The proximate composition of vegetables enriched by incorporation of municipal solid waste into fertilizers and its impacts on environment and human health.

The recent over production of municipal solid waste (MSW) poses a significant threat to both the ecosystem and human health. Utilizing MSW for agricultural purposes has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce solid waste disposal while simultaneously increasing soil fertility. To explore this potential solution further, an experiment was designed to assess the impact of varying concentrations of MSW (25%, 50%, and 75%) on the proximate composition of 15 different vegetable species. The experiment, conducted between 2018 and 2019, involved treating soil with different levels of solid waste and analyzing the proximate components, such as crude protein, dry matter, crude fiber, crude fat, and moisture content, in the 15 selected crops. The results indicate that the application of 25% MSW significantly increased the levels of crude protein, crude fiber, dry matter, and fat in Spinacia oleracea, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum melongena, and Abelmoschus esculentus. Conversely, the addition of 75% MSW notably elevated the moisture and ash content in Cucumis sativus. Correlation and scatter matrix analyses were conducted to elucidate the relationships between the protein, fiber, dry matter, ash, and fat contents. Principal component analysis and clustering confirmed the substantial impact of Treatment_1 (25% MSW) and Treatment_3 (75% MSW) on the proximate composition of the aforementioned vegetables, leading to their categorization into distinct groups. Our study highlights the efficacy of using 25% MSW to enhance the proximate composition and nutritional value of vegetables. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to investigate the mineral, antioxidant, vitamin, and heavy metal contents in the soil over an extended period of MSW application.

Green loops and clean skies: Optimizing municipal solid waste management using data science for a circular economy.

The interplay between Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management and data science unveils a panorama of opportunities and challenges, set against the backdrop of rising global waste and evolving technological landscapes. This article threads through the multifaceted aspects of incorporating data science into MSW management, unearthing key findings, novel knowledge, and instigating a call to action for stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, local authorities, waste management professionals, technology developers, and the general public) across the spectrum. Predominant challenges like the enigmatic nature of "black-box" models and tangible knowledge gaps in the sector are scrutinized, ushering in a narrative that emphasizes transparent, stakeholder-inclusive, and policy-adaptive approaches. Notably, a conscious shift towards "white-box" and "grey-box" data science models has been spotlighted as a pivotal response to transparency issues. Furthermore, the discourse highlights the necessity of crafting data science solutions that are specifically moulded to the nuanced challenges of MSW management, and it underscores the importance of recalibrating existing policies to be reflexive to technological advancements. A resolute call echoes for stakeholders to not just adapt but immerse themselves in a continuous learning trajectory, championing transparency, and fostering collaborations that hinge on innovative, data-driven methodologies. Thus, as the realms of data science and MSW management entwine, the article sheds light on the potential transformation awaiting waste management paradigms, contingent on the nurtured amalgamation of technological advances, policy alignment, and collaborative synergy.

A systematic review of coastal zone integrated waste management for sustainability strategies.

Coastal areas stand out because of their rich biodiversity and high tourist potential due to their privileged geographical position. However, one of the main problems in these areas is the generation of waste and its management, which must consider technical and sustainable criteria. This work aims to conduct a systematic review of the scientific literature on integrated solid waste management (ISWM) by considering scientific publications on the scientific basis for the proposal of sustainability strategies in the context of use and efficiency. The overall method comprises i) Search strategy, merging and processing of the databases (Scopus and Web of Science); ii) Evolution of coastal zone waste management; iii) Systematic reviews on coastal landfills and ISWM in the context of the circular economy; and iv) Quantitative synthesis in integrated waste management. The results show 282 studies focused on coastal landfills and 59 papers on ISWM with the application of circular economy criteria. Systematic reviews allowed for the definition of criteria for the selection of favorable sites, such as i) sites far from the coastline, ii) impermeable soils at their base to avoid contamination of aquifers, iii) use of remote sensing and geographic information system tools for continuous monitoring, iv) mitigation of possible contamination of ecosystems, v) planning the possibility of restoration (reforestation) and protection of the environment. In coastal zones, it is necessary to apply the ISWM approach to avoid landfill flooding and protect the marine environment, reducing rubbish and waste on beaches and oceans. Therefore, applying the circular economy in ISWM is critical to sustainability in coastal environments, with the planet's natural processes and variations due to climate change.

