This course aims to develop your understanding of the management and treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW). The course underpinning science and engineering, waste policy and regulation and industrial practice. The course begins with an historical overview of waste management, moving through to current national and international practice and future trends in sustainable management of MSW including the transition to a circular economy. There on in the course week-by-week tackles key individual topics in waste management in detail specifically covering landfill, waste characterisation and composition, waste collection, recycling and recycling technology, and thermal methods. 

LO1. Develop knowledge of, and critically assess the environmental impacts and sustainability of, a range of waste management technologies including landfill, thermal methods and biological methods. 

LO2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of waste characteristics in relation to the processes used for treatment and disposal. 

LO3. To examine and analyse complex waste data, calculate and predict trends in waste data in order to develop sustainable waste management plans and strategies.  

The module will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face lectures, recorded content, and  feedback sessions.   In addition, students will form small groups which will work together through the course on the group project report.  

Within this module you will develop the following graduate attributes: 

• Contributing positively and effectively when working in a team, having an impact from the outset. 

• Communicating effectively within a team 

• Communicate complex ideas in a professional manner in the form of a consultancy report. 

• Think creatively about technological solutions to waste management whilst being mindful of the Climate Emergency and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 

• Identifying, defining and analysing complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgement in evaluating sources of information 

The module is assessed through a group report to which individuals receive marks for their individual and group contribution (LO 1-3).  

Groups will have the opportunity to receive regular feedback on their progress at regular intervals throughout the semester. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Re-assessment candidates will undertake a 100% individual coursework assessment (2000 words) based on the work undertaken within the module (LO 1-3) 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

• Historical overview of waste management, current practice both national and internationally.  

• Principles of a Circular Economy   

• Waste Policy:  Waste and circular economy policy – UK and international perspective 

• MSW Composition and Collection: Arisings; waste fractions; conversion of waste component compositions to elemental compositions and energy content; recycling & re-use; separation and segregation; waste handling, processing and transfer; landfill alternatives; international perspective. 

• Landfill Operations:  environmental impacts of landfills (leachate and gas); landfill design and types, with a focus on containment and management technologies for landfill leachate and landfill gas; water management; Biological, physical and chemical processes in waste decomposition 

• Thermal Methods: Mass burn energy from waste plants process and operation; energy content of wastes; byproducts and wastes; air pollution control; advanced thermal methods.   

• Recycling: Reclamation and recycling of metals and other materials.; Recycling technology.