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Municipal Solid Waste Management (2nd Edition)—Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Strategies
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Municipal Solid Waste Management (2nd Edition)—Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Strategies

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Waste and Recycling".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 6000

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Carlos A. Teixeira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes & Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: waste management; circular economy; multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA); life cycle assessment (LCA)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The second edition of our special issue Solid Waste Management aims to address the ever-increasing challenges associated with Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Strategies on solid waste management. This edition intends to promote waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery, encouraging a transition towards a circular economy. By embracing emerging technologies, community engagement, and policy interventions, this special issue seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the latest advancements in the field.

The second edition of our special issue Municipal Solid Waste Management will shed light on new approaches that tackle the challenges associated with waste management. By embracing circular economy principles, advanced technologies, decentralized models, behavioral interventions, and digital solutions, we can advance the field towards a more sustainable future. We look forward to receiving high-quality submissions that contribute to the global discourse on sustainable waste management.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  1. Embracing Circular Economy Principles:

Circular economy principles in municipal solid waste management. We invite authors to explore innovative approaches such as material substitution, product design for recyclability, and waste-to-resource conversion, creating a regenerative system that maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes waste generation.

  1. Technological Advancements in Waste Sorting and Processing:

Highlighting the role of technology, this edition aims to showcase advanced automated sorting systems, optical recognition techniques, and AI-powered waste disposal units. Authors are encouraged to contribute research papers and case studies presenting state-of-the-art technologies that streamline waste sorting, recycling, and transformation processes to optimize resource recovery.

  1. Decentralized Waste Management Models:

This edition aims to explore decentralized waste management models that empower local communities and create smaller-scale, self-sustaining waste management systems. We invite submissions that showcase successful examples of decentralized collection, treatment, and disposal methods, focusing on cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.

  1. Waste Minimization and Behavioral Interventions:

To combat the burgeoning waste crisis, we encourage research on waste-minimization strategies that combine behavioral interventions, public awareness campaigns, and education initiatives. Authors are invited to share empirical studies, policy proposals, and best practices that aim to instill behavioral change and promote sustainable waste management habits at individual and community levels.

  1. Integration of Digital Solutions in Waste Management:

Digital solutions have the potential to revolutionize waste management systems. The special issue seeks manuscripts that explore the integration of IoT, big data, and data analytics in waste collection, recycling, and disposal processes. Novel applications such as smart bins, route optimization algorithms, and waste tracking systems have the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of waste management practices.

Dr. Carlos A. Teixeira
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • circular economy
  • waste management
  • sustainable urban infrastructure
  • resource optimization
  • industrial symbiosis

