Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems

The rapidly rising generation of municipal solid waste jeopardizes the environment and contributes to climate heating. Based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, we here develop a global systematic approach for evaluating the potentials to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from the implementation of circular municipal waste management systems. We contrast two sets of global scenarios until 2050, namely baseline and mitigation scenarios, and show that mitigation strategies in the sustainability-oriented scenario yields earlier, and major, co-benefits compared to scenarios in which inequalities are reduced but that are focused solely on technical solutions. The sustainability-oriented scenario leaves 386 Tg CO2eq/yr of GHG (CH4 and CO2) to be released while air pollutants from open burning can be eliminated, indicating that this source of ambient air pollution can be entirely eradicated before 2050.

Municipal Waste Management in Poland Compared to Other European Union Countries

The paper discusses the current state of municipal waste management in Poland compared to other European Union countries. It indicates the amounts of municipal waste generated over the last few years in Poland and other EU countries. The paper compares waste treatment methods in Poland and Europe, such as recycling, composting, thermal treatment and waste disposal. An analysis of municipal waste processing installations in Poland is presented. The trends in the municipal waste management system in recent years have also been described. In the field of municipal waste management in Poland, there have been significant changes. The amount of waste sent to landfills has decreased, and the amount of waste recovered and recycled has increased. These changes are positive and reflect the development of municipal waste management systems in other EU countries. The article indicates the problems and directions of changes in the field of municipal waste management in Poland in the coming years, especially in the context of the implementation of circular economy assumptions and the goals set by the European Union in terms of increase the level of waste recycling and reducing their disposal.

Streamlining the Municipal Waste Management System in the City of Nitra (Slovak Republic) Based on a Public Survey

The main problems of the city of Nitra (Slovak Republic) in the field of municipal waste management include: 1. High production of municipal waste per capita; 2. Low rate of its separation; 3. High landfill rate; 4. No opportunity for composting; 5. Establishment of illegal landfills in the city; 6. Low waste prevention rate. To identify the attitudes and opinions of the respondents, and to evaluate certain behavioural practices of the inhabitants of Nitra in the management of municipal solid waste, we used a structured questionnaire (realized in 2020). The results of the questionnaire correspond to the behaviour of 4911 inhabitants of the city (6.46%). This paper evaluates the respondents’ answers, which could be utilised by the local government—not only for a more appropriate setting of municipal waste management and separation, but also in waste prevention and monitoring changes in the consumer behaviour of city residents. The degree of separation in individual housing construction (IHC) and complex housing construction (CHC) was statistically evaluated and compared separately. For paper and glass, a higher degree of separation was reflected in CHC; while conversely, households living in CHC avoided bio-waste and kitchen waste more than IHC households. The most common reason for not participating in the separate collection was the lack of collection containers, the distance of containers from their households, or the low frequency of their collection. The results of the questionnaire show the need for more rigorous education about waste generation, its proper separation, and its prevention.

Migrations and the environment – selected legal aspects

The article analyses the environmental aspects of migration in the context of their environmental causes and effects, focusing, however, on the effects. It was recognized that negative changes in the environment are becoming a more and more frequent cause of migration and may lead to a very wide range of migration, which would be very difficult to control. This will, among other things, have environmental effects in countries targeted by migrants. These effects are considered, using the example of Poland and the need to provide migrants with appropriate living conditions, based on legal regulations relating to the provision of drinking water, sewage disposal and municipal waste management. Such situations should be considered by the state by preparing appropriate action strategies, determining the sources of their financing, and introducing the necessary legislative changes.

Key Determinants of Municipal Waste Sorting in Slovakia

The Slovak Republic does not meet the targets of the waste economy in the long run. In order to meet these objectives, it is necessary to make changes to the current system of municipal waste management. Building on an empirical analysis, this paper focuses on the evaluation of the production of municipal waste and the factors that influence the level of municipal waste sorting as a prerequisite for the maximal re-use, recovery, or recycling of municipal waste. The type of fee for municipal waste was confirmed as the most significant factor for the higher rate of municipal waste sorting, and pertinent recommendations were suggested according to the needs of Slovak municipalities.

Financial efficiency of the municipal waste management system on the example of selected cities in Poland

Purpose of the study: The municipal waste management system covers all activities related to waste, and its organization is a mandatory task of the local government. The system is financed by income from fees paid by property owners in the commune and should be balanced. The aim of the paper is to assess the functioning of waste management systems in selected cities in Poland, in terms of their self-financing. Methodology: The comparative analysis covered the revenues and expenses related to municipal waste management systems as well as the fee rates in 2020. In some cases, the change of the phenomenon over time was analyzed. Main findings: In seven out of ten analyzed cities, the system was deficient, while the other ones generated a surplus, which could result from an increase in the fee rates. Compared to other cities, high rates do not cause a surplus of the system, an example of which is Łódź. The presented data, concerning the last two or three years, are insufficient to explain clearly what is behind the shortages of municipal waste management systems. Application of the study: The content of the paper may be useful for local government practitioners and other people dealing with the effectiveness of municipal finance. Originality/Novelty of the study: The municipal waste management system in communes, described in the paper, is used in Poland since 2013 and is still being modificated. There are no studies on its effectiveness and efficiency. The presented data may inspire to a deeper analysis, which should be subjected to the financial efficiency of municipal waste management systems in the time perspective.

THE LEGAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC PROCESSES OF MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND UKRAINE

The article clarifies the substantial organizational and economic risks ahead, on the way for Ukraine to meet its committed targets to transform waste management system to become in full accordance with those implemented in the European Union. Both, European and Ukrainian legislation in this regard are analyzed, categorized, and compared to highlight the core differences and identify the gaps in the ones that are implemented in Ukraine. The environmental and economic results of waste management in Germany and Ukraine revealed, that Ukraine is not demonstrating satisfactory improvement during the last 7 years since the association agreement was signed. The article identifies 5 key recommendations, that would allow Ukraine to match up with European countries in municipal waste management (household waste management according to Ukrainian classification system), these recommendation are summarized as follows: centralized legislation approach, where all essential regulations are approved by the central government and unified for all regions; promptness, and operative attitude to take all necessary actions related to waste management; guaranteeing measurability and control over each waste management stage, that should lead to creating fully informative digital database; implementing “Peeling away method” to ensure that all potential secondary raw material and high calorific value waste is reused of converted into alternative energy resources; and finally, creating comprehensive and cohesive legislative package that works all together as integrated system. Centralized/local legislative distribution analysis, and structure of public information on waste in the official portal are provided for the first time in a scientific research, to the best knowledge of the authors. “The peeling away method”, described in this article, is used for the first time as well, to explain in simple way, the European strategy to minimize the amount of waste that is sent to landfill.