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Mihai FC, Ulman SR, Pop V. Macro and microplastic pollution in Romania: addressing knowledge gaps and potential solutions under the circular economy framework. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17546. [PMID: 38938611 PMCID: PMC11210483 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This review reveals the role of linear economy prevalence and mismanagement practices in plastic pollution of aquatic and terrestrial environments and related knowledge gaps in Romania while outlining downstream and upstream solutions to reduce plastic pollution and adopt circular economy strategies. Thus, the major aim of this study is the investigation of the stage of scientific knowledge concerning all these demands in the Romanian context. Methodology This work integrates two main approaches: (i) a bibliometric analysis fed by Web of Science and Scopus databases to reveal the current coverage of peer-reviewed literature related to plastic waste in Romania and (ii) a subject-based review to underline the main themes related to plastic waste management, plastic pollution, and mitigating options in Romania in line with circular economy principles. Results Reducing plastic pollution requires scientific knowledge, multi-sectoral cooperation, and societal awareness. Following this, the topics of plastic waste and plastic pollution appeared to be under-investigated in the literature considering Romania as a case study and concentrated around the 2020 year, emphasizing, in this way, the trendiness of plastic waste concerns and their management in the current research landscape. Our analysis points out that: (i) Romania is facing massive plastic pollution requiring solid improvements in waste management performances; (ii) few peer-reviewed research studies are performed in Romania for both macro and microplastic concerns with unknown pollution levels in most of its geographical regions; (iii) the plastic waste management is still understudied here, while waste statistics are poorly available at local levels; (iv) the perspectives of circular economy transition are still limited, feeding the plastic pollution in the coming years. Conclusions Several knowledge gaps are identified and must be covered by future research such as (i) adjusting mismanaged plastic waste levels to regional waste management performances and determining littering rates in urban and rural areas to improve the plastic pollution modeling inputs; (ii) examining plastic pollution associated with landfill sites and waste imports; (iii) assessing the sectoral contributions to macro and microplastic pollution of aquatic environments related to municipalities, tourist destinations, agriculture, etc.; (iv) determining retention levels of plastic in river basins and role of riparian vegetation; (v) analyzing microplastics presence in all types of freshwater environments and interlinkage between macroplastic fragmentation and microplastic; (vi) assessing the plastic loads of transboundary rivers related to mismanagement practices; (vii) determining concentrations of microplastics in air, soil, and other land use ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florin-Constantin Mihai
- CERNESIM Environmental Research Center, Department of Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Iași, Romania
| | - Simona-Roxana Ulman
- CERNESIM Environmental Research Center, Department of Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Iași, Romania
| | - Valeria Pop
- Research Institute for Sustainability and Disaster Management Based on High-Performance Computing, Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Doctoral School “Environmental Science”, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Nagase Y, Uehara T. The potential impact of the new 'Right to Repair' rules on electrical and electronic equipment waste: A case study of the UK. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 182:175-185. [PMID: 38663277 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.04.032] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Every year an estimated two million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are discarded by householders and companies in the United Kingdom (UK). While the UK has left the European Union (EU), its waste-related policies still mirror those of the EU, including the WEEE-related policies. Motivated by the recent introduction the so-called 'Right to Repair' policy for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) across the EU and UK, this paper aims to demonstrate that, depending on the commitment and behavioural changes by the consumers and the government, the future of the WEEE management of the UK will vary. To this end, focusing on landfilled WEEE reduction we develop a generic system dynamics model and apply it to eleven WEEE categories. They depict the flow of EEE and WEEE representing the interaction among the stakeholders (e.g., consumers and producers of EEE) and relevant government regulations of the UK. Our four scenario analyses find that longer use of EEE and better WEEE collection seem to be effective in reducing landfilled WEEE, while more reuse and more recycling and recovery have negligible impacts, despite excluding the additional generation of landfilled WEEE as a result of recycling and recovery. Comparing with the business-as-usual scenario, one year longer EEE use and 10% more of WEEE collection could at maximum reduce landfilled WEEE by 14.05% of monitoring and control instruments and 93.93% of display equipment respectively. Backcasting scenario analyses reveal that significant efforts are required to reduce the targeted amounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nagase
- Business School, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0PB, United Kingdom
| | - Takuro Uehara
- College of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University, Ibaraki, Japan.
