A review on digital transformation in healthcare waste management: Applications, research trends and implications.

At present, both emerging and developed economies have faced the challenge of higher healthcare waste generation. Developed countries are using these technologies to manage healthcare waste and cope with the challenge. Emerging economies are still struggling to understand and implement digital technologies in healthcare waste management, posing a danger to partners handling toxic and hazardous waste. The proper handling of healthcare waste is essential for social and environmental sustainability. Digital technologies that drive digital transformation in the healthcare sector impact the traditional way of managing healthcare waste. Digital technologies include artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, sensors, data analytics and radio frequency identification. These technologies can potentially address vehicle route planning and scheduling problems, resource optimisation, real-time tracking and the visibility of healthcare waste management. Apart from economic and environmental concerns, the operational workforce also takes care of societal well-being and implements waste management strategies and policies. Past research has focused on integrating blockchain technology to enhance traceability and transparency in waste collection and disposal activities. However, the application and impact of these technologies for managing different operations of healthcare management with sustainability is a gap bridged by the present study. This study adopts a systematic literature review to identify research trends, applications and implications of digital transformation. It proposes a digital technology-driven framework for healthcare waste management for further research.

Assessing determinants and readiness for willingness-to-pay (WTP) for unit-based pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) waste tariff structures: A case study of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Many cities in developing countries are searching for financially motivated behavior-based alternatives, such as pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) tariff mechanisms, over conventional methods. This study explores the determinants and readiness for willingness-to-pay (WTP) for introducing unit-based PAYT tariff structures in Kathmandu, Nepal. Two distinct colored volume-based recyclable plastic bags (1 L and 20 L) waste collection systems were introduced, and their acceptability was assessed using the contingent valuation method (CVM) spike model. The findings from a survey of 401 households revealed that the public shows their willingness to replace existing fixed tariff structures with PAYT systems, with WTP values of NRs 36.1 and NRs 42.14 (USD 0.28 and 0.32) for each 1 L and 20 L bags, respectively. Income, age, sex, family size, and household status were the key determinants. Tenants were more willing to pay than homeowners. The PAYT system has a substantial additional revenue generation of 326 % compared to conventional fixed tariff structures and reduces the financial burden of waste financing for public entities. Innovative PAYT tariff structures are also expected to be an effective tool not only from a revenue generation perspective, but also as a financially motivated behavioral tool for waste segregation, reduction, and recycling for sustainable waste management in developing countries.

Critical care nurses' experiences on environmental sustainability: A qualitative content analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care units (ICUs) are the primary producers of greenhouse gas emissions within hospitals, due to the use of several invasive materials. Nurses represent a large portion of the healthcare workforce and can be pivotal in promoting sustainability practices. Several international reports have suggested that nursing can help achieve the sustainable development objectives set by the United Nations. AIMS: The purpose is to explore behaviour related to environmental sustainability in intensive care nurses. STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative content analysis comprised of in-depth interviews involving 27 ICU nurses, who were each asked the same open-ended question. The transcripts collected were then analyzed and organized by a team of independently-working researchers. The analysis of the extrapolated concepts was carried out following the Neem M. (2022) method. The study is supported by a grant from the Centre of Excellence for Nursing Scholarship, Rome, July 2024. FINDINGS: The main recurring themes are as follows: (1) concepts of environmental sustainability in ICUs, (2) critical issues related to sustainable intervention in the ICUs (3) proactive environmental sustainability attitudes in ICUs. Time to know, define criticality, and improve is the conceptualization of sustainable behaviors experienced by ICU nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Taking the time to know and define the critical issues for implementing sustainable behaviours in the ICU, turned out to be the key to enforce the mindset of green nursing thinking. IMPLICATIONS TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Sustainability behaviours need to be proposed and verified by ICU managers by creating sustainability teams and promoting a good working environment, founding the progression to green ICUs by focusing on health impact education and mindfulness.

Municipal solid waste management in Lagos State: Expansion diffusion of awareness.

