Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Chen-Fu Chien, Kathleen Aviso, Ming-Lang Tseng, Minoru Fujii, Ming K. Lim
Summary: The limitations of traditional waste management methods and the increasing generation of solid waste necessitate the collection of research on efficient models and better treatment technologies in a virtual special issue. Strategies focusing on reuse and recycling in solid waste management have revealed their current challenges, and the progress in addressing these limitations is of growing importance for emerging economies.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tat-Dat Bui, Jiun-Wei Tseng, Ming-Lang Tseng, Ming K. Lim
Summary: This study enriches knowledge of sustainable solid waste management by establishing a valid hierarchical model and critiques the causal interrelationship between waste reuse and recycling attributes. The challenges and opportunities for sustainable waste reuse and recycling are emphasized, and direction is provided for practices. The results show that circular resource management, societal requirements, and municipal sustainability are causative aspects with the capability to improve sustainable solid waste management as it regards waste reuse and recycling.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saroj Kumar Pani, Atul Arun Pathak
Summary: India is transitioning towards an efficient and sustainable plastic waste management system based on the extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach. The future development of the Indian EPR framework will be determined by factors such as robust regulatory architecture, operational mechanism, and ecosystem catalysts.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Ketema Alemu, Tariku Assefa, Ayalew Debebe, Biniyam Solomon, Yordanos Hailu
Summary: The apparel industry generates a large amount of waste that can harm the environment. Converting waste leather, fabric, and low-density polyethylene into composite materials can provide environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions for reinforcement in bag manufacturing.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Imran Khan, Shahariar Chowdhury, Kuaanan Techato
Summary: This article discusses the current waste management situation and potential of waste to energy generation in developing countries, with a focus on SSA and SA. The analysis reveals that a significant amount of waste is openly dumped in these countries, and a large portion of the waste generated is organic. Opportunities to convert this waste into energy are highlighted, and a case study of Bangladesh is presented.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nathalia Silva de Souza Lima Cano, Eleni Iacovidou, Emilia Wanda Rutkowski
Summary: This article examines the terminology used to describe recycling value chains globally and provides an overview of the current state of MSW recyclable waste materials management in developed and developing economies. It proposes a typology for describing recyclable waste material management and highlights the complex, context-specific nature of recycling value chains. The study emphasizes the importance of governance in coordinating recycling networks and improving recycling performance.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Jennifer Estelle Mathis, Marianne Carliez Gillet, Henri Disselkoen, Jenna R. Jambeck
Summary: Reducing land-based plastic leakage into the ocean is a complex issue that requires interdisciplinary collaboration. ASEAN countries have made commitments to reduce ocean plastic pollution and the USAID-funded Municipal Waste Recycling Program has supported waste management improvement and behavior change. The program has engaged millions of people, created jobs, passed new policies, and diverted thousands of metric tons of plastic from the environment. However, challenges exist in implementing these initiatives.
Review
Engineering, Marine
Dario De Fazio, Luca Boccarusso, Antonio Formisano, Antonio Viscusi, Massimo Durante
Summary: This article summarizes the current state of the art of recycling technologies for polymeric composites commonly used in industrial applications, including chemical, thermal, and mechanical methods. The advantages, drawbacks, applications, and properties of the recycled composites are analyzed for each recycling method.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Goncalo Terca, David Wozabal
Summary: The study shows that although some literature claims that owners of VRES should also own electricity storage to gain economic benefits, our analysis demonstrates that combining these two assets does not generate economic advantages. While there are circumstances where the combination of storage and VRES may make economic sense at the individual agent level, our numerical case study suggests that this combination could also produce suboptimal results.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhikang Bao, Weisheng Lu
Summary: The study aims to develop a decision-support framework to help plan on-site and off-site construction waste recycling, using qualitative research methods in Shenzhen, China. Project characteristics and industrial and governmental supports are found to determine the technical and economic viability of a particular recycling option. These factors interact with each other and evolve over time and context to effect.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linlin Lu, Wei Fan, Shengbo Ge, Rock Keey Liew, Yang Shi, Hao Dou, Shujuan Wang, Su Shiung Lam
Summary: This paper reviews the current progress of recycling and reuse of waste silk, which is a result of the improvements in living standards and the throw away culture of mankind. The utilization of waste silk in various applications, such as energy, fabric, composites, skincare, biological tissue engineering, filtration, and electronics, is explored. The modification, optimization, and application of regenerated silk fibroin extracted from waste silk show great potential for industrialization and sustainable development. Furthermore, making waste silk functional and intelligently wearable provides two promising ways for recycling waste silk with low cost and high return value. The recovery and utilization of waste silk serve as a paradigm for valorization of other fiber-based waste materials.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Linwei Du, He Xu, Jian Zuo
