International Journal of Environment and Waste Management (66 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• A CHOICE MODELING STUDY FOR A SANITARY LANDFILL IN MALAYSIA: CASE OF KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN  
  by Nik Nor Rahimah Nik Ab Rahim, Jamal Othman 
  Abstract: Environmental impacts from poor landfilling practice have been a long-time concern in Kota Bharu, a populated city in Peninsula Malaysia. This requires a sustainable disposal solution, a sanitary landfill, but such a project can turn into a failure without household demand side information. This study investigated the willingness of households to pay for a sanitary landfill by employing a survey-based method known as choice modelling. This is used to obtain the willingness of households to pay towards the environmental benefits of a sanitary landfill described by attributes of controlled leachate discharge, reduced intensity of bad odour, reduced disease vector and promotion of a scenic view. The resulting estimates show positive willingness to pay for each attribute (ranging from RM2.12 to RM12.61) and for the sanitary landfill (ranging from RM7.62 to RM10.41). The gathered information benefits policymakers to make decisions that match the demands of households so as to avoid the likelihood of opposition and project infeasibility.
  Keywords: non-market valuation; choice modelling; sanitary landfill; solid waste disposal.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2022.10042085
   
  
• An In-depth Literature Review of End-of-Life Vehicle Management  
  by Rakesh Shrivastava, Gajanan Badwe, R.P. Mohanty, Gunjan Yadav 
  Abstract: The automotive industry has been a major contributor to the economic growth across the globe. However, the industry has struggled to tackle end-of-life vehicle management issues, which have impacted strongly the sustainability aspects of the products. The purpose of this paper is to classify the research papers, identify the research gaps and discover the future research directions in end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management. The study covers an analysis of recent literature published from 2000 to 2020. A total of 261 articles are analysed and classified into themes; such as ELV management practices, ELV legislation, ELV recovery strategies, automotive shredder residue (ASR), environmental impacts, and ELV economics. The study has utility for the auto manufacturers, auto users, academicians and researchers engaged in the field of ELV management to develop a better understanding of the issues and contribute to sustainable development.
  Keywords: end-of-life vehicle management; recycling; environmental impacts; economics; sustainability; automotive industry.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2022.10042089
   
  
• Profile modelling of solid waste generation of non-household establishments in Butuan City
  by Jan Nino G. Tinio, Breix Michael G. Agua 
  Abstract: This study focused on the solid waste generation of establishments in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. It aimed to determine some factors affecting the total solid waste daily generation of establishments in the city. Sex of the owner, his/her educational profile, his/her age, civil status, years in the business, type of establishment, and total number of employees were the selected variables considered in this study. It used correlation and Chi square analyses to determine whether or not the variables are related to or associated with the total daily waste generated by the establishments. The results show that the total number of employees and the type of establishment have a significant relationship/association with the generated waste. This study recommends that the local government of Butuan City should specifically develop a policy to address the amount of trash generated by medium-scale and high-scale establishments.
  Keywords: solid waste generation of non-household establishments; commercial solid waste; factors affecting solid waste generation; policy implications.
  
  
• WHAT STRATEGIC ACTIONS FOR AN URBAN CLEANLINESS POLICY ?CASE OF THE CITY OF CONSTANTINE (ALGERIA)  
  by Mehdi Kaghouche, Houria Ariane 
  Abstract: The improvement of citizens standard of living and change of their consumption habits generates a large production of waste in the city, causing several types of pollution, namely visual, olfactory, etc., which, in turn, significantly contribute to the degradation of the urban life, urban image and the environment. This article investigated the concept of urban cleanliness and its evaluation in Coudiat-Aty, one of the well-known, colonial neighbourhoods in the city centre of Constantine. The study used a survey and an observation grid to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the cleanliness of the neighbourhood through the calculation of several soiling indicators. The study findings showed that the Coudiat-Aty neighbourhood is considered unclean and has a mean indicator of soiling 3.02. This result can be explained by the highly busy neighbourhood. Thus by the presence of many administrations and schools which receive a lot of people.
  Keywords: city; environment; neighbourhood; pollution; soiling indicators; urban cleanliness; urban image; waste; Algeria.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10047081
   
  
• Comparison of the performance of intra and interspecific earthworm species in vermicomposting coral vine (Antigonon leptopus)  
  by S. G. Antony Godson, S. Gajalakshmi 
  Abstract: Three epigeic earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae, Eisenia fetida, and Perionyx excavatus were utilised to understand the intra and interspecific competition for food and space by comparing the process efficiency of vermicomposting coral vine. Coral vine was subjected to vermicomposting directly without any supplementation of animal manure or any pre-processing. Over a period of 150-day pulse-fed operation, all the reactors fed with coral vine were sustainably vermicomposted with the increase in earthworm zoomass, and offspring generated. The most efficient production of vermicompost was achieved by E. eugeniae followed by other two species. There was no significant difference, statistically, in the reactor performance when two or three of the species were used together. Overall, it is affirmed that the interspecific population of earthworms has no perceptible advantage over intraspecific population in the vermicomposting of coral vine.
  Keywords: intra and interspecific population; coral vine; Eudrilus eugeniae; Eisenia fetida.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10056984
   
  
• Benchmarking of integrated sustainable waste management in medium-sized Brazilian cities  
  by Valdir Eduardo Olivo, Eduardo Pavan Korf, Pedro Domingos Marques Prietto 
  Abstract: Integrated and sustainable solid waste management (ISWM) is a key factor in ensuring environmental protection and the quality of services provided by municipalities. This study aimed to establish a set of benchmark indicators for evaluating the ISWM in medium-sized Brazilian cities, through the analysis of five municipalities that stood out in management practices. The research method was based on the use of twenty-three indicators, which contemplate the sociocultural, environmental, and economic dimensions of waste management. The selected cities showed a higher level of engagement in both social and environmental areas. Some improvement opportunities have been identified since only two cities present economic sustainability and none has an information system for local waste management. Practices focusing on reducing waste and, also on governance were highlighted and used as a reference for replication in other municipalities and to establish the exchange of experiences among different cities.
  Keywords: sustainability; indicators; best practices; governance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10058246
   
  
• Moderating role of environmental awareness on the relationship between greening practices and environmental performance of Nigerian public university  
  by Olaoluwa Paul Aasa, Olalekan Aquila Jesuleye, Adeyemi Oluwaseun Adepoju 
  Abstract: The functional areas of the university system - training, research, campus operations, and community service - make them centres of excellence for environmental management decisions. This study analysed the moderating role of environmental awareness on the relationship between greening practices and environmental performance in Nigerian public universities. The study used Participatory Action Research, with a sample of 386 respondents comprising staff, students, and commercial service providers selected through a purposive technique. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and the environmental awareness index, relative effectiveness index, relative performance index, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used to achieve the study’s objectives. The results indicated that greening practices contribute positively, and significantly to environmental performance, and awareness improves the influence of greening practices on environmental performance. The study suggests that universities should have an appropriate mechanism for improving knowledge and skills for environmental management.
  Keywords: environmental awareness; environmental performance; environmental management; greening practices; hierarchical multiple regression; HMR; public university.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10058320
   
  
• Facemask usage and disposal challenges: a survey on safe and user friendly mask for regular practices  
  by Vijayaraghavan Gopal, Sivamani Sivalingam, Keerthana Sureshkumar, Vinod Kumar Gangadharan 
  Abstract: The present study focus on extensive use of facemask (FM) and survey on eco-friendly material. The various types of masks including cloth mask, surgical masks, and respirators (class N, P, R) with their leakage, filtration, and penetration characteristics were analysed. This study helps the users to identify the specific applications of different types of mask and their safe disposal. Hence, a survey was conducted as masks preferred, how frequently they were changed, and the challenges faced while wearing the mask-like difficulty in breathing, fogging of lens, etc. The survey was conducted through a quantitative method with a set of questionnaires. It is observed that the majority (40.5%) of the population considers the N95 mask to be relatively safe and effective. The improper disposal of FM causes of diseases, forbids free aeration, clogs the waterways, severe sewage problems. Therefore, a proper disposal method needs to be followed to reduce environmental pollution.
  Keywords: N95 facemasks; COVID-19 pandemic; waste disposal; surveys.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10058992
   
  
• Hotspots of illegal dumping of solid waste along the Mthatha River  
  by Lazola Bangani, Hlekani M. Kabiti, Oseni Amoo, Motebang D.V. Nakin, Zendy Magayiyana, Simbarashe Ndhleve 
  Abstract: Solid waste illegal dumping is becoming a major problem as there are numerous illegal dumpsites observable along the Mthatha waterbodies. This paper aimed at mapping the hotspots of illegal dumpsites along the middle-course of Mthatha River, to suggest proper waste management strategies that can be applied. To achieve this, several field surveys along the river were conducted to identify and classify the illegal dumpsites. GPS coordinates were recorded to identify the locations of the dumpsites, which were later coded to QGIS for visual presentation. This study revealed seven hotspots of illegal dumping along the middle-course of the Mthatha River. Varied domestic waste compositions which included organic, and inorganic waste were identified as major pollutants from the informal and formal settlements. The study recommends the establishment of monitoring systems around hotspots, watercourse protection measures, frequent waste collection, environmental mass education, and law enforcement as an immediate remedy to curb the problem.
  Keywords: illegal dumping; Mthatha River; solid waste; management strategies; water pollution; waste dumping; waste mapping; waste management; waste hotspots.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10059110
   