This study examined the role of waste management authorities in promoting public awareness of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) through the lens of the expansion diffusion theory (EDT). EDT emphasizes the spread of new ideas and practices within a society through various communication channels and distinct individuals within each system. We employed a mixed-method approach using 116 survey responses from Lagos residents and five semi-structured in-depth interviews. Our findings reveal the need for a more structured approach to create public awareness of MSWM, considering the distinct groups of residents in Lagos and their responses to innovation and knowledge diffusion. We propose four pillars on which waste management authorities in developing countries can sustain their MSWM awareness campaigns, as well as an awareness campaign strategy flowchart. Our findings add to the expanding body of research on public awareness and participation in MSWM, emphasizing the critical role that waste management authorities can play in fostering sustainable waste management awareness and practices.

Alarming cigarette butts contamination on sandy beaches of East Java, Indonesia.

Cigarette butts, along with other plastic items, have been extensively studied as the primary source of marine litter in coastal areas around the world. Although there has been extensive research on cigarette butts in coastal areas worldwide, there have been no publications related to this in coastal areas in Indonesia. Therefore, this research is the first to report on the pollution of cigarette butts on different Indonesian beaches, specifically in the East Java Province. The study aimed to assess the abundance, size distribution, and pollution levels associated with cigarette butts from 15 different beaches. Cigarette butts were collected using a 5 × 5 m quadrate transect, placed 20 m apart along the coastline from December 2022 to August 2023. The collected cigarette butts were counted and measured in three different sizes: 0.5-2.5 cm, 2.5-5 cm, and 5-10 cm. A total of 323 cigarette butts were collected, with densities ranging from 0.08 to 3.32 items m-2. The majority of butts were classified as meso-size (0.5-2.5 cm), suggesting incomplete smoking and a higher potential for toxin release. The Cigarette Butt Pollution Index (CBPI) revealed a spectrum of pollution levels, from low to severe, with most beaches exhibiting severe pollution. Factors such as negligent smoking behavior, inadequate waste management infrastructure, and beach environmental conditions were identified as key contributors to this pollution. This study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies, including public awareness campaigns, improved waste management, and beach clean-ups, to mitigate the environmental impact of cigarette butt pollution on Indonesian beaches.

Modeling of the effect of gradation and compaction characteristics on the california bearing ratio of granular materials for subbase and landfill liner construction.

The California bearing ratio (CBR) of a granular materials are influence by the soil particle distribution indices such as D10, D30, D50, and D60 and also the compaction properties such as the maximum dry density (MDD) and the optimum moisture content (OMC). For this reason, the particle packing and compactibility of the soil play a big role in the design and construction of subbases and landfills. In this research paper, experimental data entries have been collected reflecting the CBR behavior of granular soil used to construct landfill and subbase. The database was utilized in the ratio of 78-22% to predict the CBR behavior considering the artificial neural network (ANN), the evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR), the genetic programming (GP), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Random Forest (RF) and the response surface methodology (RSM) intelligent learning and symbolic abilities. The relative importance values for each input parameter were carried out, which indicated that the (CBR) value depends mainly on the average particle size (D30, 50 & 60). They showed a combined influence index of 66% of the considered parameters in the model exercise. This further shows the importance and structural influence of the particles within the D50 and D60 range in a granular material consistency in the design and construction purposes. Performance indices were also used to study the ability of the models. The ANN model showed the best performance with accuracy of 88%, then GP, EPR and RF with almost the same accuracies of 85% and lastly the XGBoost with accuracy of 81%. Also, the RSM produced an R2 of 0.9464 with a p-value of less than 0.0001. These values show that the ANN produced the decisive model with the superior performance indices in the forecast of CBR of granular material used as subbase and waste compacted earth liner material. The results further show that optimal performance of the CBR depended on D50 and D60 for the design of subgrade, subbase, and liner purposes and also during the performance monitoring phase of the constructed flexible pavement foundations and compacted earth liners.

Assessment and management of construction and demolition waste in tier 2 cities of Karnataka, India: a case study of Hubli-Dharwad and Davanagere.

