Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (34)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = on-site waste disposal

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
18 pages, 1891 KiB  
Article
Does the Modular Construction Project Outperform the Traditional One? A Comparative Life Cycle Analysis Study in Hong Kong
by Ying Wang, Siu-Kei Lam, Zezhou Wu, Lulu Gong, Heng Li and Mingyang Jiang
Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2811; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162811 - 8 Aug 2025
Viewed by 329
Abstract
Hong Kong faces critical construction challenges, including workforce aging, land shortages, and near-capacity waste disposal. Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) offers a promising solution. As Hong Kong has just recently adopted the MiC, quantitative studies that explore the actual performance differences between MiC projects [...] Read more.
Hong Kong faces critical construction challenges, including workforce aging, land shortages, and near-capacity waste disposal. Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) offers a promising solution. As Hong Kong has just recently adopted the MiC, quantitative studies that explore the actual performance differences between MiC projects and conventional on-site construction projects in Hong Kong are lacking. To fill this knowledge gap, this study utilizes an extended life cycle assessment–Life Cycle Performance Assessment to conduct on-site investigations and case studies on a MiC pilot residential project and a conventional on-site construction residential project in Hong Kong from multiple dimensions: cost, time, safety, and environment. The assessment indicators include five types of greenhouse gas emissions, cost performance, schedule performance, and safety-level index. This study found that the greenhouse gas emissions of the MiC project during the entire construction period were reduced by approximately 21.60% compared to traditional on-site construction projects. The most significant part of the greenhouse gas emissions of the two methods was the embodied emissions of construction materials, accounting for 83.11% and 87.17%. Compared with the conventional construction project, the factors that actively promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the MiC project are the embodied greenhouse gas emissions of building materials, the transportation of construction waste, and the resource consumption of equipment. In addition, there is no significant difference in the safety performance index of the two construction methods, but MiC projects have more efficient schedule performance management. Surprisingly, the cost control of MiC projects is not as good as that of conventional construction projects, which differs from existing research results in other regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 17673 KiB  
Article
Illegal Abandoned Waste Sites (IAWSs): A Multi-Parametric GIS-Based Workflow for Waste Management Planning and Cost Analysis Assessment
by Alfonso Valerio Ragazzo, Alessandro Mei, Sara Mattei, Giuliano Fontinovo and Mario Grosso
Earth 2025, 6(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth6020033 - 1 May 2025
Viewed by 749
Abstract
The occurrence of illegal waste activities is a worldwide problem, due to improper actions and inadequate services across many territories. Geographical Information Systems (GISs) software plays a crucial role in optimizing waste management and determining the shortest route paths for waste transportation. This [...] Read more.
The occurrence of illegal waste activities is a worldwide problem, due to improper actions and inadequate services across many territories. Geographical Information Systems (GISs) software plays a crucial role in optimizing waste management and determining the shortest route paths for waste transportation. This work focuses on the development of a GIS-based workflow for the detection of Illegal Abandoned Waste Sites (IAWSs) and waste management planning. The integration of remote/ground sensing activities, geospatial data, and models within a GIS framework is a useful practice for conducting cost analysis and supporting the development of efficient waste management plans. Firstly, available satellite images are employed in a baseline assessment, combining ancillary and remote sensing data. As a result of satellite monitoring, a ground-piloted survey is carried out by checking the potential-IAWSs density map retrieved from the satellite pre-recognition phase. Hence, a total of 171 ground points are geo-localized and spatialized, according to qualitative on-site products and 2.5D volume analysis. Consequently, distances from illegal dumping sites to proper disposal plants are calculated, achieving the shortest route paths as geospatial information. From these data, a Functional Unit (FU) of 1 ton of mixed waste plus 381.6 kg of inert material is determined, a fundamental stage for comparing different cost analysis processes in similar contexts. By using a GIS-based workflow, a cost analysis assessment is provided, aiming to support principal activities such as waste transportation and disposal to the proper plant (e.g., landfill or incineration). In conclusion, spatial data analysis results are fundamental in managing illegal abandoned waste sites, helping to establish a cost analysis assessment. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2055 KiB  
Article
Towards a Circular Solution for Healthcare Plastic Waste: Understanding the Legal, Operational, and Technological Landscape
by Bharghav Ganesh, Sayyed Shoaib-ul-Hasan, Iliass Temsamani and Niloufar Salehi
Recycling 2025, 10(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10010027 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1616
Abstract
Plastic waste poses a critical challenge in the healthcare sector due to its predominant reliance on a linear “make-use-dispose” model, where plastics are typically incinerated or landfilled. This study examines Swedish healthcare waste management practices, encompassing Swedish and EU regulatory frameworks, hospital protocols, [...] Read more.
