A Critical Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities for Circular Economy Adoption in Solid Waste Management: The Case of Garissa Township, Kenya | Chapter 01 | Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 5

 

Background: Globally, the transition toward circular economic systems is regarded as essential for addressing resource depletion and climate change. Solid waste management continues to pose major challenges in developing countries due to rapid urbanisation and population growth. Although circular economy strategies have been successfully implemented in many developed countries, smaller municipalities like Garissa lack the necessary infrastructure, policy frameworks, and institutional support to facilitate the transition to circular waste management systems.

Aim: This study examines determinants of circular-economy adoption and their collective influence on sustainable solid-waste management in Garissa Township, Kenya.

Methodology: The study was conducted in Garissa Township, Kenya, specifically across the four administrative wards of Iftin, Township, Galbet, and Waberi. A descriptive research design using a mixed-methods approach was adopted. Data collection was carried out among households, private solid waste collectors, and officials from the Department of Environment and Waste Management. The fieldwork took place over a six-month period, between April and September 2019. The study included a total of 330 respondents from the four wards, comprising adult household heads, county waste management officials, and registered private waste collectors. Individuals below 18 years, non-residents, and those not directly involved in waste management were excluded. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics such as frequencies and means, and supplemented with inferential tests like chi-square to explore variable relationships. Qualitative data from interviews and discussions were analysed thematically to identify key patterns and insights.

Results: Results show a largely female-headed household profile (60.3%) with low formal education (28.9%), while private collectors were predominantly male, aged 31–40 and tertiary educated. Technology was seen to improve recycling efficiency (50%), safety (25%) and cost reduction (25%), but adoption remains under 20% due to financial and technical constraints. Critical service gaps include 49.8% of households without dustbins, 40% of collection routes becoming impassable, and one landfill serving ~80,000 residents. Perceived opportunities scored highly for health (4.68) and employment (4.06), whereas major barriers were inadequate infrastructure (4.42), limited funding (4.35) and weak policy enforcement (2.18).

Conclusion: Garissa has significant potential for circular-economy transition, but success requires targeted infrastructure investment, stronger policy frameworks, technology support and community education to convert attitudes into scalable practice.

 

 

 

 

Author(s) Details :-

 

ADEN, Ibrahim Mohamed
School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, United Kingdom.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crgese/v5/6801

Urban Development Dynamics and Flood Risk Assessment in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria | Chapter 3| Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 4

 

The worldwide population is fast urbanising, with towns undergoing extraordinary growth. Gombe Metropolis, one of Nigeria’s major urban centres, has been meaningly affected by the adverse impacts of persistent annual flooding, leading to prevalent environmental issues and damage to urban societies. Rapid urban development in the city, motivated by the conversion of vegetated areas, open spaces, farmlands, and bare lands into built-up environments, has increased the city’s annual flood risk. Notwithstanding numerous interventions by the government, communities and private efforts to control and mitigate the urban flooding have not been effective. Hence, this study examines the urban development variables contributing to the growing flood risk and frequency in Gombe Metropolis. Data were basically collected through field surveys, including questionnaire administration, and analysed using correlation and regression techniques. Spearman’s Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression models were used to establish statistical relationships between flood risk and independent variables of the urban development, and these include social vulnerability, geographical characteristics, and urban development factors. The findings expose that rapid and unplanned urban development dynamics are the prime drivers of cyclical flooding and the heightened flood risk in Gombe Metropolis. Significant factors prompting flood occurrence include inadequate flood control measures, insufficient and poor drainage systems, failure to obtain building plan approvals, substandard housing structures, and poor solid waste management practices.

 

 

Author(s) Details

 

Saidu Idris
Department of Geography, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.

 

Ahmad Abdullahi
Department of Geography, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.

 

Yahaya Bako Sade
Department of Geography, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.

 

Faiza Mahdi Doho
Department of Geography, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.

 

Dantata Danlami
Department of Geography, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.

