Sustainable Management of Green Waste in Urban Settings: A Case Study on Energy Recovery and Heating Solutions in the Municipality of Athens (Greece)
The increasing volume of municipal solid waste (MSW), including biodegradable plant residues such as pruning, leaf, and kitchen wastes, presents a substantial environmental challenge due to the limited availability of landfill space and the resulting environmental contamination. Sustainable waste ma...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Recycling |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/9/6/117 |
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| author | Magdalini Dapsopoulou George Bellas Dimitris Zianis Petros Kokkinos Dimitris Kyriakakis Emmanouil Pachountis |
| author_facet | Magdalini Dapsopoulou George Bellas Dimitris Zianis Petros Kokkinos Dimitris Kyriakakis Emmanouil Pachountis |
| author_sort | Magdalini Dapsopoulou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The increasing volume of municipal solid waste (MSW), including biodegradable plant residues such as pruning, leaf, and kitchen wastes, presents a substantial environmental challenge due to the limited availability of landfill space and the resulting environmental contamination. Sustainable waste management practices, encompassing recycling and waste-to-energy conversion through biological or thermochemical processes, are imperative. In the Municipality of Athens, Greece, significant quantities of green waste generated from public and private gardening activities provide a valuable opportunity for energy recovery and landfill waste reduction. In accordance with Directive 2008/98/EC, Athens emphasizes waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery. This study examined alternative bio-waste and green waste management systems, using examples from Europe, focusing on the Athens Directorate of Urban Green Spaces and Urban Wildlife. This paper discusses methods for assessing the energy value of pruning residues, providing a definitive disposal framework. Additionally, it presents a technoeconomic study of one of the municipal swimming pools in the Municipality of Athens, investigating the production and distribution of thermal energy to meet the heating needs of the pool facilities. This research identified key constraints and their impact on decision-making, highlighting the potential for alternative green waste management strategies. It advocates modern recycling techniques in line with national and community legislation, which have significant environmental and economic benefits. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ffbf36962cd24a359ef751b1da68cef2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2313-4321 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Recycling |
| spelling | doaj-art-ffbf36962cd24a359ef751b1da68cef22025-08-20T02:57:17ZengMDPI AGRecycling2313-43212024-12-019611710.3390/recycling9060117Sustainable Management of Green Waste in Urban Settings: A Case Study on Energy Recovery and Heating Solutions in the Municipality of Athens (Greece)Magdalini Dapsopoulou0George Bellas1Dimitris Zianis2Petros Kokkinos3Dimitris Kyriakakis4Emmanouil Pachountis5Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, Agricultural University of Athens, 36100 Karpenissi, GreeceCamino Design G. Samoukatsidis Bros, 7th Km Kozani-Ptolemaida Rd, 50100 Kozani, GreeceDepartment of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, Agricultural University of Athens, 36100 Karpenissi, GreeceSchool of Science & Technology, Hellenic Open University, Parodos Aristotelous 18, 26335 Patra, GreeceDepartment of Greenery & Urban Fauna, Municipality of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Greenery & Urban Fauna, Municipality of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceThe increasing volume of municipal solid waste (MSW), including biodegradable plant residues such as pruning, leaf, and kitchen wastes, presents a substantial environmental challenge due to the limited availability of landfill space and the resulting environmental contamination. Sustainable waste management practices, encompassing recycling and waste-to-energy conversion through biological or thermochemical processes, are imperative. In the Municipality of Athens, Greece, significant quantities of green waste generated from public and private gardening activities provide a valuable opportunity for energy recovery and landfill waste reduction. In accordance with Directive 2008/98/EC, Athens emphasizes waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery. This study examined alternative bio-waste and green waste management systems, using examples from Europe, focusing on the Athens Directorate of Urban Green Spaces and Urban Wildlife. This paper discusses methods for assessing the energy value of pruning residues, providing a definitive disposal framework. Additionally, it presents a technoeconomic study of one of the municipal swimming pools in the Municipality of Athens, investigating the production and distribution of thermal energy to meet the heating needs of the pool facilities. This research identified key constraints and their impact on decision-making, highlighting the potential for alternative green waste management strategies. It advocates modern recycling techniques in line with national and community legislation, which have significant environmental and economic benefits.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/9/6/117green waste managementmunicipal solid waste (MSW)pruning residuessustainable developmentcircular economywaste valorization |
| spellingShingle | Magdalini Dapsopoulou George Bellas Dimitris Zianis Petros Kokkinos Dimitris Kyriakakis Emmanouil Pachountis Sustainable Management of Green Waste in Urban Settings: A Case Study on Energy Recovery and Heating Solutions in the Municipality of Athens (Greece) Recycling green waste management municipal solid waste (MSW) pruning residues sustainable development circular economy waste valorization |
| title | Sustainable Management of Green Waste in Urban Settings: A Case Study on Energy Recovery and Heating Solutions in the Municipality of Athens (Greece) |
| title_full | Sustainable Management of Green Waste in Urban Settings: A Case Study on Energy Recovery and Heating Solutions in the Municipality of Athens (Greece) |
| title_fullStr | Sustainable Management of Green Waste in Urban Settings: A Case Study on Energy Recovery and Heating Solutions in the Municipality of Athens (Greece) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sustainable Management of Green Waste in Urban Settings: A Case Study on Energy Recovery and Heating Solutions in the Municipality of Athens (Greece) |
| title_short | Sustainable Management of Green Waste in Urban Settings: A Case Study on Energy Recovery and Heating Solutions in the Municipality of Athens (Greece) |
| title_sort | sustainable management of green waste in urban settings a case study on energy recovery and heating solutions in the municipality of athens greece |
| topic | green waste management municipal solid waste (MSW) pruning residues sustainable development circular economy waste valorization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/9/6/117 |
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