What a Waste : A Global Review of Solid Waste Management
01 Mar 2012-pp 1-116
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors estimate that the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated by urban populations is growing even faster than the rate of urbanization and that by 2025 this will likely increase to 4.3 billion urban residents.
Abstract: Solid waste management is the one thing just about every city government provides for its residents. While service levels, environmental impacts and costs vary dramatically, solid waste management is arguably the most important municipal service and serves as a prerequisite for other municipal action. As the world hurtles toward its urban future, the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW), one of the most important by-products of an urban lifestyle, is growing even faster than the rate of urbanization. Ten years ago there were 2.9 billion urban residents who generated about 0.64 kg of MSW per person per day (0.68 billion tonnes per year). This report estimates that today these amounts have increased to about 3 billion residents generating 1.2 kg per person per day (1.3 billion tonnes per year). By 2025 this will likely increase to 4.3 billion urban residents generating about 1.42 kg/capita/day of municipal solid waste (2.2 billion tonnes per year).
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TL;DR: By identifying and synthesizing dispersed data on production, use, and end-of-life management of polymer resins, synthetic fibers, and additives, this work presents the first global analysis of all mass-produced plastics ever manufactured.
Abstract: Plastics have outgrown most man-made materials and have long been under environmental scrutiny. However, robust global information, particularly about their end-of-life fate, is lacking. By identifying and synthesizing dispersed data on production, use, and end-of-life management of polymer resins, synthetic fibers, and additives, we present the first global analysis of all mass-produced plastics ever manufactured. We estimate that 8300 million metric tons (Mt) as of virgin plastics have been produced to date. As of 2015, approximately 6300 Mt of plastic waste had been generated, around 9% of which had been recycled, 12% was incinerated, and 79% was accumulated in landfills or the natural environment. If current production and waste management trends continue, roughly 12,000 Mt of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050.
7,707 citations
TL;DR: This work combines available data on solid waste with a model that uses population density and economic status to estimate the amount of land-based plastic waste entering the ocean, which is estimated to be 275 million metric tons.
Abstract: Plastic debris in the marine environment is widely documented, but the quantity of plastic entering the ocean from waste generated on land is unknown. By linking worldwide data on solid waste, population density, and economic status, we estimated the mass of land-based plastic waste entering the ocean. We calculate that 275 million metric tons (MT) of plastic waste was generated in 192 coastal countries in 2010, with 4.8 to 12.7 million MT entering the ocean. Population size and the quality of waste management systems largely determine which countries contribute the greatest mass of uncaptured waste available to become plastic marine debris. Without waste management infrastructure improvements, the cumulative quantity of plastic waste available to enter the ocean from land is predicted to increase by an order of magnitude by 2025.
6,689 citations
01 Jan 2015
5,515 citations
TL;DR: A global model of plastic inputs from rivers into oceans based on waste management, population density and hydrological information is presented to provide baseline data for ocean plastic mass balance exercises, and assist in prioritizing future plastic debris monitoring and mitigation strategies.
Abstract: Plastics in the marine environment have become a major concern because of their persistence at sea, and adverse consequences to marine life and potentially human health. Implementing mitigation strategies requires an understanding and quantification of marine plastic sources, taking spatial and temporal variability into account. Here we present a global model of plastic inputs from rivers into oceans based on waste management, population density and hydrological information. Our model is calibrated against measurements available in the literature. We estimate that between 1.15 and 2.41 million tonnes of plastic waste currently enters the ocean every year from rivers, with over 74% of emissions occurring between May and October. The top 20 polluting rivers, mostly located in Asia, account for 67% of the global total. The findings of this study provide baseline data for ocean plastic mass balance exercises, and assist in prioritizing future plastic debris monitoring and mitigation strategies. Rivers provide a major pathway for ocean plastic waste, but effective mitigation is dependent on a quantification of active sources. Here, the authors present a global model of riverine plastic inputs, and estimate annual plastic waste of almost 2.5 million tonnes, with 86% sourced from Asia.
2,083 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that fish, exposed to a mixture of polyethylene with chemical pollutants sorbed from the marine environment, bioaccumulate these chemical pollutants and suffer liver toxicity and pathology, and that future assessments should consider the complex mixture of the plastic material and their associated chemical pollutants.
