increasing, resulting in a sharp increase in the amount of urban waste. How to recycle and dispose of municipal waste more efficiently has become the top concern of municipalities and other relevant departments. In this article, the above problem is transformed into the municipal waste collection vehicle routing problem (MWCVRP) to solve the problem with the minimum total waste transportation cost. Because the carrying capacity of different models is different, this article introduces a cost calculation criterion that combines the total mileage of different models of transport vehicles and the number of station services. A multi-model garbage truck path optimization model is established, and then a heuristic-based task dynamic assignment algorithm is designed to solve the problem. The Solomon dataset is used to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the model and algorithm through experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aimsIn the context of increasing population and decreasing soil fertility, food security is one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Large amounts of waste, such as sewage sludge, are produced annually, with their final disposal causing environmental pollution and hazards to human health. Sludge has high amounts of nitrogen (N), and, when safely recycled by applying it into the soil as composted sewage sludge (CSS), its residual effect may provide gradual N release to crops. A field study was conducted in the Brazilian Cerrado. The aims were to investigate the residual effect of successive applications of CSS as a source of N in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. BRS Estilo)-palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha (A.Rich.) R.D. Webster)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation under no-tillage. Additionally, N cycling was monitored through changes in N metabolism; the efficiency of biological N2 fixation (BNF) and its implications for plant nutrition, development, and productivity, was also assessed.MethodsThe experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design comparing four CSS rates (10, 15, 20, and 25 Mg ha-1, wet basis) to a control treatment (without adding mineral or organic fertilizer) over two crop years. Multiple plant and soil analyses (plant development and crop yield, Falker chlorophyll index (FCI), enzymatic, biochemical, 15N natural abundance, was evaluated, root and shoot N accumulation, etc.) were evaluated.Results and discussionResults showed that CSS: i) maintained adequate N levels for all crops, increasing their productivity; ii) promoted efficient BNF, due to the stability of ureide metabolism in plants and increased protein content; iii) increased the nitrate content and the nitrate reductase activity in soybean; iv) affected urease activity and ammonium content due to changes in the plant’s urea metabolism; v) increased N accumulation in the aerial part of palisade grass. Composted sewage sludge can be used as an alternative source to meet crops’ N requirements, promoting productivity gains and N cycling through forage and improving N metabolism.

The acidification and loss of nutrients and organic matter in tropical soils are indicators of chemical degradation. In such a scenario, alkalized sewage sludge (SS) for fertilization and reclamation of soils is a promising alternative. Here, we evaluate the impact of SS on soil fertility, sugarcane nutrition and yield in three successive crops. The treatments consisted of five rates of SS (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 t ha−1) and one treatment with mineral fertilizers. The soil characteristics, plant nutrition, and sugarcane yield were assessed. The results showed that SS increased the pH and the sum of bases, reducing exchangeable aluminum and improving chemical soil conditions. SS also increased soil organic matter (SOM), but SOM decreased over time. Likewise, the N and P contents in the soil were decreased with the successive crops. Sugarcane yield increased following SS rates and reduced with each crop cycle. The yields for plant cane, first ratoon, and second ratoon were 174, 94, and 74 t ha−1 at a rate of 40 t ha−1; these values were 75, 19, and 61% higher, respectively, than the mineral fertilization. SS can aid the reclamation of the chemically degraded soil, contributing to sugarcane nutrition and increased yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of plastic items and their improper disposal harms not only physical environments but also human health globally. Therefore, a bioplastic or polymer that can completely vanish from the environment is the foremost priority. Bioplastic can be manufactured using raw materials from plants, animals, and microbes. Polyhydroxyalkaonates (PHAs) is a type of bioplastic which is naturally produced by microbes and importantly biodegradable as well as biocompostable. PHA production utilizing commercial sugars is an economically cost‐effective process. Due to urbanization and industrialization a huge amount of waste is generated around the world and its management is a major environmental issue. Urban wastes produced by wastewater treatment plant, agro/food‐processing industries, dairy industries, and even from household uses can be an economically sustainable feedstock for the synthesis of PHAs. The current status of bioplastic around the globe is summarized, and the urban waste potential as a feedstock for advances in PHA production technology is reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composted sewage sludge (CSS) is an organic fertilizer that can be used as a source of micronutrients in agriculture. However, there are few studies with CSS to supply micronutrients for the bean crop. We aimed to evaluate micronutrient concentrations in the soil and their effects on nutrition, extraction, export, and grain yield in response to CSS residual application. The experiment was carried out in the field at Selvíria-MS, Brazil. The common bean cv. BRS Estilo was cultivated in two agricultural years (2017/18 and 2018/19). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with four replications. Six different treatments were compared: (i) four increasing CSS rates, i.e., CSS5.0 (5.0 t ha−1 of applied CSS, wet basis), CSS7.5, CSS10.0, CSS12.5; (ii) a conventional mineral fertilizer (CF); (iii) a control (CT) without CSS and CF application. The available levels of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were evaluated in soil samples collected in the 0–0.2 and 0.2–0.4 m soil surface horizons. The concentration, extraction, and export of micronutrients in the leaf and productivity of common beans were evaluated. The concentration of Cu, Fe, and Mn ranged from medium to high in soil. The available levels of B and Zn in the soil increased with the residual rates of CSS, which were statistically not different from the treatments with CF. The nutritional status of the common bean remained adequate. The common bean showed a higher requirement for micronutrients in the second year. The leaf concentration of B and Zn increased in the CSS7.5 and CSS10.0 treatments. There was a greater extraction of micronutrients in the second year. Productivity was not influenced by the treatments; however, it was higher than the Brazilian national average. Micronutrients exported to grains varied between growing years but were not influenced by treatments. We conclude that CSS can be used as an alternative source of micronutrients for common beans grown in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tanjung Karang Village is a priority tourism destination. Strategic tourist destinations need to maintain environmental cleanliness to achieve sustainable waste management to create comfort and satisfaction for visitors. The purpose of this study is to analyze the generation, weight, composition of waste, and influencing factors. The method in this study is a field survey to measure the generation and weight of waste with 13 households sample for 8 days. Data analysis has analyzed the Kolmogorov Smirnov Normality Test and the Dummy Variable Multiple Regression Test. The waste generation in Tanjung Karang Village is 3 liters/person/day and the weight of waste is 0.5 kg/person/day. The composition of the most waste is 56% organic waste. 28% plastic. and the others are metal, B3 waste, paper, glass, and so on. The most widely used plastic waste is food packaging plastic, High Density (HD), and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Influencing factors the generation and weight of waste are type of house, number of occupants, land area, occupation, and income. The recommendation for waste management in Tanjung Karang Village is that 56% of organic waste can be processed by composting, ecoenzyme, and biopore holes. Plastic waste 18% can be reduced by using plastic converted into containers.

The concentration of heavy metals in fields used as urban waste dump sites in Owerri, Imo state Nigeria was evaluated. Three dumpsites were selected from Avu (along Port Harcourt Road), Mechanic village (opposite Tipper Park) and Egbeada housing (along Onitsha Road). Site selection was based on the presence of the dumps for at least 10 years. Soil samples were collected from the dumpsites and 100 m away from the dumpsite as control, using soil auger at depth of 0 -15 cm and 15-30 cm. Cassava crops were planted on all the sites and the cassava roots were sampled alongside the soil for the study of heavy metal contents in plant roots. Routine soil analysis and plant root analysis were carried out to determine the physio-chemical characteristics and heavy metal contents of the soil and plant roots. Results showed that heavy metal contents of soils and plants are significantly (p = 0.05) higher in the dumpsites than the control except for Cd which did not show significant difference. Also results showed that Cd and Pb content of soil and plants are higher (4.17 and 3.17 mg/kg, respectively) for soil and (0.2 and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively) for plant roots. It is therefore recommended that farmers should avoid growing crops in urban waste dumpsites to avoid food contamination and health hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to study the overall perception, awareness, practice, and willingness on solid waste management of the residents of an industrial district in India. The results suggest that the awareness regarding SWM was mostly impacted by the region of inhabitant with urban dwellers remaining aware about the ill-effects of solid waste (88.67%), the timing of garbage cleaning (53.91%), and regularity in solid waste cleaning (68.36%) than their counterparts in the rural sector with 79.91, 34.11, and 45.79%, respectively. The practice, however, showed variability with gender determining the use of separate bins (51.87% males and 67.69% females), region determining burning of plastic (17.97% urban and 