Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yixuan Wang, James W. Levis, Morton A. Barlaz
Summary: The study found that material production contributes 68-75% to toxicity impacts in the landfill while LFG emissions contribute 50-99% to global warming, ozone depletion, and smog impacts. The current non-methane organic compound regulatory threshold reduces methane emissions by <7% relative to the former threshold.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiaoqu Han, Hongzhang Chang, Chuan Wang, Jun Tai, Sotirios Karellas, Junjie Yan, Lijie Song, Zhujie Bi
Summary: This study proposes an onsite greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting approach for municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plants in China. A comprehensive life-cycle GHG emissions assessment model is developed and applied to a case study in Shanghai. Different methods for calculating fossil CO2 emissions originating from waste incineration are compared. The results show that modifying the dry matter content can effectively reduce the deviations among different methods. The study also highlights the impact of waste components, particularly the high plastics fraction, on GHG emissions from Chinese MSWI plants.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rongxing Bian, Jihong Chen, Tingxue Zhang, Chenqi Gao, Yating Niu, Yingjie Sun, Meili Zhan, Fengbin Zhao, Guodong Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the carbon emissions during the treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) from Qingdao City under different disposal modes. It was found that the carbon emissions depended on the disposal modes, with incineration serving as a carbon sink. The study suggests separating food waste, improving the recycling efficiency of recyclable waste, and reducing biogas leakage as feasible strategies to reduce carbon emissions from MSW disposal units.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sonil Nanda, Franco Berruti
Summary: The USA, China, and India are the top producers of municipal solid waste, with waste composition varying based on income levels. Municipal solid waste management options include recycling, incineration, waste-to-energy conversion, composting, or landfilling. Landfilling is a preferred method globally, with critical factors for sustainability including liners, soil cover thickness, leachate collection, and gas recovery facilities. Landfills act as ecological reactors undergoing various transformations, with bioreactor landfills emerging as a next-generation solution for efficient waste stabilization through controlled recirculation.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yujing Wang, Hua Zhang, Haihua Zhang, Xinyue Kang, Xiangyu Xu, Ruiheng Wang, Huihuang Zou, Wenwen Chen, Duo Pan, Fan Lu, Pinjing He
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of odorants, hazardous pollutants, and greenhouse gas emissions in flare exhaust from municipal solid waste landfills. The results showed that the combustion of flare exhaust significantly reduced odorants and their activity levels, but the odor concentration could still exceed 2,000. Oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) were found to dominate the odorants in the flare exhaust, and the major odor contributors were OVOCs and sulfur compounds. Hazardous pollutants, including carcinogens and acute toxic pollutants, as well as greenhouse gases, were emitted from the flares. The combustion efficiency of the flares varied depending on landfill gas composition and flare design, and the pollutant removal efficiency could be lower than 90%, especially for diffusion flares. Acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, p-cymene, limonene, hydrogen sulfide, and methane were identified as priority monitoring pollutants for flare emissions in landfills. Flares are useful for odor and greenhouse gas control, but they can also be potential sources of odor, hazardous pollutants, and greenhouse gases.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jonas Mehr, Melanie Haupt, Stefan Skutan, Leo Morf, Lugas Raka Adrianto, Gisela Weibel, Stefanie Hellweg
Summary: This study assesses the environmental performance of a municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash treatment plant in Hinwil, Switzerland. The results show significant environmental savings across all impact categories, with metal product substitution playing a key role in these savings, particularly in the recovery of heavy non-ferrous metals.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojing Li, Fan Lue, Nanlin Liao, Hua Zhang, Na Yang, Pinjing He
Summary: This study assesses and predicts the greenhouse gas emissions on the timeline as waste treatment technologies develop in Shanghai from 1991 to 2025 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings demonstrate that GHG emission has reached net-zero in 2019 owing to the application of alternative technologies and waste segregation.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kishan Kumar Prajapati, Monika Yadav, Rao Martand Singh, Priti Parikh, Nidhi Pareek, Vivekanand Vivekanand
Summary: In Indian cities, poor Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management practices are posing challenges such as uncontrolled landfilling, inadequate public participation, and failings in implementing MSW legislation and waste conversion. Recommendations for improvement include public awareness campaigns, public-private partnerships, investment in lined landfills, recycling, and waste to energy techniques. Optimization models and life cycle assessment tools should be utilized to minimize cost and environmental impact in MSW management.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yating Kang, Qing Yang, Liang Wang, Yingquan Chen, Guiying Lin, Junling Huang, Haiping Yang, Hanping Chen
Summary: This study develops a long time-series inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) for 294 Chinese cities and uses a logarithmic mean divisia index model to analyze the drivers behind the emissions change. The results show that domestic GHG emissions from MSW treatment in China have been increasing, with first-tier cities and new first-tier cities contributing significantly to the national emissions. Economic output is identified as the primary driver of increased emissions, while MSW treatment intensity per GDP has helped reduce emissions to some extent.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sen Miao
Summary: The study highlighted the significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Chengdu's municipal solid waste management system, recommending measures such as excluding plastic waste from incineration, enhancing landfill gas collection efficiency, and expanding composting facility capacity.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alyssa R. Pfadt-Trilling, Timothy A. Volk, Marie-Odile P. Fortier
Summary: Combustion is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions from waste-to-energy facilities, with the nonbiogenic fraction of the waste playing a significant role in climate change impact. The fraction of methane from landfills that is not captured is the most influential variable under system expansion. The climate change impact of waste-to-energy facilities can range from below that of renewable energy to comparable to natural gas based electricity with system expansion.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zaid M. Aldhafeeri, Hatem Alhazmi
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the environmental impact of a municipal solid waste management system in Riyadh under three different scenarios. The results show that waste incineration and recycling methods can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Saudi Arabia's electricity demand.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Faisal A. Osra, Huseyin Kurtulus Ozcan, Jaber S. Alzahrani, Mohammad S. Alsoufi
Summary: In many countries, open dumping is considered a common way of managing solid waste, but it leads to environmental pollution and resource waste. Therefore, by better utilizing solid waste and recovering energy from it, the situation of waste management can be effectively improved.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dek Vimean Pheakdey, Nguyen Van Quan, Tran Dang Xuan
Summary: This study assesses GHG emissions and reduction potential in municipal solid waste management (MSWM) based on IPCC 2006 guidelines. By examining various MSWM scenarios in Phnom Penh municipality, the study quantifies GHG emissions from different waste treatment methods and evaluates the effectiveness of waste separation. The findings highlight the importance of an integrated MSWM system with source separation for reducing environmental impacts.
