Assessment of the ecological footprint associated with consumer goods and waste management activities of south mediterranean cities: Case of Algiers and Tipaza

Abstract

Despite the management strategies implemented, urban waste management in Algeria is a massive concern, especially entities in charge focus primarily on eliminating waste, neglecting material and energy use which might have a substantial environmental impact. This study uses combined urban metabolism analysis and EF assessment model to estimate the surface required to absorb greenhouse gas (GHG) generated, intending to demonstrate the reliability of Ecological Footprint (EF) as an environmental indicator in managing activities related to product manufacturing and waste management. Therefore, the research considers two neighboring coastal cities Algiers and Tipaza, contrasting demographically and economically. The results obtained from urban metabolism demonstrate that material produced from raw inputs is associated with higher GHG emissions. Similarly, emissions generated from waste management activities are dominated by transportation at more than 40% in both cities. Thus, proportional to the amount of GHGs emitted, EF in terms of energy is higher in the disposed material representing 90% consumer goods' EF compared to the Diverted material. These emissions require a total amount of 578 190.05 gha and 92 950.7gha in Algiers and Tipaza respectively. As for waste management, transportation requires the most significant EF values exceeding 5 thousand gha to sequester carbon in Algiers. Eventually, the investigations reveal disparities in data collection and structure in both cities and shortcomings in waste management. Thus, this empirical study highlights EF's reliability for understanding the tangible impact of economic growth on the environment that supports the development of cities.

Keywords

• Component ecological footprint
• Urban metabolism
• Municipal waste flow
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Algerian coastal cities
• Land use