37.85% rural), gender (56.44% males and 75.11% females), and region (73.44% urban and 56.07% rural) determining the use of community bins and education (OR = 2.917; CI = 1.258 – 6.764) for reuse of wastes. Similarly, willingness also showed variability in results with gender determining the use of paper bags (85.06% males and 94.76% females), occupation determining the community participation (OR = 3.557, CI = 1.162 – 10.890), gender determining the installation of composting plant (75.93% males and 82.28% females) and age determining the financial contribution (OR = 1.995, CI = 1.039 – 3.831). The result obtained suggests that the overall public perception of solid waste among the residents is not satisfactory. In addition, the government should take steps to engage the general people in addressing local and regional solid waste challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing countries, the sustainable management of materials into a circular economy framework is conditioned by several constraints, being economic limitations one of the most relevant. Integrated waste management could effectively aid in overcoming them. This work presents an exhaustive analysis from both economic and environmental points of view addressing the selection and design of treatment alternatives for the integrated management of urban and industrial wastes. We propose a mixed-integer mathematical programming formulation to determine the optimal set of treatments to convert wastes into energy, marketable products or innocuous materials, and we endorse the environmental performance through a life cycle analysis. In our case study, urban wastes include sewage sludge and municipal solid waste, while industrial wastes come from two sources: drill cuttings (an important oil and gas industry residue) and seasonal pomace waste from fruit processing. Treatment alternatives comprise anaerobic digestion, composting, recycling, bioremediation, compost amendment, thermal desorption and final disposal in landfill. Results for different scenarios show that even though the most profitable alternative is to dispose drill cuttings in landfills while processing organic wastes by anaerobic digestion, integrated management using biological treatment alternatives provides a more sustainable and still profitable strategy. We also demonstrate that the process integration increases the profitability and reduces the environmental impact significantly when compared with separate treatment alternatives for waste streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of Covid-19 in Kenya saw a resurgence of state policing, violence and repression as the state sought ways of decisively containing the spread. This was accompanied by a discourse of "being at war" with a novel and invisible enemy. As a result, terms such as shutdown, lockdown, curfew and isolation were mobilised by state agents and organs not only to refer to the concerted efforts of dealing with the pandemic; they also served to show the state's reach and to justify the excessive exercise of power and control. Through the analysis of two hip-hop songs, "Pandemic" by Kitu Sewer featuring Robah, and "Pandemik" by the Ochungulo Family, this article examines the artists' representation of the state's idioms of closure and pandemic-mediated violence, while at the same time necessitating a reimagination of sociality, freedom and resistance in Kenya's urban margins. Analysing the songs' recourse to Kenyan anti-colonial struggles and ratchetness, I argue that the artists present Nairobi's margins as war zones where several pandemics intersect. In addition, I contend that the artists invite a rethinking of a collapsing world in the face of multiple pandemics as offering the possibility of regeneration and transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, various electrochemical cells were developed from carbons recovered from mechanical seal carbons, electric motor brush carbons (MBC) and AA battery carbons (BC). After the different types of carbons were conditioned, three electrooxidation devices were assembled, where the carbons were used as anode, and the cathode was stainless steel 304 SS. In each of the devices, three different separations between the anode and the cathode were considered: 1/8”, 3/16” and 1/4”. The electrical characterization of each of the cells was carried out using a sodium bisulfite solution (NaHSO3 ), with and without system agitation. The results indicated that agitation was not a factor that significantly affected the voltage conduction. The voltametric behavior revealed that the highest current density was presented by the MBC (39.2 mA/cm² ) for a separation of 1/8”, followed by the BC (17.45 mA/cm² ) for the same separation. To select the best arrangement, the premature wear of the anode was also considered. In this instance the BC did not present carbon detachment, so it was selected to carry out the degradation of 17-α-ethinyl estradiol. The degradation efficiency was 74% in 2 h. The identification of by-products by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry revealed the majority presence of carboxylic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban agriculture development often faces the problem of soil pollution. Soil engineering consisting in the addition over polluted soils of a top layer made of recycled wastes is a promising solution. This study was co-constructed with urban farmers and aimed at testing in situ the