2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5557M Solid Waste Management

15 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Dr. C. Velis
Email: c.velis@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is mutually exclusive with

CIVE5040M

Solid Waste Management

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The solid waste management (SWM) module offers a comprehensive introduction to the services and infrastructure needed to deliver for this major public good. The curriculum is highly customised to balance needs and realities on the ground of both developed and developing countries. It offers a step-by-step approach, with everything eventually culminating an integrated and systems understanding of SWM. The emphasis is on municipal solid waste (MSW), but all the environmental engineering and wider scientific principles are addressed in the learning outcomes so that any type of solid waste can be tackled. Some unique features of the module involve understanding of all core technologies used in practice, but also incorporating the informal recycling sector (IRS) activities, prevalent in the Global South and a state-of-the-art introduction to plastic pollution and its prevention.

Objectives

The module aims to provide a holistic and systematic approach to the design of solid waste management infrastructure and services, focusing on bringing in together all the necessary main engineering, in an integrated and systems approach; while also embedding SWM systems in the wider socioeconomic and sustainability contexts, and aiming at a practical and real-world application.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module, students will have:

1. Apply a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the scientific principles and methodologies necessary to underpin the design of complex solid waste management services and infrastructure systems. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M1)

2. Developed and applied an understanding and know-how of the scientific principles of related disciplines, with core focus on environmental engineering, to enable appreciation of the scientific and engineering context of municipal solid waste management, and to support the development of critical awareness of relevant historical current challenges (for example development of drivers for recycling and mitigating plastics pollution), current and future developments and technologies in the wider context of engineering. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M1)

3. An ability to formulate and analyse complex solid waste management systems problems to reach substantiated conclusions on most suitable interventions to be applied, through evaluating available a wide range of data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, including using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, which is often the case with solid waste management, especially in a Global South context. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M2)

4. An ability to select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex solid waste management problems, whilst discussing the comparative advantages and limitations of any of the techniques employed (for example, as applied to material flow analysis choices). (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M3)

5. An ability to apply an integrated and/or systems approach to the solution of complex SWM challenges, recognising the multiple scientific, engineering and wider societal considerations and embedding such a systems thinking into identifying and prioritising suitable practical solutions, as for example in the case of specific waste processing plants as part of a system. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M6)

6. An ability to critically evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex SWM problems, including many different stages of the entire life-cycle of an infrastructure (for example an engineered landfill over 100 years) and minimise any adverse impacts in an effective and practicable way, namely with locally and case-by-case adapted solutions. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M7)

7. An ability to understand, evaluate realities on the ground and adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice, recognising the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in the SWM services design and delivery - for example in servicing the underservices communities residing in informal settlements, in preventing exposure of women and children to the toxic emissions of open uncontrolled burning; in considering a just transition for waste picker activities, being socially vulnerable and stigmatised. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M11)

8. An ability to select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies (for example biodrying vs. anaerobic digestion vs. composting based mechanical-biological treatment plants) and processes to offer SWM solutions, whilst recognising their limitations and being able to navigate the related trade-offs, justifying and prioritising choices. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M13)

9. An ability to design solutions for complex SWM problems that demonstrate originality and meet a locally established combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate: for example when required to develop SWM-related preventive approaches to plastic pollution. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M5)

10. Discuss the role of quality management relevant to solid recovered fuels (SRF) and continuous improvement in the context of complex problems (e.g. statistical environmental compliance and voluntary standards. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M14)

11. An ability to apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters, as for example in the case of generating solid waste management strategic plans al local authority level, taking into account wider socioeconomic considerations and understanding change management in places of absent or minimal / failing SWM services and infrastructure provision. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M15)

12. An ability to function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team, as for example in the team effort of applying the Wasteaware Cities Benchmark Indicators (WABI) methodology and effectively communicating the complex considerations, evidencing and results. To technical or decisions-making audiences – e.g., mayors or overseas development assistance banks officers. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M16 and M17)

This module contributes to the AHEP4 learning outcomes: M1, M2, M3, M6, M7, M8, M13, M14, M15, M16, M17.

Skills outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module, students would benefit from gaining valuable transferable skills such as: problem solving, critical thinking, independent working, communications skills, team working, applying to case studies, information access, technology solutions, and systems evaluation.

Syllabus

The module includes core knowledge and technical skills development on:

- Characteristics of municipal solid waste arising and key challenges relating to at local and global scale.

- Science and engineering aspects of disposal (landfill) and processing: mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) plants, energy from waste (EfW: combustion); and mechanical recycling plants (MRF).

- Specific challenges for SWM relating to developing and low income countries (Global South)

- Challenges arising from poorly managed waste (plastics pollution, marine litter, impact of drainage and sanitation systems).

- Basic principles and practice on how to obtain (sampling) and analyse (statistics) waste-related information.

- Producing a waste management strategy and action plan for a local authority.

More specific elements of the curriculum include:

- Current waste generation rates for municipal solid waste (MSW) collection and potential recycling options, in developed and low- income countries.

- Waste characterisation: properties of the major waste streams (e.g. calorific waste, biogenic compost, biodegradability, heavy metals, chlorine content) and how this impacts on potential processing options;

- Landfill - policy, legislation and regulation, site selection criteria, design and operation.

- Mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) technologies, including composting and biodrying - design and optimisation.

- Materials recovery facilities (MRF) - design and optimisation.;

- Thermal treatment (EFW): combustion EfW plants design and operation principles

- Waste processing outputs: recyclates, solid-recovered fuels (SRF), compost;

- Sampling plans

- Statistical analysis of waste-related data

- Material flow analysis, and risk assessment.

- Wasteaware Cities Benchmark Indicators (WABI) methodology, Waste flow diagram (WFD), and the wider .integrated sustainable waste management.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	2	2.00	4.00
Consultation	8	1.00	7.50
Interactive Lecture	28	1.00	28.00
Practical	2	1.50	3.00
Private study hours			107.50
Total Contact hours			42.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

107.5 hours extended reading and exam preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The module will be undertaken over 2 weeks and during that time there will be regular opportunities for students to solve exercises and discuss any general issues relating to the module material. The delivery mode is very interactive with the students anticipated to answer questions so that they can underhand and self-assess their performance in reaching the learning outcomes.
A mock mini-MCQ (formative) session is made available before the exam.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	5 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/11/2024 16:14:40

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