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The objective of this study was to determine mould resistance of the plaster made from waste paper. To study the plaster quality, two laboratory tests were conducted. First, mould resistance of a dry plaster was studied, and second, mould resistance of a wet plaster was tested. Since wet plaster mix must be used for plastering, the resulting surfaces are extremely wet. The plaster placed on the wall would dry for at least two weeks under favourable conditions (sufficient ventilation and temperature). During this period, there is a great risk that the plaster might become mouldy. Another risk of becoming mouldy occurs when an already plastered wall receives moisture (e.g., water damage). The experiments carried out under laboratory conditions showed that in an environment with high relative humidity the plaster did not become mouldy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the implementation of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices in managing paper waste within Indonesian higher education institutions, focusing on the influence of recycling infrastructure, subjective norms, and recycling awareness on campus sustainability. Employing a quantitative approach with data from 224 students, the study utilized Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to evaluate relationships among key variables: Paper Waste Capacity (PWC), Subjective Norms (SN), Recycling Awareness (RA), and Ecosystem Sustainability (ES). Findings indicate that enhanced paper waste capacity significantly affects subjective norms around recycling, while subjective norms positively influence individual recycling awareness. Both subjective norms and recycling awareness significantly contribute to ecosystem sustainability, suggesting that GSCM practices, supported by accessible recycling infrastructure and normative reinforcement, can foster a culture of sustainability within universities. This study also highlights the importance of creating a recycling-supportive environment through social campaigns and peer initiatives. The results underscore the broader potential of GSCM as a model for promoting environmentally responsible behaviours in educational settings and beyond. While limited by its specific context, the study calls for further research across diverse institutions and regions to expand understanding of GSCM's impact on sustainability practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the properties of paper coated with nanocelluloses and nanocellulose-enhanced recycled paper derived from diverse waste paper sources. The grammages and thicknesses of both coated and recycled paper increased proportionally with the number of coating layers and the concentration of added cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). While the tensile index and modulus of elasticity of coated paper decreased post-coating, these properties of recycled paper improved with higher CNF concentrations, with minimal changes observed with CNC. The burst strength of coated paper increased with additional coating layers, regardless of whether CNF or CNC was used. The tear index of coated paper surpassed that of the base paper, while the burst strength of recycled paper with CNF exceeded that of CNC. Recycled paper with added nanocellulose exhibited higher tear index values than control paper, with CNF addition notably enhancing tear index compared to CNC. The types of nanocellulose significantly influenced the optical and barrier properties of both coated and recycled paper. In conclusion, this study suggests that leveraging CNF and CNC can enhance the quality of low-grade and recycled paper, potentially opening new avenues for their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Chemical profiling of different paper grades was performed along the recycling chain. • Untargeted analysis of semi-volatiles and non-volatiles using GC- and LC-MS. • Chemometrics application to identify specific features by paper grade and site. • Exploration of the possible sources of detected compounds in the paper recycling chain. • Numerous chemical compounds associated with plastics have been detected. Paper packaging made with recycled paperboard is used to pack various consumer goods that can include amongst others, electronics, toys, food, cosmetics, and stationery. Chemical profiling of the various paper recycling grades used in the manufacture of recycled paperboard was undertaken to investigate possible sources of contaminants and their propagation in the paper recycling chain. Pre-consumer, retail and post-consumer paper-based materials were collected at papermills, corrugators, grocery stores, household waste, solid waste disposal sites and recycling facilities. In the GC-MS analysis, phthalates, long-chain aliphatic compounds, and fatty acids were the most commonly detected compounds whilst phthalates and bisphenols featured most prevalently in the LC-MS analysis. The factors that were identified as likely contributors to the detection of the different chemical compounds included the presence of wood derivatives, the use of certain chemical additives during manufacturing, and exposure of paper to contaminants from consumers, other goods and the environment. Waste mingling, recovery, sorting and reprocessing into recycled paper were also shown to influence the chemical profile of paper materials. Sparse partial least squares-discriminate analysis indicated that newspaper and office paper had unique chemical constituents, whilst cartons were shown to have higher variability. By looking at key stages of paper recycling, this study showed that the possible persistence and transformation of chemical compounds in additives must be evaluated when considering the recyclability of paper-based materials. Further, it highlighted that different separation approaches may be required to reduce contaminant exposure opportunities in post-consumer paper materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The recycling of paper and board (PB) yields economic and environmental advantages compared to primary paper production. However, PB from lightweight packaging (LWP) waste is currently not comprehensively reintegrated into the paper value stream. To develop an adapted recycling process for PB from LWP, PB quantities, qualities, and fluctuations ranges in LWP are required. Currently, no sufficient database is available. Therefore, we developed a methodical approach and conducted a case study to access the PB potential in LWP sorting plants using manual analysis and sensor-based material flow monitoring. Differences resulting from seasonal variations, materials from different settlement structures, and fluctuation ranges in LWP composition over two weeks have been investigated. PB contents in the input of 6.5 wt% (ww) and 5.9 wt% (ww) were determined for winter and summer sampling campaigns, respectively. The PB product stream amounted to 5.7 wt% (ww, winter) and 4.8 wt% (ww, summer). Around 45 wt% (ww) of PB from the PB product stream was classified as misplaced by the consumer and should have been discarded in separate paper collections. Based on the determined PB quantities and qualities, a potential of usable and in the PB product stream available PB in LWP was determined. The technically available and usable PB potential in German LWP waste amounts to 89,000 to 100,000 tons per year (average PB yield of around 65 wt% (ww)). The methodical approach can be adapted for sorting plant balances. The results can contribute to developing an adapted recycling process for PB from LWP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The automotive industry is under growing pressure from regulatory agencies to improve the recyclability of its plastic components. Simultaneously, manufacturers are adopting natural fiber composites in vehicles