  
• Implementation of smart dustbin - a CNN-based intelligent waste management  
  by M. Yuvashri, S.K. Varsha, M. Vijayalakshmi 
  Abstract: Waste generation across the globe is adversely increasing and the classification of waste has become tedious affecting the process of recycling and increasing the environmental risks so we devised a simple way to classify waste as biodegradable and non-biodegradable economically using an Arduino-embedded smart dustbin. Our automatic waste sensing smart dustbin is introduced as a revolutionary marvel of technology! Meticulously designed to revolutionise waste management, this innovative smart dustbin incorporates cutting-edge programming. With this advanced technology, our dustbin ensures that its lid is exclusively opened by biodegradable waste, delivering a seamless and eco-friendly dumping experience for our users. The classification is done using our CNN-based residual network model and the accuracy of our metrics turned out to be 95.6% for a random sample batch of 32 images.
  Keywords: waste management; smart dustbin; garbage classification; machine learning; object recognition; image processing; CNN model; computer vision; internet of things; IoT; ResNet model.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10059451
   
  
• Water loss in agriculture and loss of social welfare: evidence from pistachio production in Iran  
  by Alireza Alipour, Ali Yousefi 
  Abstract: This study aims to use a partial equilibrium model simulation for welfare analysis in the Iranian pistachio market. For this purpose, the pistachio supply and demand sides and their welfare surplus were evaluated. Based on the results, the unadjusted social welfare in the pistachio market is estimated at around 6,143,539 US dollars. Considering the economic value of water loss, it was found that $884,670, equivalent to about 14.4% of social welfare, is caused as an adverse side effect of pistachio production in Iran. The interpretation of the last figure is that every 10% reduction in water loss in pistachio production in Iran leads to an increase of about 3% in social welfare. Government investments to modernise the components of Iran’s agricultural irrigation system as a strategy with long-term effects and provide low-cost facilities to farmers for better water management are discussed as the most operational recommendations.
  Keywords: agricultural water loss; social welfare; partial equilibrium model; Iran.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10059938
   
  
• Indiscriminate disposal of waste challenges and implication for urban flooding and property values in emerging cities  
  by Peres Ofori 
  Abstract: The study examined the indiscriminate disposal of waste in Ghana relative to the flooding and devaluation of properties in urban Kumasi and Tamale. Adopting the waste management theory coupled with survey design, the study investigated the types of waste produced in these cities. Using SPSS, the regression was utilised to analyse the relationship between proximity to flooding and flood prone areas and residential rental values. In both Kumasi and Tamale no tenant was willing to pay higher rent for a house located at a flooding or flood prone area irrespective of the architectural designs. An R of 0.54 and a P value 0.0000 at 0.5 significant levels indicating a fairly strong relationship between the two variables tested. The study found it dangerous for an emerging city like Ghana to have higher percentage (82%) of households practicing open dumping as the favourite method of waste disposal and treatment.
  Keywords: approach; disaster; flooding; rent; reuse; waste management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10059993
   
  
• Biostimulation of oily sludge - contaminated soil using organic and inorganic additives  
  by Amina Benchouk, Kahina Ighilahriz, Meryem Khellouf, Mohamed Khodja 
  Abstract: In this work, five microcosms containing polluted soil and the organics and inorganics stimulants were set up and undergone during five months. The sample was originated from an oil refinery located in the south of Algeria with 77. 15 ± 0.1 g/kg of TPHs. We have evaluated the performance of the biostimulation by: residual TPHs, composition of hydrocarbon residues by GC, microbial growth and eco-toxicity using Hordeum vulgare. Three bacterial were isolated from contaminated soil and characterised by MALDI-TOF. At the end of the experimental, we obtained a reduction of TPHs to 30.66 ± 1.15 g/kg. The results from GC showed the disappearance of major hydrocarbons pics within the treated microcosm. In the uncontaminated medium, the germination rate was higher than in the contaminated soil. A remarkable increase in the rate was observed in the seeds put in the treated medium to reach a percentage higher than 80%.
  Keywords: oily sludge; biostimulation; camel dung; solanum tuberosum peels; eggshells; bentonite.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10060205
   
  
• Sentiment analysis and word cloud analysis on e-waste news headlines using Python  
  by Shalini Wadhwa, Ananya Shukla 
  Abstract: E-waste or electronic waste is described as the waste electronic goods such as computers, smartphones, TVs, etc. Due to rapid technological advancement, e-waste or electronic waste has been increasing on a much faster rate. Electrical and electronic waste in India is increasing at an alarming rate of almost 3 million tons annually, out of which only 17.4% was recycled sustainably. India ranked third in producing e-waste globally after China and the USA. The ever-growing market of electronic equipment has also generated an ever-growing problem of e-waste. E-waste has become one of the issues for both the environment and human health. Therefore, it has become important to analyse the effect of e-waste on living beings especially in India. This report analyses the sentiment analysis and word cloud analysis on the e-waste news headlines generated by Indian news media.
  Keywords: e-waste; sentiment analysis; wordcloud; opinion analysis; electronic waste; environment; sustainability; business; consumer.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10060266
   
  
• Review study of e-waste management and resource recovery system for controlling environmental pollution  
  by Santosh Walke, Manoj Mandake, Makarand Naniwadekar 
  Abstract: This study investigates the escalating challenges of electronic waste (e-waste) disposal, highlighting its environmental and public health implications. It underscores the need for sustainable e-waste management by exploring diverse resource recovery methods and analysing environmental risk assessment and pollution control strategies. Methodologically, the research reviews a decade of literature, revealing e-waste generation trends, regulations, and laws. Emphasising issues with the informal recycling sector and limited environmental awareness among stakeholders, it offers a comprehensive overview of e-waste treatment technologies, advocating for resource-efficient practices. The article highlights challenges in organised e-waste management, considering unorganised recycling and environmental unawareness. An essential discovery underscores the immediate need for a strong recycling framework that adheres to ethics and laws. This framework would tackle the environmental and health risks associated with unregulated e-waste disposal. The study stresses the importance of accessible policies and collaborative efforts to combat e-waste proliferation, contributing to the discourse on sustainable resource management.
  Keywords: environmental pollution; e-waste management; recycling; waste treatment; resource recovery; risk assessment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10060267
   
  
• Examining environmental health risks of indiscriminate solid waste disposal in Kosovo informal settlement, Cape Town  
  by Yamkela Jakeni, Thabang Maphanga, Benett Siyabonga Madonsela, Karabo Concelia Malakane 
  Abstract: The indiscriminate disposal of solid waste is detrimental to the environment and health. Given that, whilst the environmental health risks of indiscriminate solid waste disposal are well documented; the contributing factors are mostly overlooked especially within the informal settlement found in metropolitan cities. The study sought to examine factors associated with indiscriminate solid waste disposal that pose environmental health risks in Kosovo’s informal settlement, Cape Town. The current study used qualitative and quantitative research tools in the form of questionnaires and interviews. Collected data were analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0 software. The study discovered that 93.85% of households have no access to disposal bins. The results show that 75.4% claim that the alternative municipal waste container is insufficient as it gets locked on weekends. This is an indication that there is not enough information provided by the municipality responsible for Kosovo’s informal settlement about solid waste management.
  Keywords: indiscriminate disposal; informal settlement; illegal dumping; waste management; waste collection.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10060300
   
  
• Utilising selvedge waste of polyester fabric: weaver’s approach for sustainable fabric development and analysis of basic properties  
  by Ambar Shah, Hafsa Jamshaid, Muhammad Shahbaz 
  Abstract: A lot of textile material is wasted at the weaving mill due to the cutting of the selvedge. The aim of present research is to use the leno selvedge without doing any extra process. The selvedge waste of polyester fabric was collected from the weaving mill. This waste was then dyed. Afterwards, samples of plain, 3/2 twill, and 5 end satin weaves were developed. It was revealed that the fabrics made from coarser yarn had greater areal density, greater thickness, greater strength, smaller water absorbency, smaller softness, smoothness, better drape, and greater resilience. Increasing interlacement, in weave, results in an increase in areal density, thickness, tensile strength, drape, and resilience. But it leads to lowering softness, smoothness, and absorbency. The fabric produced from the waste has applications in many kinds of home furnishing like rugs, matts, table runners, bottle covers, laptop covers, etc. The present work is an example of upcycling which leads to conserving the environment.
  Keywords: upcycling; selvedge waste; polyester fibre; home furnishings; recycling; polyester waste; leno selvedge.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10060481
   
