Class Waste Management

The Waste Management module introduces key concepts, solutions and technologies related to the management of municipal and industrial waste. The module includes a study visit to two waste management facilities of different types - energy recovery from waste and organic waste recovery - with the aim of giving students direct contact with real-world solutions and enabling them to consolidate the theoretical concepts taught in lectures. Waste management plays a central role in the organisation of society and is a fundamental subject in the education and training of an environmental engineer.

Not applicable

General principles of municipal and industrial waste management: Political and legislative framework. Planning instruments. Economic and social components. Waste prevention: Policies and strategies. Waste Management Hierarchy. Waste generation and characterisation: Quantities, techniques and methods. Waste collection and transport: Facilities and equipment. Collection vehicles and systems. Transport. Transfer stations. Route analysis and optimisation. Separate collection of biowaste and organic recovery. Packaging sorting and Mechanical Treatment of Waste. Energy Recovery from Waste. Engineered landfill of waste. Application of the geocentre method to determine the location of a waste management facility.

During lectures, the lecturer presents the theoretical content of the module, challenging students with carefully considered questions that encourage them to reflect on the topics covered. This process fosters dialogue with the students, facilitating their understanding and deeper internalisation of the subject matter. For the practical assignment, students are set a challenge - to site a waste management facility within the national territory - and are responsible for carrying out all the necessary research and data gathering.

- Pires, A., Martinho, G., Rodrigues, S., Gomes, M.I. (2019). Sustainable Solid Waste Collection and Management. Springer Nature - Chang NB, Pires A (2015) Sustainable solid waste management: a systems engineering approach. IEEE Wiley, Hoboken - Chang NB, Pires A, Martinho G (2011) Empowering systems analysis for solid waste management: challenges, trends, and perspectives. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 41:1449 1530 - Tchobanoglous, G.; Kreith, F. (2002) - Handbook of Solid Waste Management. Second Edition. McGraw-Hill International Editions.