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Special Issue "Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization"

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Waste and Recycling".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2023 | Viewed by 7703

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Édgar Ricardo Oviedo-Ocaña

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Guest Editor

Civil Engineering School, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga 680002, Colombia
Interests: solid waste management; treatment and recycling of organic solid waste; composting and anaerobic digestion; greywater treatment and reuse; rainwater harvesting

Dr. Viviana Sanchez-Torres

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Chemical Engineering School, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga 680002, Colombia
Interests: valorization of agro-industrial wastes; bioremediation; biosurfactants; food science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Solid waste management is a global challenge. Organic waste includes biowaste, agricultural waste, livestock waste, sludge from sewage-treatment plants, and green waste. Generally, these residues represent the largest fraction of the solid waste generated. Various technological options have been implemented for the treatment and recovery of waste. The traditional options used have included composting, anaerobic digestion, and vermicomposting, which are consistent with the principles of a circular economy. Recently, other options have emerged, such as solid-state fermentation, which generates value-added bioproducts with various applications. Among the products are biosurfactants, biopesticides, aromas, pigments, and bioflocculants. On the other hand, different technologies have been used for the recovery of other materials included in the solid waste stream (i.e., plastic, paper, metals, cardboard, and glass) that include recycling (recovery and transformation of materials) and thermal treatment technologies (e.g., incineration, pyrolysis, gasification) with energy recovery.

Sustainability is proud to present a Special Issue welcoming the submission of research papers and literature reviews on topics surrounding “Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization”. The Special Issue will focus on technologies which generate several products of added value with diverse applications (e.g., agriculture, industry, energy). Subtopics of the Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

Novel applications of technologies to treat organic waste;
Technologies to recover recyclable materials;
Options for energy recovery from solid waste;
Uses and applications of bioproducts, recycled materials, and energy obtained from solid waste;
Economics and environmental impacts (LCC, LCA) of management technologies and use of products obtained.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Édgar Ricardo Oviedo-Ocaña
Dr. Viviana Sanchez-Torres
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

recycling
valorization
composting
vermicomposting
anaerobic digestion
thermal treatment
bioproduct
circular economy
sustainable wastes management
product utilization

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Multistep Extraction Transformation of Spent Coffee Grounds to the Cellulose-Based Enzyme Immobilization Carrier

and

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 13142; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151713142 - 31 Aug 2023

Viewed by 397

Abstract

The present study investigated the possibility of spent coffee ground (SCG) transformation to a cellulose-based enzyme immobilization carrier using a multistep extraction procedure. In the first step, SCGs were extracted with n-hexane by Soxhlet extraction in order to obtain SCG oil, while the remaining solid residue was subjected to continuous solvent flow sequential subcritical extraction with 96% and 50% ethanol and water. Afterwards, the obtained solid residue was subjected to alkaline liquefaction with 8% NaOH in order to remove lignin and produce cellulose-enriched SCGs as a potential enzyme immobilization carrier. Multistep extraction transformation of SCGs was monitored by chemical analysis of extracts and obtained solid residues. Soxhlet extraction of 100 g of SCGs yielded 10.58 g of SCG oil rich in linoleic and palmitic acid, while continuous solvent flow sequential subcritical extraction of 100 g of defatted SCGs yielded a total of 1.63 g of proteins, 5.58 g of sugars, 204 mg of caffeine, 76 mg of chlorogenic acid, and 11.97 mg of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural. Alkaline liquefaction of 100 g of sequentially extracted defatted SCGs by 8% NaOH yielded 7.45 g of proteins, 8.63 g of total polyphenols, 50.73 g of sugars, and 20.83 g of cellulose-enriched SCGs. Based on the characteristics of cellulose-enriched SCGs including a volume-weighted mean particle size of 277 μm, relative narrow particle size distribution with a span value of 1.484, water holding capacity of 7.55 mL/g, and a lack of carrier leakage, it could be safely concluded that produced cellulose-enriched SCGs fulfills criteria to be used as potential enzyme immobilization carrier. Overall, it seems that the proposed multistep extraction transformation of SCGs has great potential to be used for the production of several high-value added products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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Open AccessArticle

A Fuzzy TOPSIS-Based Approach for Comprehensive Evaluation of Bio-Medical Waste Management: Advancing Sustainability and Decision-Making

Khalil al-Sulbi

Pawan Kumar Chaurasia

and

Md Tarique Jamal Ansari

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12565; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612565 - 18 Aug 2023

