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Article
Publication date: 9 August 2011

Vassilis J. Inglezakis and Antonis Zorpas

The aim of the present study is to present in a systematic way the subject of industrial hazardous waste from the point-of-view of definitions in engineering, science and…

1666

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study is to present in a systematic way the subject of industrial hazardous waste from the point-of-view of definitions in engineering, science and legislation. This analysis is necessary, as many different approaches and overlapping definitions are used for the classification of waste, leading to different results, a situation that often complicates the collection and interpretation of data on waste.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is conducted by bringing together the extended experience of the authors and other experts in the field of environmental legislation and a wide variety of scientific and legislative sources as well as articles and research reports. The focus is the European Union, while several approaches from the international area are presented.

Findings

The study presents and clarifies several waste typologies and provides a roadmap for professionals and researchers in the field of waste management. Furthermore, the findings reveal the need for a unified and robust definition of the term as well as the need for globalization of similar terms in order to unify and value the relevant data.

Practical implications

The study highlights the problem of definitions and approaches as well as the gap between what engineers and legislation experts mean by the term industrial hazardous waste. The paper represents an effort to establish a basis for unification of the relevant terms.

Originality/value

The paper provides an in-depth analysis on the industrial hazardous waste field and the relevant problems including actual data found in the international literature. The value of the research is that it brings together all existing experience and knowledge in the field in the form of a review paper, useful for professional and policy makers in the field.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 22 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2000

Abimbola Y. Sangodoyin and Stephen F. Ipadeola

In this study, characterization of hazardous wastes components, treatment and disposal systems were examined for Southwestern Nigeria. The data were used to assess the…

1262

Abstract

In this study, characterization of hazardous wastes components, treatment and disposal systems were examined for Southwestern Nigeria. The data were used to assess the effectiveness of monitoring systems and existing regulations on the subject and to proffer solutions for efficient management. Three sources of hazardous wastes were examined, namely: household units, commercial enterprises and industrial outfits. The household units, which were further classified into high, medium and low income earner groups, produced wastes with hazardous components of 5.6 per cent, 4.4 per cent and 4.2 per cent respectively. Typical results also show that the Pb component of wastes from a hairdressing salon, and that from a local aluminium pot making industry, were 0.026ppm and 0.046ppm respectively. Most of the other parameters examined were far higher than limits recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for safe disposal. The trace elements, however, fall within the recommended limit of WHO. The current investigation has stressed the need to: properly monitor industrial wastes discharge as well as environmental protection officials to conduct the test themselves; enforce regulations that might require the installation of treatment plants appropriate for the type of wastes generated; encourage waste reuse and recycling; intensify public education; remediate land already polluted by hazardous waste; divert some profit generated by industries to waste management research; and establish standard laboratories all over the study area for unhindered waste monitoring.

Details

Environmental Management and Health, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-6163

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2008

Jasem M. Alhumoud and Fatima A. Al‐Kandari

The purpose of this paper is to determine the amount of different kinds of solid wastes produced, segregated, collected, stored, transported and disposed off by the different…

3715

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the amount of different kinds of solid wastes produced, segregated, collected, stored, transported and disposed off by the different industries/business in Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

Available industry information along with the use of monitoring data from a waste management system were used to analyze the generation, type and composition of industrial waste. Industrial activities were classified as follows: crude oil and chemical products industry; food and beverage industry, textiles and leather industry, wood industry, paper and printing industry, non‐metallic mineral products; metal industry and other industries. The wastes generated were classified according to their composition.

Findings

Kuwait has more than 5,000 industries and as a result more than 47,169 tons of industrial wastes are produced every year in Kuwait. It was observed that paper and cardboard, plastic, wood, and metals were the most common types of waste, mainly generated from packaging (45 percent of the total volume), as well as material used in containers and for wrapping products.

Practical implications

In the management of these industrial solid wastes, it was observed in most cases they were disposed of by dumping, and very rarely did businesses resort to reuse, recycling or valorization.

Originality/value

The paper systematically assesses the obstacles in the existing industrial solid waste management system in the different industries and businesses in Kuwait. In addition, it examines the legislation set by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Kuwait. Subsequently, recommendations and improvements are suggested.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 19 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2007

Jasem M. Alhumoud and Hani M. Alhumoud

The purpose of this paper is to determine the amount of different kinds of solid wastes produced, segregated, collected, stored, transported and disposed off in the governmental…

1924

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the amount of different kinds of solid wastes produced, segregated, collected, stored, transported and disposed off in the governmental hospitals of Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

The research in this paper shows that all governmental hospitals were assessed in a period of six months (September, 2005 through December, 2005 and June, 2006 through July, 2006). The weight fraction of each component in the sorting sample was calculated by the weights of the components. The amount of non‐infectious and infectious waste generated in kg/day in each ward and various hospital blocks were determined and recorded.

Findings

The findings in this paper indicated that the waste generation rate is between 3.87 kg/bed/day and 7.44 kg/bed/day. Subsequently, this waste consists of 10,534.5 kg (71.44 percent) of domestic waste, 4,099.4 kg (27.8 percent) of hazardous/infectious waste, and 112.1 kg (0.76 percent) of sharps. Hospital waste makes up approximately 30 percent of all the hazardous waste generated in Kuwait. Segregation of the different types of wastes is practiced in nearly all of the hospitals. All infectious/medical wastes are finally disposed of through incineration.

Practical implications

The paper shows that the hospitals under study do not organize training courses on hospital waste management and the hazards associated with them. There is a need to establish a detailed database regarding the quantity and quality of the waste generated by the various hospitals.

Originality/value

This paper systematically assesses the obstacles in the existing hospital solid waste management system in all governmental hospitals in Kuwait. Subsequently, recommendations and improvements are suggested.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 6 September 2023

Noushra Shamreen Amode, Prakash N. K. Deenapanray and Pratima Jeetah

The chapter aims to evaluate the efficacy of stakeholder participation in the solid waste management system of Mauritius in view of providing a possible mechanism to attain the…

Abstract

Purpose

The chapter aims to evaluate the efficacy of stakeholder participation in the solid waste management system of Mauritius in view of providing a possible mechanism to attain the goals of a sustainable waste management framework.

Methodology

The study employs qualitative indicators, namely, User Inclusivity and Producer Inclusivity of the Wasteaware Benchmark Indicators. Secondary data are used to conduct a critical and comprehensive analysis of the sub-indicators falling under each of the two main indicators to determine the overall compliance level with respect to stakeholder engagement of the waste management sector of Mauritius.

Findings

The results of the study show a LOW/MEDIUM compliance level for both User Inclusivity and Provider Inclusivity indicators, which indicates that improvement is required in the stakeholder engagement mechanism in Mauritius. The main weaknesses identified comprise of lack of an adequate legal framework with clear definition of waste types with regards to segregation, especially for non-hazardous wastes, low efficiency of sustainable waste management awareness campaigns and lack of inclusion of the informal sector. The main strengths identified consist of a proper bidding mechanism in place and a good level of equity in the provision of waste management services with respect to comingled waste collection. Suggested improvement areas include a revamping of the existing legal framework related to waste management to cater for higher inclusivity of all stakeholders together with including sustainable waste management topics in the formal education curriculum.

Originality

The User Inclusivity and Producer Inclusivity indicators were previously applied only to cities to measure the level of stakeholder participation, but this study has demonstrated that these indicators can also be adopted on a nation-wide level to evaluate stakeholder engagement. The use of these indicators together with secondary data presents a less time-consuming method to assess stakeholder participation in the waste sector, which can be particularly useful for Small Island Developing States.

Book part
Publication date: 26 January 2012

Muralee Thummarukudy

All disasters produce wastes of some kind, be it the trees fallen by a cyclone, a house destroyed by an earthquake, a beach coated by an oil spill, or animals killed by a flood…

Abstract

All disasters produce wastes of some kind, be it the trees fallen by a cyclone, a house destroyed by an earthquake, a beach coated by an oil spill, or animals killed by a flood. Postdisaster responses also produce wastes – from the human excreta of people staying in the camp to day-to-day household wastes. The issue of management of wastes created by disasters is becoming an increasingly important issue to be addressed in postdisaster response due to their scale, complexity, and cost. The cost of disaster waste management (DWM) has crossed the billion dollar mark in some of the major disasters, which is necessitating and prompting the emergence of a separate stream of expertise in DWM. In January 2011, the Joint Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme and Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) came out with Disaster Waste Management Guidelines (2011).

