Catching the Wave of the Future:An Analysis of Sustainable Waste Management Technologies

摘要

Waste management is a fundamental aspect of society that affects public health, the environment, and the economy. Sustainability has become a central focus of most governments and industries. The topic of waste sustainability has received little attention in the waste literature; yet achieving sustainability inherently depends on the waste management industry. The purpose of this research is to analyze the sustainability of waste management technologies using indicators of sustainability. This case study was carried out by conducting interviews with key waste management stakeholders in Georgia and across the nation. A comprehensive review of government documents and the solid waste management literature was conducted. This project provides an in-depth comparative analysis of the potential for increasing sustainability through thermal waste management alternatives and an evaluation of their potential to reduce waste, generate renewable energy, decrease landfill emissions, and promote economic development based on indicators of sustainability. The policy implications and barriers to sustainability identified in the research are discussed.