The increasing generation of solid waste particularly ‘electronic waste (e-waste)’ and ‘plastic waste’ poses growing threats to ‘public health’, especially in low- and middle-income countries where waste management systems are often underdeveloped or overstressed. These waste streams are not only environmental concerns; they are increasingly recognized as ‘critical public health hazards’, due to the toxic substances and pollutants they release into living environments.

The Research Topic goal is to explore the ‘public health risks’, ‘policy gaps’, and ‘community-level impacts’ linked to the improper handling and disposal of modern waste particularly the health consequences of exposure to hazardous materials such as ‘heavy metals’, ‘toxic fumes’, ‘microplastics’, and ‘chemicals’ found in personal care products and personal protective equipment. These contaminants are associated with a range of health conditions, including ‘respiratory diseases’, ‘neuro-developmental disorders’, ‘cancers’, and ‘infectious disease outbreaks’ driven by poor sanitation and vector proliferation.
Populations living in ‘informal settlements and underserved urban or rural areas’ are especially vulnerable. These communities often lack access to safe waste disposal, clean water, and hygiene infrastructure, making them more susceptible to exposure and disease. The unchecked accumulation of waste can attract vectors like flies, mosquitoes, and rodents, which further increase the risk of infectious diseases such as dengue, cholera, and leptospirosis.

This Research Topic aims to build a holistic understanding of how waste-related practices and innovative, technology-enabled services affect public health outcomes in communities, and to spotlight sustainable and equitable solutions that can mitigate health risks while promoting environmental sustainability.

Submissions are encouraged on, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Health outcomes associated with exposure to e-waste, plastics, and related pollutants
• Community-based and policy-level interventions that mitigate health risks
• Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies
• Remediation techniques
• Composting innovations
• Incineration processes
• Smart recycling technologies
• Waste reduction and strategies for energy and resource recovery
• Environmental emissions from waste management processes
• Socio-economic and public health impacts on nearby communities.
• Application of IoT, AI, and data analytics in waste tracking and optimization
• Circular economy models and digital platforms for sustainable waste management

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Smart Technologies for Waste Management and its Impact on Public Health