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Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability
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Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 July 2024) | Viewed by 6790

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anna Brunerová

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Science, Research and Development, Faculty of Transportation Sciences, Czech Technical University in Prague, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: solid waste management; solid biofuel; biomass; densification; renewable energy; sustainable technologies
Dr. Veronika Chaloupková

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for the Development of Renewable Energy Sources, Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CEDER-CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: sustainable technologies and energy use of biomass; biomass particle analysis; characterization of feedstock material for biofuel production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Effective waste management is essential to curbing pollution, conserving resources, and protecting biodiversity, making it a pivotal aspect of our journey towards an environmentally sustainable and greener future. Waste management is a critical aspect that underpins environmental sustainability, and it requires a strong emphasis on critical thinking to address the complex challenges associated with waste generation and disposal.

This Special Issue delves into the critical issue of waste management, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that can safeguard the planet and ensure a harmonious coexistence between humanity and the environment. By addressing waste-related issues, solutions that protect ecosystems, conserve resources, safeguard public health, combat climate change, and foster a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come may be offered.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcomed. The area of waste management may be discussed with reference to the following topics:

  • Lifecycle thinking: Instead of focusing solely on end-of-life disposal, it is crucial to consider the entire life cycle of products and materials, including extraction, production, distribution, use, and eventual disposal or recycling.
  • Prevention over disposal: The most sustainable waste management strategy is waste prevention. By promoting a circular ecology, where products are designed for durability, repairability, and recyclability, we can minimize waste generation in the first place.
  • Technology and innovation: Implementation of new technologies and processes that can efficiently handle waste, such as waste-to-energy technologies, advanced recycling techniques, and novel materials that are more sustainable.
  • Local context: Waste management solutions must consider the local context, including socio-economic factors, cultural practices, and infrastructural capabilities. Solutions that work well in one region may not be suitable for another.
  • Stakeholder engagement: Environmental sustainability in waste management necessitates involving diverse stakeholders, including governments, industries, communities, and non-governmental organizations. It is important to engage stakeholders to understand their perspectives, needs, and concerns, leading to more inclusive and effective waste management strategies.
  • Education and awareness: Raising awareness about responsible consumption, recycling practices, and waste reduction empowers individuals to make informed choices and actively participate in sustainable waste management.
  • Policy and regulation: Critical thinking plays a vital role in shaping effective waste management policies and regulations by analysing existing policies, identifying gaps, and proposing evidence-based solutions.
  • Integration with other sustainability goals: Waste management is interconnected with issues like climate change, resource depletion, and public health.
  • Collaboration and international cooperation: Waste management is a global challenge that requires collaboration among nations in order to share best practices, knowledge, and resources, ultimately leading to more comprehensive and sustainable waste management solutions worldwide.

In conclusion, critical thinking is essential in waste management for environmental sustainability as it encourages holistic approaches, innovative solutions, and inclusive practices that address the complex and interconnected nature of waste management challenges. It fosters a shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns, enabling us to move closer to a more environmentally resilient and responsible future.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Anna Brunerová
Dr. Veronika Chaloupková
Guest Editors

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

  • environmental conservation
  • sustainable technologies
  • recycling
  • critical thinking
  • circular ecology
  • waste management
  • renewable energy
  • clean energy production