Abstract: Plastic debris litters aquatic habitats globally, the majority of which is microscopic (< 1 mm) and is ingested by a large range of species. Risks associated with such small fragments come from the material itself and from chemical pollutants that sorb to it from surrounding water. Hazards associated with the complex mixture of plastic and accumulated pollutants are largely unknown. Here, we show that fish, exposed to a mixture of polyethylene with chemical pollutants sorbed from the marine environment, bioaccumulate these chemical pollutants and suffer liver toxicity and pathology. Fish fed virgin polyethylene fragments also show signs of stress, although less severe than fish fed marine polyethylene fragments. We provide baseline information regarding the bioaccumulation of chemicals and associated health effects from plastic ingestion in fish and demonstrate that future assessments should consider the complex mixture of the plastic material and their associated chemical pollutants.
1,325 citations
References
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01 Jan 1993
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the evolution of solid waste management, including the sources, composition, and properties of municipal solid waste, as well as the sources and types of Hazardous Wastes Found in Municipal Solid Waste.
Abstract: I Perspectives 1 Evolution of Solid Waste Management 2 Legislative Trends and Impacts II Sources, Composition, and Properties of Solid Waste 3 Sources, Types, and Composition of Municipal Solid Waste 4 Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties of Municipal Solid Waste 5 Sources, Types and Properties of Hazardous Wastes Found In Municipal Solid Waste III Engineering Principles 6 Generation of Solid Wastes 7 Waste Handling and Separation, Storage, and Processing at the Source 8 Collection of Solid Wastes 9 Separation and Processing and Transformation of Waste Materials 10 Transfer and Transport 11 Disposal and Solid Wastes and Residual Matter IV Separation, Transformation, and Recycling of Waste Materials 12 Materials Separation and Processing Technologies 13 Thermal Conversion Technologies 14 Biological and Chemical Conversion Technologies 15 Recycling of Materials Found in Municipal Solid Waste V Closure, Restoration, and Rehabilitation of Landfills 16 Remedial Actions for Abandoned Waste Disposal Sites VI Solid Waste Management and Planning Issues 17 Meeting Federal and State Mandated Diversion Goals 18 Implementation of Solid Waste Management Options 19 Planning, Siting, and Permitting of Waste Management Facilities Appendixes
1,822 citations
01 Jul 2006
TL;DR: The Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) as mentioned in this paper was established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at its 14th session (October 1998), to oversee the national greenhouse gas inventory (NGGIP) program.
Abstract: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988. Its main objective was to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to the understanding of human induced climate change, potential impacts of climate change and options for mitigation and adaptation. The IPCC has completed three assessment reports, developed methodology guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories, special reports and technical papers. The IPCC has three working groups and a task force: Working Group I (WG I): The science of climate change; Working Group II (WG II): Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability; Working Group III (WG III): Mitigation of climate change; Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI). The TFI was established by the IPCC, at its 14th session (October 1998), to oversee the IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme (IPCC-NGGIP). This programme had been undertaken since 1991 by the IPCC WG I in close collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). In 1999, the Technical Support Unit (TSU) set up at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Japan took over this programme in accordance with a decision taken by the IPCC at its 14th session. The objectives of the IPCC-NGGIP are: to develop and refine an internationally-agreed methodology and software for the calculation and reporting of national GHG emissions and removals; and to encourage the widespread use of this methodology by countries participating in the IPCC and by signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The guidelines are presented in 4 volumes: Volume 1. General Guidance and Reporting; Volume 2. Energy; Volume 3. Industrial Processes and Product Use; Volume 4. Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use; Volume 5. Waste.
1,790 citations
TL;DR: This paper conceptually evaluate issues surrounding the sustainability of SWM and proposes a multi-pronged integrated approach for improvement that achieves sustainable SWM in the context of national policy and legal frameworks, institutional arrangement, appropriate technology, operational and financial management, and public awareness and participation.
544 citations
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the waste quantities and characteristics, storage and collection, materials recovery and recycling, disposal, hazardous waste, waste from industry and commercial activity, health and safety issues, environment issues, and issues in disaster affected area.
Abstract: Waste quantities and characteristics.- Storage and collection.- Materials recovery and recycling.- Disposal.- Biomedical waste.- Hazardous waste.- Waste from electrical and electronic equipment.- Waste from industry and commertial activity.- Radio active waste.- Health and safety issues.- Environmetal issues.- Issues in disaster affected area.- Solid waste and livelihood.
336 citations