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3
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Xu Z, Sun D, Xu J, Yang R, Russell JD, Liu G. Progress and Challenges in Polystyrene Recycling and Upcycling. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024:e202400474. [PMID: 38757556 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202400474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Polystyrene is a staple plastic in the packaging and insulation market. Despite its good recyclability, the willingness of PS recycling remains low, largely due to the high recycling cost and limited profitability. This review examines the research progresses, gaps, and challenges in areas that affect the recycling costs, including but not limited to logistics, packaging design, and policymaking. We critically evaluate the recent developments in upcycling strategies, and we particularly focus on tandem and hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) upcycling strategies. We conclude that future upcycling studies should focus on not only reaction chemistry and mechanisms but also economic viability of the processes. The goal of this review is to stimulate the development of innovative recycling strategies with low recycling costs and high economic output values. We hope to stimulate the economic and technological momentum of PS recycling towards a sustainable and circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Polytechnology University, Xi'an, 710000, China
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
| | - Dongshi Sun
- School of Information and Business Management, Dalian Neusoft University of Information, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jianjun Xu
- Institute of Supply Chain Analytics, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, 116025, China
| | - Rong Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Polytechnology University, Xi'an, 710000, China
| | - Jennifer D Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
- Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
| | - Guoliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
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Srivastava RK, Shetti NP, Reddy KR, Nadagouda MN, Badawi M, Bonilla-Petriciolet A, Aminabhavi TM. Valorization of biowastes for clean energy production, environmental depollution and soil fertility. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 332:117410. [PMID: 36731419 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The mother earth is a source of natural resources that, in conjunction with anthropogenic activities, generates a wide spectrum of different biowastes. These biomaterials can be used as low-cost raw feedstock to produce bioenergy, value-added products, and other commodities. However, the improper management and disposal of these biowastes can generate relevant environmental impacts. Consequently, it is imperative to explore alternative technologies for the valorization and exploitation of these wastes to obtain benefits for the society. This review covers different aspects related to valorization of biowastes and their applications in water pollution, soil fertility and green energy generation. The classification and characteristics of different biowastes (biosolids, animal wastes and effluents, plant biomass, wood and green wastes) including their main generation sources are discussed. Different technologies (e.g., pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, anaerobic digestion, gasification, biodrying) for the transformation and valorization of these residues are also analyzed. The application of biowastes in soil fertility, environmental pollution and energy production are described and illustrative examples are provided. Finally, the challenges related to implement low-cost and sustainable biowaste management strategies are highlighted. It was concluded that reliable simulation studies are required to optimize all the logistic stages of management chain of these residues considering the constraints generated from the economic, environmental and social aspects of the biowaste generation sources and their locations. The recollection and sorting of biowastes are key parameters to minimize the costs associated to their management and valorization. Also, the concepts of Industry 4.0 can contribute to achieve a successful commercial production of the value-added products obtained from the biowaste valorization. Overall, this review provides a general outlook of biowaste management and its valorization in the current context of circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Srivastava
- Department of Biotechnology, GIT, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) (Deemed to Be University), Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Nagaraj P Shetti
- Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, KLE Technological University, Vidyanagar, Hubballi, 580 031, Karnataka, India; University Center for Research & Development (UCRD), Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, 140413, Panjab, India
| | - Kakarla Raghava Reddy
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Mallikarjuna N Nadagouda
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45324, USA
| | - Michael Badawi
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques, UMR 7019 - CNRS, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Adrián Bonilla-Petriciolet
- Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Tecnológico de Aguascalientes, 20256, Aguascalientes, Mexico.
| | - Tejraj M Aminabhavi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, KLE Technological University, Vidyanagar, Hubballi, 580 031, Karnataka, India.
