Open research questions in Municipal Solid Waste Management
617 gap statements mined from Municipal Solid Waste Management papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 2,948 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.
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What the literature leaves open
1038/s41598-026-70035-1 chemicals, yet effective industrial coupling mechanisms are still lacking. From the perspective of construction and industrial transformation, long-term performance data on the durability and volumetric stability of CBSW-based building materials remain insufficient.
Carbon sink gain mechanism and evaluation of coal-based solid waste resource utilization in China · 2026 · DOIFuture research should implement a controlled pilot in an institutional or educational setting. The pilot should measure actual use, separation quality, contamination rates, fill levels, system uptime, collection frequency, maintenance requirements, and capital and operating costs. The evaluation should also compare economic, non-economic, and hybrid incentives with relevant lower-technology alternatives.
Smart Bins in an Intermediate Mexican City: Citizen Perceptions and Implementation Conditions · 2026 · DOIUrban expansion in Chile has overwhelmed city planners and their efforts to implement sustainable recycling systems. The escalating environmental and economic challenges require creating models that promote waste minimization/resource maximization. The need to balance simplicity and understanding for non-experts, while offering empirical robustness for domain experts.
The need to strike a balance between exploring new search spaces and seeking possible solutions in the known search space in LS algorithms. The difficulty of solving large-size problems using LP models.
A hybrid model proposal and an application for solving the problem of solid waste collection · 2026 · DOIIn addition, the interpretative and indicative linkages between spatial indicators and SES dynamics, particularly the proposed relationship between typological diversity and adaptive capacity, remain to be tested through systematic empirical comparison with observed transformation trajectories.
Operationalizing Social–Ecological Systems Dynamics Through Spatial Metrics for Urban Waste Space Transformation in İzmir, Türkiye · 2026 · DOIFuture research should examine perceived service adequacy, confidence in fee allocation, and public responsibility expectations to clarify why higher satisfaction weakens the governance–WTP association.
The study focuses on plastics, organics, and paper/cardboard, excluding streams such as textiles, hazardous waste, C&D debris, and ash due to inconsistent datasets on generation volumes, treatment capacities, and recovery efficiencies. Inter-year variability and reporting practices may introduce ± 2–3% uncertainty in recovery rates; results should therefore be interpreted as indicative under reported conditions.
Optimizing waste redistribution for circular economy outcomes: a graph-theoretic WFRRM approach in Australia · 2026 · DOIExpanding the WFRRM algorithm’s capabilities is essential for advancing national waste management optimization and addressing broader sustainability challenges. Efficiency, flexibility, and environmental robustness can be enhanced through multi-category integration, dynamic modelling, cost emission considerations, and AI-driven forecasting.
Optimizing waste redistribution for circular economy outcomes: a graph-theoretic WFRRM approach in Australia · 2026 · DOIThe study highlights the lack of understanding of the dynamic behavior of informal plastic waste management in rapidly urbanizing cities. The study notes the need for a system dynamic modeling approach to analyze the impact of different policy scenarios on plastic waste management.
Integrating the informal sector into urban plastic waste system: a system dynamics study of environmental and economic impacts · 2026 · DOIFuture investigations should explore alternative behavioral theories or expand existing intention-based frameworks to assess household waste separation behavior more comprehensively. Additionally, while correspondence analysis provides valuable insights into the relationships between variables, it does not account for potential interactions with unmeasured factors.
Examining domestic waste separation behaviors in Istanbul by using correspondence analysis · 2026 · DOIThe study identifies the lack of structured waste collection services as a challenge to waste segregation and reuse practices. The research highlights the insufficient awareness of the benefits of waste segregation as a challenge. The study notes the limited market demand and cultural attitudes toward used goods as challenges to selling used household items.
Understanding household reuse behaviors in lebanon: drivers of circular economy transitions · 2026 · DOIThe lack of a systematic approach for evaluating the impacts of improper MRF operations. The need for improved waste management practices in Thailand to mitigate environmental, economic, and social issues.
Integrated assessment of environmental, economic, and operational impacts of improperly operated MRF systems in Thailand · 2026 · DOIThe gap in understanding how urban solid waste management can contribute to climate mitigation. The need for innovative solid waste management strategies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas. The lack of in-depth insights into the mechanisms, challenges, and outcomes of climate-resilient waste management strategies.
From waste to worth: innovative urban solid waste management as a climate mitigation strategy · 2026 · DOIThe lack of effective waste management systems in Indonesia. The need for a comprehensive assessment of waste system performance across the country. The absence of advanced analytical metrics to capture processing depth, output diversification, and residual intensity.
