Sustainability in Waste Management: An Engineering Perspective

The world is witnessing an unprecedented rise in solid, liquid, and hazardous waste due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, and shifting consumption patterns. Inadequate infrastructure, inefficient segregation, and minimal resource recovery continue to pose critical threats to public health, ecosystems, and climate goals. There is an urgent global need for sustainable, technology-driven solutions that transform waste into a valuable resource. Sustainability in Waste Management: An Engineering Perspective presents a comprehensive framework for integrating environmental engineering, renewable energy, digital innovation, and circular economy principles into modern waste management. It blends theory with real-world applications, drawing insights from diverse regions, including both developed and developing countries. Structured across nine chapters, the book covers:

• Core concepts such as waste classification, characterization, landfilling, and decentralized wastewater treatment
• Resource recovery from organic, biomedical, and food waste
• Renewable-powered systems such as solar dryers and PV-based waste handling
• Emerging technologies like hydrogen production, energy storage, carbon capture, and AI-enabled waste monitoring

The book aligns with key global targets such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Intended for engineers, researchers, urban planners, and policymakers, this book offers scalable, adaptable, and technically sound solutions to modern waste challenges. It aims to catalyze a transition toward cleaner, smarter, and more resilient waste management systems worldwide.

• Interdisciplinary Approach with Real-World Applications: The book merges concepts from environmental engineering, renewable energy, material science, and digital technologies (AI, IoT) to present unified solutions
• Modular Chapter Design for Structured Learning and Practical Reference: Each chapter is designed with clear sub-sections covering theory, process mechanisms, technologies, and case studies
• Global Perspective with Case Studies and SDG Alignment: Features international case studies, technology comparisons, and policy insights, linking local actions to global sustainability goals (SDG 6, 7, and 11)