Recent Advances in Municipal Solid Waste Management and Technology

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic focuses on recent advancements in municipal solid waste (MSW) management and technology, aiming to showcase cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and practical solutions for addressing the challenges of urban waste management. The goal is to provide insights into emerging trends, policies, and practices that enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and environmental impact of MSW systems. The scope includes, but is not limited to, studies on advanced waste sorting technologies, smart waste management systems, circular economy approaches, biodegradation and recycling techniques, energy recovery from waste, and policy innovations. We welcome submissions that explore these topics from multidisciplinary perspectives, including environmental engineering, urban planning, public policy, and data analytics.

This Topic seeks to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in the field of urban solid waste management. We welcome the submission of high-quality research articles, review papers, and case studies that contribute to the advancement of physical and chemical treatments, with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and scalability. Some examples of relevant topics and fields of study are given below:

(1) Advanced sorting technologies for solid waste separation;

(2) Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) in urban waste management;

(3) Chemical stabilization methods for hazardous waste;

(4) Waste-to-resource conversion through chemical processes;

(5) Optimization of physical and chemical treatment processes;

(6) Nanotechnology in physical and chemical waste treatment.

Dr. Chengyun Zhou
Dr. Wenjun Wang
Dr. Binbin Shao
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Energies energies	3.2	7.3	2008	16.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Pollutants pollutants	-	-	2021	40 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Recycling recycling	4.6	8.9	2016	20.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	19.3 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Toxics toxics	4.1	6.4	2013	18.1 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Waste waste	-	-	2023	30.5 Days	CHF 1000	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All Energies Pollutants Recycling Sustainability Toxics Waste

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18 pages, 1208 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Scenario-Based LCA of Kitchen Waste Management Incorporating Transport Logistics: A Case Study of Aya Town, Japan

by Kosuke Toshiki and Kazumori Nishi

Pollutants 2025, 5(4), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/pollutants5040044 - 26 Nov 2025

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Abstract

Kitchen waste management strongly affects greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially in small municipalities with limited treatment options. This study assessed alternative strategies for Aya Town, Japan, by integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) with Geographical Information System (GIS)-based transport analysis. Six scenarios were designed, [...] Read more.

Kitchen waste management strongly affects greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially in small municipalities with limited treatment options. This study assessed alternative strategies for Aya Town, Japan, by integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) with Geographical Information System (GIS)-based transport analysis. Six scenarios were designed, ranging from mandatory composting with frequent collection to full incineration at a regional waste-to-energy (WtE) facility. Emissions were estimated from transport, composting, and incineration processes, with sensitivity tests on composting electricity use (20, 50, and 90 kWh per ton) and WtE efficiency (15%, 17.9%, 20%, and 25%). The results showed that reducing collection frequency lowered emissions by about 9% relative to the current system, while decreasing composting participation further reduced emissions. Full incineration yielded the lowest emissions, whereas sensitivity analyses confirmed that facility parameters influenced absolute values but not the relative ranking of scenarios. These findings emphasize the importance of transport logistics, participation rates, and infrastructural context. High-quality compost may justify limited voluntary composting; however, WtE incineration remains the most robust option for climate mitigation in Japan’s incineration-based waste management system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Municipal Solid Waste Management and Technology)

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19 pages, 1074 KB  

Open AccessSystematic Review

From Trash to Treasure: Systematic Evaluation of Potential and Efficiency of Waste-to-Energy Incineration for Electricity Generation

by Nontobeko Gloria Maphuhla and Opeoluwa Oyehan Oyedeji

Waste 2025, 3(4), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste3040039 - 17 Nov 2025

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Abstract

The massive production of municipal solid waste presents a significant global challenge for sustainable urban development and maintaining citizens’ quality of life, requiring effective management and disposal strategies. Waste-to-energy incineration technology has become increasingly important as a solution that simultaneously addresses the growing [...] Read more.