to reduce their carbon footprint and decrease reliance on petroleum-based materials. This presents a challenge at vehicle end-of-life, however, as natural fiber-reinforced polymers are substantially more difficult to recycle than their unreinforced counterparts. This study investigated the development of a mechanical recycling process for paper fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites, focusing on the impact of injection molding parameters—specifically, injection temperature and rate—on the thermal, mechanical, and water uptake properties of the composites. The results showed that processing temperature had a greater influence on composite performance than injection rate, with some limited interaction effects between the two. Higher processing intensity damaged the paper fibers, increasing the number of nucleation sites and resulting in greater polypropylene crystallinity. These structural changes reduced tensile properties at higher intensities, while flexural properties improved. Objective function analysis was applied to identify optimal processing conditions, balancing these competing trends. Overall, the findings demonstrate that paper fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites can be recycled into automotive-relevant injection molding compounds using conventional plastic manufacturing techniques, though careful tuning of processing parameters is essential to achieve optimal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the ongoing challenges in freight transport operations is to balance efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability through the integration of sustainable practices to minimize the environmental impact. When it comes to truck payload and sustainability, the emphasis is on optimizing space, and minimizing empty miles and the wastage of resources. Ensuring that truck loads meet their targets has many challenges, and our empirical research examines the factors influencing the payloads of recycled fibre across the network in the UK paper industry. Methods: A mixed method approach includes interviews, business process analysis, the identification of opportunity areas, a site visit, simulation, and viability analysis to assess factors as part of the sustainable solution. Results: The research identified aspects related to processes, data availability and fragmentation, consistent procedures, practices, and operational considerations. Refining cage-loading procedures, enhancing baling processes and the visibility of upstream processes, and establishing robust information-sharing mechanisms improve efficiency and support sustainability. Conclusions: The empirical research extends the knowledge related to freight efficiency movements on the road and focuses on practical actions in utilizing recycled fibre's carrying capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is significant competition in recycling waste paper and using it for producing various types of paper used in the packaging sector. The paper derived from recycled pulps lacks good strength due to the gradual shortening of fibers and the reduction in bonding characteristics. Considering this challenge, in this study, after converting old corrugated containers (OCC) into pulp and then refining them, they were oxidized in an alkaline environment using hydrogen peroxide at varying percentages of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 to create diversity and increase reactive groups. Sodium caseinate was then added to the pulp suspension at levels of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 percent as a cross-linking agent. Finally, standard handmade papers were produced from them. The status of the formed functional groups was measured by FTIR spectrum, and the mechanical strength and water absorption of the produced papers were measured according to the standards of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). FTIR results showed that the oxidized pulp samples had high absorption at the wavenumber 1650, which corresponds to the carboxyl group. Additionally, the calculation of the carboxyl groups using the methylene blue absorption method indicated that the highest amount of carboxyl groups was in the 1 percent hydrogen peroxide treatment. The addition of sodium caseinate to the pulp suspension significantly increased the mechanical strength of the resulting papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imported waste paper and recycled pulp may contain pollutants, posing potential environmental risks to the ecosystem of China. This study examined the presence and distribution patterns of heavy metals, phthalate esters (PAEs), and adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) in recycled pulp and production wastewater after various recycling processes of three typical restricted types of imported waste paper. The results indicated that the concentration ranges of heavy metals, PAEs, and AOX in the three types of imported recycled waste paper were 21.61–40.38 mg/kg, 15.35–27.88 mg/kg, and 19.21–57.72 mg/kg, respectively. The comparative analysis with the initial waste paper demonstrated a reduction in heavy metal content in the recycled pulp by 17.80–49.75%, PAEs by 65.42–90.55%, and AOX by 32.80–42.34%. The average concentrations of these pollutants in wastewater were 0.85–1.66 mg/L, 27.28–59.86 mg/L, and 1.15–3.34 mg/L, respectively. Chromium and lead were identified as the primary heavy metals present in the waste paper. Following pulping, No. 1 and No. 2 met the arsenic and lead levels specified in the "Reuse Fiber Pulp" standard (GB/T24320-2021), whereas No. 3 met these criteria after de-inking only. The main PAEs detected in the waste paper were dibutyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, most of which were removed during the pulping stage. Significantly higher levels of AOX were observed in No. 2 and No. 3 than in No. 1, with a minimal impact on AOX removal from the pulp during the recycling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing wastewater treatment efficiency is a primary aim in the circular economy. Wastewater physicochemical and biochemical processes are quite complex, often requiring a combination of statistical and machine learning tools to empirically model them. Since wastewater treatment plants are large-scale operations, the limited opportunities for extensive experimentation may be offset by miniaturizing experimental schemes through the use of fractional factorial designs (FFDs). A recycling quality improvement study that relies on non-linear multi-objective multi-parameter FFD (NMMFFD) datasets was reanalyzed. A published NMMFFD ultrafiltration screening/optimization case study was re-examined regarding how four controlling factors affected three paper mill recycling characteristic responses using a combination of statistical and machine learning methods. Comparative machine learning screening predictions were provided by (1) quadratic support vector regression and (2) optimizable support vector regression, in contrast to quadratic linear regression. NMMFFD optimization was performed by employing Pareto fronts. Pseudo-screening was applied by decomposing the replicated NMMFFD dataset to single replicates and then testing their replicate repeatability by introducing belief functions that sought to maximize credibility and plausibility estimates. Various versions of belief functions were considered, since the novel role of the three process characteristics, as independent sources, created a high level of conflict during the information fusion phase, due to the inherent divergent belief structures. Correlations between two characteristics, but with opposite goals, may also have contributed to the source conflict. The active effects for the NMMFFD dataset were found to be the transmembrane pressure and the molecular weight cut-off. The