Search

The use of plastic materials in agriculture involves several benefits but it results in huge quantities of agricultural plastic waste to be disposed of. Input and output data on the use of plastics in agriculture are often difficult to obtain and poor waste management schemes have been developed. The present research aims to estimate and map agricultural plastic waste by using satellite images. Waste was evaluated by means of the indexes relating waste production to crop type and plastic application as defined by the land use map realized by classifying the Landsat 8 image. The image classification was carried out using Support Vector Machines (SVMs), and the accuracy assessment showed that the overall accuracy was 94.54% and the kappa coefficient equal to 0.934. Data on the plastic waste obtained by the satellite land use map were compared with the data obtained by using the institutional land use map; a difference of 1.74% was identified on the overall quantity of waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the environmental and economic benefits of global waste management systems in the context of zero waste practices. The study analysed the waste management performance of 168 countries around the globe and evaluated their performance using the zero waste tool. The Zero Waste Index measures the material substitution potential of waste. This is done by taking into account the amount of materials recovered from waste, which potentially substitute the demand for virgin materials. By substituting virgin materials’ demand, we could potentially substitute the demand for energy, water, and avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. The study analysed waste management systems in 168 countries and presented its findings using the mapping techniques of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The findings of the study suggested that globally, an average person generated around 435 kg of waste each year, out of which an estimated 50 kg of materials (paper, plastic, metal, glass and others) potentially substitute the demand for the extraction of virgin materials. By substituting the demand for virgin materials, through ‘zero waste activities’, an average person could potentially save around 216 kWh of energy, 0.05 kg GHG and 36 L of processed water. Globally, each person would then potentially save around $61.3 annually, of which $17 would arise from materials substitution, and $44 from energy substitution. The study suggested that energy substitution potentially contributed over twice the economic benefits as materials substitution in resource recovery from waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As appointed in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, cities and regions in EU member countries start accompanying their circular economy strategies by monitoring frameworks, often called Circular Economy Monitors (CEM). Having the task to assess the performance towards the achievement of set targets and to steer decision-making, CEMs need to rely on a multitude of statistics and datasets. Waste statistics play an important role in circular economy monitoring as they provide insights into the remaining linear part of the economy. The collection of waste statistics is mandated by the European Commission which provides general guidelines on data collection and processing. The Netherlands has one of the most detailed waste registries among the EU countries. The country's largest metropolitan region, Amsterdam, is currently building a CEM which tracks progress over time towards the set goals, highlights which areas need improvement and estimates target feasibility. This paper uses the Amsterdam CEM as a case-study to explore how the existing system of waste registration in the Netherlands is able to support decision-making. The data is explored with the help of four queries that relate to the CEM's goals and require data mapping to be answered. The data mapping and analysis process has revealed several limitations present in the waste data collection and a number of gaps present in current circular economy research and data analysis. At the same time, the available data already supports significant insights into the status quo of the current waste system and provides opportunities for circular economy monitoring. • The paper puts forward the improvement of the European Waste Statistics Regulation. • Waste Statistics require more interoperability to support Circular Economy Transition. • The waste classification has limited utility in assessing circular economy strategies. • The Dutch National Waste Registry provides highly detailed geographical information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2022, the European Union Waste Framework Directive (WFD) requires member states to report annual food waste from each food supply chain stage. Comprehensive food losses and waste (FLW) data can be challenging to obtain for the primary production stage, i.e., farming and fishing. However, this information is vital in developing FLW mitigation actions appropriate to each country. This study describes the nature and extent of FLW from primary production in Ireland, using methods approved for WFD reporting. Causes of FLW and FLW as a proportion of total production were determined through interviews with Irish primary production stakeholders and using national FLW data where available. The FLW was presented for each primary production sector - animal husbandry, horticulture, tillage, aquaculture, and fisheries. The total annual FLW from Irish primary production was 189,508 tonnes. The main FLW sources were vegetable production (122,398 tonnes), meat production (41,726 tonnes), and tillage (12,502 tonnes). The activities associated with high FLW did not reflect the quantity of food from those activities, e.g., dairy generated the greatest quantity of animal husbandry produce (89%) but only 7% of animal husbandry FLW. The main causes of FLW in Irish primary production were pests, disease, injuries, and production stress (37%), followed by un-harvestable or un-saleable produce, 24% and 21%, respectively. The majority of FLW described in this study (63%) is considered food loss, meaning mitigation efforts should focus on this rather than food waste. These results also clearly indicate priority areas for mitigation action, e.g., horticulture. This research suggests mitigation actions that improve long-term farm sustainability, e.g., improve soil health, reduce FLW and contribute to food production potential in fisheries and aquaculture. • 189,508 tons of food loss and waste from farming and fishing in Ireland annually. • Vegetable, meat, and cereal production are the main sources of food loss and waste. • Potatoes associated with the greatest quantity of food loss and waste (72,838 tons). • Pests, disease, injury and production stress caused most pre-harvest food losses. • Post-harvest food waste mainly caused by produce that cannot be sold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]