Plastic waste poses a critical challenge in the healthcare sector due to its predominant reliance on a linear “make-use-dispose” model, where plastics are typically incinerated or landfilled. This study examines Swedish healthcare waste management practices, encompassing Swedish and EU regulatory frameworks, hospital protocols, disinfection methods, and recycling processes. A key barrier to recycling healthcare plastic waste (HCPW) is the uncertainty surrounding effective decontamination. To overcome this, the paper proposes a circular solution involving on-site microwave-assisted disinfection and shredding, followed by chemical recycling through pyrolysis. This approach considers operational, legal, and technological landscapes and underscores the need for a multidisciplinary solution to enable the transition. This paper also presents a stakeholder collaboration and value capture matrix, identifying the shared value in collaboration among key stakeholders, including hospitals and healthcare service providers, on-site disinfection machine manufacturers, waste management firms, and chemical recycling companies, to advance recycling and foster a circular economy for HCPW. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Opportunities in Plastic Waste Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 10704 KiB  
Article
Carbon Emission Assessment During the Recycling Phase of Building Meltable Materials from Construction and Demolition Waste: A Case Study in China
by Boya Jiang, Hao Huang, Feng Ge, Baolin Huang and Habib Ullah
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030456 - 1 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1601
Abstract
The improper disposal of construction and demolition waste (CDW) exacerbates the consumption of raw materials and emissions of greenhouse gasses. In this study, due to the high recycling rate, focusing on the meltable materials of CDW, the recycling phase of CDW is divided [...] Read more.
The improper disposal of construction and demolition waste (CDW) exacerbates the consumption of raw materials and emissions of greenhouse gasses. In this study, due to the high recycling rate, focusing on the meltable materials of CDW, the recycling phase of CDW is divided into four stages, namely the on-site disposal stage, the transportation stage, the reprocessing stage, and the reproduction stage. Second, based on these four stages, a carbon emission accounting model (CEAM) is established to evaluate the carbon emission benefits of meltable materials during these stages. Third, the CEAM is applied to a typical old residential area to evaluate the carbon emission reduction benefits of the CDW recycling. The results indicate that (1) the full-process carbon emissions of recycled steel, recycled flat glass, and recycled aluminum per unit mass are 677.77 kg/t, 1041.54 kg/t, and 845.39 kg/t, respectively, which are far lower than their corresponding ordinary meltable building materials (OMBMs); (2) the carbon emissions during the reproduction stage represent the primary component of carbon emissions in the MW recycling phase, accounting for 88.52% to 97.45% of the total carbon emissions; and (3) the carbon emissions generated by the recycling of cullet per unit mass are very high, reaching 1768 kg/t, which is 4.3 times that of scrap steel (409.05 kg/t) and 3.6 times that of scrap aluminum (483.76 kg/t). The research findings could provide theoretical methods and experimental data for decision-makers to formulate treatment plans for meltable materials in CDW, thereby empowering urban carbon emission reduction and promoting sustainable development. Construction parties engaged in demolition tasks should enhance on-site sorting and collaborate with recycling companies to ensure its efficient recycling. Recycling companies need to focus on high-carbon-emission stages, such as the reproduction stage, and strengthen technological research to improve carbon reduction benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 19552 KiB  
Article
Freeze–Thaw Damage Characteristics of Soil–Rock Mixtures in Open-Pit Coal Mines and Stability Analysis of Slopes in Discharge Sites Based on Partial Flow Code
by Rui Li, Yihan Guo, Wei Zhou, Xiang Lu, Zhiyuan Zhang, Ya Tian and Xiang Qi
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11585; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411585 - 11 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1169
Abstract
More than 80% of open-pit coal mines in China are located in northern regions, and the mechanical properties and stability of loose soil–rock mixtures in waste disposal sites are significantly affected by freeze–thaw effects. This article takes the external dumping site of the [...] Read more.
