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Srivastava A, Sharma A, Jena MK, Vuppaladadiyam AK, Reguyal F, Joshi J, Sharma A, Shah K, Gupta A, Chin BLF, Saptoro A, Sarmah AK. Can pyrolysis handle biomedical wastes?: Assessing the potential of various biomedical waste treatment technologies in tackling pandemics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174167. [PMID: 38917898 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Globally, COVID-19 has not only caused tremendous negative health, social and economic impacts, but it has also led to environmental issues such as a massive increase in biomedical waste. The biomedical waste (BMW) was generated from centralized (hospitals, clinics, and research facilities) and extended (quarantine camps, COVID-19 test camps, and quarantined homes) healthcare facilities. Many effects, such as the possibility of infection spread, unlawful dumping/disposal, and an increase in toxic emissions by common BMW treatment facilities, are conjectured because of the rise in waste generation. However, it is also an opportunity to critically analyze the current BMW treatment scenario and implement changes to make the system more economical and environmentally sustainable. In this review, the waste disposal guidelines of the BMW management infrastructure are critically analyzed for many functional parameters to bring out possible applications and limitations of individual interventions. In addition, an investigation was made to select appropriate technology based on the environmental setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Srivastava
- Waste to Resources Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology & Chemical Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur 303007, India
| | - Anita Sharma
- Waste to Resources Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology & Chemical Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur 303007, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Jena
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | | | - Febelyn Reguyal
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jyeshtharaj Joshi
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai- 400094, India; Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai-19, India
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Waste to Resources Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology & Chemical Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur 303007, India; School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Kalpit Shah
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Akhilendra Gupta
- Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017, India
| | - Bridgid Lai Fui Chin
- Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Curtin University Malaysia, 250 CDT, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Agus Saptoro
- Energy and Environment Research Cluster, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia, 250 CDT, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Ajit K Sarmah
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
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Yang T, Du Y, Sun M, Meng J, Li Y. Risk Management for Whole-Process Safe Disposal of Medical Waste: Progress and Challenges. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2024; 17:1503-1522. [PMID: 38859877 PMCID: PMC11164087 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s464268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the global outbreaks of SARS, influenza A (H1N1), COVID-19, and other major infectious diseases have exposed the insufficient capacity for emergency disposal of medical waste in numerous countries and regions. Particularly during epidemics of major infectious diseases, medical waste exhibits new characteristics such as accelerated growth rate, heightened risk level, and more stringent disposal requirements. Consequently, there is an urgent need for advanced theoretical approaches that can perceive, predict, evaluate, and control risks associated with safe disposal throughout the entire process in a timely, accurate, efficient, and comprehensive manner. This article provides a systematic review of relevant research on collection, storage, transportation, and disposal of medical waste throughout its entirety to illustrate the current state of safe disposal practices. Building upon this foundation and leveraging emerging information technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), we deeply contemplate future research directions with an aim to minimize risks across all stages of medical waste disposal while offering valuable references and decision support to further advance safe disposal practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yang
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
- Intelligent Interconnected Systems Laboratory of Anhui Province (Hefei University of Technology), Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanan Du
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingzhen Sun
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Meng
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiyi Li
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
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Puška A, Štilić A, Pamucar D, Simic V, Petrović N. Optimal selection of healthcare waste treatment devices using fuzzy-rough approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-32630-5. [PMID: 38430441 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32630-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The escalating volume of healthcare waste (HCW) generated by healthcare facilities poses a pressing challenge for all nations. Adequate management and disposal of this waste are imperative to mitigate its adverse impact on human lives, wildlife, and the environment. Addressing this issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina involves the establishment of a regional center dedicated to HCW management. In practice, there are various treatments available for HCW management. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the priority for procuring different treatments during the formation of this center. To assess these treatment devices, expert decision-making employed the fuzzy-rough approach. By leveraging extended sustainability criteria, experts initially evaluated the significance of these criteria and subsequently assessed the devices for HCW treatment. Employing the fuzzy-rough LMAW (Logarithm Methodology of Additive Weights), the study determined the importance of criteria, highlighting "Air emissions" and "Annual usage costs" as the most critical factors. Utilizing the fuzzy-rough CoCoSo (the Combined Compromise Solution) method, six devices employing incineration or sterilization for HCW treatment were ranked. The findings indicated that the "Rotary kiln" and "Steam disinfection" emerged as the most favorable devices for HCW treatment based on this research. This conclusion was validated through comparative and sensitivity analyses. This research contributes by proposing a solution to address Bosnia and Herzegovina's HCW challenge through the establishment of a regional center dedicated to HCW management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adis Puška
- Department of Public Safety, Government of Brčko District, Brcko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Anđelka Štilić