  
• An assessment of literature on construction and demolition waste management barriers in Sub-Saharan Africa: lessons and implications for sustainability in South Africa  
  by Ngonidzashe Mangoro, Nzalalemba Serge Kubanza, Mulala Danny Simatele 
  Abstract: This paper discusses the challenges associated with the management of construction and demolition waste and its implications on environmental wellbeing and sustainability. Using existing and anecdotal literature, evidence suggests an increase in the demand for infrastructure for domestic and commercial purposes, and this in turn is exerting massive pressure on the construction industry to absorb and meet increased levels demand. This development has however, been accompanied by the generation of excessive quantities of waste, making it extremely difficult for urban managers in Sub-Saharan African cities to effectively and comprehensively manage construction and demolition waste. A major challenge being that this type of waste exists in forms that require extensive injection of resources for systematic separation far beyond the budgetary positions of many of these cities. In view of this, this paper is an attempt to systematically review and synthesise existing knowledge with a view of creating an inventory of the challenges associated to construction and demolition waste management and suggest possible solutions and approach for transforming this waste into a resource.
  Keywords: construction and demolition waste; urban managers; sustainability; barriers; environment; circularity; challenges.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10060718
   
  
• Investigation the monthly effect of the pumping schedule on the groundwater resources in Al-Najaf City, Iraq  
  by Hayder H. Kareem 
  Abstract: Groundwater serves as a crucial resource, especially in regions like the Middle East, where water scarcity prevails, particularly in arid areas. Uncertainty in groundwater systems arises due to aquifer parameters, climate change effects on recharge, and pumping rates. This study, utilising the MODFLOW computer model, examines the 2014 groundwater status near Al-Najaf City in Iraq, focusing on recharge, pumping rates, and Euphrates River levels monthly. The model integrates geological data, digital elevation models, and field measurements. Calibration reveals good agreement with field data, while sensitivity analysis highlights the significance of recharge and hydraulic conductivity. Validation displays a west-to-east flow pattern. Results indicate excessive pumping creates dry zones in the city, impacting both top and bottom layers. The Euphrates River consistently loses water due to pumping. This research offers valuable insights for sustainable management of the Euphrates River-groundwater system in Al-Najaf City, crucial for effective planning and resource management.
  Keywords: Al-Najaf City; conceptual modelling; Euphrates River-groundwater system connection; MODFLOW; Iraq.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10060855
   
  
• Identifying and analysing critical factors in construction resource waste management - Indian perspective  
  by H.A. Nishaant, J. Sudhakumar 
  Abstract: Construction resources and waste management are inevitable in any construction project worldwide to achieve a better outcome. Though considerable research exists to explain the importance of construction wastes and management techniques, this study comprises a detailed questionnaire survey to analyse and identify the critical factors of causes and sources of figure (CW), major wastes in construction, and the remedial measures to execute a wastes free construction project. Four hundred thirteen valid responses were collected from civil engineering experts from different parts of India. Findings were analysed based on importance indices ranking and factor extraction analysis. SPSS software was used for the data analysis. Experts’ recommendations were addressed, which can be used to control CW in projects. Its novel research and the research’s insights will help construction professionals understand the construction waste problems in India and direct their efforts toward proper construction waste management and resource utilisation.
  Keywords: construction resources; waste management; construction wastes; statistical package for social sciences; SPSS; resource utilisation; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10061418
   
  
• A case study on challenges, opportunities and sustainable development of waste management in India  
  by S. Baranidharan, Julie Sunil 
  Abstract: Waste management solutions for a country as large and densely populated as India with several infrastructure bottlenecks required a thorough understanding of the local context, waste generation patterns, and available infrastructure. Waste Ventures India invested in research and development to develop innovative waste management solutions to address challenges faced in India. By collecting and analyzing data on waste generation patterns and available infrastructure, the company was able to design waste management systems that were tailored to Indian system. This case study highlights the importance of using evidence to inform policies and practices in waste management. Companies and governments can use data to design waste management systems that are effective, sustainable, and tailored to the needs of specific communities. This case guides analysis on how to ensure value for the stakeholders; how to identify benefits on a global and local front; and was the business scalable to ensure sustained impact.
  Keywords: waste management; social enterprise; environmental pollution; employment opportunities; sustainability and innovation; integrating policies.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10061433
   
  
• Impact of final consumption on CO2 emissions in Vietnam  
  by Huu Nguyen Xuan Nguyen, Nguyen Quynh Anh Tran 
  Abstract: As a country vulnerable to climate change impacts, the rapid increase in CO2 emissions in Vietnam recently poses a risk to achieve sustainable growth targets. In this study, the changes in Vietnam’s greenhouse gas emissions during two periods, 2007-2012 and 2012-2016, were examined through 60 selected paths in each period using the environmental input-output (EIO) model and the structural path decomposition (SPD) method. The results showed that final consumption activities played a more important role in CO2 emissions than emission intensity and input-output structure did. Moreover, the study also revealed that while the direct impact of final consumption demand on economic sectors led to a more significant increase in emissions, the indirect impact, in contrast, showed significant potential for reducing emissions as the supply chain expands amidst the country’s industrialisation and modernisation. Based on the study results, some key policy implications have been proposed.
  Keywords: structural path decomposition; SPD; CO2 emissions; Vietnam; environmental input-output model.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10061435
   
  
• Analysis of the performance of urban solid waste management system in Brazilian municipalities through data envelopment analysis  
  by Isabel Das Mercês Costa, Marta Ferreira Dias, Margarita Matias Robaina 
  Abstract: Despite the regulation of the waste sector in Brazil having taken place more than ten years ago through the National Waste Policy, data related to the performance of municipalities at the national level are unknown. In this sense, this study aims to analyse the efficiency of urban solid waste management in 940 Brazilian municipalities and as specific objectives: to measure the efficiency scores of USWM the municipalities; analyse the performance of USWM considering the population factor, the efficiency factor, the type of management, the region and the federative unit of the municipality and present/compare the profile of the efficient and inefficient municipalities considering the socioeconomic and environmental variables and aspects related to the achievement of efficiency. The technique used was data envelopment analysis, involving three inputs: number of employees, number of vehicles and expense and two outputs: volume collected and population served. The results revealed efficiency in only 4.36% of the municipalities and an average performance equivalent to 0.32. The highest percentages of efficiency were identified in municipalities whose waste is managed by the mixed economy society, in those located in the North and Northeast regions and in those with populations above 500,000 inhabitants.
  Keywords: urban solid waste management; efficiency; data envelopment analysis; DEA; Brazil; municipalities.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10061437
   
  
• Examining consumers’ response to plastic bag free shopping in an emerging market: a stimulus-organism-behaviour perspective  
  by Asphat Muposhi 
  Abstract: This study examines South African grocery shoppers’ response to the practice of plastic bag free shopping using the stimulus-organism-behaviour model. A structured questionnaire was used to collect cross sectional data from 529 grocery shoppers. Structural equation modelling was used to conduct path analysis. Media influence and green advertising were found to be less effective in providing the stimuli necessary to encourage shoppers to embrace the concept of plastic bag free shopping. The results also showed that the promising strategy to promote plastic bag free shopping is through social norms when they are internalised as personal norms or assimilated in the form of green self-identity. The findings of this study underscore the importance of developing credible and informative green advertising messages to de-activate entrenched habits of using single-use plastic shopping bags. This study accentuates the importance of promoting normative self-regulated behaviour as a sustainable strategy for managing plastic shopping bag litter.
  Keywords: plastic bag free shopping; stimulus-organism-response model; plastic bag free retail outlets; South Africa.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10061674
   
  
• Awareness and perceptions of sustainability and circular strategies among SME fashion producers in Ghana  
  by Akosua Mawuse Amankwah, Edward Appiah, Benjamin Kwablah Asinyo, Charles Frimpong 
  Abstract: The circular economy practice requires that businesses transform their current models. Awareness of the tenets of sustainability in the wake of the advocacy for circular strategies (CS) cannot be overemphasised. For Ghanaian fashion SMEs to imbibe sustainability in their practice requires knowledge of the concept. This research sought to inquire about the level of awareness and perceptions that could sustainably trigger the adoption and practice of CS. An in-depth qualitative case study was adopted to engage 9 owner-designers of SMEs in the two major cites of Ghana through interviews and observations. A purposive sampling strategy was adopted employing snowball technique. Data was cleaned, coded and analysed using thematic analysis in iterative manner. The major challenge was that, most of the ownerdesigners of fashion SMEs in Ghana have relatively low knowledge of sustainability and CS. The general lack of awareness makes it necessary to institute awareness-creation mechanisms to propagate the need for the industry to contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: responsible consumption and production. The direct customer engagement of SMEs could potentially promote understanding of sustainability issues among practitioners and consumers, while adopting circular strategies that are mutually profitable.
  Keywords: sustainability; circular strategies; CS; awareness; perceptions; SME.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10061762
   
