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Existing schemes of solid waste handling have been improved implementing advanced systems for recovery and reuse of various materials. Nowadays, the ‘zero waste’ concept is becoming more topical through the reduction of disposed waste. Recovery of metals, nutrients and other materials that can be returned to the material cycles still remain as a challenge for future. Landfill mining (LFM) is one of the approaches that can deal with former dumpsites, and derived materials may become important for circular economy within the concept ‘beyond the zero waste’. Perspectives of material recovery can include recycling of critical industrial metals, including rare earth elements (REEs). The LFM projects performed in the Baltic Region along with a conventional source separation of iron-scrap, plastics etc. have shown that the potential of fine-grained fractions (including clay and colloidal matter) of excavated waste have considerably large amounts of potentially valuable metals and distinct REEs. In this paper analytical screening studies are discussed extending the understanding of element content in fine fraction of waste derived from excavated, separated and screened waste in a perspective of circular economy. Technological feasibility was evaluated by using modified sequential extraction technique where easy extractable amount of metals can be estimated. Results revealed that considerable concentrations of Mn (418–823 mg/kg), Ni (41–84 mg/kg), Co (10.7–19.3 mg/kg) and Cd (1.0–3.0 mg/kg) were detected in fine fraction (<10 mm) of waste sampled from Högbytorp landfill, while Cr (49–518 mg/kg) and Pb (30–264 mg/kg) were found in fine fraction (<10 mm) of waste from Torma landfill revealing wide heterogeneity of tested samples. Waste should become a utilizable resource closing the loop of anthropogenic material cycle as the hidden potential of valuable materials in dumps is considerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns about the increasing global consumption of non-renewable resources as well as shortages of primary raw materials and reduction of space available for final disposal of waste are raising important issues for the society. Additionally, the unsustainable treatment of resources belongs to the main concerns of the EU, resulting in the development of strategies for maximizing recycling rates in order to minimize environmental impacts and energy consumption caused by extraction of primary materials. In this paper, the Material Passport (MP) method, which evaluates the recycling potential and environmental impact of materials embedded in buildings, is demonstrated on a use case - a demolition object, in order to test its applicability at the end-of-life stage as well as to assess the recycling potential of the existing building. Three acquisition methods were applied on the use case in order to obtain information on the material composition as well as geometrical information: laser scanning, demolition acquisition (DA) and Urban Mining assessment (UMA), with regards to the quality and separability of the materials. A BIM-Model (Building Information Modelling) was generated, integrating the acquired data, as well as serving as knowledge database, from which element lists with incorporated materials were exported and mapped to the regarding recycling grade. As a result, an MP is generated for the exterior walls and the foundation, delivering information on the total masses, the share of recycling and waste masses, as well as the environmental impacts. The recycling potential of the exterior walls is ~52%, whereby the foundation has a recycling potential of ~20%. The existence of an MP at the end-of-life stage of a building can be seen as an outstanding advantage regarding recycling and reuse, thus supporting circularity and sustainability in the construction sector. • A thorough acquisition of existing buildings is required for the MP. • The MP enables the assessment of existing buildings' recycling potential. • The MP can serve as valuable documentation for a transition to circular economy. • The BIM-based method enables an extraction of exact quantities of a building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfill mining (LFM) refers to the excavation and processing of formerly buried waste streams. It offers significant environmental and societal benefits through the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions or the reduction of long-term waste management costs. LFM's profitability, however, is still in question and public investment support might be necessary to fully exploit its potential. To enable decision-makers to identify the best solutions for a landfill site, societal impacts of LFM still have to be investigated. Throughout relevant literature, societal impacts of LFM projects have only selectively been studied and it remains unclear if and which benefits justify policy interventions. This paper firstly provides a comprehensive conceptualization of the societal impact of an LFM project and dives into the underlying societal context of this emerging industry. It disentangles formerly identified burdens and benefits by applying a system dynamics approach to LFM research. Based on this approach, four causal loop diagrams are presented showing how LFM is embedded into its societal context, analyzing the composition of the net societal impact of an LFM project, the mechanisms influencing LFM's public acceptance, and the dynamics of the market acceptance of LFM products. Key variables and leverage points have been identified, such as (i) technology choices influencing avoided impacts from the mitigations of primary resource consumption, since many societal impacts are closely related to environmental impacts, (ii) a timely and broad stakeholder involvement to prevent project opposition, and (iii) the after-use of the mined landfill, generating a major part of the local and regional societal benefits but also creating potential conflicts between stakeholder interests. Key intradimensional trade-offs and potential conflicts were identified in (i) spatial and (ii) temporal risk distribution, (iii) conflicting societal goals of the after-use such as job creations and recreation, as well as (iv) material and energy recuperation. These findings provide important insights for LFM decision-makers and can help to implement this emerging industry in a sustainable way. - Causal loop diagrams are presented showing the dynamics of the societal dimension of landfill mining. - Societal benefits of landfill mining projects mainly comprise the avoided impacts from production as well as the after-use of the gained landfill area. - Societal burdens derive mainly from the ongoing landfill mining operations and can include emissions to soil, air, and water as well as disamenities for the neighboring communities. - Early and broad stakeholder involvement can mitigate public opposition and help to gain political support for a project. - The market acceptance of landfill mining products depends mainly on their prices, product quality, and market uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of circular economy (CE), a recent popular global business trend, considerably minimizes waste and environmental pollution. However, studies exploring CE practices in the context of leather industry have been scant. To deal with this issue, this paper proposes a decision support framework for evaluating the challenges to CE practices in the context of leather industry. Best worst method, a generic decision support tool, is employed in the assessment process. The study findings reveal that "lack of financial support from authorities" is assigned the highest weight in the final ranking results. This indicates that the lack of financial facility poses a major challenge to the successful implementation of CE practices. The findings can assist industrial managers and authorities in taking the required actions to implement CE practices in the leather industry for the sustainable development of the leather sector. • A decision framework for exploring the challenges to CE practices is proposed. • The best worst method (BWM) is used to evaluate the challenges to CE. • The leather industry in an emerging economy context is tested using BWM. • Several managerial implications in an emerging economy context is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is a priority for many policies at global level. This is due to the high volume of CDW that is produced and its inadequate management. This situation leads to serious environmental effects, which are mainly associated with manufacturing processes for new building materials because of low product recovery rates. In this context, the concept of Circular Economy (CE) is a potential solution in many sectors, as it involves more efficient use of resources and energy, which leads to waste minimization and reduction of the environmental impacts of product cycles. Moreover, it represents potential economic opportunities. The main aim of this study was to identify factors that could influence the adoption of the Circular Economy concept in the construction and demolition sector. A systematic literature review was conducted to understand the main strategies involved in the development of integral circular strategies. The main contribution of this paper is a theoretical framework for the Circular Economy in the construction and demolition sector. The framework is comprised of 14 strategies within the five lifecycle stages of construction and demolition activities. Particularly, the framework emphasizes waste management and recirculation of recovered materials for their use as secondary building materials. • A systematic literature review on CE within the CDW sector is provided. • Key strategies for CE on CDW are identified and classified in five lifecycle stages. • An integrative framework approach for CE adoption in the CDW sector is provided. • Preconstruction/demolition strategies have the highest influence on CE operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]