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In order to explore the methods of recycling waste paper, reduce environment pollution, and develop a circular economy, the application of waste corrugated paper to the strengthening of polylactic acid (PLA) was studied. Plant fiber from waste corrugated paper (WCPF) was used to prepare WCPF/PLA composite via co-extrusion. The WCPF was extracted from the waste corrugated paper by beating in a Valli beating machine and grinding in a disc grinder. KH-550 coupling agent was used to modify the surface of WCPF to improve the interface adhesive strength between the WCPF and PLA matrix. The effects of the contents of WCPF and KH-550 coupling agent on the mechanical properties, microstructure, crystallization properties, and thermostability of the WCPF/PLA composite were studied. The results show that the WCPF can be well separated from each other. The WCPF can be uniformly dispersed in the PLA matrix through a co-extrusion process. WCPF can increase the mechanical strength and deformation resistance ability of WCPF/PLA composite, and KH-550 coupling agent can further improve that of the WCPF/PLA composite. This study is of obvious significance to the recycling of waste paper and the development of a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the recycle value of waste paper and promote circular economic development, waste corrugated paper fiber (WCPF) was used as a reinforcing agent to prepare waste corrugated paper fiber/polylactic acid (WCPF/PLA) composites via dichloromethane solvent which can be reused. The WCPF in the waste corrugated paper is extracted by beating in a Valli beating machine for different time lengths and grinding in a disc grinder. The effects of beating time and the content of WCPF on the microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal decomposition process, and crystallization properties of the WCPF/PLA composite were studied. The result shows that the WCPF can be well separated from each other and can be evenly dispersed in the PLA matrix. When 25 wt% WCPF which was beat for 30 min was used, the composite has the greatest improvement in tensile property. This study provides a new process for the recycling of waste paper in the application of polymer reinforcement. The research on waste paper fiber and degradable polymer composite is of great significance for reducing environmental pollutants and developing circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling is emerging as both a viable alternative to extraction in many industries and a cornerstone of the circular economy. In this paper, we assess the role of paper and cardboard recycling on the forest sector, from both an economic and carbon perspective. For this purpose, we add the recycling industry to an existing forest-sector model in an attempt to capture its effects on other wood products and the overall forest resource. As the forest sector has an important potential for climate change mitigation, this model allows us to assess the effects of increased paper and cardboard recycling on the availability of the natural resource and the carbon balance of the forest sector. We show that these results are strongly linked to the hypotheses of substitutability and/or complementarity of recycled pulp and virgin pulpwood. Although we find increased emissions at the pulp sector level, the effects on emissions in other wood products are small. When pulp products are considered substitutes, we find the impact on total net sequestration to be positive. In the case where pulp products are considered complements, we find the impact on total net sequestration to be negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Nazi Germany (1933–45), reclaiming waste became an intrinsic component of the regime's economy as well as its ideological, racial, and expansionist ambitions. National Socialist interventions into waste streams began in 1934 with salvage campaigns. The state then brought urban waste policies and municipal waste services under its control, restructuring and 'Aryanising' the waste salvage trade. Moreover, both consumers and producers were prompted to collect and reprocess waste. Over time, the gradual expansion of the Nazi waste recovery policies and campaigns – here referred to as the 'Nazi waste exploitation regime' – brought forth a determined vision of a circular economy in which no waste whatsoever should escape its reclamation for the national community or Volksgemeinschaft. This article sketches the actors, structures, and objectives of this waste exploitation regime for the case of rags and paper and uncovers its entanglement with Nazi racist and genocidal ideology and expansionism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission of off-odors from mechanically recycled plastics severely limits their re-introduction into the market for the production of new objects, for the same use or even for less demanding applications, thus hindering the implementation of an effective circular economy for plastics. The addition of adsorbing agents during the extrusion of polymers represents one of the most promising strategy to reduce the odorous emissions of plastics, due to its characteristics of cost-effectiveness, flexibility and low energy consumption. The novelty of this work lies in the assessment of zeolites as VOC adsorbents during the extrusion of recycled plastics. They appear more suitable than other types of adsorbents, due to their ability to capture and "hold" the adsorbed substances at the high temperatures of the extrusion process. Moreover, the effectiveness of this deodorization strategy was compared with the traditional degassing technique. Two types of mixed polyolefin wastes, coming from completely different collection and recycling processes, were tested: Fil-S (Film-Small), deriving from post-consumer flexible films of small size, and PW (pulper waste), which is the residual plastic waste obtained from the paper recycling process. The melt compounding of the recycled materials with two micrometric zeolites (zeolite 13X and Z310) resulted as more effective in the off-odors removal with respect to degassing. In particular, the highest reduction (−45%) of the Average Odor Intensity (AOI) was measured for both PW/Z310 and Fil-S/13X systems at 4 wt% of the zeolites' amount, compared with the corresponding untreated recyclates. Finally, by combining degassing and melt compounding with zeolites, the best result was obtained for the composite Fil-S/13X, whose Average Odor Intensity resulted as quite close (+22%) to the one of the virgin LDPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of Life Cycle Assessment in the construction sector can be a very useful tool to reduce the environmental impact generated by the sector. In order to quantify the improvement in environmental terms with the use of artificial lightweight aggregates (LWA) manufactured with waste, in this work, we conducted a comparative evaluation of the life cycle of LWAs for a total of five different scenarios: LWAs obtained in a traditional way, i.e., using exclusively clay in their manufacture (Spanish blond clay, Portuguese red clay and Portuguese blond clay), and LWAs manufactured with four different wastes, with a partial substitution of 2.5% for each of the clays per waste (almond and hazelnut shells, sludge from the purification of paper money, cork dust and coffee grounds). The functional unit was set as the production of 1 kilo of lightweight aggregates and the CML 2000 methodology and the SimaPro software were used. The results obtained in this research allow us to conclude that the addition of organic wastes showed a slightly higher environmental performance than the conventional system, the ALAs manufactured with almond and hazelnut shells being the most environmentally friendly option, with reductions of more than 30% in some cases, followed by the LWAs manufactured with coffee grounds. On the other hand, the addition of paper sewage sludge and cork dust represents minimal environmental optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although recycling is considered the core of a circular economy for returning materials to the supply chain, its procedures are poorly understood. Waste recycling is considered a big source of energy saving and a promoter of CO2 recovery. Besides that, it generates jobs and changes markets worldwide. The Brasilian National Policy on SolidWaste (PNRS) recognizesWaste Pickers as the major social agent in the recycling process responsible for putting Brasil among the ten largest paper-recycling countries in the world. This paper presents an analysis of Brasilian recycling chains of paper and plastics and the main challenges for expanding recycling from Municipal solid waste. The research data were obtained from primary and secondary source related to the recycling supply chain of paper and of the following plastics--High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene(PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate(PET) and Polystyrene(PS). Enterprises of various sizes, including informal ones and WPs associations/cooperatives, were visited, in the five Brasilian geographic regions, during