The present study examines the current practices for managing construction and demolition waste (CDW) in two tier-2 cities of Karnataka state: Hubli-Dharwad and Davanagere. The research highlights the quantification, characterization, and effective management strategies for CDW. CDW dumping sites were identified through field visits conducted across all wards of the cities and recorded using a mobile-based app. At each site, data were collected on the types of vehicles dumping CDW, the frequency of dumping, the volume of waste in the vehicles, and the quantity of CDW removed for reuse. The dumping sites were categorized into large, medium, and small based on the area and volume of waste. In total, 130 unauthorised dumping sites were identified in Hubli-Dharwad and 62 in Davanagere. The study estimated that Hubli-Dharwad generates approximately 607 tonnes per day (TPD) of CDW, while Davanagere produces around 287 TPD. The characterization of CDW revealed that in Hubli-Dharwad, CDW consists of 14.4% concrete, 25.5% brick and mortar, 39.1% soil and aggregates, and 20% other materials. In Davanagere, the composition includes 19% concrete, 29% brick and mortar, 38% soil, and 14% other materials. Based on these findings, the study proposes a system for the collection and transportation of CDW and recommends suitable recycling technologies. While the approach outlined in this paper is well-suited for urban local bodies to assess CDW, the data on CDW reuse and recycling is primarily based on informal practices. This makes accurate quantification challenging and subject to variation over time due to a lack of regulatory oversight. Additionally, the study provides only a snapshot of CDW generation and management at a specific point in time, potentially missing seasonal variations or long-term trends in waste handling.

Mitigating greenhouse gas emission and enhancing fermentation by phosphorus slag addition during sewage sludge composting.

During the composting of sewage sludge (SS), a quantity of greenhouse gases has been produced. This study aimed to clarify the microbial mechanisms associated with the addition of industrial solid waste phosphorus slag (PS) to SS composting, specifically focusing on its impact on greenhouse gas emissions and the humification. The findings indicated that the introduction of PS increased the temperature and extended the high-temperature phase. Moreover, the incorporation of 10% and 15% PS resulted in a decrease of N2O emissions by 68.9% and 88.6%, respectively. Microbial diversity analysis indicated that PS improved waste porosity, ensuring the aerobic habitat. Therefore, the environmental factors of the system were altered, leading to the enrichment of various functional bacterial species, such as Firmicutes and Chloroflexi, and a reduction of pathogenic bacterium Dokdonella. Consequently, incorporating PS into SS composting represents an effective waste treatment strategy, exhibiting economic feasibility and promising application potential.

Efficient recovery of functional biomolecules from shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) processing waste for food and health applications via a successive co-culture fermentation approach.

This study developed a food-grade fermentation process that efficiently isolated proteins and minerals from shrimp-processing waste (SPW). The in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects of SPW hydrolysates obtained from the fermentation process were investigated. SPW broths were prepared from the head (SPW-SH) and body carapace (SPW-SS) of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and fermented using a 5-day successive co-culture fermentation approach with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TISTR-1880 and Lactobacillus casei TBRC-388. This bacterial combination demonstrated optimal efficiency in extracting proteins (up to 93% deproteinization) and minerals (up to 83% demineralization) from SPW samples compared with other studied co-culture combinations. The resulting SPW-SH and SPW-SS hydrolysates were rich in proteins (∼70 and ∼59 g/100 g dry weight, respectively). They exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant potential compared to their corresponding non-fermented controls at up to 2.3 and 3.7-fold higher, respectively as determined by the ORAC, FRAP, and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The two SPW hydrolysates also had significantly higher inhibitory activities against angiotensin-converting enzyme, α-amylase, and lipase than the controls, indicating their improved anti-hypertension, anti-diabetes, and anti-obesity properties, respectively; however, both SPW-SH and SPW-SS hydrolysates did not inhibit α-glucosidase at the tested concentrations. The SPW hydrolysates produced in this study showed high potential for use as functional ingredients in food and nutraceutical products. Knowledge gained from this study can promote the prospective valorization of industrial SPW as an inexpensive source of functional biomolecules for food-related applications using a fermentation approach. This will increase the commercial value of SPW and reduce the environmental impact.

Environmental sustainability in intensive care: the path forward. An ESICM Green Paper.

