Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used in waste management for the last two decades and hundreds of journal papers have been published. The use of LCA in waste management has provided a much-improved holistic view of waste management including waste flows and potential environmental impacts. Although much knowledge has been obtained from LCA studies, there is still a need to use LCA models in integrated waste management. This paper describes six areas where LCA is expected to play a role in waste management in the future: 1) understanding an existing waste management system; 2) improving existing waste management systems; 3) comparing alternative technologies/ technology performance; 4) technology development/prospective technologies; 5) policy development/strategic development; and 6) reporting. Illustrative examples are provided for each application area.

Plastic bag waste is a major environmental concern faced by countries across the economic development spectrum. In response, nations have adopted varied management practices to lessen the detrimental effects of plastic bags. The main objective of the study was to examine plastic bag waste management practices in the Central Business District of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The research was guided by interpretisvism paradigm and inductive reasoning. Qualitative data collection techniques used included semi-structured interviews, observations and documents reviews. Research findings identified the following shortfalls: inadequate waste bins; lack of colour coded bins; shortage of waste transportation vehicles; unlined landfill; limited recycling and incineration facilities; inadequate legislation enforcement and monitoring system; and limited support for plastic bag waste management commitment actions. In light of the findings, the researcher developed a plastic bag waste management model for Bulawayo City Council indicating the approaches, roles of stakeholders and mechanisms for financial development, to realise effective and efficient plastic bag waste management system. The plastic bag waste management model involved the three aspects that included technical and infrastructural approaches, legal and policy frameworks, and public private partnership approaches. The framework addressed technical and infrastructural shortfalls that include limited waste storage facilities, vehicles and plastic bag waste disposal/management infrastructure. Strategies to enhance legislation enforcement and monitoring and methods to enhance support for commitment actions are addressed. | Environmental Sciences | D. Phil. (Environmental Management)

Plastic bag waste is a major environmental concern faced by countries across the economic development spectrum. In response, nations have adopted varied management practices to lessen the detrimental effects of plastic bags. The main objective of the study was to examine plastic bag waste management practices in the Central Business District of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The research was guided by interpretisvism paradigm and inductive reasoning. Qualitative data collection techniques used included semi-structured interviews, observations and documents reviews. Research findings identified the following shortfalls: inadequate waste bins; lack of colour coded bins; shortage of waste transportation vehicles; unlined landfill; limited recycling and incineration facilities; inadequate legislation enforcement and monitoring system; and limited support for plastic bag waste management commitment actions. In light of the findings, the researcher developed a plastic bag waste management model for Bulawayo City Council indicating the approaches, roles of stakeholders and mechanisms for financial development, to realise effective and efficient plastic bag waste management system. The plastic bag waste management model involved the three aspects that included technical and infrastructural approaches, legal and policy frameworks, and public private partnership approaches. The framework addressed technical and infrastructural shortfalls that include limited waste storage facilities, vehicles and plastic bag waste disposal/management infrastructure. Strategies to enhance legislation enforcement and monitoring and methods to enhance support for commitment actions are addressed. | D. Phil. (Environmental Management) | Environmental Sciences

In the era of increased consumption and with the development of new technologies, waste management and its constant monitoring are some of the greatest challenges for humanity. The aim of this article is to analyze and evaluate the condition of mixed municipal waste management and the selectively collected waste in all counties (LAU 1) in Poland. The authors chose six fractions of selectively collected waste. The theory of the concentration of spatial phenomena was selected for the evaluation. The analytical part was based on the concentration coefficient (CC) and the location quotient (LQ). The created maps of the correctness of waste management allow for formulating corrective actions for the analyzed counties. The fractions of selective waste, whose management is balanced to the greatest extent on the national scale, are those for which the value of LQs is on a similar level&mdash:glass, biodegradable waste and bulky waste. However, in the case of paper and cardboard, plastic and waste electrical and electronic equipment fractions, vast disproportions in waste management were noted. The proposed methodology can be an effective tool of constant monitoring and for planning the process of waste management on a local, regional and national scale.

Waste generation increases, and its management is one of the global challenges. Improper waste management creates many problems, but on the other hand, effective waste management can save natural resources, minimize GHG emissions, and provide additional workplaces. Sweden has already achieved some successful results in managing household waste, while modern Russia only began to reform the municipal solid waste management system in December 2014. This study makes a legal comparison of the Russian and the Swedish (EU) framework waste legislations, using the functional method of comparative law. The results show that Russia has already introduced many institutions, which are similar to those in the Swedish (EU) waste legislation. Nevertheless, there is still a huge potential to make the municipal solid waste management system in Russia more effective by improving framework waste legislation. Based on the findings from the comparison, there are following recommendations to Russia: to establish a separate waste collection system on the Federal level; make producers responsible for the whole life cycle of waste, including its waste management (from collection till disposal); correct the waste hierarchy; introduce the concepts of “preparing for re-use”, “re-use”, and a waste prevention program; change the norm of waste recovery to the recycling target.

In Turkey, there has been an increase in waste management applications within the context of sustainability activities recently. The most important reason for that was the legal requirements for recycling and disposal of the waste generated by the producers. Developing nations still utilize the storage method, while developed countries recycle almost all produced waste to produce raw materials and energy. Although there is an increase in the number of work conducted on waste management in Turkey, the attained levels are still far from satisfactory. This is mainly due to waste recycling or recovery costs. In order to convert the problem of waste into economic benefits, it is of utmost importance to recycle the waste, avoid the transfer of waste to landfills and to conduct waste management. Thus, an environmentally and economically sustainable productivity would be achieved. In the present study, waste management in Turkey was scrutinized. In this context, types and volume of the waste produced in Turkey and utilized disposal methods were discussed. The present study also provided a general overview on waste disposal business processes such as sanitary landfills, composting and recycling in Turkey. Thus, the study aimed to shed light on future studies on waste management.

