Dear Colleagues,

The effective management of the solid waste generated due to human activities is a major environmental challenge globally. Increased population, urbanization, and rapid economic progress have considerably increased the quantity of daily solid waste generation. Moreover, solid waste generated in the modern world consists of a wide variety of toxic and nondegradable materials. The immediate challenge is to formulate a solid waste management plan to prevent damage or overuse of nonrenewable resources, maintain an adequate natural environment, and provide a good quality of life for future generations. At present, all new plans/projects/proposals for solid waste management should be implemented globally to achieve a sustainable bio-circular-green economy. Hence, a detailed analysis of solid waste management plans based on the 9R framework and the valorization of materials concept is essential.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the quantity, composition, and rate of solid waste generation have changed considerably. This poses a considerable challenge to the existing solid waste management systems. Moreover, the typology, quality, and functionality of the resources recovered from contaminated sites have changed considerably. Hence, new solid waste management practices need to be established with the help of public–private sector cooperation.

Therefore, this Special Issue is devoted to research on solid waste management from a wide range of disciplines. It encourages researchers, practitioners, and/or policy makers who encounter technical, political, and environmental problems related to solid waste management and resource recycling to submit their work (fundamental/applied research).

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Solid waste generation, characterization, treatment, and related processes;
• Recycling and reuse;
• Policy planning and regulations;
• Economic and environmental assessments;
• Innovative processes and technology;
• Solid waste management in the sustainable bio-circular-green (BCG) economy;
• Waste valorization (municipal, industrial, sewage sludge, C&D, agricultural, etc.);
• Waste to value-added products;

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Khamphe Phoungthong
Dr. Isabella Pecorini
Guest Editors

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• solid waste management
• solid waste treatment
• solid waste recycling and utilization
• waste valorization
• resource recovery
• sustainable development
• circular economy
• life cycle assessment
• industrial ecology
• zero waste