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Effective municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a critical challenge for policymakers, exacerbated by population growth and urbanization. Approximately 2 billion tonnes of MSW are generated globally each year, with 30 % uncollected and 70 % landfilled. In low-income countries, 90 % of MSW is dumped or openly burned, leading to severe environmental and health impacts. This paper summarises the pros and cons of the real-scale implementation of MSW management practices addressing their challenge and advances, focusing on landfill leachate management in Europe and Africa. It highlights the disparity between these continents, where advanced technologies and stringent European regulations contrast with limited resources and infrastructure in Africa. The paper emphasizes the importance of proper MSW segregation at source and the adoption of appropriate leachate treatment technologies tailored to the specific characteristics of the MSW and leachate in each region. Through a comparative analysis of selected countries, the paper provides a guide for policymakers to improve MSW management systems and mitigate the environmental impacts of landfill leachate. It advocates for the integration of advanced treatment technologies and continuous public awareness programs to enhance MSW recovery and reduce landfill dependence. This research underscores the necessity of cross-continental experience sharing and the development of sustainable, region-specific waste management strategies to support a circular economy and achieve zero-waste-to-landfill goals.
Clemente et al. (Sat,) studied this question.