System-level material flow analysis of recyclable municipal solid waste in Indonesia: a spatio-temporal performance assessment for 37 provinces (2019–2024) · 2026 · DOIOnly four annual observations were available for 2020-2023, - The data were not considered sufficient for estimating a statistically reliable non-linear response function, - No causal relationship between subsidy levels and recycling performance was assumed, - The sensitivity analysis was intended to illustrate the dependence of the estimated economic gap on market and operating conditions, - Probability…
Economic viability and exploratory subsidy scenarios for sustainable EPR: a material flow analysis of plastic toy waste in South Korea · 2026 · DOIEvaluation of more specific EPR instruments, - Examination of ecomodulated producer fees, - Investigation of producer take-back or collection obligations, - Analysis of capital support for improved sorting, - Study of requirements for removable batteries and polymer…
Economic viability and exploratory subsidy scenarios for sustainable EPR: a material flow analysis of plastic toy waste in South Korea · 2026 · DOIExplore geospatial disaggregation to capture intra-urban heterogeneity - Compare our fuzzy-logic approach with machine-learning-based weight derivation (e.g., random-forest feature importance) to validate further or enhance predictive accuracy - Apply feature-reduction techniques-such as principal component analysis (PCA) or expert Delphi rounds-to identify and remove overlapping criteria before weight…
The study was limited to a 30-min runtime for the GAMS application, - The study used a laptop equipped with an Intel Core i7-7700HQ CPU @ 2.80 GHz and 16 GB of RAM, - The study did not guarantee the best solution, but rather near-optimal…
A hybrid model proposal and an application for solving the problem of solid waste collection · 2026 · DOIThe study focuses on Lebanon, a lower middle-income country with limited formal waste management infrastructure, - The study does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the economic and social factors influencing reuse behaviors, - The study relies on a survey of residents from both urban and rural areas, which may not be representative of the entire…
Understanding household reuse behaviors in lebanon: drivers of circular economy transitions · 2026 · DOIFurther study on the impact of moisture content on RDF fuel quality - Investigation on the effectiveness of source separation of organic waste…
Integrated assessment of environmental, economic, and operational impacts of improperly operated MRF systems in Thailand · 2026 · DOIThe findings are context-specific and rely on individual-level data, whereas household-level analysis might offer broader socio-economic insights - Methodological challenges regarding AHP consistency and the nuanced interpretation of 'perceived satisfaction' require further refinement - The current scope did not explicitly capture variations in preferences based on ethnicity or hereditary social…
Towards an inclusive society and solid waste management system: Revealing waste pickers’ life preference and satisfaction in Indonesia · 2026 · DOIExpand this framework to other regions - Incorporate household dynamics - Conduct more rigorous pilot testing to capture a more comprehensive perspective of the informal recycling…
Towards an inclusive society and solid waste management system: Revealing waste pickers’ life preference and satisfaction in Indonesia · 2026 · DOIThe complexity of the hazardous waste transfer and treatment network - The need to balance multiple objectives (cost, risk, and heavy metal pollution) - The limitation of data availability for labor costs and facility-level…
Optimization of hazardous wastes transfer and treatment network considering heavy metal pollution · 2026 · DOIInconsistent financial support - Limited digital monitoring systems - Constrained technological scalability - Reliance on strong governance structures and financial resources may limit scalability in developing regions - High capital investment requirements and concerns about circularity pose challenges for long term…
From waste to worth: innovative urban solid waste management as a climate mitigation strategy · 2026 · DOIData completeness is a limitation, - Structural representation within SIPSN is a limitation, - Inconsistencies and missing entries in earlier reporting years constrained full temporal comparability, - Residual uncertainty remains in provinces with incomplete reporting…
System-level material flow analysis of recyclable municipal solid waste in Indonesia: a spatio-temporal performance assessment for 37 provinces (2019–2024) · 2026 · DOI
Most-cited papers in Municipal Solid Waste Management
- Increasing value and reducing waste in research design, conduct, and analysis · The Lancet · 2014 · 1,270 citations
- How to increase value and reduce waste when research priorities are set · The Lancet · 2014 · 1,181 citations
- Role of informal sector recycling in waste management in developing countries · Habitat International · 2005 · 810 citations
- Industry 4.0 based sustainable circular economy approach for smart waste management system to achieve sustainable development goals: A case study of Indonesia · Journal of Cleaner Production · 2020 · 616 citations
- Challenges, opportunities, and innovations for effective solid waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic · Resources Conservation and Recycling · 2020 · 612 citations
- What Makes a Recycler? · Environment and Behavior · 1990 · 552 citations
- A review of China’s municipal solid waste (MSW) and comparison with international regions: Management and technologies in treatment and resource utilization · Journal of Cleaner Production · 2021 · 525 citations
- The world’s growing municipal solid waste: trends and impacts · Environmental Research Letters · 2020 · 461 citations
- The recycling of solid wastes: Personal values, value orientations, and attitudes about recycling as antecedents of recycling behavior · Journal of Business Research · 1994 · 451 citations
- Predicting Recycling Behavior from Global and Specific Environmental Attitudes and Changes in Recycling Opportunities1 · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · 1992 · 399 citations
Most recent work
- Waste-to-Energy Technologies and Their Role in Municipal Solid Waste Management · Recycling · 2026
- Circular Economy Approaches for Sustainable Waste Management: A Review on Integration of AI, Advanced Technologies and Policy Recommendations · Recycling · 2026
- Toward sustainable waste systems: Does China’s mandatory waste separation pilot policy promote the eco-efficiency of municipal solid waste management? · Waste Management · 2026
- A comprehensive review of AI-powered waste segregation: Advancing the vision of smart Saudi Cities · South African Journal of Chemical Engineering · 2026
- Transforming residues to resources: agricultural waste management for value added products, bioenergy, and sustainable economic growth · Environment Development and Sustainability · 2026
- From solid waste to circular value: A dynamic quantitative approach to sustainable business models in the phosphogypsum recycling industry · Environmental Impact Assessment Review · 2026
- Understanding why refuse-derived fuel biomass projects fail through the lens of adaptive capacity in rural Bali · Energy Sustainable Development/Energy for sustainable development · 2026
- GIS-based hybrid MCDM technique for optimal landfill site selection: Advancing sustainable environmental planning in the sacred landscape of Tarapith-Rampurhat, India · Physics and Chemistry of the Earth Parts A/B/C · 2026
- Enhancing energy efficiency and by-product quality of anaerobic co-digestion of food and garden waste: hybridisation with thermochemical conversion to create a sustainable circular economy · Biomass and Bioenergy · 2026
- Circular Economy and Economic Growth in Europe: Analysis Using the Method of Moments Quantile Regression · Sustainable Development · 2026
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