Measuring the level of environmental performance in insular areas, through key performed indicators, in the framework of waste strategy development

Micro plastics mapping in the agricultural sector of Cyprus

The impact of Microplastic Pollution (MPs) on human health, the environment, economy, and society has been previously investigated. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding specific areas that require urgent measures to address marine pollution. The accumulation of MPs in Mediterranean coastal environments is particularly noteworthy. This is attributed to the region's economic reliance on tourism and the decline of popular tourist destinations caused by the presence of coastal and marine waste. The objective of the present research was to conduct a strategic analysis and mapping of MPs from soil samples taken from rural areas of Cyprus. Within the framework of the present research, a general picture of the status of MP pollution in areas covering significant percentages in the domestic supply of fruits and vegetables was obtained. The survey indicated the presence of more than 70% of MPs in crops at a concentration of up to 1.5 %. As a result of this research, the need to highlight the importance of the rational use of plastics and proper management to mitigate pollution is a primary concern. The rational separation of materials for recycling, information, reuse of materials, processing, and an increase in the number of recycling bins in public places are considered urgent. Cooperation between the state, institutions and industry must be based on the protection of people and the environment.

Comprehensive investigation of recycled PVC powder

This study constitutes a comprehensive investigation centred on comprehending the behaviour and characteristics of recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) powders. The overarching objective is to successfully conclude the initial research phase, during which PVC-coated fabric offcuts undergo a transformation into PVC powder while achieving complete separation from polyethylene terephthalate fibres. The study entails a qualitative description of the morphology of PVC powder particles, employing an optical microscope to distinguish the diverse shapes exhibited by these particles. The optical microscope observations of PVC powder reveal a distinct array of non-spherical particles characterized by flat, elongated shapes. These high-magnification images unveil the intricate morphological features of the particles, highlighting their irregular shapes. Subsequently, a quantitative analysis of PVC particle size distribution is performed, comparing results from optical microscopy with those obtained through mechanical sieving. The qualitative and quantitative findings obtained provide robust evidence supporting the correlation and confirm that most particles are smaller than 600 µm (93.6%) using an optical microscope and the sieving process (96.39%). The greatest fraction (83.44%) is in the size range between 200 and 600 µm. Assessing flowability, another significant aspect in the evaluation of powders, provides insights into its behaviour and interparticle interactions. The flowability results indicate a Compressibility Index of approximately 26.84%, which suggests poor flowability. This means that the powder is likely to encounter difficulties in flowing freely. This finding is in line with the Hausner ratio, which measures 1.37. This investigation of recycled PVC powder will offer insights into the potential applications and processing considerations of this powder. More concretely, the use of recycled PVC powder shows promise as a viable alternative to conventional PVC resin in plastisol formulations, offering the potential to maintain the properties of the final PVC product without adverse effects.

The concept of food waste and food loss prevention and measuring tools

Food waste (FW) has become a global concern, with an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes lost annually, costing about $1 trillion. Environmental and social consequences of FW are significant, contributing to 6% of European Unions' greenhouse gasemissions and affecting global food security. FW occurs is a complex issue occurring at various stages of the food supply chain (FSC) and is influenced by multiple factors such as infrastructure, available knowledge and socio-economic conditions. Developed countries FW is more prevalent at the consumption stage, whereas in the developing countries losses occur in agricultural production, post-harvest and distribution stage. Accurate quantification of FW across the supply chain is crucial and monitoring key performance indicators helps identify areas for improvement. The European Union mandates FW measurement, aligning with sustainable development goals, emphasizing the need for effective waste prevention measures. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach was utilized to conduct a systematic literature review on FW key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitoring tools. The research identified 22 KPIs, categorized into three levels of the FSC: primary, secondary and tertiary. The most common KPIs included FW per capita, FW per portion and FW percentage. The study further discusses FW prevention measures and essential monitoring tools for addressing FW throughout the supply chain.

Developing an extended producer responsibility system for solid waste management in Jordan using multi-criteria decision-making approach

To move from a traditional end of pipe approach into a more sustainable solid waste management system, the Jordanian Government has recently passed a set of new regulations The National Solid Waste Management Strategy has put a road map to encourage circular economy practices. One of the considered policy instruments is the adoption of the extended producer responsibility (EPR). The current study aimed to adopt a multi-criteria decision-making method to select the most convenient EPR structure within the Jordanian context. The study used analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy AHP (FAHP) techniques to select the suitable type of producer responsibility organization (PRO) structure. A four-level hierarchy model was constructed with 4 criteria, 10 sub-criteria and 3 PRO alternatives. The analysis revealed that the legal and administrative criteria is the most important one (0.47) followed by environmental criteria (0.22), whereas the least important ones were socio-economic (0.17) and technical criteria (0.13). The most preferable PRO alternative was found to be PRO with profit. There were slight differences between all weight values under AHP and FAHP. Despite the availability of several laws, there is a need to develop the legal and administrative framework to enable the adoption of EPR in Jordan. Research should be the first step in the process of EPR system design. None of the previous studies conducted used the AHP and FAHP in assessing and selecting the EPR systems.

