Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zhikun Ding, Xinping Wen, Xiaoyan Cao, Hongping Yuan
Summary: This paper comprehensively evaluates the environmental impact of city-scale demolition waste management from a complex system perspective. A novel evaluation model that integrates GIS and system hybrid simulation is developed. It is found that the environmental impact of city-scale demolition waste management is mainly concentrated in the central and northeastern regions of Shenzhen. The results contribute to a better understanding of the status quo of demolition waste management and the formulation of effective policies.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sergio Juarez-Hernandez
Summary: The study evaluates the current and alternative MSW paths in Mexico City to compare their performance in terms of fossil energy use, GHG emissions, resource recovery, and economic cost, aiming to identify more sustainable practices. The current MSW path in Mexico City is unsustainable due to heavy reliance on landfilling, large GHG emissions, and low MSW valorization, while incineration-based paths perform better in most aspects but are hindered by high costs. The results suggest that MSW paths featuring open windrow composting, mechanical-biological pretreatment, material recovery facilities, and refuse-derived fuel production may be more appropriate for improving the sustainability of MSW management in Mexico City.
Article
Development Studies
Mohan B. Dangi, Om B. Malla, Ronald R. H. Cohen, Nawa R. Khatiwada, Samir Budhathoki
Summary: There is limited research on waste management facilities in Nepal, leading to poor planning and execution. This study used a life cycle assessment (LCA) model to investigate waste management options in Kathmandu and tested the impact of excluding variables without data. The assessment compared three scenarios: business as usual, recycling, and conjunctive disposal. Scenario 3, which included composting and landfilling, ranked highest and had the least environmental impact. The study successfully employed LCA as a decision-making tool and can be beneficial for waste management in other developing cities.
HABITAT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ying Liu, Zhiyuan Zheng, Lu Zhao, Zhen Wang
Summary: The recycling of plastic bottles is crucial for reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and safeguarding the environment. This study introduces an indicator based on the joint entropy method to assess the quality of post-consumer plastic bottles (PCPBs) in the collection stage. The research conducted in Beijing, China, revealed a decrease in the quality of PCPBs throughout the collection system, with residential area type identified as a key factor influencing quality at collection sites.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Junting Zhang, Quande Qin, Guangming Li, Chao-Heng Tseng, Guohao Fang
Summary: Based on a case study of Shenzhen, China, this research evaluated the positive transition of the city's municipal solid waste management system since the enforcement of waste separation. The life cycle assessment results showed a significant reduction of 51% in Global Warming Potential (GWP) with a cost of 61 US$/t CO2-eq, indicating that waste separation is a cost-effective management option for developing economies to achieve environmental targets.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
A. Generowicz, A. Gronba-Chyla, J. Kulczycka, P. Harazin, K. Gaska, J. Ciula, P. Oclon
Summary: In large urban agglomerations, the composition and amount of municipal waste vary based on factors such as wealth level, season, and tourism. City strategies aim to minimize environmental impact and optimize costs related to waste management. This study focuses on street sweepings, a type of municipal waste generated during street cleaning processes, and analyzes various technologies for assessing their impact on the environment using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings show that efficient street cleaning processes can significantly reduce environmental impact in terms of air quality, water consumption, fuel usage, and waste management.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giulliana Mondelli, Mariana Barbosa Juarez, Christiane Jacinto, Marcio Adilson de Oliveira, Lucia Helena Gomes Coelho, Cinthia Bergamo Biancardi, Jose Leonardo de Castro Faria
Summary: This paper presents the characterization of municipal solid waste (MSW) randomly collected from two material recovery facilities in Sao Paulo city, before (input - recyclables) and after (output - rejects) the sorting processes. Geo-environmental and geotechnical tests were performed on shredded samples and a digestion method was applied to detect the metals As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations using an ICP OES. The objective was to assist future activities of integrated solid waste management and soil pollution. The results showed differences in particle sizes, organic matter and ash contents, pH values, electrical conductivity, metal concentrations, and compaction characteristics between the input and output MSW, providing valuable data for waste management in other countries.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sisi Wang, Elisa Palazzo
Summary: By studying the Sponge City program in China, a better understanding of the social impacts of urban stormwater management projects can be achieved, leading to improved social equity objectives in future urban development initiatives.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Habibollah Fasihi, Taher Parizadi
Summary: The amount of wastes generated in cities is increasing, leading to more diverse and hazardous waste. The quality of waste management is crucial for environmental and human health. The study found that waste management in Amlash city is below satisfactory and that population and housing indicators do not have a significant relationship with waste management indicators.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xingyu Du, Dongjie Niu, Yu Chen, Xin Wang, Zhujie Bi