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Agnusdei GP, Gnoni MG, Sgarbossa F. Are deposit-refund systems effective in managing glass packaging? State of the art and future directions in Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158256. [PMID: 36028036 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158256] [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: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Glass packaging gives rise to major environmental concerns because it develops more greenhouse gas emissions than plastic packaging and its improper discarding causes the loss of high-quality desired resources. The reuse and recycling of glass packaging reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the use of newly extracted resources sand and soda. To mitigate the environmental impacts of glass packaging, countries have set-up various collection and recycling systems, which are often organized and financed through extended producer responsibility schemes. The most common collection systems are deposit-refund systems (DRS), separate collection in drop-off containers and comingled collection with lightweight packaging waste. By the end of 2035 a minimum of 65 % of glass packaging waste must be prepared for re-use and/or recycled within the EU Member States and thus proper policies and solutions should be adopted to achieve this target. In this sense, the present study aims at verifying if deposit-refund systems and their different configurations affect glass packaging waste reduction and recycling/recovery. To achieve this aim, annual data regarding consumption and recycling/recovery of glass packaging for each European Economic Area/European Free Trade Association (EEA/EFTA) country were extracted over the time period 2010-2019. By using the selected European countries as units of analysis, a hybrid methodology was developed which includes the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and other descriptive statistics. Findings show that the different waste management systems affect neither the amount of glass packaging consumption nor the glass packaging recycling/recovery. In countries which adopt DRS, not more glass packaging per capita was retrieved than in countries which adopt other collection and management systems. In fact, it turns out to be a mechanism that allows for high quality glass packaging collection avoiding its ending up in landfills, but it does not influence consumption choices and the subsequent potential waste production. The adoption of DRS-based collections does not result necessarily in a successful management model for glass packaging. Since setting up additional drop-off collection points and recovering mechanically glass from municipal solid waste (MSW) does not result in glass qualities to be used in glass packaging, DRS represent still the sole progress towards a more circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Paolo Agnusdei
- University of Salento, Department of Innovation Engineering, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, S.P. Andersens vei, 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Maria Grazia Gnoni
- University of Salento, Department of Innovation Engineering, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Fabio Sgarbossa
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, S.P. Andersens vei, 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Yegorov I, Kotlyarevskyy Y, Marchenko V, Osetskyi V, Elrabay'a D. ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS OF STRATEGIC HOUSEHOLD WASTE MANAGEMENT. SCIENCE AND INNOVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.15407/scine18.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. The need to pursue more active government policy for the stimulation of waste processing is causedby the necessity to prevent those threats that arise unless an environment friendly and efficient waste management system is in place.Problem Statement. Ukraine demonstrates a low level of household waste recycling, which poses a hazard to theenvironment, quality of life, and health of the population of Ukraine. The measures identified in the National WasteManagement Strategy until 2030 can be implemented by combining the organization of separate collection of household waste with the revision of the existing incentives aiming at increasing the demand for secondary resources.Purpose. The purpose of this research is to generalize the causes of low amount and rates of processing ofhousehold waste and to develop a system of economic tools for the formation of supply and demand for household waste as main factors of effective strategic waste management.Material and Methods. Qualitative analysis and generalization of theoretical material, systematization ofeconomic tools of household waste management, economic and statistical analysis, and regression analysis have been used in this research.
Results. A set of tools for strategic household waste management and changes in approaches to their formation have been proposed. The formation of waste management tariff should be based on the length of the waste management chain, the structure of the collected waste, the potential for its recycling, the revised methods for forming the tariff, organizing waste sorting, andamending the list of tax payers of environmental tax.Conclusions. The household waste management in Ukraine demonstrates certain stability of the waste processing structure and the absence of dynamic transformations in response to changes in the modern economy. It needs support, in particular, the revision of the set of economic tools for stimulating waste processing and organizational approaches to their implementation.
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Martin-Rios C, Demen Meier C, Pasamar S. Sustainable waste management solutions for the foodservice industry: A Delphi study. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2022; 40:1412-1423. [PMID: 35176923 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x221079306] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Foodservice businesses influence the sustainability of their natural environment by producing significant amounts of waste. Yet, research has, thus far, been dominated by studies that limit their scope to food waste alone. Few studies have taken a broader look at sustainable waste initiatives, including innovative waste processing techniques, with a view to constructing management indicators for foodservices. This study combines management innovation practices related to resource management, waste prevention, processing and disposal techniques, and stakeholder involvement to offer sustainable standards. It primarily adopts the Delphi technique to propose specific solutions pertaining to waste management. Experts from government, industry, and academia reveal that potential waste management initiatives comprise three facets - service, process (operational), and organisational practices and innovations, 15 sub-facets and 41 indicators. This study thus establishes a catalogue of solutions for food, packaging and other 'non-food' waste that foodservice establishments can implement. In addition to its practical implications, an important contribution is its focus on management systems to establish waste management standards for hospitality, food and beverage (F&B) services, restaurants, and non-commercial catering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Martin-Rios
- EHL Hospitality Business School, HES-SO // University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Susana Pasamar
- Departamento de Dirección de Empresas y Marketing, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
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Dias ALS, Lange LC, Magalhães AS. Application of a 'Recycling Exchange' instrument to compensate waste pickers in Brazil via a first payment for urban environmental services programme. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2022; 40:892-904. [PMID: 34877898 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x211061211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This article presents an approach to compensate waste pickers in the informal sector of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, via a Payment for Urban Environmental Services (PUES) instrument, called 'Recycling Exchange'. The aim is to evaluate the effects of this instrument on the amount of waste diverted from landfill and reintroduced into the production chain, and to increase recognition of waste pickers' contributions to the state's economy. It was found that the 'Recycling Exchange' met the fundamental objectives of a PUES: the double social and economic benefits of the social inclusion of waste pickers in the execution of the public policy for solid waste management, and inducing (in the case of glass), ensuring and stabilising (plastic and paper) continuity of the activity of selling recyclables in times of wide price fluctuations for these recyclables. The instrument enhanced the provision of this environmental service and the positive externalities associated with recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Libânia S Dias
