Waste management is essential for environmental sustainability, urban development, and

public health. It covers a wide array of practices, technologies, policies, and strategies aimed

at effectively managing waste generation, collection, recycling, treatment, and disposal to

minimize negative environmental and societal impacts. Effective waste management ensures

cleaner, healthier living conditions, conserves resources, and protects ecosystems, making it

critical in both developed and developing countries.

In membrane technology, a circular economy approach helps minimize waste and enhances

resource efficiency. By using biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable membranes, and

focusing on membrane reuse, recycling, and up cycling, environmental impacts are reduced.

Integrating renewable energy and adopting sustainable manufacturing methods make

membrane technologies key to resource recovery, water reclamation, and supporting circular

industrial systems, promoting overall sustainability.

The scope of waste management extends beyond disposal, encompassing waste reduction,

recycling, treatment, and the integration of advanced technologies. It involves various sectors,

including policy-making, technological innovation, and community participation. Well-designed

waste management systems contribute to environmental protection, sustainable development,

and resource conservation, while improving public health. With increasing global populations

and industrialization, waste management's role in achieving sustainability is becoming more

important.

1. Sustainable Membrane Technologies and Resource Recovery

• Sustainable Membrane Materials

o Biodegradable and Bio-based Membrane Materials

o Green synthesis of membrane materials

• Energy-Efficient Membrane Systems

o Low-energy Membrane Processes

o Integration of Renewable Energy in Membrane Systems

• Resource Recovery from Waste Streams

o Recovery of Valuable Metals and Nutrients

o Water Reclamation and Circular Water Management

• Sustainable Manufacturing and Supply Chains for Membranes

o Eco-friendly Production Methods for Membranes

o Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Membrane Technologies

Key areas: Resource recovery, water reclamation, and sustainable manufacturing and

supply chains for membranes.

2. Circular Economy in Sustainable Membrane Technology and Waste

Management

• Circular Economy Principles and Practices

• Zero Waste Movement: Principles and Implementation

• Sustainable Membrane Materials

• Recyclable and reusable membrane components

• Eco-design and Recycling end-of-life membranes into new products

• Waste Reduction Strategies in Membrane Industry

Key areas: Waste reduction, resource recovery, membranes, and sustainable practices.

3. Technological Innovations in Smart Membrane Systems, Waste and Resource

Management

• Smart Waste Management: IoT for Membrane Technologies

• Smart membranes with self-cleaning and self-healing properties

• Data-driven optimization for resource-efficient membrane use

• Robotics and AI in Waste Sorting and Recycling

• Waste-to-Wealth (WTW) Technologies: Advancements and Challenges

• Energy-Efficient Systems from Waste Treatment

• Advances in Waste Treatment: Incineration to Gasification

• Digitalization and Smart Membrane Systems

• AI and IoT for predictive maintenance and efficiency

Key areas: Energy-efficient systems, advances in waste treatment methods, and membrane

technologies like low-energy processes and digitalization

4. Environmental and Health Impacts of Waste

• Pollution from Landfills: Air, Water, and Soil Contamination

• The Environmental Impact of Plastic and micro plastic Waste

• Health Risks Associated with Improper Waste Disposal

• E-waste: Environmental and Human Health Implications

• Climate Change and the Role of Waste Management in Mitigation

• Impact of Hazardous Waste on Ecosystems and Public Health

Key areas: Climate change, human health, and the environmental consequences of waste

mismanagement.

5. Waste Management in Urban Settings

• Challenges of Waste Management in Growing Cities

• Efficient Waste Collection and Transportation Systems

• Community-based Waste Management Initiatives

• The Role of Local Governments in Urban Waste Management

• Waste Reduction in Urban Households and Businesses

• Building Sustainable Infrastructure for Waste Management

Key areas: Efficient waste collection systems, community-based initiatives, local government

roles, and waste reduction strategies for households and businesses.

6. Economic and Social Aspects of Waste Management

• Cost-Benefit Analysis of Waste Management Systems

• Financing Sustainable Waste Management Solutions

• Job Creation and Economic Opportunities in Waste Management

• Private-Public Partnerships in Waste Management

• Revenue Generation from Recycling and Waste-to-Energy Projects

• Public Awareness and Education in Waste Segregation and Recycling

• The Role of the Informal Waste Sector in Developing Economies

• National and International Waste Management Policies

• Regulations for Hazardous Waste Management: Compliance and Enforcement

Key areas: Public awareness, community engagement, the role of businesses, and the

informal sector’s impact on waste management.

7. Global Waste Management Trends

Subtopics:

• Global Initiatives in Waste Management

• Comparative Analysis of Waste Management Systems in Different Countries

• The Role of International Organizations in Shaping Waste Policies

• Emerging Markets and Challenges in Waste Management

We welcome a diversity of articles, such as conceptual and empirical studies, systematic reviews, critical commentaries, and meta-analyses, for submission to this Special Issue. Manuscripts from different disciplines and methodological approaches that contribute to the advancement of sustainable practices in metallurgy and materials engineering are highly encouraged.

We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Dr S. Anandakumar

Dr S. Malini 

Dr K. S Radha

Dr. D. Kalyani

Guest Editors: