The rapid surge in electronic devices has led to an exponential rise in electronic waste (e-waste), necessitating a robust strategy for its management. The Green Deal, within its overarching vision for sustainability, champions a circular economy and advocates for eco-friendly practices, encompassing e-waste management. In India, where the informal sector dominates e-waste handling, outdated methods and lack of regulation pose environmental and health hazards. This article examines the dichotomy between informal and formal e-waste management, exploring challenges faced by both sectors and proposing a cradle-to-cradle (C2C) model for sustainable collaboration. The aim of the research is to transform e-waste from a problem into an opportunity, envisioning a sustainable future in e-waste management. The research method involves the use of a rigorous approach using critical analysis and a comprehensive literature review to clarify the complexities in the field of electronic waste (e-waste) management. The synthesis of studies, from assessing enablers of e-waste management to evaluating circular economy models, provides valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers. The study scrutinizes the existing infrastructure, discusses challenges, and proposes a strategic model bridging formal-informal e-waste management.

The management of medical waste is a crucial aspect of the healthcare system, with significant implications for environmental safety and public health. Proper handling of medical waste in public hospitals is essential to minimize infection risks, ensure ecological security, and maintain overall sanitary conditions. This paper examines the current practices of medical waste management in public hospitals, reviewing national and international regulations governing this field. The study analyzes key stages such as waste segregation, collection, transportation, disposal, and sterilization. Additionally, it evaluates the legal framework and challenges associated with medical waste management in Azerbaijan.Findings indicate that while certain protocols exist in public hospitals for medical waste handling, their full implementation and monitoring mechanisms require improvement. Issues such as resource limitations, staff training deficiencies, and improper disposal practices pose significant challenges to effective waste management. The paper concludes with recommendations for adopting more efficient waste management models based on international best practices and strengthening regulatory frameworks. These measures aim to enhance environmental safety and improve sanitary conditions in public hospitals.

This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of Spanish primary producers on waste management practices and different regulatory and administrative proposals. In addition, it identifies the socioeconomic and technical factors influencing these perceptions and highlights the types of agricultural residues that present the greatest management challenges for primary producers. To achieve these objectives, a survey was conducted among 396 primary producers throughout Spain. Results revealed two distinct groups of producers: younger, more educated individuals who showed higher awareness of waste management and older, less educated producers who perceived waste management as less critical. The study also analysed the magnitude of the relationships between these influencing factors and waste management perceptions. Agricultural plastics, biomass, and used oil emerged as the most problematic waste types. The findings suggest the need for a national strategy to improve agricultural waste management in Spain, including awareness campaigns, financial incentives, and stricter regulations to ensure sustainable practices.

Abstract Background Proper management of solid medical waste is a crucial component of an efficient healthcare system. The objective of the present study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of medical waste management among the healthcare workers of two selected hospitals of Dhaka city of Bangladesh. Methods This cross-sectional, mixed-method study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals of Dhaka, Bangladesh–icddr, b Dhaka hospital (Private) and Dhaka Shishu hospital (Public) during November, 2011. A number of 138 healthcare professionals (29 doctors, 80 nurses and 29 cleaners) participated in the study. The study had three parts of data collection: (i) survey with health care workers to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and practices about medical waste management; (ii) in-depth interviews with health officials of infection control committee; and (iii) observation using a facility checklist to determine the current practice of medical waste management. Results Overall, participants from IDH had better knowledge, and practice regarding solid medical waste management compared to DSH. Doctors of IDH demonstrated better knowledge regarding the responsible person for waste management and a better attitude regarding the statement that it was a teamwork (p-value < 0.05). Similarly, nurses and cleaners of IDH showed superior level of knowledge of waste handling as well as safer practices, including consistent use of personal protective equipment. Workers of DSH reported higher incidence of errors and sharp injuries also. From the observation, it was found that IDH authority was more likely to follow the waste management guideline. Poor knowledge and attitude were the major barriers for proper waste management in IDH while lack of funds, human resource and logistics were the major barriers in DSH. Conclusions Both hospitals, particularly DSH, demonstrated significant deficiencies in knowledge, attitude, and practice of proper solid medical waste management. Despite limitations, IDH, exhibited more efficient waste management procedures.

Plastic pollution is a major challenge in Bangladesh, with annual per capita plastic consumption in urban areas tripling from 2005 to 2020. The increased use of plastics, especially single-use plastics (SUPs), combined with inadequate waste management, has resulted in a large amount of plastic leakage into the environment with implications for the environment and human health. This report presents the findings of two studies - one in Cox’s Bazar and the other in Dhaka -which were conducted to support the implementation of the Action Plan. The consultations and in depth interviews for both studies were conducted during September to November of 2022. The objective of these studies was to gain insights into the perceptions and behavior of stakeholders in both locations with regards to plastic usage and waste management. This report presents the findings of two studies - one in Cox’s Bazar and the other in Dhak - which were conducted to support the implementation of the Action Plan. The consultations and in depth interviews for both studies were conducted during September to November of 2022. The objective of these studies was to gain insights into the perceptions and behavior of stakeholders in both locations with regards to plastic usage and waste management. The findings of the studies reveal a relatively high level of public awareness regarding the negative impacts of SUPs on both the environment and human health. In conclusion, the findings of the studies in Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka indicate that the effective reduction of SUP usage and improved plastic waste management practices need a more integrated and targeted approach, involving stakeholders at various levels.