More than 80% of open-pit coal mines in China are located in northern regions, and the mechanical properties and stability of loose soil–rock mixtures in waste disposal sites are significantly affected by freeze–thaw effects. This article takes the external dumping site of the Baorixile open-pit coal mine in the northern high-altitude region of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the research object. Through on-site investigation and sampling, indoor triaxial tests (confining pressures of 100 KPa, 200 KPa, and 300 Kpa; moisture contents of 18%, 21%, and 24%), numerical simulation, and other methods, the mechanical properties of soil–rock mixtures in the dumping site under different freeze–thaw cycle conditions were tested to reveal the specific influence of the number of freeze–thaw cycles on the mechanical properties of soil–rock mixtures. Using the discrete element software PFC, the microstructural changes in soil–rock mixtures formed by freeze–thaw cycles were studied, and the deformation mechanism and slip mode of loose slopes in waste disposal sites under different freeze–thaw cycle conditions were explored. The relationship between the number of freeze–thaw cycles and slope stability was clarified. The following conclusions can be drawn: the compressive strength of soil–rock mixtures decreases as a quadratic function with increasing freeze–thaw cycles; as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increases, the internal cracks of the soil–rock mixture model increase exponentially; and as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increases, the stability of the slope in the dumping site decreases significantly, and this stability also decreases with an increase in dumping height. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1945 KiB  
Review
A Review of Grease Trap Waste Management in the US and the Upcycle as Feedstocks for Alternative Diesel Fuels
by Andres Mata, Junsong Zhang, Joshua Pridemore, Kevin Johnson, Nathan Holliday, Art Helmstetter and Mingming Lu
Environments 2024, 11(8), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11080159 - 23 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3601
Abstract
As byproducts generated by commercial and domestic food-related processes, FOGs (fats, oils, and grease) are the leading cause of sewer pipe blockages in the US and around the world. Grease trap waste (GTW) is a subcategory of FOG currently disposed of as waste, [...] Read more.
As byproducts generated by commercial and domestic food-related processes, FOGs (fats, oils, and grease) are the leading cause of sewer pipe blockages in the US and around the world. Grease trap waste (GTW) is a subcategory of FOG currently disposed of as waste, resulting in an economic burden for GTW generators and handlers. This presents a global need for both resource conservation and carbon footprint reduction, particularly through increased waste upcycling. Therefore, it is critical to better understand current GTW handling practices in the context of the urban food–energy–water cycle. This can be accomplished with firsthand data collection, such as onsite visits, phone discussions, and targeted questionnaires. GTW disposal methods were found to be regional and correspond to key geographical locations, with landfill operations mostly practiced in the Midwest regions, incineration mainly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, and digestion mainly in the West of the US. Select GTW samples were analyzed to evaluate their potential reuse as low-cost feedstocks for biodiesel or renewable diesel, which are alternatives to petroleum diesel fuels. Various GTW lipid extraction technologies have been reviewed, and more studies were found on converting GTW into biodiesel rather than renewable diesel. The challenges for these two pathways are the high sulfur content in biodiesel and the metal contents in renewable diesel, respectively. GTW lipid extraction technologies should overcome these issues while producing minimum-viable products with higher market values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environments: 10 Years of Science Together)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2201 KiB  
Article
Comparison and Selection of Wet Waste Disposal Modes for Villages in Agriculture-Related Towns Taking Shanghai, China, as an Example
by Yiyao Ni and Zhen Zhang
Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 4936; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16124936 - 8 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1651
Abstract
Under the increasingly stringent regulatory constraints, wet waste disposal in agriculture-related towns has become a significant issue. Based on fieldwork in three agriculture-related towns and nine villages located in Shanghai, this paper analyzes the economics and greenhouse gas emissions of three wet waste [...] Read more.