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

23 pages, 8449 KiB  
Article
Towards a Closed-Loop Supply Chain: Assessing Current Practices in Empty Pesticide Container Management in Indonesia
by Lailafitri Handayani, Gatot Yudoko and Liane Okdinawati
Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8310; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198310 - 24 Sep 2024
Viewed by 890
Abstract
Pesticides are essential to modern agriculture, significantly enhancing crop yields and quality to ensure global food security. Their critical role in preventing hunger is highlighted by the notable increase in global pesticide trade over the past decade. In Indonesia, pesticide usage has surged, [...] Read more.
Pesticides are essential to modern agriculture, significantly enhancing crop yields and quality to ensure global food security. Their critical role in preventing hunger is highlighted by the notable increase in global pesticide trade over the past decade. In Indonesia, pesticide usage has surged, with a 24% rise in registered pesticide formulations between 2017 and 2021. However, this increase presents challenges, particularly in the disposal of empty pesticide containers (EPC), which pose substantial environmental and health risks if improperly managed. To address this, a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) is proposed as an effective, eco-friendly solution for the management of EPC waste. This study evaluates the implementation of a CLSC for EPC in Indonesia, employing rich picture analysis and stakeholder interviews to identify key challenges, opportunities, and strengths. Notable challenges include regulatory gaps, financial and operational feasibility, and limited farmer engagement. However, opportunities exist in enhancing environmental sustainability, generating economic benefits, and gaining support from industry groups. One key strength is the widespread practice of triple rinsing among farmers, with 62.63% of respondents already adopting this method. This study underscores the important of establishing clear and enforceable regulations, introducing financial incentives and supportive policies, promoting public–private partnerships, creating targeted behavior change interventions, and ensuring organizational commitments and training programs. These insights are crucial in developing a sustainable CLSC, ensuring both environmental and economic benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability)
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12 pages, 1323 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Common Reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) Biomass Suitability for Solid Biofuels Production
by Tatiana Alexiou Ivanova, Kseniia Paramonova, Olzhas Talipov, Nariman Tanyrbergenov, Talgat Zhakupov and Aibek Akayev
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7378; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177378 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 850
Abstract
From the uncontrolled proliferation of invasive plants, several challenges for the environment arise. Invasive wetland grasses biomass can be collected for biofuel production, thus offering a sustainable solution for invasive plants’ management and contributing to the renewable energy sector. The straw-like shoot biomass [...] Read more.
From the uncontrolled proliferation of invasive plants, several challenges for the environment arise. Invasive wetland grasses biomass can be collected for biofuel production, thus offering a sustainable solution for invasive plants’ management and contributing to the renewable energy sector. The straw-like shoot biomass of common reed (Phragmites australis), widespread across temperate and tropical zones, has been examined to assess its potential use for energy purposes. We seek to determine the fuel-energy characteristics of common reed biomass, which are necessary for converting it into energy through combustion. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to determine the physical and chemical properties of biomass according to the ISO standards for solid biofuels. These properties included calorific values, moisture, ash and volatile matter contents, and contents of C, H, N, and major and minor elements, as well as ash melting behaviour. The measured values were also compared to standard limits for different classes of densified biofuels. Based on the results, the net calorific value (15.33 MJ/kg ar) and other parameters met the requirements for the class A quality of non-woody briquettes and pellets. The only parameters which exceeded the class A limits were ash content (7.1% d.b.) and Cl content (0.16% d.b.). The findings of this study are important for the potential utilisation of common reed biomass for bioenergy as a step towards contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability)
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21 pages, 2201 KiB  
Article
Comparison and Selection of Wet Waste Disposal Modes for Villages in Agriculture-Related Towns Taking Shanghai, China, as an Example
by Yiyao Ni and Zhen Zhang
Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 4936; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16124936 - 8 Jun 2024
Viewed by 977
Abstract
Under the increasingly stringent regulatory constraints, wet waste disposal in agriculture-related towns has become a significant issue. Based on fieldwork in three agriculture-related towns and nine villages located in Shanghai, this paper analyzes the economics and greenhouse gas emissions of three wet waste [...] Read more.
Under the increasingly stringent regulatory constraints, wet waste disposal in agriculture-related towns has become a significant issue. Based on fieldwork in three agriculture-related towns and nine villages located in Shanghai, this paper analyzes the economics and greenhouse gas emissions of three wet waste disposal methods, including centralized disposal, on-site disposal by biogas digesters, and on-site disposal by small-scale biochemical processors, and compares these alternatives by combining various factors, aiming to help decision makers in selecting the optimal alternative. The net present value approach was employed to evaluate the economic aspects of the three disposal methods. The greenhouse gas emissions were calculated using life cycle assessment, life cycle inventory, and the IPCC guidelines. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method was employed for a multi-criteria decision-making analysis based on five factors, including economics, greenhouse gas emission control, stability, compliance with environmental regulations, and location feasibility. The results revealed that although centralized disposal is not as good as on-site disposal by biogas digesters in terms of economics and greenhouse gas emissions, centralized disposal is still the optimal alternative according to the results of multi-criteria decision making. The tightening of regulatory constraints will internalize the negative externalities of on-site wet waste disposal. Thus, centralized disposal is the method of wet waste disposal that is most consistent with the regulatory constraints and most sustainable. It is worth emphasizing that policymakers should fully assess the impact of tightening regulations on the selection of wet waste disposal methods, establish a homogenous waste disposal system covering both urban and rural areas, and enhance the management of existing on-site disposal facilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability)
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28 pages, 3759 KiB  
Article
Waste Plastic in Asphalt Mixtures via the Dry Method: A Bibliometric Analysis
by Isabella M. Bueno and Jamilla E. S. L. Teixeira
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4675; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114675 - 30 May 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 969
Abstract
Although waste plastic (WP) application as a paving material has drawn increasing attention from scholars, there is a lack of studies that summarize the latest development of WP research. Considering there is no standard procedure to incorporate WPs in asphalt mixtures, it is [...] Read more.
Although waste plastic (WP) application as a paving material has drawn increasing attention from scholars, there is a lack of studies that summarize the latest development of WP research. Considering there is no standard procedure to incorporate WPs in asphalt mixtures, it is important to document the major findings from the available literature to identify knowledge gaps to tackle in future research and advance knowledge on this subject. Using a bibliometric analysis method, this study carries out a holistic review of WP articles published from 2003 to 2023, focusing on incorporating WP in asphalt mixtures via the dry method. This study particularly focused on identifying and evaluating individual types of WP mostly used in asphalt mixtures via the dry method and how their most common characteristics (size, shape, and melting point) affect the mixing procedure and the overall mixture’s performance. The analysis highlighted China, the USA, and India as leading countries in WP-related publications. Typically, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the most utilized WPs in the dry method. Smaller WP particle sizes (<2.36 mm) were considered more suitable in asphalt mixtures. In general, studies employing procedures involving WP melting, typically by introducing WP to pre-heated aggregates at temperatures surpassing its melting point, resulted in improved asphalt mixtures with enhanced resistance to rutting, cracking, and moisture damage. In this context, positive performance outcomes were notably observed in studies using HDPE or LDPE, potentially because of their low melting point. The key knowledge gaps identified were the lack of a consistent procedure applicable across studies, a feasibility assessment for scaling laboratory-based procedures to field applications, and laboratory evaluations utilizing advanced performance tests as suggested in the Balance Mix Design (BMD) approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability)
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Review

