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Islam MK, Khatun MS, Mourshed M. An in-depth analysis and review of management strategies for E-waste in the south Asian region: A way forward towards waste to energy conversion and sustainability. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28707. [PMID: 38596113 PMCID: PMC11002055 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The soaring rise of electronic and electrical waste (E-waste) leads to significant challenges to the South Asian region, urging for incorporating comprehensive assessment and management strategies. The research dives into the intricacies of E-waste and examines how regulatory barriers, public ignorance, and the limited lifespan of electronic devices all contribute to the significant production of E-waste. This study emphasizes the vital need for ongoing and appropriate management practices by bringing attention to the short lifespan of electronic devices and the resulting generation of E-waste. This work also addresses the increased risks that people who live close to informal recycling sites for electronic waste face, as well as the dangerous substances that are found in them and how they harm the environment and human health. Furthermore, in order to promote circular economies and increase productivity, the study assesses management practices in both developed and developing nations, placing special emphasis on component reuse and recycling. Along with addressing the grave consequences of the illicit E-waste trade on the environment, particularly in developing nations, this review attempts to enlighten stakeholders and policymakers about the vital need for coordinated efforts to address the issues related to E-waste in the South Asian region by offering insights into E-waste assessment and management techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Kaviul Islam
- School of Science and Engineering, Canadian University of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Union Drive, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Mst. Sharifa Khatun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Union Drive, Ames, IA, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Monjur Mourshed
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
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Galavote T, Chaves GDLD, Yamane LH, Siman RR. Municipal solid waste management instruments that influence the use of the refuse as fuel in developing countries: A critical review. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024:734242X241231402. [PMID: 38385333 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x241231402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Landfills are the destination of most of the refuse generated whereas composting, material recycling, and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies are not commonly employed in developing countries. However, the destination for energy purposes could be supplied with this refuse, improving the viability of energy use. Thus, this article raises some questions to identify aspects that could encourage its use as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in these countries. Among them, does environmental education affect the municipal solid waste (MSW) source separation with emphasis on a destination? Can selective collection and extended producer responsibility (EPR) affect the MSW for energy recovery? Is there competition between the recycling market and the energy market for RDF? A systematic review of the literature was conducted to gather data and provide answers to such questions. This enabled to observe that EPR, selective collect expansion and source separation influence the quantity and quality of waste sent for energy use. Both internal and external factors impact on source separation. Additionally, there is evidence to support that despite several studies showing their technical, economic, environmental and social viability, the methods of energy usage of the refuse still need to improve their deployment in developing countries. In addition to identifying the main research gaps to be filled in future studies, the article also identified the instruments of MSW management that are to be applied in developing countries to divert recyclable and organic waste from landfill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Galavote
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Harue Yamane
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Renato Ribeiro Siman
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Espírito Santo, Brazil
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Twagirayezu G, Uwimana A, Kui H, Birame CS, Irumva O, Nizeyimana JC, Cheng H. Towards a sustainable and green approach of electrical and electronic waste management in Rwanda: a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27910-5. [PMID: 37291354 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27910-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electric and electronic equipment (EEE) consumption has grown to worrisome proportions in developing countries (DCS), resulting in massive amounts of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) being produced. A diagnosis of e-waste proliferation is required for its sustainable management plan in Rwanda. This review is based on open-access papers with e-waste as a keyword, the present situation of EEE, and e-waste in Rwanda. The need for various information communication and technology (ICT) tools, such as end-user devices, cooling-system devices, network equipment, and telecommunication devices, is strongly encouraged by Rwandan national plans, which deem ICT as a vital enabler of knowledge-based economy and development. In 2014, EEE was 33,449 tonnes (t), which is expected to be 267,741 t in 2050, with a yearly increase rate of 5.95%. In this regard, out-of-date EEE is being dumped as e-waste in large quantities and at an increasing rate across Rwanda. E-waste is often disposed of in uncontrolled landfills together with other types of household waste. To address this rising threat, as well as to preserve the environment and human health, proper e-waste management involving e-waste sorting/separation from other waste streams, repairs, reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, and disposal has been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gratien Twagirayezu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Abias Uwimana
- College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, P. O. Box 3900, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Huang Kui
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | | | - Olivier Irumva
- School of Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Jean Claude Nizeyimana
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Hongguang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, China.