This study explored the effects of local champions and social media on shaping perceptions and behaviors related to domestic waste management across nine villages in West and East Java, Indonesia. Employing a quantitative approach, the research engaged 245 respondents involved in a waste management assistance program. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that both local champions and social media play essential roles in enhancing waste management perceptions and behaviors. Local champions significantly influenced perceptions and behaviors, while social media had a more substantial effect on perceptions and behaviors. Social media platforms offer a cost-effective method for reaching broader audiences, facilitating real-time communication, and promoting awareness of sustainable waste management. The results emphasize the crucial significance of embedding local champions into digital platforms to promote sustainable waste management practices. This study offers important findings for government officials to strengthen waste management strategies through the synergistic use of local champions and social media engagement.

This study investigates the impact of employee performance and community participation on solid waste management effectiveness in Bukittinggi City, Indonesia. As medium- sized cities face increasing waste management challenges due to rapid urbanization, un- derstanding contributing factors becomes crucial. Employing a quantitative approach with purposive sampling, this research surveyed 400 respondents across 24 sub-districts in Bukittinggi. Multiple and simple linear regression analyses reveal significant influences of both employee performance and community participation on waste management effec- tiveness. Employee performance, particularly in loyalty, work achievement, and respon- sibility, correlates positively with improved waste collection and city cleanliness. Com- munity participation, especially through idea contribution, physical involvement, and en- vironmental awareness, significantly enhances recycling rates and waste reduction. The study identifies gaps in community involvement in decision-making and program eval- uation processes. These findings emphasize the necessity of an integrated approach to urban waste management, highlighting the importance of enhanced employee training and more inclusive community engagement strategies. This research contributes to the understanding of sustainable urban waste management practices in developing countries’ medium-sized cities, offering practical insights for policymakers and urban planners in optimizing waste management systems.

Effective waste management is a global challenge, but especially so on small and remote islands where resource flows are constrained by geography. This contribution provides a scoping review on scholarship surrounding island waste management systems over the last two decades. Scientific contributions are discussed according to four dominant themes in the literature: (1) limited capacity of islands in waste management and absorption, (2) ‘end-of-pipe’ solutions as the primary focus, (3) the social dimension of waste, and (4) socioeconomic drivers of island waste generation. We conclude by stating that current research on island waste and its management treats material outflows as ‘tame’ problems to be rationalized, economized, and solved, using various parameters. We find that for the most part, the literature does not acknowledge or address the root causes of waste-related problems, such as orienting island economies toward consumption-based development, and often lacks consideration of the ‘island context’ when it comes to rethinking strategic pathways for sustainable development. We propose the Socio-metabolic Research (SMR) framework for analyzing and tackling waste challenges on islands, as systemic approaches that link the biophysical with socioeconomic aspects are urgently needed.

Multilayer plastic waste is currently a significant environmental problem in Indonesia, because this waste is classified as difficult to degrade naturally and difficult to recycle. Until now, there has been no effective management strategy for managing this waste. This study utilizes the Multi-Aspect Sustainability Analysis (MSA) framework to assess the sustainability of multilayer plastic waste management in Indonesia, addressing environmental, economic, social, legal, and infrastructure factors. MSA was chosen over other frameworks due to its adaptability to local contexts and its holistic view, making it well-suited to analyze Indonesia's unique waste management challenges. The methodology includes in-depth interviews, scenario planning, and expert panels, integrating qualitative and quantitative insights from various stakeholders. Key goals are to identify priority areas for improvement and develop actionable strategies that enhance recycling effectiveness and align with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies. Results indicate that advanced recycling technologies, such as chemical recycling, and stronger institutional collaboration are essential. The highest leverage was found in government support, public awareness, and efficient waste infrastructure, which significantly impact sustainability outcomes. This study concludes that policy reforms, technology investments, and stakeholder engagement are critical to building a sustainable waste management system aligned with Indonesia's environmental and economic goals.

The biodrying process is a well-established method in solid waste management for reducing the moisture content of municipal solid waste (MSW), facilitating its mechanical treatment, enhancing energy recovery efficiency, and simplifying disposal. However, challenges such as variability in drying efficiency, seasonal fluctuations, and operational inconsistencies limit its optimization and broader applicability. This study undertakes a detailed evaluation of biodrying operations using Statistical Process Control (SPC) techniques to improve process stability and identify key factors influencing efficiency. Data collected over a one-year period from a waste management facility employing Herhoff Rotteboxes^® reveal an average drying efficiency of 28%, with notable seasonal trends showing reduced efficiency during summer and fall. A regression model analyzing waste load, operational parameters, and seasonal effects accounted for 25% of the variability in drying efficiency, suggesting additional factors like waste composition and microbial activity significantly impact the process. This study highlights the value of SPC tools in monitoring process stability and demonstrates how targeted optimization strategies—such as seasonal adjustments and refined loading practices—can enhance biodrying outcomes. By addressing gaps in current practices, these findings contribute to the advancement of waste management technologies and support the development of more efficient and sustainable systems for handling municipal solid waste.