- Academy of Applied Studies Belgrade, College of Tourism, Bulevar Zorana Đinđića 152a, 11070, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Pamucar
- Department of Operations Research and Statistics, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
- College of Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
- Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Vladimir Simic
- Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 305, 11010, Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Informatics, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Nataša Petrović
- Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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4
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Sanito RC, Mujiyanti DR, You SJ, Wang YF. A review on medical waste treatment in COVID-19 pandemics: Technologies, managements and future strategies. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2024; 74:72-99. [PMID: 37955449 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2023.2282011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 few years ago, the increasing of the number of medical waste has become a huge issue because of their harmful impact to environment. A major concern associated to the limitation of technologies for dealing with medical waste, especially conventional technologies, are overcapacities since pandemic occurs. Moreover, the outbreak of new viruses from post COVID-19 should become a serious attention to be prevented not only environmental issues but also the spreading of viruses to new pandemic near the future. The high possibility of an outbreak of new viruses and mutation near the future should be prevented based on the experience associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the last 3 yr. This review presented information and strategies for handling medical waste during the outbreak of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19, and also information on the current issues related to technologies, such as incineration, pyrolysis/gasification, autoclaves and microwave treatment for the dealing with high numbers of medical waste in COVID-19 to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus, their advantages and disadvantages. Plasma technology can be considered to be implemented as an alternative technology to deal with medical waste since incinerator is usually over capacities during the pandemic situation. Proper treatment of specific medical waste in pandemics, namely face masks, vaccine vials, syringes, and dead bodies, are necessary because those medical wastes are mediums for transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Furthermore, emission controls from incinerator and plasma are necessary to be implemented to reduce the high concentration of CO2, NOx, and VOCs during the treatment. Finally, future strategies of medical waste treatment in the perspective of potential outbreak pandemic from new mutation viruses are discussed in this review paper.Implications: Journal of the air and waste management association may consider our review paper to be published. In this review, we give important information related to the technologies, managements and strategies for handling the medical waste and control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus, starting from proper technology to control the high number of medical waste, their pollutants and many strategies for controlling the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moreover, this review also describes some strategies associated with control the transmission not only the SARS-CoV-2 virus but also the outbreak of new viruses near the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raynard Christianson Sanito
- Surface Engineering Laboratory, Advanced Materials Research Center, Department of Mineral, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Laval University, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- CHU de Quebec, Hospital Saint-François d'Assise, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dwi Rasy Mujiyanti
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia
| | - Sheng-Jie You
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Center for Environmental Risk Management, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Fen Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Center for Environmental Risk Management, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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5
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Doad R, Gupta R, Shitak R. Evaluation of biomedical waste generation in Himachal Pradesh before and during the Covid 19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167689. [PMID: 37820814 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Himachal Pradesh dealt with the same crisis as other states in India due to the extensive dissemination of the COVID-19 coronavirus infection. Biomedical waste management is crucial for public health and environmental safety, and the pandemic's impact on waste generation is an understudied area. This study specifically utilizes data from the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board as well as information from other governmental and non-governmental organizations, which are analysed and compared for the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. This research offers a thorough analysis of waste generation of Himachal Pradesh both before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Kangra (671 kg/day), Shimla (526 kg/day), are found to be high Bio medical waste generation (BMWG) districts whereas Kinnour (22 kg/day), Lahul Spiti (6 kg/day) are observed as lowest BMW generating districts in Himachal Pradesh on average basis in the year 2018 to 2020. The unexpected COVID-19 viral pandemic has caused a huge increase in Bio-medical waste (584 kg/day) in the year 2021 in comparison to that in the year 2020 (139 kg/day). The gaps analysis of Himachal Pradesh implementation of the Biomedical waste regulations was also assessed in this study. Deep burials have been severely prohibited by the Himachal Pradesh government; yet, two districts continue to dispose of BMWs using deep burial techniques. The findings reveal important insights into the changing patterns of BMW generation, shedding light on the challenges and requirements for effective waste management strategies during health crises. The insights obtained from this study can contribute in development of resilient waste management system that can effectively respond to future pandemics or health crises, ensuring the safety of healthcare workers, the public, and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Doad
- Centre for Energy and Environment, Dr B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
| | - Renu Gupta
- Centre for Energy and Environment, Chemical Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
| | - Ritu Shitak
- Department of Pharmacology, Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College Hamirpur, cum-consultant-cum State Nodal Officer PVPI under aegis of IPC, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, Himachal Pradesh, India
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6
