Dear Lala Behari Sukla,

I thank you for interesting contributions. In particular I want to underline that it is possible to move towards a circular economy, increasing material recovery, and without a strict need of an incinerator. Milan city, in Italy, has an incinerator, but since 2 years ago introduced organic kerbside collection, dramatically increasing recycling rate. Incompliancy rate is very low (

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/sites/default/files/26_Waste_disposal.pdf

Dear Lala Behari Sukla, 

please see recently published research on the analysis of waste management system. We have identified the main internal and external variables in waste management system and also have studied bottle-neck within the system. This model is mathematically modeled and validated, thus allowing to be adjusted for other system under interest. 

If you are interested in full length paper, please sent a request and I will gladly provide the paper.

Regards, Lelde

Article Dynamic modelling of a collection scheme of waste portable b...

Dear Lelde Timma,

Thanks for interesting answers.This is an interesting paper on the analysis of waste management system.I request you to send the paper in the following [email protected].

Regards,

Sukla

There is a wide array of issues relating to waste management and those areas include:

• Generation of waste

• Waste minimization

• Waste removal

• Waste transportation

• Waste treatment

• Recycling and reuse

• Storage, collection, transport, and transfer

• Treatment

• Landfill disposal

• Environmental considerations

• Financial and marketing aspects

• Policy and regulations

• Education and training

• Planning and implementation.

The main problem is not mentioned - the separation of waste fractions such as biological waste for composting or plastics waste for recycling N(with additional separation) or waste from construction. It has to be considered if this is done by the origins of waste (i. e. households) or on a central plant (waste treatment plants with biological part, plastics part, and resudual part). You have to consider if waste incineration of the non-separated waste is the better (economic and ecological way - the latter has to consider the total system and perform ecobalance investigation).

interesting, key point in waste management is SEGREGATION of different types of waste as paper, plastic, polyethene,wood, metals, biodegradable,dust etc

RECYCLE-send for recycle paper, plastic,metals etc

biodegradable waste can be degraded and used as manure in kitchen garden

I have addressed many of the challenges related to solid waste management and in particular to recoiling in my research on 'participatory sustainable waste management'; which encompasses inclusive forms of working with the informal recycling sector, mostly focused on countries in the global south. We have done some research also on binning (informal recycling) in Canada. Most of my publications are available on the research gate website and on this website:  www.JuttaGutberlet.com.

my publication related to hospital waste management is available at research site.

Dear Reema kumari,

,I was happy to see some of your paper on hospital waste management.Your contribution is significant in the management of Hospital waste

Best regards,

Sukla

Disposal of urban waste is going to be a formidable challenge in our country. According to some estimates, the urban areas in the country are generating 188,500 tonnes of garbage every day. With the population increasing and the incomes going up, by 2040, this is expected to reach a staggering level of 440,000 tonnes a day.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/columns/Next-Step-in-Clean-up-Campaign/2014/10/13/article2474403.ece

Mechanical Biological waste treatment plants (MBT Plants) are one of the sophisticated approaches to treating mixed household waste. In these processes some parts of the waste is mechanically removed and the others is biologically treated leading to more stable and smaller fractions of residue. The output of such plants usually consists of valuable recyclables, compost, solid fuel, and biogas. Especially in countries where incineration of MSW economically is not feasible, MBTs could be a good solution. That being said, one should bare in mind that treating mixed municipal waste consumes significant amount of energy and money therefore it should not replace separate collection and treatment of waste. 

Far from stopping at that common horizon, the European Union has decided to go one step further. To promote the sustainable management of urban waste, the Commission has adopted a new strategy with updated targets: achieving a recycling rate of 70% by 2030.

With this measure, the EU intends to promote what is known as the circular economy, which is able to take care of the environment, guarantee the sustainability of the planet, and at the same time recover materials that still have some life left in them so that they are not just discarded as mere urban waste. Also, starting in 2025, it will be illegal to burn urban waste in garbage dumps.

The European Commissioner for Research, Innovation, and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, highlighted the importance of R&D to achieve this “circular economy”. In recent years, the EU has promoted a variety of scientific projects with an important focus on environmental sustainability.

http://blogthinkbig.com/en/europe-to-recycle-70-of-its-urban-waste-by-2030/

Our ability to solve the recycling of urban waste could influence the future of humanity. Currently in developed countries and even more in emerging countries, cities become giant with countless populations source of pollution and generating waste that accumulate and whose treatment can increase the level of pollution.

Produce more and faster; to sell more and at any price are the goals of our world...Paradoxically, the current economic crisis is more protective of the old industrial nations (Europe, North America) which have lower growth but higher organization to reflect on the treatment of urban waste and to manage it...than the new economic powers with high growth (China, India or Brazil ) which imagine possible solutions quickly (Wang J 2010;  Chi X 2011, etc.) but seem to be taken speed by this growing problem...

