Resource utilization of rural solid waste in China—A review

This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive review of rural solid waste (RSW) in terms of characteristics, management and legislation. Survey results show that RSW generation rates range from 0.25 to 2.1 kg ∙(capita∙d)−1 in different rural villages across regions of China. Total RSW generation has been increasing, which is far higher than official data in 2014. RSW are dominated by food residue and coal ash/cinder/dust (at approximately 70%). Most of RSW are still discarded randomly without any treatment in China. Scattered RSW generation sources, imperfect legislation system, poor infrastructure on treatment and disposal are identified as the biggest challenge for RSW management currently in China. To improve RSW management, increasing financial resources, establishing sorting collection and transportation network, promoting sorting collection and recycling, improving treatment technology are proposed as the possible solution.

Co-processing paths of agricultural and rural solid wastes for a circular economy based on the construction concept of “zero-waste city” in China

Atmospheric pollution problems and control proposals associated with solid waste management in China: A review

To explore the potential effectiveness of a localized waste recycling system in Chinese cities, several rounds of a municipal solid waste source-separated collection (MSWSC) program were implemented throughout China from 2000 to 2017. In our study, to evaluate the achievements of the MSWSC program, a structured questionnaire survey and face-to-face interviews were conducted in eight representative cities from the MSWSC pilot cities. Influencing factors were examined via a Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) on both the individual level and the city level. The differences in MSWSC performance among the eight research cities were investigated through a comparative analysis. The results suggested that gender, age, knowledge of MSWSC, satisfaction with sanitation and satisfaction with publicity had significant impacts on MSWSC, and we further found that the city-level factors influenced the relationship between MSWSC performance and the individual-level variables. Differences among the eight research sites indicated that Nanjing and Hangzhou exhibited relatively high achievements in the implementation of MSWSC program, while Yichun and Guiyang showed poor performance. The experiences of these advanced pilot cities suggest that specific containers for designated waste types, widespread public education, and sufficient MSWSC incentives must be provided and publicized to promote municipal solid waste recycling behaviors. Given the unique status of municipal solid waste management in China and its regional heterogeneity, the MSWSC system should be further discussed with regard to local conditions in a wider range of city settings. Implications: This study attempts to discuss the factors affecting performance on municipal solid waste source-separated collection (MSWSC) by considering the nested data of two levels of individual and city from a structured questionnaire survey. Therefore, a Hierarchical Linear Model is established which can analyze the intra-group and inter-group effects of two-level variables. The proposed method can be expanded to other cities to determine the main factors affecting MSWSC or to evaluate the residents’ performance on MSWSC.

A municipal solid waste fee has become an important means for the implementation of the waste management rendered by the government all around the world. Based on the ecological environmental compensation theory, this article constructs an analytical framework of waste charging from the perspective of public policy evaluation, to carry on the comprehensive comparison and analysis to the operability, feasibility, validity, rationality, and universality of the two modes of waste charging: Ration charge and unit-pricing modes. The results indicate that in the cities with large amounts of waste production, long time of waste charging, and high disposal rate, pilot projects should be carried out; and the government needs to improve the construction of associated laws and regulations.

In China, environmental pollution due to municipal solid waste (MSW) over-generation is one of the country’s priority concerns. The increasing volume and complexity of the waste poses serious risks to the environment and public health. Currently, the annual growth of MSW generation is estimated to be approximately 8–10% and will increase to 323 million metric tons (Mt) by 2030. Based on the secondary data collected from a literature survey, this article critically evaluates the recent progress of MSW management (MSWM) in China and offers new insights into the waste sector in the era of Industry 4.0. This helps decision makers in China to plan a smooth transition nationwide to a circular economy (CE) in the waste sector. It is evident that digitalization is a driving force for China to move towards low-carbon development strategies within the framework of CE. Through digitalization, the waste sector has promoted prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling (3Rs) of waste before waste disposal in landfills. A proper implementation of digitalization-based waste recycling has contributed to an efficient cooperation between the government and private sector, increased job opportunities, and promoted the conservation of resources. It is anticipated that this work not only contributes to the establishment of an integrated MSWM system in China, but also improves local MSWM through digitalization in the framework of a CE.

This study explored the composition and energy potential of university solid waste (USW) in China. Five combustible components, namely hard plastics (HP), paper (PP), soft plastics (SP), biomass (BM), and rubber (RB), were screened with the compositions 51%, 29%, 9%, 4%, and 3%, respectively. Each USW sample was gasified using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) at the heating rates of 5, 10, and 15 ℃/min and a final process temperature of 900 ℃. Thermal weight loss (TG) curves exposed the degradation in the order HP > SP > RB > BM > PP. Derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) peaks revealed that HP, PP, BM, and SP were degraded in three temperature-oriented phases in the range 172-731 ℃. The RB took an additional phase in the range 584-660 ℃. Major released gases, H2, CH4, CO, and CO2, were detected using MS via mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. Higher H2 and total gas yield produced in the case of the HP dominated other materials at the lower heating rate of 5 ℃/min. Validation of data was assessed by equating experimental and calculated curves; therefore, the regression coefficient (R2) ranged between 0.884 and 0.997. The kinetics of the process were estimated by applying the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) model at the conversion rates (α) of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8, which presented reasonable results. Overall, the lower heating rates supported higher thermal conversion and a high quantity of gaseous products for all the components.

