Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

Effective waste management is essential to curbing pollution, conserving resources, and protecting biodiversity, making it a pivotal aspect of our journey towards an environmentally sustainable and greener future. Waste management is a critical aspect that underpins environmental sustainability, and it requires a strong emphasis on critical thinking to address the complex challenges associated with waste generation and disposal.

This Special Issue delves into the critical issue of waste management, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that can safeguard the planet and ensure a harmonious coexistence between humanity and the environment. By addressing waste-related issues, solutions that protect ecosystems, conserve resources, safeguard public health, combat climate change, and foster a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come may be offered.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcomed. The area of waste management may be discussed with reference to the following topics:

• Lifecycle thinking: Instead of focusing solely on end-of-life disposal, it is crucial to consider the entire life cycle of products and materials, including extraction, production, distribution, use, and eventual disposal or recycling.
• Prevention over disposal: The most sustainable waste management strategy is waste prevention. By promoting a circular ecology, where products are designed for durability, repairability, and recyclability, we can minimize waste generation in the first place.
• Technology and innovation: Implementation of new technologies and processes that can efficiently handle waste, such as waste-to-energy technologies, advanced recycling techniques, and novel materials that are more sustainable.
• Local context: Waste management solutions must consider the local context, including socio-economic factors, cultural practices, and infrastructural capabilities. Solutions that work well in one region may not be suitable for another.
• Stakeholder engagement: Environmental sustainability in waste management necessitates involving diverse stakeholders, including governments, industries, communities, and non-governmental organizations. It is important to engage stakeholders to understand their perspectives, needs, and concerns, leading to more inclusive and effective waste management strategies.
• Education and awareness: Raising awareness about responsible consumption, recycling practices, and waste reduction empowers individuals to make informed choices and actively participate in sustainable waste management.
• Policy and regulation: Critical thinking plays a vital role in shaping effective waste management policies and regulations by analysing existing policies, identifying gaps, and proposing evidence-based solutions.
• Integration with other sustainability goals: Waste management is interconnected with issues like climate change, resource depletion, and public health.
• Collaboration and international cooperation: Waste management is a global challenge that requires collaboration among nations in order to share best practices, knowledge, and resources, ultimately leading to more comprehensive and sustainable waste management solutions worldwide.

In conclusion, critical thinking is essential in waste management for environmental sustainability as it encourages holistic approaches, innovative solutions, and inclusive practices that address the complex and interconnected nature of waste management challenges. It fosters a shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns, enabling us to move closer to a more environmentally resilient and responsible future.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Anna Brunerová
Dr. Veronika Chaloupková
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• environmental conservation
• sustainable technologies
• recycling
• critical thinking
• circular ecology
• waste management
• renewable energy
• clean energy production