Can we reasonably believe we will find a lasting solution to this problem if the poals of our society (ies) are not ajusted ?

Thank you so much for the quality of the links povided.

Dear Lala Behari Sukla,

I thank you for interesting contributions. In particular I want to underline that it is possible to move towards a circular economy, increasing material recovery, and without a strict need of an incinerator. Milan city, in Italy, has an incinerator, but since 2 years ago introduced organic kerbside collection, dramatically increasing recycling rate. Incompliancy rate is very low (

Australians generate more than 140,000 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) each year and most of it ends up in landfill. As well as putting more pressure on limited landfill capacity, e-waste can be hazardous as it contains toxic materials.

To keep recyclable e-waste out of landfill, the City of Sydney offers free quarterly drop-off days.

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/live/waste-and-recycling/e-waste-and-chemicals/e-waste

Thank you very much for interesting informations Marco.

As I can see the point that Mr. Caniato is making, I must add that importance of incineration is of no doubt. Most of the hazardous wastes destination is incineration plants! I can say incineration plants are one of the important parts of an industrial country, that's why the focus of such countries is on improving the incineration process and flue gas cleaning so it has minimum effect on environment and is economically compatible. On the other hand, Landfills are acting as a threat on environment especially groundwater. That's where aerobic and anaerobic treatment of waste becomes important. In Germany it has been years that landfill of untreated waste is forbidden while there are still countries that don't place required attention to this matter.  

Dear Sadaf, I agree with you about the current importance of incineration, but I feel that it is important to have a vision of the long run. I try to explain better

MSW are, per definition, non-hazardous, excluding a very small part (e.g. domestic healthcare, batteries, fluorescent lamps). We should focus to recover as much material as possible (with BAT at a reasonable cost). In this way we can achieve immediately very good results. If we can address industrial production towards a circular economy, recycling rate can increase, and residual waste probably will not justify incineration construction (for MSW only, including special MSW-like material). If it is also for hazardous waste or it is a co-incineration plant, it is a different topic. Incineration by-products are a clear problem: you produce some dioxins and furans (far less than in the past, but still they are produced), as well as hazardous flying ash, which requires a dedicated disposal site (bottom ash can be recycled, instead). If we can choose between a system which produces hazardous waste and another which does not, which one should we prefer (if the quantity of waste going to landfill is similar, as well as the cost: we have to satisfy such conditions!)? Personally I feel that if governemets really implemented material recovery actions, now in few sites in world incineration plants would cost-effective (for MSW only).

Speaking about hazardous waste, some cannot be treated with incineration (e.g. radioactive waste, heavy-metals from batteries, EEW). Others could be treated with different technologies (e.g. infectious waste with autoclaving, microwaves), while only some chemicals can be reasonably treated only with incineration (e.g. pharmaceuticals, chemiotherapic, drugs, heavy organic compounds). Incineration is a "simple" solution, but now others are available or are getting ready. Maybe at the present moment it is still the most cost-effective, but we should be ready to move towards that does not harm at all, as soon as possible.

Regards

Strategies used for recycling urban waste may include the following:

Changing the public perception on waste management and promote it as an integrative and sustainable process;

Changing waste management practices & its impact on green economy;

 Recycling and disposal of e-waste and its impact on a global scale;

 Waste management strategies for urban-developing world;

Promoting recycling vs. landfilling vs. incineration;

 Improper disposal of waste including illegal dumping & transportation;

 Universal strategies for rehabilitation of contaminated sites;

•Universal strategies for safe waste water use and processing

As an applied scientist, I have enjoyed the informed remarks of all of you.  The management of solid waste is less problematic than the management of liquid waste and fresh drinking water.  During the past three years I have developed a process for treating and reusing poultry slaughter wastewater without the use of chemicals.  Using aerobic and anaerobic processes the finished wastewater (BOD < 2) is placed on crop fields using pivot irrigation systems.  The nutrients are recycled to the crops for animal feed while the water is transpired through the crop to precipitate out as dew the following morning within 200 Km.  The water and nutrients stay in the bioregion.  

I think the discussion of circular economy is valuable but does not go far enough. Urban area are strictly consumptive.  They produce no food, water or energy.  Yet, they are totally capable of using their space to produce electricity (solar, wind and biogas).  It is not acceptable to think of them as the recyclers.  They, as well as the rural areas, must be productive and drive, at a minimum, the production of energy.  Some of the nutrients found in both the solid and liquid waste contain near horizons for availability.  Others, say phosphorus, are more abundant but again limited. First the nutrient loads must be captured prior to recycling. It is the capturing technology and methodology that the shortfall of expertise occurs.  i would encourage everyone to focus on the applied science of the capturing of the nutrients.  It is here we need to do the most work.  

