The study is devoted to the problem of processing the organic waste that is generated as a result of paper, textiles and other industries production as well as food waste. The growth of economic activity in Kazakhstan has resulted in a significant challenge with regard to industrial waste management. The accumulation of waste on the territory of the country has reached 31.72 billion tonnes, comprising approximately 2.5 billion tonnes of hazardous waste, 50 million tonnes of phosphorus-containing waste, over 2.5 million tonnes of lead-zinc waste and more than 120 million tonnes of solid domestic waste. The study object was the Shymkent-Kokys polygons. According to the research carried out, it was determined that the titer of microorganisms of the studied groups is 1–10 CFU/g in the soils selected around the garbage in the area of the Shymkent landfill. The titer of microorganisms in the soil horizons was high at a depth of 20–30 cm and the titer were 10⁹ cells/mL. The structure of the soil microbiome obtained around the Shymkent Waste Landfill consists of actinomycetes, micromycetes, heterotrophic bacteria, nitrifying, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enterobacteria, as well as algae and protozoa. It was found that strains KPA1, KPA2 Pseudomonas sp. strains KPA3, KPA4, KPA5 Bacillus sp. isolated from the soils of the Shymkent-Kokys landfill are able to recycle domestic waste with a high content of cellulose and organic substances up to 95%–97%. The findings can be used to develop more effective organic cellulosic waste management strategies and improve the environmental sustainability of various industries.

The world has never been more developed, yet humanity is on the brink of irreversible environmental loss. Despite the urgency of the situation, there is a limited body of studies addressing environmental concerns in higher education institution, particularly in developing countries, i.e., Saudi Arabia. Sustainable development is the only viable solution, albeit it requires the courage to initiate and sustain efforts dedicated to preserving the environment for the well-being of future generation. The article delves into this issue and examines the impact of environmental education program (EEP) on environmental performance (EP) via waste minimization behaviour (WMB). The research involved meticulous data collection from a sample of 597 students, representing diverse genders and academic specialties at the esteemed public university—King Faisal University (KFU) in Saudi Arabia. The study used statistical software (including SPSS and AMOS, v 25) for rigorous analysis and revealed significant findings. Firstly, the study showed a significant and positive relationship between EEP and EP. Secondly, it revealed a significant and positive association between EEP and WMB. Thirdly, the study ascertained a significant and positive association between WMB and EP. Finally, the study found that the relationship between EEP and EP remains significant even after presenting WMB as a mediator, proposing that WMB has a partial mediation role between EEP and EP. The results highlighted the significance role of EEP in stimulating WMB and achieving EP in the Saudi universities, which contributes to national initiative of green Saudia.

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of using three different substrates in the semi-hydroponic culture of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) using two different nutrient solutions. A first trial was performed with a nutrient solution rich in macronutrients and micronutrients suitable for lettuce culture, and a second trial with a nutrient solution with pretreated wastewater from effluents of a cheese factory. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three repetitions and three substrates were used: perlite, coconut fiber, and expanded clay, in both trials. The following parameters were observed: number of leaves, diameter of the cabbage, fresh and dry weight of the aerial part, chlorophyll index and mineral composition of the lettuce. For the first trial, the highest result for the number of leaves (20 leaves), fresh weight (142.0 g) and dry weight (7.2 g) of the aerial part was obtained in the plants growing on perlite. In the second trial, the highest result for the number of leaves (28 leaves), diameter of cabbage (26.7 cm), fresh weight (118.8 g) and dry weight (9.5 g) of the aerial part were achieved by the plants that were grown in coconut fiber. The nutrient solutions were analyzed after each irrigation cycle to verify the possibility of their discharge into the environment. Several parameters were analyzed: pH, conductivity, redox potential, nitrates, nitrites, ammoniacal nitrogen, chlorides, hardness, calcium, phosphates, sodium, potassium, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and magnesium. Ammoniacal nitrogen was found to be the only nutrient that can limits the discharge of nutrient solutions into the environment. It was also proven that the plants, besides obtaining the nutrients necessary for their development in the semi-hydroponic system with the nutrient solution with pre-treated residual water, also functioned as a purification system, allowing the said nutrient solution to be discharged into the environment at the end of each cycle.

Modern agricultural production technologies based on the widespread use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers have largely solved the problem of providing the population with food, and at the same time have generated multiple ecological, medical and environmental problems, problems of environmentally friendly and biologically valuable food products, land rehabilitation, restoration of their fertility, etc. Therefore, the emergence of new classes of pesticides with different mechanisms of action, high selectivity and low toxicity for warm-blooded animals is very modern. Currently, the development and application of new plant protection products that are not toxic to humans and animals is of global importance. Priority is given to research aimed at creating plant protection products based on microorganisms and their metabolites, as well as the search for plant substances with potential pesticide activity. In this regard, the question arose of finding new safe fertilizers that can also be economically profitable for production on an industrial scale. One of the current trends in this industry is the use of green microalgae. In this regard, the purpose of our research is the possibility of cultivating green microalgae on phosphorus production waste. During the work, traditional and modern research methods in biology were used. As a result of the work, several problems can be solved, such as the disposal of industrial waste and the production of safe biological fertilizer.

Over the last few decades, demographic growth combined with poorly controlled urbanization has confronted African cities with a variety of environmental protection challenges. As part of a gradual awareness-raising process, African countries have ratified conventions and adopted a series of laws to protect the environment. Since independence (1960), Gabon has adopted legal instruments to provide a better framework for environmental protection. Despite the existence of well-developed legislation, the Libreville conurbation faces difficulties in waste management. This situation contributes to the degradation of the coastal zone. This study aims to analyse stakeholders’ perceptions of environmental protection regulations in solid waste management practices along the coastline of the Libreville metropolitan area in Gabon. The methodology includes documentary research, field observations, and surveys of 300 study area participants. The results show that the degradation of the coastline is due to a lack of awareness and compliance with the laws governing environmental protection and waste management. As a result, waste disposal practices such as dumping in nature, waterways, illegal dumps, and gutters are commonplace among the population. To achieve sustainable coastal zone management, it is essential to apply regulatory texts and involve stakeholders in improving planning and the quality of the coastal environment.

The paper at hand analyses the principal-agent relationship, where comparative perspective between principals’ (municipalities) and agents’ (public utility providers) in the field of water and wastewater management is scrutinized. The goal of the paper is twofold: firstly, to present empirical results validating principal-agent relationships that emerged due to the reorganization process of public enterprises; secondly, to highlight the similarities and differences between the perspectives of principals and agents regarding motives, advantages and disadvantages, and price-setting in relation to the reorganization process. The empirical research is based on the primary data collected through two self-prepared and structured online questionnaires—one for municipalities, and the other for public utility providers. The results reveal similarities between public enterprises and municipalities in motivating factors for full municipal ownership. However, differences are seen among the advantages of the reorganization process. Price-setting by public utilities is recognized as a motivating mechanism for agents.