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2024 | Book

Solid Waste Management

Advances and Trends to Tackle the SDGs

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About this book

This book covers the latest advances in sustainable waste management and focuses on its implementation to mitigate water and air pollution, recycle and reuse raw material, and refine valuable metals. In this book, readers will learn about organic waste treatment, emerging waste management techniques, and the transformation of waste into value-added products. Particular attention is given to environmental sustainability and how we can better achieve it through innovative and responsible waste management practices.

Divided into 10 chapters, the book outlines a wide range of topics such as the sustainable management of food wastes through cavitation-assisted conversion, rapid bioconversion of animal meat waste into compost using black soldier fly larvae, thermoluminescence properties of combustion-synthesized nanomaterials and their applications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, and the creative reuse of plastic waste with a case study by Ghanaian artists. Expert contributors uncover new methods and approaches to waste management that invite readers to think critically about the current practices and their impact on the environment. In addition to these discussions, the work explores the challenges of environmental health in waste management for peri-urban areas.

This book provides a unique blend of theoretical perspectives and practical case studies that will enrich the understanding of sustainable waste management, and it equips readers with the knowledge needed to contribute to a more sustainable future. The book is an invaluable resource for researchers in the field of environmental science, students at all levels studying sustainability and waste management, and practitioners working in industry.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Solid Waste Management and Sustainability: Introduction and Updates
Abstract
Large amounts of solid waste have been generated due to the recent acceleration of urbanization and population growth, possessing considerable limitations to waste management systems and infrastructure. This book represents different types of solid wastes collected from domestic/households, agricultural/agro-industrial, and industrial sources. It illustrates the commonly used waste management methods, including physical, chemical, physicochemical, thermal, thermochemical, biological, and biochemical techniques. Information about solid waste management and sustainability is connected to the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The barriers, challenges, and opportunities associated with fulfilling the sustainability concept in waste management are defined. The book’s outputs support the involvement of stakeholders, policy-makers, and public and private sectors in maintaining sustainable solid waste management strategies.
Mahmoud Nasr, Abdelazim Negm
Sustainable Management of Organic Wastes
Abstract
Appropriate management of household, post-consumer and food production waste, together with animal manures and crop residues, enables both a reduction in pollution and production of renewable energy. The means to achieving these outcomes is treating organic wastes using anaerobic digestion to produce a methane-rich gas, biogas. In the UK/EU, regulatory controls and fiscal incentives have been applied to promote the use of anaerobic digestion to treat such wastes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from landfilling food waste, while simultaneously producing renewable electricity, heat and biomethane. A brief review of the anaerobic digestion process and main process types is provided, in addition to considering different feedstock types. Reference is made to two anaerobic digestion technology scenarios that sought to identify the optimum technology combination to deliver gases/fuels to the commercial marketplace, based on the efficiency of energy production, energy capacity, avoided CO2 emissions and capital/operating costs. Project capital and operating costs vary with feedstocks, technology combinations and the outputs/end-uses, and developers/investors need to compare the estimated capital/operating costs of proposed projects to assess their economic viability. Using different metrics, it can be seen that organic wastes of different types can be treated successfully using wet/dry digestion technologies to produce biogas for on-site/off-site use as a fuel for gas engines/fuel cells, upgraded to biomethane for grid injection and/or liquefied for off-site use, or converted to hydrogen. The choice of plant size and technology combination/option are influenced by the choice of feedstock(s), which in turn influences both the capital and operating costs of a proposed plant and hence its viability. Anaerobic digestion is a technically and financially proven option, able to assist developed and developing countries to support many of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, including helping end poverty; zero hunger by promoting sustainable agriculture; ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation; and ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy; responsible consumption and production; climate action to combat the adverse impacts of climate change. The main focus of this chapter is how the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes provides positive outputs across a number of sustainability goals while minimizing the adverse environmental impacts of landfilling such wastes.
Peter McKendry
Emerging Techniques of Solid Waste Management for Sustainable and Safe Living Environment
Abstract