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

36 pages, 954 KiB  
Article
Thermochemical Techniques for Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste Based on the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Hypersoft Evaluation Based on the Distance from the Average Solution Technique
by Rana Muhammad Zulqarnain, Hongwei Wang, Imran Siddique, Rifaqat Ali, Hamza Naveed, Saalam Ali Virk and Muhammad Irfan Ahamad
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030970 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 481
Abstract
The processing and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) are global problems, particularly in low- to middle-income states like Pakistan. These economic systems will need to tackle problems regarding municipal solid waste disposal to accomplish a sustainable future in waste management. Still, the [...] Read more.
The processing and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) are global problems, particularly in low- to middle-income states like Pakistan. These economic systems will need to tackle problems regarding municipal solid waste disposal to accomplish a sustainable future in waste management. Still, the determination of MSW procedures is frequently influenced by unstable, vague, and inadequately stated criteria. To deal with this issue, we designed an interactive model that uses intuitionistic fuzzy hypersoft sets (IFHSSs) to find the optimal thermochemical processing system for MSW. The main objective of this research is to define interactional operational laws for intuitionistic fuzzy hypersoft numbers and to use these laws to build interaction aggregation operators (AOs) and ordered AOs along with their basic characteristics. Based on developed operators, a novel Evaluation Based on the Distance from the Average Solution (EDAS) technique is proposed to integrate multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) issues. The suggested strategy is used to analyze five thermochemical treatment techniques for MSW, using a case study focusing on Pakistan’s particular MSW administration problems to choose the most economical technique. Therefore, the new structure is assessed with established methodologies to illustrate its stability. The comparison of results proves that the implications of the stated approach will be more effective and capable than the existing approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Municipal Solid Waste Management (2nd Edition)—Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Strategies)
16 pages, 3592 KiB  
Article
Presence of Humic Acids in Landfill Leachate and Treatment by Flocculation at Low pH to Reduce High Pollution of This Liquid
by Carlos Costa, M. Laura Pinedo and Brayan D. Riascos
Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 481; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020481 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 774
Abstract
Humic substances are abundant in landfill leachate, especially humic acids, which are insoluble at low pH in aqueous solutions. Focusing on the chemical properties of humic acids, we describe in this work a new method for a sustainable treatment of landfill leachate originated [...] Read more.
Humic substances are abundant in landfill leachate, especially humic acids, which are insoluble at low pH in aqueous solutions. Focusing on the chemical properties of humic acids, we describe in this work a new method for a sustainable treatment of landfill leachate originated from solid wastes, which consists of the reduction of organic load (COD, chemical oxygen demand) and colour and is based in the gradual decrease in pH to the value in which HAs are insoluble in water solution. Zeta potential values mark the chemical stage of humic acids because of ionisation–protonation of the phenolic and carboxylic groups, and this parameter is monitored during flocculation, changing from −16.8 mV at pH 7.7 to 0.0068 mV at pH 2.0, when HAs precipitate. The final result is the reduction in the organic matter content (COD) and colour in the leachate, 86.1% and 84.7%, respectively. Solids produced by precipitation during the acidification treatment have been characterized by elemental chemical analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, concluding a high similarity in chemical composition with commercial and natural humic acids. Protonated humic acids at low pH can interact with other molecules by hydrogen bonds and form bigger molecular structures much more unstable in suspension, which conduct to precipitation. The mean diameter of the humic acids aggregates was measured, detecting the formation of big molecular structures at low pH. This process is analysed and compared economically with other processes proposed for landfill leachate treatment, resulting in a promising technique for the management of this residue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Municipal Solid Waste Management (2nd Edition)—Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Strategies)
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20 pages, 1976 KiB  
Article
A Proposed Circular Economy Model for Hospital Bio-Waste Management in Municipal Settings
by Anastasios Sepetis, Konstantinos Georgantas and Ioannis Nikolaou
Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010005 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 741
Abstract
This paper presents a proposed circular economy (CE) model for hospital bio-waste management, using Athens as a case study to demonstrate its applicability in urban environments. The model incorporates waste segregation at the source, resource recovery methods such as composting and anaerobic digestion, [...] Read more.
This paper presents a proposed circular economy (CE) model for hospital bio-waste management, using Athens as a case study to demonstrate its applicability in urban environments. The model incorporates waste segregation at the source, resource recovery methods such as composting and anaerobic digestion, and data-driven tools to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare waste management. The study investigates the transition from linear to CE practices, focusing on structured collection strategies, collaborative efforts between hospitals and municipal authorities, and continuous tracking of waste flows. A comprehensive analysis of bio-waste volumes from participating hospitals over a three-year period is conducted, utilizing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tools such as TOPSIS to evaluate the system’s effectiveness. The results indicate a significant increase in hospital participation, improved waste separation, and optimized resource recovery, offering a scalable framework for other municipalities seeking to implement CE-based waste management practices in healthcare settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Municipal Solid Waste Management (2nd Edition)—Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Strategies)
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11 pages, 744 KiB  
Article
Tracking of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Sludge from Treatment Plants for Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste
by Elena Franchitti, Antonino Mafrica and Deborah Traversi
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10922; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410922 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 907
Abstract
Bacteria quickly acquire the ability to survive or grow in the presence of an antibacterial agent that should be able to inhibit or kill them, leading to increased mortality caused by infective diseases. The digestate from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of the organic [...] Read more.
Bacteria quickly acquire the ability to survive or grow in the presence of an antibacterial agent that should be able to inhibit or kill them, leading to increased mortality caused by infective diseases. The digestate from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is spread on soil, but the knowledge on the presence and persistence of the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is limited. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the presence of seven ARGs (blaTEM, blaOXA, ermB, qnrB, sulI, sulII, tetA, and tetW) in the OFMSW and their persistence after the AD, using the innovative droplet digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR), not yet used on this matrix. A total of 31 samples were collected from the influent and effluent of the AD in two plants located in Northern Italy. ARG concentration ranged between 4 and 9 Log gene copies/kg of sludge. A limited reduction in the concentration of antibiotic resistance targets given by AD was observed in the study (<1 Log). The persistence of ARGs after mesophilic digestion of the OFMSW suggests a risk of horizontal transmission when directly spread on soil. Further evaluations are needed for safe and sustainable reuse of such sludges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Municipal Solid Waste Management (2nd Edition)—Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Strategies)
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16 pages, 4926 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Solid Waste Treatment and Management in Typical Chinese Industrial Parks with the Goal of Sustainable Development and Future Suggestions
by Lu Yu, Sichen Chen and Zhe Tan
Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 6731; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166731 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2363
Abstract
Solid waste disposal and management have become a global problem, which is particularly tricky in China with its large population and rapid urbanization. This study focused on the disposal status of multi-source solid waste as well as the park management of some typical [...] Read more.
Solid waste disposal and management have become a global problem, which is particularly tricky in China with its large population and rapid urbanization. This study focused on the disposal status of multi-source solid waste as well as the park management of some typical cities of China. Firstly, the main technical methods for solid waste disposal were summarized as follows: landfill, incineration, anaerobic digestion and aerobic compost. Secondly, the network analysis method was applied to seek an optimized method for solid waste disposal and management. Thirdly, typical demonstration parks for solid waste disposal and management were analyzed to study their respective operating modes and strategies for synergistic development in terms of resources, environment and economy and to explore the sustainable development potential of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao operating mode. The results showed that the collaborative disposal and recycling of solid waste are important for cities (especially megacities) to achieve resource conservation and environmental protection. The NIMBY effect and environmental pollution risks caused by decentralized construction could be reduced through the construction of circular industrial parks. Advanced technologies and the national policy for solid waste disposal and recycling in industrial parks of small–medium cities, large–medium cities and megacities were systematically analyzed so as to explore a self-operating management mode of industrial parks. Finally, reasonable suggestions, such as sharing, saving and cycling and propaganda education, as well as green and low-carbon solutions were put forward for solid waste disposal and management in typical industrial parks, effectively resolving the contradiction between economic development and environmental protection so as to help urban sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Municipal Solid Waste Management (2nd Edition)—Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Strategies)
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