modified adjustment was pinpointed to the molecular weight cut-off at 50 kDa, while the optimal transmembrane pressure setting persisted at 2.0 bar. This mixed-methods approach may provide additional confidence in determining improved recycling process adjustments. It would be interesting to implement this approach in polyfactorial wastewater screenings with a greater number of process characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulosic/lignocellulosic nanofibers (CNF/LCNF) are value-added products which recently have been considered widely. This study focused on valorization of waste by making CNF from white cutting wastepaper (WCW), which was confirmed by the transmission electron microscope images. The CNF present in the paper recycling process showed significant effects on the final product and process aspects. Addition of 5% CNF (based on dry weight of pulp) to the recycled fibers improved the strength properties as well as the fines retention. But in contrast, the drainage decreased from 303 to 188 mL CSF. Finally, considering the importance of wastepaper history on the quality of recycling process and final products, as a new vision, this study focused on recyclability of wastepaper which has experienced CNF as an additive in their history of papermaking. In this respect, the papers reinforced with nanofibers in their history, after several recycling, experienced less reduction in the tensile and tear indices and fines retention. In summary, it seems that the presence of CNF in the wastepaper can slow down the reduction of product density and process properties during several recycling cycles and so restore their potential for subsequent papermaking cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The momentum of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is driving increased demand for certain specific metals. These include copper, silver, gold, and platinum group metals (PGMs), which have important applications in renewable energies, green hydrogen, and electronic products. However, the continuous extraction of these metals is leading to a rapid decline in their ore grades and, consequently, increasing the environmental impact of extraction. Hence, obtaining metals from secondary sources, such as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), has become imperative for both environmental sustainability and ensuring their availability. To evaluate the sustainability of the process, this paper proposes using an exergy approach, which enables appropriate allocation among co-products, as well as the assessment of exergy losses and the use of non-renewable resources. As a case study, this paper analyzes the recycling process of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) by disaggregating the exergy cost into renewable and non-renewable sources, employing different exergy-based cost allocation methods for the mentioned metals. It further considers the complete life cycle of metals using the Circular Thermoeconomics methodology. The results show that, when considering the entire life cycle, between 47% and 53% of the non-renewable exergy is destroyed during recycling. Therefore, delaying recycling as much as possible would be the most desirable option for minimizing the use of non-renewable resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide recycling rate for paper is about 60% and there are ongoing efforts to enhance the recycling rates to 80%. The low strength of recycled paper primarily due to the contaminants in it fetches lower value to the recycled paper in the market and also limits its recyclability. The ways to circumvent the problem of contamination of paper have been addressed by adding additives. However, the use of additives increases the cost of the final recycled paper. Oxidation has been explored as an alternative to enhance the tensile strength of paper in this work as it can be used in existing paper recycling facilities without any modifications. Pulp fibres were collected from an active paper recycling mill and subjected to oxidation at various oxidation levels from 0.25 up to 1.5 mmol/g. It was found that the tensile strength of the paper increased by up to 89% with an increase in oxidation level up to 1 mmol/g and later decreased with a further increase in the oxidation level up to 1.5 mmol/g. The brightness of the paper increased by up to 3% with an increase in oxidation level up to 0.85 mmol/g and then a decrease with further enhancement in the oxidation level. The oxidized samples were also studied with infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and optical properties to study the behaviour of the resulting material. A ring crush test and corrugating medium test were also performed on the oxidized pulp samples to establish the feasibility of the material for packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While cationic cellulose has yet to find a place in the paper industry, manufacturers show certain interest in a more recent material: cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), generally with negative surface charge. This work suggests both to be combined to increase the mechanical properties of recycled paper while preventing the use of synthetic polyelectrolytes as retention agents. On one hand, a bleached pulp was cationized by etherification, both as-is and following mechanical refining (15,000 PFI revolutions) and submitted to high-pressure homogenization, generating two different kinds of cationic CNFs. On the other, the same pulp was submitted to an enzymatic pretreatment and high-pressure homogenization, producing a negatively charged cellulose micro/nanofiber (CMNF). Two different cellulose-based systems consisting of each type of cationic CNF and the enzymatic CMNF were applied in the papermaking of both virgin and recycled paper. This study demonstrates the effective use of the cationic CNFs as retention agents during sheet formation, which together with the enzymatic CMNFs significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of both types of paper. The study found that refining before cationization favored the retention effect, primarily due to increased surface area and charge of the cationic CNFs, where remarkable increases in the breaking length of virgin (125.1%) and recycled paper (46.5%) were reached. The synergy between cationic CNFs and enzymatic CMNFs outperformed the use of commercial polyacrylamide, a non-biodegradable polyelectrolyte. This research highlights the potential of tailored CNFs in producing high-performance papers, while promoting sustainability and offering a plausible strategy to increase paper recycling rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flotation deinking is one of the most widely used techniques for the separation of ink particles from cellulose fibers during the process of paper recycling. It is a complex process influenced by a variety of factors, and is difficult to represent and usually results in models that are inconvenient to implement and/or interpret. In this paper, a comprehensive study of several machine learning methods for the prediction of flotation deinking performance is carried out, including support vector regression, regression tree ensembles (random forests and boosting) and Gaussian process regression. The prediction relies on the development of a limited dataset that assumes representative data samples obtained under a variety of laboratory conditions, including different reagents, pH values and flotation residence times. The results obtained in this paper confirm that the machine learning methods enable the accurate prediction of flotation deinking performance even when the dataset used for training the model is limited, thus enabling the determination of optimal conditions for the paper recycling process, with only minimal costs and effort. Considering the