Leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management: A global perspective

A diverse array of socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental factors influences the quantity and composition of municipal solid waste (MSW). Yet, the paucity of consistent waste data continues to impede the formulation of effective solid waste management strategies globally. This gap poses signi...

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Main Authors: Ajaya Subedi, Sahil Shrestha, Anish Ghimire, Shukra Raj Paudel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Sustainable Futures
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006628
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author Ajaya Subedi
Sahil Shrestha
Anish Ghimire
Shukra Raj Paudel
author_facet Ajaya Subedi
Sahil Shrestha
Anish Ghimire
Shukra Raj Paudel
author_sort Ajaya Subedi
collection DOAJ
description A diverse array of socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental factors influences the quantity and composition of municipal solid waste (MSW). Yet, the paucity of consistent waste data continues to impede the formulation of effective solid waste management strategies globally. This gap poses significant barriers to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to responsible consumption and production, environmental sustainability, and promotion of circular economy. In light of these challenges, this study primarily accentuates the transformative potential of Machine Learning (ML) for sustainable waste management. ML models offer promising solutions for projecting waste composition and generation trends while optimizing resource distribution by analyzing key influential factors. Nevertheless, existing ML applications often lack standardization and generalizability across regions. Therefore, this paper objectively advocates for the necessity of robust global ML models to standardize metrics, facilitating reliable comparisons of region- or nation-wise solid waste generation and composition patterns. Additionally, this study aims to emphasize the broader utility of such models in, but not limited to, addressing leachate quantity, landfill composition, and groundwater contamination issues, ultimately promoting scalable, data-driven approaches for informed and sustainable waste management worldwide.
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spelling doaj-art-e03a55e6122a45e69e6cef4c38d480742025-08-20T02:49:06ZengElsevierSustainable Futures2666-18882025-12-011010109810.1016/j.sftr.2025.101098Leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management: A global perspectiveAjaya Subedi0Sahil Shrestha1Anish Ghimire2Shukra Raj Paudel3Environmental Engineering Program, Department of Civil Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Lalitpur, NepalEnvironmental Engineering Program, Department of Civil Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Lalitpur, NepalEnvironmental Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathum Thani 12120, ThailandEnvironmental Engineering Program, Department of Civil Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Lalitpur, Nepal; Corresponding author.A diverse array of socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental factors influences the quantity and composition of municipal solid waste (MSW). Yet, the paucity of consistent waste data continues to impede the formulation of effective solid waste management strategies globally. This gap poses significant barriers to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to responsible consumption and production, environmental sustainability, and promotion of circular economy. In light of these challenges, this study primarily accentuates the transformative potential of Machine Learning (ML) for sustainable waste management. ML models offer promising solutions for projecting waste composition and generation trends while optimizing resource distribution by analyzing key influential factors. Nevertheless, existing ML applications often lack standardization and generalizability across regions. Therefore, this paper objectively advocates for the necessity of robust global ML models to standardize metrics, facilitating reliable comparisons of region- or nation-wise solid waste generation and composition patterns. Additionally, this study aims to emphasize the broader utility of such models in, but not limited to, addressing leachate quantity, landfill composition, and groundwater contamination issues, ultimately promoting scalable, data-driven approaches for informed and sustainable waste management worldwide.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006628Municipal solid waste (MSW)Sustainable managementMachine learning (ML)Prediction modelingGlobal scalability
spellingShingle Ajaya Subedi
Sahil Shrestha
Anish Ghimire
Shukra Raj Paudel
Leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management: A global perspective
Sustainable Futures
Municipal solid waste (MSW)
Sustainable management
Machine learning (ML)
Prediction modeling
Global scalability
title Leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management: A global perspective
title_full Leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management: A global perspective
title_fullStr Leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management: A global perspective
title_full_unstemmed Leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management: A global perspective
title_short Leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management: A global perspective
title_sort leveraging machine learning for sustainable solid waste management a global perspective
topic Municipal solid waste (MSW)
Sustainable management
Machine learning (ML)
Prediction modeling
Global scalability
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006628
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