feasibility of growing vegetables safe for consumption in substrates consisting of organic and inorganic waste, directly overlaying soil polluted by trace elements (TE). Two plants were tested: radishes and tomatoes. Three substrates were tested: 1) sheep manure mixed with composted ramial chipped wood (SHW); 2) biowaste compost mixed with mushroom compost and ramial chipped wood (BMW); and 3) deep excavated subsoils mixed with green waste compost (EXC). Only radishes grown in EXC presented levels of TE below the threshold values. For all the other cases, cadmium levels were above the threshold values. This result concerning plant contamination by TE is consistent with a contamination of SHW and BMW substrates by the polluted soil underneath. EXC contained lower TE content, suggesting that mineral materials limited the transfer from the polluted soil towards the substrate overlay. We concluded that adding a combination of mineral and organic waste on top of polluted soils may better mitigate vegetables contamination than adding only organic waste. However, this result was not observed for all tested vegetables. More research is needed to evaluate the best substrate candidate and its adequate thickness, to study its physico-chemical evolution over a longer period of time and to test a larger panel of vegetables.

Rapid urbanization and population growth are stressing the present agricultural systems and could threaten food security in the near future. Sustainable development in agriculture is a way out to such enormously growing food demand. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are considered pivotal to providing adequate nutrition and health to plants and maintaining soil microbial dynamics. In the present study, municipal solid waste composts (MSWC) were studied for the presence of PGPB and their growth-promoting characteristics such as ammonium production, siderophores production, phosphorus solubilization and potassium solubilization, IAA (indole acetic acid), and HCN production. Four promising isolates were chosen and identified through 16S rRNA sequencing as Bacillus sp. strain L5-1, Bacillus pumilus strain EE107-P5, Bacillus sp. strain LSRBMoFPIKRGCFTRI6 and Bacillus sp. strain LPOC3. The potential of isolates is validated using Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and was found to improve its growth significantly. The findings indicated the presence of potential Bacillus strains in MSWCs, and these composts can be utilized as biofertilizers for urban agricultural practices. However, studies concerning their impact on other crops' growth and health are still underdeveloped. Since MSWCs might carry hazardous metals or chemicals, their evaluation for the safe application on the crops should also be assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of solid urban waste is one of the biggest problems currently faced by society and the economy. It can be considered a negative externality that arises as a consequence of the production and consumption processes of industry and society. This study consists of a bibliometric analysis to recognize the articles published and included in high-impact scientific journals, as well as a systematic review of the literature. We have collected 1897 research articles from the Scopus database that have been published between 1981 and 2021. We have identified the main subject areas, authors, institutions, and countries of these publications, as well as research trends in terms of resource management. Our findings show that since the 20th century, there has been quantitative and qualitative growth in this line of research, especially since 2006, and that four main trends have been defined: environment, society, technical aspects, and economic aspects. The economic field makes reference to the circular economy and its link to the objectives and sustainable development goals of the 2030 agenda, in which there is an important need to provide solutions to the problems generated as a consequence of the inadequate management of solid waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), particularly the indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were first quantified in water and sediments of two wadis, Boujemaâ and Seybouse, as well as in the effluents from a fertilizer and phytosanitary production industrial plant (Fertial). Since these contaminated discharges end in Annaba Bay (Algeria) in the Mediterranean Sea, with a significant level of contamination, all the potential sources should be identified. In this work, this task is conducted by a multivariate analysis. Liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods were applied to quantify seven PCB congeners, usually taken as indicators of contamination. The sum of the PCB concentrations in the sediments ranged from 1 to 6.4 μg/kg dw (dry weight) and up to 0.027 μg/L in waters. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used for the multivariate analysis, indicating that the main sources of PCB emissions in the bay are urban/domestic and agricultural/industrial. The outfalls that mostly contribute to the pollution of the gulf are the Boujemaâ wadi, followed by the Seybouse wadi, and finally by the Fertial cluster and more precisely the annex basin of the plant. Although referring to a specific site of local importance, the work aims to present a procedure and a methodological analysis that can be potentially applicable to further case studies all over the world.