Under the increasingly stringent regulatory constraints, wet waste disposal in agriculture-related towns has become a significant issue. Based on fieldwork in three agriculture-related towns and nine villages located in Shanghai, this paper analyzes the economics and greenhouse gas emissions of three wet waste disposal methods, including centralized disposal, on-site disposal by biogas digesters, and on-site disposal by small-scale biochemical processors, and compares these alternatives by combining various factors, aiming to help decision makers in selecting the optimal alternative. The net present value approach was employed to evaluate the economic aspects of the three disposal methods. The greenhouse gas emissions were calculated using life cycle assessment, life cycle inventory, and the IPCC guidelines. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method was employed for a multi-criteria decision-making analysis based on five factors, including economics, greenhouse gas emission control, stability, compliance with environmental regulations, and location feasibility. The results revealed that although centralized disposal is not as good as on-site disposal by biogas digesters in terms of economics and greenhouse gas emissions, centralized disposal is still the optimal alternative according to the results of multi-criteria decision making. The tightening of regulatory constraints will internalize the negative externalities of on-site wet waste disposal. Thus, centralized disposal is the method of wet waste disposal that is most consistent with the regulatory constraints and most sustainable. It is worth emphasizing that policymakers should fully assess the impact of tightening regulations on the selection of wet waste disposal methods, establish a homogenous waste disposal system covering both urban and rural areas, and enhance the management of existing on-site disposal facilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Issue on Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 9192 KiB  
Article
Parameter Sensitivity Analysis for Long-Term Nuclide Migration in Granite Barriers Considering a 3D Discrete Fracture–Matrix System
by Yingtao Hu, Wenjie Xu, Ruiqi Chen, Liangtong Zhan, Shenbo He and Zhi Ding
Fractal Fract. 2024, 8(6), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract8060303 - 21 May 2024
Viewed by 1428
Abstract
As a geological barrier for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal in China, granite is crucial for blocking nuclide migration into the biosphere. However, the high uncertainty associated with the 3D geological system, such as the stochastic discrete fracture networks in granite, significantly impedes [...] Read more.
As a geological barrier for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal in China, granite is crucial for blocking nuclide migration into the biosphere. However, the high uncertainty associated with the 3D geological system, such as the stochastic discrete fracture networks in granite, significantly impedes practical safety assessments of HLW disposal. This study proposes a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS)-based simulation framework for evaluating the long-term barrier performance of nuclide migration in fractured rocks. Statistical data on fracture geometric parameters, on-site hydrogeological conditions, and relevant migration parameters are obtained from a research site in Northwestern China. The simulation models consider the migration of three key nuclides, Cs-135, Se-79, and Zr-93, in fractured granite, with mechanisms including adsorption, advection, diffusion, dispersion, and decay considered as factors. Subsequently, sixty MCS realizations are performed to conduct a sensitivity analysis using the open-source software OpenGeoSys-5 (OGS-5). The results reveal the maximum and minimum values of the nuclide breakthrough time Tt (12,000 and 3600 years, respectively) and the maximum and minimum values of the nuclide breakthrough concentration Cmax (4.26 × 10−4 mSv/a and 2.64 × 10−5 mSv/a, respectively). These significant differences underscore the significant effect of the uncertainty in the discrete fracture network model on long-term barrier performance. After the failure of the waste tank (1000 years), nuclides are estimated to reach the outlet boundary 6480 years later. The individual effective dose in the biosphere initially increases and then decreases, reaching a peak value of Cmax = 4.26 × 10−4 mSv/a around 350,000 years, which is below the critical dose of 0.01 mSv/a. These sensitivity analysis results concerning nuclide migration in discrete fractured granite can enhance the simulation and prediction accuracy for risk evaluation of HLW disposal. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2081 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Air Quality Impacts of Municipal Solid Waste Disposal: An Integrative Study of On-Site Measurements and Community Perceptions
by Tugce Pekdogan, Hasan Yildizhan and Arman Ameen
Atmosphere 2024, 15(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040410 - 26 Mar 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4503
Abstract
This study examines air quality conditions in and around a classroom located in the Sarıçam/Adana region of Türkiye, near the campus of Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University and the Sofulu municipal solid waste (MSW) facility. This academic setting was strategically chosen [...] Read more.