low complexity of the Gaussian process regression compared to the aforementioned ensemble models, it should be emphasized that the Gaussian process regression gave the best performance in estimating fiber recovery (R2 = 97.77%) and a reasonable performance in estimating the toner recovery (R2 = 86.31%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper is the largest renewable industrial substrate produced for various applications and can be recycled by disintegrating the fibers and reforming the paper. Paper and its fiber constituents lack functions such as electrical conductivity and papermaking itself has not been used for producing electronic devices. In this work, we show a potential industrially viable route for introducing cationic charges on the cellulose fibers and subsequently show how the adsorption of negatively charged ionically and electrically conductive materials onto these fibers from aqueous media can be applied at time scales relevant to industrial papermaking. This results in electroactive fibers, that can subsequently be used to prepare electroactive papers using standard papermaking procedures. Since fibers in the paper can selectively be coated with different active materials, various functions can be added into the paper. To demonstrate applications, we prepared electroactive papers using fibers with adsorbed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and conducting polymers. We achieved conductivity of 21 S/m with only 1wt% CNT. We also prepared papers with CNTs and black phosphorus, used as paper-based lithium, and sodium ion battery (free-standing) anodes. They delivered a specific capacity of 642 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 3500 cycles with 99.5% columbic efficiency. Furthermore, we recycled the papers, and as the disintegration of the fibers did not lead to removal of the ionic or electroactive materials from the fiber surface, the recycled papers showed similar electrical and mechanical properties to the original papers. This opens the path for recyclable paper-based electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a conventional packaging material. Its modification has attracted immense attention in the industry and academia. Here, office waste paper, white cardboard waste, and waste corrugated paper were first employed as raw materials for cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) extraction by acid hydrolysis. Thereafter, CNC/PET composite films with various CNC additions were prepared via a self‐assembly technique. The results revealed that the CNCs formed a self‐assembled film on the PET surface via the synergistic effect of the complex interactions among the CNCs as well as between the CNCs and PET. Moreover, the CNCs improved the barrier property of PET and decreased the oxygen and water vapor transmittances of CNC/PET by 30.7% and 21.7%, respectively. Additionally, the coating of the PET surface with 0.2 wt.% CNCs extracted from the waste paper decreased the surface wettability of PET, exhibiting application potentials in the hydrophobic modification of polymers. This study realized waste paper recycling and provided a basis for constructing self‐assembled functional films on PET surfaces. The findings and insights of this study could exhibit application potentials in the fields of waste recycling and packaging materials. Highlights: A functional cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) film is prepared from waste paper.Self‐assembled CNC is coated on a PET surface to form a CNC/PET composite film.The synergistic interactions among CNCs and between CNC and PET modified PET.The low addition of CNCs realized the efficiency modification of PET.The study achieves waste paper recycling and high‐value utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling of paper sludge waste is crucial for establishing a sustainable green industry. This waste contains valuable sugars that can be converted into important chemicals such as ethanol, poly hydroxybutyrate, and lactic acid. However, the main challenge in obtaining sugars in high yield from paper sludge is the high crystallinity of cellulose, which hinders hydrolysis. To address this, pretreatment using phosphoric acid was optimized using response surface methodology to facilitate cellulose hydrolysis with minimal energy and chemicals. The created prediction model using the response surface method considered factors such as acid concentration (ranging from 60% to 85%), consistency (ranging from 4% to 10%), temperature (ranging from 25°C to 80°C), and time (ranging from 0.5 to 4 h). The results revealed that the model's significant factors affecting the yield were acid concentration, reaction time, temperature, and the product of acid concentration and temperature, while the model's significant factors affecting the crystallinity were the consistency, the temperature, and their product. The results showed that the optimum conditions for pretreatment were using an acid concentration of 64%, temperature of 25°C, consistency of 10%, and time of 30 min. The hydrolysis of the conditionally pretreated paper sludge resulted in a weight loss of 42%, compared to only 18% weight loss in non-pretreated paper sludge. Furthermore, the optimized conditions led to low levels of furfurals and acetic acid, which are undesirable by-products that can interfere with sugar fermentation. The total sugar obtained under the optimized conditions was 0.43 g glucose/g sample (10.46 g/L), while the contents of methyl furfural, furfural, and acetic acid were 21.65, 235.7, and 4.57 mg/L, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of phosphoric acid for pretreatment and hydrolysis of paper sludge, enabling efficient saccharification and the production of sugars with minimal undesired by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This work features a new corona discharge plasma technology for de-inking yellow, blue, and red colors on various papers. This work was developed to minimize the chemical and environmental impacts of de-inking processes. A nonchemical contribution, operating at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, reduces the environmental impact of the process. The deinkability factor (DEMLab) values for all papers are determined with the optimal assessment results provided by a 36-mm variation gap at 2-min (blue) and 10-min (yellow and red) plasma exposure times, followed by applied voltages of 20 kV (yellow), 16 kV (blue), and 20 kV (red). The corona discharge plasma led to 48.58% (yellow printed paper), 64.11% (blue printed paper), and 41.11% (red printed paper) deinkability without altering the physical properties of the paper itself. The change in the tensile strength for the plasma-exposed paper was relatively little, less than 10%, compared to that of common recycling. The tensile strength of the untreated white paper was 5065 ± 487.44 N/mm2, and that of the plasma-treated printed paper was 4593 ± 248.47 N/mm2. It appears that there is little impact on the physicochemical properties of paper induced by the corona plasma treatment during the de-inking process.