Viewed by 337

Abstract

Bio-medical waste management is critical for ensuring public health and environmental sustainability. However, due to the inherent ambiguities and complexities involved with waste characteristics and disposal techniques, measuring the efficiency of bio-medical waste management systems presents major hurdles. This study provides a Fuzzy TOPSIS-based (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) strategy for thorough bio-medical waste management assessment. The suggested method combines the benefits of fuzzy logic and TOPSIS, allowing for the incorporation of subjective judgments and ambiguity in the evaluation procedure. Initially, a thorough set of criteria is constructed based on a review of current literature and recommendations from experts, comprising Environmental Impact, Compliance with Regulations, Health and Safety, Technological Feasibility, and Cost-effectiveness. To accurately represent the inherent ambiguity and imprecision in decision-making, each criterion is evaluated using linguistic variables. Furthermore, the Fuzzy TOPSIS approach is used to rate various bio-medical waste management systems depending on how well they perform in comparison to the identified criteria. The language judgments are represented as fuzzy numbers, and the idea of closeness coefficients is used for calculating the relative distance between each alternative and the ideal answer. An investigation in a healthcare facility is performed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the suggested strategy. To assess numerous waste management approaches, the study uses real-world data on waste management practices, expert opinions, and linguistic analyses. The study’s findings emphasize the benefits of using a Fuzzy TOPSIS-based technique to evaluate bio-medical waste management. According to the findings of this research study, recycling is the best choice because it has the potential to reduce waste, recover resources, and preserve the environment. It assists decision-makers to account for uncertainties and subjectivity, increases transparency and consistency in decision-making, and aids in choosing of the best waste management system. The proposed approach advances sustainable waste management practices in the bio-medical area and provides a helpful tool for policymakers and practitioners looking to enhance waste management systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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Open AccessArticle

Monitoring Intertidal Habitats for Effects from Biosolids Applications onto an Adjacent Forestry Plantation

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Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12279; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612279 - 11 Aug 2023

Viewed by 418

Abstract

Stabilised organic solids derived from sewage sludge (“biosolids”) are applied to land as an alternative to disposal as landfill. This study evaluated the long-term effects of biosolids applied to forestry plantations on the adjacent intertidal habitats of Rabbit Island (New Zealand). On this island, biosolids are applied to enhance the growth of trees (Pinus radiata). Shoreline topography, macroalgal cover, sediment grain size, the concentrations of nutrients, trace metals, and faecal indicator bacteria, and benthic infaunal communities were studied in 2008, 2014, and 2019 at twelve intertidal transect sites (four “reference” and eight “application”) adjacent to forestry blocks where biosolids have been applied over a period of 24 years. The sediment composition did not differ significantly between the survey years or between the reference and application sites. Total nitrogen concentrations in the sediments increased over time at some transects, but such increases were not consistent among the application transects. No symptoms of excessive algal growth, sediment anoxia, and hydrogen sulphide odours were observed at most sites. Key infaunal taxa were similar between the reference and application transects. Overall, no long-term adverse changes to intertidal habitats attributed to biosolids application were detected between the reference and application sites. This study shows that biosolids application can co-occur without detectable adverse effects on nearby intertidal environments. In a global context of rising concern over climate change, environmental pollution, and resource scarcity, forest fertilisation with biosolids can facilitate biomass production and soil development while protecting valued coastal ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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Open AccessArticle

Reuse within the UK’s Charity Retail Sector: Steps towards Sustainability

Bethan R. Dolphin

Peter J. Shaw

and

Ian D. Williams

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12153; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612153 - 09 Aug 2023

Viewed by 405

Abstract

The social benefits of charity retail are widely recognized. However, data relating to the potential benefits to the sustainable use of end-of-use consumer goods are scarce. A general survey and an observational study at a typical charity shop aimed to quantify and evaluate reuse via charity retail outlets. We reveal valuable insights to stock data recording, procedures for receiving/dealing with donations (by category), use of standard approaches, quantification of key variables, and accuracy of previous survey data. Methods were successfully developed and trialled to (a) quantify diversion of end-of-use products from residual waste via reuse/recycling, and (b) estimate the cost of unsaleable donations. Future routine use of these methods for charity retail shops is recommended while acknowledging the limitations due to reporting capabilities. We identify four key groups of beneficiaries: (1) the parent charity, (2) charity shop workers (paid and unpaid), (3) donors, and (4) customers. Specific benefits, such as social interactions, are not exclusive to specific beneficiaries. Efforts to improve positive impacts should focus on securing appropriate donations, facilitating information capture, and promoting reuse. An important balance is required between maximising income and reuse, and retaining the social benefits that charities provide to communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Biochar as an Additive in the Co-Composting of Green Waste and Food Waste

