Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gebremedhin Gebreegziabiher, Tefera Belachew, Kibrti Mehari, Dessalegn Tamiru
Summary: The study revealed a high prevalence of dyslipidemia among adult residents of Mekelle City, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and public health interventions involving the collaboration of public, governmental, and non-governmental organizations.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shishay Kiros Weldegebriel, Kumelachew Yeshitela
Summary: The study in the Mekelle city region analyzed the land-use dynamics over the past 47 years and found a continuous decrease in ecosystem-service values, indicating more severe ecosystem degradation. It suggests ecological restoration as the best option for policy development in the study area.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zawde Tadesse Teshome, Zemenu Tadesse Ayele, Mohamed Ibrahim Abib
Summary: Improper solid waste management in developing countries has negative impacts on human life and the environment. This study assessed the current practices, sources, types, and determining characteristics of solid waste in the study area. Findings revealed a lack of awareness among communities regarding the environmental impacts of solid waste and a shortage of public waste bins near residences. The study recommends the installation of trash bins near communities and providing training on the effects of solid wastes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
V. C. Shruti, Gurusamy Kutralam-Muniasamy, Fermin Perez-Guevara, Priyadarsi D. Roy
Summary: Accurate characterization and data collection on household waste generation are crucial for promoting recycling and city management plans. Citizen science projects collaborating with waste collectors can overcome traditional data collection challenges and provide a viable solution for addressing household waste generation across different boundaries.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adhena Ayaliew Werkneh, Mebrhit Azenaw Tewelde, Tsegaluel Abay Gebrehiwet, Md Aminul Islam, Molla Teferi Belew
Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of street food vendors regarding food safety in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted, and data was collected through face-to-face interviews and observation. The majority of vendors had good levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and good food safety practices. Age, monthly income, educational status, food vending experience, food safety training, food safety knowledge, and food safety attitude were found to be significantly associated with food safety practice. It is recommended that all street food vendors receive efficient and ongoing training on food safety practices, and further research using mixed methodologies would be beneficial to provide more thorough results.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hailu Ayene Kebede, Wondim Alemu Ayenew
Summary: Urban environments, especially densely-populated areas like Dessie, generate a large amount of waste. Waste pickers collect solid waste from the main road and nearby areas and dispose of it by dumping it in the river downstream, resulting in open burning. This study aims to find a proper waste disposal location in the area by considering both physical and socio-economic parameters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaleab Adhena Abera, Tesfamichael Gebreyohannes, Berhane Abrha, Miruts Hagos, Gebremedhin Berhane, Abdelwassie Hussien, Ashebir Sewale Belay, Marc Van Camp, Kristine Walraevens
Summary: The article presents a mapping of water resources vulnerability in the Mekelle area using the DRASTIC method. It produces a modified vulnerability map and validates the models using nitrates. The results highlight areas with high vulnerability as significant sources of pollution and suggest the use of these findings for groundwater resource protection and monitoring.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yohannes Gelaye
Summary: Ethiopia's floriculture industry is rapidly growing, but it is also causing health risks and environmental problems. The lack of waste disposal technologies and safety measures on flower farms leads to careless disposal of chemicals and waste, resulting in negative impacts on health and the environment. The government does not have effective control and assessment of flower farms, and farms prioritize profit over environmental concerns.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ana Gimenez, Gaston Ares, Sok L. Chheang, Sara R. Jaeger
Summary: Food waste is a global concern, especially at the consumer level. This study aimed to explore the potential of an information-based strategy to reduce household food waste, investigate the impact of information on attitudes towards food waste, and explore the reasons behind perceived changes in household food waste. The controlled randomized trial found that providing information significantly reduced household food waste, despite the Control group having the same attitudes as the Informed group. Strategies for successfully reducing food waste included buying less food, using leftovers and suboptimal foods, controlling portion sizes, and planning meals. The main reason for not reducing food waste was the belief that household food waste was minimal or inexistent. Overall, this research emphasizes the potential of information strategies to reduce food waste at the household level and discusses cognitive dissonance as a possible underlying mechanism.
FOOD QUALITY AND PREFERENCE
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Phyllis Rumbidzai Kwenda, Gareth Lagerwall, Sibel Eker, Bas Van Ruijven
Summary: Among African cities, Harare is ranked as one of the poorest in terms of solid waste management. The city struggles to efficiently provide waste management services, with most waste being disposed at the major dumpsite Pomona. Only a small percentage of waste is recovered annually, mainly through waste pickers.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Goitom Molalign Takele, Negash Abreha Weldesenbet, Nahom Girmay, Habtamu Degefe, Rigbe Kinfe
Summary: The study found that patients at Ayder specialized comprehensive hospital in Mekelle, Ethiopia, were generally satisfied with the emergency medical care provided, with lower satisfaction rates towards the emergency room environment. Timeliness of emergency services and the courtesy of medical staff significantly impacted patient satisfaction.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chengyan Yao, Guangfu Liu, Xinyu Hao, Yanran Liu
Summary: This research proposes a multi-dimensional symbiotic integration of waste disposal capability in developing regions. Using data from the Yangtze River Delta in China, it explores waste flows and interactions between cities, identifies possibilities for inter-municipal collaboration, and categorizes cities in the collaborative network of waste disposal into subgroups. The findings indicate the potential for shared or complementary urban symbiosis in the waste recycling industry, paving the way for transitioning to a circular economy in waste management.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Teamir Abadi, Anagaw Derseh Mebratie
Summary: This study found that direct medical costs accounted for the major share in treating maternal complications, driven by lack of diagnostic services at public facilities and the need to pay for private providers. Patients' expenditure for treatment is positively associated with income, absence from work, travel time to the facility, and being diagnosed at a private facility.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND HEALTHCARE POLICY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Solomon Tesfamariam, Vanum Govindu, Abera Uncha
Summary: This study used remote sensing techniques to assess and analyze the spatiotemporal variation, correlation and impact of Urban Heat Island (UHI) on Mekelle city (1990-2020). The results showed that land cover classes have a significant impact on land surface temperature variations, resulting in major cities being significantly warmer than surrounding areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Uros Durlevic, Ivan Novkovic, Ivana Carevic, Dragana Valjarevic, Aleksa Marjanovic, Natalija Batocanin, Filip Krstic, Luka Stojanovic, Aleksandar Valjarevic
Summary: Adequate disposal of municipal solid waste is a complex environmental challenge in Serbia, particularly in urban areas. This research used geographic information systems to find a suitable landfill site location, utilizing multi-criteria analysis. The results provide a reference for safe waste disposal in the city of Kraljevo.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(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.