From Illegal Waste Dumps to Beneficial Resources Using Drone Technology and Advanced Data Analysis Tools: A Feasibility Study
Remote Sensing
; 14(16):3923, 2022.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2024035
ABSTRACT
In a resource-constrained world, there is ongoing concern over the exploitation and potential future shortage of Earth’s natural resources. In this paper, we present the results of two pilot studies in which we used drone technology with spatial mapping tools and environmental and economic analysis to map illegal waste sites. Besides the technical feasibility, we aimed at understanding the benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of extracting the materials stocked therein, transforming illegal waste sites into valuable resources. The innovation of our work is reflected in the integration of existing technologies for aerial mapping and economic\environmental assessment methodologies for promoting a local circular economy. The pilot results suggest that it is feasible to identify valuable materials left on the ground in the form of unattended, illegally disposed waste. Our initial national estimates for the illegal waste cleanup based on the pilot results suggest that the treatment cost in Israel can be reduced by 58 million USD and even reach zero, with the potential to generate up to 82.8 million USD profits. Finally, we link our results to the Sustainable Development Goals framework and suggest how mapping and implementing the recycling potential can promote achieving some of the goals. Our work provides missing data that the state, local authorities, contractors, and companies that monitor and manage waste and recycled raw materials may find useful.
Physics; illegal waste site; drone technology; data analysis; economic assessment; SDG; Economic analysis; Environmental assessment; Law enforcement; Emissions; Biodiversity; Landfills; Mapping; Developing countries--LDCs; Raw materials; Feasibility studies; Landfill; Economic growth; Natural resources; COVID-19; Waste disposal sites; Technology assessment; Exploitation; Greenhouse gases; Missing data; Sustainable development; Waste materials; Recycled materials; Waste management; Technology; Tools; Consumption; Construction industry; Environmental law
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Language:
English
Journal:
Remote Sensing
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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