PURPOSE: The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) Green Paper aims to address the challenge of environmental sustainability in intensive care and proposes actionable strategies for integrating sustainability into intensive care unit (ICU) stakeholder actions. METHODS: The ESICM Executive Committee appointed a task force of topic experts and ESICM committee representatives to develop the ESICM Green Paper. The task force convened biweekly from January to June 2024, identifying key domains for environmental sustainability and prioritizing actions. Drafts were iteratively refined and approved by the ESICM Executive Committee. RESULTS: Climate change will impact activities in intensive care in many ways, but also the impact of ICU activities on the environment is considerable; drivers for this include extensive resource use and waste generation in ICUs from energy consumption, use of disposable items, and advanced therapies for critically ill patients. The ESICM Green Paper outlines a structured approach for ICUs to reduce their environmental impact, emphasizing energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement. Furthermore, it endorses the need for awareness and education among healthcare professionals, integration of sustainability into research, and sustainable policies within scientific societies. CONCLUSIONS: The ESICM Green Paper reviewed the relevance of climate change to intensive care and provided suggestions for clinical practice, research, education, and ESICM organizational domains. It underscores that reducing intensive care's ecological footprint can coexist with high-quality patient care. Promoting a resilient, responsible healthcare system is a joint responsibility of all ICU stakeholders.

Wasted shores: Using drones to monitor the spatio-temporal evolution of debris accumulation hotspots on South Africa's Umgeni River.

Rivers are major contributors of plastic waste to the oceans. Running through the 1.3 million-inhabitants in the northern part of the City of Durban, South Africa, the Umgeni River is estimated to flush in the order of tens to hundreds of tonnes of plastic waste into the Indian Ocean every year. The riverbanks are lined with plastic and other macro-waste accumulation zones formed due to direct littering and occasional deposition of river debris loads. This study presents the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and hydro-meteorological sensors to (1) identify, quantify and monitor such anthropogenic macro-waste hotspots; and (2) investigate the influence of rainfall, river water level and a major flood event on the spatio-temporal evolution of the hotspots, evidencing the debris' availability to leak into the Indian Ocean. The one-year aerial monitoring (2021-2022) of waste hotspots shows that extreme hydrometeorological events have an immediate but short-term effect on the erosion of debris stocks in riverine systems. We observe that reduction in mean index changes of hotspot surface area after flooding were 2-5 times higher than in non-flood conditions. Despite visual evidence of seasonality in debris erosion between the wet and dry season, only one type of hotspot showed a significant comparison. Our findings support reported inconsistencies of macro-debris erosion with hydrological factors. Although the data contributes a baseline for macro-debris erosion in the Umgeni River, future ground truth sampling and finer monitoring scales are important to fully understand debris transfer in river systems. The mapping of waste hotspots and understanding their spatio-temporal transfer dynamics supports policymakers in planning and timing to mitigate environmental pollution.

Challenges and opportunities in managing biodegradable plastic waste: A review.

Biodegradable plastics have certain challenges in a waste management perspective. The existing literature reviews fail to provide a consolidated overview of different process steps of biodegradable plastic waste management and to discuss the support provided by the existing legislation for the same. The present review provides a holistic overview of these process steps and a comprehensive relative summary of 13 existing European Union (EU) laws related to waste management and circular economy, and national legislations plus source separation guidelines of 13 countries, to ensure the optimal use of resources in the future. Following were the major findings: (i) numerous types and low volumes of biodegradable plastics pose a challenge to developing cost-effective waste management infrastructure; (ii) biodegradable plastics are promoted as food-waste collection aids, but consumers are often confused about their proper disposal and are prone to greenwashing from manufacturers; (iii) industry-level studies demonstrating mechanical recycling on a full scale are unavailable; (iv) the existing EU legislation dealt with general topics related to biodegradable plastics; however, only the new proposal on plastic packaging waste and the EU policy framework for bioplastics clearly mentioned their disposal and (v) clear disparities were observed between disposal methods suggested by national legislation and available source separation guidelines. Thus, to appropriately manage biodegradable plastic waste, it is necessary to develop waste processing and material utilization infrastructure as well as create consumer awareness. In the end, recommendations were provided for improved biodegradable plastic waste management from the perspective of systemic challenges identified from the literature review.

Miscellaneous prospects of invasive Lantana camara biomass-a standpoint on bioenergy generation and value addition.