Brayan Alexis Parra-Orobio

Jonathan Soto-Paz

Jhon Alexander Hernández-Cruz

Martha Cecilia Gómez-Herreño

Isabel Cristina Domínguez-Rivera

and

Edgar Ricardo Oviedo-Ocaña

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7437; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097437 - 30 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1262

Abstract

Green waste (GW) represents 11% of municipal solid waste. Managing this waste is challenging due to its physicochemical variability, low density, and presence of hard-to-degrade lignocellulosic compounds. Composting is an alternative for GW transformation and valorization. However, due to the substrate characteristics, processing times are long, and the end product typically does not meet quality standards. Incorporating additives and co-substrates are operational strategies that contribute to overcoming these challenges. An essential step is the determination of a mixture’s composition that ensures synergistic effects on the process and end-product quality. This research assessed the effect of adding biochar (Bch) in the co-composting of GW and food waste (FW). A previously studied co-composting mixture (M) of GW, raw and processed FW, sawdust (Sd), and phosphoric rock (Pr) with four treatments by duplicate were assessed at the pilot scale: T₁: 100% GW, T₂: M₁, T₃: M₂ + 2% Bch, y T₄: M₃ + 5% Bch. The results show that Bch treatments maintained the range of thermophilic temperatures for longer than the other two treatments (between four and five additional days), showing greater biological activity and better end-product hygienization. Likewise, in the Bch treatments, the hemicellulose and cellulose degradation improved compared to treatments without Bch by 33.9% and 23.3%, respectively, and nitrogen losses were reduced by up to 70%. Regarding the end product, adding a 2% dose of Bch allowed the highest fertility index compared to the other three treatments, showing its potential for agricultural use. This work demonstrates that adding biochar to FW and GW co-composting improves organic matter degradation rates, lignocellulosic degradation, and end-product quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Initial Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio on Kitchen Waste Composting Maturity

Fatin Amanina Azis

Melanie Choo

Hazwani Suhaimi

and

Pg Emeroylariffion Abas

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6191; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076191 - 04 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1065

Abstract

A home electrical composter has arisen as a popular tool to expedite the lengthy composting process. It has been conveniently selected as a compost producer in kitchen households and is especially favoured in urbanized settings. The generated composts from the electrical composter, however, are still found to be immature and would require additional curing. The quality of the compost can be improved by investigating the initial carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) of kitchen waste. It is, therefore, the aim of this paper to determine the optimum initial C/N ratio by preparing two primary samples: with and without soil. Samples of 10:1, 15:1, 20:1, 25:1, 30:1, and 35:1 C/N ratios were fed into the electrical composter and allowed to cure for 4 weeks. The six main samples were further divided into sub-samples for replications. The phytotoxicity levels and maturity of the produced compost were assessed in terms of the germination index (GI), using a seed germination test. In addition, statistical analyses using box plots and T-distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (T-SNE) were carried out to observe the root growths’ variability and to deduce any significant clusters amongst the samples. The results have shown that samples with and without soil performed better with C/N ratios of 10:1 and 25:1 and with GI values of 16.2 and 31.8, respectively. The results also indicate the presence of a substantial level of phytotoxins within the samples, even after four weeks of curing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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Open AccessArticle

Prioritization of Waste-to-Energy Technologies Associated with the Utilization of Food Waste

Patricia Torres-Lozada

Pablo Manyoma-Velásquez

and

Jenny Fabiana Gaviria-Cuevas

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5857; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075857 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 798