  
• Critical review of groundwater quality analysis techniques using multivariate statistical and soft computing approaches  
  by Ashay Devidas Shende, Mrunmayee Manjari Sahoo 
  Abstract: The continuous monitoring and assessment of water quality is an important aspect of the management of groundwater resources, substantially affected by the exponentially increasing demand for water to meet irrigation and industrial requirements. Various researchers have studied the variation in groundwater quality and applied different techniques to quantify, evaluate, predict and model the flux in groundwater quality parameters. The multivariate statistical analysis techniques including cluster analysis, factorial method and principal component analysis considerably used for the identification of spatio-temporal variation in groundwater characteristics. Several groundwater quality indices (GWQI) have been used to quantify the level of pollution and give an in-depth to improve the quality. In addition to the above approaches, various machine learning techniques have been developed increasingly due to their accuracy. The applications of traditional and present methods such as multivariate statistical models, groundwater quality indices and machine learning techniques through programming languages, probability and uncertainty analysis are analysed in this proposed study.
  Keywords: groundwater quality; multivariate statistical techniques; water quality index; ANN; ANFIS.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10061967
   
  
• Prospects of pernicious water hyacinth as eco-friendly and cost-effective usage in rural economy  
  by Md. Abdul Halim, Afsana Akter, Roksana Bannya 
  Abstract: This paper aims to introduce people to cost-effective and easy uses or to use the method of water hyacinth, which has been known as a notorious and detrimental weed species for a long time. People do not have the consent that this noxious weed can be used in many ways, and it can help socio-economic development in an area that is mainly affected by this species all year round or places near water bodies like beels, canals, rivers, etc. This study provides cost-effective and environment-friendly ways like using water hyacinth as biogas, biofertiliser, poultry, fish and animal feed, handicrafts, wastewater treatments, mulching material, floating seedbeds, etc. It will help people living nearby the water hyacinth-affected area to control this waste plant and create income-generating opportunities by providing economic solvency to rural poor people.
  Keywords: water hyacinth; potential applications of hyacinth; sustainable uses of water hyacinth; wastewater treatment; biogas; hyacinth management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10061972
   
  
• Residents’ perceptions of the environmental risks of Al Qusais landfill, the United Arab Emirates  
  by Hana Alrahmani, Nicole R. Sierer, Abdullah A. Alkaabi, Mohammed A. Al Taher, Paria I. Karimi, Chike Chiedo, Sahar T. Issa, Aseel A. Takshe 
  Abstract: Living near landfills has been often associated with environmental risks. The aim of this study is to explore the residents’ perceptions of the environmental risks associated with the Al Qusais Landfill in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 24 residents living close (0 m to 1 Km), fairly close (1 to 2 Km), and far (more than 2 Km) from the landfill were interviewed and asked about their perceptions of the environmental risks associated with the landfill. The findings showed that the most common environmental risk perceived by the participants is the unpleasant odour. Other issues included dust, social quality, visual pollution, noise, and traffic. Future studies could take into consideration larger home-landfill distances and quantitatively assess the environmental and health risks of landfills.
  Keywords: landfill; environmental risks; public perception; waste disposal; waste management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10062284
   
  
• Comparison of high-performance TiO2 coated al electrode (TiO2/Al) and conventional electrodes in removal of dyes using electrocoagulation reactor  
  by S. Vinodha, P. Jegathambal, R. Vidhya, A. Sivakami 
  Abstract: The process of electro-coagulation is quite complex in nature and an understanding about the process and the effect of primary operating parameters is a prerequisite for larger scale and field application. This work aims at studying the performance of electro coagulation reactor in a batch scale system for the treatment of textile dyeing waste water using iron and aluminium electrodes. The influence of the essential operating parameters like the initial dye concentration, applied current, pH, reaction time and the electrolyte concentration in removal of dye were premeditated. Also, the impact of these parameters on the economic parameters such as electrode and energy consumption which are directly proportional to the operation cost was also analysed. TiO2 /Al electrode showed maximum colour removal efficiency of nearly 100% with 60 mA of current whereas, Fe and Al electrodes showed maximum efficiency of 98% and 75% at 120 mA respectively.
  Keywords: electro coagulation; dye effluent; decolourisation; new TiO2 /Al electrode; sludge characterisation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10062286
   
  
• Polyphenols and other phytochemicals from medicinal plants as eco-benign sources of therapeutics  
  by Adamu Mamman, Preeti Jain 
  Abstract: In view of reducing the burden of chemicals on the environment, various green chemistry approaches are being used nowadays for synthesising new molecules for applications in the biomedical field. Plant-derived phytochemicals are widely used as commodities in both traditional and modern industrial impact due to their vast range of pharmacological properties. Natural remedies for anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-covid, antiradical, and other forms of diseases in clinical settings have attracted a lot of attention in the modern world medicinal plants and their biochemical constituents have become more significant in the fields of health and medicine due to their biocompatibility. It is ascertained that polyphenols and other phytochemicals derived from plants are excellent substitutes for conventional medications used in healthcare settings. By using the suggested natural sources of polyphenols and other chemical substances of botanical origin, a variety of physiological abnormalities can be controlled, treated, and cured, including cancer cell proliferation, cardiovascular diseases.
  Keywords: anticancer; cardiovascular; medicinal plants; polyphenols; phytochemicals; natural remedies.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10062287
   
  
• An innovative food waste management with enabled IoT and AI technique  
  by Aman Tripathi, Kumari Subrata Bhanu, Bekkam Krishna, V. Karthikeyan 
  Abstract: Food scarcity has become an international topic, and the wastage of food has a global impact on ethical and environmental costs. The bulk of the food is usually wasted in restaurants, hospitals, hostel mess, etc., where a massive amount of food is prepared. Such things are happening due to improper management. This paper proposes implementing an innovative food management system in the hostel mess to resolve food wastage. The proposed method works based on image processing, AI techniques with imposed IoT concepts. The work aims to minimise food wastage by monitoring the quantity of food dumped into the bin. Furthermore, based on food wastage, penalties apply to a particular identified individual. In addition, the proposed system assesses the quality and quantity of food based on wastage on a daily/weekly basis and is notified to the concerned authority. Moreover, it helps in monitoring the individual’s attendance effectively. Hence, this method will eventually reduce the food waste that is dumped into the dustbin. Finally, to test the feasibility of the proposed idea, the experimental setup was developed, and measured results were observed and verified under various case studies.
  Keywords: food waste; management; IoT; image processing; AI techniques.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10062289
   
  
• Why municipal solid waste management projects through private sector participation are uniquely challenging? - An exploratory study in India  
  by Tharun Dolla, Boeing Laishram 
  Abstract: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been affected by a myriad of challenges if not failures. This study examines the necessity of municipal solid waste (MSW) infrastructure and the ingress of PPP as a preferred mode of procurement in India. This is done by reviewing the anecdotal evidence from the projects to extract the state of practice and then identify the contestations, gaps, and lessons for future research relating to MSW PPP project delivery. Apart from the challenges reported in the past literature on MSW PPPs, this paper argues four new situations which are prevalent only in the MSW sector: private sector provision is not preceded by public sector provision, each segment of the supply chain will need a unique set of assets and services requiring exclusive focus; amongst such focus, technologies are diverse, and their maturities are diverse increasing the chances of failure because of bundling of various segments. The key to this sector’s success hangs on the extent to which the sectorial challenges are incorporated into the institutional mechanisms developed for the MSW sector without any a priori assumptions from other sectors which implemented PPPs. This paper suggests further research, specifically on the challenges posed by bundling various segments.
  Keywords: public-private partnerships; PPPs; municipal solid waste management; performance; private sector participation; PSP; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10066128
   
  
• Utilisation of South African spent foundry sand in paving blocks manufacturing  
  by Takalani Madzivhandila 
  Abstract: An increasing amount of waste is produced by industrial activities, human consumption behaviour, and linear process systems. Due to environmental legislation and the high cost of dumping, these materials are now used in other industries and products. The study is focused on utilising waste foundry sand in the manufacturing of bricks. It was found that foundry greensand waste is very suitable for the manufacturing of paving blocks. We attained the class 25 SANS 1058: 2006 standards which were based on a compressive strength rating of 25 MPa which is now recognised as Class 30/2.0. It can be concluded that waste foundry sand can be reused as a partial replacement for virgin sand. This will result in a reduced cost of production. Foundry greensand waste can also be used for the setting of pavers. Partial replacement of river sand with waste foundry sand will be an advantage to brick makers and it will reduce costs.
  Keywords: waste foundry; waste management; waste disposal; leachable concentration threshold limits.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10062490
   
  
• Research on measuring synergistic degrees of governance on urban environmental pollution based on the model of orderly degree in subsystem  
  by Tao Sun, Dengyue Xu 
  Abstract: Based on a situation analysis and a literature review, this paper selects 25 measurement indicators from five perspectives, and creates the indicator system and the model of orderly degree in subsystem for measuring synergistic degrees of governance on urban environmental pollution. This paper selects the city of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, as the object of case research, and measures the synergistic degrees of governance on urban environmental pollution in the 11 districts of this city from 2013 to 2021. The measurement results show that the synergistic degrees in all districts had been on a steady rise to about 0.9 by the end of 2021. By contrast, the synergistic degrees in different districts had shown no significant difference in the same year during this period. Furthermore, it can also be concluded that a result of grading a synergistic degree depends not only on a grading standard but also on a valuing method.
  Keywords: the indicator system; expert surveys; synergistic degrees; synergistic governance; urban environmental pollution; the method of entropy weight; the model of orderly degree in subsystem; grade standards.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10063147
   
