Robust information for effective municipal solid waste policies : identifying behaviour of waste generation across spatial levels of organization

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MExisting studies have studied influencing factors of MSW generation behaviour at different spatial levels of organization, but always one at a time and not simultaneously. Income is a strong influencing factor, affecting MSW generation from the individual to the country level, capable of hiding the effects of the others. This study shows that when MSW generation behaviour is holistically analysed across multiple levels of organization (individuals, households, and communities) hierarchically organized as functional units of MSW generation within a specific study area, it is possible to identify influencing factors in addition to income (education, demographic, health, ethnic, economic activity and financial types) as explanatory variables. Increasing the number of influencing factors of MSW generation makes it possible to create a robust knowledge base for MSW management policies in fast-growing urban areas of developing countries, improving the information used to select proper policies and plans within their MSW management systems and avoiding overlapping policies causing legal gaps. Betania, an urban area of the Panama City district, has been chosen as a case study area. The results show that the household income explains 86% of its memberś MSW generation and the community indigenous population explains 21% of householdś MSW generation. It is concluded that MSW generation is not linear across levels, it has as many degrees of freedom as influencing factors shaping the levels of organization where functional units generating waste exist. Influencing factors appearing at each spatial level affects MSW generation in an interdependent manner in variable degrees of magnitude

Identification of inference fallacies in solid waste generation estimations of developing countries. A case-study in Panama

Altres ajuts: Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICUnidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MThe absence of sound sampling procedures and statistical analyses to estimate solid waste generation in many developing countries has resulted in incomplete historical records of waste quantity and composition. Data is often arbitrarily aggregated or disaggregated as a function of waste generators to obtain results at the desired spatial level of analysis. Inference fallacies arising from the generalization or individualization of results are almost never considered. In this paper, Panama, one of the fastest-growing developing countries, was used as a case-study to review the main methodological approaches to estimate solid waste generation per capita per day, and at different hierarchical levels (from households to the country). The solid waste generation intensity indicator is used by the Panamanian waste management authority to run the waste management system. It was also the main parameter employed by local and foreign companies to estimate solid waste generation in Panama between 2001 and 2008. The methodological approaches used by these companies were mathematically formalized and classified as per the expressions suggested by Subramanian et al. (2009). Seven inference fallacies (ecological, individualistic, stage, floating population, linear forecasting, average population and mixed spatial levels) were identified and allocated to the studies. Foreign companies committed three of the seven inference fallacies, while one was committed by the local entity. Endogenous knowledge played an important role in these studies to avoid spatial levels mismatch and multilevel measurements appear to produce more reliable information than studies obtained via other means

Integrated assessment of municipal solid waste metabolism : the case of the metropolitan area of Naples, Italy

