The Center for Sustainable Utilization of Resources: Quantifying Climate Change Impacts of Managing Wastes

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Zannes ◽  
Morton Barlaz ◽  
Marco Castaldi ◽  
Nickolas J. Themelis
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Use Of Resources

The environmental impact and potential for utilization of the billions of tons of used products and materials discarded each year by humanity is immense. The sheer magnitude of the materials and complexity of waste management and reuse make the issue of quantifying impacts and best practices all the more difficult. In recognition of this task, the Earth Engineering Center (EEC) of Columbia University and the Environmental Engineering Group of North Carolina State University combined resources in 2008 to form a research organization that is focused on defining and promoting best practices for sustainable waste management. This is the Center for Sustainable Use of Resources (SUR; wwwSURcenter.org) and its mission is to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions and other life cycle impacts of various “waste” management practices; and use this information for advancing the best practical means for managing used materials, in the U.S. and globally. The SUR Center builds on the strengths of past research at Columbia and North Carolina State on recycling, composting, waste-to-energy, and landfilling. This paper describes some of the research work completed and underway at the Center.

scholarly journals MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ROMANIA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EU. A STAKEHOLDERS’ PERSPECTIVE

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 850-876
Author(s):  
Carmen Nastase ◽  
Carmen Emilia Chașovschi ◽  
Mihaela State ◽  
Adrian-Liviu Scutariu
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Management System ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Recycling Rate ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Waste Management System ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
The Eu

The European waste policy is focused on reducing the negative impact of waste, eliminating the unhealthy use of resources, and on better waste management. The aim of this paper is to analyse Romania’s waste management practices in the EU context. The research methodology is based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis. The descriptive data analysis reveals significant differences among EU countries in terms of the municipal waste generated and the recycling rate. The municipal waste generated registers decrease, whereas there are significant increases in terms of the recycling rates in the EU countries. The qualitative research is based on the analysis of structured interviews among stakeholders, relevant for the waste management in Romania. The information obtained based on interviews was processed using NVivo and the main findings are focused on recommendations for improving the waste management system. We have identified a lack of adequate public support in the waste field due to insufficient awareness programs, lack of operator’s obligation for separate waste sanitation, people's discouragement to separate their household waste, and lack of bins to separate collection. The correction of identified weaknesses could lead to an improved waste management system, feasible only through an active involvement of stakeholders

scholarly journals Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices for Achieving Green Architecture Concepts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Technologies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Eshetu Gelan
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
City Government ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste Management ◽  
Green Architecture

Solid waste is one of the social and environmental challenges that urban areas are facing. The study assesses the state of solid waste in Addis Ababa during 2016–2020 to provide implications for achieving green architecture concepts through better management of solid waste and its economic contribution. The study uses secondary and primary data. Quantitative and qualitative data are analyzed through descriptive statistics and context analysis, respectively. The result reveals that most solid waste is generated from households, followed by commercial centers, street sweeping, industries/factories, hotels, and hospitals, respectively. From 2016 to 2020, an average of 80.28% of solid waste is collected, whereas 19.72% of the waste is not collected. There are little or no efforts made to segregate solid waste at the source. The generated waste is disposed of in the Reppi open landfill. Together with Ethiopian electric power (EEP) and the City Government of Addis Ababa, waste has been converted to energy since 2019. The study suggests minimizing waste from its source by reducing generation, composting, reusing, recycling, waste-to-energy strategy, and well-designed buildings to achieve the concept of green architecture in Addis Ababa through better solid waste management.

scholarly journals Tools for Embedding and Assessing Sustainable Development Goals in Engineering Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12154
Author(s):  
Fermín Sánchez-Carracedo ◽  
Jordi Segalas ◽  
Gorka Bueno ◽  
Pere Busquets ◽  
Joan Climent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Learning Assessment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Development Goals

This paper presents three tools developed within the framework of the project EDINSOST2-SDG, aimed at embedding and assessing the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Engineering curricula. ESD is promoted through the introduction into engineering curricula of learning outcomes related to sustainability and, specifically, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The first tool, the “Engineering Sustainability Map”, contains ESD-related learning outcomes that any engineering student should have acquired upon completion of their studies. These learning outcomes are described according to four sustainability competencies: (1) Critical contextualization of knowledge, (2) Sustainable use of resources, (3) Participation in community processes, and (4) Application of ethical principles. The second tool, the “Sustainability Presence Map” of a degree, shows the percentage of the presence in the curriculum of each sustainability competency. The calculation of the presence of each competency is based on the effective integration of the related learning outcomes into a specific curriculum. Respective data are provided by teachers responsible for the coordination of the different subjects of the degree, collected by means of a questionnaire. The third tool presented is a questionnaire aimed at measuring the level of ESD that students perceive they have acquired through each competency. The comparison of data resulting from the Sustainability Presence Map with the data from the student questionnaire is the first step that allows the effectiveness of embedding ESD in a degree to be determined, a proper learning assessment will confirm such effectiveness. The three tools presented in this work have undergone a validation process and are currently being used in a set of engineering degrees related to the EDINSOST2-SDG project. The results of the application of these tools are part of the future research work of the authors.

scholarly journals A Review on the Current Status of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Nigeria: Problems and Solutions

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
H. A. Salami ◽  
J. O. Adegite ◽  
T. T. Bademosi ◽  
S. O. Lawal ◽  
O. O. Olutayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Management System ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste Management ◽  
Waste Management System ◽  
Recovery Potential

The management of MSW is a major concern in several cities of developing countries due to its public health and environmental sustainability implications. This paper thus presents an overview of the current solid waste management practices and problems in some selected states in Nigeria. In addition to the comprehensive review of MSW generation, its characterization, collection, and treatment options in the considered states, an attempt was made to evaluate the major waste–to–energy indicators such as calorific values and energy (electricity) recovery potential. The legislations in place at the federal level to maintain healthy environment is also lucidly presented. An estimated electricity recovery potential in the range of 48.31 to 933.69 MW with a total of about 2600MW from six states was established. Evidences from literature suggested that the existing solid waste management system is inefficient due to uncoordinated and properly planned waste management system. This paper concludes that the thermochemical conversion of waste-to-energy into electricity is a feasible option in Nigeria, although this might require the input of additional quantity of fuel to initiate combustion since the lower heating values of the considered MSW fall below the optimum stipulated by World bank.

scholarly journals Circular economy is Ukraine: adaptation of European experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
pp. 212-222
Author(s):  
Maryana Ruda ◽  
◽  
Tetiana Yaremchuk ◽  
Maryana Bortnikova ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Use Of Resources

The article examines the development of the circular economy in Ukraine, as well as the prospects of implementation of the experience of leading EU countries in the field of circular economy in Ukraine. The relevance of the study is that for now in Ukraine very few steps have been taken towards a circular economy, although everyone understands its importance. First of all, the meaning of the circular economy is revealed and the main advantages of its implementation in Ukraine are determined. The advantages of the transition to a circular economy are as follows: significant material savings, sustainable use of resources, stimulating innovations, the ability to meet the needs of the ever-growing population of the Earth, economic growth, and income. The circular or closed-loop economy involves the recovery, reuse, and rational use of resources and, through services and smart solutions, leads to added value. The state of resource management in Ukraine and the EU, in particular waste management, is analyzed. It is established that in the field of waste management Ukraine lags far behind developed European countries. Today, huge amounts of waste have accumulated in Ukraine, and currently, there is no developed infrastructure to decide this problem, and landfills themselves have become sources of great environmental danger. The new EU policy and the policy of Ukraine in the field of circular economy are analyzed. Taking into account the best European practices, recommendations are given to Ukraine on the transition from a traditional, linear economy to a circular economy. The main ones are as follows: it is necessary to change the structure of public procurement and focus on environmentally friendly types of production; it is necessary to accelerate the transition of Ukraine from the traditional model of public procurement to the concept of “green” procurement; it is necessary to develop an effective legislative and regulatory framework for the functioning of the circular economy; it is necessary to move to more efficient business models (such as ecodesign, repair, reuse, recovery and exchange of products and maximum prevention of waste generation) and stimulate the development of environmentally friendly technologies; it is expedient to develop programs of financing of projects in the field of circular economy; it is necessary to promote better awareness of consumers about the concept of “circular” economy, environmental “footprint” of goods and services, as well as sustainable consumption; it is necessary to change the method of production and consumption of goods from short-term to long-term, as well as to encourage the economy, businesses and consumers to maximize waste recycling. It is also established that in general, Ukraine’s policy in the field of circular economy should be formed and implemented at all three levels: national, regional, and global. However, each of us can begin to change in the direction of a circular economy (for example, through conscious consumption and resource conservation). It is also important to realize the importance of sorting garbage because its removal to landfills and finding new ones is not the best solution. Garbage needs to be recycled, and this can only be done if it is sorted.