  
• Public perspectives and strategies in implementing waste separation in developing countries: a case study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia  
  by Laurentius Kevin Hendinata, Tantri Ardiwinata 
  Abstract: Effective waste management includes waste separation to minimise landfill usage and recover valuable resources. Nonetheless, the success of waste separation initiatives relies heavily on public engagement. This study investigates the challenges and prospects of implementing waste separation programs in a developing country, focusing on public perception. Specifically, the research examines Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and its residents’ perspective toward waste separation. A survey of 775 households conducted using stratified random sampling method was used in this study for three months to collect the data. The questions were multiple choices with Likert scale to quantify it. The data was analysed thoroughly with 95% confidence levels and Pearson correlation heatmap was used to round up the results. From this research, while residents recognise the benefits of waste separation, barriers such as deficient infrastructure and limited education persist. The study emphasises the importance of addressing these challenges to garner public support for sustainable waste management.
  Keywords: waste separation; public perception; waste management; developing country; Indonesia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10063478
   
  
• Effect of combustion temperature on the performance of sewage sludge ash based cement mortar  
  by Piyush Tripathi, Debolina Basu, Priyaranjan Pal 
  Abstract: The paper explores the potential of reusing sewage sludge as a sustainable construction material, despite its higher organic content, as it presents a significant challenge in future management. In this study, the sewage sludge incinerated at different temperatures is partially substituted with cement to prepare the waste-replaced cementitious mortar cubes. The performance of the cubes prepared with suitable replacements of sewage sludge ash was analyzed on the basis of properties. The XRF results showed an increase in the silica content by 71.7% post incineration at high temperatures (up to 800ºC). The results indicated that the optimum sintering temperature for SSA cementitious application was 800ºC. The 10% replacement of cement with SSA obtained after calcinations of sewage at 800ºC produced the best cement mortar properties compared to the other replacements. The results concluded that SSA alone cannot be used as cementitious material. It may be used with some other admixtures.
  Keywords: chemical composition; compressive strength; high temperature; optimal condition; sewage sludge; waste recycling.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10063479
   
  
• Comparative analysis of machine learning algorithms efficacy in water resources management  
  by Danijela Voza, Goran Babic, Milovan Vukovic, Ivana Mladenović Ranisavljević 
  Abstract: One of the most reliable indicators of surface water quality is dissolved oxygen (DO). This study aims to propose a single model and the optimal number of variables for reliable DO prediction. In this regard, a comparative analysis of the efficiency of representative machine learning models in DO prediction was conducted. The initial parameters for examining the possibility of predicting the DO concentration were pH, temperature (T), electrical conductivity (EC), ammonium (NH4) and orthophosphates (PO4). Four input combinations of these water quality parameters were created based on the variable importance analysis, and machine learning techniques were applied to each subset. The obtained values indicated that all the predictive models perform best when four water quality variables - T, pH, PO4, and EC are used as input. Also, according to the results, the best-fitted model on the created dataset is support vector machine, and the deep learning model slightly lags behind it.
  Keywords: dissolved oxygen; prediction; machine learning algorithms; water quality.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10063773
   
  
• Utilising participatory approaches to enhance social acceptance in the design of urban recycling systems  
  by Ibrahim Mugerwa, Jianxin Chen, Shaohua Han 
  Abstract: This research investigates how participatory methodologies influence social acceptance in urban recycling system development, focusing on Kampala, Uganda. The central question is whether participatory approaches enhance social acceptance in this context, drawing from participatory design and innovation diffusion theories. A mixed-method system was employed, including literature reviews, case studies, and surveys, to assess the impact of participatory methods in recycling initiatives. It finds that participatory methodologies significantly influence waste management behaviours and introduces the ‘community recycling hubs’ concept as catalysts for community-driven recycling. The study recognises limitations regarding the long-term sustainability and scalability of community recycling hubs, the need for a deeper exploration of cultural factors in acceptance, potential survey bias, and the study’s specific focus on Kampala. Scientifically and managerially, this research advocates integrating participatory design into recycling systems to create socially embraced, environmentally responsible urban environments, offering valuable insights for advancing waste management and sustainability practices.
  Keywords: recycling systems; participatory approaches; social acceptance; sustainable urban development; waste management; community engagement; behavioural change; community recycling hubs; environmental sustainability.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10063774
   
  
• The potential uses of red mud in building industries: mechanical properties and durability of red mud-based cement mortars in different curing conditions  
  by Zahra Jamshidzadeh, Hamid Saghahazrati, Mohammad Amin Ghafouri 
  Abstract: Red mud (RM) is a hazardous waste and its disposal causes environmental challenges for soil, air, and groundwater. This research deals with the impacts of using RM on the compressive strength and durability of cement mortars subjected to a sulphuric acid solution. Nine mortar mixes having RM in the range of 0 to 20% by weight of cement were tested. Unheated RM and heated RM were tested for compressive strength, and water absorption at different curing ages. The weight loss was measured after 28 and 60 days of exposure in a sulphuric acid solution. Results indicated that samples with 5% RM had relatively high strength compared to control samples. The heated RM exhibited better results compared to unheated RM due to the loss of organic impurities, the release of absorbed water, and a part of chemically bound water from heated RM. Results revealed that RM reuse improves cement mortar durability.
  Keywords: red mud; RM; hazardous waste; cement mortar; compressive strength; water absorption; weight loss.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10064162
   
  
• Household disposal methods for various waste streams in the Bluff area, South Durban Basin, South Africa: what does adopting a comprehensive approach reveal?  
  by Amanda Gumede, Suveshnee Munien, Urmilla Bob 
  Abstract: Waste management has predominantly included unsustainable methods such as burying, dumping and burning. Therefore, waste generators need to shift waste management practices from generating and disposing to more sustainable practices. The study assesses the disposal methods for various waste streams adopted within households. Specifically, the research aimed to undertake a comprehensive examination of household disposal methods for different waste streams in the Bluff area, South Durban Basin, South Africa. The study was guided by a multi-conceptual theoretical framework and adopted a mixed methodological approach. In total, 400 household quantitative surveys and six key informant interviews were administered. Households predominantly disposed of almost all waste streams generated in dustbins, a significant proportion also repurposed reusable materials, recycled and separated different waste streams. Age, sex, employment status, household decision-making and monthly income were significantly associated with the main household waste disposal methods for various types of waste generated.
  Keywords: waste streams; waste management; waste generation; households; sustainable consideration; comprehensive approach; Bluff; South Durban Basin; SDB; South Africa.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10064697
   
  
• Governance practices of the grassroots initiatives involved in solid waste management: does collaboration with local government matter?  
  by Goodluck Charles, Mesia Ilomo 
  Abstract: Despite the increasing support for more participation of grassroots initiatives in the formal solid waste management (SWM) system, little is known about their governance approach, especially in developing countries. Accordingly, this study investigated the governance practices of grassroots organisations involved in collecting solid waste and the extent to which their collaboration with municipal councils influenced their governance approach. The study entailed in-depth interviews with 10 municipal and ward officers, and 21 leaders of grassroots organisations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The findings reveal that, in order to apply for and execute municipal waste collection contracts, grassroots organisations were compelled to formalise, institute governance structures to ensure accountability, transparency and financial control and the participation of the community in managing waste. This was facilitated by grassroots organisations adopting a controlled system of collecting fees, opening a bank account and reconciling municipal reports with their records, being supported to access resources and ensuring the engagement of the community. In view of this, the study demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration of the public sector and non-state actors ensures that waste is collected and managed effectively.
  Keywords: grassroots initiatives; solid waste management; SWM; local government; cross-sector collaboration; municipal councils; collaborative governance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10064698
   
  
• Hospital waste management after the outbreak of coronavirus in Shariati Hospital of Mashhad City  
  by Moslem Razavinejad, Fahimeh Moghaddam, Hosein Alidadi, Behnam Barikbin, Aliakbar Dehghan 
  Abstract: Ensuring proper medical waste management in hospitals and health centres during health emergencies such as the crisis of COVID-19 disease is one of the most critical obstacles in preventing diseases. We aimed to explore hospital waste management at Shariati Hospital of Mashhad during the outbreak of COVID-19 disease in a period of 4 months from March to June 2021. The average weight of infectious waste increased by 134% and general waste decreased by 87% compared to before the outbreak. Also, 90% of the total waste produced during the hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients is infectious waste, while plastics have the highest percentage. In the decontamination of infectious wastes, the results of 95.9% of the tests were in good condition. Also, according to the hospital waste management checklist, the score obtained in all stages of waste management in the hospital was 82%.
  Keywords: Mashhad Shariati Hospital; hospital waste management; COVID-19 disease; outbreak; infectious waste; checklist.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10064699
   
