Evaluation of technical, health and economical aspects of collection and disposal of Ardebil province municipal wastes according to the standard criteria

The process of collection and disposal of waste is one of the most important parameters of municipal waste management and following is the main cost for the municipalities. Municipal waste of Ardebil province were collected by traditional methods and dumped in the disposal sites incorrect. This research performed to determine evaluation of technical, health and economical aspects of collection and disposal of Ardebil province municipal wastes. In this descriptive (sectional) research, data were collected through library studies, observation of the current status of the process of collection and disposal of Ardebil province municipal wastes, questionnaire, interview with officials, physical and chemical analysis of Ardebil province municipal wastes, determine of per capita municipal wastes, during 14month (2007-2008). Finally, data collected to provide technical, health and economical aspects of collection and disposal of Ardebil province municipal wastes analysis was done according to the standard criteria. Per capita waste of Ardebil province municipal wastes were range of (0.600-0.900) kg. Weight percent of biodegradable was (53.60-76.12), papers (5.29-16.18), Plastic and rubber (6.52-14.80), metals (1.15-4.26), glass (0.76-4.38), cloth (0.49-6.23), wood (0.94-6.28), other materials (0.51-7.34).Density of municipal waste was (163-347) kg/m3, and percent moisture of biodegradable was (53.90-79.39). pH of municipal waste leachate was(4.23-5.11), chloride(600-4260mg/l),nitrate(23-89mg/l),and hardness(1210-4100mg/l). The process of collection and disposal of Ardebil province municipal wastes was Interval criteria and environmental standards and needs of Planning in this fiel

Recycling

The environmental problems generated by our consumer societies require immediate measures that respect the principles of long term sustainability. However, in response to the rising amount of wastes (on average, per capita arising municipal wastes increased by 26 between 1970 and the late 1980s in the OECD) various (mostly end-of-pipe) waste management strategies have been advocated, while a real questioning of what constitutes 'wastes' is still desperately needed

Heavy metal distribution in recent sediments along the Tietê River basin (São Pauro, Brazil)

The distribution of heavy metals in recent sediments deposited along the Tietê River, a highly polluted river in southeast region of Brazil was studied. Around the metropolitan area of São Paulo city (25 million people), the pollution is related to municipal wastes and industrial effluents with reinforced downstream by agricultural activities. The observed increase of heavy metal concentrations is particularly important for Zn in the upper basin and Cu, Co and Cr at mouth. Geo-accumulation index calculation, related to the regional background, showed that the sediments along the basin are seriously polluted by heavy metals of anthropogenic origin, mainly Cu, Co, Cr and Zn. Calculated index suggests medium to very strongly pollution

The effect of waste logistics on the environmental impact of road transport

Nowadays we should consider the wastes in a much wider sense as an expedient raw material source. From a logistic point of view the fact that the flows of the second raw materials are not constant in the waste logistics systems is a challenge. The quantity of the wastes of production, consumption and recycling are varying in time and space. The arising municipal wastes usually can be found in smaller items then previously, have relatively more utilization opportunity when they appear separated on the refuse dumps. Optimal cargos should be organized by the environmental aspect of road transport services. Recently road transport is one of the main polluters. With the internalisation of external costs of road transportation the price of waste as basis of secondary raw material will increase. The article describes these problems and the methods of which can be used for the solution

Strength and durability of composite concretes using municipal wastes

The influence of different types of polyethylene (PE) substitutions as partial aggregate replacement of micro-steel fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete (SCC) incorporating incinerator fly ash was investigated. The study focuses on the workability and hardened properties including mechanical, permeability properties, sulfate resistance and microstructure. Regardless of the polyethylene type, PE substitutions slightly decreased the compressive and flexural strength of SSC initially, however, the difference was compensated at later ages. SEM analysis of the interfacial transition zone showed that there was chemical interaction between PE and the matrix. Although PE substitutions increased the permeable porosity and sorptivity, it significantly improved the sulfate resistance of SCC. The influence of PE shape and size on workability and strength was found to be more important than its type. When considering the disposal of PE wastes and saving embodied energy, consuming recycled PE as partial aggregate replacement was more advantageous over virgin PE aggregate replaced concrete

Treated Municipal Wastes: Are they Contaminating or Enriching the Soil?