Esta tesis propone un método cuantitativo para la evaluación integrada del rendimiento de Sistemas de Gestión de los Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (SGRSU) a diferentes escalas y dimensiones, integrando el análisis de flujos biofísicos con variables socio-económicas. La utilidad y limitaciones de este procedimiento se han ilustrado a través de la aplicación a un caso de estudio: el Área Metropolitana de Nápoles (MAN), región de Campaña, sur de Italia. El método propuesto se puede utilizar para apoyar procesos de decisión entre diferentes opciones tecnológicas considerando simultáneamente diversos indicadores. Para ello se combinan dos elementos: (a) Un marco de análisis holístico que permite realizar análisis multi-escala y multi-criterio de: (i) un determinado SGRSU; (ii) las opciones tecnológicas derivadas de cambiar el sistema existente; (iii) las transformaciones generadas por nuevas tecnologías. (b) Un conjunto integrado de indicadores relacionados con los diferentes criterios y escalas de análisis. Éstos pueden ser seleccionados "a la carta" por actores sociales a través de procesos participativos con el objetivo de aumentar la calidad de la información utilizada en el proceso de gobernanza. Este innovador marco está basado en la teoría de redes metabólicas y en el método de contabilidad MuSIASEM (Análisis Multi-Escala Integrado del Metabolismo de la Sociedad y de los Ecosistemas). Siguiendo este enfoque, un SGRSU se percibe como un órgano de un sistema socio-ecológico que modula la interacción entre los procesos metabólicos de un área urbana, que consume productos y genera residuos. Este órgano además se relaciona con los ecosistemas que le proporcionan algunos de los suministros que necesita para operar, así como capacidad de sumidero local. El método de análisis integrado es capaz de caracterizar: (i) los flujos de residuos generados por el sistema urbano en términos de cantidad y calidad; (ii) el conjunto de requerimientos necesarios para el funcionamiento de las etapas del proceso (tecnología, empleo, energía, agua y flujos de materiales); (iii) el grado de apertura del sistema, es decir, los flujos de residuos urbanos importados o exportados en las diferentes etapas; (iv) los productos finales que se depositan en el medioambiente. Los datos preliminares del caso de estudio se han utilizado para ilustrar el método propuesto. El enfoque de la red metabólica se aplica para generar una representación multi-escala integrada del funcionamiento del actual SGRSU de MAN y una herramienta de apoyo a las decisiones que permite explorar posibles opciones tecnológicas. Esta herramienta se aplica a la evaluación de dos alternativas: "internalización del procesado de residuos" versus "aumento de la tasa de reciclaje". El análisis señala los diferentes costes asociados a cada una de las alternativas. La aplicación del método propuesto muestra su utilizad: (i) es semánticamente abierto puesto que se puede aplicar a diferentes contextos geográficos y culturales; (ii) es capaz de evaluar el efecto de condiciones impuestas por diferentes dimensiones como son la tecnológica, la económica y al social (viabilidad y deseabilidad) así como la ambiental (factibilidad); ilustra la inexistencia de soluciones óptimas en las intervenciones tecnológicas. Sin embargo, las herramientas analíticas testeadas demandan una gran cantidad de datos procedentes de múltiples y diversas fuentes. Realizar una evaluación robusta de la calidad de la información requiere tiempo y compromiso por parte de actores sociales que es difícil de mantener. Por último, la interacción con expertos en diferentes pasos del proceso ha mostrado la dificultad de generar discusiones más complejas sobre la 'foto amplia' del SGRSU. Este resultado abandera la importancia del desarrollo del conjunto de herramientas propuesto puesto que es capaz de aportar una visión más holística del funcionamiento de los SGRSU así como datos útiles para una toma de decisiones mejor informada.This dissertation develops a procedure for the integrated assessment of the performance of Municipal Solid Waste Management System (MSWMS) across dimensions and scales interfacing the quantitative analysis of biophysical flows with the socio-economic analysis. The usefulness and the shortcomings of this procedure have been tested in a real case study (The Metropolitan Area of Naples (MAN), Campania Region, Southern Italy). This procedure can be used as decision support system for carrying out an informed choice, based on the simultaneous consideration of different criteria of performance, when deciding about technological choices. The proposed decision support system combines two elements: (a) a holistic framework of analysis making it possible to carry out a multi-scale and multi-criteria analysis of: (i) the performance of a given MSWMS (ii) the option space of future changes in the existing network; (iii) the changes implied by the introduction of innovative technologies. (b) an integrated package of indicators referring to different criteria and scales that can be selected "à la carte" by social actors through participatory processes increasing the quality of the information used in the process of governance. The innovative holistic framework builds on the theory of metabolic networks and the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) accounting method. In this approach a MSWMS is perceived as an organ of a socio-ecological system that modulates the interaction between the metabolic processes of the urban area, which consume a flow of inputs and generate a flow of wastes, and those of the embedding ecosystems providing both some of the inputs used by the MSWMS and local sink capacity. The tool-kit for integrated analysis can characterize: (i) the waste flows produced by the urban system in terms of quantity and quality; (ii) the mix of inputs required for the operation of the stages of the waste management process, such as technology, employment, energy, water and material flows; (iii) the degree of openness of the system, that is, the imports and exports of urban waste flows in the stages of its operation; (iv) the final outputs released into the local environment. Preliminary data from the case study have been used to develop and illustrate the proposed theoretical framework. The metabolic network approach is then used to generate: (i) a multi-scale integrated representation of the current performance of the MSWMS of the MAN and (ii) a decision support tool to explore the policy option space. In relation to the last point, two alternative political options have been checked: "internalization of waste processing" and "increasing recycling rate". The analysis pinpoints the different trade-offs associated to each of them. The application of the proposed method shows its usefulness: (i) it is semantically open since it can be applied in different geographic and cultural contexts; (ii) it can evaluate the effects of constraints belonging to different incommensurable dimensions such as technical, economic and social (viability and desirability) and environmental (feasibility) and (iii) it illustrates that there are not optimal solutions when coming to technological interventions. However, the analytical tool-kit demands large amounts of data from multiple and variegated sources. A robust quality check of the information requires time and commitment of the different actors that is difficult to maintain. Last but not least, the interaction with experts on the different steps of the process has proven the difficulty in opening a more complex discussion about the "big picture" of MSWMS. This discovery flags again the importance of the development of the presented analytical tool-kit, capable of providing a more holistic vision of the functioning of the MSWMS and useful inputs for better informed decisions