  
• A review on experimental study of oxyhydrogen HHO blends with gasoline, diesel and biofuels in IC engine  
  by Shrikant Bhardwaj, Arvind Jayant 
  Abstract: This review paper presents a comprehensive study on performance and emission characteristics of I.C Engines fuelled with blends of gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel and HHO/H2 gas. In S.I Engine reduction in SFC, CO and HC obtained around 15%20%, 19.19% and 19.12% whereas enhancement in BTE, ITE around 9% and 9.84% while decrement in NOx nearly 6.80% with lean mixture blends of Gasoline with HHO/H2 in S.I engine. In CI engine reduction in SFC, CO and HC were around 8.55%, 16.64% and 24.39% whereas enhancement in BTE nearly 4.29% while increment in NOx around 5.08% when blends of diesel and bio-diesel with HHO/H2 incorporated. Blended fuels with HHO/H2 supply ≤ 0.3 lpm at a reduction in NOx obtained but with HHO/H2 supply 0.3-3 lpm increase in NOx formation observed. SFC for different blending mixtures of fuels with HHO/H2 gas decreases except contradictory results at 3 lpm in four-cylinder engine.
  Keywords: IC engine; oxyhydrogen gas; emission; performance parameters; efficiency; HHO; fuel; review.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10065030
   
  
• Selection of interpolation technique for spatial distribution of prominent pollutant in a traffic induced polluted area  
  by Sindhu Parameswaran Nair, Praveen Arakkal, Letha Janaki, Meera Mohan, Amrutha Meera Asokan 
  Abstract: Urbanisation has led to an increase in air pollution by the addition of various pollutants from industrial emissions, automobile exhaust, etc. Air quality index gives an indication of quality of the ambient air. By identifying the prominent pollutant, the control strategies to reduce its emission can be taken. The prominent pollutant was identified by comparing the subindex of pollutants in the area. A spatial distribution map of the prominent air pollutant concentration was prepared in GIS using five interpolation techniques - Universal Kriging, Ordinary Kriging, inverse distance weighting, spline regularised and spline tension. The selection of best technique is crucial as it determines the accuracy to which the spatial distribution of the pollutant is modelled. In this study, the prominent pollutant of the study area was found to be PM10. Ordinary Kriging and inverse distance weighing were identified as the best methods for mapping of PM10 concentration in Thiruvananthapuram corporation.
  Keywords: air quality index; AQI; pollutant concentration; prominent air pollutant; interpolation techniques; exceedance factor.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10065460
   
  
• Plastic polymer waste conversion into green by-end products: a review  
  by Abdul Majeed Pirzada, Sallahuddin Panhwar, Hareef Ahmed Keerio, Siraj Ahmed, Asim Ali, Zartasha Pitafi 
  Abstract: Plastic waste disposal is a global problem and can be a legacy for development. It is obvious that polymers made from plastic make people’s lives easier, but they also pose a threat to the environment. Nano-plastics are widely used because of their small size, allowing them to reach the liver, brain, placenta, heart and kidneys. Researchers are now focusing on converting plastics into value-added products by using various methods such as liquefaction, pyrolysis and gasification. Plastic conversion offers a wide range of applications for carbon-based materials such as graphene, carbon quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanomaterials used in biosensors for environmental applications, composites, medical devices, energy storage devices, conductive coatings and paints, conductive fillers or to improve the strength of composites, and transistors for semiconductors, lithium-ion batteries, and microelectronics. In addition, plastic waste is used in the construction industry and road building materials. This review highlights the importance of plastic conversion and the challenges of implementing plastic waste conversion technology at the commercial level.
  Keywords: plastic waste conversion; value-added products; carbon material; zero waste.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2023.10065708
   
  
• How do drought periods boost rural unemployment? Empirical evidence of Iran  
  by Alireza Alipour 
  Abstract: Drought periods are one of the major challenges in many countries that have affected various economic and social factors. The impact of drought on rural unemployment is one of the most important research issues that have not been well studied. In this study, using time series data and econometric methods, the effect of drought on rural unemployment in Iran was investigated. The results showed that drought periods have affected agricultural and non-agricultural GDP. Between these two variables, non-agricultural GDP growth significantly reduces rural unemployment. Therefore, in addition to the effects of drought on other components affecting rural unemployment, such as the quality of rural living and rural working environments, drought also increases rural unemployment by reducing the growth potential of the Iranian agricultural sector. Rural credits and the ratio of rural incomes to rural expenditures were also identified as other important factors affecting rural unemployment. Finally, targeting rural credits to increase non-agricultural occupations consistent with rural characteristics was presented as the most important policy recommendation of the study.
  Keywords: drought periods; rural unemployment; econometric analysis; Iran.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10066635
   
  
• Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal solid waste landfill, Durgapur, India  
  by Md Mainul Sk 
  Abstract: Unscientific landfilling of solid waste significantly contributes to global warming due to high concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted from landfills. This study estimates landfill gas (LFG) emissions from the Shankarpur landfill site in Durgapur, India. The methodological principles adopted in this analysis are based on primary and secondary data sources. LandGEM model was applied to predict LFG emissions from Shankarpur landfill site, in an effort to determine the energy recovery potential and reduce GHGs emissions into the atmosphere. The total LFGs, methane, carbon dioxide, and NMOC emissions from the landfill have been found to be 1.98 x 10^07, 6.62 x 10^03, 9.92 x 10^06 and 1.19 x 10^04 m3 /year, respectively. The results indicate that the highest concentration of GHGs emissions occurs shortly after landfill closure and the emission decreases gradually over time. The study highlights the potential adverse impact of greenhouse gases emissions from the landfill site on the ambient air quality, underlining the need for improved waste management practices in study area to achieve sustainable waste management and to combat global climate change.
  Keywords: landfills; greenhouse gases; GHG emissions; global warming; sustainable waste management; methane emissions; carbon dioxide emissions; energy recovery; landfill gas; Shankarpur landfill; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10067389
   
  
• Tackling food waste in a university food service operation: a case study  
  by Boineelo Pearl Lefadola, Annemarie Viljoen, Gerrie Du Rand 
  Abstract: The challenge of food waste in the university food service setting, especially from a systems perspective is understudied. This is a major gap as the effective management of food waste requires a holistic approach as the parts of the system are interdependent. This exploratory study applies a systems theory to investigate food waste prevention. Organisational documents were analysed, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and participant observations were conducted. The study reveals that even though food waste remains a challenge in the case university, prevention efforts were implemented. These include automated stock forecasting, use of specifications, appropriate receiving and storage practices, stock monitoring, use of standardised recipes, production of good quality meals in correct quantities, temperature and time controls, meal auditing and correct portioning. The study’s findings can be applied in the development of food waste management policies and procedures in the universities and the wider catering sector.
  Keywords: food waste; sustainability; university food service operation; food waste prevention; environment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10067390
   
  
• Optimal design and performance evaluation of effluent treatment plant for textile industry using ceramic membrane with ensemble learning method  
  by Satyajit M. Deshmukh, Sonali R. Dhokpande, Amaya A. Sankhe, Ajinkya R. Khandekar 
  Abstract: The textile industry significantly impacts the environment due to the discharge of pollutants. This study aims to enhance the efficiency of effluent treatment plants (ETPs) in this sector by implementing advanced monitoring and control systems. Key parameters such as flow rate, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, concentrations are continuously monitored using sensors. The study evaluates the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and optimise the Step-Feed process for nitrogen removal. An ensemble learning was developed to prediction accuracy. MATLAB was used data analysis. Results indicate high efficiency in removing total suspended solids (TSS) and BOD, enhancing wastewater treatment effectiveness, reducing costs and environmental impact. The natural filter media itself has a higher proposed removal rate of 99%, and the comparison of increased TSS removal efficiency (97%) and BOD removal efficiency (98%) were combined. It enables effective wastewater treatment while lowering operational costs and environmental impact.
  Keywords: textile industry; performance evaluation; ceramic membrane; ensemble learning method; data acquisition systems; common effluent treatment plants; CETP.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10067391
   
  
• Artificial Intelligence-based techniques to monitor and maintain the drinking water quality supplied to households  
  by Yernagula Rajesh, Manasa Dwarampudi, Yernagula Pratap 
  Abstract: The assessment of drinking water quality is a crucial issue due to the severe pollution of available water, which can cause diseases. Traditional methods of water quality measurement are labour-intensive and costly. This article proposes a real-time monitoring system using artificial intelligence (AI) approaches to address the issues related to drinking water quality. The system uses a multi-sensor array (MSA) and a raspberry Pi-based hardware platform to monitor water quality. The factors estimated are pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and turbidity, which are the physical and chemical boundaries that most impact water quality. A fuzzy logic-based framework is developed to classify water quality into three classes: good, bad, and ordinary. The proposed method is compared to existing methods like MLP and SVM, and it produces better performance with accuracy, precision, recall, and F-score values of 98.724, 97.899, 95.154, and 98.875, respectively.
  Keywords: drinking water; water quality; WQ; real-time monitoring; raspberry Pi-based platform; fuzzy interface system; python; multi-sensor array; MSA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10067755
   