 

Ali Abd
Department of Geography, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crgese/v4/6539

Microbial Wonders: Significant Role in Solid Waste Management | Chapter 4 | Emerging Issues in Environment, Geography and Earth Science Vol. 7

The primary objective of this study is to convert the biodegradable solid waste into lactic acid, a precursor of Poly lactic acid- PLA used as bioplastic. Urbanization and population growth have led to an increase in the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) worldwide. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are used widely in food microbiology as probiotics and bio preservatives to extend the shelf life of food items. Lactic acid produced by LAB strains are precursor of polylactic acid (PLA) that has growing demand as bioplastics that are biodegradable in nature replacing traditional plastics. Important chemical parameters of the solid waste like phosphate estimation, nitrate estimation, Total organic carbon estimation were done following Indian standard analytical methods. Glucose consumption efficiency of Lacto bacillus sp.in the solid waste substrate was analyzed. Estimation of lactic acid produced was done in UV spectrometric analysis at 390nm using iron lactate formation. In this study, lactic acid bacteria were isolated from samples of milk, curd, idli batter and screened for lactic acid production. Solid waste collected was pretreated with dilute acid heating and hydrolysate obtained was used as substrate for lactic acid production under optimized parameters. Three isolates of Lacto bacillus sp. were good producers of lactic acid and utilized biodegradable solid waste in an effective manner. 3-5 gm/lit of lactic acid was produced by the three strains of Lacto bacillus sp. Segregation of domestic solid waste collected, comprised of 40% biodegradable fragment, 40% nondegradable plastic, 20% miscellaneous waste. Lactic acid production from biodegradable portion is a preliminary step experimented in this study progressing in polylactic acid PLA pathway indirectly reducing plastic pollution. In a similar manner, nonbiodegradable plastic waste can be minimized using Exopolysaccharide pathway by Xanthomonas sp. that is reviewed in this study. Disposal of solid waste in an economical and greener way is a smart method of saving environment. Bioconversion of plastic into pseudoplastic xanthan gum by Xanthomonas sp. (through exopolysaccharide pathway) are greener techniques to crush down the accumulated plastic mountains to ground level. Production of lactic acid, precursor of PLA from solid waste is a sustainable &greener method to dispose waste. Bioconversion of plastic into pseudo plastic-xanthan gum is a promising tool to minimize plastic pollution.

Author(s) Details:

Meena, S,
Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641 046, India.

Manimekalan, A.,
Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641 046, India.

Radhakrishnan T.,
Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641 046, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/EIEGES-V7/article/view/13336

Solid Waste Management Practice, Handling and Planning in the Construction Industry| Chapter 10 | Research Developments in Science and Technology Vol. 3

The building sector contributes significantly to the national economy. Inadequate construction waste management leads to a variety of problems, including illegal dumping along roadsides, demolition rubbish, and landfill disposal of building waste. Malaysia is facing a significant shortage of landfill space, which has lately exacerbated across the country, providing a huge resource and environmental problem for the government. Solid waste management is one of the major environmental issues that most governments have been concerned about for a long time. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation modified the types of solid waste created. The efficiency of trash separation and the impacts of the waste management system by the municipal leader in the city are determined by citizen awareness.

 

Author(s) Details:

Md Azree Othuman Mydin,
School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RDST-V3/article/view/6635

Awareness Adds to Knowledge. Stage of the Art Waste Processing Facilities and Industrial Waste Treatment Development | Chapter 10 | Current Approaches in Science and Technology Research Vol. 4

 Annually, over 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) are created worldwide, with a growing tendency. Diverse countries have different techniques and techniques to combat the ever-growing garbage problem, with varying levels of sustainability. Waste can be dealt in a variety of ways, and the importance of activities related to the circular economy, for example, has lately been recognised on the sustainability front. The value of recycling is also recognised, and fortunately, the waste management sector is moving toward more holistic approaches and attempting to reduce trash discharge to landfills. However, landfills will almost certainly continue to exist in some form for waste that cannot be recycled or disposed of in any other way. To restrict the amount of garbage transported to landfills and to manage landfills more efficiently, it is necessary to understand what kind of landfills will be regarded necessary and why. This investigation examined one of the most efficient and modern state-of-the-art waste facilities from a technical and waste processing standpoint. Based on the information gathered, the authors propose technologically based solutions for addressing waste handling/processing issues and reducing the need for landfills.

Author(s) Details

Maria Kilpeläinen
Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland.

Ari Happonen
Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CASTR-V4/article/view/1044