The Circular Model in Disposal with Municipal Waste. A Case Study of Slovakia

Abstract

Mineral resources are life and driving force of the European Union. It is gaining awareness not only in the EU dependent on imports, but also in the world. In the context of the growing population and the growing demands of economies for natural resources, this type of material management has a significant negative impact on the environment. The main aim of the study was to justify the model of circular economy on the national level, based on the disparities between the regions of Slovak republic. To meet the objective, mostly one-factor analysis was implemented. The circular model, which is based on the partial replacement of primary raw materials by secondary ones, should, on the one hand, limit the depletion of natural resources and, on the other hand, reduce the amount of waste produced. The presented work focuses on the issue of sustainable development, which is closely related to the circular economy, and then explains the circular economy model, including the differences from the linear arrangement and possible obstacles to its implementation for the specific conditions of the Slovak republic. From the results, it is clear that the proposed circular model would be helpful to improve the inefficiencies and disparities on the regional and national level.

Rationale for the Combined Use of Biological Processes and AOPs in Wastewater Treatment Tasks

“…Given the high probability of some of the high-molecular-weight reagents entering the biological treatment unit, there is a need to investigate their effects on the activated sludge's biocenosis in order to study the possible effects on the biological treatment process of the wastewater. Surfactants destroy activated sludge flocs and disrupt the oxygen regime; as such, we should expect significant destruction of zoogloea and the appearance of freefloating cells, which leads to steady turbidity of the nadir fluid, as well as an intensive damaging effect on hydrobionts, as confirmed by previous studies [4][5][6].…”

“…As noted in studies, up to 90% of antibiotics used will end up in components of the natural environment, such as soil and water bodies. Medicinal drug residues enter rivers from human and animal waste, as well as from suboptimal treatment facilities, including those of pharmaceutical companies [3,4]. Additionally, antibiotics can significantly change the biocenosis of water bodies [3].…”

M-GRCT: A Dynamic Circular Economy Model for the Optimal Design of Waste Management Systems in Low-Income Municipalities

“…In recent years, several attempts have been made to implement the principles of the circular economy in the comprehensive management of urban solid waste [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], following the guidelines of the European regulations [ 31 ]. Some of these attempts are based on applying mathematical models that allow for optimization and improvement of waste treatment, minimizing disposal in landfills and promoting waste recirculation and recycling.…”

Equilibrium isotherm studies of copper and zinc removal from model solutions using natural and alkaline treated hornbeam sawdust

“…In the last decades, the chemical and biological pollution of water sources has become a serious environmental problem affecting people's health. The pollution of water can be released naturally by geological and biological activity, but the human activity associated with urban development, energy use, pesticides and fertilizers, industrial waste, sewage water, mining and others has a significant impact on environmental contamination [1][2][3]. Wastewaters from industry production can be harmful and caused severe and long-time issues for surface and underground water sources due to significant low value of pH and increased concentration of heavy metals that transcends many times the maximum acceptable concentration defined by legal regulations (SR Government Regulation 269/2010 Coll.…”