The purpose of this study is reducing sustainable paper recycling at Thi-Qar University by using waste reduction techniques. It can be argued with much confidence that the idea of recycling paper can be successfully implemented in an academic institution. This can be done by merging the specific waste paper baskets, pulping machine and power from a renewable source with an already established local paper making company. The methods applied in this study are making company would be able to recoup a government subsidy that pays them to recycle paper in order to offset the cost of pulped paper which is 30% more expensive than raw wood pulp. The academic institution that implements this would save money on waste disposal, and cut its carbon footprint in half, by up to 600%, per year approximately five-six tons of CO2 instead of one-ton-two tones carbon offset for simply recycling the paper. All these steps could also be applied for recycling of the large amount of waste papers generated by students an idea that encounters high costs in recycling hence being rarely implemented. This could be achieved through urged use of the same paper disposal methods already in use, where the paper collected is pulped from the student paper waste bins once a week. The results of this article are more specific yet indirect environmental benefit concerns the recycling habits of students. By providing the means for students to recycle paper at their places of study, it is hoped that they will adopt similar practices in their homes and other areas of life and show that the practice of paper recycling at Thi-Qar University has a success rate of 98.42%. Additionally, a total revenue of $3,527.98 was collected from the value of recycled paper. This can be important, as it is today's young people who will shape the future condition of the environment. If a more conscientious attitude towards recycling can be established, the cumulative environmental benefits could be very significant. On the economic side, recycling paper can potentially save academic institutions a substantial amount of money on their waste disposal. This is because paper and cardboard often make up a high percentage of the waste and these are materials which can be recycled relatively cheaply. By decreasing the volume of general waste, a decrease in waste disposal costs can be achieved. If institutions take it a step further and decide to purchase only recycled paper products, this can also help accelerate the demand for recycled paper and its long-term economic feasibility. The benefits of paper recycling in academic institutions are undoubtedly far-reaching. Not only are the environmental benefits significant, but also the potential cost savings and impact on student attitudes. Probably the most apparent benefits of paper recycling are the environmental ones. The significance of this research is recycling paper in academic institutions is not only beneficial to the environment but also has potential cost-saving implications and significant educational value for students' attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Community is striving for a sustainable society as suggested by the UN's 2015 sustainability goals. The circular economy in the paper and packaging industry is of particular importance here because it consumes many resources. The paper industry in Germany with a fiber recycling rate of 85% in 2022 is already a pioneer and role model for other industries. All materials should be recyclable. Fiber-based composites/laminates are currently becoming increasingly important. Essential questions are: which collection systems and recycling paths should be used for fiber-based composites/laminates, and where are there currently challenges with recycling? To answer these questions, 58 questionnaires answered by German experts and practitioners in the German paper industry were evaluated. Wet-strength papers, adhesives, plastic coatings and wax dispersions were perceived as a problem by 70% of all respondents, and packaging residues by almost 40%. Additionally, 90% stated that the composition of paper for recycling changes regularly due to legislation, trends and innovations, while 60% attributed this to recent changes in legislation. For at least 80%, virgin fibers from packaging are valuable for paper recycling, but only 15% of respondents stated that virgin fibers compensate for the disadvantages of rejects. Almost 90% expected challenges with fiber-based composites/laminates in the existing paper for recycling processes. Overall, the collection and recycling of fiber-based composites/laminates in conventional paper for recycling collection and the recycling system is not desirable. An integrated collection, sorting and recycling system should be considered, especially because a further increase in fiber-based composites is to be expected. In the end, the design for recycling and following recycling guidelines are the key to the recycling industry in the future. Good recyclability of fiber-based composites/laminates would improve their acceptance by paper recyclers. Their virgin fibers are particularly valuable. The results of our study are relevant to the recycling and fiber industry, standard-setting bodies, regulatory authorities and research. The limitation of this study is that experts from the paper industry were interviewed, but the recyclability of the fiber materials was not analyzed by measurement, and the machine technology of the interviewees could not be examined and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites are pivotal in Europe's evolving packaging sector, which is undergoing changes due to circular and bioeconomy initiatives, which prioritize eco‐friendly packaging. Despite paper's high recycling rates, dynamic markets challenge recycling and circularity. Innovative paper‐based composites demand flexible recyclability assessments, which impacts product development. Recyclability methods are evolving as they struggle to match the dynamic changes occurring in the packaging sector. This article outlines paper recycling and compares global lab recyclability evaluation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocellulose has shown promising improvements in the technological properties of various products within the paper industry. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of nanofibrillar cellulose (NCF) from bamboo (Guadua angustifolia Kunth.) on the physical-mechanical properties of paper made with virgin bamboo fiber, recycled fibers from Double Kraft Liner (DKL), and a mix of both. The NCF was obtained by means of TEMPO at a defibrillation of 25 000 RPM. Then, it was added in concentrations of 0, 2, 4, and 6% for each type of paper. The results, which were statistically analyzed, demonstrated that thickness, permeability, and tear resistance decreased, while density and resistance to tension and folding increased as the NCF concentration increased. Due to the characteristics of NCF, the potential use of the paper made with this additive is food wrapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a pigment coating on the mechanical properties of fluting paper. Design/methodology/approach: Two different calcium carbonate pigments were used in the preparation of the coated color, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and ground calcium carbonate (GCC). Fluting paper produced by recycling waste paper was used as base paper. The effects of PCC and GCC pigments on mechanical properties were compared. Ring crush test (RCT), corrugating medium test (CMT), corrugating crush test (CCT), tensile and burst strength tests were applied to the coated papers, and the results were compared to the mechanical properties of base paper. Findings: The tensile and burst indices of the coated papers were found to be higher than base papers about 13.9% and 6.05%, respectively. While the coating process positively affected the RCT and CCT values, it did not show a significant impact on the CMT values. GCC, one of the pigments used in coating colors, had a more effective effect on the mechanical properties of fluting papers compared to PCC. Originality/value: These results suggest that coating of fluting papers has a positive effect on mechanical properties and the use of GCC as a pigment is more effective than PCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to determine the ink removal efficiency of papers with different recycling numbers and to examine some electrophotographic printing properties. Design/methodology/approach: The base papers prepared according to the INGEDE 11p standard are