Sustainable Solid Waste Management: Towards a Complete and Effective Strategy

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Petroleum Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Australian University (AU), Kuwait

Abstract

The solid waste problem remains a major concern worldwide because there is no long-term solution. Population growth, shrinking open areas, and the absence of national strategies and policies have led to this major crisis. The current systems cannot handle the large amounts of waste generated, affecting the environment and public health. Challenges and obstacles are important, as are opportunities. This research aims to shed light on the need to ensure solid waste's effective and sound management to achieve sustainable development goals. In addition, this paper explains the historical and modern drivers of solid waste management while presenting a general and complete classification of waste. Furthermore, it reviews the entire sustainable solid waste management scheme, from collection and transportation to sorting and recycling, to accessing the different technologies used to treat solid waste. The latest treatment and energy recovery technologies will be discussed, such as waste incineration, composting, pyrolysis, gasification, plasma technology, anaerobic digestion, and others. Finally, this research presents several scientific and practical recommendations with sustainable strategies and policies to promote an effective and complete solid waste management plan, which contributes to promoting a sustainable circular economy. It is impossible to establish a sustainable and livable society without rational management of its waste. Waste management will guide the entire world to contribute together towards achieving peace and justice and living in harmony with nature.

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