Biohydrogen from waste feedstocks: An energy opportunity for decarbonization in developing countries.

In developing economies, the decarbonization of energy sector has become a global priority for sustainable and cleaner energy system. Biohydrogen production from renewable sources of waste biomass is a good source of energy incentive that reduces the pollution. Biohydrogen has a high calorific value and emits no emissions, producing both energy security and environmental sustainability. Biohydrogen production technologies have become one of the main renewable sources of energy. The present paper entails the role of biohydrogen recovered from waste biomasses like agricultural waste (AW), organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), food processing industrial waste (FPIW), and sewage sludge (SS) as a promising solution. The main sources of increasing yield percentage of biohydrogen generation from waste feedstock using different technologies, and process parameters are also emphasized in this review. The production paths for biohydrogen are presented in this review article, and because of advancements in R and D, biohydrogen has gained viability as a biofuel for the future and discusses potential applications in power generation, transportation, and industrial processes, emphasizing the versatility and potential for integration into existing energy infrastructure. The investigation of different biochemical technologies and methods for producing biohydrogen, including anaerobic digestion (AD), dark fermentation (DF), photo fermentation (PF), and integrated dark-photo fermentation (IDPF), has been overviewed. This analysis also discusses future research, investment, and sustainable energy options transitioning towards a low-carbon future, as well as potential problems, economic impediments, and policy-related issues with the deployment of biohydrogen in emerging nations.

Exploring the hidden chemical landscape: Non-target and suspect screening analysis for investigating solid waste-associated environments.

Solid waste is an inevitable consequence of urbanization. It can be safely managed in municipal landfills and processing plants for volume reduction or material reuse, including organic solid waste. However, solid waste can also be discarded in (un-)authorized dumping sites or inadvertently released into the environment. Legacy and emerging contaminants have the potential to leach from solid waste, making it a significant pathway to the environment. Non-target screening (NTS) and suspect screening analysis (SSA) have become helpful tools in environmental science for the simultaneous analysis of a wide range of chemical compounds. However, the application of these analytical approaches to environmental samples related to Raw or Processed Solid Waste (RPSW) has been largely neglected so far. This perspective review examines the potential and policy relevance of NTS and SSA applied to waste-related samples (liquid, gaseous and solid). It addresses the hurdles associated with the chemical safety of solid waste accumulation, processing, and reuse, and the need for landfill traceability, as well as effectiveness of leachate treatments. We reviewed the current applications of NTS and SSA to environmental samples of RPSW, as well as the potential adaptation of NTS and SSA techniques from related fields, such as oilfield and metabolomics, to the solid waste domain. Despite the ongoing technical challenges, this review highlights the significant potential for the implementation of NTS and SSA approaches in solid waste management and related scientific fields and provides support and guidance to the regulatory authorities.

Characteristics analysis of solid waste generation and carbon emission of beer production in China.

As the largest beer producer and consumer in the world, China's endeavors to reduce solid waste generation (SWG) and carbon emissions (CEs) in the course of beer production assume paramount significance. This study aims to assess the SWG and CEs in beer production within China at both national and provincial levels, and further delves into the spatial distribution characteristics and evolving patterns across the country. Key findings of the study include:(1) Peak SWG and CEs were recorded in 2013, reaching 861.62 million tons and 2315.10 tCO2e, respectively, followed by a consistent decline. (2) Among the three types of solid waste, spent grain exhibited the highest generation rate, contributing to 94.38% of the total. (3) The emergence of China's beer industry dates back to the 1980s in the northeastern region, expanding to the southeastern and the Yangtze River Basin during the 1990s, ultimately extending nationwide. (4) The spatial distribution of beer production revealed significant regional disparities and notable industry concentration. Notably, many provinces witnessed reduced CEs from beer production starting in 2015, although the extent of reduction varied in different provinces. These findings serve as a scientific foundation for formulating emission reduction strategies in beer producing and offer insights for other food industries in China.