the years of 2013 and 2014. A nomenclature was defined for the various enterprises that operate in the Brasilian recycling chain. Each node of the plastic and paper recycling chain was described. The main bottleneck observed in these chains is the lack of continuous programs of selective collection with an emphasis on environmental education processes in the 5570 Brasilian municipalities. Several possibilities not only to promote waste recycling but also to increase the productivity of the sorting process are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sugarcane industry has assumed an increasingly important role at a global level, with countries such as Brazil and India dominating the field. However, this causes environmental problems, since the industry produces large amounts of waste, such as sugarcane bagasse. This by-product, which is energetically partially recovered in sugar mills and in the pulp and paper industry, can make a significant contribution to the general use of biomass energy, if the usual disadvantages associated with products with low density and a high moisture content are overcome. From this perspective, thermochemical conversion technologies, especially torrefaction, are assumed to be capable of improving the fuel properties of this material, making it more appealing for potential export and use in far-off destinations. In this work, sugarcane samples were acquired, and the process of obtaining bagasse was simulated. Subsequently, the bagasse was dried and heat-treated at 200 and 300 °C to simulate the over-drying and torrefaction process. Afterward, product characterization was performed, including thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, calorimetry, and energy densification. The results showed significant improvements in the energy content, from 18.17 to 33.36 MJ·kg−1 from dried bagasse to torrefied bagasse at 300 °C, showing that despite high mass loss, there is potential for a future value added chain for this waste form, since the increment in energy density could enhance its transportation and use in locations far off the production site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we investigate the market size of all materials and products presently produced from (organic) carbon and we present a method to estimate the intrinsic recycling potential of these materials/chemicals as a function of their respective applications. The method is based on the expert assessment of a number of variables that are important within the different application categories and markets of the carbon-based materials/chemicals. Applying the method, the paper presents the recycling potential of all carbon-based products. Following, an estimation of the amount of new products that can be produced each year through recycling of discarded products is presented and the amount of carbon that needs to come from other sustainable sources to fulfil our demand for new products is calculated. We distinguish nine different categories of (organic) carbon-based materials/chemicals: plastics, textile fibres, thermoset resins, rubbers, surfactants, solvents, fine chemicals, paper/board and wood products. Within these nine categories the most important materials/chemicals types were taken into account. Fossil-based and bio-based materials/chemicals were assessed separately. For each of the materials/chemicals types, the market size in terms of mass (Mt) was calculated for the main applications in which they are applied. Next, for all materials/chemicals types in these applications, the maximum recycling potential, in case mechanical or physical recycling methods are applied, was assessed, using an expert panel. Also, inevitable leakage of materials/chemicals in the different applications was assessed. Finally, the amount of feedstock coming from recycling streams that may be made available for chemical recycling or carbon capture and utilisation technologies was derived. From this, the magnitude of carbon-based materials/chemicals that need to be replaced each year by other renewable feedstock than recycled content in terms of Mton carbon was calculated. The analysis is relevant in view of implementation of a circular economy and reuse and recycling of materials, to combat depletion of raw materials. Next, it is relevant in view of phasing out fossil-feedstock to combat climate change. Our analysis indicates that the recycling potential of carbon-based materials and products through mechanical or physical methods lies around 50%, even in a system that is fully optimised for recycling. Chemical recycling and carbon capture and utilisation may provide another 25% of the renewable-carbon feedstock needed, but they generally require far more energy and other inputs to produce new materials and chemicals than the mechanical and physical recycling methods. The remaining demand for renewable-carbon feedstock thus needs to come from either biomass or CO 2 through carbon capture and utilisation technologies. Based on our findings, we argue that the composition of our present carbon-based products pool needs to be redesigned on a fundamental molecular level, towards material types that contain more oxygen. Carbon-based materials that contain more oxygen generally can be recycled more efficiently, and are also easier to produce from the alternative feedstocks biomass and CO 2 through CCU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global food waste patterns through unanticipated shifts in composition and quantities. This review explores the impacts of COVID-19 on food waste generation and management approaches in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region during the recovery phase. This paper comprehensively explores food loss and waste in the NENA region. It presents a detailed analysis of pandemic-induced changes in household food waste behaviors, analyses the integration of circular economy principles in recovery strategies and policy implications, and outlines potential avenues for future research in this critical area. The key findings are threefold: First, this study reaffirms that food waste is a critical challenge in NENA, contributing to food insecurity, water scarcity, and environmental issues. Second, the pandemic catalyzed a dichotomy in consumer behaviors—panic buying initially increased waste, while hardship measures later encouraged sustainable waste reduction practices like meal planning and leftover use. Third, adopting a circular economy approach holds potential, yet its implementation remains limited in terms of curbing food waste and promoting sustainability in NENA. Overall, while the pandemic accentuated the urgency of tackling food waste, it also stimulated innovative policy thinking and strategic planning for building more resilient food systems. This paper concludes that leveraging pandemic-driven sustainability mindsets while addressing systemic drivers of waste will be key to mitigating food waste and its impacts moving forward. This paper offers timely insights into the evolving food waste management landscape in NENA, underscoring the need for integrated policies to navigate post-pandemic recovery effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) has been consistently increasing due to various factors, such as the improvement of living standards, urban migration for employment opportunities, and, most notably, rapid population growth. In South Africa, inadequate collection and transportation methods result in the accumulation of solid waste. The objective of this study is to quantify and analyse the composition of municipal solid waste by type, evaluate proximate and ultimate analysis, and assess the potential effectiveness of energy generation from Johannesburg City in Soweto. According to the proximate analysis findings, the MSW contains a significant amount of moisture and ash. Therefore, it requires additional separation and purification processes before its utilization. The elemental analysis results indicate that the waste material has a decreased concentration of sulfur and nitrogen, which is desirable. The study's findings can help to select and design the thermal waste-toenergy (WTF) process for the composition of the studied waste, thereby expediting the transition to a circular economy in urban regions and reducing pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agent-based modeling and simulation is a method well suited for studying individual behavior and interactions amongmembers of a population connected by social networks. Although the development of such simulation models can be relatively complex, it is even more challenging to develop models that are empirically valid. In the case of reverse logistics, the sophisticated and difficult-to-predict behavior of consumers must be modeled. In this paper, an agent-based simulation model of consumer behavior and interactions was configured to conduct a case study of the voluntary deposit collection program for wine bottles in the Val-Saint-François region of Quebec. As this collection program was officially launched in 2019, two empirical samples were obtained to test the validity of the model and study how social interactions such as word of mouth contributes to