Details

Environment Disaster Linkages
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-866-4

Book part
Publication date: 13 October 2017

Katerina Toshevska-Trpchevska, Irena Kikerkova and Elena Makrevska Disoska

Over the last 15 years, all the legislation on waste management in the Republic of Macedonia has been brought in compliance with the European legislation. The major challenge in

Abstract

Over the last 15 years, all the legislation on waste management in the Republic of Macedonia has been brought in compliance with the European legislation. The major challenge in the economy, however, still happens to be the (non) implementation of the enforced laws on green economy. Major constrains in waste management practices remain to be organization of institutions and human resources; financing of services and investments; stakeholder (non) awareness; and lack of technical management in all phases from collection to final disposal of waste. It is not only that the present situation has negative impact on the public health and the environment, but it also has serious negative economic effects which consequently affects issues related to the total economic growth of the country.

The paper has a special focus on managing packaging and packaging waste and analyzes the results of the implementation of the Law of Management of Packaging and Packaging Waste which was enforced in 2009. Positive initiatives in waste management practices were undertaken by PAKOMAK, the first Macedonian company that has been holding the license for selecting and processing of packaging waste since January 2011. The company has a proactive role in promoting the importance of packaging waste and its management, with a special emphasis on projects that increase the awareness of the whole society, especially that of the young population. Some of the projects that increase the eco-awareness of young population will be presented in the paper.

Details

Green Economy in the Western Balkans
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-499-6

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

Mihaly Varga, Tibor L. Alpár and Gabor Németh

This paper aims to analyze general waste handling in Hungarian particleboard production and give solutions based on experimental researches. During our research reuse of waste in…

1488

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze general waste handling in Hungarian particleboard production and give solutions based on experimental researches. During our research reuse of waste in Hungarian particleboard production was studied. A wood industrial branch, which can be considered as both a waste “producer” and a waste “re‐user”, recycler was mapped. This allowed an examination and analysis of both sides of waste handling. In the experimental work the effect of recycling dried impregnated décor paper in particleboard production was evaluated. The primary goal was to work out technologies for recycling non‐dangerous materials such as washing water, production and process waste from the cutting of boards. With these technologies general techniques for waste handling in the particleboard industry can be developed. The results of the experiments with impregnated paper showed that by adding crushed impregnated paper the strength of the particleboards can be increased or the same board properties can be achieved with reduced amounts of applied adhesive (UF). Based on this case study the waste handling in Hungarian particleboard companies can be worked out. More experimental researches should be made to give solutions on every waste handling needs. Solutions and advices for the particleboard industry to work in an environmental friendly and economical way are practical implications of the research. This paper was created based on a case study and researches at the University of West Hungary and Hungarian particleboard companies.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2013

Amanze Rajesh Ejiogu

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview on the e‐waste topic, highlight the economic arguments for dumping e‐waste in developing countries and examine the issues…

3048

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview on the e‐waste topic, highlight the economic arguments for dumping e‐waste in developing countries and examine the issues around the e‐waste problems in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted is based on a review of existing literature, personal observation and interviews.

Findings

Electronic waste, or e‐waste, has emerged as a major problem in quite a number of developing countries, as well as an opportunity for development and economic growth. As a result of its high toxic content, it creates problems of environmental pollution and is a hazard to human health when not handled properly. However, there is a huge demand for good quality, second‐hand equipment in developing countries and there seem to be strong economic arguments for exporting scrap electronic and electrical equipment to those countries. The e‐waste trade has grown in Nigeria, causing several socio‐economic problems.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on e‐waste in developing countries, especially Nigeria. It provides insight into the economic arguments that encourage the continuance of the e‐waste problem.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1981

Robert J. Armao

According to the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Toxic Substances, there are some 70,000 chemical compounds manufactured or processed at approximately 115,000 sites…

Abstract

According to the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Toxic Substances, there are some 70,000 chemical compounds manufactured or processed at approximately 115,000 sites across the U.S. About 1,000 new chemical compounds are introduced every year and many of these are unquestionably toxic to human, animal, or plant life.

Details

Collection Building, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0160-4953

1 – 10 of over 5000