Treated municipal wastes could be a mixture of treated sewage biosolids and green wastes (Kala compost) that can be applied for agricultural production. It can improve soil fertility and plant growth. However, long-term application of treated sewage biosolids could result in heavy metal accumulation and some health problems. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of different fertilizers, especially Kala compost, on the soil fertility and plant productivity. An open field was divided into nine plots and received either treated municipal wastes (Kala compost) or inorganic fertilizer, or a mixture of both fertilizers. The field was irrigated by drip system, and commercial cucumber, tomato, cabbage, lettuce, carrot, and potato were grown in each plot. Soil and plant were monitored continuously and samples were taken at different stages of the study. No symptoms of physical or chemical problems were observed in the open field and measured soil samples. Moreover, the soil had sufficient amount of different nutrients for plant growth and all measured micronutrients (heavy metals) were within the safe limit and below the allowable safe limit of the international standards. Good growth was observed in all grown crops and no symptoms of element toxicity were observed. Chemical analysis for fruit samples did not show any accumulation of heavy metals and all measured elements were within the safe limit for human consumption. It can be concluded that treated municipal wastes (Kala compost) were good media for plant growth that can enrich the soil with different elements needed for higher yield. However, more monitoring is needed with treated biosolid application and good management could be the key to avoid any adverse effect of any contaminant

The 2002 Farm Bill: Revitalizing the Farm Economy Through Renewable Energy Development

2002 Policy Report.Reduced profit margins and low commodity prices have forced many to leave farming in the past decade, or rely increasingly on off-farm income, while more attractive opportunities in less volatile industries have deterred many young people from entering the farming profession. Currently, less than half of American farmers list farming as their primary source of income and the average American farmer is now 54.3 years old. The agricultural economy has always been volatile when compared to other industries due to (1) the inability of farmers to readily change production levels, (2) a fixed demand for food regardless of price, and (3) the unpredictability of climate events. But many uniquely modern challenges face U.S. agriculture as well, such as competition from foreign producers in an increasingly global economy, the proliferation of large-scale industrial agriculture, and the rising cost of energy inputs. Naturally, the economic hardships within the agricultural sector have had repercussions throughout Rural America. U.S. agriculture is at a crossroads. The decisions that shape this Farm Bill will determine the course of the agricultural sector for years to come. Although many challenges lie ahead, many new opportunities present themselves as well. Our fossil fuel-based economy, which heats our homes, powers our automobiles, and provides us with an array of products, is ultimately unsustainable in the long-term. But a new sustainable economy is slowly emerging, an economy which will rely increasingly on renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. Farmers can be at the forefront of this revolution; utilizing the commodities they grow, and even the waste streams they now must dispose of, in innovative new ways to produce power, transportation fuels, and a new generation of biobased products and chemicals. Linking agriculture and renewable energy is key to diversifying our energy market, protecting our environment, and revitalizing rural America ñ truly a ìwin-win-winî opportunity that is good for American farmers and good for the country

A structural model for mitigation measures of critical cost overrun factors in highway projects in sindh province

Construction industry plays a major role in improving the socio-economic growth of any country. However, this industry is facing a serious problem of cost overrun globally and particular in Pakistan. Rapid growth in the construction sector in Pakistan has been observed along with many challenges, especially in highway projects. The most critical issues in highway projects are the cost overrun and lack of their mitigation measures. Hence, the objective of this research is to determine the critical factors of cost overrun, its significant mitigation measures and to develop a structural model of significant mitigation measures for critical cost overrun factors. The preliminary survey helped in identifying the critical factors of cost overrun in highway projects. In total, 64 common factors for cost overrun were identified from the literature review. Based on the common factors, a questionnaire was designed and distributed among the 30 selected experts to determine the critical factors of cost overrun. Out of 64 common factors, 24 were reported critical. The pilot study was carried out by developing a semi-structured questionnaire which was distributed among the same 30 construction experts for the purpose of determining the mitigation measures, which resulted in 113 measures. These mitigation measures along with the relevant 24 factors helped in the development of the final questionnaire to further narrow down the significant measures. This finalized questionnaire was distributed among 350 construction experts of highway projects to identify the significant mitigation measures for critical factors of cost overrun. The collected data was further used to develop a structural model for mitigation measures of critical factors of cost overrun by Smart PLS. Performance of the model has moderate explaining power as the predictive relevancy value is greater than 0.13. Significant mitigation measures of these critical factors were determined from the power loading of mitigations measures. This research would be helpful for construction managers in mitigating the relative risk to the project. Thus, it will directly benefit the construction community and contribute in raising the economy of the country