Summary: This study reviewed literature on illegal dumping since 1990 and found that current research mainly focuses on environmental science, economics, management, and emerging technologies. Despite increased awareness, there are still unanswered questions. Future research should include studying pollutant migration, targeted treatment, stakeholder decision models, and developing unified evaluation standards.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Tariq Majeed, Maria Mazhar, Samina Sabir
Summary: This study examines the impact of environmental degradation on output volatility in South Asian economies, finding a significant positive relationship between environmental pollution indicators and output volatility, with nitrous oxide having a larger effect. Promoting clean investments in nitric acid plants may improve environmental quality and foster economic stability.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alejandra Gomez-Maldonado, Laura Catalina Ospina-Espita, Paul Rodriguez-Lesmes, Mayra Alejandra Rodriguez-Rodriguez
Summary: Low-and middle-income countries lack research on waste management initiatives and informal sector issues. This article focuses on waste pickers' role and their transition from informal to formal work in the Latin American context. The study in Colombia, which promotes a formalization pathway for waste picker organizations, utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the barriers and opportunities for waste pickers' formalization.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael J. Stapleton, Ashley J. Ansari, Aziz Ahmed, Faisal I. Hai
Summary: This study examines the changes in properties of different types of plastics after simulated environmental degradation and determines their suitability for upcycling or downcycling. It finds that PET and PP are unsuitable for upcycling due to color changes, while PLA has reduced tensile strength and significant chemical and surface changes. PC shows good upcycling potential due to its resistance to degradation.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Management
Diogo Cunha Ferreira, Rodrigo Soares, Maria Isabel Pedro, Rui Cunha Marques
Summary: Ensuring customer satisfaction is crucial for managers aiming to maintain or increase profits. This study proposes an alternative model for studying satisfaction and its determinants, combining Stochastic Multicriteria Acceptability Analysis and Multicriteria Satisfaction Analysis. The model is applied to a case study in the hospitality industry.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Carolyn-Thi Thanh Dung Tran, Brian Dollery
Summary: This study contributes to the empirical literature by examining the relationship between operational efficiency and administrative intensity in the Victorian local government system. The findings show that administrative intensity has a negative impact on the performance of local councils and a U-shaped relationship with municipal efficiency. There are also differential effects of administrative intensity on rural and urban councils.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos A. Novaes, Rui Cunha Marques
Summary: Stormwater systems in most cities are crucial but often overlooked infrastructure, relying on weak institutional and organizational structures. Solving the issues associated with these systems requires more than just technological solutions, but also a paradigm shift towards a new socio-institutional mentality that addresses new demands.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mai Wardeh, Rui Cunha Marques
Summary: This article reviews the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in refugee camps in the Arab Middle East based on empirical data from Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs collected through a questionnaire. SDGs' indices were calculated using arithmetic mean and principal component analysis methods. The study finds that progress towards achieving the SDGs varies in the three locations due to different policies in the host countries. Iraq ranked highest in social and economic sustainability, Jordan ranked highest in environmental sustainability, and Lebanon lagged behind in all three dimensions. While SDG7 performed well, accelerating progress towards the remaining SDGs is crucial. Without substantial efforts from all stakeholders, the 2030 agenda will not be accomplished.
Article
Management
Joseph Drew, Dana McQuestin, Brian Dollery
Summary: This paper examines the fiscal outcomes and operating unit costs of local government amalgamations. The findings indicate that the actual operating costs did not align with the expectations of the amalgamation architects.
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT REVIEW
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Evaristo Fernandes, Rui Cunha Marques
Summary: In the last three decades, water shortages have become more common and have had a significant impact on the global economy. This has led to a shift from linear water management to circular resource preservation management, with a focus on water reuse. The circular economy in the water sector has gained attention, although the potential for treated wastewater reuse is still in its early stages. This paper examines recent research on circular economy implementation in the water and wastewater sector, with a focus on motivations and geographical distribution.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ines Freire Machete, Rui Cunha Marques
Summary: Private financing in the water supply and sanitation sector is inadequate due to perceived project risks, resulting in barriers to leveraging private financing. This study analyzed 185 World Bank-funded projects from 2015 to 2021 to understand the influence of perceived risks on financing. The study identified the most prevalent risks in these projects and found that the World Bank has varying levels of tolerance for different risk types, which can impact financing decisions.