The transition from conventional landfill-centric waste management to resource-centric methodologies necessitates an enhanced comprehension of municipal solid waste (MSW) composition and its inherent value. Existing methodologies documented in the literature exhibit a lack of standardization, impending the formulation of a systematic engineering approach for MSW characterization and valuation. This study introduces a methodology specifically tailored to discern the composition of waste origination from urban households and evaluate its recyclability within the confines of a circular economy framework, Employing a volume-based measurement approach, aims to estimate the recycling value of waste materials. The study's outcomes contribute significantly to quantifying the potential recycling value that accrues to society. Furthermore, the validation of the proposed protocol elucidates the dynamic nature of recyclable value as it traverses the intricate pathways of the waste supply chain. This insight facilitates the formulation of commercial models grounded in circular economy principles for the effective management of household solid waste. Empirical findings reveal that the total recycling value fluctuates within the range of USD 3.39 and USD 5.76 per cubic meter of waste volume, contingent upon the specific waste composition at the experiment site. Additionally, the proposed methodology uncovers the nuanced variability in MSW composition and recycling value across diverse household collection patterns, identifying mixed plastic, paper, cardboard, mixed MSW, and clothing as primary constituents. The application of this methodology extends beyond mere quantification, providing a foundational framework for simulating the latent recycling value embedded within MSW samples. This, in turn, offers invaluable support to strategy developers, policymakers, and entrepreneurial ventures engaged in the sustainable management of household solid waste. In essence, this study establishes the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of MSW composition and its recyclability, facilitating informed decision-making in the pursuit of a circular economy.•Novel methodology based on one cubic meter (1m3) composition analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).•A new method to evaluate the recycling value of Municipal Solid Waste.•A basis for business model development for the waste-to-resource conversion model.

Reply to: “Comment on “Quality of life and unmet needs in patients with chronic liver disease: A mixed-method systematic review””

Feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness and effectiveness of nursing interventions on the well-being of people with Parkinsonʼs disease and their caregivers living in the community: a mixed-methods systematic review protocol

PurposePsychological care has been shown to effectively enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and reduce negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. Recently, mandala drawing therapy has emerged as a novel approach to assist cancer patients in managing their psychological challenges. Nevertheless, the application of this therapy lacks scientific guidelines, and inconsistencies persist across related studies. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize and scrutinize the existing research on the utilization of mandala drawing therapy for cancer patients, striving to establish a scientific framework for its widespread clinical implementation in the future and serving as a valuable resource for further research.MethodsA scoping review was conducted to delve deeper into the existing evidence and identify knowledge gaps relevant to future research efforts. Utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for systematic reviews, we conducted searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, Wanfang, CNKI, VIP Information Services Platform, and China Biomedical Literature Service System, covering the entire duration from the establishment of each database up to December 2023.ResultsThe search strategy yielded 335 studies, of which 11 met the study criteria after screening. The findings indicated that mandala painting therapy effectively improved the quality of life and satisfaction with care among cancer patients while alleviating negative emotions. However, the treatment did not significantly affect pain levels and the fear of recurrence in these patients.ConclusionMandala painting therapy primarily functions as a psychotherapeutic and psychological assessment tool. Although it has shown positive effects on cancer patients, further exploration is needed regarding its implementation methods. Future research should consider expanding the sample size and making more substantial efforts to investigate the therapy's effects in depth.Trial registrationOSF registration DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EZNMXSupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-025-09884-x.

This study investigates the impact of tourism management on the welfare of rural communities, using Trans Patoa Village in South Bolaang Mongondow Regency as a case study. Despite the village's natural tourism potential, community welfare remains low due to limited skills and employment opportunities. A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a simple linear regression model to analyze the relationship between tourism management and community welfare. Data were collected from 40 local tourism service providers through validated and reliable instruments. The results show a strong and significant positive relationship between tourism management and community welfare, with a standardized coefficient (Beta) of 0.721 and a p-value of 0.000. These findings indicate that effective, inclusive, and community-based tourism management can significantly enhance economic conditions, job opportunities, and quality of life in rural areas. This research highlights the strategic role of tourism in sustainable rural development and offers recommendations for stakeholders to strengthen tourism governance and community empowerment.