Investigation of Lantana camara biomass for potential bioenergy generation integrates invasive species (IS) management with the unabated demand for bio-energy. In the present investigation, L. camara was used to produce bio-oil by thermochemical conversion (pyrolysis). The resultant product evinced energy yield of 62.58% with 64.95% of elemental carbon (C) content and endorsed the suitability of L. camara bio-oil for biofuel applications and value addition. Thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) analysis revealed a short thermal degradation profile, whereas spectroscopic analyses detected a host of organic compounds such as esters, phenols, ketones, aldehydes, aliphatics, and aromatics. The economic analysis of L. camara biomass conversion technology carried out in this study proved to be commercially competitive and viable versus petroleum refining. Antimicrobial and antioxidant assays with bio-oil evinced highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) against Candida albicans (31.02 mm), and displayed strong antioxidant property (DPPH IC50 value 233.72 ± 0.2 µg/ml). The bio-oil exhibited rheological characteristics of shear thinning and pseudoplastic fluid, particularly at low and intermediate shear rates. The present study highlights the multifaceted advantages of utilizing L. camara biomass, which include environmental remediation via waste management, bioenergy generation, and the feasibility of generating value-added products.

Individual, household and institutional level predictors of waste sorting: Evidence for Ecuador.

The rapid increase in waste generation in developing countries presents significant challenges, necessitating effective waste management strategies. This study examines the influence of individual, household and institutional factors on waste sorting behaviours in Ecuador, employing an ordered logistic regression model. Data were sourced from the 2019 National Multipurpose Household Survey (NMHS) and the Census of Economic Environmental Information in Decentralised Autonomous Governments (CEEIGAD). The NMHS uses a two-stage probabilistic sampling methodology, with census sectors as the primary sampling units and households as the secondary units. After excluding outliers and selecting individuals aged 15-65 years, the final sample consisted of 8601 households, including 26,175 individuals. The findings reveal that personal attributes such as gender, ethnicity, age, marital status and environmental concern significantly influence waste sorting behaviours. Household characteristics, including urban or rural location, are also critical. Institutional factors, such as municipal regulations, waste collection fees and waste separation at source, play essential roles in promoting waste separation. The study highlights the necessity for targeted governmental policies. Recommendations include improving environmental education, increasing sorting infrastructure in urban areas and ensuring waste collection systems maintain the separation of waste streams.

A mountain of waste created daily: a thematic analysis of environmental sustainability experiences of postgraduate intensive care nursing students.

BACKGROUND: The healthcare sector has a negative ecological impact, and intensive care is one of the most resource-consuming areas. Nurses have a duty to contribute to climate change reduction, design climate-resilient healthcare systems, and support individuals and communities in adapting to the effects of the planetary health crisis. It is essential to incorporate environmental sustainability into nursing education so that nurses can advocate for conscientious and ethically sustainable healthcare that benefits both patients and the planet. This study aimed to explore postgraduate intensive care nursing student experiences of environmental sustainability in clinical practice at intensive care units. METHODS: Data were collected using a qualitative questionnaire, and the data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The participants were 24 registered nurses studying postgraduate, specialist intensive care nursing courses at four universities in the south and west regions of Sweden. RESULTS: The results describe critical care students' environmental sustainability experiences in one overarching theme with five subthemes. Intensive care is a challenging context in terms of sustainability, where saving lives is the number one priority. There were good and bad sustainability habits among the staff, and awareness was key to improving. Clinical supplies come in unsustainable packages, and the participants wished for better alternatives and they wanted more knowledge and education on sustainable practices. The findings also emphasized the importance of a holistic perspective throughout each patient's pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Sustainability in intensive care units is somewhat unrecognised today, although intensive care nurses want that to change. The context where saving lives is prioritized makes implementing ecologically responsible practices a challenge. However, environmental sustainability in intensive care is feasible, with education needed for nurses to take on the responsibility of making improvements. Hospital management prioritizing sustainability is also important to support clinicians in implementing sustainable practices in intensive care units.

Sustainable ruminant nutrition in West Africa by in vitro characterization of cashew apple by-products.