subjected to six recycling stages (RS) under equal conditions. The physical-optical properties of the papers obtained at the end of each RS are measured and CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, key) color measurement scales are printed on each paper with electrophotographic printing. Color measurements of the printed papers are measured using the X-Rite eXact spectrophotometer, adhering to the ISO 13655:2017 standard. According to the measurement results of the optical properties, the ink removal efficiency of each recycling step is determined as a percentage (%) using some formulas. Findings: As general, according to DEMLab and IERIC data, it is determined that the ink removal efficiency increased as the recycling repetition increased. In DEMf factor values, the highest deinking efficiency is obtained after the fourth RS. There is no significant difference between the printing properties of the samples. Originality/value: It has been a matter of curiosity that papers lose their properties after how many RS. Many studies have been carried out on this subject and it has been presented by experimental methods that the printability properties of papers increase or decrease after which RS. This study can be a pioneer for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mineralization of inorganic components in paper sludge offers potential for their re-use in various fields. This study synthesized carbonates based on the minerals present in paper sludge and aimed to investigate the control of particle size distribution and particle shape of the synthesized carbonates. First, the physicochemical and thermal properties of paper mill sludge and ash were evaluated using a spectrophotometer, XRF, and TGA. Paper sludge ash was obtained by incinerating the paper sludge, followed by a carbonation reaction using CO2 gas injection and pH neutralization to produce recycled fillers. The average particle size, crystal lattice structure, and morphology of the recycled fillers were analyzed using a particle size analyzer, XRD, and FE-SEM. The results indicate that the recycled filler produced from coating paper sludge exhibited similar brightness and morphology to conventional paper-based fillers, suggesting its potential to replace commercial PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate). In contrast, the recycled filler manufactured using old corrugated container mill sludge was deemed unsuitable due to its low hydration activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pre-treatment process was evaluated in this work for wastewater from paper recycling using microwave technology followed by rapid precipitation of contaminants through centrifugation. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to analyze and optimize the turbidity values. Thirty experimental runs were utilized including microwave (MW) power, duration, centrifuge time, and centrifuge speed as input variables, generated by the Central Composite Full Design (CCFD) approach. The experimental turbidity ranged from 8.1 to 19.7 NTU, while predicted values ranged from 8.4 to 19.7 NTU by ANN. The ANN model showed a robust prediction performance with low mean squared error values during training and testing. Moreover, high R² values showed a remarkable agreement between the experimental observations and ANN predictions. The results obtained from the input values (A:150.00, B:60.00, C:15.00, D:30.00) of sample 2, which gave the lowest turbidity value, showed the most removal of pollution. The results obtained from the input values (A:250.00, B:60.00, C:7.00, D:20.00) of sample 30, which gave the highest turbidity value, showed the least removal of pollution. The results showed that increasing RPM and time of the centrifugation process significantly affected the removal of pollution in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text describes a study that investigates the mechanics, environmental benefits, and potential challenges of paper recycling machines. It highlights the importance of these machines in promoting a more sustainable future, and how they align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs aim to address issues such as climate change, land use, responsible consumption and production, and poverty alleviation by promoting sustainable economies. This study explores the transformative potential of the recycling industry and its impact on the economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Businesses that run in recycling industries are one of the trends that are now in demand by many parties and supported by both national and international governments, but in the practice of these business activities there are many components that must be considered, especially if an entity is in the business to business sector. PT Recycled Paper Hub came as an competitive alternative that offers products in the form of recycled paper materials with low impurity levels which will later be used by companies to be processed again into many forms including packaging. By analyzing and implementing a marketing mix approach in accordance with the vision and mission, analysis data obtained from research on internal and external strengths that are quantitative and qualitative, the data obtained reflects business activities in order to achieve business excellence. In this study, the marketing mix carried by PT Recycled Paper Hub is Direct Marketing NICE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been clearly demonstrated that it would be feasible to consider recycling paper in an academic institution. This can be achieved through combining specific waste paper baskets, a pulping machine and power supplied by a renewable energy source, with an already established local paper making company. The paper making company would be able to gain a subsidy from the government which pays them to actually recycle paper, to counteract the cost of the pulped paper which is 30% more expensive than raw wood pulp. The academic institution would save money on waste disposal and decrease its carbon footprint by 600% with savings of up to around 5e6 tons of CO2 per year, instead of the 1e2 tones carbon offset for just recycling the paper normally. This entire process could be adapted for recycling the vast quantities of waste paper produced by students, an initiative which often fails due to the high cost of disposal. This could be achieved through urged use of the same paper disposal methods already in use, with the paper being collected and pulped once a week directly from the student paper waste bins. This research aims to study and limit the quantities of paper consumed in academic institutions in Iraq, by identifying the steps of recycling, and the extent of its environmental and economic impact, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the extent to which the Iraqi university community accepts this idea, and then study these quantities and evaluate them economically and find out the possibility of establishing a paper recycling plant based on these quantities. As well as the current research deals with the accumulation of paper waste caused by the performance of exams. In the third semester of the research, the amount of paper waste at Thi Qar University was calculated as a model for conducting a detailed research study of all departments and colleges of the University. the amount of paper waste was (11,055 tons/year), as well as calculating the cost of paper processing for the University amounted to (126252271 Iraqi dinars) and at the end of the third semester, the amount of paper waste in Iraqi academic institutions for the academic year 2022e2023, approximately (367,60976 tons/year). The cost of preparing exam books in Iraqi academic institutions for the academic year 2022e2023 amounted to approximately (4202150971 Iraqi dinars). The devices used in the