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Rani A, Negi S, Fan C, Lam SS, Kim H, Pan SY. Revitalizing plastic wastes employing bio-circular-green economy principles for carbon neutrality. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134394. [PMID: 38703690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134394] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The use of plastics has become deeply ingrained in our society, and there are no indications that its prevalence will decrease in the foreseeable future. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the global plastic waste disposal landscape, examining it through regional perspectives, various management technologies (dumping or landfilling, incineration, and reuse and recycling), and across different sectors including agriculture and food, textile, tourism, and healthcare. Notably, this study compiles the findings on life-cycle carbon footprints associated with various plastic waste management practices as documented in the literature. Employing the bio-circular-green economy model, we advocate for the adoption of streamlined and sustainable approaches to plastic management. Unique management measures are also discussed including the utilization of bioplastics combined with smart and efficient collection processes that facilitate recycling, industrial composting, or anaerobic digestion. Moreover, the integration of advanced recycling methods for conventional plastics with renewable energy, the establishment of plastic tax and credits, and the establishment of extended producer responsibility are reviewed. The success of these initiatives relies on collaboration and support from peers, industries, and consumers, ultimately contributing to informed decision-making and fostering sustainable practices in plastic waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Rani
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Suraj Negi
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chihhao Fan
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia; Center for Global Health Research (CGHR), Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Hyunook Kim
- Water‑Energy Nexus Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, South Korea
| | - Shu-Yuan Pan
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC; Agricultural Net-Zero Carbon Technology and Management Innovation Research Center, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC.
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Shan C, Pandyaswargo AH, Ogawa A, Tsubouchi R, Onoda H. Japanese public perceptions on smart bin potential to support PAYT systems. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 177:278-288. [PMID: 38354635 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.02.003] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Smart bins can increase transparency and accuracy in monitoring waste characteristics such as weight, volume, and disposal times. This information can aid in enforcing waste reduction policies, including the pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) system. However, the public's response to this technology remains uncertain. Despite Japan's reputation for high waste separation compliance and collection rates, it has one of the world's highest per capita rates of plastic and packaging waste generation. This study surveyed 1000 Japanese individuals regarding their perception of smart bin features and their potential to encourage waste reductions. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to explore the relationships between respondents' social attributes and their responses. The findings indicate a slightly higher responses from younger respondents (above 85 % of those age 10-29 compared to around 75 % of those aged 60 and older) who were in favour of smart bin technology functions such as unscheduled waste pick up and automatized waste separation. On the other hand, there was a strong unwillingness (0.57 count ratio) to reduce plastic waste even if a smart bin assisted PAYT is introduced from those who did not engage in waste separation and cleaning in the first place. Finally, an open-ended question about strategies to reduce plastic waste resulted in a large portion of mindset change ideas (24.8 % of the female respondents) and technology innovations proposals (24 % of male respondents). Although development of a smart-bin prototype is taking place, behavioral change strategies to foster a willingness to reduce waste must take place along with technological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoxia Shan
- Graduate School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Waseda University, 513 Waseda Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan.
| | - Andante Hadi Pandyaswargo
- Environmental Research Institute, Waseda University, 1-104 Totsukamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan.
| | - Akihisa Ogawa
- Graduate School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Waseda University, 513 Waseda Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan.
| | - Ryota Tsubouchi
- Daiei Kankyo Research Institute Co., Ltd., H1O Kanda, Kanda Higashimatsushitacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0042, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Onoda
- Graduate School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Waseda University, 513 Waseda Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan.
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Romano G, Masserini L. Pay-as-you-throw tariff and sustainable urban waste management: An empirical analysis of relevant effects. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 347:119211. [PMID: 37801946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119211] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable waste management presents a critical global challenge, necessitating the development of strategies for waste reduction and enhanced recycling. This study explores the impact of pay-as-you-throw tariffs (PAYTT) on promoting sustainable urban waste management. Propensity score matching was employed to analyse data from 7583 Italian municipalities. The study assesses the effects of PAYTT on both total and unsorted urban waste and evaluates their influence on the quantity and quality of separate waste collection. The findings indicate that the implementation of PAYTT effectively aligns with EU waste hierarchy policies. Municipalities adopting PAYTT experience reduced total and unsorted waste generation, along with improved quantity and quality of separate waste collections. Consequently, PAYTT holds significant potential for widespread application throughout the EU, contributing to enhanced separate waste collection efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Romano
- Department of Economics and Management, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lucio Masserini
- Department of Economics and Management, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Jin B, Li W. External Factors Impacting Residents' Participation in Waste Sorting Using NCA and fsQCA Methods on Pilot Cities in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4080. [PMID: 36901091 PMCID: PMC10001695 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Recycling waste is important as it can help to reduce environmental pollution caused by "waste siege". Source classification is an important part of the municipal solid waste (MSW) sorting process. The factors that prompt residents to participate in waste sorting have been debated by scholars in recent years; however, there are not many papers that focus on the complex relationships between them. This study reviewed the literature that concerns residents' participation in waste sorting, and it summarized the external factors that might influence residents' participation. Then, we focused on 25 pilot cities in China, and we analyzed the configuration impact of external factors on residents' participation using a necessary condition analysis (NCA) and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). We found no consistency between variables, nor was there one single condition that caused residents to participate in waste sorting. There are two main methods (environment-driven and resource-driven) that can help achieve a high participation rate, and three methods that can cause a low participation rate. This study provides suggestions for the implementation of waste sorting in other cities in China, as well as developing countries, with an emphasis on the importance of public participation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Li
- School of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
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Factors Influencing Household Waste Separation Behavior: Cases of Russia and Finland. RECYCLING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/recycling7040052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper investigates the factors influencing the behavior of individuals in source-separation of municipal solid waste in an immature system for collection of recyclable waste (Saint Petersburg, Russia) and a more mature waste system (selected urban areas, Finland). Online questionnaires were applied to collect data from citizens of Saint Petersburg and the Finnish urban population. The data were examined within an extended theory of planned behavior using structural equation modeling for the identification of factors affecting waste source-separation behavior. The findings indicate that the factors differed significantly in the two waste systems. In Russia, the inconvenience of waste collection limited waste source-separation behavior, while intentions of individuals and information availability had an almost equal positive effect. In Finland, waste source-separation behavior was mostly affected by people’s intentions. Based on the findings, recommendations for the development of recycling practices were made for practitioners in Russia and possibly other early-stage systems for the collection of recyclable waste. Limitations of the study pinpointed the possibilities for future research.
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