The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on waste-to-energy and waste-to-material industry in China

Zhou, Chuanbin; Yang, Guang; Ma, Shuhua; Liu, Yijie; Zhao, Zhilan

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2020.110693

Cited by 64 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Consequently, the waste collection centers became almost functionless and severely impacted (Mihai 2020 ; Sarkodie and Owusu 2020 ). Similarly, the impact extended to the waste-to-energy (WTE) and waste-to-material (WTM) industries (Zhou et al 2021 ). The outbreak has added extra sources of waste products which have ultimately triggered even more complexity in the management of SW to governments and waste workers (Sharma et al 2020a , 2020b ; Tripathi et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 outbreak and perceptions of people towards household waste management chain in Nepal

Acharya

Bastola

Modi

et al. 2021

Geoenviron Disasters

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The spread of COVID-19 is posing significant challenges to the household (HH) waste management sectors putting waste personnel and concerned bodies under massive pressure. The chain of collection, segregation, recycling, and disposal of household generated wastes is interrupted. This study aimed to assess how the household waste management chain was disrupted by novel coronavirus in Nepal and find the perception of the people towards the existing household waste management system (HHWMS). A descriptive online survey was carried out among 512 people using a cross-sectional research design and data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire method. Both descriptive, as well as inferential tests, were conducted using SPSS software. The finding of this study showed that 62.3% of respondents were not satisfied with the present HHWMS. Furthermore, there was a significant association of the satisfaction level of household waste management during coronavirus outbreak with gender, waste volume change in lockdown, PPE for waste collectors, and education on waste handling techniques provided by the government sector at 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). Proper HH waste management has become a challenge, and to address this some innovative works such as awareness programs for people, health and hygiene related support to waste workers, and effective policy formulation and implementation should be done by the Government of Nepal.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 outbreak and perceptions of people towards household waste management chain in Nepal

Acharya

Bastola

Modi

et al. 2021

Geoenviron Disasters

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“…A recent case reported by Zhou et al [ 39 ] shows that from January to March 2020, the waste-to-material industry in China dropped significantly (−28%), comparing their turnovers in 2019. The decline in profits of waste companies was estimated at 8.6 B USD.…”

Section: The Impact Of the Pandemic On The Brazilian Recycling Sectormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The decline in profits of waste companies was estimated at 8.6 B USD. The rise of logistic costs, delay of receivable accounts, and the reduction of the benefit from secondary raw material during the pandemic outbreak could be contributed to the economic loss [ 39 ].…”

Section: The Impact Of the Pandemic On The Brazilian Recycling Sectormentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons and challenges for the recycling sector of Brazil from the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19

Almeida

Souza²,

Campos

2021

Waste Dispos. Sustain. Energy

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The 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic imposed unprecedented challenges in Brazilian governance sectors, mostly in the waste management system. Herein, we analyse the main challenges of the recycling sector in Brazil to cope with this scenario. Understanding difficulties during the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 can help improve waste recycling in the post-pandemic period in Brazil and other developing nations that face similar issues. The current pandemic exposed the deficiencies of this system, and some important lessons can be learned. Recommendations are drawn to advance the proper management of recyclables in the country. The Government must increase total investments in the recycling industry's infrastructure and support local recycling initiatives during a public health crisis and beyond. In sum, this paper strengthens the idea that waste segregation at the source and selective collection will not be sufficient without massive investments in the recycling sector’s infrastructure. The future challenge includes strengthening the economic markets for recycled materials. Graphic abstract

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“…The International Monetary Fund estimated a total of US$ 2.8 × 10 13 cost in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemics [ 2 ]. The impacts on energy and the environment cover many fields, such as waste-to-material and waste-to-energy [ 3 ], urban sustainability in terms of economic and the environment [ 4 ], and energy stock markets [ 5 ]. At the beginning of the year 2020, COVID-19 looked by most of the population as just another epidemic, which might influence one or just a few regions, just like the severe acute respiratory syndrome in 2003.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 pandemics Stage II – Energy and environmental impacts of vaccination

Klemeš

Jiang

Fan

et al. 2021

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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The COVID-19 pandemic developed the severest public health event in recent history. The first stage for defence has already been documented. This paper moves forward to contribute to the second stage for offensive by assessing the energy and environmental impacts related to vaccination. The vaccination campaign is a multidisciplinary topic incorporating policies, population behaviour, planning, manufacturing, materials supporting, cold-chain logistics and waste treatment. The vaccination for pandemic control in the current phase is prioritised over other decisions, including energy and environmental issues. This study documents that vaccination should be implemented in maximum sustainable ways. The energy and related emissions of a single vaccination are not massive; however, the vast numbers related to the worldwide production, logistics, disinfection, implementation and waste treatment are reaching significant figures. The preliminary assessment indicates that the energy is at the scale of ~1.08 × 10 10 kWh and related emissions of ~5.13 × 10 12 gCO 2eq when embedding for the envisaged 1.56 × 10 10 vaccine doses. The cold supply chain is estimated to constitute 69.8% of energy consumption of the vaccination life cycle, with an interval of 26–99% depending on haul distance. A sustainable supply chain model that responds to an emergency arrangement, considering equality as well, should be emphasised to mitigate vaccination's environmental footprint. This effort plays a critical role in preparing for future pandemics, both environmentally and socially. Research in exploring sustainable single-use or reusable materials is also suggested to be a part of the plans. Diversified options could offer higher flexibility in mitigating environmental footprint even during the emergency and minimise the potential impact of material disruption or dependency.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on waste-to-energy and waste-to-material industry in China

Cited by 64 publications

References 29 publications

The impact of COVID-19 outbreak and perceptions of people towards household waste management chain in Nepal

The impact of COVID-19 outbreak and perceptions of people towards household waste management chain in Nepal

Lessons and challenges for the recycling sector of Brazil from the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemics Stage II – Energy and environmental impacts of vaccination

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