Plastic pollution is the challenging problem of the world due to usage of plastic in daily life. Plastic is essential for packaging food and other goods and utensils to avoid the risk of microbial attack. Due to its hydrophobic nature, it is used for wrapping as laminates or packaging liquid substances in pouches and sachets. The tensile strength of the plastic is more therefore it is used for manufacturing carrying bags that can bear heavy loads. Plastic is available in various forms as per the requirements in our daily life. Annually millions to trillions of polyethene carry bags are being manufactured and utilized throughout the world. The plastic requires millions of years for natural degradation. The physical and chemical processes are able to degrade plastic material at the meager level by 200 to 500 years in natural conditions. Many industries focus on recycling of plastic. Biodegradation is a comparatively slow and cheaper process that involves microbes. To dispose of plastic completely there is a need of an integrated process in which all the possible methods of disposal are involved and used sustainably so that minimum depletion occurs to the livestock and the environment. In the current review, we could try to emphasize the intricate nature of plastic polymers, pollution caused by it and possible mitigation strategies for plastic waste management.

Background: Vermicomposting has recently been recognized as one of the most appropriate methods to stabilize organic waste. In terms of a system for waste management, vermicomposting is sustainable, economically viable, and without detrimental effects to human health or to the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the process of vermicomposting using an indigenous species of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) on a small domestic scale as a system for waste management. Results: This study was carried out as an experiment using the following procedure: a plastic container was prepared for vermicomposting; then, a bed was prepared in a ready container with a layer of initial bedding, sieved garden soil, and compostable waste. It was inoculated with Eisenia fetida earthworms. Samples were taken after 30 and 90 days of vermicomposting, and measurements were taken for the following parameters: percentage of organic matter, phosphorus, total carbon, total nitrogen, moisture content, ash, electrical conductivity, and pH. Results for percentage of organic matter, phosphorous, ash, total carbon, total nitrogen, carbon/nitrogen ratio, electrical conductivity, moisture content, and pH of mature compost after 90 days were 42 ± 2.8, 53 ± 0.17, 22 ± 0.170, 1.12 ± 0.003, 20 ± 0.25, 2.8 ± 0.6, 1, 200 ± 200 cSu, 56 ± 5.5%, 8.3 ± 0.2, respectively, and all these parameters except moisture content were compared with the standards. Conclusion: According to these results, vermicomposting of municipal biodegradable waste by homeowners can be recommended as the best and most suitable method for solid waste disposal. This determines small-scale domestic vermicomposting as a suitable method for solid waste management. Reducing domestic waste at the source is an effective way to implement the main priorities of a waste management system in terms of its economy and its impact on the environment.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management at the regional level has become increasingly important over the last years. The regionalisation studies evaluate ideal arrangements of municipalities to constitute consortia for sharing infrastructure and management. A document analysis of regionalisation studies for MSW management from 18 Brazilian states was made in order to identify and evaluate the shape of the regions, the criteria and the methods used. The results evidenced a big difference regarding the number of regions proposed, the number of municipalities, the area and population of each region, the environmental, economic, social and political criteria, the hierarchy and the tools used. There is a lack of standardisation in the elaboration of these studies and the development of a consistent method, with the definition of hierarchical criteria, the use of appropriate geospatial tools, as well as the social participation in the decision-making process can contribute to the elaboration of regionalisation studies.

One of the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) is Sustainable Consumption, which means managing waste residu from consumption. Waste management that is less than optimal will result in environmental, pollution, and poor public health. Therefore, strategic efforts are needed to empower sustainable waste management to reduce the volume of waste with awareness of applying the 5M concept, namely reducing, sorting, utilizing, recycling, and saving waste; increasing the role of the waste bank;and focusing on the nature of self-reliance. Berseri 35 carries out weighing and waste management administration activities without using an integrated information system which is manual. Customer members are not yet able to obtain information regarding the amount of savings in real time. In addition, the Waste Bank Management has difficulty reporting the amount of organic and inorganic waste management Environmental Department every month. Nowadays is technology era to facilitate access requires a Technology System and Waste Social Capital. The right technology system requires knowledge transfer and technology transfer as social capital engineering such of waste literacy knowledge. The aims of this program is creating an Integrated Information System application for managing organic and inorganic waste (My Waste For Berseri SITampah 35 to provide waste reports in a timely manner. Waste bank administrators can report the amount of managed waste in a timely and accurately. Strengthening the Waste Bank Institution in order to increase human resource skills for sustainable waste management. This research findings is an application of the accounting information system of for waste management digitally that will support financial recording that closure is more effective and efficient namely SITAMPAH 35.

The study was conducted to evaluate the viability of Norwegian waste management techniques for enhanced recycling in Sri Lanka. Reviews on the current waste management practices in Sri Lanka and that of Norwegian waste management techniques were carried out. Special interview with the manager, GLØR Waste Management, Lillehammer, Norway was also conducted. Waste management techniques, including recycling strategies, waste-to-energy systems, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies in both nations were compared to assess their applicability to Sri Lanka. Key barriers, such as policy gaps, infrastructure limitations, and socio-cultural factors, that may hinder the adoption of Norwegian waste management practices in Sri Lanka were identified. Based on these, policy recommendations and strategies to enhance recycling and waste management efficiency in Sri Lanka based on Norway’s best practice were proposed.