Integrated assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Metabolism. The case of the Metropolitan Area of Naples, Italy

Esta tesis propone un método cuantitativo para la evaluación integrada del rendimiento de Sistemas de Gestión de los Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (SGRSU) a diferentes escalas y dimensiones, integrando el análisis de flujos biofísicos con variables socio-económicas. La utilidad y limitaciones de este procedimiento se han ilustrado a través de la aplicación a un caso de estudio: el Área Metropolitana de Nápoles (MAN), región de Campaña, sur de Italia. El método propuesto se puede utilizar para apoyar procesos de decisión entre diferentes opciones tecnológicas considerando simultáneamente diversos indicadores. Para ello se combinan dos elementos: (a) Un marco de análisis holístico que permite realizar análisis multi-escala y multi-criterio de: (i) un determinado SGRSU; (ii) las opciones tecnológicas derivadas de cambiar el sistema existente; (iii) las transformaciones generadas por nuevas tecnologías. (b) Un conjunto integrado de indicadores relacionados con los diferentes criterios y escalas de análisis. Éstos pueden ser seleccionados "a la carta" por actores sociales a través de procesos participativos con el objetivo de aumentar la calidad de la información utilizada en el proceso de gobernanza. Este innovador marco está basado en la teoría de redes metabólicas y en el método de contabilidad MuSIASEM (Análisis Multi-Escala Integrado del Metabolismo de la Sociedad y de los Ecosistemas). Siguiendo este enfoque, un SGRSU se percibe como un órgano de un sistema socio-ecológico que modula la interacción entre los procesos metabólicos de un área urbana, que consume productos y genera residuos. Este órgano además se relaciona con los ecosistemas que le proporcionan algunos de los suministros que necesita para operar, así como capacidad de sumidero local. El método de análisis integrado es capaz de caracterizar: (i) los flujos de residuos generados por el sistema urbano en términos de cantidad y calidad; (ii) el conjunto de requerimientos necesarios para el funcionamiento de las etapas del proceso (tecnología, empleo, energía, agua y flujos de materiales); (iii) el grado de apertura del sistema, es decir, los flujos de residuos urbanos importados o exportados en las diferentes etapas; (iv) los productos finales que se depositan en el medioambiente. Los datos preliminares del caso de estudio se han utilizado para ilustrar el método propuesto. El enfoque de la red metabólica se aplica para generar una representación multi-escala integrada del funcionamiento del actual SGRSU de MAN y una herramienta de apoyo a las decisiones que permite explorar posibles opciones tecnológicas. Esta herramienta se aplica a la evaluación de dos alternativas: “internalización del procesado de residuos” versus “aumento de la tasa de reciclaje”. El análisis señala los diferentes costes asociados a cada una de las alternativas. La aplicación del método propuesto muestra su utilizad: (i) es semánticamente abierto puesto que se puede aplicar a diferentes contextos geográficos y culturales; (ii) es capaz de evaluar el efecto de condiciones impuestas por diferentes dimensiones como son la tecnológica, la económica y al social (viabilidad y deseabilidad) así como la ambiental (factibilidad); ilustra la inexistencia de soluciones óptimas en las intervenciones tecnológicas. Sin embargo, las herramientas analíticas testeadas demandan una gran cantidad de datos procedentes de múltiples y diversas fuentes. Realizar una evaluación robusta de la calidad de la información requiere tiempo y compromiso por parte de actores sociales que es difícil de mantener. Por último, la interacción con expertos en diferentes pasos del proceso ha mostrado la dificultad de generar discusiones más complejas sobre la ‘foto amplia’ del SGRSU. Este resultado abandera la importancia del desarrollo del conjunto de herramientas propuesto puesto que es capaz de aportar una visión más holística del funcionamiento de los SGRSU