Abstract

Taking advantage of the growing production of organic waste for its conversion to waste-to-energy (WtE) also contributes to mitigating the problems associated with its final disposal, which is a global trend of increasing application. This work presents an innovative approach for the identification and prioritization of WtE alternatives available from the use of food waste (FW) present in the municipal solid waste (MSW) of a Colombian municipality with source separation and selective collection: (i) a systematic literature review, which allows one to identify WtE alternatives; (ii) the prospective MIC-MAC method (Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement) allowed the selection of criteria and sub criteria; (iii) the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) and the technique of order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS), allowed a ranking of selected alternatives considering the technical, environmental, and social aspects. The WtE technologies identified were anaerobic digestion, gasification, incineration, biogas recovery from landfills, and pyrolysis; this last was excluded due to its greater application potential with substrates such as plastic waste. The six sub-criteria identified and prioritized were social acceptability (36%), greenhouse gas emissions mitigated (16.17%), MSW reduction (15.83%), energy production (13.80%), technological maturity (12.95%), and electrical energy conversion efficiency (5.25%), with the decreasing order of preferences of anaerobic digestion (78.2%), gasification (47.5%), incineration (27.4%), and biogas recovery from landfills (6.6%); the latter was the least desirable alternative (lower social acceptance and CO₂ tons mitigated in relation to the other options). The innovative nature of this study is the identification and consideration of the comprehensive management of this type of waste of a large number of criteria (120 environmental, 52 social, and 59 technical) and the validation of the results through a sensitivity analysis, which allowed us to confirm for this study, that anaerobic digestion is the most favorable technology for the treatment and energy use of FW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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Open AccessArticle

Relationships among Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Parasitological Parameters, Ecotoxicity, and Biochemical Methane Potential of Pig Slurry

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Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043172 - 09 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1039

Abstract

Background: Pig slurry can negatively impact on the environmental, animal, and human health. Knowing the relationship between the organic and inorganic loads, pathogens, and toxicity allows identifying the main parameters to be removed or treated before final disposal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between the physicochemical properties, microbiological, and parasitological content, ecotoxicological effects, and biochemical methane potential (BMP) of pig slurries. Methods: Ten pig slurry samples at two production stages were characterized and a BMP test at two substrate/inoculum (S/I) ratios was conducted to compare the methane yields. Results: We found high content of Cu, Zn, quaternary ammonium, pathogenic microorganisms (E. coli and Salmonella), and parasites (Trichuris and Trichostrongylus). Toxicity on lettuce, radish, and Daphnia was observed with a slurry concentration greater than 1.35%. Positive correlations were found between toxicity on Daphnia and chemical oxygen demand (COD), sulfate, Zn, and Cu, as well as between phytotoxicity and COD, NH₄, Na, K, and conductivity. The lowest S/I ratio showed 13% more methane yield. It was associated with high removals of COD and volatile fatty acids. Conclusions: We recommend using a low S/I ratio to treat pig slurry as it improves the efficiency of the anaerobic process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Meta-Analysis of Yields of Crops Fertilized with Compost Tea and Anaerobic Digestate

Franco Curadelli

Marcelo Alberto

Ernesto Martín Uliarte

Mariana Combina

and

Iván Funes-Pinter

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021357 - 11 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1141

Abstract

Organic inputs constitute an alternative way to replace or reduce the use of agrochemicals in order to increase sustainability and reduce negative impacts of agriculture on the environment. A consistent determination of average yields obtained with organic fertilizers in comparison to synthetic fertilizers is necessary to assess their potential in both commercial and organic agriculture. To achieve this goal, a meta-analysis of existing scientific data of yields obtained with digestate or compost tea fertilization was performed. After a systematic bibliographic search of scientific publications, 35 final papers remained from >1000 initial results. Data of crop yield with digestate or compost tea fertilization, as well as control and synthetic fertilizer treatments, were extracted from the selected articles and used to calculate response ratios (ratios of means), obtaining 106 observations. The meta-analysis showed that digestate fertilization produced yields 80% higher than the control. Yields were statistically similar to those obtained with conventional treatments with chemical fertilization (only 2% lower in average). The results for digestate are considered robust as the significance did not change after conducting publication bias analyses. However, the high heterogeneity observed suggests the existence of explanatory variables accounting for part of the observed dispersion. Subgroup analyses were conducted to determine the variation of the results of digestate across crop species and field or greenhouse experiments, while compost teas did not present adequate data quantity to obtain reliable results. According to this meta-analysis, anaerobic digestate had an acceptable performance as fertilizer for several crops at a reported application rate ranging from 100 to 480 kg N ha⁻¹. Regarding compost tea, yields were 92% higher than the control and 10% lower than synthetic fertilization treatments, although more information is required to draw a conclusive result due to the low number of observations of this fertilizer. Further investigation is necessary to understand yield variations under different scenarios to study the influence of secondary variables and to propose management measures for producers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Waste Management and Utilization)

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