Solid Waste Management Practices in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
pp. 248-269
Author(s):  
Maria Manzoor ◽  
Iram Gul ◽  
Irum Iqrar ◽  
Muhammad Arshad
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Issue ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Waste Management Practices

This chapter covers different aspects of solid waste management (SWM) in Pakistan. Being a developing country, Pakistan is facing serious environmental issue as a result of improper and limited SWM practices. The current status of waste generation is far high than waste management operation working in the country. Detailed information has been provided on account of waste generation per capita, waste composition and types, current status of waste management practices, policy and legislations on solid waste management. Furthermore, particular challenges in local setups for achieving waste management goals have been highlighted. There is urgent need to look into the various options to deal with proper management of solid waste in the country. In this regard, various projects by governmental and private sector have been initiated. Particularly, projects related to waste to energy (WTE) have been planned and operational in certain parts of the country.

scholarly journals Resource recovery and zero waste management option of slaughter house waste in Khulna city corporation of Bangladesh

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-327
Author(s):  
MN Amin
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Zero Waste ◽  
Slaughter House

Presently the slaughter houses of khulna city corporation (KCC) area in Bangladesh are being used in such a way that the wastes come from these are polluting the surrounding environment such as river water, solid surface, air etc. In this circumstance, the research analyzed the management options of this slaughter house wastes and determines how this process would be suitably managed through the community participation. To fulfill the above mentioned objective, the research work was conducted through the questionnaire survey, direct observation, face-to-face interview along with the random sample collection and relevant measures of different factors. The research finding reveals that the total quantity of waste produced from these slaughter houses was 2888.45 tonnes/year. The management of this volume of waste was found as unsatisfactory by the most of the stakeholder groups due to fail of the conservation of public health and ecosystem of the local community. However, the analysis of the research data and other relevant information suggest that the potential management system such as a zero waste management of the wastes of slaughter houses in Khulna City Corporation area is possible to implement for more environmentally friendly development of the society which have the potential to resource reuse (waste-to-energy recovery) and others. Finally, the research recommended three separate designs of the conventional biomethanation plant and a potential biogas production model for these slaughter houses. Keywords: Slaughter house; Biomethanation; Zero waste management; Energy recovery; Khulna city corporation DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v7i2.4742 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 7(2): 321-327, 2009

scholarly journals Food Waste to Energy: An Overview of Sustainable Approaches for Food Waste Management and Nutrient Recycling

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunwar Paritosh ◽  
Sandeep K. Kushwaha ◽  
Monika Yadav ◽  
Nidhi Pareek ◽  
Aakash Chawade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Recycling ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
World Population ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Societal Benefits ◽  
Standard Management ◽  
Computational Resources

Food wastage and its accumulation are becoming a critical problem around the globe due to continuous increase of the world population. The exponential growth in food waste is imposing serious threats to our society like environmental pollution, health risk, and scarcity of dumping land. There is an urgent need to take appropriate measures to reduce food waste burden by adopting standard management practices. Currently, various kinds of approaches are investigated in waste food processing and management for societal benefits and applications. Anaerobic digestion approach has appeared as one of the most ecofriendly and promising solutions for food wastes management, energy, and nutrient production, which can contribute to world’s ever-increasing energy requirements. Here, we have briefly described and explored the different aspects of anaerobic biodegrading approaches for food waste, effects of cosubstrates, effect of environmental factors, contribution of microbial population, and available computational resources for food waste management researches.

scholarly journals Malaysia Moving Towards a Sustainability Municipal Waste Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-40
Author(s):  
Yien Yu Tang ◽  
Kuok Ho Daniel Tang ◽  
Amit Kumar Maharjan ◽  
Azrina Abdul Aziz ◽  
Seng Bunrith
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
The Public ◽  
Recovery System

The elevation of waste generation subsequent to population growth has become a severe environmental topic in Malaysia. Since most of the waste is being dumped into a landfill, the open dumpsite, or unsanitary landfills which are not constructed with proper engineering plan, severe impacts on the environment result. The energy demand in Malaysia increased with the growing population, but reliance on fossil fuels to generate electricity has created another greenhouse gas contributor. Alternatively, waste-to-energy technology solves the problem of increasing waste by converting the waste to a renewable energy source. Malaysia has moved towards landfill gas recovery system and incineration for waste energy recovery. The recovery system and refuse-derived fuel plant achieved expectation; however, the incineration plants have failed due to the opposition of the public, lack of funding and technician expertise, and other technical issues. The solid waste management practices lacking separation and recycling sources, become an obstacle for development. The government puts effort into solving the current issue by promoting recycling in the public, enforcing the legislation, and approaching new technologies for better solid waste management practice in the future. This paper aims to discuss the application of energy recovery from municipal solid waste in Malaysia.

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