Article
Economics
Carolyn-Thi Thanh Dung Tran, Brian Dollery, Subba Reddy Yarram
Summary: This article investigates the relationship between operational efficiency and administrative intensity in the Australian higher education sector using a second stage bootstrapping DEA fractional regression model. The study finds that administrative intensity positively affects university performance and exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship with efficiency. The impact of administrative intensity varies across different types of universities. Several public policy implications are discussed.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sonia Lima, Ana Brochado, Rui Cunha Marques
Summary: This study examines the unbalanced relationships in current PPP risk management frameworks, particularly in the water sectors of developing countries. It analyzes different stakeholders' perceptions of risk management through interviews in Portugal and Mozambique. The findings reveal that experts consider managing context risks to be crucial in the success of PPPs in developing countries' water sectors. The study also proposes a complete risk management cycle based on the opinions of interviewed professionals.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Diogo Cunha Ferreira, Jose Rui Figueira, Salvatore Greco, Rui Cunha Marques
Summary: Assessing the technical efficiency of observations requires perfect knowledge of the associated data. Biased estimates may result if this is not the case. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a widely used mathematical model for efficiency estimation. This study proposes a method to address the issue of imperfect knowledge of data and demonstrates its effectiveness through an empirical case study.
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Hugo Consciencia Silvestre, Rui Cunha Marques, Brian Dollery, Aldenisio Moraes Correia
Summary: In this paper, we empirically investigate the relationship between cooperating entities, local government institutions, and transaction costs in Brazilian local government water services through consortia. Our results show that institutional arrangements significantly affect cost efficiency, measured by total expenditure per user, between 2011 and 2019. We found that cost efficiency increases slowly under bureaucracies and faster under public enterprises, with dedicated asset specificities and contract management complexity explaining differences in water service provision cost efficiency. These findings have theoretical significance and important policy implications for intermunicipal cooperative agreements.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDIES
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Civil
Thalita Salgado Fagundes, Rui Cunha Marques, Tadeu Malheiros
Summary: Water and sanitation affordability has become an important research topic due to the economic crisis and the role of tariffs. This paper systematically reviewed previous research on affordability and critically discussed the methodologies used. The study identified four key topics and highlighted the potential role of the analysis in public financial policies.
AQUA-WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ECOSYSTEMS AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Carlos Novaes, Rui Marques
Summary: Circular economy means efficient resource use and creating a feasible framework to tackle climate change and economic scarcity challenges. Urban stormwater, when treated as a useful resource, can replace energy-consuming water supply systems, resulting in energy savings and emission reduction. Urban agriculture can also benefit from green infrastructures. The key lies in implementing an efficiency mentality and aligning policies, institutions, and regulations to promote circular economy in urban planning and water cycle.
Article
Water Resources
Ines Freire Machete, Rui Cunha Marques
Summary: This study analyzed 62 completed World Bank water supply and sanitation projects and found correlations and interactions between project results, bank performance, and project characteristics. It highlights the importance of assessing and mitigating project risks, as well as the significance of development bank financing.
JOURNAL OF WATER SANITATION AND HYGIENE FOR DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojian Liu, Bei Wang, Yayun Ma, Xiangyang Zhou, Juan Yang, Yuehui He, Jingjing Tang, Fanyun Su, Wan Yang
Summary: This study proposes a combined process of reduction roasting of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid leaching to improve the recovery efficiency of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries. By utilizing the reducing gas produced from the pyrolysis of herb-medicine residue, the layered structure of the cathode powder is destroyed and converted into Li2CO3, Ni, Co, and MnO. Additionally, selective extraction of lithium is achieved using oxalic acid, and the efficiency and kinetics of lithium extraction are improved under the combined action of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muxina Konarova, Nuno Batalha, Gabriel Fraga, Mohamed H. M. Ahmed, Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock
Summary: This study presents a proof of concept for a technology that integrates PET recovery from mixed plastic waste and plastic pyrolysis. By depolymerizing PET into TPA using a low volatility oil as medium, it achieves low-pressure operation and a selective separation and recovery of TPA from the product mix. Full PET conversion and high TPA recovery were achieved, making it an effective solution for processing mixed waste streams and improving the yield and quality of liquid product from thermal pyrolysis compared to untreated feedstock.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenhua Sun, Jing Li, Xuejiang Wang, Siqing Xia, Jianfu Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the influence of in-situ formed MgFe2O4 on the hydrothermal treatment of swine manure. The results showed that the in-situ formation of MgFe2O4 improved the dehydration and decarboxylation of organic components in swine manure, thereby improving its carbonization degree. Furthermore, it enhanced the stabilization of heavy metals and the retention of phosphorus. MgFe2O4 modified hydrochars exhibited remarkable adsorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cu(II) without any leaching of heavy metals.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yijing Jiang, Boyang Leng, Jingxin Xi