A significant issue is reducing the amount of biological waste that is disposed of in landfills, particularly in high-density residential areas. The Wastes Framework Directive (98/2008), in particular, sets forward the legal requirements for source separation in the European Union's (EU) environmental legislation. The directive sets a target for separate collection of 10% of the organic waste produced in each municipality by 2030, especially with regard to organic waste. The pilot experience of an integrated biowaste management system that supports source separation and urban composting in an Autonomous Composting Unit (ACU) was presented in this study. The Municipality of Rhodes installed five ACUs in various locations. Used food and green waste are the two types of waste that are deposited in the ACUs. The development of a system for the collection of produced biowaste and its treatment at the source, without producing a nuisance, within an urban area, is the goal of this innovation. Since landfilling of mixed municipal solid waste has long been a common practice on the island of Rhodes, as well as in many other locations of insular and mainland Greece, this technique was introduced as a novel implementation and innovation for the region. The results showed that biowaste source separation was successfully carried out by citizens, resulting in high-purity feed. All ACUs produce compost that is of a standard quality. In accordance with the principles of the circular economy, this study showed that ACUs are a sustainable solution for taking a closed unit approach to the biowaste management problem in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The addition of adequate proportions of organic residues to formulate substrates with soil, render positive results on germination and seedling growth by providing benefits to the physical and chemical attributes of the soil. Determining an adequate proportion of such residues is essential to obtain seedlings exhibiting morphophysiological quality. This study aims to evaluate seed emergence and the development of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz and Cassia grandis L. f. seedlings in organic substrates. The experiment was set in a completely randomized design arranged in 2 x 3 x 5 factorial scheme, consisting of two soil classes (Oxisol and Entisol), three types of organic substrate (COP (organic compost from tree pruning + cattle and goat manure), CLU (urban waste compost), RES (residue from the extraction of sisal fiber) and five percentages of organic residues (0, 20, 40, 60, 80). The percentage of emergence and emergence speed of seeds, plant height, number of leaves, root length and dry mass were determined. The species showed better results for these variables when adding organic residues to the substrate. The addition of 80% COP or CLU to the substrate provided higher mean values for percentage of emergence in seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, and the substrate constituted by only soil provided higher dry mass in seedlings of this species. The combination of 50% COP and 50% soil (Oxisol and Entisol) resulted in higher means for the percentage of seed emergence, velocity of emergence and biomass production in Cassia grandis L. f. seedlings.