así como datos útiles para una toma de decisiones mejor informada.This dissertation develops a procedure for the integrated assessment of the performance of Municipal Solid Waste Management System (MSWMS) across dimensions and scales interfacing the quantitative analysis of biophysical flows with the socio-economic analysis. The usefulness and the shortcomings of this procedure have been tested in a real case study (The Metropolitan Area of Naples (MAN), Campania Region, Southern Italy). This procedure can be used as decision support system for carrying out an informed choice, based on the simultaneous consideration of different criteria of performance, when deciding about technological choices. The proposed decision support system combines two elements: (a) a holistic framework of analysis making it possible to carry out a multi-scale and multi-criteria analysis of: (i) the performance of a given MSWMS (ii) the option space of future changes in the existing network; (iii) the changes implied by the introduction of innovative technologies. (b) an integrated package of indicators referring to different criteria and scales that can be selected “à la carte” by social actors through participatory processes increasing the quality of the information used in the process of governance. The innovative holistic framework builds on the theory of metabolic networks and the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) accounting method. In this approach a MSWMS is perceived as an organ of a socio-ecological system that modulates the interaction between the metabolic processes of the urban area, which consume a flow of inputs and generate a flow of wastes, and those of the embedding ecosystems providing both some of the inputs used by the MSWMS and local sink capacity. The tool-kit for integrated analysis can characterize: (i) the waste flows produced by the urban system in terms of quantity and quality; (ii) the mix of inputs required for the operation of the stages of the waste management process, such as technology, employment, energy, water and material flows; (iii) the degree of openness of the system, that is, the imports and exports of urban waste flows in the stages of its operation; (iv) the final outputs released into the local environment. Preliminary data from the case study have been used to develop and illustrate the proposed theoretical framework. The metabolic network approach is then used to generate: (i) a multi-scale integrated representation of the current performance of the MSWMS of the MAN and (ii) a decision support tool to explore the policy option space. In relation to the last point, two alternative political options have been checked: “internalization of waste processing” and “increasing recycling rate”. The analysis pinpoints the different trade-offs associated to each of them. The application of the proposed method shows its usefulness: (i) it is semantically open since it can be applied in different geographic and cultural contexts; (ii) it can evaluate the effects of constraints belonging to different incommensurable dimensions such as technical, economic and social (viability and desirability) and environmental (feasibility) and (iii) it illustrates that there are not optimal solutions when coming to technological interventions. However, the analytical tool-kit demands large amounts of data from multiple and variegated sources. A robust quality check of the information requires time and commitment of the different actors that is difficult to maintain. Last but not least, the interaction with experts on the different steps of the process has proven the difficulty in opening a more complex discussion about the “big picture” of MSWMS. This discovery flags again the importance of the development of the presented analytical tool-kit, capable of providing a more holistic vision of the functioning of the MSWMS and useful inputs for better informed decisions

Integrated assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Metabolism. The case of the Metropolitan Area of Naples, Italy