Sustainability assessment of biofuel and value-added product from organic fraction of municipal solid waste.

The current study aims to examine the techno-economic and environmental assessment of biorefinery development within a circular bioeconomy context by using an organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) by extraction of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins with 98, 51 and 62 % by mass of conversion efficiency and yield recovery, and value-added fractions production as well. Fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) and glycerol (biofuel) were produced by applying transesterification process, and the remaining biomass was converted into biocrude oil by thermal liquefication. The biorefinery using 613 kg of OFMSW produced biodiesel, glycerol, and bioethanol with 126 litter, 14.3 kg, and 172 litter respectively, as well as value-added fractions, such as biocrude oil with 78 kg. The environmental impact was assessed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework, ReCiPe2016 Mid-point (H) approach, through 18 different environmental categories. The key findings elucidate that Terrestrial ecotoxicity, Climate change, Fossil depletion and Human toxicity were the main impact categories which are potentially contributed 9.81E+02 kg 1,4-DB eq., 1.43E+03 kg CO2 eq., 2.04E+02 kg oil eq., and 8.08E+01 kg 1,4-DB eq. The normalization (person per equivalent) analysis revealed that only categories of resource reduction (fossil and metal depletion) are the key contributors to environmental degradation. The biorefinery system's total revenue was estimated at USD 6.817,509 million annually. The calculated revenue was USD 0.026 million daily in a shift of 8 h. The Net present worth (NPW) was calculated at USD 499.97 million by assuming a discount factor of 10 % and inflation rate of 5 % for 15 years. The project is considered feasible by demonstrating 7.15 payback year. This research showcased the efficient portrayal of the biorefinery system and succinctly conveyed the significant circular bioeconomy for a greener future. Thus, it could be helpful to the stakeholder's context towards techno-economic and environmental evaluation.

Use of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash as a supplementary cementitious material: CO2 mineralization coupled with mechanochemical pretreatment.

The use of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash, commonly referred to as "fly ash", as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), has been explored to mitigate the CO2 emissions resulting from cement production. Nevertheless, the incorporation of fly ash as an SCM in mortar has been shown to weaken its compressive strength and increase the risk of heavy metal leaching. In light of these challenges, this study aims to comprehensively evaluate the influence of CO2 pressure, temperature, and residual water/binder ratio on the CO2 uptake and compressive strength of mortar when combined with fly ash. Additionally, this study systematically examines the feasibility of mechanochemical pretreatment, which enhances the homogenization of fly ash and augments the density of the mortar's microstructure. The results indicate that the use of mechanochemical pretreatment leads to a notable 43.6% increase in 28-day compressive strength and diminishes the leaching of As, Ba, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn by 17.9-77.8%. Finally, a reaction kinetics model is proposed to elucidate the CO2 sequestration process under varying conditions. These findings offer valuable guidance for incorporating fly ash as an SCM and CO2 sequestrator in mortar.

Spatio-temporal evolution and the driving factors of municipal solid waste in Chinese different geographical regions between 2002 and 2020.