This study examines air quality conditions in and around a classroom located in the Sarıçam/Adana region of Türkiye, near the campus of Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University and the Sofulu municipal solid waste (MSW) facility. This academic setting was strategically chosen due to its proximity to the waste facility. The study aims to provide a comprehensive view of the environmental and social impacts of solid waste management through a methodological approach that combines quantitative on-site measurements and qualitative survey studies. Findings from measurements and surveys underline the significant and measurable impacts of MSW facilities on the ambient air quality of university residents. The analysis revealed a marked increase in concentrations of key pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), dust, and methane (CH4). At sampling point N1, H2S levels rose from 0 ppm in July to 13 ppm in November. Methane increased from 0.2% to 2.5% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) at the same point, although it remained within safety limits. Additionally, CO levels showed a 40% increase, and dust concentration levels rose from 0.21 mg/m3 to 2.36 mg/m3 from summer to winter, indicating a seasonal variation likely influenced by the landfill’s operational dynamics, as well as changes in temperature and relative humidity. In particular, the results indicate high concentrations of CO, H2S and dust, which are directly related to air quality degradation. The study also sheds light on the impacts of these waste disposal facilities on the general well-being and health of the university community, particularly on students and staff. In addition to these findings, the study highlights a general lack of awareness in the university community about the impacts of MSW facilities on air quality. This highlights the need for increased education and information dissemination. The results support the development of comprehensive and effective strategies, including technical solutions and public awareness initiatives, to mitigate the impacts of these facilities on residential areas. In conclusion, the impacts of MSW facilities on air quality should be seen as a multidimensional issue that requires a holistic approach addressing environmental, health, social, and educational dimensions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Exposure and Health Impacts of Air Pollution)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 6607 KiB  
Communication
Phytophthora in Horticultural Nursery Green Waste—A Risk to Plant Health
by Kadiatou Schiffer-Forsyth, Debra Frederickson Matika, Pete E. Hedley, Peter J. A. Cock and Sarah Green
Horticulturae 2023, 9(6), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9060616 - 24 May 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2873
Abstract
Phytophthora is a genus of destructive plant pathogens. Certain species are damaging to native ecosystems, forestry, and the horticultural sector, and there is evidence of their dissemination in plant imports. Horticultural nurseries are central nodes of the plant trade and previous studies have [...] Read more.
Phytophthora is a genus of destructive plant pathogens. Certain species are damaging to native ecosystems, forestry, and the horticultural sector, and there is evidence of their dissemination in plant imports. Horticultural nurseries are central nodes of the plant trade and previous studies have found a high diversity of Phytophthora associated with plant nursery stock. It was subsequently hypothesized that green waste disposal sites in nurseries could harbour diverse Phytophthora communities and act as a pathogen reservoir and conduit, facilitating further Phytophthora infection of nursery stock and its spread into the wider environment. This project identified Phytophthora species associated with green waste at three Scottish nurseries by sampling material from waste piles, water run-off from piles, and roots from discarded plants. Species were identified using a baiting method and sequencing of environmental DNA. Plant nursery green waste was shown to harbour diverse and varied Phytophthora species assemblages, with differences among nurseries reflecting biosecurity management practices. Eighteen Phytophthora species were detected in the samples, including the highly destructive pathogens P. ramorum and P. austrocedri. Results suggest that the improved management of waste, for example through effective on-site composting, is essential to reduce the risk of Phytophthora pathogens spreading from nurseries into the wider environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathology in Horticultural Production)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1269 KiB  
Article
Economic Valuation of Lake Tana: A Recreational Use Value Estimation through the Travel Cost Method
by Atalel Wubalem, Teshale Woldeamanuel and Zerihun Nigussie
Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6468; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086468 - 11 Apr 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6157
Abstract
Lake Tana is a well-known tourist spot in northern Ethiopia that lures both domestic and foreign tourists. The lake’s value is still underrated, despite the site’s immense potential for recreation and tourism. In this study, the recreational value of Lake Tana is estimated, [...] Read more.
