Design of Waste Management Center with Ecocycle Concept

Abstract

Urban waste management often faces challenges of high waste generation volume and limited land for final disposal sites (Landfills), ultimately leading to environmental and health issues. Conventional approaches that focus on collection and landfilling are no longer effective in achieving environmental sustainability. Stemming from this issue, the redesign of waste processing facilities becomes crucial. This study aims to design a Waste Management Center that fully adopts the Ecocycle concept, which is a framework integrating the aspects of material cycle, energy, and economic value derived from waste. The Ecocycle concept emphasizes that waste should be viewed as a resource that can be returned to the production cycle, not as waste ending up in a Landfill. The methods used in this design are design thinking and a comparative study of the best circular waste management models (including Waste-to-Energy, Integrated Composting, and Advanced Recycling). The design process involves analyzing functional requirements (processing capacity, technology type), site analysis (accessibility, zoning), and formulating an architectural concept that supports efficient material flow and a safe, educational working environment. The main result of this design is an Integrated Waste Management Center design that functions not only as a technical facility but also as a public education center and a waste management innovation laboratory. The facility is designed with clear zoning between receiving, sorting, energy processing (e.g., Refuse Derived Fuel), and composting areas, and is integrated with a biofiltration-based landscape. In conclusion, the design of a Waste Management Center with the Ecocycle concept is proven to provide a comprehensive, efficient, and sustainable solution, transforming the waste paradigm from a problem into a potential resource, and supporting the achievement of urban zero-waste targets.