Urbanization and economic development have contributed to the rapid and massive generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) and significant changes in spatial patterns, which are becoming a serious pollution problem. Previously, macroscopic studies on the driving factors of MSW have been widely conducted at the national level, but the exploration of the driving factors in different geographical regions on a regional scale has not received much attention in the previous literature. This study is based on China, spatial patterns were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and movement of center of gravity, and time series clustering was used to explore temporal trends. Subsequently, Geodector was adopted to quantify the relationship between MSW generation and driving factors. The results of the study are as follows: 1) By analyzing the spatial pattern of MSW, this study found that MSW showed a spatial pattern of high in the southeast and low in the northwest during 2002-2020, and its separating line was the same as the Hu-line; the average center of gravity of MSW generation in the past 20 years was always located in Henan Province and shifted southward by 339.7 km. 2) The local spatial autocorrelation analysis results showed that the Low-Low clusters moved from southeast to northwest from 2002 to 2020, increasing to 20 cities. High-High clusters mainly appeared in the East Coast and South Coast regions, increasing from 8 to 17 cities in the last 20 years. 3) The analysis of driving factors by Geodetector revealed that Urbanization is the most critical dimension factor influencing MSW generation, with the strongest impact on the East Coast region. The next dimension is Economy, which has the most significant impact on MSW generation in the North West region. Energy is the third dimension that influences MSW generation, with the greatest impact on the North Coast region. The results of this study reveal trends in the spatial and temporal distribution of MSW in different geographic regions of China over the past 20 years and the impact of their driving factors, which can help the Chinese government take action to control MSW in a site-specific manner.

Migration patterns of heavy metals from solid waste stockpile soils by native plants for ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China.

Ecological remediation with native plants is the main measure to control the pollution of solid waste in Northwest China. However, the heavy metal transport characteristics of these native plants are still unidentified. This study analyzed the distribution of 16 heavy metals in native plants in the desulfurization gypsum yard (DGY), the gangue yard (GY) and the fly ash yard (FAY). The results showed that the soil contained many heavy metals in high concentrations. For instance, As concentrations were comparable to the global soil background values, whereas Cr and Mn concentrations in the area were 2-3 times greater than the global soil background values. The content of heavy metals in the plant root system increased first, then decreased as the distance from the yard increased. Ni, Pb, and Cd migrated well in Artemisia frigida Willd and Artemisia sieversiana Ehrhart ex Willd, with A. sieversiana showing a particularly strong migration in GY. A. sieversiana, on the other hand, was more successful at migrating Cd at DGY and had a similar capability for Mg migration in all three locations. Festuca rubra L was potentially suitable for planting in GY for Ni removal. In conclusion, the migration patterns of different heavy metals were not alike for plants in the three landfills. The results provided a basis for plant selection for ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid regions.

Investigating the characteristics of combustible fraction of legacy waste: A study on energy recovery potential and GHG emission quantification.

In India, majority of the generated municipal solid waste (MSW) was dumped in poorly managed landfills and dumpsites over the past decades and is an environmental and health hazard. Landfill mining is a promising solution to reclaim these sites along with the recovery of resources (materials and energy). During landfill mining operations, the combustible fraction is one of the major components recovered and needs proper management for maximizing resource recovery. For the identification of appropriate resource recovery options, knowledge of the physicochemical characteristics is required. The present study aims to assess the depth-wise change in the composition of legacy waste and the physicochemical characteristics of the combustible fraction. Furthermore, a material flow analysis considering the incineration of combustible fraction was performed to estimate the energy generation potential and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The results of the compositional analysis of dry legacy waste revealed that the fine fraction (<4 mm soil-like material) was dominating with a share of 36%. The depth-wise analysis showed a decrease in the calorific value with increasing landfill depth, while no specific trend was observed for the other parameters analyzed, including proximate and ultimate analysis, and chlorine content. The material flow analysis performed for 100 tonnes of wet legacy waste indicated that 52 tonnes of waste is combustible fraction. The GHG emissions through incineration of one tonne of dry combustible fraction would be 1389 kg CO2-eq, with 1125 kWh of electrical energy generation potential.

Global trends of waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies in carbon neutral perspective: Bibliometric analysis.