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- State Foundation for the Environment (FEAM), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lisete Celina Lange
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Aline Souza Magalhães
- Department of Economic Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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How Different Tools Contribute to Climate Change Mitigation in a Circular Building Environment?—A Systematic Literature Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14073759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The circular economy (CE) has become a trend because concern has arisen regarding the end of life of several products and the reduction of CO2 emissions in many processes. Since the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is one of the biggest generators of environmental impacts, there is a need to apply the CE concept to the industry in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the role of different tools that are used to integrate CE strategies to reduce GHG emissions by the AEC industry is still unknown in the scientific literature. The purpose of this paper is to carry out a systematic literature review on the theme and analyze the following seven tools: (1) life cycle assessment—LCA; (2) building information modeling—BIM; (3) building environmental certifications—BEC; (4) building materials passports—BMP; (5) waste management plan—WMP; (6) augmented reality—AR; and (7) virtual reality—VR. A total of 30 papers were reviewed, and it was observed that, in terms of CE strategies and climate change mitigation, the vast majority can be classified as closing loops and are mainly related to recycling and reuse at the end of life and the use of recycled materials. Considering the building’s stakeholders, constructors, researchers, and designers can be the main users and, consequently, those that most benefit from the use of the evaluated tools. The integration between LCA, BIM, and BMP was also observed. Finally, as one of the main contributions of this research, other types of integration among the analyzed tools are proposed. These proposals seek to improve and update the tools and also address the need to reduce GHG emissions.
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Toward Achieving Local Sustainable Development: Market-Based Instruments (MBIs) for Localizing UN Sustainable Development Goals. URBAN SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/urbansci6010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, sustainable community development has gained traction for addressing local environmental, social, and economic issues. Cities worldwide are committed to implementing sustainable community plans (SCPs) in their efforts to achieve sustainable development, and more recently, to localize the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although there are over 1000 plans in Canada, a gap exists between creating these plans and implementing them. Integrating market-based instruments (MBIs) with traditional policy tools would help to diversify revenue generation and thus mitigate these constraints. This paper presents a new and comprehensive categorization of MBIs that aligns the locally applicable ones with the environmental aims of both SCPs and SDGs. The categorization framework has been tested through focus groups with key municipal staff from two Canadian communities. The new categorization framework aligned over 50 locally applicable MBIs with 8 different environmental topics and 12 SDGs. The paper presents a useful tool for implementing SCPs and SDGs and contributes to the understanding of MBIs for enabling local progress in sustainable development.
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Sewak A, Deshpande S, Rundle-Thiele S, Zhao F, Anibaldi R. Community perspectives and engagement in sustainable solid waste management (SWM) in Fiji: A socioecological thematic analysis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 298:113455. [PMID: 34365185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Improper waste disposal and low rates of household waste diversion through material and organic waste recycling are a global concern. Understanding community perspectives on solid waste management services, outreach activities, and regulatory measures, and the barriers to sustainable practices, is crucial for designing effective waste management programmes. Longitudinal content analysis of archival data, such as newspapers, is a cost-effective, yet underutilised, research method to identify the viewpoints of diverse civic groups and examine the developments and challenges associated with the waste management sector. This paper investigates divergent stakeholders' perspectives and priorities using the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) to examine the micro-system (intrapersonal and interpersonal), meso- and exo-system (community and institutional), and macro-system (policy level) factors that influence sustainable SWM practices. Using specific keywords, the authors searched online archives of a national newspaper in Fiji with a weekday circulation of over 20,000. Data from 482 newspaper articles, dated 2009-2020, were reviewed and dual-coded by two researchers using QDA Miner Lite. Findings indicate that poor waste management behaviour is linked to all factors within the Socio-Ecological system. While micro-level factors such as negligence, personal responsibility, lack of civic pride, and lack of awareness are causes of anti-environmental behaviour, structural factors such as inadequate waste collection services and recycling infrastructure contribute to low recycling rates. Civic education has been highlighted as a solution to encouraging pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), but there is a need to identify the type of educational tools and the frequency and impact of education workshops. This paper further discusses about the implications of community-based strategies and regulatory measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Sewak
- Department of Marketing, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
| | - Sameer Deshpande
- Department of Marketing, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
| | - Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
- Department of Marketing, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
| | - Fang Zhao
- Research and Enterprise, Staffordshire Business School, Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
| | - Renata Anibaldi
- Department of Marketing, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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Using Internet of Things and Distributed Ledger Technology for Digital Circular Economy Enablement: The Case of Electronic Equipment. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13094982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, high expectations are set for a digitally enabled circular economy (CE), to enhance resource efficiency. Tracing, tracking, and storing information is most important for this. In this paper, the application of Internet of Things (IoT) and Distributed Ledger Technology (Blockchain) are hence discussed by presenting the case of professional Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) in Italy. Within the context of CE, prevention of electronic waste (WEEE) is extremely relevant as it is a fast-growing waste stream, and the products contain environmentally damaging substances as well as valuable and rare materials. The use of a proper combination of IoT and blockchain can help the producers to keep control on products until EEE end-of-life, while promoting CE strategies and supporting decision-making. Based on the outcomes of five interviews conducted in 2019 to companies of the EEE sector, potential improvements in the EEE end-of-use management are discussed. After providing the definition of requirements for both the technical solution and its testing are provided, three solution variations and the related business models are created and presented, as well as considerations on their environmental and economic impacts. The study shows how digital technologies can support the appropriate and circular management of EEE products and WEEE.