Innovative solid waste management practices are essential to address the increasing global waste volume. Solid waste management involves several processes: collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal. With growing concerns regarding environmental sustainability, it is critical to adopt innovative and sustainable solid waste management practices that minimize the impact of waste on the environment. This research provides an overview of innovative solid waste management practices such as recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy technologies that can reduce waste sent to landfills and incinerators. The chapter also highlights the benefits and challenges of these practices, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased resource efficiency, and enhanced public health outcomes. By adopting these innovative solid waste management practices, we can create a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations. This research work tries to correlate the importance of solid waste management in a process to achieve the sustainable development goal no. 11 and addresses several key aspects of SDG 11, including sustainable urbanization, environmental sustainability, and public health. This research work will help policy planners and solid waste managers to choose the most suitable waste management technique for their towns based on the need, nature, and volume of waste generated in the town.
Shashikant Nishant Sharma, Kavita Dehalwar, Jagdish Singh
Sustainable Management of Food Wastes Through Cavitation-Assisted Conversion into Value-Added Products
Abstract
More than 30% of worldwide food consumption is thrown out as food wastes causing serious environmental, economic, and social problems. Therefore, it is required to develop sustainable food waste management methods leading to an enhancement in social and economic benefits and mitigation of environmental impacts. Anaerobic digestion can be regarded as one of those effective methods that can be employed for the conversion of food waste to value-added products. Food wastes are normally resistant towards hydrolysis (the first stage of anaerobic digestion), leading to a reduction in the formation of desired products. Cavitation is one of the useful pretreatment methods that can mitigate this problem and also increase mass transfer, which is a severe barrier to the reaction producing biodiesel (transesterification), leading to high rates of hydrolysis and transesterification. Cavitation is the formation, growth, and collapse of bubbles formed in the solution. Considering the subsequent effect of the collapse of generated bubbles (ability to disintegrate solid material, turbulence, high temperature and pressure, and radical formation), cavitation can be considered an efficient technique for minimizing the time and optimizing the generation of valuable products from food wastes. This technology can cause microbes to easily access substrates, resulting in an enhancement in microbial growth and the formation of products. Additionally, it can increase mass transfer between reactants, decreasing the time required in transesterification for producing biodiesel.
Zahra Askarniya, Xun Sun, Chongqing Wang, Grzegorz Boczkaj
Characterization of Biomass and Studies of Pyrolysis on Rice Husk in a Lab-Scale Pyrolyzer: A Step Toward Environmental and Energy Sustainability
Abstract
“Biomass characterization” describes biomass in terms of the characteristics relevant to its intended use. Biomass appropriateness may depend on physical and chemical factors, availability, acquisition cost, and disposal. Carbon is the main constituent of any biomass. The biomass materials selected for the characterization were bagasse, bamboo dust, coconut coir, cotton stalk, Acacia nilotica branches, Lantana, pine needles, groundnut shell, rice husk, and sal seed husk. Standard methods were used for the analysis. The vital characteristics that must be established for determining suitable biomass for various thermochemical operations (pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion) include proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, calorific values, ash fusion temperatures, and devolatilization rate. The assessment concluded that rice husk was the most sustainable raw material for the investigation of pyrolysis, a thermochemical process. The effects of the size of rice husk particles, heating rate, and the maximum temperature attained by the residues on the pyrolysis process were studied. Redfern and Coats equation was used to estimate the activation energy of pyrolysis. Various applications of rice husk char are suggested, which align with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 15. The chapter also elucidates the life cycle assessment (LCA) technique used to evaluate the environmental impact of converting rice husk into pelletized char, used as a sustainable solid fuel.
Pushpa Jha
Thermoluminescence Properties of Combustion-Synthesized Nanomaterial and Its Applications for Achievable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Abstract
Solutions for CO2 separation, collection, and preservation that utilize nanotechnology, nanoscience, and its related technologies have a tremendous potential to be profitable, economical, and advantageous to the sustainable environment. That is, the nanotechnology products make an important contribution to the promotion of sustainable development goals (SDGs). An adaptable technique of synthesizing nanomaterials is using combustion synthesis method. Nanoscale materials with dimensions of 1–100 nm offer unique physical, chemical, optical, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties than completely different solid crystalline materials in visible or optical microscopic range. In addition to their energy storage capacity, silicate phosphors are among the most prominent materials used in the field of luminescence.
TL material possesses afterglow properties, also known as long-persistent luminescence. The main crucial applications of TL phosphor include environmental monitoring, personnel dosimetry, clinical dosimetry, and dosimetry for UV radiation. The range of activation energy demonstrates the commitment of the synthesized nanomaterial to be an excellent TL phosphor, long-persistent and efficient dosimetric material. The present research work has focused on as-synthesized nanomaterial and its applications how to highly depend for sustainable development goals (SDGs) with a focus on the United Nations 2030 Agenda. This nanomaterial can be utilized in the field of agriculture and waste management through recycling process. This nanomaterial plays an important role in improving environmental, economic, and social sustainability for SDGs goals. It is highly capable for developing green technology and environmental protection.
Shashank Sharma, Sanjay Kumar Dubey
Rapid Bioconversion of Animal Meat Waste into Compost Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens): A More Sustainable Approach
Abstract