practical aspect and each device and its purpose in the paper waste recycling process were explained. In addition, in the fourth chapter of the research, waste recycling was carried out in a practical way, and the results were satisfactory. We proposed a project to establish a paper and cardboard waste recycling plant in Nasiriyah, detailing its technical processes and stages in a mature way, the costs of establishing such projects in detail, as well as the annual profit of the project. At the conclusion of the research, some important recommendations were attached that help the paper waste recycling process and its success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To encourage proper waste management for electrical and electronic devices (e-waste), it is necessary to invest heavily in the development of recycling technologies. One way to improve the process is to automate separating the shredded parts of e-waste using a robot. This paper's literature review, utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, showcases potential robotic technologies for e-waste separation. However, the intricate design of these devices can pose significant challenges in their implementation. Various legal, organizational, and sociological obstacles have left Serbia's e-waste management practice underdeveloped, resulting in an unsatisfactory recycling rate. In this paper, we examined the possibility of using robots in the precise example of recycling refrigerators in a recycling center in Eastern Serbia, concluding that such a solution would have multiple positive effects, both on the employees and the working environment, on the operations of the recycling center itself, and on increasing the e-waste recycling rate in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the human and animal survivability risk, sustainable development is the only option on earth that can be achieved through the maximum use of renewable environmental resources. Recycling of waste paper is an emerging waste management approach to conserve natural resources. Herein, we studied enzyme-mediated process to recycle the xerographic paper by using the crude fungal extract from indigenously isolated fungi identified as Aspergillus assiutensis. The fungal enzyme cocktail has been characterized for the production of multiple enzymes namely cellulase, amylase, xylanase, pectinase, and protease. All these enzymes have pH optima in the acidic range and except cellulase and all the enzymes are stable from 10 to 80 C. In the zymogram analysis, pectinase, xylanase, amylase, and cellulase were detected at 68 kDa, ~ 54 kDa, 38 kDa, and 30 kDa, respectively. Also, the presence of protease was confirmed by the clear zone at 68, 31, and 16 kDa. A 26% decrease in the kappa number and reduction in Hex A of the pulp was observed on the treatment of the pulp with enzyme as compared to the control pulp without any treatment. The physical and chemical properties of the pulp were also improved by enzyme-mediated pulping as compared to the control The physiochemical parameter of the effluent like TDS was reduced (397 ppm) significantly in comparison to chemical deinking process and it was within the permissible limit. BOD and alkalinity were reduced when the enzymes and chemical dosage were used in combination. These results indicate that chemi-enzymatic deinking is most promising to reduce or remove the pollution parameters including ink and this approach can be used in the paper and pulp industry for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to a shortage of resources, exploring new biomass fillers has become critical for paper making. In this study, we reported an eco-friendly strategy for fabricating low-cost and efficient recycled paper with high mechanical properties using corrugated cardboard waste paper and harmless municipal sludge (HMS). First, the characteristics of HMS, including the particle size, pH, specific surface area, organic functional groups and organic component content, were analyzed. Then, the influence of the amount of HMS on the properties of the recycled paper was studied. Finally, the strengthening mechanism of biomass filling recycled paper was discussed. The results showed that HMS, a biomass filler for recycled paper preparation, exhibited excellent physical and chemical properties, with a median particle size of 6.395 μm, a surface area of 39.974 m2 g−1 and organic functional groups. The tensile index of the recycled paper with 30 % HMS was 13.10 Nm/g, which was 16.4 % greater than that of the unfilled paper and showed better thermal stability. This excellent performance could be attributed to the uniform distribution of HMS on the fiber surface, which improved the accessibility of hydrogen bond formation between fibers. Thus, this study proved that HMS was an excellent biomass filler for producing recycled paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holocellulose fibers exhibit excellent recycling performance and are increasingly gaining attention for addressing the hornification effect that occurs during the recycling of waste paper products. However, the mechanism by which hemicellulose components in holocellulose fibers impact fiber reuse remains unknown. In this study, birch holocellulose was prepared through peracetic acid delignification. The hemicellulose content was adjusted using alkali treatment and xylanase treatment, both based on holocellulose. The removal of hemicellulose resulted in an increase in hornification and porosity growth rate during the recycling process due to these pretreatments. Consequently, fibers subjected to alkali treatment and xylanase treatment exhibited diminished mechanical performance with each recycling cycle. In particular, after five recycling runs, alkali treatment paper experienced a significant reduction in ultimate strength, dropping from 48 to 11 MPa, representing a 77% decrease. In contrast, hemicellulose-rich holocellulose paper retained an ultimate strength as high as 56 MPa (reduced from 81 MPa), marking a 33% decrease. The high hemicellulose content in holocellulose fibers proved advantageous for preserving the network structure of fibers and impeding the co-crystallization and aggregation of fibers during the recycling process, ultimately ensuring the maintenance of mechanical performance, including tensile, tearing, and bursting strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycled Paper Hub is a business unit mainly focus in processing recycled paper sorted from local collector who also act as supplier such as waste paper collected from traditional market, ex-packaging collected from home industry and household waste, etc. Recycled Paper Hub primary goal is to participate in the sustainable business by contributing to the economy of the surrounding community along with a commitment to maintaining a green environment. In order to achieve this goals, Recycled Paper Hub conduct business development strategy which include financial planning and projection. This study uses quantitative research methotds. Data collection technique used literature studies, interviews, and observations. Strategic planning was carried out until the long-term stage, according to the business strategy and lean business canvas model. Human capital planning was carried out with the stages of goals and objectives, corporate culture and values, organizational structure, human capital planning, and human capital cost projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US and the EU have adopted contrasting pathways in their pursuit of increased sustainability. This editorial highlights such contrasts with respect to paper and nonwovens products. The American way, at least at the federal level, depends on consumer input, which can have an impact on corporate decisions and practices. Progress with respect to sustainability in the