Waste rubber - Black pollution reframed as a global issue: Ecological challenges and sustainability initiatives

In contrast to "white pollution" originating from waste plastics, waste rubber is often referred to as "black pollution." The quantity and variety of waste rubber are increasing at an alarming rate, with a considerable fraction entering the global ecosystem via various pathways. This study presents the first critical review of waste rubber research with a focus on the risks associated with toxicant discharge and existing problems in waste rubber disposal, management, and recycling practices. We aim to obtain a comprehensive understanding of current research, particularly regarding the ecological impacts of these wastes, highlight major gaps, and propose the most significant research directions. A total of 192 studies published in journals were critically analysed. The importance of conducting long-term and large-scale experiments and developing efficient waste rubber recycling systems is also emphasised. This study highlights the need to address the challenges posed by waste rubber pollution and offers insights and references for undertaking ecological risk assessments and understanding the mechanisms underlying toxicant behaviour. Suggestions and countermeasures are proposed with ecosystem sustainability as the ultimate goal. Further long-term, comprehensive, and systematic research in this area is required.

Urbanization and solid waste production: prospects and challenges

The increasing urban population and the restructuring of urban economies are the main aspects that determine urban development in the twenty-first century. Rapid urbanization is among the most significant anthropogenic factors that impact ecosystems and sustainability. Urbanization is a "double-edged sword." Even though it contributes to economic prosperity and social development, at the same time, it poses severe challenges to the natural environment and social system. The scientific community emphasizes the need to investigate the relationship between cities and the environment to comprehend their dynamic interactions related with problems such as climate change, consumption of natural resources, and life quality degradation. Population growth and urbanization are central considerations of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11, dealing with making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Moreover, the new circular economy model is receiving increasing attention globally as a solution to the current production and consumption model, which is based on constant growth and increasing resource input. The objective of this paper was to identify the major challenges occurred due to the rapid urbanization in a coastal city though a qualitative and quantitative waste compositional analysis. The ultimate goal is to propose the waste compositional analysis as a new indicator in the literature for determination of the degree of metabolism in an island region. According to the compositional analysis, the higher the population density in a region, the greater the volume of garbage produced and, consequently, the infrastructure necessary for waste management. Also, the increased seasonal tourist activity leads to an increase in the number of tourist accommodations and services. The results provided may also be applicable in other cities with similar characteristics related with tourism habits and the challenges they may face as a result of the waste production.

Mobilisation of textile waste to recover high added value products and energy for the transition to circular economy

The textile industry is a major contributor to global waste, with millions of tons of textiles being discarded annually. Material and energy recovery within circular economy offer sustainable solutions to this problem by extending the life cycle of textiles through repurposing, recycling, and upcycling. These initiatives not only reduce waste but also contribute to the reduction of the demand for virgin materials (i.e. cotton, wool), ultimately benefiting the environment and society. The circular economy approach, which aims to recreate environmental, economic, and societal value, is based on three key principles: waste reduction, material circulation, and ecological restoration. Given these difficulties, circularity incorporates the material recovery approach, which is focused on the conversion of waste into secondary raw resources. The goal of this notion is to extract more value from resources by prolonging final disposal as long as feasible. When a textile has outlived its functional life, material recovery is critical for returning the included materials or energy into the manufacturing cycle. The aim of this paper is to examine the material and energy recovery options of main raw materials used in the fashion industry while highlighting the need of close observation of the relation between circularity and material recovery, including the investigation of barriers to the transition towards a truly circular fashion industry. The final results refer to the main barriers of circular economy transition within the industry and a framework is proposed. These insights are useful for academia, engineers, policy makers and other key stakeholders for the clear understanding of the industry from within and highlight beyond circular economy targets, SDGs interactions with energy and material recovery of textile waste (SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 12 etc.).

Waste metrics in the framework of circular economy

There are several sustainability issues that the linear economy of today's society cannot adequately tackle (i.e. resource depletion, waste treatment, etc.). As a result, the scientific community and policymakers give high priority to the implementation of the circular economy concept. The sustainable development goals of the United Nations are in line with the European Union's (EU) commitment to a smooth transition to a circular economy. Circular business models require a shift in technical elements involving R strategies to replace traditional business models (i.e. reuse, reduce, recycle, etc.). Monitoring circular economy to provide quantifiable, measurable data is necessary for a successful transition. Monitoring tools (i.e. Key Performance Indicators, quality protocols) enable decision-makers to measure circular economy performance and identify circularity's advantages and disadvantages. To stimulate the adoption of a circularity model addressing critical issues of excessive waste production and resource use, this mini review aims to address the literature gap of waste metrics in the framework of circular economy and offer insights on circular economy indicators to aid for a seamless transition to a more sustainable society. For this purpose, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis method was chosen to assess literature. The authors collected and analysed data from 101 records, 70 articles and 31 reports related to the topic under consideration. Through the literature review, it is obvious that moving away from linear production model frequently leads to the development of new internal capabilities along the value chain and, eventually, high efficiency that reduces costs, increasing productivity, encourages brand names, minimizes threats, creates new products and fulfils regulations and green consumer expectations.