In Western diets, meat is the common item obtained from different sources such as poultry, seafood, pigs, goats, and sheep. The insidious animal meat waste from slaughterhouses and processed animal meat waste is a threat to the environment since it acts as a pathogenic harbor. Besides serving as feed to poultry and animal protein, black soldier fly larvae have a high potential to feed on any organic waste provided it has good moisture content. To avoid havoc from animal meat waste, black soldier fly larvae can be considered to efficiently treat animal meat waste and convert it into eco-friendly compost. They also provide a cradle-to-cradle system. Therefore, the black soldier fly larvae can be used for the dual purpose of sustainable animal meat–waste treatment, and the pupa can be used as a protein and calcium source for the animals. This chapter recapitulates the present state of knowledge about black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) and elaborates on their potential applications in the sustainable management of animal meat and seafood waste.
Graphical Abstract
Vivek Manyapu, Asha Mahesh Bannikoppa, Yo Chia Chen, Ashootosh Mandpe
Transforming Solid Waste into Artistic Marvels for Environmental Sustainability: Ghanaian Artists’ Upcycling and Creative Reuse of Plastic Waste
Abstract
Plastic waste has been a battling environmental menace in Ghana. Since the nineteenth century, precisely in the 1970s, industries in Ghana such as food and brewing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and many others welcomed the use of plastic as a packaging material. Now, Ghana generates over 1 million tons of plastic waste annually. Unfortunately, the industrial effort to recycle these plastic wastes in the country is only pegged at 5%. The large piles of plastic waste end up in the streets, beaches, drains, and oceans, resulting in dire environmental challenges such as the destruction of biodiversity, climate change, poor sanitation, and visual nuisance in social spaces as well as poor health and well-being. Some Ghanaian visual artists in an attempt to salvage the situation have made giant efforts to transform plastic waste into innovative and creative artistic products. This chapter discusses the art practice of three Ghanaian artists, namely Samuel Prophask Asamoah, Rufai Zakari Jabre, and Serge Attukwei Clottey, and how their creative intuitions have contributed to helping the country in achieving seven of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) 3, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. The chapter contends that if the Ghana government and other funding agencies support the activities of these genius Ghanaian visual artists who innovatively engage in upcycling or creative reuse of solid waste, it would not only lead to the good management of the solid waste, herein plastic waste, but also open entrepreneurial opportunities for the young and old in this period of difficult economic hardship.
Dickson Adom
Challenges of Environmental Health in Waste Management for Peri-urban Areas
Abstract
Improper waste management in many Indian cities poses serious environmental health risk to the inhabitants. Indecent disposal of household waste and poor waste management systems by state and local government creates opportunities for disease-causing agents to thrive and thereby put the health of the population at risk. This study aims to identify the challenges of waste management, outline the implications of improper waste management on environmental health, and seek to provide solutions. Although most parts of cities have poor waste management systems, a peri-urban area is most plagued. This is partly due to the local market situated in peri-urban areas and industrial units that dump waste materials in unscientific manner. From the study, improper waste management was identified as a major challenge of urbanization, which is prominent in metropolitan cities as with some other cities. It was also discovered that poor waste management poses serious risk to the environmental health of the population. Solutions proposed include citizen education on appropriate waste disposal habits, efficient Municipal Waste Management Planning and funding, and sustained street sweeping and cleaning. The challenges of environmental health in waste management in India are significant and multifaceted. The waste management infrastructure in India is inadequate, and waste segregation at the source is poor, resulting in mixed waste being dumped in landfills. A limited awareness among the general public about proper waste management practices further exacerbates the problem. The informal sector dominates waste management, which is often inefficient and works in unhygienic conditions, leading to health hazards. Inefficient collection and transportation of waste, along with outdated and poorly enforced government policies, contribute to environmental pollution and the spread of diseases. Additionally, many Indian cities lack access to advanced waste management technologies, further hindering the ability to manage waste in a sustainable manner. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that involves improving infrastructure, raising awareness, strengthening government policies, and involving the informal sector in the process.
Gopal Kumar, Supriya Vyas, Shashikant Nishant Sharma, Kavita Dehalwar
Solid Waste Management and Sustainability: Recommendations and Conclusions
Abstract
Recently, huge quantities of solid wastes have been produced, owing to the industrialization, urbanization, and exponential population growth patterns. This book succeeded in representing various efficient methods of solid waste management that could sustain a safe and healthy living environment for present and future generations. The given biological-based methods (anaerobic digestion, composting, and vermicomposting) and thermal-related techniques (gasification, pyrolysis, and combustion) could fulfill the targets of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) due to pollution reduction, energy generation, and job creation. The book outputs assist citizens, businesses, and government institutions in overcoming the challenges accompanied by the implementation of sustainable solid waste management strategies, including lack of resources, funding, or infrastructure.
Mahmoud Nasr, Abdelazim Negm
Metadata
Title
Solid Waste Management
Editors
Mahmoud Nasr
Abdelazim Negm
Copyright Year
2024
Electronic ISBN
978-3-031-60684-7
Print ISBN
978-3-031-60683-0
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60684-7