This study focuses on delineating the legal frameworks and methodologies for waste collection and management in Iceland. It seeks to highlight the predominant practices of waste collection and disposal within the country, with a special emphasis on the strategies employed for plastic waste management. Furthermore, the study explores how Iceland could leverage the advanced waste management experiences of other nations to enhance its own practices. Employing a quantitative approach and case study analysis, the research draws insights from municipal and national government records, alongside a review of numerous waste management sites across Iceland. Additionally, it incorporates findings from scientific articles addressing related research variables within the Icelandic context. Practical insights were garnered through interviews with ten municipal officials, each specializing in different facets of waste management. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis was utilized to ascertain the most effective method of managing plastic waste. Key findings indicate Iceland's predominant use of landfilling for waste disposal. The results also show that recycling with energy recovery is the method that can best improve plastic waste management in Iceland.

● Maldives’ unique natural and socioeconomic status cause waste management challenges. ● Context-specific solutions needed for sustainable waste management in Maldives. ● Waste management practices differ greatly between Male’ city and outer islands. ● Waste incineration in Male’ will double Maldives’ renewable energy supply. ● Decentralized anaerobic digestion proposed for outer islands to recover energy. Effective waste management is a major challenge for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Maldives due to limited land availability. Maldives exemplifies these issues as one of the most geographically dispersed countries, with a population unevenly distributed across numerous islands varying greatly in size and population density. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the unique waste management practices across different regions of Maldives in relation to its natural and socioeconomic context. Data shows Maldives has one of the highest population density and per capita waste generation among SIDS, despite its small land area and medium GDP per capita. Large disparities exist between the densely populated capital Male’ with only 5.8 km2 area generating 63% of waste and the ~194 scattered outer islands with ad hoc waste management practices. Given Male’s dense population and high calorific waste, incineration could generate up to ~30 GW/a energy and even increase Maldives’ renewable energy supply by 200%. In contrast, decentralized anaerobic digestion presents an optimal solution for outer islands to reduce waste volume while providing over 40%–100% energy supply for daily cooking in local families. This timely study delivers valuable insights into designing context-specific waste-to-energy systems and integrated waste policies tailored to Maldives’ distinct regions. The framework presented can also guide other SIDS facing similar challenges as Maldives in establishing sustainable, ecologically sound waste management strategies.

Background: Assessing food waste management in hospitals is crucial for establishing a baseline model of the impact of waste reduction strategies and monitoring progress. Limited data exists on measuring and managing food waste in hospitals, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessment in the country. Aims: This study sought to assess the food waste management protocols in different types of food services at Lebanese hospitals. Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study sampled 32 dietitians in Lebanese Hospitals using a convenience sampling technique, who were interviewed to complete a questionnaire. Frequencies and percentages were obtained through simple statistics. Results: Study findings showed that, in Lebanese hospitals, 81.3% of food waste was obtained from patient's tray, 66.7% from expired prepackaged food, 58.1% from hospital cafeterias, and 48.4% from expired-unconsumed cafeteria food. The aforementioned food waste obtained is mixed with general waste. None incorporates composting or anaerobic digestion due to financial issues, but 18 hospitals are open to considering these methods. About 85% of hospitals adopt different approaches for managing food waste from isolated patients. Only 18.8% had external contractors for waste management, among which 9.4% mentioned food waste management in the contract. Conclusion: Lebanese hospitals rely on garbage disposal as a food waste management technique, lacking effective strategies, such as composting or anaerobic digestion. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and improved food waste management measures in the country. This study is a wake-up call for policymakers to adopt a robust approach in formulating hospital food waste management policies.

International audience | As part of the move towards a circular economy and the transition to a more sustainable society, it is necessary to reduce the quantity of municipal solid waste and improve the overall management of its organic fraction, i.e. bio-waste. Proper management of this bio-waste is essential to avoid numerous nuisances, limit its environmental impact and promote its agronomic recovery, while contributing to the production of renewable energy. Arguing that bio-waste is not biomass waste like any other, the authors, drawing on their own experience of the subject as well as on the results of the literature, highlight the challenges associated with optimising the management of bio-waste and food waste in particular: reducing its production, sorting it at source, collecting it efficiently, treating it and recovering it. The paper explains how the specific characteristics and multiple territorial contexts of bio-waste management need to be taken into greater account in order to improve the performance of each stage of the management system. Beyond the challenges associated with improving the technical stages of bio-waste management, the paper highlights the need for a systemic approach to the design of bio-waste management systems. The multiple factors influencing system design as well as modelling tools and the need for co-construction with all stakeholders to support the design of the management system are discussed. Throughout the discussion, recommendations are made on the issues that research should address to help improve the management and recovery of bio-waste.