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Waste management is currently facing multiple challenges worldwide. The population growth in urban areas and related environmental concerns have increased the need to promote urban sustainability, namely where urban waste is a challenge. Thus, research on efficient waste management to reduce resources overload and to develop more sustainable production and consumption is key. Having this in mind, modern society is now seeking for an active voice and to be part of the decision-making processes that directly affect citizens. Citizens need to play an active role on decision-making to co-construct action guidelines, aiming a higher implementation success for an effective and inclusive management of urban waste. In this sense, UrbanWINS project was developed to promote co-construction and implementation of pilot actions involving citizens. In this paper the authors described the framework developed, and reflect critically on the results achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slums are populated poor areas inside urban centers, mostly deprived of good-quality public services and exposed to inappropriate waste disposal and energy poverty. Using the organic fraction waste from these communities to generate high value-added products, including electricity, heat, and fertilizer, provides a circular bioeconomy with mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, reducing environmental pollution and diseases. The present study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of producing bioelectricity from the biogas obtained through the anaerobic digestion of the 400,000 tons of food waste generated in São Paulo's slums, the largest city in Latin America. The biogas potential was calculated using results obtained from previous studies, expanded to the slums, mapped, and discussed the environmental impact of waste mismanagement and the renewable energy source (RES) integration into the local energy system. The results show a bioelectricity potential of up to 147,734 MWh/y, representing 1.3% of the residential electricity demand with an associated potential reduction of 2111.7 CO2eq Gg/y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic wastes originating from livestock, agro-industry or urban activities may represent true resources when recycled for new uses, for example, as soil improvers, organic fertilizers or bioenergy sources. The compositional characteristics of these organic resources (ORs) can vary considerably depending on origin, nature, processing, stage, and state. Despite being of potential interest to different stakeholders in a circular economy, the variability in OR characteristics and the difficulty of accessing reliable, fast and inexpensive analysis methods may curb the recycling of OR in the agriculture or bioenergy sectors. As is the case in other low-income countries, scarcity of data on OR characteristics and the difficulty in assessing these data (due to cost and the sparsity of laboratories) is particularly acute in Madagascar, thus impairing the rational utilization of OR in the agricultural or bioenergy sectors. Visible-near infrared spectroscopy (VIS-NIR) has proven to be suitable for the fast, reliable and low-cost determination of the composition of different ORs, usually through the development of calibration models based on one type of OR by single research or lab groups. It is challenging to develop VIS-NIR models based on several types of ORs encompassing a wide range of target characteristics. Another challenging issue is the extension of databases containing spectra acquired on different spectrometers to increase model genericity. In both cases, standardization can be performed to resolve the problem of developing models for diverse ORs whose spectra originate from different laboratories. To assess the ability to develop VIS-NIR models with as much genericity as possible, we built a large database containing a wide diversity of ORs produced in Madagascar. The data presented in this paper were obtained by chemical and spectral analyses of 1,000 ORs collected from five districts in Madagascar. The data are accompanied by fine-grained metadata defined by 32 descriptors of ORs, including origin (animal, agro-industrial, and urban); nature (manure, agro-industrial waste, and compost); farm type (smallholder and agricultural factory); exploitation type (smallholder farm, factory farm, on-farm compost facility, and town compost facility); diversity of animal feed, litter, sex, and age; and diversity of bedding material. The chemical properties (including the organic nitrogen, organic carbon, organic matter, inorganic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, cadmium, and lead and soluble, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and cutin fractions) were analyzed following laboratory standards. The number of analyses performed ranged from 39 to 180 depending on the chemical property. VIS-NIR spectra were acquired using a Labspec spectrometer. To facilitate the merging of spectral data or the development of VIS-NIR models based on broad datasets, the spectra were presented in raw form and after standardization. The dataset is original in terms of sources and width. This dataset should be of particular interest to chemometricians, biogeochemists, agronomists, energy planners, hygienists and other professionals involved in recycling ORs for various new purposes in low-income countries and elsewhere.

Composted sewage sludge (CSS) is an organic fertilizer that can be used as a source of micronutrients in agriculture. However, there are few studies with CSS to supply micronutrients for the bean crop. We aimed to evaluate micronutrient concentrations in the soil and their effects on nutrition, extraction, export, and grain yield in response to CSS residual application. The experiment was carried out in the field at Selvíria-MS, Brazil. The common bean cv. BRS Estilo was cultivated in two agricultural years (2017/18 and 2018/19). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with four replications. Six different treatments were compared: (i) four increasing CSS rates, i.e., CSS5.0 (5.0 t ha−1 of applied CSS, wet basis), CSS7.5, CSS10.0, CSS12.5; (ii) a conventional mineral fertilizer (CF); (iii) a control (CT) without CSS and CF application. The available levels of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were evaluated in soil samples collected in the 0–0.2 and 0.2–0.4 m soil surface horizons. The concentration, extraction, and export of micronutrients in the leaf and productivity of common beans were evaluated. The concentration of Cu, Fe, and Mn ranged from medium to high in soil. The available levels of B and Zn in the soil increased with the residual rates of CSS, which were statistically not different from the treatments with CF. The nutritional status of the common bean remained adequate. The common bean showed a higher requirement for micronutrients in the second year. The leaf concentration of B and Zn increased in the CSS7.5 and CSS10.0 treatments. There was a greater extraction of micronutrients in the second year. Productivity was not influenced by the treatments; however, it was higher than the Brazilian national average. Micronutrients exported to grains varied between growing years but were not influenced by treatments. We conclude that CSS can be used as an alternative source of micronutrients for common beans grown in winter.

