MTK332 Resource recovery and solid waste management

Welcome to the course Resource recovery and solid waste management!

According to the World Bank, 33% of the 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste generated in the world annually, is not managed in an environmentally sound way. Over the next 30 years, global waste will increase by 70%. We urgently need to develop more efficient and sustainable practices for solid waste management. We need to see waste not only as trash to be disposed of but as a resource that can be used in different ways while integrating the three R´s (Reduce, Reuse, and recycle). Improved waste management is critically important for achieving sustainable development goals. If you would like to get a deeper understanding of the topic of waste management and meet the challenge of improving the management of different solid wastes, then you should join this course. In this course, you will learn about the latest strategies and solutions to reduce and take care of solid waste from a resource-recovery point of view.

Course aim

The purpose of the course is to provide in-depth knowledge on strategies and solutions for solid waste management. The course addresses technologies for efficient waste disposal as well as strategies for waste reduction and resource recovery.

Course content

The course covers the whole value chain of solid waste management including collection, transportation, separation, and treatment. The global environmental issues related to the management of certain solid wastes e.g. e-waste and plastics are presented. The goals of the 3R´s (reduce, reuse, and recycle) in preventing waste and conserve natural resources are explained and discussed as an effective concept to reach sustainable development.