A critical review on sustainable hazardous waste management strategies: a step towards a circular economy

A critical review on sustainable hazardous waste management strategies: a step towards a circular economy

WoS Article

Globally, industrialisation and urbanisation have led to the generation of hazardous waste (HW). Sustainable hazardous waste management (HWM) is the need of the hour for a safe, clean, and eco-friendly environment and public health. The prominent waste management strategies should be aligned with circular economic models considering the economy, environment, and efficiency. This review critically discusses HW generation and sustainable management with the strategies of prevention, reduction, recycling, waste-to-energy, advanced treatment technology, and proper disposal. In this regard, the major HW policies, legislations, and international conventions related to HWM are summarised. The global generation and composition of hazardous industrial, household, and e-waste are analysed, along with their environmental and health impacts. The paper critically discusses recently adapted management strategies, waste-to-energy conversion techniques, treatment technologies, and their suitability, advantages, and limitations. A roadmap for future research focused on the components of the circular economy model is proposed, and the waste management challenges are discussed. This review stems to give a holistic and broader picture of global waste generation (from many sources), its effects on public health and the environment, and the need for a sustainable HWM approach towards the circular economy. The in-depth analysis presented in this work will help build cost-effective and eco-sustainable HWM projects.

Globally, industrialisation and urbanisation have led to the generation of hazardous waste (HW). Sustainable hazardous waste management (HWM) is the need of the hour for a safe, clean, and eco-friendly environment and public health. The prominent waste management strategies should be aligned with circular economic models considering the economy, environment, and efficiency. This review critically discusses HW generation and sustainable management with the strategies of prevention, reduction, recycling, waste-to-energy, advanced treatment technology, and proper disposal. In this regard, the major HW policies, legislations, and international conventions related to HWM are summarised. The global generation and composition of hazardous industrial, household, and e-waste are analysed, along with their environmental and health impacts. The paper critically discusses recently adapted management strategies, waste-to-energy conversion techniques, treatment technologies, and their suitability, advantages, and limitations. A roadmap for future research focused on the components of the circular economy model is proposed, and the waste management challenges are discussed. This review stems to give a holistic and broader picture of global waste generation (from many sources), its effects on public health and the environment, and the need for a sustainable HWM approach towards the circular economy. The in-depth analysis presented in this work will help build cost-effective and eco-sustainable HWM projects.

E-waste; Environmental remediation; Industrial waste; Integrated treatment; Recycling; Sustainability; Waste treatment technologies; Waste-to-energy

E-waste; Environmental remediation; Industrial waste; Integrated treatment; Recycling; Sustainability; Waste treatment technologies; Waste-to-energy

Kumar, A.; Thakur, A.K.; Gaurav, G.K.; Klemeš, J.J.; Sandhwar, V.K.; Pant, K.K.; Kumar, R.

2024

16.10.2023

SPRINGER HEIDELBERGTIERGARTENSTRASSE 17, D-69121 HEIDELBERG, GERMANY

SPRINGER HEIDELBERGTIERGARTENSTRASSE 17, D-69121 HEIDELBERG, GERMANY

0944-1344

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH

48

30

Federal Republic of Germany

105030

105055

26

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-023-29511-8