Waste-to-energy (WtE) technology is at the forefront of low-carbon municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment. MSW has been favoured by researchers in recent years due to its high potential to dispose of resources with WtE technology, which contributes to the carbon neutrality goal. However, there is a lack of research that integrates MSW WtE treatment from a global perspective and explores its future direction. Bibliometric methods are widely used because of their advantages in qualitative and quantitative literature information analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted in the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection database, covering the period from 1990-2022, resulting in the collection of 702 articles. Subsequently, bibliometric software such as CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix, were jointly employed for co-occurrence, co-citation, and cluster analyses, providing an in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis of the research hotspots and development trends of WtE technology for MSW treatment. The research findings indicate a rapid growth in studies on carbon emission reduction through WtE technology for MSW treatment since 2015, with these related articles accounting for 50% of articles. Globally, China, the United States, Italy, and other countries were active research regions, with Chinese research institutions making the largest contributions. However, contributions from developing countries are limited. Furthermore, this study systematically elaborates on the research hotspots in this field. Finally, this study identified some frontier research hotspots and directions. Research on WtE technology primarily focuses on technological methods and policy management, particularly from the carbon neutrality perspective, emphasis WtE technology sustainability in reducing carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality goals. Promoting the use of assisted decision-making models in the MSW management process, and focusing on the conversion of food waste into valuable energy. It is hoped that these research directions will provide new ideas for the balanced and rapid development of WtE technology.

Wet anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste: experience with long-term pilot plant operation and industrial scale-up.

This paper presents the analysis of a pilot anaerobic digestion plant that operates with organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) from a wholesale market and can treat up to 500 kg d-1. The process was monitored for a period of 524 days during which the residue was characterized and the biogas production and methane content were recorded. The organic load rate (OLR) of volatile solids (VS) was 0.89 kg m-3 d-1 and the Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) was 25 d during the process. The yield was 82 Nm3 tons OFMSW-1 biogas, equivalent to 586 Nm3 tons CH4 VS-1. The results obtained in the pilot plant were used to carry out a technical-economic evaluation of a plant that treats 50 tons of OFMSW from wholesale markets. A production of 3769 Nm3 d-1 of biogas and 2080 Nm3 d-1 of methane is estimated, generating 35.1 MWh d-1 when converted to electricity.

Climate footprint assessment of plastic waste pyrolysis and impacts on the Danish waste management system.

Increased plastic recycling is necessary to reduce environmental impacts related to manufacturing and end-of-life of plastic products, however, mechanical recycling (MR) - currently the most widespread recycling option for plastic waste - is limited by quality requirements for inputs and reduced quality of outputs. In this study, pyrolysis of plastic waste is assessed against MR, municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) and fuel substitution through climate footprint assessment (CFA) based on primary data from pyrolysis of plastic waste sourced from Danish waste producers. Results of the CFA are scaled to the Danish plastic waste resource in an impact assessment of current Danish plastic waste management, and scenarios are constructed to assess reductions through utilization of pyrolysis. Results of the CFA show highest benefits utilizing pyrolysis for monomer recovery (-1400 and -4800 kg CO2e per ton polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), respectively) and MR for single polymer polyolefins (-1000 kg CO2e per ton PE). The two management options perform similarly with mixed plastic waste (200 kg CO2e per ton plastic waste). MSWI has the highest impact (1600-2200 kg CO2e per ton plastic waste) and should be avoided when alternatives are available. Scaling the results of the CFA to the full Danish plastic waste resource reveals an impact of 0.79 Mt CO2e in year 2020 of current plastic waste management. Utilizing pyrolysis to manage MR residues reduces the system impact by 15%. Greater reductions are possible through increased separation of plastic from residual waste. The best performance is achieved through a combination of MR and pyrolysis.

Caste, mistrust and municipal inaction: The interwoven barriers for the integration of waste pickers in India.

Solid waste management in low- and middle-income countries like India faces significant challenges due to the increasing waste generation that surpasses the current capacity. Therefore, the informal waste sector (IWS) is more vital than ever in handling consumer waste alongside municipal solid waste management (SWM) systems. However, the integration of the IWS into formal waste management systems remains unresolved due to adverse social and economic conditions. This study focuses on identifying the root causes that hinder the integration of the IWS in India's waste management system, using the city of Chennai as a case study. Adopting an institutional perspective, we analyse the institutional landscape of the waste management system, considering both formal rules (in policy documents) and informal rules (i.e., social norms and routines). The institutional network analysis reveals a significant misalignment in perceptions among governance levels concerning the integration of the IWS. The study shows a considerable gap between rules-in-form and rules-in-use, leading to 1) Preclusion of waste pickers in collecting door-to-door source-segregated waste (i.e., recyclables). 2) Unfair pricing in transactions with small aggregators. 3) Lack of ID cards for waste pickers. These barriers are ultimately rooted in caste discrimination, misalignment between governance levels, and the exclusion of waste pickers in the policymaking process. In conclusion, understanding and rectifying the institutional gaps and discriminatory practices are essential steps towards effectively integrating the IWS in India's waste management system, promoting a more inclusive and sustainable approach to waste management.