Esta tesis propone un método cuantitativo para la evaluación integrada del rendimiento de Sistemas de Gestión de los Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (SGRSU) a diferentes escalas y dimensiones, integrando el análisis de flujos biofísicos con variables socio-económicas. La utilidad y limitaciones de este procedimiento se han ilustrado a través de la aplicación a un caso de estudio: el Área Metropolitana de Nápoles (MAN), región de Campaña, sur de Italia. El método propuesto se puede utilizar para apoyar procesos de decisión entre diferentes opciones tecnológicas considerando simultáneamente diversos indicadores. Para ello se combinan dos elementos: (a) Un marco de análisis holístico que permite realizar análisis multi-escala y multi-criterio de: (i) un determinado SGRSU; (ii) las opciones tecnológicas derivadas de cambiar el sistema existente; (iii) las transformaciones generadas por nuevas tecnologías. (b) Un conjunto integrado de indicadores relacionados con los diferentes criterios y escalas de análisis. Éstos pueden ser seleccionados "a la carta" por actores sociales a través de procesos participativos con el objetivo de aumentar la calidad de la información utilizada en el proceso de gobernanza. Este innovador marco está basado en la teoría de redes metabólicas y en el método de contabilidad MuSIASEM (Análisis Multi-Escala Integrado del Metabolismo de la Sociedad y de los Ecosistemas). Siguiendo este enfoque, un SGRSU se percibe como un órgano de un sistema socio-ecológico que modula la interacción entre los procesos metabólicos de un área urbana, que consume productos y genera residuos. Este órgano además se relaciona con los ecosistemas que le proporcionan algunos de los suministros que necesita para operar, así como capacidad de sumidero local. El método de análisis integrado es capaz de caracterizar: (i) los flujos de residuos generados por el sistema urbano en términos de cantidad y calidad; (ii) el conjunto de requerimientos necesarios para el funcionamiento de las etapas del proceso (tecnología, empleo, energía, agua y flujos de materiales); (iii) el grado de apertura del sistema, es decir, los flujos de residuos urbanos importados o exportados en las diferentes etapas; (iv) los productos finales que se depositan en el medioambiente. Los datos preliminares del caso de estudio se han utilizado para ilustrar el método propuesto. El enfoque de la red metabólica se aplica para generar una representación multi-escala integrada del funcionamiento del actual SGRSU de MAN y una herramienta de apoyo a las decisiones que permite explorar posibles opciones tecnológicas. Esta herramienta se aplica a la evaluación de dos alternativas: “internalización del procesado de residuos” versus “aumento de la tasa de reciclaje”. El análisis señala los diferentes costes asociados a cada una de las alternativas. La aplicación del método propuesto muestra su utilizad: (i) es semánticamente abierto puesto que se puede aplicar a diferentes contextos geográficos y culturales; (ii) es capaz de evaluar el efecto de condiciones impuestas por diferentes dimensiones como son la tecnológica, la económica y al social (viabilidad y deseabilidad) así como la ambiental (factibilidad); ilustra la inexistencia de soluciones óptimas en las intervenciones tecnológicas. Sin embargo, las herramientas analíticas testeadas demandan una gran cantidad de datos procedentes de múltiples y diversas fuentes. Realizar una evaluación robusta de la calidad de la información requiere tiempo y compromiso por parte de actores sociales que es difícil de mantener. Por último, la interacción con expertos en diferentes pasos del proceso ha mostrado la dificultad de generar discusiones más complejas sobre la ‘foto amplia’ del SGRSU. Este resultado abandera la importancia del desarrollo del conjunto de herramientas propuesto puesto que es capaz de aportar una visión más holística del funcionamiento de los SGRSU así como datos útiles para una toma de decisiones mejor informada.This dissertation develops a procedure for the integrated assessment of the performance of Municipal Solid Waste Management System (MSWMS) across dimensions and scales interfacing the quantitative analysis of biophysical flows with the socio-economic analysis. The usefulness and the shortcomings of this procedure have been tested in a real case study (The Metropolitan Area of Naples (MAN), Campania Region, Southern Italy). This procedure can be used as decision support system for carrying out an informed choice, based on the simultaneous consideration of different criteria of performance, when deciding about technological choices. The proposed decision support system combines two elements: (a) a holistic framework of analysis making it possible to carry out a multi-scale and multi-criteria analysis of: (i) the performance of a given MSWMS (ii) the option space of future changes in the existing network; (iii) the changes implied by the introduction of innovative technologies. (b) an integrated package of indicators referring to different criteria and scales that can be selected “à la carte” by social actors through participatory processes increasing the quality of the information used in the process of governance. The innovative holistic framework builds on the theory of metabolic networks and the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) accounting method. In this approach a MSWMS is perceived as an organ of a socio-ecological system that modulates the interaction between the metabolic processes of the urban area, which consume a flow of inputs and generate a flow of wastes, and those of the embedding ecosystems providing both some of the inputs used by the MSWMS and local sink capacity. The tool-kit for integrated analysis can characterize: (i) the waste flows produced by the urban system in terms of quantity and quality; (ii) the mix of inputs required for the operation of the stages of the waste management process, such as technology, employment, energy, water and material flows; (iii) the degree of openness of the system, that is, the imports and exports of urban waste flows in the stages of its operation; (iv) the final outputs released into the local environment. Preliminary data from the case study have been used to develop and illustrate the proposed theoretical framework. The metabolic network approach is then used to generate: (i) a multi-scale integrated representation of the current performance of the MSWMS of the MAN and (ii) a decision support tool to explore the policy option space. In relation to the last point, two alternative political options have been checked: “internalization of waste processing” and “increasing recycling rate”. The analysis pinpoints the different trade-offs associated to each of them. The application of the proposed method shows its usefulness: (i) it is semantically open since it can be applied in different geographic and cultural contexts; (ii) it can evaluate the effects of constraints belonging to different incommensurable dimensions such as technical, economic and social (viability and desirability) and environmental (feasibility) and (iii) it illustrates that there are not optimal solutions when coming to technological interventions. However, the analytical tool-kit demands large amounts of data from multiple and variegated sources. A robust quality check of the information requires time and commitment of the different actors that is difficult to maintain. Last but not least, the interaction with experts on the different steps of the process has proven the difficulty in opening a more complex discussion about the “big picture” of MSWMS. This discovery flags again the importance of the development of the presented analytical tool-kit, capable of providing a more holistic vision of the functioning of the MSWMS and useful inputs for better informed decisions