the success of the collection program. The first sample represents the amount of glass collected during the last 26 weeks of 2019, while the second sample covers the first 13 weeks of 2020. Having observed an increase in collection rates between 2019 and 2020, word of mouth was introduced into the model to explain this phenomenon. Statistical tests show that the model is indeed valid with the inclusion of diffusion of awareness, as the simulation results are significantly consistent with the empirical data. The validation of the model demonstrates the viability of using multiple heterogeneous data-sources to configure a simulation model based on the Theory of Planned Behavior without using Structural Equation Modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Green Deal sets the ambitious targets of establishing the first climate neutral continent by 2050 and reducing emissions by a minimum of 55% by 2030. In order to move the involved stakeholders to action, the European Commission has formulated proposals for regulations. One such proposal defines a legal framework to force industries to reduce the environmental burden caused by packaging waste. A major waste producer is the parcel service industry (CEP; courier, express, and parcel) and the industries it serves. Once put into place by the EU member states, the new laws will force all players in these sectors to increase business innovations in circular economies, which are based on the principles of recycling and reuse. Circular economies can be achieved by the implementation of returnable transport items (RTI) integrated with Industry 4.0 technologies. The ongoing research project ReKEP, which is largely funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, investigates potential impacts of RTI-based circular economies in the Austrian parcel service industry. The project’s particular interest is to identify the requirements of the most relevant stakeholder groups in the CEP industry for the successful transformation towards RTI-enabled circular economies. For this purpose, we conducted interviews with leaders and decision-makers of 10 stakeholder organizations, including producers, retailers, CEP contractors and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. This paper summarizes the interview results, which indicate that, despite recognizing the high potential of RTIs for reaching ecological sustainability goals, the contemporary awareness of the EU Green Deal and the concomitant responsibility to take action seems too low for successful implementation. The study outcome suggests that research and development in RTI should focus on operational requirements of workers and line managers from CEP industries for successful transformations to circular economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the advantages of enhancing construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling facilities to conform to circular economy (CE) models in Kazakhstan's construction sector. The industry is experiencing significant growth due to urbanization, but it faces difficulties managing CDW, frequently resulting in landfill disposal. In response, this paper provides a cost–benefit analysis of upgrading the CDW recycling centres aligned with CE needs. Reflecting legislative changes in Kazakhstan's Environmental Code, which prohibited CDW in landfills starting December 2020, the initiative to establish modern CDW recycling centres is gaining momentum in major cities. The primary objective is to maximize material recovery and eliminate contaminants that curtail the utilization of recycled sand and aggregate products. The analysis yields compelling results, indicating that the project has the potential to recycle up to 84 million tons of CDW over eight years, with an annual 25% capacity increase and a maximum possible 95% recycling efficiency. Despite an estimated cost of USD 48 million, the project demonstrates a payback period of 9.9 years, signalling eventual cost recovery. These findings underscore the project's capacity to mitigate CDW issues while generating economic benefits and contributing to a sustainable environment. In conclusion, implementing modern CDW recycling centres in Kazakhstan represents a potent solution for the construction industry as it transitions toward a CE model. This transition addresses both pressing environmental challenges and promising economic prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transforming the linear economy into a circular one in the construction sector is not an easy task. Such a radical change entails a major transformation of the current production and consumption patterns, which in turn will have a significant impact on the economy, the environment, and society. The European Commission sees great potential in the recycling and reuse of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and has also emphasised the importance of this waste stream in its directives on the circular economy. This paper first presents the concept of CDW and its regulatory characteristics. It then introduces the types and sources of CDW. Third, based on an analysis of the literature, the paper identifies the possible links between the CDW and the circular economy and current trends and practices of recovery, reuse, and recovery. Finally, through the examples presented, it gives an overview of the current situation and trends in Hungary and makes recommendations for future development opportunities for the practitioners to help them adapt to recent changes. The options for doing this are important, but the problems that may hinder this process also need to be examined. In this article, the author seeks to find answers to this question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid worldwide transition to electric vehicles (EVs), propelled by progress in lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology, brings opportunities and problems in sustainable development and resource management. This study examines how incorporating circular economy ideas and enhancing skills in EV LIB recycling can be a strategic approach to meeting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The article explores the relationship between environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social fairness by studying EV battery recycling, the workforce skills gap, and the economic ramifications of a circular approach. Based on the existing literature, the study highlights the importance of circular economy practices in improving resource efficiency, decreasing environmental pollution, and supporting various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those concerning responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), and industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9). The study highlights the significance of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in preparing the workforce with the essential skills to adapt to a more sustainable and circular economy. It also highlights significant obstacles in present recycling methods, such as technological limitations, legislative discrepancies, and the necessity for worldwide collaboration and standardization. The paper suggests practical policy suggestions and future research paths to improve the sustainability of EV battery recycling. The initiatives involve establishing global recycling standards, promoting circular economy models through incentives, boosting technological innovation, and facilitating international collaboration and knowledge exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversion of chemical feedstocks derived from fossil fuels to virgin polymer, manufacturing of plastics in coal-dependent economies, and increasing consumption of virgin polymers for plastics packaging contribute significantly to environmental issues and the challenges we face. Nowadays, promoting sustainable development has become the consensus of more and more countries. Among them, the recycling of multilayer packaging is a huge challenge. Due to the complexity of its structure and materials, as well as the limitations of existing recycling frameworks, currently, multilayer packaging cannot be commercially recycled thus resulting in a series of circular economy challenges. It is undeniable that multilayer packaging offers many positive effects on products and consumers, so banning the use of such packaging would be unwise and unrealistic. Developing the appropriate processes to recycle multilayer packaging is the most feasible strategy. In recent years, there have been some studies devoted to the recycling process of multilayer packaging. Many of the processes being developed involve the use of solvents. Based on the recycled products, we categorised these recycling processes as solvent-based recycling, including physical dissolution and chemical depolymerisation. In physical dissolution, there are mainly two approaches named delamination and selective dissolution–precipitation. Focusing on these processes, this paper reviews the solvents developed and used in the last 20 years for the recycling of polymers from multilayer packaging waste and gives a summary of their advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, product