Construction and demolition waste framework of circular economy: A mini review

As the demand for materials continues to increase and building lifespans shorten, the construction industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its material and environmental impacts. Mismanagement of construction and demolition waste (CDW) can have severe environmental consequences. To address this, material recovery and circular economy approaches offer significant potential for reducing construction waste through the sustainable use of resources. Existing circular economy and material recovery models that prioritize recycling and reuse efforts demonstrate a sustained commitment to supporting circular practices in the construction and demolition sector. The goal is to minimize waste production, which poses environmental challenges such as raw material shortages and sustainability concerns. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement for recruiting relevant literature, this mini review aims to identify the obstacles to implementing circular economy practices in the construction industry, while exploring opportunities for material recovery and circularity. The ultimate aim is to facilitate a fair and smooth transition towards sustainable development, while addressing environmental, social and economic barriers. A more sustainable and circular approach to building construction and management can be attained by considering all the aspects of the CDW cycle, resulting in significant benefits for the environment and society as a whole.

Economic, environmental and social efficiency and effectiveness development in the sustainable crop agricultural sector: A systematic in-depth analysis review

Multi-dimensional inclusion of economic, environmental, and social sustainability spheres together are the most global concerns of the agricultural crop sector. Therefore, optimizing waste and natural resources guides researchers and policymakers to structure actions and strategies to attain sustainability. Several studies have been published around the world to choose between focusing on eco-efficiency or eco-effectiveness in different aspects. This work aims to systematically apply an updated review to critically assess the agricultural research articles' contributions among the assessment of those methods, models or tools, as well as a quantitative and qualitative in-depth analysis review to classify them, according to their mapping, functions, strengths, weaknesses, and logical relationships for the evaluation in the crop agricultural sector, which is expected to be needed in future to better understand the research gaps and select the appropriate methods for sustainability evaluation from different spheres (ecology, economy, and sociology). Of 242 peer-reviewed records from 2018 to the beginning of 2023, 135 reviews and articles gathered from Web of Science and Scopus meet the criteria to be examined. Our analysis revealed that the number of reviews is limited to approximately 4.5 %; most of the case studies were carried out in countries, such as China (36 %) and Brazil (6 %), and continents such as Europe (16 %). Depending on considered aspects, most studies evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness and derivatives using a set of tools, varying between the managerial tools applied for the macro-level structuration (DPSIR, EMA, and LCA) and mathematical tools applied for the micro-level quantification, subdivided into the visualization methods (GIS), and the optimization methods (DEA, SFA, MILP, FO). Thanks to their multifunctionality in considering different aspects of input, output and influence factors variables, the in-depth analysis study suggests the application of data envelopment and stochastic analysis to carry out a multidisciplinary evaluation for the socio-eco-efficiency or the socio-eco-effectiveness.

LCA of municipal wastewater treatment

Wastewater treatment plants play a significant role in minimizing environmental pollution by treating wastewater and reducing the release of contaminants into the environment. However, their operation can still have an environmental footprint. Therefore, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of wastewater treatment provides a comprehensive framework to quantify the environmental impact of plants across various categories. By conducting LCA assessments, the environmental impacts of different scenarios or treatment technologies can be compared, enabling decision-makers to identify the most environmentally friendly options. This information helps in optimizing the plant's design, operation, and resource allocation to minimize their environmental burden. The current research hypothesis was to conduct an LCA of a typical activated sludge plant in Greece, considering three different scenarios in order to provide an innovative take on wastewater treatment plant foam waste and utilize them for the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion. The assessment was carried out using OpenLCA software as well as EcoInvent v3.3. database. The study focused on the impact assessment of five categories (eutrophication potential, acidification potential, global warming potential, ozone depletion, and photochemical ozone creation). The results indicated that the baseline scenario had the highest impact on these categories, followed by Scenario I, while Scenario II had the least impact. Additionally, the cumulative energy demand assessment showed that the baseline scenario required significantly more energy compared to Scenarios I and II. However, Scenario II, which involved fine screens and utilization of biogas, exhibited the highest energy production, thereby reducing the overall energy demands for the system. Based on these findings, it is crucial for wastewater treatment facilities to actively pursue energy demand mitigation strategies by implementing energy-efficient technologies and utilizing biogas. These measures not only contribute to environmental protection but also promote a greener and more sustainable future for WWTP operations.

Prioritizing action plans to save resources and better achieve municipal solid waste management KPIs: An urban case study

The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in cities is one of the most complex tasks facing local administrations. For this reason, waste management performance measurement structures are increasingly implemented at local and national levels. These performance structures usually contain strategic objectives and associated action plans, as well as key performance indicators (KPIs) for organizations investing their resources in action plans. This study presents the results of applying a methodology to find a quantitative-based prioritization of MSW action plans for the City Council of Castelló de la Plana in Spain. In doing so, cause-effect relationships between the KPIs have been identified by applying the principal component analysis technique, and from these relationships it was possible to identify those action plans which should be addressed first to manage public services more efficiently. This study can be useful as a tool for local administrations when addressing the actions included in their local waste plans as it can lead to financial savings.Implications: This paper introduces and implements a methodology that uses principal component analysis to analyze real data from waste management KPIs and provide municipal solid waste managers with a decision-making tool for prioritizing action plans. The methodology saves financial resources and time, as well as reinforcing the probability of reaching the meta values of the main performance system KPIs.

Circularity in waste management: a research proposal to achieve the 2030 Agenda

Waste management is the main challenge in the transition away from the linear "take-make-dispose" economy. Incorporating the principles of circularity in waste management would facilitate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. This paper aims to provide state-of-the-art research about circular waste management in the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda. For this purpose, bibliometric analysis by VOSviewer and SciMat software is used to define the evolution and to detect research trends. Based on the main gaps identified in studies, a research agenda to guide for further opportunities in this field is suggested. The results obtained four clusters that address sustainable industrial infrastructure, biological waste management, recycling in developing countries and recovery processes. Four research propositions are established, focusing on plastic waste management and generation trends, circular municipal waste management, more sustainable landfill management, and enablers such as indicators and legislation. The transformation towards more bio and ecological models requires social, regulatory and organizational tools that consider the best interests and capacity of companies, public authorities and consumers. In addition, policy implications are considered.

The perception of circular economy in the framework of fashion industry

Humanity's three main components are energy, food and clothing. Each of us, individually and collectively, contributes to climate change and CO₂ emissions, natural resource consumption, and social attitudes and behaviour. Global fashion trends are expected to increase in value from 1.5 trillion dollars in 2020 to around 2.25 trillion dollars by 2025, indicating that the fashion demand is on the rise. Due to climate change, soil and water scarcity, and a variety of other diseases, new natural resources must be developed from plastic fibres, natural colours must replace synthetic ones, water consumption must be reduced and the 'buy-and-throw-away philosophy' must be replaced with 'buy-less-and-these-are-needed' and incorporate the 12 'R' strategies to aid the transition to a circular economy. In the context of waste management as well as on the development of new strategy approach, the fashion industry requires a new business circular model and furthermore a new mindset.

Human carcinogenic risk analysis and utilization of shale gas water-based drilling cuttings in road materials

Water-based drilling cuttings (WDC) generated during shale gas development will endanger human health and ecological security. The modern analytical techniques are used to analyze the organic pollutants in WDC, and the human health and ecological security risks of harmful pollutants in WDC under specific scenarios are evaluated. The results showed that the content of organic pollutants in WDC was evaluated by human health and safety risk assessment. The comprehensive carcinogenic risks of all exposure pathways of single pollutant benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene were acceptable. However, the cumulative carcinogenic risk of exposure to dibenzo(a,h)anthracene particles via skin exposure was not acceptable. It was considered that only dibenzo(a,h)anthracene had carcinogenic effect, and the risk control limit of dibenzo(a,h)anthracene in WDC was 1.8700 mg/kg by calculation. As well as, the "WDC-cement" gel composite structure was deeply analyzed, and the physical and chemical properties and mechanism of organic pollutants in cement solidified WDC were analyzed, which provided theoretical support for the study of WDC pavement cushion formula. Based on the above conclusions and combined with the actual site, by studying and adjusting the formula of WDC pavement cushion, the WDC pavement cushion was finally designed by 6% cement + 50% WDC + 44% crushed stone. The 7d unconfined compressive strength met the requirements of the Chinese standard "Technical Guidelines for Construction of Highway Roadbases" (JTG/T F20-2015). Also, the process route of WDC as road cushion product was sampled and analyzed. In addition, the leaching concentration of main pollutants all met the relevant standards of China. Therefore, this study can provide a favorable way for the efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly utilization of WDC, and ensure the ecological environment safety and human health safety of WDC in resource utilization.

Does good governance promote sustainable tourism? A systematic review of PESTEL analysis

This paper aims to analyze the articles regarding the role of good governance in sustainable tourism for China. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review approach has been conducted in this paper. A total number of 100 peer-reviewed journal papers have been critically evaluated. Our review analysis shows that taking necessary steps under good governance can promote sustainable tourism development in China. Few policy recommendations and future research aspects have also been included in the paper.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43546-022-00408-x.

A mini-review of biomethane valorization: Managerial and policy implications for a circular resource

The green transition requires renewable energy resources, especially the role of biomass is very crucial as it promotes resource circularity if sustainable substrates are used. This mini-review focuses on green gas derived from biomass called biomethane, which appears to be strategic in the face of soaring energy costs. Hence, combined Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats-Analytic Hierarchy Process analysis is used to compare and evaluate the critical factors. The results provide not only methodological insights through the application of the local-global priority method, but also managerial insights that see biomethane as a winning element for the green transition, fighting climate change and reducing dependence on external energy sources. Subsidies have played a key role in pursuing economic sustainability; however, their use should be reduced over time and measured to the actual contribution related to environmental and social improvement. The results of this work highlight that biomethane development is important to tackle climate change and to be self-sufficient from an energy perspective. This development plan, based on circularity of resources, includes subsidies for small-scale plants, substrates from neighbouring territories, citizen involvement in decision-making processes, valorization of suitable waste from an environmental perspective and stability of political choices.

Industrial symbiosis in Brazil: A systematic literature review

This study describes how industrial symbiosis is reposed in studies dealing with the Brazilian context. This study was based on a systematic literature review in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, relying on the Prisma method and a research protocol. The results embrace quantitative and qualitative aspects such as the number of publications, the territorial scope of the studies, authors and keywords networks. The sample was also segregated into three categories, theoretical works, opportunities and formed networks, reporting the presence of industrial symbiosis in Brazil in the extant literature. The main contribution of this research is to aggregate the studies already published in the international literature, demonstrate how the IS is reported and how they can be expanded in territories or business cases not yet portrayed.

Unified waste metrics: A gamified tool in next-generation strategic planning

A gamification approach for tackling waste management planning and urban development provide a more engaging and interactive experience with high pedagogical potential. Existing serious games involving waste management are complex in their data ingestion, use, and presentation, limiting individuals' opportunities to gain knowledge and decision-making skills transferrable to the real world. Simulations, by comparison, provide either an oversimplified and unrealistic user interface or explore in depth individual rather than aggregate key performance indicators for waste management, limiting potential knowledge retention. There is a clear opportunity in creating an informative, easy-to-use simulation-based game to help stakeholders build understanding of waste management policies, performance, and causal relationships. This gamified tool provides clear feedback through quick-visibility performance indicators (i.e., waste accumulation index, waste compositional analysis, prevention activities etc.) and offers the opportunity, through multi-criteria decision making, of simulating real-life scenarios and previewing the possible outcomes of certain in-game actions. The research question is how the process of gamification might serve as powerful tool for educating decision makers. The results are considered as a reference point to any policy maker intending to assess environmental performance, proposed activities to reach Circular Economy targets, and European Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Life Cycle Assessment Model of a Catering Product: Comparing Environmental Impacts for Different End-of-Life Scenarios

This paper assesses the primary energy and environmental impacts of a restaurant main course product’s lifecycle, especially focusing on end-of-life (EoL) stage. In the first step, a cradle-to-grave complex life cycle assessment (LCA) model of the product has been set up from the extraction of the required raw materials through the preparation, cooking and use phase to the end-of-life. In the second step, three scenarios (landfilling, incineration, and composting) were compared for the generated food waste in the end-of-life stage given that one of the biggest challenges in waste management is the optimal management of food waste. We calculated eleven environmental impact categories for the examined food product with the help of GaBi 9.0 software. During our research work, the primary energy was examined in each phase. In the third step, a comparison between the traditional and “sous vide” cooking technologies has been created to optimise of the cooking/frying life cycle phase. This paper basically answers three main questions: (1) How can the main environmental impacts and primary energy throughout the whole life cycle of the examined product be characterised? (2) What methods can optimise the different life cycle stages while reducing and recycling energy and material streams? and (3) what is the most optimal waste management scenario at the end-of-life stage? Based on the analysis, the highest environmental impact comes from the preparation phase and the end-of-life scenario for the traditional incineration caused almost twice the environmental load as the landfilling of the food waste. Composting has the lowest environmental impact, and the value of the primary energy for composting is very low. The sous vide cooking technique is advantageous, and the continuously controlled conditions result in a more reliable process. These research results can be used to design sustainable cooking and catering with lower environmental impacts and energy resources in catering units.

Analysis and Evaluation of Energy Consumption and Carbon Emission Levels of Products Produced by Different Kinds of Equipment Based on Green Development Concept

Energy consumption and carbon emission levels in the production process constitute an important basis for the selection of production equipment. The energy consumption and carbon emission levels of the same product produced by different kinds equipment vary greatly from one tool to another. Unfortunately, traditional modes of selection only give qualitative results, so that it is difficult to provide a quantitative reference to enable enterprises to choose appropriate modes of production in the context of the green development concept (GDC). In order to solve this problem, a calculation method for multiple energy consumption and carbon-emission objectives for commodity production is proposed. The focus of this paper is to research the difference between the energy consumption and carbon emission levels of the same product produced by different kinds of equipment. The energy consumption and carbon emissions of different kinds of equipment can be calculated by gray wolf algorithm. The results show that the proposed method can calculate the optimal values of energy consumption and carbon emissions in the same kinds of products produced by different equipment, which can provide assistance for enterprises in choosing the production equipment that best conforms to the green development concept.

Toward a Cleaner and more Sustainable World: A Framework to Develop and Improve Waste Management through Organizations, Governments and Academia

Waste production is expected to reach 3.40 billion tons annually in 2050. To decrease its negative impacts on the environment generated by human activities, waste management (WM) aims to increase the products life cycle and reduce the use of energy and space. Thus, this work aims to propose a framework with actions to develop and improve WM in the Triple Helix (TH) sectors: organizations, governments, and academia. The framework was developed based on the benchmarking of the technical-scientific scenario and the opportunities and challenges of WM added to the authors' experiences. This study was conducted using a combined method of the literature review and content analysis of articles present in the Scopus database, patents identified in the Orbit database, and governmental actions. As a result, 32 actions have been proposed through the framework, distributed among the TH sectors. The countries analyzed were China, India, and the United States, which highlighted because of the h-index and number of patents published. The main scientific contribution of this work is to add empirical elements coming directly from public and private institutions to the theory about WM, forming a block of knowledge with characteristics closer to reality. The major applied contribution of this work is the proposition of actions to the TH sectors, enabling the development of solutions and technologies to improve WM.

Evaluation of urban metabolism assessment methods through SWOT analysis and analytical hierocracy process

The interconnection of urbanization trends and environmental pressures, are due to the rising demand for resource consumption, waste production and greenhouses gas emissions. Taking into consideration the massive reduction of natural resources, the deprivation of the life quality and the climate change, the scientific community indicates the necessity to emphasis and understand the relationship between cities and the environment as a dynamic concept. Consequently, cities are facing the challenge to implement alternative strategies towards more sustainable management of urban resources. This research aims to shed light on the concept of urban metabolism, the methods that are been used to gauge urban metabolism (i.e Emergy Analysis, Material Flow Analysis, Ecological Footprint etc.), as well as the assessment of the proposed methodologies through SWOT analysis and Analytical Hierocracy Process, considering multi-criteria analysis and how those reflect to Circular Economy and European Green Deal Strategy. The results showed that, the existing methodologies needs refreshment to cover the needs for the cities of tomorrow and a new hybrid approach which will include new set of Key Performed Indicators is essential. Furthermore, the results could serve as a beneficial reference point for policy makers, consultants, rural developers as the new hybrid approach can be used to measure and assess the level of metabolism in one area in order to prevent future expansion.

Municipal Solid Waste Management through Sustainable Landfilling: In View of the Situation in Karachi, Pakistan

Open disposal is the most common technique used for municipal solid waste (MSW) management due to the absence of sanitary landfills in Pakistan. The major cities and small towns in Pakistan have become a showcase of negligence and mismanagement of MSW, which results in deterioration of the environmental and social-life quality. Moreover, research has proved that inefficient handling (disposal) of MSW results in uncontrolled emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), mainly methane, and adds a significant share in global climate change. This study aims to estimate methane emissions from MSW disposed of at dumpsites and compare the GHG mitigation potential of different landfill strategies in specific climate and waste compositions in Karachi. The GHG estimations are based on lab-scale investigations conducted by simulating landfill conditions through the landfill simulation reactor (LSR) experiment. The synthetic MSW sample representing the composition of MSW generated in Karachi was used in the LSR experiment. Environmental sustainability and GHG mitigation potential of different landfilling strategies was evaluated by analyzing gas formation potential (GP₂₁) and respiration activity (RI₄) at the end of the experiment. This study revealed that the quantity of solid waste annually disposed of at dumpsites in Karachi possesses the potential to release about 3.9 Mt CO₂-eq. methane (with specific methane potential of 1.8 tCO₂-eq./tonne DM disposed) due to the biological decomposition of the organic fraction. Results show that the fresh waste disposed of at landfill sites in Karachi possesses about 92% and 94% higher GP₂₁ and RI₄, respectively, than the German allocated criteria for mechanically and biologically treated (MBT) waste for landfills Furthermore, sanitary landfills with post-aeration conditions showed higher GHG mitigation potential and low biological activity in the waste. The second highest GHG mitigation potential and lowest biological activity of the waste was noticed from bioreactor landfills with post-aeration conditions. The third number in GHG mitigation and reduced waste activity was noticed in the waste sampled from bioreactors without aftercare approach. The least GHG mitigation potential was noticed from the uncontrolled waste dumping (existing) approach with high residual gas potential and respiration index level. This lab-scale landfill simulation study can provide baseline data for further research and planning the development of new sustainable landfills in Karachi, Pakistan and in the region.

Current status, topographical constraints, and implementation strategy of municipal solid waste in India: a review

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is one of the key components of India’s prominent mission “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.” Rising urbanization, faster economic growth, and lifestyle changes all contribute to higher waste generation in India. Unscientific treatment, improper collection, and low use of technology-based solutions for handling MSW lead to hazards like environmental degradation, water pollution, air pollution, and soil pollution. The review paper describes the current status of MSW in different states and union territories as well as reviews the MSW generation, characteristics, and processing methods as practiced in India. It also highlighted government policy and various geographic constraints while rolling out an effective municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system. Furthermore, a comparison of MSW has been described for advanced, developing, and lesser developed countries based on adopted technology, policies, and infrastructure. The study will help decision-makers and scholars formulate more effective strategies for an effective way forward plan for MSWM.

Public Space and Solid Waste Facilities in Makkah

Rapid urban development and modernization in Makkah have led to an increase in urban infrastructure needs. The city of Makkah is a main destination for the global Islamic pilgrimage and is highly utilized for major infrastructure and building expansion including processes of densification. As a consequence of Hajj and Umrah activities, the city experiences a major annual upward trajectory of public space usage and solid waste production which caters to the needs of temporary activities targeted to foreign visitors. These circumstances lead to issues of inefficiencies in the management of public services in the city, particularly in the provision of public space and solid waste management for residents. Within this context, the aim of this paper is to understand the development of public space in Makkah and the level of services delivered to local residents based on residents’ perspectives on services provided in formal and informal settlements in Makkah. The study contributes to the gap in research on public space and waste handling in Makkah. Interviews addressing resident characteristics and public space with the quality of solid waste provision in Makkah are presented. An explanation of residents’ preferences for public space was also presented. At different times of the day, in the year 2018, the observations were carried out to identify usage patterns by the residents. The paper accomplishes this by presenting significant points for developments in community space and solid waste management.

Investigating the Determinants of Greek Households Food Waste Prevention Behaviour

Food waste prevention is globally an urgent policy priority. Multiple studies have demonstrated that in the developed world, households are the main producers of food waste along the food supply chain, being responsible for about half of the edible food wasted. This study aims to analyse consumers’ food waste behaviour and identify the factors that influence food waste generation in Greek households. A survey of 921 Greek households was conducted using a structured questionnaire based on the explanatory framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, which is currently the most widely used cognitive model in environmental psychology. The study investigated the validity of relations between the main model parameters (attitude towards food waste, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intention, and self-reported behaviour), in addition to knowledge regarding food waste prevention, general environmental knowledge, planning and shopping habits and demographic characteristics. Results demonstrated that food waste prevention Intention and food provisioning habits are direct determinants of food waste generation Behaviour. Intention was predominantly determined by General Environmental Attitude, followed by Perceived Behavioural Control, Attitude towards Food Waste, and Consequences/Outcomes of waste prevention, while Subjective Norms did not exert a statistically significant influence, indicating that formal and informal environmental education can positively influence food waste prevention behaviour through a combination of experiential actions and instruction. The findings of the study can inform policymaking and support the development of effective campaigns for food waste prevention at the consumption stage.

Coastal vulnerability analysis to support strategies for tackling COVID-19 infection

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has constrained world governments to impose measures of restraint and social distancing which also involves coastal areas. One of the most affected activities is tourism due to travel restrictions imposed by precautionary measures. This is also reflected in the recreative use of the coastal strip. Consequently, beaches and coastal stretches of small municipalities can potentially become contagious outbreaks of COVID-19 if adequate control and management measures are not promptly implemented. During the 20th century, several factors, both natural and human induced, caused alterations to coastal processes and consequently to the services they were providing. Coastal environments are very vulnerable and sensitive to change. This raises the need for careful assessment prior to any intervention or strategy involving the coastal system. Several literature studies have been focused both in the past and in recent years on examining the main factors affecting coastal vulnerability highlighting critical issues and shortcomings. The present paper, addressing all critical issues from literature review, illustrates a consistent methodology to support coastal management which combines both physical and socio-economic aspects and provides for the quantification of two different coastal vulnerability indices. The approach adopted has led to a distinction of different coastal peculiarities and a mapping of risk levels providing, in addition, the basis for the implementation of strategies risks related to COVID-19. The methodology proposed can be a useful reference in several areas, in demonstrating its effectiveness it has been applied with respect to a coastal area in southern Italy.

An Integrated SWOT-PESTLE-AHP Model Assessing Sustainability in Adaptive Reuse Projects

In the recent past, sustainable development has been considered a major issue for urban and regional studies. Adaptive reuse appears to be a practical solution for sustainable urban development. Beyond and in addition to a conceptual base consistent with circular economy and sustainability principles, how do we know if adaptive reuse is actually sustainable, provided that it constitutes a multidisciplinary and multilevel process? The present study aims at evaluating, in as much as feasible quantitative terms, adaptive reuse practices sustainability. This was attained using a set of indicators, developed combining PESTLE (the Political, Economic, Technical, Social, Legal, and Environmental aspects) and SWOT (the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) approaches, of which the results were subjected to evaluation by experts (pairwise comparisons), following the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The indicators representing strengths and opportunities of the process were calculated to be of higher value (overall level of final cumulative indicators values; 70.4%) compared with indicators representing weaknesses and threats. Enhancing strengths and opportunities and counteracting weaknesses and threats contribute making the potential of adaptive reuse practices in urban sustainability more evident. Among analysis dimensions, political and economic aspects rank first, followed by environmental, socio-cultural, technological-technical, and legal aspect. The empirical results of this paper serve as a useful reference point for decision-making and policy formulation addressing adaptive reuse practices in sustainable development strategies.