Assessment and characterization of solid and hazardous waste from inorganic chemical industry: Potential for energy recovery and environmental sustainability.

Rapid global urbanization and economic growth have significantly increased solid waste volumes, with hazardous waste posing substantial health and environmental risks. Co-processing strategies for industrial solid and hazardous waste as alternative fuels highlight the importance of integrated waste management for energy and material recovery. This study identifies and characterizes solid and hazardous industrial wastes with high calorific values from various industrial processes at Nirma Industries Limited. Nine types of combustible industrial wastes were analyzed: discarded containers (W1), plastic waste (W2), spent ion exchange resins from RO plants (W3), sludge from effluent treatment in soap plants (W4), glycerine foot from soap plants (W5), rock wool puff material (W6), fiber-reinforced plastic waste (W7), spent activated carbon (W8), and spent cartridges from reverse osmosis plants (W9). Physical characterization, proximate and ultimate analysis, heavy metal concentration evaluation, and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted to assess their properties, revealing high calorific values exceeding 2500 kcal/kg. Notably, W1 and W2 exhibited the highest calorific values (∼10,870 kcal/kg), followed by W6 and W8 (∼6000 kcal/kg) and W9 (∼8727 kcal/kg). Safe heavy metal levels are safe, and high calorific values support the prospects of energy recovery and economic and environmental benefits, reducing landfill reliance and enhancing sustainable waste management.

An in-depth analysis of factors and forecasting techniques for emerging solid waste streams.

Technological advances have led to the generation of novel streams of solid wastes, comprising materials previously excluded from traditional waste considerations. The absence of proper handling and management policies for these Emerging Solid Waste Streams (ESWSs) poses a great cause of concern. Proper estimation of current and future quantities is necessary for efficient policy making. This study, through a systematic literature review, analyses forecasting models for four major ESWSs: PV waste, e-waste, battery waste, and biomedical waste. A total of 40 modelling methodologies which successfully forecast the quantities of these ESWSs are identified and analyzed in this review. These highly heterogeneous models are classified into several crucial categories based on the modelling method, independent variable, geographical scale and data type involved. This categorization proves to be pivotal in the selection of an appropriate forecasting model. Around 40 modelling methods and 100+ independent variables, crucial for a successful forecast are identified and categorized. This study also focuses on the uncertainty involved in input data, a factor contributing to inaccurate predictions. It further entails identifying and analysing potential data sources, examining the rationale behind their selection, and providing recommendations for choosing suitable data sources. Beyond analysis, potential future areas of research and gaps involved in the field of forecasting ESWSs have also been highlighted. Serving as a valuable guide for beginners, the research also proposes a methodology to navigate the intricacies of forecasting ESWSs, contributing to both our understanding of forecasting models and the development of robust waste management policies in the evolving technological landscape.

Biogas recovery from a state-of-the-art Italian landfill.