Introduction Approximately 60% of older adults complain of dry mouth which may be associated with polypharmacy, common in this population. Existing studies have reported treatment approaches to dry mouth but do not address long-term, preventative measures that would more positively benefit the health and wellbeing of older adults.1 Aim This rapid systematic review aims to identify the implications of dry mouth on the physical and psychological wellbeing of older adults with polypharmacy to establish the importance of preventing dry mouth. Methods Studies reporting health implications of dry mouth, in relation to polypharmacy in older adults (>65 years old), were included in this rapid systematic review. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases were searched using Keywords such as ‘polypharmacy’, ‘dry mouth’, ‘oral health’ and ‘quality of life’ (PROSPERO: CRD42021288945). Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used to assess study quality. Ethical approval was not required for this project due to the methodology of this rapid systematic review. Results Of the 6,852 citations screened, 9 studies (cross-sectional, n = 8; longitudinal, n = 1) were included which comprised 37,459 participants (mean age range: 68.5-85.0 years). Studies were published between 2005 and 2019. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogenicity of outcomes reported; instead, a narrative synthesis was undertaken. The health implications identified in this review were categorised as ‘physical’, such as tooth loss, or ‘psychological’, such as depression. The main physical health implications reported in the studies related to dental health, such as tooth loss and gingivitis, as well as functional impairments, such as chewing and swallowing difficulties. An increase in the number of medicines taken, from 0 to 5, decreased the number of natural teeth remaining from 16.35 ±8.58 to 11.74 ±7.88, respectively. Additionally, the number of dental complications increased from 1.43 ±2.1 to 2.33 ±2.2 as the number of medicines increased from 1 to >3, respectively. There was a paucity of studies (n = 2) that investigated the psychological health implications of dry mouth upon older adult populations. Depression, was however, identified as a significant consequence of dry mouth in older adults with a prevalence as high as 64%.2 An additional 6 psychological health implications were identified, for example, self-consciousness. Discussion/Conclusion This review examined the health implications of dry mouth in relation to polypharmacy in older adults, including physical health and psychological health implications. There were limitations in this review; for example, the predominant cross-sectional study design restricted findings due to the inability to establish longitudinal associations. High levels of physical health implications of dry mouth were observed in older adults with polypharmacy and, to a lesser extent, psychological health implications. The modifiable nature of polypharmacy could pave the way for prevention strategies of dry mouth. The optimisation of medication regimens, to effectively treat chronic conditions but also limit the likelihood of dry mouth, is a practical approach to achieve this.3

Introduction Hemiplegia is the common term used to describe a multitude of clinical problems associated with a stroke. Hemiplegic stroke accounts for 70-85% of all first strokes. Trunk stability is impaired due to hypertonia and weakness in hemiplegia. Impaired trunk control leads to gait and postural abnormalities which if left untreated causes permanent disability in hemiplegics. Objective To investigate the scope of research on the benefits of explicit training using Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) for enhancing tone and postural control in subjects with hemiplegic stroke. Methods In order to adhere to established protocols of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, the systematic review will be carried out to find pertinent studies published up to the search date, and a thorough search strategy will be applied across popular electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. This systematic review methodology has been registered in PROSPERO for rigorous and transparent dissemination of study search, synthesis, and analysis. Discussion As the motor impairments due to abnormal tone and postural impairment in hemiplegic stroke substantially impact a stroke survivor’s quality of life, this study will provide a thorough and methodical approach to synthesize and report the merits and demerits on the effectiveness of NDT in enhancing tone and postural control, considering the potential variability in interventions and outcomes, and the methodological rigor of particular studies. The review also intends to provide significant insights for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers by critically analysing and summarizing the present state of research in this domain. This will facilitate evidence-based decision-making in rehabilitation techniques for patients with hemiplegic stroke. Systematic Review Registration number CRD42023476137

Effective municipal solid waste management is a critical aspect of urban development. This study investigated the waste generation rate, composition, and current solid waste management plan in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia. A two-stage random sampling technique was implemented. Data collection involves onsite data collection, structured questionnaires, and semistructured interviews. The result indicated that retail trade emerges as the leading sector, generating nearly half of the total solid waste (49%), and the food service sector stands second. In terms of solid waste type, food waste constitutes a significant portion of the waste stream, with a daily generation of 10,817.51 kg. The paper and cardboard waste in the market centers were the second waste, accounting for 762.684 kg per day. The amount of plastic waste generated per day ranges from 157.946 to 493.253 kg, and because of its high volatile matter content (68.95%), it might be used to produce energy. Food waste and yard waste had a high moisture content of 63.25% and 40.14%, respectively, which makes them ideal for composting and biogas production. Among the seven study sites, Kebele 04 had a huge waste generation, which was 47% of the total waste generation, indicating a spatial disparity in waste production in the city. The results highlighted the immense potential for waste reuse and recycling, emphasizing the circular economic opportunities associated with sustainable waste management practices. The findings contribute valuable insights to urban planners and policymakers to implement sustainable solid waste management plans in the country.