Summary: The increased generation of municipal solid waste has had a significant impact on the economy, environment, and public health. The current waste treatment process has limitations. By developing a comprehensive social costing model, this study assesses the impacts of municipal solid waste management throughout its life cycle and provides policymakers with best practices and feasibility information.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marina Hernandes de Paula e Silva, Ricardo Coser Mergulha, Jose Geraldo Vidal Vieira, Andrea Brasco Pampanelli, Rodrigo Salvador, Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva
Summary: This study developed and implemented a self-assessment tool to assist companies in decision-making processes for establishing circular flows based on Lean Manufacturing and Circular Economy principles. The tool utilized a maturity model and was applied to nine companies of varying characteristics. The findings revealed that certain companies showed higher maturity in water-waste and chemical-emissions management, with larger enterprises focusing on these strategies. However, many companies lacked sufficient training and employee awareness prior to seeking cleaner alternatives, and comprehensive actions to manage the product lifecycle were lacking. To address these gaps, the tool provided tailored recommendations for each company to improve their processes, products, and value chain.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gamze Dogdu, Turgay Pekdemir, Sanaz Lakestani, Seyda Karabork, Osman Cavus
Summary: This paper presents data on food waste associated with mini size food packaging services, highlighting the difficulties in emptying the food and consumer wastefulness as the main causes. These findings have significant implications for the sustainability of food and relevant packaging.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingxia Li, Xin Kong, Yuxin Chen, Jianan Niu, Jia Jing, Jin Yuan, Yifeng Zhang
Summary: This study investigates how to enhance methane production from food waste after hydrothermal pretreatment. The results demonstrate a significant increase in methane yield when zero-valent iron and magnetite are used together, and high organic loading is favorable for methane production. Microbial diversity analysis further reveals the dominant pathways and metabolic processes involved in methane generation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
D. H. H. Sim, I. A. W. Tan, L. L. P. Lim, E. T. Lau, B. H. Hameed
Summary: The development of controlled-release fertilizer formulation is important for preventing environmental pollution caused by nutrient leaching and volatilization. This study combined biochar-based fertilizer with encapsulation technology to improve the nutrient release mechanism. Optimal conditions for synthesizing urea-impregnated biochar (UIB) were determined using central composite design, and the release of nitrogen was described by mathematical models. Results showed that encapsulated UIB (EUIB) achieved complete release of nitrogen in water and exhibited improved water retention in sandy-textural soil. Therefore, EUIB derived from peppercorn waste has the potential to be used as a sustainable controlled-release fertilizer for agriculture.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuchuan Wang, Neslihan Akdeniz
Summary: Incorporating biochar into composting systems can increase compost temperatures. This study developed a heat transfer model for a biochar-amended co-composting system and found that biochar increased thermal conductive losses but also enhanced microbial activity, resulting in an overall increase in total heat unit. When biochar was applied on the surface, it mainly functioned as an insulator.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
George Tsalis, Birger Boutrup Jensen, Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
Summary: This paper empirically explores the relationship between retail price promotions and household food waste. The results show that households with a higher proportion of discount food purchases and environmental awareness tend to waste less food, while larger households and those lacking food handling skills tend to waste more food.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukas Friederici, Arne Koch, Patrick Martens, Jana Pantzke, Sebastiano Di Bucchianico, Thorsten Streibel, Christopher P. Rueger, Ralf Zimmermann
Summary: The increasing demand for lightweight materials has led to a rise in fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) production. However, the properties and compositional range of FRPs pose challenges to recycling strategies. Pyrolysis has emerged as a promising method for separating the fibers from the polymer matrix. This study investigated the pyrolysis process using thermal analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and also assessed the toxicity of the recovered fibers using an in vitro model.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Devika Kannan, Shakiba Khademolqorani, Nassibeh Janatyan, Somaieh Alavi
Summary: This paper introduces Smart Waste Management (SWM) that applies Industry 4.0 technologies in waste management. A framework called SWM4.0 is developed, which highlights the importance of smart people, smart cities, smart enterprises, and smart factories in achieving successful waste management. The paper also suggests future research directions and managerial implications.