The massive production of municipal solid waste presents a significant global challenge for sustainable urban development and maintaining citizens’ quality of life, requiring effective management and disposal strategies. Waste-to-energy incineration technology has become increasingly important as a solution that simultaneously addresses the growing volumes of municipal solid waste and rising energy needs worldwide. This comprehensive review examines the research findings on the effectiveness of incineration as a waste-to-energy conversion method. The primary goal was to conduct a thorough systematic review assessing WtE incineration effectiveness across several key areas: energy recovery efficiency, waste volume reduction capabilities, environmental impact, and economic feasibility. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across ScienceDirect and additional pertinent databases, utilizing appropriate search terms in accordance with the PRISMA framework. A total of 431 studies were systematically identified, published between 2015 and 2025, and only 25 relevant studies were included in this review. Researchers collected data focusing on energy recovery percentages, volume reduction rates, emission reductions, and economic performance metrics. The findings revealed that every study included in the analysis showed positive results for WtE incineration across various performance measures. This research discovered the feasibility of generating electrical power from garbage through WtE incineration processes. The projected energy yields, ranging from gigawatt-hours to kilowatt-hours, were quantified for several nations, including Mexico (11,681.64 GWh), Cambodia (1625.81 GWh), Bangladesh (187.04 GWh), South Africa (6944 GWh), Iran (17,678 GWh), Nigeria (10,000 GWh), Indonesia (2487 MWh), Algeria (11.6 MWh), China (2316.52 MWh), Iraq (203.917 MWh), Uganda (774 kWh), and Pakistan (675 kWh). Energy recovery efficiency demonstrated a wide range from 30% to 92.75%, with waste volume reduction consistently reaching 90–95% levels, significantly prolonging landfill operational lifespans. From an environmental perspective, technology achieved greenhouse gas emission reductions ranging from 30% to 87%. This dual-purpose approach makes it an attractive, sustainable solution for both waste management and renewable energy production. By adopting this approach, cities can address waste and energy issues while boosting economic growth and job creation. However, it also involves substantial costs, technical difficulties, and environmental hazards that necessitate meticulous oversight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Municipal Solid Waste Management and Technology)

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31 pages, 4144 KB  

Open AccessArticle

An ISAO-DBCNN-BiLSTM Model for Sustainable Furnace Temperature Optimization in Municipal Solid Waste Incineration

by Jinxiang Pian, Xiaoyi Liu and Jian Tang

Sustainability 2025, 17(18), 8457; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17188457 - 20 Sep 2025

Viewed by 612

Abstract

With increasing urbanization and population growth, the volume of municipal solid waste (MSW) continues to rise. Efficient and environmentally responsible waste processing has become a core issue in sustainable development. Incineration plays a key role in reducing landfill usage and recovering energy from [...] Read more.

With increasing urbanization and population growth, the volume of municipal solid waste (MSW) continues to rise. Efficient and environmentally responsible waste processing has become a core issue in sustainable development. Incineration plays a key role in reducing landfill usage and recovering energy from waste, contributing to circular economy initiatives. However, fluctuations in furnace temperature significantly affect combustion efficiency and emissions, undermining the environmental benefits of incineration. To address these challenges under dynamic operational conditions, this paper proposes a hybrid model combining an Improved Snow Ablation Optimizer (ISAO), Dual-Branch Convolutional Neural Network (DBCNN), and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM). The model extracts dynamic features from control and condition variables and incorporates time series characteristics for accurate temperature prediction, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the incineration process. ISAO integrates Lévy flight, differential mutation, and elitism strategies to optimize parameters, contributing to better energy recovery and reduced emissions. Experimental results on real MSWI data demonstrate that the proposed method achieves high prediction accuracy and adaptability under varying operating conditions, showcasing its robustness and application potential in promoting sustainable waste management practices. By improving combustion efficiency and minimizing environmental impact, this model aligns with global sustainability goals, supporting a more efficient, eco-friendly waste-to-energy process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Municipal Solid Waste Management and Technology)

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