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Zhou T, Wu J, Hu X, Cao Z, Yang B, Li Y, Zhao Y, Ding Y, Liu Y, Xu A. Microplastics released from disposable medical devices and their toxic responses in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117345. [PMID: 37821065 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Owing to accelerated urbanization and industrialization, many plastic products have been manufactured and discharged into the environment, causing environmental and public health problems. Plastics in environmental media are further degraded by prolonged exposure to light, heat, mechanical friction, and other factors to form new pollutants called microplastics (MPs). Medical plastics have become a crucial source of plastics in environmental media. However, the release profiles of MPs from medical plastics and their potential ecological and health risks remain unclear. We used optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy to explore the release profiles of eight typical disposable medical devices under high-temperature steam disinfection (HSD). We also evaluated the toxicity of disposable medical devices-derived MPs in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Our results showed that the changes in the surface morphology and modification of the disposable medical devices were mainly associated with the material. Polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) materials exhibited high aging phenomena (e.g., bumps, depressions, bulges and cracks), and HSD broke their oxygen-containing functional groups and carbon chains. By contrast, minor changes in the chemical and physical properties were observed in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-prepared disposable medical devices under the same conditions. Further physicochemical characterization indicated that the amount of MPs released from PP-prepared disposable medical devices (P4: 1.27 ± 0.34 × 106) was greater than that from PVC-prepared disposable medical devices (P7: 1.08 ± 0.14 × 105). The particle size of the released MPs was the opposite, PVC-prepared disposable medical devices (P7: 11.45 ± 1.79 μm) > PP-prepared disposable medical devices (P4: 7.18 ± 0.52 μm). Toxicity assessment revealed that disposable medical devices-released MPs significantly increased germ cell apoptosisin C. elegans. Moreover, MPs from PP-prepared disposable medical devices disrupted the intestinal barrier of worms, decreasing their lifespan. Our findings provided novel information regarding the profiles and mechanisms of MP release from disposable medical devices and revealed their potential risks to ecological environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Jiajie Wu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Xi Hu
- Quantum Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenxiao Cao
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Baolin Yang
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Yang Li
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Yuting Ding
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Yun Liu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China
| | - An Xu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China.
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7
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Garcia-Garcia G, Martín-Lara MÁ, Calero M, Ortega F, Blázquez G. Life-Cycle Assessment of the thermal and catalytic pyrolysis over sepiolite of face masks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165063. [PMID: 37355111 PMCID: PMC10287176 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, extensive quantities of face masks have been used and discarded. Most of these masks end up in landfills, causing a high environmental impact and no benefits. However, there are alternative ways to deal with this waste in a more sustainable way. For example, valorisation of face masks through pyrolysis has received special attention because it offers efficient application to produce a liquid oil that can be used as a diesel substitute and a solid char that can be used as an activated carbon substitute after activation. In this context, this study applies the Life-Cycle Assessment methodology to quantify and analyse the environmental impacts of different treatment scenarios based on the pyrolysis of surgical masks and FFP2 masks. It also compares their environmental performance with the conventional practice of landfilling. The scenarios studied include both thermal and catalytic pyrolysis by using sepiolite, a low-cost material abundant in Spain. Data on the pyrolysis process were obtained from laboratory experiments. It was found that the use of the produced oil as a diesel substitute very significantly reduces the environmental impact in all pyrolysis scenarios. Consequently, the pyrolysis of face masks can reduce the environmental impact caused by the treatment of this waste material. Furthermore, the thermal pyrolysis performs environmentally better than the catalytic pyrolysis. In all scenarios, freshwater ecotoxicity and marine ecotoxicity are the environmental impact categories that cause the highest environmental impact overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Garcia-Garcia
- Department of Agrifood Chain Economics, Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), Centre 'Camino de Purchil', 18080 Granada, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Martín-Lara
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Mónica Calero
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Francisco Ortega
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Gabriel Blázquez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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8
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Nukusheva A, Abdizhami A, Rustembekova D, Zhaxybekova F, Kabzhanov A. Regulation of biomedical waste management in Kazakhstan during the pandemic in the context of best practices. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1179. [PMID: 37690106 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11794-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic actualized questions about the proper management of biomedical waste while creating several regulatory challenges and requiring countries to look for an appropriate response. These issues have become particularly relevant for Kazakhstan, where waste management issues traditionally face inefficient legal regulation and are particularly acute. This study aims to answer the question of what regulatory problems Kazakhstan currently face in the area of proper biomedical waste management, and how existing foreign experience can help solve them. The present study highlights several pertinent challenges within the context of medical waste management. These include issues concerning the licencing activities associated with waste management, the absence of well-defined regional plans for the management of medical waste and the lack of effective strategies to address the proper handling and disposal of this specific category of waste. At the same time, there are reasons to say that the country requires additional technical and expert support in the field of medical waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aigul Nukusheva
- Department of Civil and Labour Law, Karaganda University Named After Academician E.A. Buketov, Karaganda, Kazakhstan.