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Azevedo BD, Scavarda LF, Caiado RGG, Fuss M. Improving urban household solid waste management in developing countries based on the German experience. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 120:772-783. [PMID: 33223248 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Countries worldwide strive to improve their urban household solid waste management (UHSWM) practices. While developed countries like Germany have achieved good results with different UHSWM initiatives, developing countries still struggle to be effective with their waste management (WM) policies. With an interest in learning from the German experience, this paper provides a cross-case analysis between a German and a Brazilian city that can be of practical relevance to improving UHSWM in developing countries. The paper uses "process flow diagram" (PFD) and "wasteaware benchmark indicators" for integrated sustainable waste management (ISWM). Both methods confirmed the German city as a benchmark and attested the inefficiency of the Brazilian UHSWM. The total maximum score weightage percentage of the matrix quantification difference was significant, 98% against 50%. Findings highlight viable solutions based on the three pillars of the German solid WM system: clear laws, regular public campaigns, and fee methodology. The formalization and improvement of Brazilian UHSWM require better governance to obtain additional investments. Herein, the application of the Green Dot methodology, sponsored by industry and consumers in Germany, would enable an increase of up to 318% of the values received by a typical Brazilian cooperative. This additional investment can empower a sustainable solution where the population could opt to work with recycling, either as a formal employee or as a formal entrepreneur, shedding more light on the social pillar of the triple bottom line. Moreover, it can enable improvements in technologies, and on regular public campaigns to increase education in important sustainable matters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Duarte Azevedo
- Industrial Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Brazil.
| | - Luiz Felipe Scavarda
- Industrial Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Goyannes Gusmão Caiado
- Industrial Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Brazil; MSG Management Systems, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Brazil.
| | - Maryegli Fuss
- Institute for Technology Assessment and System Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany.
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Lei H, Khan I, Li S. Hierarchical regression approach to quantify farm households' pro-environmental behavior. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:36878-36888. [PMID: 32577978 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09705-0] [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: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The conflict which exists between a households' self-interest and pro-environmental behavior has led to emotional barriers in ecological conservation. We propose that self-construal affects preferences in this conflicting choice, and self-control plays the mediating role. This study provides conflicting decisions associated with the households' green pesticide adoption behavior in China. Individuals were inquired to select between environmental (pro-environmental) and cost-effective (self-interested) pesticide for food security. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to progress standard regression estimates by adding a second-stage prior regression to an ordinary model and provides a practical method to evaluate multiple exposures. The results show that the hierarchical regression model may improve environmental protection behavioral studies by including socioeconomic, demographic, and psychological factors. Moreover, our study aims to examine the mediating effect of self-control on the relationship between "self-construal" (SC) and "conflict of self-interest and pro-environmental behavior" (CIPB). Results indicate that self-control (coefficient, - 0.0739; significant level, 5%) partially mediates the relationship between SC and CIPB. Our findings suggest that compared with independent self-construal (coefficient, - 0.05; significant level, 5%), the respondents with interdependent self-construal (coefficient, - 0.09; significant level, 1%) favor pro-environmental choices as they are better in applying self-control and perform pro-environmental behavior. The finding reveals that the hierarchical regression approach provides significant advantages in studying a rural households' pro-environmental decision-making. The current research has policy implications for the adoption of environment-friendly pesticide and organic fertilizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongdou Lei
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
- The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10025, USA.
| | - Imran Khan
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shiping Li
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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