Landfill reactions to society actions : the case of local and global air pollutants of Cerro Patacón in Panama

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu MdM-2015-0552This paper studies landfill emissions and the related environmental and health risks in Panama City, with the aim to sensitize the population about the harmful effects of irresponsible resource consumption and non-deliberate solid waste generation that it is disposed of in an uncontrolled manner in landfills. Empirical data on Cerro Patacón, Panama City's landfill was obtained to describe the status of municipal waste disposal. Ten known methane generation models were used to estimate the yearly emission rate of methane from the landfill for a 100-year period starting from its inception in 1986. From the models used, the GasSIM model was chosen to estimate emission rates of six long-term hazardous air pollutants. The AERMOD source dispersion model was used to simulate their atmospheric downwind dispersion by levels of concentration over nearby affected communities; results were mapped in Google Earth. The relative contributions by population of the 32 towns making up Panama City to the forecasted waste generation in 2022 and related hazardous air pollutants emission rates from the landfill were assessed. It was found that Cerro Patacón will generate 45% of the countrywide methane generation by 2022; an average of 47 Gg. The solid waste generated by the 1.5 million inhabitants of Panama City impacts the health of ~73,600 inhabitants in nearby communities through the dispersion of hazardous atmospheric pollutants derived from the landfill. The highest emission rates were from hydrogen sulfide and dichloromethane, which can be largely attributed to the waste generated by the communities of Juan Diaz and Tocúmen. The concentration of hydrogen sulfide and benzene was over the reference concentration (uncertainty factor spanning three orders of magnitude) for all communities and years simulated. The concentration of vinyl chloride was over the RfC for all communities and years simulated, except in 2018 for 12 communities

Does recyclable separation reduce the cost of municipal waste management in Japan?

