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Environmental Quantification of the Existing Waste Management System in a Developing World Municipality Using EaseTech: The Case of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Author

Listed:
  • Asma Majeed

    (College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54600, Pakistan)

  • Syeda Adila Batool

    (Department of Space Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54600, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhry

    (Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Lahore School of Economics, Lahore 53200, Pakistan)

Abstract

Evaluation of existing operational and managerial provisions and identification of specific actions that fit and impact in a local context is key to find sustainable solutions. The study aims to develop an understanding of existing waste management practices for a medium sized city of Pakistan and to quantify the related environmental impacts using life cycle assessment (LCA). The existing waste management system in “Bahawalpur”, a city with predominant rural-urban infusion, is characterized by straining resources, low generation rates (0.424 kg/capita/day), prominent source separation, high scavenging activities and open dumping practices. The waste composition analysis proposes organic wastes as the largest constituent (64%) followed by recyclables (27%) and inerts (9%). The LCA model “EaseTech” used to quantify the environmental performance of existing waste management arrangements illustrated that existing waste management system in Bahawalpur City has tangible effects on climate change (3.16 × 10 7 kg CO 2 -Eq) and ecotoxicity (3.12 × 10 6 CTU) categories, while depletion of abiotic resources fossil (−9.60 × 10 7 ) category points up most environmental savings. Significant environmental compensations for different impact categories are offered due to high source separation and recycling trade off. The overview necessitates suitable modification in existing waste disposal practice that poses severe impacts on the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Asma Majeed & Syeda Adila Batool & Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhry, 2018. "Environmental Quantification of the Existing Waste Management System in a Developing World Municipality Using EaseTech: The Case of Bahawalpur, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:7:p:2424-:d:157470
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ayres, Robert U. & Ayres, Leslie W. & Martinás, Katalin, 1998. "Exergy, waste accounting, and life-cycle analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 355-363.
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    1. Zhang, Ning & Zhang, Duo & Zuo, Jian & Miller, Travis R. & Duan, Huabo & Schiller, Georg, 2022. "Potential for CO2 mitigation and economic benefits from accelerated carbonation of construction and demolition waste," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    2. Asif Iqbal & Yasar Abdullah & Abdul Sattar Nizami & Imran Ali Sultan & Faiza Sharif, 2022. "Assessment of Solid Waste Management System in Pakistan and Sustainable Model from Environmental and Economic Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Muhammad Nawaz & Muhammad Tariq Yousafzai & Salim Khan & Wisal Ahmad & Muhammad Salman & Heesup Han & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Alejandro Vega-Muñoz, 2021. "Assessing the Formal and Informal Waste Recycling Business Processes through a Stakeholders Lens in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Khatri, Krishan Lal & Muhammad, Amir Raza & Soomro, Shakir Ali & Tunio, Nadeem Ahmed & Ali, Muhammad Mubarak, 2021. "Investigation of possible solid waste power potential for distributed generation development to overcome the power crises of Karachi city," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    5. Oluwatobi Owojori & Joshua N. Edokpayi & Ratshalingwa Mulaudzi & John O. Odiyo, 2020. "Characterisation, Recovery and Recycling Potential of Solid Waste in a University of a Developing Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-17, June.
    6. Laura Ferrans & Alexander Nilsson & Frank Schmieder & Divya Pal & Mahboubeh Rahmati-Abkenar & Marcia Marques & William Hogland, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment of Management Scenarios for Dredged Sediments: Environmental Impacts Caused during Landfilling and Soil Conditioning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    7. Tanzila Akmal & Faisal Jamil, 2021. "Testing the Role of Waste Management and Environmental Quality on Health Indicators Using Structural Equation Modeling in Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.

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