The impact of waste and improper waste management practices has significantly increased as a result of changes in people’s lifestyles. Therefore, improper waste disposal practices directly affect to arise many environmental, health and socio-economic problems. Based on that current study seeks to identify impacts and effectiveness of waste management practices, student’s attitudes on waste management in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Mihintale. Required data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Relevant secondary data were collected through various selected sources such as websites, reports, etc. Primary data were collected from questionnaires, interviews and field surveys. The simple random sample was used to select 100 students from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Management Studies and Applied Sciences in university premises. Findings of the study identified Plastic, Polythene, Paper waste, Food waste, and Wastewater are the major waste disposes of the university. These wastes are generating not only on the university premises but also from the university hostels. Further, lack of proper waste management practices, attitudinal changes of students, improper waste disposal methods and over usage of non-biodegradable waste were reported as some other major reasons for increasing waste problems. 35% of students state that attitudinal changes are the major reason for increasing waste problems. Accordingly, irregular waste management practices lead to decline scenic beauty in the university, as well as pollute the environment, emission of greenhouse gasses and potential to increase vector-borne diseases. Most of the students have moderately low awareness of waste management practices in university. Although there is a composting plant on university premises, it is not functioning properly. Therefore, findings of the study suggest that enhance proper waste management practices in the university be used as an effective measure to reduce waste impacts.

Inefficient disposal of waste can be ascertained as a social as well as a significant environmental problem. It has also resulted in the creation of varietal waste management issues. Waste management has become a problem both in urban and rural areas in Sri Lanka. Participatory observations, interviews, and questionnaires were employed in gathering primary data for this study. A sample of 50 families in Kirikiththammulla GND was selected and a set questionnaire was used to collect data. Secondary data was obtained through the use of company data, reports, statistics, prior researches in the same field, newspapers and journal articles. Ignorance and carelessness of people, inadequate facilities for waste recycling, attitudes of people, inadequate knowledge in relation to waste management, the rapid increase in waste products, and the absence of an effective waste management mechanisms are the main factors resulting in the inefficient disposal of waste in the study area. To minimize this situation educating the rural communities, improve waste management facilities introduce waste recycling practices and educate the community about the social and environmental impact of waste disposal through formal disposal can be regarded as solutions to the Waste Management Industry.

MENVSC | Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences | Peri-urban solid waste management has become a challenge caused by population growth, urbanization which increases the volume of waste generated into bulk quantities and change in the waste composition of solid waste generated, and neglect from a local municipality. It condones illegal disposal of household solid waste and improper use of waste management hierarchy which negatively affects the environment. The overall study examined the current peri-urban solid waste management system at Lwamondo village, with the specific objectives of the study include analysing the waste composition of solid waste generated; examine current solid waste management practices and analyse factors influencing current solid waste management, to achieve the objective of the study. Various quantitative and qualitative techniques were employed. Simple Random Sampling (SRS) technique was used as a sampling method, and 10% of the households in each sub-village were sampled for questionnaire distribution. The study also incorporated convenience sampling as a method for sampling households within 500m proximity to the illegal open dumping spots to conduct interviews. Using the designed checklist, field observation was undertaken for both households and illegal open dumping spots to identify waste composition. The study adopted a mixed-method integrating both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Using the field observation and checklist designed, findings confirmed that most of the waste generated are plastics and tin waste, rubble from demolition and construction activities, dead domestic pets, and metals waste. Due to lack of proper waste management plan, the community practice dockyard disposal, dumping, and burning waste which later have an empirical negative effect on the environment and their health. The study found that villages around the area lack waste management by-laws enforcement, lack of access roads, rapid population growth and urbanisation are the main identified factors influencing solid waste management. Based on the findings, the study recommends a nearby transfer facility and communal skin bins to cover residents, solid waste education and awareness to the community, recycling and reuse initiatives, establishment of formal buy-back centre, and waste composting. | NRF

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste has become one of the most significant waste streams and many countries are seeking to promote the waste recycling rate. Due to heavyweight, low unit economic value, and legislation requirements, C&D waste is normally managed locally. According to the National Waste Reports in Australia, over the past few years some C&D waste materials have been transported from the originally generated region to other regions for further treatment. The cross-regional mobility of C&D waste will affect the quantity of waste in the regional waste management system, which brings environmental, economic and social impacts on the system. By employing methods of site surveys, expert interviews, expert seminars and desktop surveys, this study aims to understand the C&D waste treatment and management particularly the cross-regional mobility of the waste in Australia. Firstly, the compositions and generation of C&D waste in Australia are investigated while strategies are provided for managing the waste. Secondly, the flows of C&D waste in the country are mapped, among which the waste cross-regional mobility map in Australia reveals significant information such as the states and territories involving in the waste cross-regional mobility, the waste mobility routes, and transported waste materials. Accordingly, the characteristics of C&D waste in Australia are discussed. Similarly, the causes and impacts of cross-regional mobility of C&D waste are analysed. The findings of the study help gain insights of C&D waste management in Australia, which is valuable for other countries or regions to improve their waste management performance. In addition, the study would also enrich existing C&D waste management theory by adding the cross-regional mobility issues.