Chemicals and waste

The management of chemicals and waste is a crucial aspect of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all" by 2030. These goals were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030. They address global challenges, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.

SDG 12, which focuses on Responsible Consumption and Production, is directly related to the management of chemicals and waste. This goal aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, which includes the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste. The mismanagement of these elements can have severe environmental and health impacts, thus undermining the objectives of SDG 12.

One of the critical links between chemical and waste management and the SDGs is to human health, as outlined in SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Improper handling and disposal of chemicals and waste can lead to pollution and contamination, which can have direct adverse effects on human health. This includes increased risks of diseases, long-term health conditions, and impacts on the well-being of communities, especially those living in close proximity to waste disposal sites or industrial areas.

The impact of waste management also extends to climate change, addressed in SDG 13. Excessive waste generation, particularly organic waste in landfills, contributes to the production of greenhouse gases like methane, a potent contributor to global warming. Additionally, the production and disposal of plastics, electronic waste, and other non-biodegradable materials contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Effective management and reduction of waste are essential to mitigate climate change impacts.

The preservation of life below water (SDG 14) and life on land (SDG 15) is also heavily influenced by how chemicals and waste are managed. Pollution from chemicals and waste can severely impact aquatic ecosystems, harming marine life and biodiversity. Similarly, terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife are at risk from land pollution and habitat destruction caused by improper waste disposal and chemical spills.

Furthermore, SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, is impacted by the management of chemicals and waste. Workers in industries dealing with chemicals and waste are often exposed to hazardous conditions. Ensuring their safety and health is a key aspect of achieving this goal. Moreover, sustainable waste management can create new job opportunities and contribute to economic growth through recycling and waste-to-energy sectors.

The effective and environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste is not only essential for achieving SDG 12 but also intersects with several other SDGs. It is a fundamental component of sustainable development, impacting human health, climate change, biodiversity, and economic growth. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach, encompassing strict regulatory frameworks, technological innovation, public awareness, and international cooperation to ensure a sustainable future.

Enormous amounts of agri-food waste are generated in the open market, especially in sub-Saharan African cities. This work reports the system optimisation of the management of these open-market food wastes for producing bioenergy and value-added materials and also evaluates the environmental impacts of the selected waste processing routes. It supports decision-making on the management of food waste in developing countries furthering SDG 7, 8 &13.
Clean water resources are crucial for societies in order to maintain safety as well as social, ecological and economic progress. As the population grows, agricultural, domestic and industrial activities produce large amounts of wastewaters that can be treated and reused in variety of purposes considering circular economy philosophy. This review presents the challenges and future prospects of wastewater treatment using membrane technologies and is related to SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation.
This article, written by ICIS, a RELX business, explores how chemicals and energy sectors, both of which are largely fossil fuel dependent, are navigating sustainability and the movement towards net zero. This article relates to SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy.
This article supports SDG 3 and 9 by describing a survey of health-care workers in New Zealand on the acceptability of PPE disinfection and reuse to reduce waste and increase availability and sustainability; the survey that this practice was common and had high acceptability, contingent on availability of scientific evidence in support of the disinfection process, and workers' trust in the organisation undertaking the disinfection
Garbage patch with seagulls above
ICIS, a RELX business, analyses the complex problem plastics, recycling, and disposal, relating to SDG 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production. They believe the solution is likely to involve improving recycling infrastructures; designing new, more sustainable plastics; designing products with an end-of-life plan; finding new ways to degrade plastics – such as plastic-eating mealworms and microbes; and diversifying the raw materials that make plastics to plant-based alternatives. 
Water dam
This article, relating to SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, analyses global recycling and sustainability trends, chemical industry environmental regulations, and supply chain issues.
ICIS, a RELX business, analyses the chemical recycling process and its potential as a long term recycling solution, relating to SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production. So far, there have been many challenges facing chemical recycling adoption that are explained in this article, however, longer term there is some certainty that chemical recycling can be complimentary to mechanical recycling overall.
Biomass is a sustainable and review source. However, its conversion to chemicals is always challenging. This article produces high-value bioadhesive materials as a byproduct of chemicals from biomass. Using advanced technology such as electrochemical oxidation, clean energy and fuels can be produced from biomass, addressing SDG 7&13.
Using Health personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, safety foot shoes and protective suits has expanded dramatically due to COVID-19 pandemic leading to a widespread distribution of the PPE, particularly the face masks, in the environments including streets, dump sites, seashores and other risky locations. The environmental degradation of polypropylene, the essential plastic component in single-use face masks (SUM), takes between 20 and 30 years and thus it is essential to develop experimental approaches to recycle the polypropylene or to reuse it in different ways.
How to determinemicroplatsctis in samples in a green way? Often sample preparation steps involve environmentally harmful chemicals. This artcile decsibes a robust, efficient and green sample preparation with a high separation quality.

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