Abstract
Wastes are defined as those materials, substances, objects and products that are no longer of use to the consumer in terms of its original purpose, and are then disposed to the environment, usually as prescribed by the law. Based on a study in 2012, global municipal solid wastes (MSW) are expected to increase to approximately 2.2 billion tonnes per year in 2025 (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata 2012). Wastewater, on the other hand, is also considered a global problem with many regions experiencing different issues: from water disease-related deaths in Africa and Asia to eutrophication in China and Europe (GEO5 2012). Another waste, for example, emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from anthropogenic sources, is reported to be one of the major causes of increase in the global mean temperature. These temperatures are expected to increase by 1.8–4.0 °C between 1980 and 2100 (IPCC 2007). Aside from being considered as consumers of environmental resources, mankind is also considered as producers or generators of wastes which has put a strain on the environment. When the environment is affected, this poses a question to the finiteness of our resources. This chapter focuses on solid wastes, waste management, and the significance of a Circular Economy (CE) to solid waste management.
The paradox of life lies exactly in this: its resources are finite, but it itself is endless. Such a contradictory state of affairs is feasible only because the resources accessible to life can be used over and over again.
―I.I. Gitelson, author of the book “Man-made Closed Ecological Systems”
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Dumlao-Tan, M.I., Halog, A. (2017). Moving Towards a Circular Economy in Solid Waste Management: Concepts and Practices. In: Goel, S. (eds) Advances in Solid and Hazardous Waste Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57076-1_2
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