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Sustainable Control and Management of Pollution from Solid Waste: New Technologies and Advancements for Waste Characterization and Processing

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Development Goals towards Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3232

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Riccardo Gasbarrone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ce.R.S.I.Te.S Research and Service Center for Sustainable Technological Innovation, Sapienza-University of Rome, Latina, Italy
Interests: characterization and classification of materials; advanced photonic techniques; spectroscopy; chemometric techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Roberta Palmieri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: characterization of materials; primary and secondary raw material quality control; waste recycling; hyperspectral imaging techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The escalating volume of solid waste produced in recent years has raised significant concerns, highlighting the urgent need for a robust and efficient valorization chain based upon reuse and recycling.

The efficient conversion of waste into secondary raw materials relies on the development of low-cost, rapid, effective, and environmentally friendly techniques capable of detecting, characterizing, and sorting solid waste products. An optimal performance in material identification necessitates technological cost-effectiveness and reliability, underscoring the critical role of optical–digital and sensor-based techniques, particularly in the recycling and pollution-control domains.

In this context, the primary purpose of our Special Issue is to foster an exchange of insights, tackle challenges, and propose solutions aimed at enhancing sustainability in pollution control, solid waste management, and strategies for the efficient utilization of solid waste resources through technological innovation and advancements. We encourage submissions with the following purposes:

  • providing in-depth analyses of emerging technologies and advancements in waste characterization and processing;
  • offering insights into integrating socio-economic and scientific approaches to sustainable development into the context of pollution control and solid waste management;
  • addressing key challenges and presenting practical solutions aligned with sustainability goals.

We welcome manuscripts presenting original research, reviews, mini-reviews, short communications, and perspectives.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Riccardo Gasbarrone
Dr. Roberta Palmieri
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • eco-friendly technologies
  • solid waste management
  • waste characterization
  • waste processing
  • sustainable development
  • pollution control
  • circular economy
  • waste utilization
  • resource recovery

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 2521 KB  
Article
Genetic Algorithm Based Band Relevance Selection in Hyperspectral Imaging for Plastic Waste Material Discrimination
by Carolina Blanch-Perez-del-Notario and Murali Jayapala
Sustainability 2025, 17(18), 8123; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17188123 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 492
Abstract
Hyperspectral imaging, in combination with microscopy, can increase material discrimination compared to standard microscopy. We explored the potential of discriminating pellet microplastic materials using a hyperspectral short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) camera, providing 100 bands in the 1100–1650 nm range, in combination with reflection microscopy. [...] Read more.
Hyperspectral imaging, in combination with microscopy, can increase material discrimination compared to standard microscopy. We explored the potential of discriminating pellet microplastic materials using a hyperspectral short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) camera, providing 100 bands in the 1100–1650 nm range, in combination with reflection microscopy. The identification of the most relevant spectral bands helps to increase system cost efficiency. The use of fewer bands reduces memory and processing requirements, and can also steer the development of sustainable, cost-efficient sensors with fewer bands. For this purpose, we present a genetic algorithm to perform band relevance analysis and propose novel algorithm optimizations. The results show that a few spectral bands (between 6 and 9) are sufficient for accurate (>80%) pixel discrimination of all 22 types of microplastic waste, contributing to sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as SDG 6 (‘clean water and sanitation’) or SDG 9 (‘industry, innovation, and infrastructure’). In addition, we study the impact of the classifier method and the width of the spectral response on band selection, neither of which has been addressed in the current state-of-the-art. Finally, we propose a method to steer band selection towards a more balanced distribution of classification accuracy, increasing its applicability in multiclass applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Control and Management of Pollution from Solid Waste: New Technologies and Advancements for Waste Characterization and Processing)
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30 pages, 5041 KB  
Article
Integrated Fuzzy-GIS Approach for Optimal Landfill Site Selection in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Supporting Sustainable Development Goals
by Eltayeb H. Onsa Elsadig, Isam Mohammed Abdel-Magid, Abderrahim Lakhouit, Ghassan M. T. Abdalla and Ahmed Hassan A. Yaseen
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7935; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177935 - 3 Sep 2025
Viewed by 482
Abstract
The rapid urban growth in Saudi Arabia has intensified challenges in sustainable solid waste management, particularly in selecting suitable landfill sites that minimize environmental risks and protect public health. Tabuk Province, located in the northwest of the Kingdom, represents a region where arid [...] Read more.
The rapid urban growth in Saudi Arabia has intensified challenges in sustainable solid waste management, particularly in selecting suitable landfill sites that minimize environmental risks and protect public health. Tabuk Province, located in the northwest of the Kingdom, represents a region where arid climatic conditions, fragile ecosystems, and increasing urbanization make landfill sitting highly complex. Traditional decision-making approaches often struggle to capture uncertainties in expert opinions and spatial data, leading to less reliable outcomes. While Geographic Information Systems and Multicriteria Decision-Making have been applied to this field, the explicit integration of fuzzy logic remains limited, especially in arid regions. This study addresses this gap by combining the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process with Geographic Information Systems to establish a more robust framework for landfill site selection in Tabuk. Seven critical criteria were considered, including distance from major roads, airports, urban centers, coastlines, wetlands, and protected areas, with expert assessments analyzed through fuzzy reasoning to improve decision reliability. The results generated a spatial suitability map highlighting priority zones for landfill development, particularly in the western and southwestern areas of the province, where environmental sensitivity is lower and accessibility to infrastructure is greater. The findings emphasize that proximity to urban areas and road networks are dominant factors influencing suitability. The novelty of this study lies in its methodological integration, which enhances transparency, adaptability, and objectivity in landfill sitting. By promoting environmentally responsible waste management, the framework directly supports the Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well-Being and the Sustainable Development Goal of Sustainable Cities and Communities, ensuring safer urban development and healthier living conditions. Moreover, the approach is transferable to other arid and semi-arid regions, offering valuable insights for countries facing similar challenges in sustainable urban planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Control and Management of Pollution from Solid Waste: New Technologies and Advancements for Waste Characterization and Processing)
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27 pages, 2690 KB  
Article
Advancing Circular Economy Through Optimized Construction and Demolition Waste Management Under Life Cycle Approach
by Muhammad Hassan Javed, Anees Ahmad, Mohammad Rehan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Farhan, Muhammad Amir Raza and Abdul-Sattar Nizami
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4882; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114882 - 26 May 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1485
Abstract
The construction industry significantly impacts the environment, consuming 50% of natural resources and generating 20% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In developing countries, managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a growing challenge due to rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management practices. [...] Read more.
The construction industry significantly impacts the environment, consuming 50% of natural resources and generating 20% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In developing countries, managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a growing challenge due to rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management practices. This study employs life cycle assessment and life cycle costing to compare landfill and recycling scenarios for C&D waste using ISO 14040 (Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Principles and Framework) and ISO 14044 (Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Requirements and Guidelines). The study’s system boundary encompasses the entire life cycle of C&D waste management, with one ton of C&D waste as the functional unit. The results demonstrated that landfilling C&D waste is harmful due to negative impacts from transportation and landfill emissions. Recycling shows promising potential by significantly reducing environmental impacts and lowering the demand for new raw materials. The recycling scenario substantially decreased GHG emissions, saving 37 kg of CO2 equivalents per ton of waste. Economically, recycling C&D waste proved more viable, with favorable indicators. Implementing a recycling plant in Lahore could save USD 2.53 per ton in resource costs and mitigate significant environmental impacts. This study recommends that policymakers in developing countries prioritize C&D waste recycling to enhance sustainability and support the transition to a circular economy. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective waste management strategies, contributing to environmental conservation and economic efficiency. These recommendations guide future initiatives for sustainable C&D waste management, promoting a greener and more resilient urban environment. Furthermore, this study underlines the potential of C&D waste recycling to contribute significantly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly sustainable cities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Control and Management of Pollution from Solid Waste: New Technologies and Advancements for Waste Characterization and Processing)
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