Urban strategies evaluation for waste management in coastal areas in the framework of area metabolism

Europe is considered one of the most attractive and safe prevalent tourist destinations in the entire world. Approximately half (47.4%) of European tourist visits occurred in coastal regions, defined "on the basis of and consist of local administrative units or municipalities that border the sea, or have at least half of their total surface area within a distance of 10 km from the sea." Destinations such as Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Spain and Croatia presented with an increased level of tourist accommodation establishments, as well as, the overall flow of tourism in the European Union is mostly concentrated on Mediterranean coastal regions (as nine out 10 tourists, in 2015, spent their holidays at coastal areas). This paper, is dealing with the assessment of a tourist area and how the concept of urban metabolism has been affected by touristic activities. Moreover, this research using several key performance indicators such as waste compositional analysis, the clean coast index, the accumulation rate, and accumulation index, etc., tries to measure the level of environmental performance, and furthermore, to assess the existing infrastructures and the waste management plan, that are being implemented. The results are very useful, for any policy-maker, as well as competent authorities and/or tourist organizations which are dealing with tourist activities and aim to propose or re-schedule any waste strategy targeting the goals of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, European Green Deal, and the new circular economy strategy.

Measuring the Level of Environmental Performance on Coastal Environment before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study from Cyprus

Tourism activities are considered, among others, the backbone of the local economies. However, tourism activities lead to adverse environmental impacts, especially in coastal zones. Coastal areas are considered and recognized as of strategic importance due to the fact that several activities take place, from leisure to business. At the same time, coastal areas are under pressure from tourist activities, and the waste generated is a very serious issue. Therefore, there are limited studies related to the environmental dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic in the coastal environment. This paper provides answers to the hypothesis that the pandemic lockdown scenario would improve environmental performance due to reduced usage and, therefore, waste, taking into account specific key performance indicators (KPIs) as these KPIs are used to evaluate the performance of an area. The results showed that the study area improved, as did the selected KPIs, i.e., clean coast index (CCI), waste accumulation rate (WAR), and waste accumulation index (WAI). Additionally, according to the final results, the concentration of micro-, meso- and macroplastics on the beach reduced, and the main issues remained the solutions on cigarette butts, straws, and other plastic containers. Furthermore, the final results are considered very useful to local authorities, stakeholders, consultants, policymakers, and any other competent authorities, to reschedule their waste management strategies, to improve waste infrastructures and their level of services (LOS), as well as, to suggest frequent awareness-raising activities to their visitors on how to protect the coastal environment, taking into account a pandemic scenario, as well as, the policy alternative impacts on EU coastal zones 2000–2050.

Guidance plans for solid waste management during COVID-19 in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized disasters related to environmental topics, human health, social lifestyles, and economic systems around the world. COVID-19 may further spread through municipal solid waste (MSW), if it is collected, handled, transported, or disposed in an improper way. The current paper provides an overview of the multiple challenges that COVID-19 has introduced to the various tasks of MSW management including the impact of the implemented precautionary measures on MSW management, priorities and hierarchy of MSW, direct impact on the constitution, and characterization of MSW in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, based on waste management characterization guidance. In addition, specific and alternative guidance plans for the potential critical points of the infection were suggested to protect public health during the pandemic. The results of the current study revealed that the hierarchical system of MSW was modified under pandemic conditions. Implementation of control measures in Makkah has led to a change of lifestyle, which resulted in a physical change of the MSW constitution in Makkah, with the following average rates: organic matter, 57%; plastics, 31%; paper and cardboard, 9%; metals, 1%; glass, 1%; and wood, 1%. In conclusion, a specific guidance plan for MSW management during the COVID-19 pandemic was developed, aimed at handlers, pickers, collection, transportation, transfer stations, and MSW disposal. Such a guidance plan may play a vital role in controlling the pandemic, especially in the outdoor environment. The suggested guidance plan describes and specifies structured and ordered practices of MSW management in Makkah during COVID-19 and other pandemics.

Sustainable Viticulture: First Determination of the Environmental Footprint of Grapes

We present for the first time the environmental footprint (EF) of grapes following the methodology proposed by the EU and life cycle assessment (LCA). We used data from three different production systems, conventional high- or low-input and organic from vineyards on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The life cycle inventory (LCI) data were retrieved from the recently released AGRIBALYSE database, and the EF was determined with the Open LCA software. The system boundary was from “cradle to winery door” and the functional unit was 1 ton of grapes delivered to the winery. Organic grape production had the lowest values for most of the 16 EF impact categories. Machinery, fuel, and sulfur production and use were identified as EF hotspots for organic grapes. Fertilizer production and use were identified as EF hotspots for high-input grape production. The EF impact category values for low-input grapes showed similarities with organic production. Future research needs to enrich the LCI databases with data more applicable to the methods and inputs applied in Mediterranean agriculture.