This work is focused on optimising a low-temperature delignification as holocellulose purification pretreatment of Platanus acerifolia leaf waste for second-bioethanol production. Delignification was accomplished by acid-oxidative digestion using green reagents: acetic acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide 1:1. The effect of reaction time (30–90 min), temperature (60–90 °C), and solid loading (5–15 g solid/20 g liquid) on delignification and solid fraction yield were studied. The process parameters were optimised using the Box–Behnken experimental design. The highest attained lignin removal efficiency was larger than 80%. The optimised conditions of delignification, while maximising holocellulose yield, pointed to using the minimum temperature of the examined range. Analysis of variance on the solid fraction yield and the lignin removal suggested a linear model with a negative influence of the temperature on the yield. Furthermore, a negative effect of the solid loading and low effect of temperature and time was found on the degree of delignification. Then the temperature range was extended back to 60 °C, providing 71% holocellulose yield and 70% while improving energy efficiency by working at a lower temperature. Successful lignin removal was confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. As evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, the solid structure presented an increased exposition of the cellulose fibre structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane demands large amounts of nutrients to reach a high level of productivity. Nutrients are generally supplied by mineral fertilizers, but their high costs and negative environmental impacts have generated interest in greater use of organic nutrient sources such as composted sewage sludge (CSS). In this study, we evaluated changes in soil chemical properties after the application of CSS or CSS/mineral fertilizer (MF) combinations to soil containing sugarcane seedlings under nursery conditions. Treatments included: T1: conventional mineral fertilization (MF) without application of CSS, T2: 100% of the recommended MF (06–30–24); T3: application of 2.5 Mg−1 CSS; T4: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS, T5: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS, T6: 2.5 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T7: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T8: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T9: 2.5 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF, T10: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF, T11: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF. Soil chemical properties were evaluated from the soil surface (0.0–0.25 m) and subsurface (0.25–0.50 m) horizons. The results showed that the increase in CSS application did not affect soil organic matter content at either depth, while Zn concentrations increased in the soil subsurface horizon. The application of CSS at 5.0 Mg ha−1 with or without 50% MF resulted in the highest pH values, sum of bases, cation-exchange capacity, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn in surface horizons. The use of CSS as an organic fertilizer in sugarcane nurseries improves soil fertility, reduces mineral fertilizer requirements, and, thus, facilitates the sustainable disposal of sewage sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushroom wastes are available in high volumes, with 5 million tons of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) being disposed of globally every year. Due to this high availability, various forms of SMS have been researched for their use as alternative animal feeds. Additionally, experimental techniques can be used to grow certain mushroom species, such as oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) on various lignocellulosic waste materials. Therefore, the SMS from Pleurotus sp. grown on these waste materials may offer a promising conversion from a waste material to a low-cost, nutritionally sufficient feed. However, little research has been done to determine if feeds from Pleurotus SMS specifically grown on urban waste substrates offer the same benefits. Given rising awareness on circularity and urban self-sufficiency, growing mushrooms on urban waste is a promising solution which should be investigated. This paper assesses the feasibility of using SMS from golden oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) grown on urban waste as dairy cattle feed, comparing substrate ratios to determine which would result in the most desirable protein and fiber contents. SMS from three experimental substrates of cardboard and spent coffee grounds (SCG) were compared to traditional dairy cattle feeds. Treatments 2 and 3 were found to be suitable for use as additives to traditional feeds in small replacement amounts. However, both treatments also had high fiber content, which may affect practicality of use as feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]