Globally, one million people migrate to urban center every week.  The top 10 cities in the world contain more than 220 million people and global population figures place 2050 at 10 billion people.  The urban centers become even more important for production of energy as we move into a global cooling period during the next 15 years.  

Dear all, thank you for discussion. I would like to add, that we should always keep in mind very a simple concept as waste hierarchy. In my opinion this concept is straightforward - incineration is a short term solution and in long run we should aim for the top of hierarchy - waste prevention. Here comes in play things like eco-design, industrial symbiosis, upcycling etc. 

I read in the book "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things" by Braungart and McDonough, that ultimate target for mankind would be to produce products, which not only does no create waste, but also creates benefit for environment. As example, there were mentioned a cherry tree, which produces products (cherries) and by-products (fallen leaves in Autumn). In nature there are no waste, because fallen leaves became important source of nutrition for tree, thus cycles are closed. 

If to apply the same concept in industry, it should aim to produce products, which are easy to recycle and/or when becoming "waste" product disintegrates as simple nutrition for soil. Industrial processes should aim to became from polluters, to cleaners of the environment. What if a factory not only consumes water from river and gives it back under minimal requirement, but instead after process gives back "better" water for populations to strive in this river. Sound like science fictions, but there are places where these concepts works.

I believe in long run there would not be discipline as waste management, but instead resource management. 

regards, Lelde

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_hierarchy#mediaviewer/File:Waste_hierarchy.svg

It is very good point, maybe too optimistic in short term, but of course it should be what to aim at.

About it, I suggest the book "Blue Economy" written by Gunter Pauli. The idea is to create circular economy establishing local close systems aiming at the waste minimization (everything is an input for a new user). It is very inspiring

http://www.blueeconomy.eu/

http://www.theblueeconomy.org/blue/Home.html

http://www.gunterpauli.com/Gunter_Pauli/The_Blue_Economy.html

Orange County's waste water facility is the world's biggest treatment plant, pumping 70m gallons of water a day to recharge groundwater levels. Now the state – which is in the midst of a historic drought – is expanding the plant. The $140m expansion will recycle 100m gallons of water a day and provide water to an additional 250,000 residents in the state. Suzanne Goldenberg visits the Fountain Valley plant and takes a sip of the treated water

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2014/aug/07/california-drought-recycling-waste-water-orange-county

Well given  answers Lala.

Excellent article and typical of California to be leading the way. 

Here in Rome Italy, I am working with an European financed project (SIDIG-MED) concerning urban agriculture, then urban gardens. We are introducing the idea of  creating parks with horticultural hobby parcels. We are also introducing the idea of  composting home organic wastes within the hobby gardening parcels.

Dear all,

I am pleased to inform you that the final version of our article is now available online.

There is free access to our article valid for 50 days, until January 25, 2015 by following link: http://authors.elsevier.com/a/1Q9Rx3QCo9AcRt

No sign up or registration is needed - just click and read!

Best regards, Lelde Timma

Article Dynamic modelling of a collection scheme of waste portable b...

Dear Mr Sukla, in my opinion waste recycling strategies  have to be choosen case by case taking into account regional and local issues. My experience in Spain is that some composting plants are not able to sell the produced compost, biomethanization plants may involve complexity in their operation, sorting plants are high energy consuming options and WtE plants generate a considerable amount of fly and bottom ashes to landfilling. Probably the best strategy is a proper mix of some of this available technologies based on the waste properties, the waste collection systems and the local and regional issues (energy cost, possibilities of selling the recycled products, etc.). An interesting new option for waste recycling is provided by the Waste to Biofuel plants. Nowadays a Spanish Engineering Company is developing this option. If you are interested in this technology you can visit this website:

http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/2014/10/abengoa-opens-21-mw-95m-litre-waste-to-biofuel-energy-plant-in-kansas.html

https://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/documents/2010/nov/qld%20waste%20reduction%20strategy/Attachments/waste-strategy.pdf

The concept of recycling and reuse is well embedded in India largely

due to prevailing socio-economic conditions and partly due to traditional

practices. In India some cities have become a hub for recycling activities as

considerable amounts of recyclable materials also come from adjoining

towns and villages. Recycling industry mainly process paper, plastic, glass

and metals. But recycling is not a solution to all problems. It is not a solution to managing every kind of waste material. For many items recycling technologies are unavailable or unsafe. In some cases, cost of recycling is too high. Recycling forms a big part of informal sector engaged in solid waste management.Waste recycling has, in fact, both organized and unorganized sections. The lower segments working as waste and dump-pickers, itinerant waste buyers, and small traders come under the unorganized segment, while the big traders, wholesalers and manufacturers come under the organized segment of the waste-recycling sector.

Good fternoon.

Is any body involded in urban timber management ?? I'll be happy to get in tough.

Franco Paolinelli Roma Italy.