System dynamics simulation on municipal solid waste in Hong Kong

Every year, religious events (REs) attended by millions of pilgrims, take place in different holy cities around the world. However, research on municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is limited despite the reputation of REs to generate large amounts of municipal solid waste (MSW), which negatively influences the environment and human health when poorly managed. The Arba’een is one of the largest REs in Iraq and worldwide that attracts more than 11 million pilgrims annually. A large quantity of MSW is produced during this event, which is poorly managed and disposed of in a dumpsite without any treatment, due to the lack of research and data about MSW generated during such events. Thus, this research aims to address part of this gap and contribute to new knowledge on MSWM at REs by studying the MSWM system applied at the Arba’een, a subject that has never been considered before. This study adopts mixed methods research approach, employing composition analysis for MSW, questionnaire surveys and interviews with the stakeholders (hoteliers, camp owners, pilgrims and MSWM authorities) and on-site observations as key methods for generation of data. The MSWM system was assessed based on the opinion of the key stakeholders and the Wasteaware benchmark indicators formwork. Numerical models were built to estimate the quantities of MSW produced by pilgrims’ accommodation (hotels and camps) based on the characteristics of the accommodation (capacity, area etc.). MSWM services users’ (hoteliers, camp owners and pilgrims) intention to participate in a recycling scheme and the variables influence this intention were studied with a view of investigating the possibility of introducing a recycling scheme at REs. The results showed that REs account for 14% of the city’s MSW and its main components were organic (57.9%), paper (14.9%) and plastic (14.6%). The MSWM system suffers from operational and governance weaknesses; the key weaknesses are lack of controlled disposal facility, absence of a formal recycling scheme, deficit of key waste-related data, poor public involvement, inadequate planning, and funding limitations. Statistical analyses showed that average municipal solid waste generation (MSWG) from hotels and camps were 112 and 413kg.day-1, respectively. Hotels’ MSWG is influenced by their capacity, staff size and expenditure while camps’ capacity, expenditure and food services affect its MSWG. MSWG from hotels and camps can be modelled with a coefficient of determination of about 0.80. In addition, more than 65% of MSWM system users are willing to participate in MSW recycling during REs and it is expected that about one third would perform recycling; this indicates that introducing MSW recycling during REs could be successful.

India is witnessing the formation of many densely populated megacities where management of burgeoning wastes, both municipal solid waste (MSW) and industrial hazardous waste (IHW), has become a very critical issue. The city municipalities are showing their inability to manage the waste efficiently. In this paper, the core indicator of environmental pressure, i.e., per capita municipal solid waste (MSW) generation for the top 10 most populous Indian cities and their trend over the years, has been ascertained to understand the severity of the problem. The study finds that the MSW generation per capita is increasing in all the top 10 populated cities of the country. In terms of growth of MSW generation, the city Surat and Delhi grew alarmingly at the rate of 2172% and 1036%, respectively, during the period 1971 to 2015. The level of per capita waste generation of three large Indian cities, i.e.,, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai, was almost at par the level of OECD member countries. All the 10 cities are broadly indicating the existence of “coupling,” i.e., the standard of living increments was associated with an increase in MSW generation per capita. The city of Mumbai is also facing the challenge of managing the growing IHW generation as well. However, the city municipalities are helplessly witnessing untreated waste lying for months and years at dumpsites. The reported case of contaminated waste dumping sites raising concern toward imminent health hazards for the city dwellers. To counter the waste-related health hazards, the municipalities the top 10 cities first required to launch “generators as segregators” program for efficient handling of generated waste followed by pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) system to discourage waste generation without any delay. Implications: The burgeoning per capita municipality solid waste (MSW) generation for the top 10 most populated Indian cities and their upward trend through 1971 to 2015 calls for the need for scientific disposal of waste and policies to encourage waste minimization with the adoption of cleaner technologies. A complete mismatch between population increase and waste processing capacity increase, in the case of the top 10 populous cities of India, is raising a concern toward imminent health hazards for the city dwellers. This paper depicted the dismal MSW and IHW management performance in populous Indian cities and proposed a strategy for realistic measurement and management of waste.

This article examines the generation and management of municipal solid waste through the lens of economics. The authors estimate that the global burden of municipal solid waste amounted to 1.3 billion metric tons in 1990, or two-thirds of a kilogram of waste per person per day. Industrial countries account for a disproportionately high share of the world's waste relative to their share of world population, while developing countries account for a disproportionately high share of the world's waste relative to their share of world income. Analyses across countries and over time reveal that the generation of municipal solid waste is positively related to variations in per capita income and that the generation of municipal solid waste per capita does not vary with population size among countries with comparable per capita income. Practices for collecting, processing, and disposing of municipal solid waste vary widely across countries, generally in accord with the nature of the waste stream and key environmental and economic features. The least efficient practices tend to be found in developing countries, creating serious threats to local environmental quality and public health. Although considerable evidence indicates that the generation and management of waste is sensitive to income and price variables, natural incentives to overuse common property and the presence of inter- generational externalities both suggest that private economic behavior will not yield socially optimal outcomes in this area. Community intervention may be needed to promote the social good, with evidence accumulating in support of arrangements involving the participation of private firms. The authors' calculations also suggest that improvements made now in the handling of hazardous waste will be far less expensive in discounted terms than undoing in the future the damage being caused by current practices. Addressing these issues from a rational societal perspective will become increasingly urgent in the future, especially in the developing countries, where the authors project that municipal solid waste will increase at an annual rate of 2.7 percent through the year 2010.

