Management of waste biomass from food industry: Potential application of peach shells for waste water treatment

Even though recycling, incineration, and other waste treatment methods are available, landfills continue to dominate waste disposal in Serbia. Without proper management, numerous landfills pose grave dangers, as exemplified by the August 2021 fires at multiple landfills in Serbia. In addition to formal waste recycling systems, approximately 15 million people participate in informal waste recycling, primarily for plastics, metals, glass, and paper, while this figure in Serbia is estimated to be between 30 and 50 thousand. This review analyses emerging public health issues, particularly associated with the informal waste recycling sector in Serbia. Although informal recyclers contribute to waste recycling and reuse, the relatively rudimentary techniques they employ, in conjunction with improper management of secondary pollutants, exacerbate environmental pollution of air, soil, and water. Even worse, inadequate occupational health measures expose informal waste workers to a variety of pollutants, injuries, respiratory and dermatological conditions, infections, and other significant health problems that contribute to a low life expectancy. Integration of the informal sector with its formal counterparts could enhance waste management while simultaneously addressing these grave health and livelihood issues.

Informal recycling sector in Serbia through a health perspective

Latinović,

Marjanović,

Bajrović

2023

Attitudes of households in Kosovo and Metohija towards sustainable development

Stojčetović,

Mišić,

Marković

et al. 2024

This article investigates the attitudes and preferences of households in three municipalities (Štrpce, Gračanica and Kosovska Mitrovica) in Kosovo and Metohija in relation to sustainability issues. For the purposes of the paper, a survey was conducted, in which data were collected by questionnaire from a total of 81 representatives of households from three municipalities. Through a comprehensive analysis of the results of the survey, the key factors affecting the sustainability of households were investigated, the challenges and obstacles faced by households in the implementation of sustainable practices were identified, and guidelines for improving sustainability were also proposed. The key conclusions point to the need for an integrated approach in promoting sustainability, which includes education, infrastructure investments, political incentives and support for households in order to create a sustainable society that protects the environment and promotes a better quality of life for all residents.

Valorization of waste agricultural biomass as a fuel for sustainable power production by co-firing

Belošević,

Tomanović,

Milićević

et al. 2024

Waste agricultural biomass, like the crop residue, is an abundant indigenous renewable energy source in Serbia. As such, the agricultural residue might be utilized for sustainable power production. Direct co-combustion of biomass with coal/lignite offers a viable option to remove this kind of waste and, in the same time, to use its energy potential, mitigate harmful emissions and retrofit existing coal-fired power plants cost-effectively. However, there are serious issues regarding the waste management and the co-firing process itself, yet to be solved. The main aim of this paper is to present benefits and challenges of co-firing the waste agricultural biomass, as a promising technology for biomass valorization and decarbonization in energy, focusing the agricultural residues energy potential, as well as characteristics, preparation and efficient utilization of the biomass as an alternative fuel in power sector.