Time flies, waste piles: A bibliometric analysis of solid waste management research

Implementing efficient solid waste management practices is paramount in safeguarding the long-term viability of our planet’s natural resources and ecosystems. In addition, it represents a reasonable approach to future management decisions. This study aims to analyse the trend of solid waste management research publications in the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. ScientoPy was used to analyse the datasets in this study by defining publication growth, projected subject areas, productive source titles, productive countries, and the most frequently used keywords over time. The findings of this study underscored that the Scopus and WoS databases evince a steady escalation in publications throughout the years, with a marked upswing from the outset of the 21st century. The three subject areas with the most published documents are Environmental Sciences & Ecology, Engineering, and Science & Technology - Other Topics. India has been found to possess the highest count of published documents, amounting to 474 papers, and displays a comparatively high percentage of documents published in 2021 and 2022 (PDLY) of 23%. Based on an analysis of research topics, it has been determined that solid waste management is a multifaceted and interdisciplinary area of research that encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, including but not limited to sustainability and life cycle assessment. This input provides valuable insights that can aid in comprehending issues, addressing gaps, and directing future research endeavours, particularly those related to ecological cycles. Such insights can assist researchers in resolving pressing concerns and generating innovative solutions. Prospective studies in solid waste management may focus on innovative waste treatment technologies, policy analysis, economic implications, and investigation of emerging issues such as sustainability and life cycle assessment. Interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing can facilitate the resolution of solid waste management issues.