Search

This paper describes a batch study on four different mixture ratios of household organic waste and cow manure. The biomethane potential test is used to evaluate the suitability of high solid anaerobic co-digestion of household organic waste and cow manure and its biodegradability. The maximum methane yield was observed for both co-digestions in R3 (247 mL/g VS) and R4 (244 mL/g VS). The percentages of mass recovery were 65-80% (based on VS removal). The biodegradability of each reactor was recorded as 97.7%, 10.7%,71.6% and 76.8% for R1, R2, R3, and R4, respectively. High solid co-digestion of household organic waste and cow manure in different mixture ratios increase the specific methane yields compared to mono-digestion. Hence, this clearly demonstrates a synergistic effect on the stability of anaerobic digestion. Upon correcting the results of the theoretical method with experimental data, an agreement ranged 70-90% was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of organic fraction in municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is now becoming scarce globally due to population and economic boosts, especially in Malaysia. Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills remain the predominant end-state for waste disposal in most developing countries. Unsustainable MSW management accelerates environmental degradation through landfill gaseous (LFG) emissions of mainly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), which promote global warming that finally is affecting human health. Recently, harnessing CH4 from anaerobic digestion of solid waste has attracted more interest and promised betterment in MSW management. With its current amount of more than 50%, organic material in landfills is estimated to emit 310,225 CH4/year with carbon credit of US$ 85.93, which can potentially generate 2.20x109 kWh of electricity valued at US$ 220 million. This present work is a review manuscript that discusses the state-of-the-art anaerobic digestion of OFMSW as treatment in term of waste diversion from a landfill. The study also estimates the renewable energy potentials from OFMSW waste diversion. Finally, this paper discusses the benefits of harnessing biogas from the perspectives of environmental benefits, energy recovery, and economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life in an estuary and at the beach are unique settlement patterns in the history of Malaysia. Sabah is well known for its water village settlements that are built on wooden pillars and which can be found along Sabah coastal water. However, a lot of problems have occurred at the Sabah water villages. Thus, the aim of this study is to measure the solid waste generation and composition in 150 households at select water villages in Sabah, Malaysia. The study was conducted at three major towns in Sabah, namely Kampung Tanjung Batu Laut, Tawau water village, Kampung Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu water village and Kampung Sim-sim, Sandakan water village. Based on the results, the total waste generation is 1519.30 kg and the average solid waste generation rate per household is 0.29 kg/person/day. The main component of solid waste is food waste, which comprises 37% of the total waste generated, followed by plastic waste at 31%, paper waste 14.7%, glass 7.2%, and metal 6.3%. The remainder (3.8%) includes bulky waste, furniture, wood, etc. Although the solid waste generation rate is comparatively low, it will create a negative impact on the environment and public health if proper management of solid waste is not practiced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid waste management (SWM) is a global issue and has proven to be a key challenge facing many developing countries. SWM constitutes a crucial health and environmental problem. Most cities spend 20-50% of their annual budget on solid waste management, but only 20-80% of the waste is collected. Due to the diversity of different system components that need to be addressed and the inability of a single tool to assess all components, it has necessitated the need for an integrative approach to SWM issues. Recently more integrative techniques and methods are being utilized to address the different issues that arise in solid waste management as a whole. One technique or method is inefficient and cannot encompass all components of a solid waste management system. This paper looks into the different system analysis techniques that have been applied in SWM and shows system engineering tools have a wide and diverse application, require less data, and are quite cost effective when compared to the system assessment tool, which requires a wide and diverse range of data to be applicable and reliable. The system engineering tools when applied do not reflect the actual scenario for assessment and are quite difficult to implement practically. The system engineering tools are very reliable with regard to choosing options and stimulation of a scenario. System assessment tool seem more realistic, practically applicable for the decision makers and analysis/assessment using system assessment tools can easily be understood and simplified. An integration of engineering and system assessment tools seems more appropriate for obtaining a holistic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste is an obvious by-product that comes from human activities. Urbanization, economic development, and improving living standards in cities all have an impact on the increase of the quantity and difficul- ty of generated waste. Fast population growth and industrialization degrades the urban environment and places serious stress on natural resources. Inefficient management and disposal of solid waste is a noticeable cause of degradation of the environment in most cities of the developing world. MSW generation depends on township size and level of economic standards. Thus, it was proven by the MSW generated in the selected area of Kluang (a small town in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia) amounted to as little as 45 tons and as much as 3,000 tons in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia's capital). More analysis reported that the largest sources of MSW generation come from household waste, followed by industrial and commercial wastes. In Selangor State, the highest percentage of MSW consisted of putrescible waste of approximately 46%, followed by plastic and paper at 15% and 14%, respectively. This paper focuses on the trend and management of household solid waste composition generated in Balakong City, Malaysia. A survey for household residents in eight housing areas was carried out for one month and data were collected on a daily basis. The composition of solid waste collected was segregated into different components (organic waste, plastic, paper, glass, metal, and other). For overall household solid waste composition generated in the Balakong area, organic waste recorded the highest percentage at 555.5%. Then, followed by plastic waste 82.2%, paper 74.4%, other waste 42.9%, glass 25.8%, the lowest waste generated was metal at 18.9%. There is a relation between the economic position of a country and per capita waste generation rate. While the standard of living rises, waste generation rates also are increasing. The world trend of solid waste generation nowadays (including Malaysia) is mostly dependent on the changing consumption pattern, and also related to climate and seasonal differences. Thus, the management and planning of solid waste generated must be enhanced to improve sustainable solid waste management in Malaysia. Besides, public awareness, funding, expertise, equipment, and facilities that are currently lacking must be provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia is faced with daunting challenges related to solid waste management. Due to an increase in population, economic growth, inadequate enforcement of waste legislation, infrastructure, and public attitude among others, solid waste management is considered a crucial issue in Malaysia, particularly in urban settings. This paper gives an overview of solid waste management in Malaysian with the aim of presenting the state of waste generation, composition, management practices, and problems with regards to environmental, economic, and other ramifications from previous records. In general, the total waste generated in Malaysia is estimated to be 7 million tons in 2000, with an annual increase of 3%. This is due to many factors such as urban migration, affluence, and rapid development. This circumstance requires greater focus to be in placed on managing solid waste and mitigating the negative public and environmental effects. Presently, management of solid waste is carried out by the Ministry of Housing and local government, with the support of the private sector. This new holistic approach initiated addressing the solid waste issue, taking into account public health and environmental concerns with an emphasis on reduction, reuse, and recycling before reaching final stage -- disposal at landfill, and this to certain extent has a greater potential in addressing SWM problems in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]