Project Abstract

The exponential growth of urban populations, coupled with a surge in consumption patterns, has led to a significant increase in the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in urban centers around the world. This escalating waste crisis poses a significant challenge to local governments and communities, as the traditional linear approach to waste management, which relies heavily on landfilling and incineration, is no longer sustainable. This project aims to develop and evaluate innovative and holistic strategies for sustainable waste management in urban centers, with a focus on promoting circular economy principles, enhancing resource recovery, and minimizing the environmental and social impacts of waste. The importance of this project lies in the urgent need to address the growing waste management crisis in urban areas. Uncontrolled waste accumulation can have severe consequences, including environmental degradation, public health risks, and economic losses. Moreover, the current waste management practices in many urban centers are often inefficient, unsustainable, and disproportionately burden marginalized communities. By developing and implementing sustainable waste management strategies, this project seeks to improve the overall quality of life for urban residents, while also contributing to the broader goals of environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. The project will employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating elements of urban planning, environmental engineering, social science, and policy analysis. The research will begin with a comprehensive assessment of the current waste management practices and challenges in selected urban centers, taking into account the unique socio-economic, cultural, and environmental contexts of each location. This will be followed by the identification and evaluation of innovative waste management strategies, such as 1. Promoting source separation and segregation to enable effective resource recovery and recycling. 2. Implementing decentralized composting and anaerobic digestion systems to convert organic waste into valuable products, such as compost and biogas. 3. Exploring the potential of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to incentivize sustainable product design and packaging. 4. Developing effective waste-to-energy technologies that prioritize energy recovery over incineration. 5. Designing inclusive and participatory waste management programs that engage and empower local communities, particularly marginalized groups. 6. Implementing policy and regulatory frameworks that incentivize sustainable waste management practices and hold stakeholders accountable. The project will also investigate the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the proposed waste management strategies, ensuring that they are not only technologically and economically viable but also socially equitable and environmentally responsible. This will involve conducting cost-benefit analyses, life-cycle assessments, and stakeholder engagement activities to capture the diverse perspectives and needs of urban residents, waste workers, businesses, and policymakers. The expected outcomes of this project include the development of a comprehensive framework for sustainable waste management in urban centers, the identification of best practices and technological innovations, and the formulation of policy recommendations to support the implementation of these strategies. The project findings will be disseminated through academic publications, policy briefs, and targeted stakeholder workshops, with the aim of informing and influencing decision-making processes at the local, regional, and national levels. Ultimately, this project seeks to contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient urban communities by addressing the pressing issue of waste management. By adopting a holistic and inclusive approach, the project aims to pave the way for a more circular and equitable waste management paradigm, one that promotes environmental stewardship, social justice, and economic prosperity in urban centers.

Project Overview