quality, ease of processing, and environmental impact. Based on existing research, one could conclude that solvent-based recycling methods have the potential to be commercialised and become part of a standard recycling process for polymer-based multilayer packaging. The combined use of multiple solvent-based recycling processes could be a breakthrough in achieving unified recycling of multilayer packaging with different components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon carbide, known for its distinct chemical and physical properties, is increasingly recognized as a critical material in sectors such as energy, space, and defense. Traditional production methods like the Acheson process are energy-intensive and costly, both in terms of investment and maintenance. Additionally, the concentrated nature of its manufacturing can lead to supply bottlenecks, hindering technological progress in key areas. To address these issues, this paper proposes a circular economy approach to silicon carbide production, leveraging the ecological challenge of rice waste disposal to create a new source of silica materials. It includes an evaluation of the economic and technological feasibility of this method and introduces a multidimensional composite index to identify potential early adopters for large-scale implementation. This innovative approach not only reduces reliance on critical minerals but also offers a solution to managing agricultural waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the contemporary problems of polymer waste recycling, mainly recycling cables from end-of-life vehicles. The authors developed a new material based on mixed polymer waste (ASR) modified with a ductile polymer, mainly recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE), to produce moisture-resistant boards with beneficial mechanical properties. The ASR-based compositions without and with homogenization process—including physical, chemical, and shear-assisted compatibilization—were successfully applied and verified by evaluating final recycled product properties. The results showed that recycled polyethylene (rLDPE) was effective as a modifier increasing tensile modulus and flexural strength compare to an ASR mixture. It was found that the adding 5 wt % of polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) as a compatibilizer to the ASR mixture significantly increases the homogenization of the components in the ASR matrix. The optimal solution for management cable waste is the manufacture of ASR composites with homogenization using an internal mixer the adding 20 wt % of rLDPE and 5 wt % of PE-g-MAH to the mixed plastics cable waste. The results obtained demonstrate that the hot-pressing with the pre-blending with rLDPE and compatibilizer of the ASR based waste provides a high gain in mechanical and usage properties, enabling the circular economy of plastics from automotive cables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the circular economy has emerged as a promising solution to address the mounting concerns surrounding plastic waste and the urgent need for sustainable resource management. While conventional centralized recycling remains a common practice for plastic waste, centralized facilities may prove inadequate in handling the ever-increasing volumes of plastic waste generated globally. Consequently, exploring alternative recycling methods, such as distributed recycling by additive manufacturing, becomes paramount. This innovative approach encompasses actively involving communities in recycling practices and promotes a circular economy. This comprehensive review paper aims to explore the critical aspects necessary to realize the potential of distributed recycling by additive manufacturing. In this paper, our focus lies on proposing schemes that leverage existing literature to harness the potential of distributed recycling by additive manufacturing as an effective approach to plastic waste management. We explore the intricacies of the recycling process, optimize 3D printing parameters, address potential challenges, and evaluate the mechanical properties of recycled materials. Our investigation draws heavily from the literature of the last five years, as we conduct a thorough critical assessment of DRAM implementation and its influence on the properties of 3D printing structures. Through comprehensive analysis, we reveal the potential of recycled materials in delivering functional components, with insights into their performance, strengths, and weaknesses. This review serves as a comprehensive guide for those interested in embracing distributed recycling by additive manufacturing as a transformative approach to plastic recycling. By fostering community engagement, optimizing 3D printing processes, and incorporating suitable additives, it is possible to collectively contribute to a more sustainable future while combatting the plastic waste crisis. As progress is made, it becomes essential to further delve into the complexities of material behavior, recycling techniques, and the long-term durability of recycled 3D printed components. By addressing these challenges head-on, it is feasible to refine and advance distributed recycling by additive manufacturing as a viable pathway to minimize plastic waste, fostering a circular economy and cultivating a cleaner planet for generations to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the need to adopt a restorative and regenerative model proposed by circular economy (CE). Methods: This article aims to identify the current status of packaging waste management in the CE context through an integrative literature review using Scopus and Web of Science databases. Using the Bibliometrix package, 162 articles were analyzed. Results: A bibliometric overview is presented, including the prominent authors and journals, and most cited articles, techniques and research methods used. Most of the analyzed articles are of the theoretical–empirical, quali–quantitative type, and plastic is the most studied material when a paper focused on one waste item. The contribution of packaging waste management for the transition to CE is discussed, highlighting important actions such as the replacement of materials to increase recyclability, the installation of voluntary delivery points associated with education programs focusing on the environment and support for cooperatives of waste pickers. In addition, a research agenda was developed that highlights the main gaps identified to guide future studies. Conclusion: Finally, the managerial contributions of the study are emphasized in particular by providing insight into the implementation of this model of growing international interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global population grows and urbanization accelerates, the garbage that is generated continues to increase. This waste causes serious pollution to the ecological environment, affecting the stability of the global environmental balance. Garbage detection technology can quickly and accurately identify, classify, and locate many kinds of garbage to realize the automatic disposal and efficient recycling of waste, and it can also promote the development of a circular economy. However, the existing garbage detection technology has some problems, such as low precision and a poor detection effect in complex environments. Although YOLOv5 has achieved good results in garbage detection, the detection results cannot meet the requirements in complex scenarios, so this paper proposes a garbage detection model, YOLOv5-OCDS, based on an improved YOLOv5. Replacing the partial convolution in the neck with Omni-Dimensional Dynamic Convolution (ODConv) improves the expressiveness of the model. The C3DCN structure is constructed, and parts of the C3 structures in the neck are replaced by C3DCN structures, allowing the model to better adapt to object deformation and target scale change. The decoupled head is used for classification and regression tasks so that the model can learn each class's characteristics and positioning information more intently, and flexibility and extensibility can be improved. The Soft Non-Maximum Suppression (Soft NMS) algorithm can better retain the target's information and effectively avoid the problem of repeated detection. The self-built garbage classification dataset is used for related experiments, and the mAP@50 of the YOLOv5-OCDS model is 5.3% higher than that of the YOLOv5s; the value of mAP@50:95 increases by 12.3%. In the experimental environment of this study, the model's Frames Per Second (FPS) was 61.7 f/s. In practical applications, when we use some old GPU, such as the GTX1060, it can still reach 50.3 f/s, so that real-time detection can be achieved. Thus, the improved model suits garbage detection tasks in complex environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses the transition from a linear economy paradigm to a circular economy model in the textile industry, which is one of the most polluting industries in the world. The linear model involves a large consumption of raw materials and generates waste, while the circular economy model focuses on the regeneration of raw materials and recycling. This includes the 5 R's of textile waste management: rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle, and reintroduce. The circular economy is characterized by close cycles, in which waste is minimized or converted into valuable inputs. Textile recycling process can be mechanical, thermal, chemical and biological. A series of recycling methods for different fiber-based materials: cotton, wool, synthetic, which are proposed in scientific papers is presented, contributing to the promotion of a zero-waste world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospitals in the Netherlands generate approximately 1.3 million kg of waste from the polypropylene (PP) wrapping paper (WP) used to wrap surgical instruments each year. The aim of this study was to develop a method to recycle WP waste into new medical devices. WP was recovered from Maasstad Hospital, Netherlands. The WP was melted into bars, granulated, and mixed with virgin material at different ratios and temperatures. Dog bones were injection-molded from volume (v.%) virgin, mixed (%R), and recycled (100%R) granulate, and a tensile testing machine was used to compare the material properties before and after ten disinfection cycles at the sterilization department. Then, 25 instrument openers were made from the 50%R material and circulated for four weeks. The data indicated no significant differences in the mechanical properties at different melting temperatures. For dog bones made from the 100%R, 50%R, and virgin granulate, the Young's moduli were 1021 (SD13), 879 (SD13), and 795 (SD14) MPa, and the strains were 8%, 12%, and 14%. Ten disinfection cycles did not significantly change the material properties. After one month, the openers did not show any deterioration or damage other than surface scratches. The results indicated that the initial WP melting temperature did not influence the mechanical properties. Although devices could be produced directly from the recycled WP granulate, increasing the recycled granulate in the mix ratio increased the strength and brittleness. It is feasible to recycle WP waste into a high-quality raw material for the injection molding of medical devices without using additives. This would allow hospitals to become more compliant with the circular economy enabling economically viable and circular processes that positively contribute to cleaner technical processes, sustainable products, and the reduction of medical waste. ⁃ Circular reprocessing of surgical waste into high quality raw material. ⁃ Enables cleaner processes for reduction of medical waste. ⁃ Increases sustainable development. ⁃ A new method to decrease the production of medical waste. ⁃ Decreases the shortage of base materials and costs. ⁃ Environmental and sustainability assessment: designs for products based on the "green" wishes of customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marble has been a prominent natural stone exploited since ancient times, commonly employed as a building material and ornamental stone. However, the disposal of waste generated from marble extraction, particularly fine sludge, poses significant environmental challenges for the dimensional stone industry. The difficulty in managing and recovering these materials, exacerbated by local regulations and the absence of suitable recovery protocols, often leads to landfilling. This issue is exemplified by the Carrara Marble Basin in the Apuan Alps (Tuscany, Italy), where more than half of the extracted marble remains as quarry waste or debris. Modern cutting technologies have intensified the production of finer materials and sawing residue, known as "marmettola", ranging in size from fine sand to silt. The disposal of these materials, commonly through landfilling or abandonment, has profound environmental repercussions. This research primarily aimed to carry out a preliminary physical, mineralogical, and morphological characterization of the fine waste and sludges generated from Carrara Marble exploitation. The findings reveal the high granulometric uniformity of the materials, and a nearly pure carbonate composition, suggesting potential for reuse in various industrial sectors such as paper, plastics, and pharmaceuticals production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmas are reactive ionised gases, which enable the creation of unique reaction fields. This allows plasmas to be widely used for a variety of chemical processes for materials, recycling among others. Because of the increase in urgency to find more sustainable methods of waste management, plasmas have been enthusiastically applied to recycling processes. This review presents recent developments of plasma technologies for recycling linked to economical models of circular economy and waste management hierarchies, exemplifying the thermal decomposition of organic components or substances, the recovery of inorganic materials like metals, the treatment of paper, wind turbine waste, and electronic waste. It is discovered that thermal plasmas are most applicable to thermal processes, whereas nonthermal plasmas are often applied in different contexts which utilise their chemical selectivity. Most applications of plasmas in recycling are successful, but there is room for advancements in applications. Additionally, further perspectives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, experts have paid considerable scientific and technological attention to the possibility of recycling waste that has reached nature as a result of mining activities related to natural stone, extracting metal or using foreign matter to recover natural environments. Several authors have shown that many of these types of waste can be vitrified or synthesised with an appropriately designed composition, not just to decrease their size but (as is more interesting from a financial point of view) to produce a wide range of glassy and/or ceramic materials that can have uses in industry and, crucially, in the construction sector (building and public works). In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of the state of the art, defining the different types of materials and their uses in order to decisively contribute to the circular economy and the zero-waste approach. We analyse the achievements accomplished in recent decades to be able to generate novel innovative ideas for collecting new eco-materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extractive waste (EW), including tailings, is produced in large quantities during mining activities. In recent years, the linear economic model ("take-use-and-throw" approach) has been replaced by a circular approach, emphasizing the sustainable use and recovery of EW. The development of innovative protocols, such as Best Available Techniques (BATs), which aim at the technological and process improvement of more sustainable mining activities and at the production of renewable, highly performing green materials, has led to technological advancements, expertise in sustainability, and a reduced ecological footprint, potentially causing positive economic and social impacts and reducing environmental ones. Extractive waste and tailings, if suitably characterized, can be used to improve and make sustainable the works connected to the management of mining activities. The qualitative–quantitative characterization of EW is essential for subsequent reuse and for assessing the risk to human health and the extent of environmental impacts in the various matrices. The application areas vary according to the type of waste and mining tailings, the morphological characteristics of the deposits, and the geological, geomorphological, and logistic context of the area. Integrated protocols for sustainable EW exploitation and positive impacts on the economic, environmental, and technological/social level are analyzed. The present paper aims at providing an overview of challenges and potentialities connected to extractive waste (EW) management and potential exploitation to recover raw materials (RM), critical raw materials (CRM), and secondary raw materials (SRM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive development of the polyurethanes industry and limited resources (also due to the current geopolitical situation) of the raw materials used so far force the search for new solutions to maintain high economic development. Implementing the principles of a circular economy is an approach aimed at reducing the consumption of natural resources in PU production. This is understood as a method of recovery, including recycling, in which waste is processed into PU, and then re-used and placed on the market in the form of finished sustainable products. The effective use of waste is one of the attributes of the modern economy. Around the world, new ways to process or use recycled materials for polyurethane production are investigated. That is why innovative research is so important, in which development may change the existing thinking about the form of waste recovery. The paper presents the possibilities of recycling waste (such as biochar, bagasse, waste lignin, residual algal cellulose, residual pineapple cellulose, walnut shells, silanized walnut shells, basalt waste, eggshells, chicken