The studies on the solid waste generation and characterization with their relationships with different determinants are limited in Nepal which helps in the implementation of the solid waste management approach. This study is focused on the quantification of the municipal solid waste (MSW) generation rate and its characterization in the Baglung Municipality, Nepal. Factors affecting MSW generation with perceptions towards the MSW management were also evaluated through household survey. The study was carried out in the month of January 2021 in four wards of urban zone in the municipality. The average waste generation rate in 188 households (HHs), 20 institutions, and 20 commercial sites were 0.43 kg/c/d, 0.83 kg/institute/day and 2.75 kg/commercial site/day, respectively. The largest component, which accounted for about 74% household waste, 75% institutional waste and 52% commercial waste composed of organic waste. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicates a significant variation in between MSW generation rate with respect to household size and type of days. Regarding affordability of MSW management, most of the households can be able to afford service fee ranged from US$ 0.5 to 1.0 (55.38%). Most of the households dispose of solid waste in the municipal vehicle. From this study, the residents of the municipality are suggested to prepare compost manure at the source for the minimization of waste volume to be transported and disposed of. Higher production of recyclable MSW depicts there is a possibility of revenue generation and importance of MSW management in community mobilization in the municipality.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the unit rates of MSW generation in Cumba in the years 2016 and 2022. The calculations were based on the weights of the MSW disposed in the dump located 5 km from the city of Cumba since 2012. The GPC, physical composition, density, humidity were determined in the years 2016 and 2022, studied according to the methodology and group classification of Peruvian regulations. The results show that 5.45 Tn/day−1 are generated in 2016, 4.37 Tn/day−1 in 2022; according to its physical composition, 82% RO, 14% MICVC and 4% MISVC in 2016; 77% RO, 16% MICVC, 7% MISVC in 2022; density 137.90 kg/m−3 in 2016 and 172.69 kg/m−3 in 2022; humidity 67.67% in 2016 and 63.43% in 2022. It was also found that in 100.00% there is no solid waste treatment; Everything generated in homes, businesses and streets is evacuated to the final disposal site, which is a dump. In 2022, Cumba acquired 10 hectares to have adequate sanitary infrastructure and begin the closure and recovery of its current dump. This study will contribute to providing accurate data on MSW generation that allows the local government to promote the optimization of collection routes and schedules, resulting in cost savings and reduction of carbon emissions in the Amazon Region. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness at all levels of society through various means of communication and education, so that the risks of spreading health risks can be minimized by improving MSW management.

Municipal solid waste constitutes environmental challenges globally, especially in developing countries, due to increasing waste generation, population growth, inadequate infrastructure, lack of data and poor planning. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive waste audit on the municipal solid waste generated in Aba, a metropolis in southeastern Nigeria. Aba is a commercial city considered the messiest because of the massive municipal solid waste generation and poor management. The study investigated the energy potential and waste regeneration. Municipal solid waste data was sought to provide insight into the quantity and composition of municipal solid waste. The methodology was site-based, in line with the standard test method for determining unprocessed municipal solid waste (ASTM-D5231-92) and SowaCLINK software, a computer-based environmental application, was used for characterization. Linear extrapolation was adopted to quantify the rate of municipal solid waste generated. The geometric mean was applied to forecast the area’s population for a 10-year design period. The chemical elements of the characterized municipal solid waste were utilized based on the ASTM-D5291 standard for municipal solid waste thermochemical conversion, and the high and low heating values were analyzed. The outcomes provided energy recovery potential, the electrical power potential, and the power to the grid of electrical power of the municipal solid waste. The results obtained were 0.7813 kg/p/d and 490,268 t/y for a population of 1,719,185 persons. The percentage of the municipal solid waste components with energy potential was 71%, comprising 48% combustible and 23% organic components on average. The high heating value computed was 176.5 MJ/kg, and the low heating value was 14 MJ/kg. The energy recovery potential was 3,709,463 MWh, the electrical power potential was 38,680 MW, and the power to the grid was 26.1 MW daily. The research reveals a promising direction in transitioning from the linear economy of municipal solid waste management toward implementing an integrated sustainable municipal solid waste management based on the circular economy model. The study recommends adopting detailed steps to proffer solutions to the environmental challenges associated with municipal solid waste in most low-middle-income countries to achieve sustainable municipal solid waste management while generating electricity and bio-fertilizers through incineration and anaerobic digestion.

