International Journal of Waste Resources

Bridging the triple bottom line: A sustainability 3ps portfolio development in municipal solid waste management

World Congress on Sustainable Waste Management

June 21, 2023 | Webinar

Kok Sin Woon

Xiamen University, Malaysia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Int J Waste Resour

Abstract:

In 2015, the world nation formulated the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 associated targets that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. One of the Agenda’s focal points is municipal solid waste management, with specified targets such as 3.9, 8.4, 11.6, 12.5, and 13.1. Municipal solid waste management must operate sustainably in terms of the triple bottom line with 3Ps dimensions: planet (environmental), prosperity (economic), and people (social). There has not been a detailed investigation into the trade-off, synergies, and spin-off effects among the 3Ps on municipal solid waste management in the current 2030 Agenda. Finding the best municipal solid waste treatment option requires tactful examination of the 3Ps dimensions simultaneously. To overcome this limitation, a 3Ps sustainability portfolio, a life-cycle graphical presentation that integrates environmental, economic, and social impacts from a life-cycle perspective, is developed. Combining ecological pollution, economic viability, and social acceptance for municipal solid waste management, the 3Ps sustainability portfolio identifies the life-cycle sustainability performance of various treatment solutions using Malaysia as a case study. Based on the local condition and data gathered, a mechanical material recovery facility is the most sustainable solid waste facility, outperforming an open landfill by a factor of 7.5, 2.7, and 0.95, respectively. Considering existing policies and ambitious targets, scenario analysis indicates that 40% recycling is the most sustainable treatment scenario fulfilling the 3Ps dimensions. The 3Ps sustainability portfolio can be used in many different geographical areas, attempting to offer insights into both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Decision-makers and value chain participants may find it easier to understand the interlinkages of the 3Ps for future municipal solid waste management with the illustrative performance of the 3Ps' sustainability.

Biography :

Kok Sin is an Associate Professor and Head of Ph.D. Program of New Energy Science and Engineering at Xiamen University Malaysia, a Professional Technologist by the Malaysia Board of Technologists, and a GreenRE Accredited Professional by the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia. He is passionate about utilizing systems-analytical approaches such as life cycle assessment and multi-objective optimization on issues related to the environment-economic-social well-being nexus. He published almost 30 indexed papers in the last three years, including high impact factors international journals such as One Earth, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Science of the Total Environment. His research provides multidimensional data-driven insights to policymakers in developing circular economy policies that can lead to lower climate and environmental impacts, a greener economy, and higher resource efficiency.