Recycling Organics: Enhancing Compost Markets

US Environmental Protection Agency, Region

Mapping approach for examining waste management within construction sites

In light of increased awareness on environmental impacts from construction wastes, waste management has become an important factor in construction project management. Various waste managements have been developed by researchers to manage construction wastes. Nevertheless, less attention is given towards the management of waste handling processes on construction sites such as waste sorting and waste transport. In fact, proper flow of these processes could improve waste management effectiveness. The aim of the study is to examine waste handling process during construction through the mapping of ten project sites in Melaka using the free-flow mapping presentation technique. This will lead to the development of a proposed waste management mapping model (WMMM), which incorporates the good operations embodied in the existing practices and also the outcomes of interviews with the project proponents. The WMMM could serve as a tool assisting in planning waste management procedures as well as a vehicle for comparing waste management practices among construction sites; thus, weaknesses and good practices could be identified and improvement measures may be implemented accordingly. Personal interviews with questionnaires and on site observations were administered for data collection. Analysis was performed on results tabulated in matrix table with interpretation assisted by statistical computations. Qualitative approach was of dominant where comparative evaluation was extensively performed on the waste management practices between these ten sites. Findings revealed that the advantages of waste handling practices outnumbered the weaknesses. The WMMM was proposed based on guidelines derived from the analysis which took into account factors pertaining to cost, environmental protection and time in waste handling management. It was suggested that the proposed WMMM could be incorporated into the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to assist waste management planning. Overall, the findings of the study have contributed to the basic understanding of the waste management practices within construction sites in Malaysi

Solid waste management in Puerto Rico : an assessment of environmental impacts and benefits

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management has been a challenging issue throughout history. Waste management options have evolved, but they can present distinct environmental impacts, such as the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). This study quantified the environmental benefits (i.e., greenhouse gas emission and energy use reductions) of various MSW management plans proposed for Puerto Rico through the use of the Waste Reduction Model (WARM). The waste management initiative known as the “Base Case” was found to offer the most environmental benefits. Thus, higher benefits can be attained from the implementation of an integrated solid waste managementDepartment of Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementThesis (M.S.

The concept of waste and waste management

&lt;p&gt;Several studies and researches have been conducted on the sources and characteristics of wastes as well as the possible adverse effect of inappropriate handling and best international practices. One thing that is still not clear however is what exactly constitutes a waste? How much do we know about what should be classed as waste? What are the historical contexts of waste managements? The present paper seeks to examine these vital questions with a view to providing answers from previous studies. The paper employed a desktop approach to provide answers to the research objectives. Specifically, the paper uses a descriptive approach to gather information from peer reviewed publications such as, journal articles, environmental organizations reports and books. It was found that, waste is to a large extent subjective in meaning as a substance can only be regarded as a waste when the owner labels it as such. This is particularly true because one individual may regard a substance as a waste, while another may view the same substance as a resource. Nevertheless, it was argued that there is a need to clearly define what constitute wastes as this form the basis for regulation. &lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</jats:p

Framework for capacity building for post disaster construction & demolition waste management at national level

The entire world is facing frequent and severe disasters In a disaster, generation of waste is unavoidable and critical as it differs from a normal situation in terms of quantity and composition Thus, improper waste management is a major environmental issue in any postdisaster scenario, specifically when it is contaminated with toxic substances leading to environmental degradation and health problems Therefore, measures to control waste generation and management of waste are needed for proper disaster waste management, being an important aspect of the entire process of disaster management Literature revealed capacity gaps in disaster waste management emphasizing the importance of capacity building for post disaster waste management in Sri Lanka Thus this paper presents framework for capacity building for post disaster waste management with special emphasis on C&D waste at national level entities in Sri Lanka Data were gathered through semi structured interviews conducted with experts representing Government, Non government and other sector organizations involved in post disaster waste management Capacity gaps such as fewer opportunities for career development, unawareness, lack of incentives are identified at individual level while unavailability of formal procedures for preparation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes/ projects, policy issues such as unenforceability, inadequate government support and unavailability of institutional arrangement are identified at entity level Framework for capability building in disaster C&D waste management was presented, with suggested approaches to overcome identified capacity gaps Framework can assist national entities involved in disaster waste management to focus on specific capacity building processes based on their institutional priorities It contains evaluated approaches to enhance capacities, providing flexibility to initiate capacity building at different levels such as individual, team, programmes, projects, entity or network of entities and in different contexts than disaster waste management It guides national entities involved in post disaster waste management to enhance their capacities for effective and efficient processes of post disaster waste management with special emphasis to C&D wast