  
• Impact of biodiesel blends on combustion and endurance individualities of diesel engine  
  by G. Balasubramanian, P. Balashanmugam, K. Kumaravel, S. Sivaprakasam 
  Abstract: The biggest issue with operating vehicles in big cities is idling, and biodiesel is a viable alternative fuel. This study examined the effects of biodiesel blends on CO, NOx, and lubricating oil emissions to demonstrate their viability. The results show that biodiesel produced fewer CO and NOx emissions than diesel fuel. Increasing engine speed and load can further decrease emissions. The study also found that boosting engine braking power at lower loads lowered CO emissions. However, NOx releases were still high due to biodiesel’s oxygen content. Adjusting engine load and mix ratio of biodiesel can reduce NOx production. The study also explored the combustion properties of biodiesel-butanol combinations at various injection pressures and their impact on NOx emissions. The findings suggest that biodiesel can be a viable alternative fuel for urban vehicles, with potential benefits for reducing emissions and improving engine performance.
  Keywords: biodiesel production; blend fuels; plastic pyrolytic oil; palm oil biodiesel; diesel; endurance characteristics; diesel engine.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10067756
   
  
• An IoT-integrated adaptive waste management system for optimal route planning and enhanced sustainability  
  by K.N. Pallavi, K.N. Rashmishree 
  Abstract: The rapid growth of urban populations has led to a significant increase in waste generation, making effective waste management a critical concern. As cities strive to enhance liveability and quality of life, efficient urban planning becomes essential. We propose a smart city-based IoT-integrated system for adaptive waste management. This system aims to improve fuel efficiency, reduce the time waste trucks take to reach designated intelligent bins, and optimise routes for energy efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate that MOAHA significantly outperforms established optimisation algorithms, such as the multi-objective salp swarm algorithm (MSSA), multi-objective simulated annealing (MOSA), and multi-objective whale optimisation algorithm (MOWOA), achieving up to 30% improvement in routing efficiency and energy savings.
  Keywords: internet of things; IoT; waste bin; adaptive waste management; optimisation; smart city.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10067912
   
  
• A landfill tax refund scheme: analysis and simulation for local governments in the UK  
  by Yoko Nagase, Wolfram Berger 
  Abstract: Taxes on waste such as a conventional landfill tax belong to a policymaker’s standard arsenal to reduce pollution, encourage recycling and reuse of materials, and promote the circular economy. Yet introducing or tightening such taxes typically causes political resistance from the regulated parties. We propose a tax refund scheme that can mitigate this problem. Under the scheme waste management authorities would be required to pay a tax on landfill waste before the resulting tax revenue is rebated to them. Waste-reducing efforts would be stimulated because the refund structure rewards authorities that outperform others in reducing landfilled waste. Using the 20192020 data on municipal solid waste we present a simulation of our policy proposal for the UK that can serve as a policy design blueprint for other countries. The information requirements for the policy scheme are low, and its design and administration are simple.
  Keywords: waste management; municipal solid waste; MSW; landfill waste; landfill tax; LT; refundable disposal tax; local government finance; UK; circular economy; economic analysis and simulation; revenue-neutral policy scheme.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10068220
   
  
• A review on the diaper waste issue: generation, composition, disposal and valorising potential  
  by Arshana Remla, M. Latha, M. John Robert Prince 
  Abstract: The exponential growth in the usage of diapers worldwide has led to a significant increase in diaper waste generation, posing serious environmental and health challenges. The improper disposal of diapers has raised concerns about potential pollution, chemical leaching, and landfill overcrowding. This paper aims to explore the complexities of diaper waste and present sustainable solutions to mitigate its adverse impacts. The review examines disposable diaper’s generation, composition, materials, and chemicals, highlighting environmental and health risks, and analyses current waste management practices like landfilling, incineration, pyrolysis, and composting thereby emphasising the need for eco-friendly strategies. The paper also explores innovative valorisation approaches like advanced recycling technologies, biodegradable materials, and waste-to-energy conversion methods, highlighting their feasibility and potential for minimising environmental impact. By implementing responsible practices and supporting research in this field, society can move towards a cleaner and more sustainable approach to diaper waste management.
  Keywords: sustainable diaper disposal; hygiene waste management; generation; composition; disposal; valorising potential; public health; landfill; recycling; composting; incineration; life cycle analysis; waste-to-energy; circular economy approaches.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10068221
   
  
• A review on sustainable and effective utilisation of municipal solid waste incinerated ash  
  by Neelam Singh, Vikas Kumar 
  Abstract: Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash has received more attention in recent decades due to its potential use in engineering applications across the world. The current study examined the potential application of MSW ash in the fields of construction industry, geotechnical applications, and geoenvironmental. The particle size behaviour of MSWI bottom ash is similar to that of silty sand (SM), and the specific gravity of MSW ash is lower than that of normal sand, which makes it a lighter material. Results from many researchers indicate that the use of MSWI ash for soil stabilisation enhances its engineering properties like shear strength and unconfined compressive strength (UCS). It is found from the results that MSW ash can be used as partial replacement of aggregate up to 50% for making the concrete. Also, the results indicate that the geopolymer can be effectively used as a binding agent in stabilising the MSW ash.
  Keywords: waste management; MSWI ash; construction sector; unconfined compressive strength; UCS; geopolymer.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10068407
   
  
• Individualised community refuse audits for food waste reduction and management: a systematic review  
  by Lai Ti Gew, Li Lin Lein, Mohamad Kheireddin Aroua 
  Abstract: Refuse audits or also known as waste audits are essential to achieve waste reduction goals and policy implementation. However, the main component for intervention regarding waste issue is the availability of reliable data in waste production and composition. While the amount of waste has increased tremendously, huge gaps involving household waste data and methodologies have yet to be solved. In this review, we summarise 31 published literatures that examined the rate of generation of household waste from across the world. By understanding the amount and composition of waste generated by individualised community, valuable information can be recorded to develop tailor-made waste management solutions at the community level. Results showed that the challenges are small sample sizes, imbalance demographic, sampling biases, time and energy consuming for participants. Future studies may consider a consistent quantification technique, thus, the waste information collected can be compared between dissimilar sources.
  Keywords: waste audit; waste management; household waste; residential waste; disposal of refuse.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10068485
   
  
• Landfill site selection using geographical information system and remote sense techniques. A case of Fiche Town, North Shewa, Oromiya, Ethiopia  
  by Bezu Abera Geresu 
  Abstract: This study investigates unsafe municipal solid waste disposal in Ethiopia, using GPS data, secondary data from governmental offices, and satellite images. During determining a suitable site, ten factors such as land use, land cover, built-up area, geology, religious institutions, soil, slope, road network, groundwater table, and surface water were selected initially. These parameters were analysed using pairwise comparison and a weighted analytical hierarchy process. As the results indicated, the suitable area is about 566 ha (19.66%), the moderately suitable is 432.8 ha (22%), the low suitable is about 1,830.58 ha (63.54%) and the unsuitable area is about 51.56 ha (1.79%) of the study area. The selected suitable sites were in the direction of the south, southeast, northern, and west parts of Fiche Town. These areas are far from the main road, built-up areas, religious institutions, surface water, and groundwater Moreover, the site had: basalt geology, vertosol type of soil, low-depth groundwater (>50 m), and low slope (<10%).
  Keywords: geographical information system; municipal solid waste; MSW; site selection; the analytic hierarchy process.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10068676
   
  
• Preparation and characterisation of activated carbon impregnated with goethite and magnetite for dye removal by the combined action of adsorption and oxidation  
  by Maria Eduarda Bragião, Gilberto Da Cunha Gonçalves, Tamires Roberta Damascena Dos Santos, Márcia Teresinha Veit 
  Abstract: In this work, methodologies for the precipitation of goethite (G) and magnetite (M) iron oxides on activated carbon (AC0) were applied to prepare two composites (G/AC and M/AC) to remove the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye by adsorption/oxidation processes. SEM and EDS showed that the iron oxides partially covered the surface of the AC0, giving a small decrease in the specific surface areas and total pore volume of composites. The FTIR and XRD results showed the presence of goethite on the surface of the G/AC composite (4.23 mgFeg-1 ), and a mixture of goethite and magnetite oxides in M/AC (30.77 mgFeg-1 ). The RB5 dye adsorption and oxidation experiments were carried out in initial pH of 3.0 and 6.0. The composites were effective in removing the RB5 dye in the presence of H2O2, since they were able to combine the adsorptive characteristics of AC with the oxidative capacity of iron oxides.
  Keywords: oxidation; adsorption; heterogeneous Fenton; iron oxide; composite.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10068941
   