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a system involving multiple sub-systems that typically require demanding inputs, materials and resources to properly process generated waste throughput. For this reason, MSW management is generally one of the most expensive services provided by municipalities. In this paper, we analyze the Japanese MSW management system and estimate the cost elasticity with respect to the waste volumes at three treatment stages: collection, processing, and disposal. Although we observe economies of scale at all three stages, the collection cost is less elastic than the disposal cost. We also examine whether source separation at home affects the cost of MSW management. The empirical results show that the separate collection of the recyclable fraction leads to reduced processing costs at intermediate treatment facilities, but does not change the overall waste management cost. Our analysis also reveals that the cost of waste management systems decreases when the service is provided by private companies through a public tender. The cost decreases even more when the service is performed under the coordination of adjacent municipalities

Robust information for effective municipal solid waste policies : identifying behaviour of waste generation across spatial levels of organization

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MExisting studies have studied influencing factors of MSW generation behaviour at different spatial levels of organization, but always one at a time and not simultaneously. Income is a strong influencing factor, affecting MSW generation from the individual to the country level, capable of hiding the effects of the others. This study shows that when MSW generation behaviour is holistically analysed across multiple levels of organization (individuals, households, and communities) hierarchically organized as functional units of MSW generation within a specific study area, it is possible to identify influencing factors in addition to income (education, demographic, health, ethnic, economic activity and financial types) as explanatory variables. Increasing the number of influencing factors of MSW generation makes it possible to create a robust knowledge base for MSW management policies in fast-growing urban areas of developing countries, improving the information used to select proper policies and plans within their MSW management systems and avoiding overlapping policies causing legal gaps. Betania, an urban area of the Panama City district, has been chosen as a case study area. The results show that the household income explains 86% of its memberś MSW generation and the community indigenous population explains 21% of householdś MSW generation. It is concluded that MSW generation is not linear across levels, it has as many degrees of freedom as influencing factors shaping the levels of organization where functional units generating waste exist. Influencing factors appearing at each spatial level affects MSW generation in an interdependent manner in variable degrees of magnitude

A holistic framework for the integrated assessment of urban waste management systems

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu MdM-2015-0552Altres ajuts: LIFE11 ENV/DE/343We report on the development of a holistic framework to organize and integrate quantitative information characterizing the performance of Urban Waste Management Systems (UWMS) across dimensions and scales. The framework builds on the theory of metabolic networks and the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) accounting method. We perceive the UWMS as an organ of a socio-ecological system that modulates the interaction between the metabolic processes of the urban area and those of the embedding ecosystems providing inputs and local sink capacity. Building on these premises, we can define: (i) the flow of wastes produced by the urban system in quantity and quality; (ii) the mix of inputs required for the operation of the different stages of the waste management process, such as technology, labor, energy, water and material flows; (iii) the degree of openness of the system, that is, the imports and exports of urban waste flows in the different stages of its operation; (iv) the final outputs released into the local environment. The proposed framework can accommodate various indicators referring to the socio-economic performance of the UWMS (viability and desirability) and those related to environmental impact/stress (feasibility). Theoretical considerations are illustrated with preliminary data from a case study on the Metropolitan Area of Naples, Italy

A holistic framework for the integrated assessment of urban waste management systems

We report on the development of a holistic framework to organize and integrate quantitative information characterizing the performance of Urban Waste Management Systems (UWMS) across dimensions and scales. The framework builds on the theory of metabolic networks and the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) accounting method. We perceive the UWMS as an organ of a socio-ecological system that modulates the interaction between the metabolic processes of the urban area and those of the embedding ecosystems providing inputs and local sink capacity. Building on these premises, we can define: (i) the flow of wastes produced by the urban system in quantity and quality; (ii) the mix of inputs required for the operation of the different stages of the waste management process, such as technology, labor, energy, water and material flows; (iii) the degree of openness of the system, that is, the imports and exports of urban waste flows in the different stages of its operation; (iv) the final outputs released into the local environment. The proposed framework can accommodate various indicators referring to the socio-economic performance of the UWMS (viability and desirability) and those related to environmental impact/stress (feasibility). Theoretical considerations are illustrated with preliminary data from a case study on the Metropolitan Area of Naples, Italy