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Dihan MR, Abu Nayeem SM, Roy H, Islam MS, Islam A, Alsukaibi AKD, Awual MR. Healthcare waste in Bangladesh: Current status, the impact of Covid-19 and sustainable management with life cycle and circular economy framework. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:162083. [PMID: 36764546 PMCID: PMC9908568 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has accelerated the generation of healthcare (medical) waste throughout the world. Developing countries are the most affected by this hazardous and toxic medical waste due to poor management systems. In recent years, Bangladesh has experienced increasing medical waste generation with estimated growth of 3 % per year. The existing healthcare waste management in Bangladesh is far behind the sustainable waste management concept. To achieve an effective waste management structure, Bangladesh has to implement life cycle assessment (LCA) and circular economy (CE) concepts in this area. However, inadequate data and insufficient research in this field are the primary barriers to the establishment of an efficient medical waste management systen in Bangladesh. This study is introduced as a guidebook containing a comprehensive overview of the medical waste generation scenario, management techniques, Covid-19 impact from treatment to testing and vaccination, and the circular economy concept for sustainable waste management in Bangladesh. The estimated generation of medical waste in Bangladesh without considering the surge due to Covid-19 and other unusual medical emergencies would be approximately 50,000 tons (1.25 kg/bed/day) in 2025, out of which 12,435 tons were predicted to be hazardous waste. However, our calculation estimated that a total of 82,553, 168.4, and 2300 tons of medical waste was generated only from handling of Covid patients, test kits, and vaccination from March 2021 to May 2022. Applicability of existing guidelines, and legislation to handle the current situation and feasibility of LCA on medical waste management system to minimize environmental impact were scrutinized. Incineration with energy recovery and microwave sterilization were found to be the best treatment techniques with minimal environmental impact. A circular economy model with the concept of waste minimizaton, and value recovery was proposed for sustainable medical waste management. This study suggests proper training on healthcare waste management, proposing strict regulations, structured research allocation, and implementation of public-private partnerships to reduce, and control medical waste generation for creating a sustainable medical waste management system in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musfekur Rahman Dihan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - S M Abu Nayeem
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Hridoy Roy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shahinoor Islam
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; Department of Textile Engineering, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh.
| | - Aminul Islam
- Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh
| | | | - Md Rabiul Awual
- Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia; Materials Science and Research Center, Japan AtomicEnergy Agency (JAEA), Hyogo 679-5148, Japan.
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Chin MY, Lee CT, Woon KS. Policy-driven municipal solid waste management assessment using relative quadrant eco-efficiency: A case study in Malaysia. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 323:116238. [PMID: 36115241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite studies encouraging sustainable waste management, most municipal wastes remain in landfills, particularly in developing countries. Lack of holistic planning and national policy alignment might impair the waste management facility implementation. Policy-driven waste treatment scenarios should be designed to strongly link to the local conditions when assessing the eco-efficiency impacts of the waste management system. Taking Malaysia as a case study, a relative quadrant life cycle eco-efficiency indicator is developed to investigate the eco-efficiency of waste treatment scenarios. The relative quadrant life cycle eco-efficiency indicator depicts the eco-efficiency of various waste management scenarios. Compared with Scenario S1 - business-as-usual (i.e., 71.5% open landfill, 10% sanitary landfill, 1% composting, 17.5% recycling), five waste treatment scenarios (S2-S6) are designed based on Malaysia's existing and future policy targets. Scenario S5 (15.5% sanitary landfill, 22.25% composting, 22.25% anaerobic digestion, 40% recycling) and Scenario S6 (5% sanitary landfill, 22.25% composting, 22.25% anaerobic digestion, 40% recycling, 10.5% incineration) demonstrate that the 40% recycling rate is 32.9-33.6 times more environmentally favorable and 10-20% more economically viable than business-as-usual. Another four scenarios (NS1-NS4) are designed to investigate zero waste in landfills and the need to implement incineration or material recovery. Scenario NS3 suggests increasing incineration capacity to 33% could be an option should incineration is implemented. Adopting home or centralized windrow composting and increasing 2.5-5.5 times of current Feed-in Tariff rates are recommended to improve the eco-efficiency of the waste treatment scenarios. This study could facilitate policymakers to set waste minimization targets and incentives through various scenarios via sensitivity and comparative analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yee Chin
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sunsuria, 43900, Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Chew Tin Lee
- School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia
| | - Kok Sin Woon
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sunsuria, 43900, Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
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