Implementation of food waste composting in Malaysia

As urbanisation continues to occurring, waste management is becoming one of the major environmental problems around the world, including Malaysia. The generation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Malaysia has increased more than 91% over the past decades. Based on waste composition, food waste was indicated as the main waste component. Thus, recycling of food waste through composting had emerged as a potentially viable means that local governments can reduce the waste volume that is entering the landfills. Furthermore, MSW management in Malaysia can be considered as relatively poor and disorganized. The most preferred of MSW disposal method is through landfill due to various factors. This article elaborates on composting that gives benefits to Malaysian. This paper also exposes strategy to implement the composting in Malaysia by focusing on Food Waste Management Development Plan for the Industry, Commercial and Institution Sector. The current methods of food waste composting that are applied in Malaysia are also discussed in this paper. Finally, this paper reveals the challenges towards food waste composting in Malaysia

Solid waste management trends in Nigeria

&lt;p&gt;The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current trend of solid waste management in Nigeria and to identify the major challenges inhibiting the attainment of sustainable solid waste management in the country. The study relied on a desktop study approach; hence, data were obtained from previous publications relevant to the current study, particularly from peer reviewed publications. Sources such as waste management agencies websites, reports and documents, journal articles, environmental organizations reports and books were also used to obtain information and data.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It was found that solid waste management is a major concern in the country. Inadequate environmental policies and legislations, low level of environmental awareness, poor funding and inappropriate technology, corruption and unplanned development were some of the challenges facing solid waste management in the country. As a result, the paper concludes that for waste management to work, various aspects of Government services such as engineering, urban planning, Geography, economics, public health and law among others must be brought together under a proper policy to deliver an effective waste management system.&lt;/p&gt;</jats:p

Investigate waste management issue in Mexico Restaurant

Reliable data on waste management and controlling waste will be illuminated in an effective way to suggest better waste management practices in the hospitality industry in New Zealand. This research suggests effective steps to regain and minimize the waste produced in Mexico restaurant, which is located in Victoria Street, Hamilton. To obtain the data, interviews and observation were the preliminary methods used in this research to clearly understand the main cause of the problem by the organisation in terms of waste. This research has covered waste management issues faced in SMEs and steps to control food waste in restaurants. All the collected data are compared and analysed under a statistical result and these results are discussed on the basis of the current waste management practices of the business. The key findings recommend a possible method to control waste and implementing new software to monitor the waste. Further research will carry over under the same stream by influencing engineering methods and machines, which will be a positive deliverable for a sustainable environment and society

Environment, Health and Wealth: Towards an Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

The management of municipal solid waste is one of the challenges facing the developing countries because governments, institutions, and private sectors have given solid waste management low priority and ignoring the implication it has on the general public. This is characterized by inefficient collection methods, insufficient coverage of the collection system and improper disposal. This paper presents the current solid waste management method adopted in Ado-Odo Ota local government and its associated challenges. Four locations (Iganmode area, Joju area, Ota market and toll gate area) were selected. These sites are points where the waste bins are located. A field work that involves the characterization and types of the waste generated, and frequency of collection from each site was carried out. A representative sample of 280 kg was used for the waste characterization and the result shows that about 64% of the wastes are recyclable with lots of organic waste that comprises of food and agricultural waste which can be used as compost. The only dump site in Ota was visited in order to obtain useful information concerning the present state of solid waste management. The study revealed that there is presently no investment made to the existing development plan to introduce a modern waste management system. The study suggests new approach that could be used by institutions and government agencies for municipal solid waste management to achieve sustainable and effective sanitation