feathers, turkey feathers, fiber, fly ash, wood flour, buffing dust, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane, ground corncake, Tetra Pak®, coffee grounds, pine seed shells, yerba mate, the bark of Western Red Cedar, coconut husk ash, cuttlebone, glass fibers and mussel shell) as additives or fillers in the formulation of polyurethanes, which can partially or completely replace petrochemical raw materials. Numerous examples of waste applications of one-component polyurethanes have been given. A new unexplored niche for the research on waste recycling for the production of two components has been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU steel industry accounts for a crude steel production of 140 Mt/y, provided by the integrated (57%) and electric (43%) routes, which respectively require up to 6.0 and 0.6 MWh/tCrudeSteel of energy input, and emits on average 1.85 and 0.4 tCO2/tCrudeSteel. The mitigation of such CO2 emissions is crucial, and would involve the direct avoidance of carbon, improvement of energy efficiency, and carbon capture. However, the environmental burden of the steel industry cannot be limited to this, given the very large amount (approximately 5 Mt) of residues landfilled every year in the EU. This practice cannot be sustained anymore, since it represents a detrimental waste of resources and burden to the environment. These aspects require prompt action to meet the Green Deal goals envisioned for 2030. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the main state-of-the-art technologies commercially (and not) available for the effective treatment of a wide variety of residues. To enrich this overview with further potential candidates towards a more sustainable steel manufacturing process, the combined application of two technologies (a plasma reactor and a RecoDust unit for the recovery of metals and minerals, respectively) at TRL 5-6 is also investigated here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste and the circular economy are two major topics that the Earth’s population should be concerned about. The circular economy has been discussed on a regular basis as a mechanism of better waste management through recycling, reuse, and recovery. As a result, this paper’s aim is to reveal a comprehensive look at alternate solution implementations over the whole life cycle of any process, as well as the relationship between processes, environment, and economy. The research question is whether the circular economy is related to food waste, starting from the assumption that food waste can be prevented by applying the principles of circular economy. The findings show that the EU 28 contributes significantly to the global 1.3 billion tonnes of wasted food each year, while the cost of covering the 180 kg/capita of food wasted each year in the EU 28 raises up to 25% of the food products acquired, evidencing a massive monetization and a possible material overturn if this issue of reducing food waste is not properly managed. The relevance of the results consists in the fact that circular economy inspires new patterns and behaviors to consumers, assisting them in achieving greater sustainability. As a result, disposed food is no longer considered as a waste or energy recovery problem, but rather as an opportunity to enhance the overall system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need to reuse and recycle textile fibers, since today, low recycling rates are achieved. Accurate classification methods for post-consumer textile waste are needed in the short term for a higher circularity in the textile and fashion industries. This paper compares different spectroscopic data from textile samples in order to correctly classify the textile samples. The accurate classification of textile waste results in higher recycling rates and a better quality of the recycled materials. The data fusion of near- and mid-infrared spectra is compared with single-spectrum information. The classification results show that data fusion is a better option, providing more accurate classification results, especially for difficult classification problems where the classes are wide and close to one another. The experimental results presented in this paper prove that the data fusion of near- and mid-infrared spectra is a good option for accurate textile-waste classification, since this approach allows the classification results to be significantly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) is an environmental management accounting method that allocates costs to material and energy flows through a process, thereby enabling a simultaneous reduction in environmental impacts alongside an improvement in business and economic efficiency. This study illustrates the versatility of MFCA beyond its usual application to existing production and manufacturing processes. In this paper, MFCA is used to assess the financial viability of two emerging recycling technologies, IRETA2 (Development and Evaluation of Recycling Routes to Recover Tantalum from Electronic Waste) and ReComp (Development of an Innovative, Economically and Ecologically Sensible Recycling Method for Metallised ABS and PC/ABS Composite Waste). These two projects differ in their process structure. Whilst IRETA2 is a strictly linear recycling process, ReComp consists of two process streams, split according to the treatment of its two material fractions. For both projects, the lab-scale experimental results were used to develop an MFCA model of the recycling process scaled at each project partner's facilities. MFCA was utilised to calculate the projects' overall profit or loss, the impact of the final products' market conditions and processing rate (in the case of IRETA2), or machinery capacity (for ReComp) on the overall results. The results show that neither IRETA2 nor ReComp are financially viable based on the current output products' market value and quantity produced. However, through a sensitivity analysis, it is demonstrated that IRETA2 could become financially viable if the processing rate or market conditions were to improve. Additionally, ReComp could become financially viable if there was an increase in machine capacity. Finally, this paper also explores possible implications of MFCA when applied to emerging recycling technologies on EU policy and strategy, particularly those related to the EU Green Deal, such as extended producer responsibility and supply chain acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste is a tremendous systemic challenge, mainly at all stages of consumption and the supply chain process. In recent years, the global food supply challenge has called for new methods to decrease food waste or recover them to more valuable materials. Indeed, understanding the techniques for reducing and recovering food waste provides insights into exploring the impact of waste food recovery on the environment. This paper aims to review the literature on food waste in production processes. Hence, we employ a bibliometric and thematic analysis to explore a total number of 163 scientific articles published between 2000 and 2021. The present research uses the theoretical model of circular economy to analyse the literature on the topic both thematically and with cluster analysis. The results provide significant implications for academics and practitioners, drawing attention to a closer relationship between people and food waste, increasing the culture of the value of waste in all processes from agricultural production to distribution and consumption. Finally, it reiterates the need to emphasise the pollution caused by food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have observed a reconstruction of the waste management system from a linear resource flow economy to a circular economy. This approach is reflected in the provisions of the Waste Framework Directive (2018), which introduces, among others, new recycling targets for municipal waste which require, by 2025, 55% of the municipal waste to be recycled, in 2030—60%, and in 2035—65%. The ambitious targets adopted for preparing for the reuse and recycling of municipal waste will not be achieved without a high level of the recycling of bio-waste. This paper studies the quantification of municipal waste and nitrogen in a circular municipal waste management system (MWM) implemented for a city of 100,000. It was assumed that MWM would meet the requirements in terms of EU and Polish circular waste management goal legislation for the years 2025, 2030 and 2035. The research results showed that the development of a separate waste collection will reduce the waste delivered to MBT. The required MBT capacity will decrease by almost 2.4 times. Moreover, it has been shown that the introduction of a closed-loop MWM will result in an almost two-fold reduction in the amount of nitrogen going to the landfill and an increase in the mass of nitrogen that can be used to fertilize the soil (by approximately 22%). Furthermore, it has been shown that the most favorable option for an organic waste treatment is the anaerobic–aerobic process. This solution provides the highest biogas production and the lowest nitrogen gas emissions to