  
• From waste to resource: investigating the load carrying capacity of recycled plastic waste  
  by Sahil V. Dharia, Chandrashekhar M. Choudhari, Mahesh S. Kavre 
  Abstract: Domestic waste plastic, which ends up in waste bins, has enormous potential to replace existing load-carrying materials after recycling. Prior to recycling plastic waste, it is essential to segregate the types of plastic waste at the source. This research aimed to investigate the behaviour of household recycled plastic waste under tensile and bending loads to determine its reusability post-recycling. To do this, the authors segregated plastic waste using a dry household waste source segregation bin. The segregated waste plastics included high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), other (OT) and other-aluminium laminated (OT (AL)) plastics. These plastics were shredded, melted and solidified into specimens. PP had the highest ultimate tensile strength, whereas the ultimate tensile strength of OT (AL) was the lowest. During the bending test, PET and PS broke at very low loads. Our findings offer recommendations and opportunities for further study.
  Keywords: waste management; source segregation; plastic recycling; pollution; environment; sustainability; plastic waste management; waste recycling.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.10069177
   
  
• Complex interactions between economic and social variables and municipal solid waste generation in Mexico: insights from a causation analysis  
  by Pablo Emilio Escamilla-García, Ángel Eustorgio Rivera-González, Gibrán Rivera-González, Luis Canek Ángeles-Tovar 
  Abstract: This study investigates the causal relationships between municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and selected economic and social indicators in Mexico, including gross domestic product (GDP), inflation rate, unemployment rate, and educational levels. To conduct the analysis, vector autoregression (VAR), autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL), and Granger causality techniques were considered. Part of the main findings showed the coefficient for GDP was positive but not statistically significant, suggesting that while GDP may influence MSW generation, the relationship is not as straightforward as expected. Similarly, the coefficient for inflation was negative but insignificant, indicating that inflation’s impact on MSW generation is minimal or indirect. For the unemployment rate, the coefficient was negative but not significant, implying that the unemployment rate might not directly influence waste generation. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers aiming to develop targeted strategies that address the economic and educational determinants of waste generation.
  Keywords: municipal solid waste; MSW; generation; gross domestic product; GDP; economic variables; social variables; social indicators; causation analysis; vector autoregression; VAR; autoregressive distributed lag; ARDL; Mexico.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.10069290
   
  
• Review on design and selection of pump for super critical thermal power plant project  
  by Srivastan Iyer, Satyajit M. Deshmukh, Ravi W. Tapre 
  Abstract: Designing and selecting pumps for supercritical thermal power plants is crucial for efficient, reliable power generation. This review paper examines key considerations in selecting pumps for supercritical thermal power plants, which operate at higher pressures and temperatures than subcritical plants. It explores pump types like boiler feed, condensate extraction, and cooling water pumps, focusing on their roles and operational needs in supercritical conditions. The paper discusses critical design factors, including material selection, hydraulic performance, and mechanical integrity, which influence pump efficiency and longevity. It also addresses challenges such as cavitation, wear, and thermal stresses in supercritical environments. The review highlights current technologies, best practices, and innovative solutions to enhance pump reliability and performance. It examines the economic aspects of pump selection, balancing initial investment with long-term operational costs, and guiding engineers to optimise performance and cost-effectiveness. The findings aim to assist engineers and decision-makers in the thermal power industry, helping them make informed choices that optimise performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in supercritical power plant projects.
  Keywords: supercritical thermal power plants; pump design; pump selection; hydraulic performance; specifications and operational criteria.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10069467
   
  
• Evaluation on the performance and emission characteristics of CI engine by using transesterified chicken fat with titanium dioxide as additives  
  by Bachina Harish Babu, Sujith Bobba, Vinay Kulkarni, Dillip Kumar Sahoo 
  Abstract: Different observations on the waste fat of chicken with titanium dioxide was conducted at environmental situations to react to some probes concerning the transesterfication parameters such as lipids, proportion, reaction outcomes with thermal stability, type of periodic stages, reaction reversibility and finally glycerol usage. The tests were performed at various temperatures between 50-70°C and pressures till 35 MPa, while performing the tests were performed with chicken fat a little bit proposition (0.005 mg) of titanium dioxide is added for good performance, the outcome showed that the transesterfication procedure has produced biodiesel from economical lipid chicken skin oil in addition with titanium dioxide. It was also observed during the examination that thermal putrescence of chicken fat was not remarkable if it was warmed up to 300°C which resulted in the preheating of the feedstock up to the temperature mentioned during the initial stage of experimentation. Finally the utilisation of inexpensive chicken fat, linked with glycerol usage, has a prospective to improve biodesiel desirableness in the future.
  Keywords: chicken fat; titanium dioxide; transesterification; biodiesel.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.10069630
   
  
• Microbially induced calcite precipitation for stabilisation and solidification of copper loaded biochar  
  by Misbah Bashir, Kala Venkata Uday, Ajit P. Annachhatre 
  Abstract: This research highlights stabilisation and solidification (s/s) of copper loaded biochar with grade F fly ash and bentonite through microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) induced by S.pasteurii as urease producing bacteria. MICP matrix of 90% fly ash and 10% bentonite yielded the highest unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 253 kPa at curing time of 28 days. Subsequent s/s experiments were carried out with this optimal mixture with the addition of copper loaded biochar ranging from 0% to 2.5% and UCS was always higher than 150 kPa for curing time of 28 days. Strong alkaline nature of fly ash and bentonite induced calcification due to the activity of S.pasteurii and eventually facilitated immobilisation of copper into s/s matrix. Results from toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) revealed that up to 2.5% copper loaded biochar in optimised s/s matrix had 100% stabilisation of copper.
  Keywords: microbially induced calcite precipitation; MICP; fly ash; bentonite; S.pasteurii; s/s; immobilisation; calcification; unconfined compressive strength; UCS; toxicity characteristics leaching procedure; TCLP; copper loaded biochar.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.10069756
   
  
• Bio adsorbents properties for waste treatment: a review  
  by Satyajit M. Deshmukh, Sonali R. Dhokpande, Amaya A. Sankhe, Ajinkya R. Khandekar 
  Abstract: Evaluating the adsorption properties of bio-adsorbents is essential for determining their effectiveness in wastewater treatment. Hemicellulose-based adsorbents offer valuable insights into adsorption mechanisms and rates. Adsorption isotherms define the equilibrium relationship between adsorbate concentration and the adsorbent’s capacity. This paper explores the potential of natural and biological materials, such as fruit peel waste and chitosan, for removing pollutants from waste streams. Thermodynamic studies assess the viability and spontaneity of the adsorption process. Bio-adsorbents provide eco-friendly alternatives to traditional methods. Adsorption effectiveness is enhanced by understanding the physiochemical properties of materials, including seashells for heavy metal biosorption, influenced by factors like pH, temperature, and contact time. Various analytical techniques are employed to characterise adsorbents and their potential for wastewater treatment, including the removal of methylene blue dye. This research supports cleaner, healthier environments by advancing sustainable and effective adsorption techniques for wastewater pollution removal.
  Keywords: hemicellulose-based adsorbents; carbon-derived adsorbents; polysaccharide-based adsorbents; sea material shells; herbage and forage; methylene blue.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.10069757
   
  
• Understanding the determinants of consumers’ intention to recycle e-commerce packaging waste  
  by Noor Fadhiha Mokhtar, Safiek Mokhlis, Mohd Suhaimi Shamsuddin, Arianis Chan 
  Abstract: The current study aims to pinpoint the determinants of online consumers’ intentions to recycle e-commerce packaging waste by incorporating environmental concern and knowledge as the antecedents of attitudes and subjective norms to extend the theory of reasoned action (TRA). Crosssectional data were collected from 263 Malaysian consumers who were regular online shoppers through an online survey to validate the proposed model. Structural equation modelling with SPSS Amos was subsequently conducted, which demonstrated that both attitudes and subjective norms significantly impacted consumers’ recycling intentions. Environmental concern was also identified as a significant predictor of attitudes and subjective norms despite not directly influencing recycling intention. Contrarily, environmental knowledge significantly predicted subjective norms and directly impacted the intention to recycle despite not impacting attitudes. The findings deepened the understanding of the factors contributing to online consumers’ recycling intentions and contributed valuable insights into marketers and policymakers to effectively promote recycling behaviour.
  Keywords: e-commerce; packaging waste; recycling; theory of reasoned action.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.10070041
   
  
• Synthesis and mechanical characterisation of rice husk reinforced epoxy composites  
  by Priyanka Kataria, Anu Gupta 
  Abstract: Composite material was fabricated with rice husk fibre as reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix. Considering the limitations of rice husk like hydrophilicity, low chemical resistance and poor wettability; chemical treatment was used to enhance the surface properties. Rice husk was treated with 5% NaOH to remove lignin from its surface and improve the adhesion in composite. Five different sets of composites with different concentration of rice husk fibre (1050 wt%) were prepared using hand lay up method. Physical and mechanical properties of these samples were investigated as per ASTM standards. Morphological study on the samples was also carried out using FESEM. Alkali treated rice husk composites have exhibited better mechanical properties than the untreated ones. The tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, hardness and compressive strength of the samples have improved significantly with the alkali treatment. Also, the fibre loading of 30 wt% has shown the best mechanical properties.
  Keywords: natural fibre composites; agricultural waste management; mechanical characterisation; rice husk; alkali treatment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.10070206