Lake Tana is a well-known tourist spot in northern Ethiopia that lures both domestic and foreign tourists. The lake’s value is still underrated, despite the site’s immense potential for recreation and tourism. In this study, the recreational value of Lake Tana is estimated, and the consumer characteristics associated with recreational demand are analyzed. The study employs a Zero-Truncated Poisson (ZTP) regression model for data generated by the Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM) and draws information from 1094 on-site surveys. According to ZTP regression results, variables that are significantly and positively associated with demand for Lake Tana recreation include the monthly income and age of the visitors and their preference for other recreation destinations such as Tis-Abay and Gondar Fasiledes Royal Castle. However, respondents’ leisure time, overall cost, and residential distance from the recreational site are all negatively associated with the demand for recreation. It is also evident that Lake Tana is endowed with a wealth of attributes, ranging from natural beauty to ancient religious and cultural heritages, making the lake a highly desirable recreation destination. According to the estimation, Lake Tana has a yearly recreational value of around USD 68.5 million. However, it also demonstrates that if lake settings were to improve in quality, the value of Lake Tana would rise considerably, reaching USD 151 million. The value of sentimental attachment implies that determining Lake Tana’s recreational value is a key element in the resource’s sustainable utilization and management. To make greater use of Lake Tana’s recreational amenities, however, uncontrolled waste disposal, favorable recreation facilities, and the spread of water hyacinth should be addressed immediately. Furthermore, it is imperative to maintain the lake’s diverse attributes, as the integration of these attributes is what gives the lake its primary appeal. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

38 pages, 7113 KiB  
Review
Pathways for the Valorization of Animal and Human Waste to Biofuels, Sustainable Materials, and Value-Added Chemicals
by Jude A. Okolie, Toheeb Jimoh, Olugbenga Akande, Patrick U. Okoye, Chukwuma C. Ogbaga, Adekunle A. Adeleke, Peter P. Ikubanni, Fatih Güleç and Andrew Nosakhare Amenaghawon
Environments 2023, 10(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10030046 - 6 Mar 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 8760
Abstract
Human and animal waste, including waste products originating from human or animal digestive systems, such as urine, feces, and animal manure, have constituted a nuisance to the environment. Inappropriate disposal and poor sanitation of human and animal waste often cause negative impacts on [...] Read more.
Human and animal waste, including waste products originating from human or animal digestive systems, such as urine, feces, and animal manure, have constituted a nuisance to the environment. Inappropriate disposal and poor sanitation of human and animal waste often cause negative impacts on human health through contamination of the terrestrial environment, soil, and water bodies. Therefore, it is necessary to convert these wastes into useful resources to mitigate their adverse environmental effect. The present study provides an overview and research progress of different thermochemical and biological conversion pathways for the transformation of human- and animal-derived waste into valuable resources. The physicochemical properties of human and animal waste are meticulously discussed, as well as nutrient recovery strategies. In addition, a bibliometric analysis is provided to identify the trends in research and knowledge gaps. The results reveal that the USA, China, and England are the dominant countries in the research areas related to resource recovery from human or animal waste. In addition, researchers from the University of Illinois, the University of California Davis, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhejiang University are front runners in research related to these areas. Future research could be extended to the development of technologies for on-site recovery of resources, exploring integrated resource recovery pathways, and exploring different safe waste processing methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Environmental Technologies)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 3079 KiB  
Article
Waste Removal Efficiencies of Floating Macrophytes for Restoration of Polluted Stream: An Experimental Analysis
by Bharati Mahajan, Sameer Shastri and Shreenivas Londhe
Urban Sci. 2023, 7(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci7010027 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2574
Abstract
Freshwater sources are affected by a diverse range of pollutants, which increases the demand for effective remediation. Aquatic phytoremediation is a nature-based solution. It has the potential to provide efficient, adaptable, and multi-targeted treatment of polluted waters. The aim of this research is [...] Read more.
Freshwater sources are affected by a diverse range of pollutants, which increases the demand for effective remediation. Aquatic phytoremediation is a nature-based solution. It has the potential to provide efficient, adaptable, and multi-targeted treatment of polluted waters. The aim of this research is to evaluate non-mechanized, low-cost onsite treatment of waste water intrusions. It includes an experimental set up with three replicates. Each consists of a modified flow pattern under outdoor conditions. Experimental set up A and B were provided with macrophytes, water lettuce and duckweed, respectively, with plant coverage at 50% and 90%. Experimental set up C was a controlled set up without macrophytes. The highest removal of BOD, COD and Total solids by using water lettuce were observed to be 89%, 77% and 38.5%, respectively. By using duckweed, the highest removal of BOD, COD and Total solids were observed at 88%, 66% and 27.59%, respectively. Removal was also observed in Set up C for BOD, COD and Total solids; its efficiency was 48%, 47% and 25%, respectively. Set up A can be recommended for treating wastewater intrusion, so that wastewater will purify to a to satisfactory to disposal standard level before mixing in river water. The area available in the stream itself can be used as a treatment zone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Resources and Environment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1117 KiB  
Review
Household Disposal of Pharmaceuticals in Low-Income Settings: Practices, Health Hazards, and Research Needs
by Willis Gwenzi, Tinoziva T. Simbanegavi and Piotr Rzymski
Water 2023, 15(3), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030476 - 25 Jan 2023
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6988
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals are widely used in Africa due to the high burden of human and animal diseases. However, a review of the current practices and pollution risks arising from the disposal of pharmaceuticals in low-income settings in Africa is still lacking. Therefore, the present [...] Read more.