| | - Aitugan Abdizhami
- Department of Civil and Labour Law, Karaganda University Named After Academician E.A. Buketov, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
| | - Dinara Rustembekova
- Department of Civil and Labour Law, Karaganda University Named After Academician E.A. Buketov, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
| | - Farida Zhaxybekova
- Department of Criminal Justice, M. Narikbayev KAZGUU University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Akylbek Kabzhanov
- Department of Legal Disciplines, Academy Bolashaq, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
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9
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Ochoa-Barragán R, Munguía-López ADC, Ponce-Ortega JM. A hybrid machine learning-mathematical programming optimization approach for municipal solid waste management during the pandemic. ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY 2023:1-20. [PMID: 37362987 PMCID: PMC10181925 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03354-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides a mathematical optimization strategy for optimal municipal solid waste management in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic. This strategy integrates two approaches: optimization and machine learning models. First, the optimization model determines the optimal supply chain for the municipal waste management system. Then, machine learning prediction models estimate the required parameters over time, which helps generate future projections for the proposed strategy. The optimization model was coded in the General Algebraic Modeling System, while the prediction model was coded in the Python programming environment. A case study of New York City was addressed to evaluate the proposed strategy, which includes extensive socioeconomic data sets to train the machine learning model. We found the predicted waste collection over time based on the socioeconomic data. The results show trade-offs between the economic (profit) and environmental (waste sent to landfill) objectives for future scenarios, which can be helpful for possible pandemic scenarios in the following years. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10668-023-03354-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio Ochoa-Barragán
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Francisco J. Mujica S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, 58060 Morelia, Michoacán México
| | - Aurora del Carmen Munguía-López
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Francisco J. Mujica S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, 58060 Morelia, Michoacán México
| | - José María Ponce-Ortega
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Francisco J. Mujica S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, 58060 Morelia, Michoacán México
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10
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Shabani T, Jerie S, Shabani T. Applicability of the Life Cycle Assessment Model in Solid Waste Management in Zimbabwe. CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37360376 PMCID: PMC10182749 DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00268-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Solid waste increase is inevitable globally due to anthropogenic activities. This adds burden to waste management systems in developing countries including Zimbabwe. Currently, life cycle assessment (LCA) model is used to achieve sustainability and circular economy (CE) in solid waste management. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to unearth LCA model applicability in solid waste management in Zimbabwe. Data sources were retrieved from databases like Scopus, ScienceDirect and Springer, although government documents were also used. In Zimbabwe, organic and inorganic solid waste is generated from various sources, namely industries, institutions and households. Solid waste management in Zimbabwe is based on traditional linear approach where waste is collected and disposed through landfilling, burning, incineration, burying, open pits or illegally. Most disposal approaches occupy base of waste management pyramid, hence posing detrimental impacts to human health, terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric ecosystems. Management approaches are far from Agenda 21, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Zimbabwe Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 demands. Literature revealed that LCA model can be utilised to achieve sustainable solid waste management in countries like Zimbabwe. LCA model is essential in management of solid waste in Zimbabwe, since it assists decision makers in selecting management approaches with less environmental health impacts. Moreover, LCA enables application of waste material reuse, recycle, repairing and recovery, thus narrowing the gap to achieve CE and economic growth in Zimbabwe. Owing to LCA model implementation of waste management legislation and policies which support energy recovery and circular economy became easier in Zimbabwe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takunda Shabani
- Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Steven Jerie
- Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Tapiwa Shabani
- Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe
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11
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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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12
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Pata UK, Erdogan S, Ozkan O. Is reducing fossil fuel intensity important for environmental management and ensuring ecological efficiency in China? JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 329:117080. [PMID: 36566725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Since China is a country with high environmental pollution, researchers have intensively studied China's environmental problems using various environmental indicators such as carbon emissions and ecological footprint. Unlike previous literature, this study analyzes the effects of economic growth, globalization, foreign direct investment, and fossil energy intensity on ecological efficiency in China. As an innovation to the literature, the study examines the Chinese ecosystem simultaneously with its economic and environmental aspects by focusing on ecological efficiency. To this end, the study applies dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DARDL) simulations and kernel-based regularized least squares (KRLS) methods for the period from 1990 to 2018. The results of the DARDL simulations show that globalization, and economic growth enhance ecological efficiency in China. The findings also demonstrate that both foreign direct investment and fossil fuel intensity have a negative impact on environmental quality in China. Based on these results, the study suggests that the Chinese government should adopt policies to channel foreign direct investment into environmentally friendly production, reduce fossil fuel intensity, and improve ecological efficiency by making use of environmentally friendly technologies provided by globalization and economic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Korkut Pata
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Economics, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, 80000, Merkez/Osmaniye, Turkey.
| | - Sinan Erdogan
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey.
| | - Oktay Ozkan
- Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Turkey.
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13
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Tian L, Liu T, Yang J, Yang H, Liu Z, Zhao Y, Huang Q, Huang Z. Pyrolytic kinetics, reaction mechanisms and gas emissions of waste automotive paint sludge via TG-FTIR and Py-GC/MS. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 328:116962. [PMID: 36470002 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The present study experimentally quantified the pyrolysis behaviors of waste solvent-based automotive paint sludge (OAPS) and water-based automotive paint sludge (WAPS) at four different heating rates using thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared (TG-FTIR) spectrometry and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass (Py-GC/MS) spectrometry analyses. Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods combined with the master-plots method were employed to investigate the pyrolysis kinetics and reaction mechanisms of waste automotive paint sludge. Three reaction stages and three reaction peaks in stage 2 were distinguished for both OAPS and WAPS degradation. The average activation energy (Ea) estimates for OAPS (FWO: 179.09 kJ/mol; KAS: 168.28 kJ/mol) were slightly higher than WAPS (FWO: 175.90 kJ/mol; KAS: 164.80 kJ/mol) according to FWO and KAS methods. The main pyrolysis reaction mechanisms of both OAPS and WAPS closely matched with the order-based model corresponding to 3rd and 2nd order random nucleation on an individual particle. The evolved gas species of CH4, CO2, phenols, NH3, H2O, and CO from OAPS and WAPS pyrolysis were identified by TG-FTIR. According to Py-GC/MS, hydrocarbons (47.2%) and O-components (42.7%) were relatively large after OAPS and WAPS pyrolysis, respectively. Melamine was the most abundant N-component product after pyrolysis of OAPS (5.8%) and WAPS (4.8%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Tingting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Jinzhong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Haoyue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zewei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Youcai Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Qifei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Zechun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
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14
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Yu H, Zahidi I. Spatial and temporal variation of vegetation cover in the main mining area of Qibaoshan Town, China: Potential impacts from mining damage, solid waste discharge and land reclamation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160392. [PMID: 36423851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The increasing frequency of mining activities in the world has led to many environmental pollution problems, such as mine wastewater discharge, mine solid waste dumps, and mine dust dispersion. These problems have negative implications for the environment and the public health of people living nearby the mining areas. Despite this, there are few methods to determine the state of mine pollution on a regional scale. Therefore, we applied remote sensing technologies to assess the mine pollution situation, especially the mine solid waste pollution, of a mining area, taking Qibaoshan Town, Liuyang City, Hunan Province, China, as an example. In our research, we have calculated the vegetation cover change of the Qibaoshan Town over the years (2000-2020), charted the vegetation coverage grade maps, and analysed the tendency of vegetation cover changes, to infer the mine pollution situation, the progress of pollution treatment and the efforts made by the local government and the mines on mine pollution disposal and the land reclamation. Additionally, mining damage can bring about geological hazards such as surface subsidence leading to vegetation destruction, while mining solid waste pollution and discharge can occupy a large amount of land and thus lead to vegetation reduction. As a result, this method of calculating FVC changes in a mining area is particularly suitable for assessing the extent of mining damage, the status of solid waste pollution and discharge, and the progress of land reclamation. In the abstract, we claim that this short communication article serves as a guide to start a conversation, and encourages experts and scholars to engage in this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxuan Yu
- Civil Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia.
| | - Izni Zahidi
- Civil Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia.
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15
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Rai PK, Sonne C, Song H, Kim KH. Plastic wastes in the time of COVID-19: Their environmental hazards and implications for sustainable energy resilience and circular bio-economies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159880. [PMID: 36328266 PMCID: PMC9618453 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The global scope of pollution from plastic waste is a well-known phenomenon associated with trade, mass consumption, and disposal of plastic products (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), viral test kits, and vacuum-packaged food). Recently, the scale of the problem has been exacerbated by increases in indoor livelihood activities during lockdowns imposed in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The present study describes the effects of increased plastic waste on environmental footprint and human health. Further, the technological/regulatory options and life cycle assessment (LCA) approach for sustainable plastic waste management are critically dealt in terms of their implications on energy resilience and circular economy. The abrupt increase in health-care waste during pandemic has been worsening environmental quality to undermine the sustainability in general. In addition, weathered plastic particles from PPE along with microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) can all adsorb chemical and microbial contaminants to pose a risk to ecosystems, biota, occupational safety, and human health. PPE-derived plastic pollution during the pandemic also jeopardizes sustainable development goals, energy resilience, and climate control measures. However, it is revealed that the pandemic can be regarded as an opportunity for explicit LCA to better address the problems associated with environmental footprints of plastic waste and to focus on sustainable management technologies such as circular bio-economies, biorefineries, and thermal gasification. Future researches in the energy-efficient clean technologies and circular bio-economies (or biorefineries) in concert with a "nexus" framework are expected to help reduce plastic waste into desirable directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Kumar Rai
- Phyto-Technologies and Plant Invasion Lab, Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth Sciences and Natural Resources Management, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - C Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - H Song
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Hyun Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Caicedo-Vargas C, Pérez-Neira D, Abad-González J, Gallar D. Assessment of the environmental impact and economic performance of cacao agroforestry systems in the Ecuadorian Amazon region: An LCA approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 849:157795. [PMID: 35931166 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ecuador is the third largest cacao exporter in the world. Up to 10 % of Ecuador's cacao production is grown in the Amazon region, mostly under conventional (CA) and organic (OA) agroforestry systems. Despite the importance of cacao in this area, no previous studies on its environmental impact and economic viability have yet been carried out. The main objective of this research is to fill this gap and, more specifically, perform a comparative analysis between CA and OA systems. For this purpose, primary information was gathered from 90 farms (44 conventional and 46 organic ones) that implement land management practices. The environmental performance of cacao production was assessed using a life cycle analysis methodology, with a cradle-to-farm gate approach. Up to twelve impact categories and five environmental and monetary efficiency indicators were estimated based on three functional units (1 kg of cacao, 1 kg of output sold, and 1 ha). Additionally, an economic viability analysis was performed, focused on profitability. The results show that organic management allows to reduce the environmental impact in all the analyzed categories, except for the land footprint, and improved the environmental and economic efficiency of agroforestry systems. The economic analysis shows no statistically significant differences between CA and OA profitability (net margin), which can be improved by selling co-products. Despite the low environmental impact of both types of system, economic profitability is certainly one of the weaknesses of cacao production in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. This study contributes to develop technical, production-related and political actions that could improve the economic cacao production situation without jeopardizing the environmental benefit obtained by these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Caicedo-Vargas
- Institute of Sociology and Peasant Studies (ISEC), Universidad de Córdoba, Spain and Central Experimental Station of the Amazon of INIAP (National Institute of Agricultural Research), Ecuador.
| | | | | | - David Gallar
- Institute of Sociology and Peasant Studies (ISEC), Universidad de Córdoba, Spain.
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17
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Tao M, Lu D, Shi Y, Wu C. Utilization and life cycle assessment of low activity solid waste as cementitious materials: A case study of titanium slag and granulated blast furnace slag. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 849:157797. [PMID: 35932851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The dumping of cement production and industrial solid waste can cause severe environmental impact. In order to reduce the environmental impact of cement production and reasonably dispose of solid waste, a new type of cementing material was developed using industrial solid waste as raw materials. It solves the problem that low activity solid waste is difficult to reuse and makes up for the less research, which considered both preparation and environmental evaluation. The orthogonal tests of cement mortar strength as well as life cycle assessment were carried out. The results from variance and range analyses of the orthogonal tests revealed that the fraction of solid waste mainly affected the compressive strength of the solid waste cement mortar, and its specific surface area primarily influenced the flexural strength. After curing for 28 days, the compressive and flexural strength values of the developed cementing material were 40.6 MPa and 8.6 MPa, respectively. The results of life cycle impact assessment indicated that the developed solid waste cement had more environmental advantages than ordinary cement in 18 midpoints environmental impact types, and could diminish environmental impact by 16.1 % on the whole. The solid waste cement has achieved great environmental gains in the human toxicity, natural land transformation, metal depletion, climate change and other environmental impact categories. In addition, the clinker calcination, transportation and material mining were identified as critical processes responsible for the human toxicity, natural land transformation and metal depletion. Through sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, the development of the solid waste cement was proved to be the most effective method to decrease the environmental impact of cement. Finally, the methods of further reducing the environmental impact of cement were proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Tao
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Daoming Lu
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Shi
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Chengqing Wu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
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18
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Xiao H, Li K, Zhang D, Tang Z, Niu X, Yi L, Lin Z, Fu M. Environmental, energy, and economic impact assessment of sludge management alternatives based on incineration. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 321:115848. [PMID: 35987051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this study, different management strategies for sewage sludge disposal were evaluated associated with environmental, energy, and economic impact, using life cycle assessment (LCA), cumulative energy demand (CED) and life cycle costing (LCC) approaches. Four scenarios, including mono-incineration, co-incineration in municipal solid wastes (MSW) incineration plant, co-incineration in coal-fired power plant and co-incineration in cement kiln, were assessed. The environmental burdens generated from the sludge incineration contributed primarily to the global warming, followed by eutrophication, marine aquatic ecotoxicity, and human toxicity potential across the four scenarios. Furthermore, mono-incineration scenario appeared to be the most environmentally unfriendly, energy and economy intensive alternative, with the LCA, CED and LCC value of 5.41E-09, 1736 MJ and 1.84 million CNY, respectively. By contrast, co-incineration in cement kiln exhibited the lowest CED (368 MJ), LCC (0.59 million CNY), and environmental burdens (1.02E-09). In addition, the sensitivity analysis indicated that four scenarios were sensitive to the changes in the electricity efficiency and the moisture content contained in sewage sludge, suggesting that it was of great significance to enhance the efficiency of sludge dewatering and thermal drying The findings of this study can provide scientific reference for selecting the optimal strategies for the most environmentally and economically friendly sewage sludge management with optimum energy efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaping Xiao
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Kai Li
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Dongqing Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, 525000, PR China.
