Sustainable Waste Management in Coastal Communities

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This course provides a general overview on waste management by defining waste by looking at sources and characteristics of different waste types. In addition, the risk potential and corresponding disposal options of waste, under consideration of the waste hierarchy (prevention, reuse, recycling, disposal), are presented. Legal aspects such as international agreements on waste export and impact of waste on the environment are discussed from a global point of view with local examples for specific issues. Waste logistics are also taught in this class. They are an important issue which is also connected to social and economic aspects. Sustainable waste management is challenging in a coastal and marine environment, especially in connection with extreme climate conditions. Issues like small-scale recycling and recovery, waste transport, marine and coastal pollution through intended and unintended waste dumping, interaction with wildlife, impact of ship cruise tourism are thus part of this course. A special focus of the course will be laid on waste prevention in general and food waste prevention specifically.