Pharmaceuticals are widely used in Africa due to the high burden of human and animal diseases. However, a review of the current practices and pollution risks arising from the disposal of pharmaceuticals in low-income settings in Africa is still lacking. Therefore, the present review examined the literature to address the following questions: (1) what are the key factors driving the accumulation of unused and expired pharmaceuticals?, (2) what are the current disposal practices for unused and expired pharmaceuticals, and wastewater (feces and urine) containing excreted pharmaceuticals?, (3) what are the potential environmental and human health hazards posed by current disposal practices?, and (4) what are the key research needs on the disposal of pharmaceuticals in low-income settings? Evidence shows that, in low-income settings, wastewater comprising predominantly of feces and urine containing excreted pharmaceuticals often end up in on-site sanitation systems such as pit latrines, septic tanks, and the environment in the case of open defecation. Unused and expired pharmaceuticals are disposed of in pit latrines, household solid waste, and/or burned. The pollution risks of current disposal practices are poorly understood, but pharmaceutical pollution of groundwater sources, including those used for drinking water supply, may occur via strong hydrological connectivity between pit latrines and groundwater systems. Potential high-risk pollution and human exposure hotspots are discussed. However, compared to other environmental compartments, the occurrence, dissemination, fate, and human health risks of pharmaceuticals in the pit latrine-groundwater continuum are still understudied. Future research directions are discussed to address these gaps using the Source-Pathway-Receptor-Impact-Mitigation (SPRIM) continuum as an organizing framework. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 3508 KiB  
Article
Collaborative Decision-Making Method of Emergency Response for Highway Incidents
by Junfeng Yao, Longhao Yan, Zhuohang Xu, Ping Wang and Xiangmo Zhao
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2099; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032099 - 22 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3344
Abstract
With the continuous increase in highway mileage and vehicles in China, highway accidents are also increasing year by year. However, the on-site disposal procedures of highway accidents are complex, which makes it difficult for the emergency department to fully observe the accident scene, [...] Read more.
With the continuous increase in highway mileage and vehicles in China, highway accidents are also increasing year by year. However, the on-site disposal procedures of highway accidents are complex, which makes it difficult for the emergency department to fully observe the accident scene, resulting in the lack of sufficient communication and cooperation between multiple emergency departments, making the rescue efficiency low and wasting valuable rescue time, and causing unnecessary injury or loss of life due to the lack of timely assistance. Thus, this paper proposes a multi-agent-based collaborative emergency-decision-making algorithm for traffic accident on-site disposal. Firstly, based on the analysis and abstraction of highway surveillance videos obtained from the Shaanxi Provincial Highway Administration, this paper constructs an emergency disposal model based on Petri net to simulate the emergency on-site disposal procedures. After transforming the emergency disposal model into a Markov game model and applying it to the multi-agent deep deterministic strategy gradient (MADDPG) algorithm proposed in this paper, the multiple agents can optimize the emergency-decision-making and on-site disposal procedures through interactive learning with the environment. Finally, the proposed algorithm is compared with the typical algorithm and the actual processing procedure in the simulation experiment of an actual Shaanxi highway traffic accident. The results show that the proposed emergency-decision-making method could greatly improve collaboration efficiency among emergency departments and effectively reduce emergency response time. This algorithm is not only superior to other decision-making algorithms such as genetic algorithm (EA), evolutionary strategy (ES), and deep Q network (DQN), but also reduces the disposal processes by 28%, 28%, and 42%, respectively, compared with the actual disposal process in three emergency disposal cases. In summary, with the continuous development of information technology and highway management systems, the multi-agent-based collaborative emergency-decision-making algorithm will contribute to the actual emergency response process and emergency disposal in the future, improving rescue efficiency and ensuring the safety of individuals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Sustainable Development of Transportation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop