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End-of-life vehicles (ELV) represent a relevant waste source in Europe, even if ELV recycling is a priority of the European Union waste legislation and Environment Action Programmes (EAPs). End-of-Life Tires (ELTs) constitute a relevant portion of ELV waste. Textile fibre, which is a relevant portion of the ELT material, is considered as a special waste (European Waste Catalogue – EWC code 19.12.08). The main problem related to textile fibre is its contamination with rubber which does not allow to obtain a pure product economically and qualitatively useable. The aim of this paper is to illustrate an innovative technology for ELT fibre's recycling, which allows to transform textile fibre into a useful secondary raw material for different applications. In particular, the use of ELT fibre as additive for bituminous conglomerates has been investigated. The different processes have been analysed from an environmental point of view, applying the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. It came up there is an impact reduction in case the ELT fibre is reused as additive for bituminous conglomerates, instead of disposing it (through incineration). Moreover, the financial and economic sustainability of the related technological process has been evaluated to check whether the process is sustainable in the long term. Starting from the results of the Life Cycle Assessment, economic performance indicators have been calculated, by applying the European Commission methodology for cost-benefit analysis. According to the present cost-benefit analysis, in the medium and long term the system is financially viable, and the high economic profitability makes the process economically sustainable. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis as well as a risk assessment have been carried out in order to identify critical variables, evaluate risks and define risk mitigation measures. According to the sensitivity analysis performed, the project is not highly risky since even in the worst scenario the possible loss is moderate. Based on the results of this analysis, it can be concluded that this ELT fibre's recycling system can be replicated across Europe, conveniently fostered by national policies (such as subsidies, value added tax etc.). • A crucial technological add-on to existing installations is illustrated. • The aim is to transform ELT textile fibre into a useful secondary raw material for different applications. • ELT fibre's reuse presents a reduced environmental impact in comparison to the fibre's incineration. • The high economic profitability makes this recycling system economically sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While firms' investment in Industry 4.0 and adoption of circular economy practices are seen as indispensable to a sustainable economy, synergies from the interaction of these two received less systematic empirical treatment. These synergies are particularly important in Europe, given that both the digital and the green transitions are Europe's strategic political priorities, and the "twin" transitions are expected to reinforce each other. By investigating the link between Industry 4.0 technologies and circular economy practices for European SMEs, which have an important place in the European economy and are responsible for a significant amount of waste, this study aims to uncover the potential of digital transition in supporting green transition. Using the ReSOLVE framework as the conceptual background, this paper examines the effect of Industry 4.0 technologies on SMEs' circular economy applications among EU countries using firm-level data from SMEs, Start-ups, Scale-ups, and Entrepreneurship (Flash Eurobarometer 486) Survey in 2020. The results of econometric analyses provide evidence of a statistically significant positive effect of Industry 4.0 technologies on circular economy practices. These findings imply that a key policy priority should be to plan to spread Industry 4.0 components to improve and enhance SMEs' circular economy practices. Overall, the results indicate that Industry 4.0 technologies serve not only Europe's digital and industrial strategies but also its environmental strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracting pieces of concrete from obsolete buildings and reusing them, as is, in new assemblies is today rarely considered a strategy for improving the sustainability of the construction sector. By delaying the crushing of concrete into aggregates and avoiding the need for fresh cement in new buildings, the circular strategy is however expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and threats to natural ecosystems. In reaction, the authors postulate that (1) built precedents of Piecewise Reuse of Extracted Concrete in new Structures (PRECS) have existed for several decades, (2) a large diversity of proven implementation techniques is readily available but knowledge is fragmented, (3) barriers to a broader adoption can be inferred from the existing documentation and are largely transitional. To support these postulates, this study first builds an original collection of 77 PRECS projects designed between 1967 and 2022 in Europe and the U.S.A. Next, a diachronic analysis determines seven historical trends and three periods since 1967, shedding new light on the development of PRECS and its design possibilities. Supporting and limiting forces for a broader adoption of PRECS are then identified through a synchronic analysis. Recommendations for future research directions are also given. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates that the reuse of concrete components is a practice with already a long history and several successful operations in terms of environmental impact and cost, which hence supports the potential of PRECS to become a more widespread strategy of cleaner construction. • Reusing concrete pieces in new structures is a rarely considered sustainability strategy. • An original database of 77 concrete reuse case studies is built and analyzed. • Ecological benefits are confirmed for a wide range of built cases. • Circumstances leading to economic benefits are identified. • Industrial and scientific developments can accelerate the strategy implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to green economies has been mediated by concrete cases and experiments in a variety of different industrial and social sectors. What is lacking, is research that would synthesize key findings and “lessons learned” across a variety of cases. In this study, we explore ten cases of green economy of different sectors and approaches from five European countries and identify factors that have had critical importance for the success or failure of the cases. Our paper reveals similarities across small and large scale cases and different approaches for implementing green economy. We identified critical factors related to economic viability, public funding, technological development, impact assessments, public policies and regulation, social capital, leadership and coordination as well as public acceptability and image. According to our results, transition to green economies requires negotiation between potential trade-offs among multiple goals, and interests of various stakeholders. The mutual benefits can be communicated through valid impact assessments and the integration of R&D into the practical implementation. Securing the continuity of funding and leadership is crucial in successful experiments and attention should be paid to fostering social capital among stakeholders. Instead of any single critical factor, the practical implementation of green economy is related to a multiplicity of factors and causalities depending on the context. The challenges with the practical implementation of green economy can only be met with patient, careful and far-sighted planning of green economy initiatives as well as continuous learning from past experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a simple method for all waste recovery through municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) is presented. For the first time, MSWI fly ash (FA) is treated using MSWI bottom ash (BA), which is considered as a new urban mining source due to its pozzolanic characteristics. The proposed technology involves mixing these ashes with two other components: flue gas desulphurization residue and coal fly ash. Thermal annealing at a low temperature (120 °C for 4 h) can also be performed, to accelerate some reactions, but it is not necessary for stabilization. The efficacy of the process is demonstrated by the comparison of elemental concentrations in leaching solutions that are detected in the untreated ashes and the obtained stabilized materials, which show the reduced solubility of leachable Zn and Pb (with respect to the starting MSWI FA). The chemical, morphological, and structural characterization of the obtained materials makes it possible to propose and discuss a stabilization mechanism, which was attributed to carbonation and formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H). In particular, for the stabilized sample, X-ray Diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of calcite, whereas the sample morphology shows some fibrils that may be due to amorphous C–S–H with a Ca/Si ratio that is slightly smaller than 1.5. Because the proposed method employs wastes produced at the same location, it is reasonable to conclude that the method may be directly applied to incinerator plants due to the simplification of the MSWI FA waste management strategy, which generally involves its transport and stabilization treatment before landfilling. Finally the saved carbon dioxide emissions and the economic benefits that are a result of the new urban mining proposed approach have been evaluated for Europe. In particular the avoid of MSWI FA landfilling was evaluated to save approximately 1.6 M€/day, and the saved carbon dioxide emissions introduced into the atmosphere is approximately 960 kt/year. • A new urban mining strategy for MSWI FA stabilization is proposed. • Reuse of the finest BA parts is suggested due to their amorphous components. • Pb and Zn stabilization occurred because of carbonation and pozzolanic reactions. • This treatment technology may be directly applied to incinerator plants. • The proposed approach fulfils the requirements of a circular economic policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]