GREENHOUSE GASES-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Seyed Mohammad Safieddin Ardebili, Abbas Asakereh, Mohsen Soleymani
Summary: Urbanization and rapid economic development have led to a significant amount of municipal solid waste (MSW), which can be used as a potential source for renewable electricity generation. This study assessed the renewable electricity generation potential in Khuzestan Province from MSW through anaerobic digestion (AD) and gasification technologies. The results showed that the province has the potential to generate approximately 17,678 GW of MSW-based bio-power annually, leading to both financial benefits and reduction in CO2 emissions. Additionally, the GIS-based Fuzzy-AHP method was used to identify suitable locations for constructing MSW power plants.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Onisoya Johnbull, Bassim Abbassi, Richard G. Zytner
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Akul Bhatt, Andrea Bradford, Bassim E. Abbassi
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jocelyn Lvel, Rachel Watson, Bassim Abbassi, Ziad Salem Abu-Hamatteh
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
James Arambarri, James Hayden, Mustafa Elkurdy, Bryan Meyers, Ziad Salem Abu Hamatteh, Bassim Abbassi, Waid Omar
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaime Nivala, Ghidaa Abdallat, Thomas Aubron, Iyad Al-Zreiqat, Bassim Abbassi, Gi-Mick Wu, Manfred van Afferden, Roland A. Mueller
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Riham A. Mohsen, Bassim Abbassi, Animesh Dutta
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James Arambarri, Bassim Abbassi, Peter Zytner
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kimberly Swain, Bassim Abbassi, Chris Kinsley
Article
Environmental Sciences
Riham Abdel Mohsen, Bassim Abbassi, Richard Zytner
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2020)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Akul Bhatt, Bassim Abbassi
Summary: Life cycle assessment is increasingly used to estimate environmental impacts in the sheep sector, with a focus on climate change impacts quantified through greenhouse gas emissions. Direct methanic emissions from livestock are identified as the largest contributor to overall greenhouse gas emissions. Further research is needed to assess impacts of post-farm activities and consider environmental impacts beyond climate change.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tong Chu, Bassim E. Abbassi, Richard G. Zytner
Summary: A life-cycle assessment was conducted on an on-site wastewater treatment system in the fresh-cut fruit processing industry using a membrane bioreactor (MBR) followed by reverse osmosis (RO) and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. The study found that the MBR and tertiary technologies had the least impact on the ecosystem compared to other scenarios and could provide water for reuse. Compared to municipal wastewater treatment plants, the on-site treatment system had less environmental impact in terms of climate change and human health.
WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anthony Heebner, Bassim Abbassi
Summary: This study evaluated a new combined treatment approach by combining ozonation and electrolysis for the mineralization of organic compounds in water. The results showed that the method was most effective for TOC removal in alkaline conditions and significantly enhanced performance compared to ozonation alone in acidic conditions. The initial pH had a more significant effect on TOC removal than current density, but both parameters were relevant. Under optimized conditions, 63% TOC removal was achieved.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Akul Bhatt, Bassim Abbassi
Summary: This study aims to fill the knowledge gap in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies on sheep production in Canada by conducting a cradle-to-gate LCA using Ontario-specific data. The results show that sheep meat production has significant impacts on global warming, non-renewable energy demand, and water depletion. It is recommended to conduct a sensitivity analysis and consider the impact of aquatic eutrophication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Akul Bhatt, Bassim Abbassi
Summary: Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a commonly used tool to quantify environmental footprints of products. Uncertainty in LCA modeling, particularly from uncertainty in production practices, can lead to incorrect conclusions. This article introduces a new sensitivity metric called relative sensitivity value (RSV) to gauge the relative influence of production practices on life cycle impacts.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(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.