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18 pages, 1094 KiB  
Review
Challenges of Implementing Municipal Solid Waste Separation Policy in China
by Zhuoya Ren and Ganggang Zuo
Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 8081; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188081 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1318
Abstract
Rapid population growth, urbanization, and diverse production materials have led to a surge in municipal solid waste (MSW), harming the environment, climate, and sanitation. Despite China’s efforts to implement MSW segregation policies, results have been unsatisfactory. Research often emphasizes public participation, with less [...] Read more.
Rapid population growth, urbanization, and diverse production materials have led to a surge in municipal solid waste (MSW), harming the environment, climate, and sanitation. Despite China’s efforts to implement MSW segregation policies, results have been unsatisfactory. Research often emphasizes public participation, with less focus on the entire policy implementation process. This paper employed Smith’s theoretical model to comprehensively analyze the challenges of implementing a MSW segregation policy, using qualitative methods and secondary data from literature and policy documents. The findings revealed challenges at four levels: policy formulation, implementing agencies, target groups, and the external environment. Issues include policy ambiguity, unclear authority, government-enterprise cross-functionality, casual attitudes, implementer shortages, poor public participation, and economic disparities. To address these, the study recommends enhancing public engagement, clarifying responsibilities among agencies, and increasing financial support for disadvantaged areas to improve policy implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability)
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Other

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18 pages, 2295 KiB  
Study Protocol
Assessing the Ecological Cost of Material Flow in China’s Waste Paper Recycling System
by Tiejun Dai
Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1610; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041610 - 15 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1146
Abstract
This article introduces the concept of ecological costs associated with the waste paper recycling system. The costs associated with this process include resource consumption, waste emissions, ecological damage, and production processes. To analyze the ecological costs of deviations from the baseline material flow [...] Read more.
This article introduces the concept of ecological costs associated with the waste paper recycling system. The costs associated with this process include resource consumption, waste emissions, ecological damage, and production processes. To analyze the ecological costs of deviations from the baseline material flow in a waste paper recycling system, a benchmark material flow diagram is constructed using the material flow analysis method. The diagram illustrates a fully closed one-way material flow of the recycling system, which is highly abstracted and simplified. The study analyzed the ecological costs of the benchmark material flow and the impact of deviations from it. The results suggest that the circulation of materials within and between processes increases the ecological cost of the waste paper recycling system. Furthermore, the release of materials from a process into the environment also contributes to its ecological impact. However, the introduction of external materials into the recycling system can reduce its ecological impact, particularly if these materials are recycled resources. The study emphasizes the significance of considering ecological costs in waste paper recycling systems to minimize their environmental impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability)
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