Cashew trees (Anacardium occidentale L.) are planted for primarily their nuts, but they also generate apples which are mostly thrown away due to their astringent taste. The current study aimed to explore the possible utilization of cashew apple by-products (CABP) in West Africa as an alternative feedstuff for small ruminants' nutrition. To achieve this aim, five parts of cashew apple by-products (whole, up, down and middle part, and pomace) of two cashew varieties (red and yellow) were collected in two different agroecological zones (Sudanian Zone, SZ and Sudano-Guinea Zone, SZ) to be characterized for the chemical composition, including polyphenols and sugars, and the in vitro fermentation pattern. In general, the results showed that CABP characteristics depend more on sampling area than on variety. The dry matter (DM) in SZ and SGZ varied from 12.76 to 26.10 % and 7.41-22.9 %, respectively. The pomace showed the highest crude protein, lipids, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content (SZ: 9.48, 3.94 and 31.66 % DM; SGZ: 14.03, 4.94 and 34.12 % DM, respectively) but the lowest nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) and sugar for both zones. Regarding the in vitro fermentation, the organic matter degradability (dOM) was higher in the middle part (73.73 %) and whole apple (61.62 %) of SZ and SGZ, respectively. In contrast, the pomace from both zones showed the lowest in vitro fermentation parameters. The total polyphenols were more concentrated in the CABP from SZ (whole: 2736 µg/g DW; pomace: 3813 µg/g DW) compared to those from SGZ (whole: 1755 µg/g DW; pomace: 1374 µg/g DW). Results suggest that CABP should be collected in each cultivation zone regardless of variety, separating pomace from other by-products and may be used as alternative feedstuff for small ruminants during the dry season in the West Africa region.

Improving agricultural sustainability - A review of strategies to valorize tomato plant residues (TPR).

Considerations for the modification of agricultural practices and waste management to improve environmental sustainability remain a subject of great importance. Prioritization of intensive mass food production to meet the demand of an increasing human population has introduced a multitude of environmental issues due to, among other factors, the large volumes of waste output. Tomato production in greenhouses, for example, generates tonnes of bio-waste per hectare each harvest including green tomato plant residues (i.e., stems, leaves, branches). Giving value to these green tomato plant residues collected during the growing cycle and after harvest has not proven straightforward despite a massive yearly release of tonnes of carbon dioxide from stems and leaves disposed on landfills. This paper aims to summarize current research in tomato plant residue valorization and to identify considerations for future valorization strategies. Peer reviewed articles, scientific books and governmental, economic and statistical reports on the topic of tomato plant residues were collected and analyzed. Focuses included traditional valorization approaches, bio-refinement strategies and conversion of fiber-rich residues into high value packaging materials. Initiatives for sustainable agriculture, their market relevance, and the strengths and weaknesses of using tomato plant residues in these valorization approaches are discussed. Overall, it was concluded that valorization of tomato plant residues would be a highly integrative endeavor that would require coordination from multiple levels in the agricultural production chain.

Effects of brewery by-products on growth performance, bioconversion efficiency, nutritional profile, and microbiota and mycobiota of black soldier fly larvae.