| | - Zhihua Tang
- Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
| | - Xiaojun Niu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, 525000, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Linzi Yi
- Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Zhang Lin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Mingli Fu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
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19
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Ji L, Wang Y, Xie Y, Xu M, Cai Y, Fu S, Ma L, Su X. Potential Life-Cycle Environmental Impacts of the COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Test. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13398-13407. [PMID: 36053337 PMCID: PMC9469759 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Massive diagnostic testing has been performed for appropriate screening and identification of COVID-19 cases in the ongoing global pandemic. However, the environmental impacts of COVID-19 diagnostics have been least considered. In this paper, the environmental impacts of the COVID-19 nucleic acid diagnostics were assessed by following a full cradle-to-grave life-cycle approach. The corresponding life-cycle anthology was established to provide quantitative analysis. Moreover, three alternative scenarios, i.e., material substitution, improved waste treatment, and electric vehicle (EV)-based transportation, were further proposed to discuss the potential environmental mitigation and conservation strategies. It was estimated that the life cycle of a single COVID-19 nucleic acid diagnostic test in China would lead to the emission of 612.9 g CO2 equiv global warming potential. Waste treatment, as a step of life cycle, worsen the environmental impacts such as global warming potential, eutrophication, and ecotoxicity. Meanwhile, diesel-driven transportation was considered as the major contributor to particulate air. Even though COVID-19 diagnostics are of the greatest importance to end the pandemic, their environmental impacts should not be ignored. It is suggested that improved approaches for waste treatment, low-carbon transportation, and a reliable pool sampling strategy are critical for the achievement of sustainable and green diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Ji
- School
of Economics and Management, Beijing University
of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yongyang Wang
- Institute
of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Yulei Xie
- Institute
of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Ming Xu
- School
for Environment and Sustainability, University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yanpeng Cai
- Institute
of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Shengnan Fu
- College
of Life Science and Technology, Beijing
University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Liang Ma
- China-Japan
Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xin Su
- College
of Life Science and Technology, Beijing
University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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20
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Role of Reverse Logistics Activities in the Recycling of Used Plastic Bottled Water Waste Management. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14137650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of reverse logistics in the recycling of used plastic bottles and waste management in Ethiopia. To achieve the study’s goal, the authors used a descriptive research design where a combination of primary and secondary data sources was employed. Primary data was collected from 258 respondents, while secondary data was taken from office manuals, yearly reports, and brochures. The findings of our analysis show that incineration, landfilling, and dumping of used plastic bottles on the side of the road are all apparent in the environment, making the city and its environs filthy and unpleasant to live in. This study also discovered that reuse and remanufacturing have become less common and are rarely practiced. Even though plastic waste disposal guidelines have been created, our investigation revealed that there is a lack of community understanding regarding solid waste management, and some stakeholders actively disregard waste management proclamations. Thus, it is recommended that all stakeholders, including the government, business owners, plastic bottled water makers, and the public, pay close attention to waste disposal, particularly of non-biodegradable pollutants in Ethiopia’s urban and rural areas.
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21
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The Landfilling of Municipal Solid Waste and the Sustainability of the Related Transportation Activities. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The management of municipal solid waste is a crucial issue to address as we move toward the decarbonization of urban contexts. Not by chance, this sector plays a relevant role in the Covenant of Mayors program, whereby municipalities are called to design their own Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SECAPs). However, despite new regulations strongly pushing the recycling and reuse of materials contained in municipal waste, many cities still use large landfills. As part of the overall environmental pressure exerted by these urban systems, the transport of waste from collection points to landfills or treatment facilities must be considered in order to correctly assess the full environmental burden of waste management. To this aim, in this paper, the Ecological Footprint method is applied to the municipal solid waste management system of the city of Palermo (Sicily). The results show that the impacts produced by the means of transport used, both in the status quo and in the assumed enhanced scenario (with less municipal waste disposed to landfills in favor of recycling), are significant compared to those caused by the other segments of the waste management system. The concept of a “saved footprint” is also introduced here, in order to properly compare the two scenarios.
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22
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Challenges and Adaptive Measures for U.S. Municipal Solid Waste Management Systems during the COVID-19 Pandemic. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14084834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in major disruptions in the way municipal solid waste management systems (MSWMSs) operate due to substantial distortions in waste generation trends, along with a variety of significant operational and managerial challenges. As critical infrastructure, MSWMSs have endeavored to adapt in response to such unprecedented stresses in order to maintain their operations during the pandemic. The challenges and their relevant adaptive measures, however, have varied with the progression of the pandemic across different MSWMSs. Currently, there is a limited understanding of such time-bound and system-specific phenomena, which impedes timely and effective adaptation. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by performing a detailed and documented investigation of the longitudinal impact of the coronavirus pandemic on different MSWMSs across the United States, along with its evolution over time, using collected qualitative and quantitative data (i.e., monthly interviews with waste management personnel, online news media, and waste tonnages). This study also develops a relational database system to facilitate the systematic recording and monitoring of the pandemic’s impact on MSWMSs, as well as guide the implementation of different adaptation strategies based on distinct systems’ characteristics. Findings of this study will help solid waste decision-makers better understand the current pandemic, along with serving as a knowledge base for future pandemic scenarios towards more resilient MSWMSs.
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