air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning to a circular economy as an option of mitigating environmental challenges posed by traditional linear consumption patterns has garnered considerable attention. This study examines innovative approaches to circular economy principles in the context of Salatiga's domestic waste management. The aim is to conduct a thorough evaluation of various waste management technologies and their potential to contribute to a more sustainable and circular waste management system. The research utilizes a review-based technique, drawing insights from current academic literature, papers, and case studies relevant to circular economy practices and household waste management technologies. To find new methods that have been successfully implemented in a variety of cities, a comprehensive literature search is performed. This research attempts to give a thorough evaluation of these methods relevance to the Salatiga environment by assessing their accomplishments, obstacles, and outcomes. This research showed that several waste management techniques, such as landfilling, incineration, and minimal recycling, are used in Salatiga. The research uncovered a number of novel methods for enacting a circular economy, including community-based recycling programs, waste-to-energy conversion, and expanded producer responsibility efforts. Few people are aware of the issue, there isn't enough support system in place, and resources are restricted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling industrial waste to obtain secondary raw materials is a key focus of environmental policy and circular economy strategies. One such industrial waste, recycled brick waste (RBW), is characterized by high pollution and low recycling rates. This paper evaluates the effects of graded replacement of various RBW sizes as a substitute for coarse and fine natural aggregate (NA) on the mechanical properties and durability of cement treated base (CTB). The novelty of this study lies in the durability evaluation of four types of CTB, including natural, recycled, and mixed CTB. RBW and NA materials are characterized and compared, and the mechanical properties and durability of CTB with RBW materials are analyzed and compared to CTB with 100% NA. The results show that the mixes containing waste bricks exhibit comparable mechanical characteristics and could be used in layers of pavement foundations. Additionally, the durability of the mixes containing RBW yields better results compared to blends containing NA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas comprise less than 1% of the Earth's land surface, yet they host more than half the global population and are responsible for the majority of global energy use and related CO2 emissions. Urbanization is increasing the speed and local intensity of water cycle exploitation, with a large number of cities suffering from water shortage problems globally. Wastewater (used water) contains considerable amounts of embedded energy and recoverable materials. Studies and applications have demonstrated that recovering or re-capturing water, energy, and materials from wastewater is a viable endeavor, with several notable examples worldwide. Reclaiming all these resources through more widespread application of effective technological approaches could be feasible and potentially profitable, although challenging from several points of view. This paper reviews the possibilities and technical opportunities applicable to the mining of resources within the urban water cycle and discusses emerging technologies and issues pertaining to resource recovery and reuse applications. The present and future sustainability of approaches is also discussed. Since sewage management issues are not "one size fits all", local conditions must be carefully considered when designing optimal local resource recovery solutions, which are influenced not just by technology but also by multiple economic, geographical, and social factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides evidence and discusses the variability in the thermomechanical behaviour of virgin and recycled polypropylene/high-density polyethylene blends without the addition of other components, which is sparse in the literature. Understanding the performance variability in recycled polymer blends is of critical importance in order to facilitate the re-entering of recycled materials to the consumer market and, thus, contribute towards a circular economy. This is an area that requires further research due to the inhomogeneity of recycled materials. Therefore, the thermal and mechanical properties of virgin and recycled polypropylene/high-density polyethylene blends were investigated systematically. Differential scanning calorimetry concludes that both the recycled and virgin blends are immiscible. Generally, recycled blends have lower overall crystallinity and melting temperatures compared with virgin blends while, remarkably, their crystallisation temperatures are compared favourably. Dynamical mechanical analysis showed little variation in the storage modulus of recycled and virgin blends. However, the alpha and beta relaxation temperatures are lower in recycled blends due to structural deterioration. Deterioration in the thermal and mechanical properties of recycled blends is thought to be caused by the presence of contaminants and structural degradation during reprocessing, resulting in shorter polymeric chains and the formation of imperfect crystallites. The tensile properties of recycled blends are also affected by the recycling process. The Young's modulus and yield strength of the recycled blends are inferior to those of virgin blends due to the deterioration during the recycling process. However, the elongation at break of the recycled blends is higher compared with the virgin blends, possibly due to the plasticity effect of the low-molecular-weight chain fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry is involved in a massive transformation from standard endothermic engines to electric propulsion. The core element of the Electic Vehicle (EV) is the battery pack. Battery pack production misses regulations concerning manufacturing standards and safety-related issues. In such a fragmented scenario, the increasing number of EVs in circulation is growing exponentially, opening new challenges for managing the End-of-Life (EoL) of their battery packs. This paper analyses the use of robotics for EVs' battery pack disassembly to enable the extraction of the battery modules preserving their integrity for further reuse or recycling. The analysis highlights that a complete automatic disassembly remains difficult, while human-robot collaborative disassembly guarantees high flexibility and productivity. The paper introduces guidelines for designing a robotic cell to disassemble a battery pack with the support of an operator. The design of the workcell evaluates the technological requirements for disassembly, the analysis of potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) of the area around the battery pack, and the design and optimisation of robotics tools in the ATEX zone. The work proposes solutions according to the current international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste-to-energy processes remain essential to ensure the safe and irreversible removal of materials and substances that are (or have become) unsuitable for reuse or recycling, and hence, to keep intended cycles of materials in the circular economy clean. In this paper, the behavior of inorganic compounds in waste-to-energy combustion processes are discussed from a multi-disciplinary perspective, against a background of ever tightening emission limits and targets of increasing energy efficiency and materials recovery. This leads to the observation that, due to the typical complexity of thermally treated waste, the intelligence of combustion control systems used in state-of-the-art waste-to-energy plants needs to be expanded to better control the behavior of inorganic compounds that typically end up in waste furnaces. This paper further explains how this goal can be achieved by developing (experimentally validated) predictive numerical models that are engineering-based and/or data-driven. Additionally, the significant economic potential of advanced thermochemical intelligence towards inorganic compounds in waste-to-energy combustion control systems is estimated on the basis of typical operational figures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Research shows a recycling behavior gap where end consumers are positive towards recycling but do not act in accordance with their intentions. Such a gap creates challenges for reverse logistics systems. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how adaptations in reverse logistics systems towards end consumers-turned-suppliers can improve recycling behavior. Design/methodology/approach: A framework with three propositions is developed and evaluated empirically using a two-group dependent post-test quasi-experimental design. The empirical setting is recycling of household waste. Three interventions are evaluated as: (1) the social norms nudge, (2) the distance nudge and (3) the availability nudge. Findings: The results show that nudging improved recycling action behavior for the experimental group. Control group behavior remained constant. Research limitations/implications: This paper suggests that the end-consumer's role as suppliers needs to be included more actively into reverse logistics systems for products to enter the preferred loops of recycling in the circular economy. Originality/value: A new field of climate psychology is used to explain challenges in reverse logistics systems and nudging is demonstrated as a tool with which to deal with them. The study also shows how quasi-experiments can be applied in logistics research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass can be considered a locus of meaning, a material which has been the repository of traditional knowledge and technological expertise for at least three millennia. The history of glass speaks of know-how, technological transitions, and contaminations of recipes for its manufacture, which have changed across the world over the centuries. As the amount of recovered glass from archaeological contexts is much lower compared to ceramic and metal finds, research has often considered glass as a rare material. Furthermore, glass production, in ancient times as in the present day, requires the use of selected raw materials and noticeable amounts of fuel, making reuse and recycling practices necessary to foster sustainability, from both an economical and an environmental perspective. Latin authors, such as Juvenal and Martial, reported buyers of broken glass in Imperial Rome, presumably destined for recycling. Archaeometry has also provided data that allow, today, to clarify different aspects related to production cycles, uses and reuses of a material that, starting from the Roman age, became as common as modern plastics. From beakers and goblets reused with different purposes to mosaic tesserae detached for making new mosaics or to be refused and employed as "pigments" for colouring glass, this paper aims to provide an overview of reuse and recycling practices of ancient glass through a discussion of selected case studies from Roman to Middle Ages, showing how the cycle of this material can be framed as an actual example of sustainable circular economy in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal waste management is an important aspect in the context of the environmental protection of any country. Biowaste is the dominant stream among all municipal waste in Poland (32.4% in 2020). It can be processed through recycling and recovery processes. It is also possible to dispose of it, although according to the waste hierarchy, such action should be the last option. For biowaste to be recycled, e.g., through anaerobic digestion or composting, it must have suitable properties to be processed through the processes mentioned above. This study aims to discuss the selective collection and management of biowaste from Poland's municipal sector and identify limiting factors. The paper also indicates selected aspects of possible changes in the waste management sector, considering the role of society and waste management companies. The factors limiting the collection and further use of biowaste from the municipal sector in Poland can be divided into economic, social, technical, and technological. This article refers to the situation in Poland, but some problems occur analogously in other countries. This is because the barriers limiting the selective collection and management of biowaste in many countries are similar and differ mainly in the degree of intensity and the scope they cover. Given the increasingly stringent requirements for waste management, measures must be taken to achieve the legally required levels of recycling of biowaste and to recycle it as well as possible. The development of installations for biological waste management will be crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource recovery from wastewater is very important in view of a circular economy approach in the water field. Among the different technologies applied to realize circular economy, an attractive option is the use of nutrient-enriched media that can be utilized as slow-release fertilizers. Zeolites have been re-discovered for their key role in ammonium (NH4+) adsorption from treated wastewater. Although many studies have been carried out to assess the ability of zeolites to adsorb NH4+, only few papers concerning NH4+ desorption from zeolites are available in the literature. Therefore, this study investigated NH4+ desorption from mineralogically different zeolites, before (ZNS and ZNC) and after (ZSS and ZSC) their treatment with sodium chloride. The zeolites differed in mordenite content. The amount of the desorbed NH4+ varied from 78 to 84% of the total NH4+ adsorbed. In particular, the NaCl-treated materials showed the largest desorption (27.6 ± 0.2 mg L−1, and 27.9 ± 0.7 mg L−1, ZSS, and ZSC, respectively) as compared to the untreated zeolites (22.9 ± 0.3 mg L−1, and 24.2 ± 0.3 mg L−1, ZNS, and ZNC, respectively) because of the different affinity of the cations for the zeolite surface. A monomodal pseudo-first-order model best approximated the desorption kinetics, suggesting only one mechanism of NH4+ desorption from zeolites. Such a mechanism is based on the ion exchange between dissolved Na+ and adsorbed NH4+. The desorption kinetics also showed that NH4+ desorbed slower from the NaCl-treated zeolites than the untreated ones. This effect was explained by the different affinity of Na+ and NH4+ for the zeolite surfaces as due to the diverse sizes of the Na+ and NH4+ hydration spheres. By revealing the effect of zeolite mineralogy and surface treatments in the desorption of NH4+, this study can suggest new and effective synthetic strategies for the achievement of cheap new materials to be applied in environmental remediation within a circular economy perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the interest of the scientific community has become focused on the integration of circular economy principles by eliminating end-of-life concepts and forming zero-waste strategies. The present paper suggests the possible application of innovative, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and highly efficient ceramic materials with the partial implementation of aluminosilicate-based waste in the form of wastewater sludge in advanced technology solutions. The specific objective was to demonstrate the effective utilization of the investigated waste in the production of refractory adhesives and/or sealants for Intermediate-Temperature Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells (IT-SOFCs). Different physical–mechanical and chemical properties were determined along with the performance of leaching tests, the thermal cycling procedure, and leakage tests in a single cell. Based on the maintenance of mechanical integrity after thermal cycling and satisfying crystal and microstructural stability after high-temperature treatment, it was concluded that the investigated materials may be considered promising candidates for application as heat-resistant adhesives for connecting components in heating systems. However, they were not found to be applicable as sealants for IT-SOFCs in raw form according to the failure of testing in a single cell. Still, requirements for this purpose could be met after certain modifications of the composition and synthesis methodology, which presents the major initiative for our further research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Making decisions in the agriculture sector is a complex and challenging process, especially when aiming for sustainability. Decision makers (DMs) face multiple contradictions, particularly when trying to reduce environmental and social impacts without decreasing economic profits. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to support a group of DMs in choosing the most sustainable agricultural practices, extraction method, and waste recovery management method so that the entire product life cycle becomes circular and sustainable. To achieve this goal, we propose a new multi-criteria framework to help DMs to rank the different life cycle scenarios. The main contributions of this article are as following: first, to build sustainable scenarios under the circular economy thinking, the Structured Analysis and Design Technique has been integrated to close and valorize the waste loops for each scenario. Then, the 2-Tuple model was used to deal with uncertainty in expert knowledge application. Afterward, a synthetic dynamic weight algorithm was used to aggregate the DMs opinions. Next, the VIKOR method was extended with the 2-Tuple model to rank the sustainability of each scenario. To illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach, a case study of olive oil life cycle in Sfax-Tunisia was conducted. Also, we perform a sensitivity analysis to reveal the effect of the subjective parameter variations on the initially obtained ranking. Finally, the obtained results prove that the proposed method is more accurate and effective for the agricultural sustainability problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]