Brewery by-products are recognised as suitable rearing substrates for Hermetia illucens, better known as black soldier fly (BSF) but information about the impact of different ratios of brewer's spent grains (BSG) and brewer's spent yeast (BSY) are still scarce. This study evaluated the effects of BSG-BSY-based diets on BSF larval growth, survival, bioconversion efficiency, nutritional profile, and microbiota and mycobiota. A total of 3 000 6-day-old BSF larvae were allotted to five dietary treatments (six replicate boxes/diet, 100 larvae/box): (i) BSY2.5 (25 g/kg of BSY+975 g/kg of BSG), (ii) BSY5 (50 g/kg of BSY+950 g/kg of BSG), (iii) BSY7.5 (75 g/kg of BSY+925 g/kg of BSG), (iv) BSY10 (100 g/kg of BSY+900 g/kg of BSG), and (v) control (Gainesville diet). Larval weight and substrate pH were recorded every 4 days. At the end of the trial (5% of prepupae), bioconversion efficiency corrected for residue (BER), reduction rate (RR), and waste reduction index (WRI) were calculated, and the larval proximate composition, microbiota and mycobiota characterised. At 10 and 14 days of age, BSY7.5 and BSY10 larvae displayed higher weight than BSY2.5 and BSY5 (P < 0.05), with BSY10 larvae showing the highest weight among the BSG-BSY-based diets at the end of the trial (P < 0.05). The BSY7.5 and BSY10 larvae also displayed a better BER than BSY2.5 and BSY5 (P < 0.01), whereas similar RR, WRI, survival and development time, as well as pH, were, however, observed among the BSG-BSY-based diets (P > 0.05). The BSY10 larvae displayed lower ether extract content than the other BSG-BSY-based diets (P > 0.001). The use of BSG-BSY-based diets did not influence the alpha diversity of larval microbiota and mycobiota (P > 0.05), but a specific microbial signature was identified per each dietary treatment (Porphyromonadaceae [BSY5], Sphingomonas [BSY7.5], Bacillus [BSY10] and Ruminococcus and Myroides [BSG-BSY-based diets]; P < 0.05). Co-occurrence and co-exclusion analysis also showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia excluded and favoured, respectively, the presence of Streptomyces and Fluviicola, while Clavispora lusitaniae was associated with Myroides (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BSG-BSY-based diets are suitable for rearing HI in terms of larval performance, nutritional profile, and microbiota and mycobiota, with 7.5 and 10% of BSY inclusion levels being able to improve larval growth and bioconversion efficiency.

Recent evolution in thermochemical transformation of municipal solid wastes to alternate fuels.

The management of solid waste poses a worldwide obstacle in the pursuit of a sustainable society. This issue has intensified with the increase in waste production caused by rapid population expansion, industrialization, and urbanization. The continuously growing volume of municipal solid waste, particularly the substantial volume of organic waste, along with improper disposal practices, results in the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful airborne substances which simultaneously causes health risks and socioeconomic concerns. This article examines various waste-to-energy (energy production in the form of heat and electricity) concepts as well as waste-to-materials (various value-added materials including biofuel, biochemical, char, bio-oil, soil fertilizer, etc.) methods of converting municipal solid waste into environmentally friendly fuels, which appear to be economically feasible and attractive. It starts with a thorough analysis of the characteristics of municipal solid waste followed by the generation procedure. The study provides an overview of different thermochemical conversion methods including incineration, pyrolysis, co-pyrolysis, liquefaction, hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, combustion for transformation of municipal solid waste, and their recent advancement. The review comprehensively discussed the pros and cons of each method highlighting their strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats to transforming MSW. The current state of municipal solid waste management, including effective dumping and deviation, is comprehensively assessed, along with the prospects and challenges involved. Energy justice concepts and fuzzy logic tool is used to address the selection criteria for choosing the best waste treatment techniques. Moreover, several recommendations are offered to enhance the existing solid waste management system. This review could assist scholars, researchers, authorities, and stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding MSW management.

Economic evaluation of hazardous healthcare waste treatment systems.

The cost estimation and assessment of healthcare waste treatment systems (HCWTSs) for preventing financial and environmental damage are essential. This work reports economic analyses of treatment of hazardous-infectious waste based on WHO approach in HCWTSS of 43 hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The waste generation rate for total hospital waste in 43 HCWTSS was 4.42 ± 2.77 kg/active-bed/day. The mean of chemical, sharps, infectious, and general wastes in 43 HCWTSS were 13.79 ± 19.71, 30.29 ± 37.46, 336.28 ± 291.31, and 539.6 ± 383.13 kg/day, respectively. Economic analyses proved that general hospitals spent 1.63 times more than specialized hospitals on treating hazardous-infectious waste per year. The annual cost of treating each kilogram of hazardous healthcare waste in studied HCWTSS was 0.3 dollars. A range of total annual costs in 43 HCWTSS was limited to 7.9-118 thousand dollars. The results of ANOVA test demonstrated that the age and performance levels of hospitals significantly affect the annual capital and operating costs, respectively. Hence, improving recycling knowledge and increasing source-separated recycling should be considered to control the costs in HCWTSS. The results of this work have implications for the hospital managers in especially developing countries to evaluate previously unknown economic analyses and policies and take action to control wasted costs in HCWTSS.