Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have significantly increased solid waste generation, creating serious threats to environmental safety and public health. Traditional waste management approaches are proving inadequate, necessitating sustainable strategies that reduce environmental impacts and enhance community well-being. This study examines key sustainable solid waste management (SWM) strategies and evaluates their effectiveness in promoting environmental protection and improving quality of life. Major approaches include integrating circular economy principles, encouraging waste segregation at source, and establishing decentralised waste treatment systems to reduce transportation and landfill burdens. The study also assesses advanced technologies – such as waste-to-energy conversion, anaerobic digestion, and bioremediation – for their environmental benefits, operational feasibility, and potential for wider adoption. Beyond technological solutions, the research highlights the importance of social dimensions, emphasising community participation, awareness, and behavioural change as essential components of successful SWM initiatives. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers, waste management professionals, and community leaders to effectively implement and scale these strategies through stronger regulations, capacity-building, and community-driven programmes. Overall, the findings underscore the need for a holistic approach that combines innovation, supportive policy frameworks, and active public engagement to build sustainable waste management systems that protect the environment while enhancing community health and quality of life.
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Research Article|
February 24 2026
Sustainable solid waste management for environmental safety and community well-being Available to Purchase
Rishi Rana
Department of Civil Engineering,
Jaypee University of Information Technology
, Waknaghat, India
Corresponding author Rishi Rana (rishi.rana@juitsolan.in)
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Corresponding author Rishi Rana (rishi.rana@juitsolan.in)
Competing interests The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
March 21 2025
Accepted:
January 13 2026
Online ISSN: 1496-256X
Print ISSN: 1496-2551
Funding
Funding Group:
- Funding Statement(s): This work is not funded by any agency.
© 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited
2026
Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only
Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science 1–15.
Article history
Received:
March 21 2025
Accepted:
January 13 2026
Citation
Rana R (2026;), "Sustainable solid waste management for environmental safety and community well-being". Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1680/jenes.25.00065
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