Summary: Developing a comprehensive city classification system is essential for municipal solid waste (MSW) management. This study selected six economic, social, and climatic indicators to classify cities into four clusters based on their relationships with MSW generation. The results showed significant differences in the distribution of indicators among different city clusters. The cross-prediction results validated the reliability of the clustering results. By establishing a city classification system, MSW generation can be predicted for cities lacking historical data, and appropriate regional policies can be formulated based on different relationships between MSW generation and influencing factors, especially for the four city clusters in mainland China.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donghui Liu, Shanshan Wang, Ruoyu Xue, Gengyu Gao, Ruiqin Zhang
Summary: Municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration power generation is an important treatment technology, which can bring significant energy-saving and emission reduction benefits. It has lower environmental impact compared to landfill and coal-fired power generation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Guo, Beidou Xi, Caihong Huang, Jiaxi Li, Zhurui Tang, Wei Li, Caiyun Ma, Weixia Wu
Summary: Solid waste management is influenced by various factors such as government policies, economic development, technology, and industrial structure. In China, measures like recycling, harmless treatment, and resource utilization are being implemented to improve waste management. Achieving waste reduction, energy consumption reduction, and carbon emission reduction requires capital investment and technological support.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Deval Singh, Anil Kumar Dikshit, Sunil Kumar
Summary: The generation of municipal solid waste litter (MSWL) is a growing concern in urban areas, as it negatively affects the aesthetics and health of pedestrians and nearby residents. This study aims to assess the current status of MSWL generation and its management scheme in Nagpur, a tier two city in India. Characterization and environmental assessment were performed using the common weighted method for five different categories of streets. An environmental status index (ESI) model was developed to evaluate the existing scenario of MSWL management. The study found variations in MSWL generation rates among different types of streets, and the application of exploratory data analysis and cluster algorithm was effective in identifying areas with higher MSWL generation rates.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shahjadi Hisan Farjana, Olubukola Tokede, Mahmud Ashraf
Summary: This paper analyzes the environmental impact of energy recovery from waste wood, starting from the wood production stage. Different types of waste wood, such as softwood, hardwood, MDF, plywood, and particleboard, are considered. The results show that all waste wood has potential for energy production and reducing climate change impact. Hardwood and softwood products show the most beneficial aspects, while MDF and particleboard have the least potential for energy recovery and contribute to the highest emissions. The outcomes of this study can guide Australia in establishing waste-to-energy recovery facilities to generate additional energy and reduce waste wood.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Willie Doaemo, Sahil Dhiman, Alexander Borovskis, Wenlan Zhang, Sumedha Bhat, Srishti Jaipuria, Mirzi Betasolo
Summary: Lae City in Morobe Province, as the second largest city in Papua New Guinea, is facing increased population and municipal solid waste accumulation due to industrialization. To address this issue, it is important to review socio-economic and geographic factors to establish an efficient and sustainable waste management approach.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Hiroko Yoshida, Martin P. Nielsen, Charlotte Scheutz, Lars S. Jensen, Thomas H. Christensen, Steen Nielsen, Sander Bruun
ACTA AGRICULTURAE SCANDINAVICA SECTION B-SOIL AND PLANT SCIENCE
(2015)
Article
Environmental Sciences
H. Yoshida, T. H. Christensen, T. Guildal, C. Scheutz
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hiroko Yoshida, Martin P. Nielsen, Charlotte Scheutz, Lars S. Jensen, Sander Bruun, Thomas H. Christensen
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING & ASSESSMENT
(2016)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Stefania Butera, Stefan Trapp, Thomas F. Astrup, Thomas H. Christensen
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2015)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Stefania Butera, Jiri Hyks, Thomas H. Christensen, Thomas F. Astrup
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Stefania Butera, Thomas H. Christensen, Thomas F. Astrup
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Line K. Brogaard, Per H. Petersen, Peter D. Nielsen, Thomas H. Christensen
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2015)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Valentina Bisinella, Knut Conradsen, Thomas Hojlund Christensen, Thomas Fruergaard Astrup
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2016)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sander Bruun, Hiroko Yoshida, Martin P. Nielsen, Lars S. Jensen, Thomas H. Christensen, Charlotte Scheutz
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2016)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Line K. Brogaard, Thomas H. Christensen
Correction
Engineering, Environmental
Valentina Bisinella, Knut Conradsen, Thomas Hojlund Christensen, Thomas Fruergaard Astrup
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2017)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
V. Bisinella, R. Gotze, K. Conradsen, A. Damgaard, T. H. Christensen, T. F. Astrup
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2017)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
M. Bigum, A. Damgaard, C. Scheutz, T. H. Christensen
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2017)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Stefania Butera, Thomas H. Christensen, Thomas F. Astrup
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2014)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Line K. Brogaard, Anders Damgaard, Morten B. Jensen, Morton Barlaz, Thomas H. Christensen
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2014)
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.