The Fossetto landfill has operated in the municipality of Monsummano Terme (Tuscany, Italy) since 1988, being considered a state-of-the-art landfill for 35 years. Initially, Fossetto acted as a conventional sanitary landfill for mixed municipal solid waste. With changes in regulations and technology, the Fossetto landfill was gradually equipped with a biogas recovery and valorisation system, a mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) plant in 2003 and a reverse osmosis leachate treatment plant, so the concentrated leachate has been recirculated back into the landfill body since 2006. Long-term biogas monitoring, enables the calculation of the efficiency of biogas recovery using a rather simplified methodology, which was assessed as being approximately 40% over the prior ten-years period. This value was lower than expected, confirming the results of previous studies and indicating the need of attributes. Applying the USEPA LandGEM model showed that the adoption of MBT substantially reduced biogas generation yields and rates by up to approximately 90% which was facilitated by the adoption of landfill leachate recirculation transforming the conventional landfill into a bioreactor. Detailed fugitive emission monitoring has allowed the evaluation of the impact of the cover type (final or temporary) and the emissions hotspots. From these results, possible remedial actions have been suggested including the more frequent monitoring of the fugitive emissions using simple and cost-effective methods (e.g., UAVs). Approximately 50% of fugitive emissions can be attributed to emissions hotspots, which reduce biogas recovery and the efficiency of temporary covers.

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of municipal solid waste management systems: a review.

In the context of Circular Economy, the significance of municipal solid waste management systems (MSWMSs) has increased, as well as the need for comprehensive assessment tools of their sustainability. In the Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) framework, the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), which is a methodology aiming to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social burdens throughout the various phases of waste management, has raised great interest. The paper describes the state-of-the-art of the implementation of LCT tools, with high regard to LCSA, for the evaluation of MSWMSs through their life cycle, with a deep focus on the use of both midpoint and endpoint categories. Drawing insights from an analysis of 69 case studies, the paper identifies the most frequently applied midpoint and endpoint categories for the sustainability assessment of MSWMSs. These categories are exposed in terms of their significance and applicability to specific waste management scenarios, providing valuable guidance for experts and researchers seeking to employ LCSA in MSWMSs assessments. Additionally, the paper outlines the limits associated with the implementation of LCSA, thereby highlighting areas for further research and improvement. In contrast to other reviews in this field, this paper uniquely focuses on the implementation of LCSA in the specific context provided by MSWMSs. By disseminating such insights, the paper aspires to foster the widespread adoption of LCSA by experts and researchers, ultimately advancing the sustainability discourse in municipal solid waste management.

Investigation on trommeled legacy waste from full-scale mining of old dumpsites: Suitable for valorization or scientific disposal?

The burgeoning interest in resource recovery from old dumpsites has significantly propelled the adoption of Landfill Mining (LFM) in recent years. This study is centred around evaluating the quality of materials recovered from the full-scale LFM activities at two major dumpsites in India, focusing on the valorization potential of the segregated legacy waste. A detailed analysis was conducted on the segregated waste fractions based on particle size (-30 mm, 30 to 6 mm, and -6 mm, as sourced from the sites), employing both batch and column leaching methods across a range of liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratios (0.1-10.0 L/kg). The findings reveal a pronounced concentration of contaminants within the -6 mm fraction compared to the 30 to 6 mm and -30 mm fractions. Column leaching tests revealed a reduction in contaminant concentration, correlating with incremental changes in L/S ratio. Notably, this trend remained consistent across varying particle sizes and specific type of contaminants assessed. Notably, color intensity of leachate reduced significantly from 720 to 1640 Platinum Cobalt Units (PCU) at an L/S ratio of 0.1 L/kg to a minimal 94-225 PCU at an L/S of 10 L/kg. Dissolved salts emerged as a primary concern, marking them as significant contaminants in both leaching methods. The analysis confirmed that the segregated fractions comply with the USEPA Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC), permitting their disposal in non-hazardous waste landfills. However, the elevated presence of dissolved salts, exceeding reuse limits by 5-35 times, limits their open or unrestricted reuse. Despite this, isolated reuse aligns with regulations from the Netherlands and Germany, suggesting viable pathways for compliant utilization. Geotechnical assessments indicate the potential for repurposing the -30 mm fraction as alternative earthfill and construction material. While heavy metal leaching does not pose significant concerns, the prevalent unscientific disposal practices near urban settlements highlight potential human health risks. This investigation enriches the understanding of the physicochemical properties, leaching behaviour, and reuse potential of segregated legacy waste, offering crucial insights for civic authorities in determining appropriate reuse and disposal strategies for such materials.