The current situation in Russia concerning generation and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) is characterized by significant environmental pollution, irrational use of natural resources and, as a result, significant economic damage. Measures taken at the federal and regional levels is focused on achieving optimal efficiency in waste management. However, an increasing financial burden on legal entities due to higher standards of MSW formation may lead to negative trends in economic development caused by lower competitiveness of enterprises, worsened investment climate and business activity. The study is aimed to assess regulating processes of municipal waste management in connection with the development of an effective system of recycling and reuse of MSW.

This paper explores the economic, social, and technical dynamics affecting municipal solid waste (MSW) per capita in organisation for economic co‐operation and development (OECD) countries from 2003 to 2018. Static and dynamic panel data methods are followed for empirical analysis. According to the estimation results, there is an inverted‐U‐shaped relationship between economic growth and MSW. The turning point income level, where technological and structural effects occur, is calculated in the range of $20,000–$34,000. Human development and energy efficiency have mitigating effects on MSW. Energy efficiency and human development are critical for sustainable MSW management. Credit expansion has an increasing effect on MSW generation. Financial development draws attention as a negative indicator in sustainable waste management targets. All models confirm that income inequality has an increasing effect on MSW generation. In addition, poverty reduction is associated with an increase in MSW generation. Thus, income inequality and poverty reduction are a major constraint for sustainable MSW management. After all, the empirical findings of this paper can guide authorities in designing waste management policies.

Sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a critical issue that requires planning in accordance with population growth, urbanization, and living standards. An evaluation that integrates system dynamics (SD) is newly built for identifying the interactions between social activities to predict future MSW generation. In this study, SD-based greenhouse gas (GHG), energy, and economic evaluations were conducted for MSW management in the Southern Tai Lake Watershed (STWL) area in China. The considered SD factors include the gross domestic product (GDP) growth, total population, population growth, MSW generation per capita, and MSW generation charges. The results indicate that the current MSW strategy (S1) does not perform well in GHG, energy, and cost evaluation, and the current landfill capacity will be depleted in 2022. Co-processing the landfilled waste with fresh MSW in incineration plants (S7) is the most favorable strategy, which indicates the current landfill capacity will be sufficient for the ash generated from incineration over the next decade. S7 also emits 1.5–3 times less GHG, recovers 2–3.2 times more energy, and obtains 1.3–2.0 times more economic benefits than S1 during 2020–2030. This study offers valuable insights regarding the dynamics of MSW generation and an approach to determine an optimal MSW management strategy for the future.

Increasing concerns about unbridled fossil fuel consumption and a growing generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Iran and related environmental challenges require adoption of more sustainable approaches in energy and waste management. Energy recovery from waste can play an important role to achieve environmentally sustainable development that has been defined for the country as a main policy. Iran’s growing urban population generates massive amounts of MSW that mostly end up in landfills. A population of 75 million is generating 50,000 tonnes of MSW every day that mostly are buried in landfills. Detrimental emissions from landfills and many other long-lasting environmental issues have caused ever-increasing concerns about the current trend of MSW generation and methods of treatment. Despite comprehensive MSW collection, the rate of MSW separation at source and energy or material recovery has remained significantly low. This study aims to investigate capabilities, difficulties and obstacles of energy generation from MSW in a developing country, Iran. It also discusses the reasons for the low motivation to produce energy from MSW and the most suitable method of energy generation from MSW considering current MSW characteristics and the country’s climate.

Energy, environmental, resource recovery, and economic dimensions of municipal solid waste management paths in Mexico city.

Application of system dynamics model for municipal solid waste management in Khulna city of Bangladesh

A new predictable model of the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) is established by combining GM(1,1) model and GM(1,N) model. By using GM (1, N) model to do the quantitative analysis on the main factors of the generation of MSW, and using GM (1, 1) model to analyse and predict each factor,the relationship between the various factors and the generation of MSW and the new predictable model of the generation of MSW are obtained. We took the data of Shanghai as the example to establish the combinatorial model. It is analysed that the model's fitting precision and predictable precision are higher. The method has good feasibility and practicability, and provides a quantitative basis for analysing, forecasting and planning management of MSW.

Environmental Friendly Ways to Generate Renewable Energy from Municipal Solid Waste

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the current status and identify the problems of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in China in order to determine appropriate remedial strategies. This is the first of two papers, discussing primarily the general characteristics of MSW and its management in China. The second paper focuses on specific remedial strategies. MSW generation in China has increased rapidly in the past 20 years from 31.3 million tons in 1980 to 113.0 million tons in 1998. The annual rate of increase is 3–10%. The average generation per capita is 1.0 kg/day (0.38 t/year). Nearly one-half of the waste generated is dumped in the suburbs, where the accumulated quantity has reached 6 billion tons, which has caused heavy environmental pollution. This paper provides information on MSW management in China, such as MSW generation and its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Low calorific value and high moisture content characterize China's municipal waste. Other issues related to MSW management in China are also discussed, including the factors that influence MSW generation quantity and quality, MSW collection, transfer and transport, treatment and disposal, material recovery, legislation, enforcement, and administration.