European Union has a higher reliance upon regulations. Each approach has merits as well as deficiencies. A regulation-dependent approach sometimes just moves problems to other parts of the world. A consumer-driven approach does not have a good way to deal with a need for systematic change, such as systems to recycle textile and nonwoven materials. It follows that a combined approach, involving both consumer demand and regulations, can be recommended as a most effective path forward. In addition, applications of artificial intelligence have potential to reconcile societal needs with future industrial practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a green manufacturing-recycling network design approach for multi-echelon electronic assembly process under a complex product mix scenario which incorporates trade-off between economic cost and heavy metal pollutants. The approach is developed by formulating the green manufacturing-recycling network into a closed-loop logistics bi-objective optimisation model, in order to alleviate negative environmental influence by applying proper cleaner production technologies. The environmental influence is quantified by pollution equivalent numbers which are integrated in the model. Moreover, the volume of the heavy metal pollutants is optimised by selecting the cleaner production level and thus is jointly coordinated with the operation cost. To solve the bi-objective optimisation model, an enhanced global criterion approach is presented to improve the effectiveness on dealing with non-convexity of the Pareto-optimal frontier with computational efficient solutions. The proposed model is implemented on a case study to verify its flexibility to handle the closed-loop manufacturing-recycling network design of different sizes, as well as to obtain trade-off between operation cost and environmental influence by the heavy metal pollutants under various scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper manufacturers have long used silicone as the coating agent for release liners. However, silicone‐based release paper is very difficult to recycle due to covalent bonds between silicone and fibers. The most suitable solution to overcome this problem is to use alternative coating materials with adequate release properties, provided that they can be easily repulped in typical paper recycling facilities. We proposed a coating agent composed of phosphate esters and dimethylacetamide in order to manufacture a recyclable and efficient release paper. Analyses carried out on coated sheets showed that phosphate esters allowed the formation of a surface with adequate release properties (low peeling force and surface free energy). In addition, the residual adhesion values obtained with phosphate esters confirmed that they are well anchored on the backing paper surface, thus limiting the mass transfer to the adhesive tape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the recycling and remanufacturing mode and sales channel issues in the closed-loop supply chain. Specifically, this study establishes an e-commerce closed-loop supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and an e-commerce platform, and divides the recycling model into recycling by the manufacturer or recycling by the platform. Considering two common sales models in e-commerce platforms: the resale model and agency model, combined with the recycling model, four different research scenarios are formed. We use backward induction to solve the Stackelberg game problem and explore the remanufacturing and channel strategies of the manufacturer and the e-commerce platform. The research results show that for the manufacturer, under the same recycling model, when consumers' preference for remanufactured products and the sensitivity of recycling volume to recycling prices are low, he will prefer the resale model. Under the same sales model, the manufacturer always prefers the recycling model in which he is responsible for recycling. However, the choice of platform is contrary to that of the manufacturer. In the resale model, both the manufacturer and the platform will choose to recycle by themselves, which cannot achieve a win-win situation. Under the agency model, when consumers' preference for remanufactured products is high and the sensitivity coefficient of recycling volume to recycling price is low, supply chain members can achieve a win-win situation, and the scope of the win-win situation decreases as the unit production cost of new products increases. In addition, rising consumer preference for remanufactured products will lead to lower consumer surplus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global advocacy of resource conservation and waste management emphasizes the significance of sustainable practices, particularly in sectors such as paper manufacturing and recycling. Currently, conventional chemical methods are predominant for paper production, necessitating the use of substantial amount of toxic chemicals. This chemical-intensive approach compromises the recycled fiber quality, generates hazardous effluent causing serious ecological threats which triggers regulatory complexities for the mills. To address these challenges modern research suggests adopting sustainable eco-friendly practices such as employing enzymes. This review aims to explore the applicability of ‘laccase’ enzyme for paper recycling, investigating its properties and contribution to improved recycling practices. By delving into the potential application of laccase integration into the papermaking process, this article sheds light on the limitations inherent in traditional methods surmounted within both research and translational landscapes. Culture and process optimization studies, supporting the technological improvements and the future prospects have been documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of boron compounds on cellulose fibers during recycling. Three recycling stages were conducted, applying boric acid and borax to bleached papers. Physical, mechanical, and optical properties were measured after each process. The highest water absorption (218 g/m2) was observed in test papers from the second recycling stage using 10% borax-treated pulps (10Bx2). Boric acid treatment notably improved burst strength, with the highest value (3.94 kPa m2/g) in the first recycling stage with 5.0% boric acid treatment (5Ba1). The highest tensile strength (49.48 Nm/g) occurred in the first recycling stage with 5.0% boric acid treatment, while the lowest (17.41 Nm/g) was in the second recycling stage (5Bx2) with 5.0% borax treatment. Tear strength exhibited different trends from burst and tensile strength, with notable improvements using 5.0% and 10% boric acid and 10% borax treatments on recovered cellulose fibers. The highest tear strength (9.20 Nm2/g) was achieved with 5.0% boric acid treatment (5Ba2) in the second recycling stage, followed by 8.21 Nm2/g with 10% boric acid treatment (10Ba1) in the first recycling stage. Tear strength trends differed from burst and tensile strength properties, regardless of treatment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore PT. Recycled Paper Hub's response to the increasing demand for recycled paper within the context of sustainable production management and supply chain management, with a focus on the B2B industry. The study encompasses an analysis of the company's practices in managing relationships with suppliers of recycled paper, enhancing operational efficiency, and mitigating environmental impacts from its operations. PT. Recycled Paper Hub, a B2B company specializing in processing recycled paper into bales, faces rising demand for its products. This article presents research findings on how the company addresses the growing market demand through the utilization of advanced production technology and the application of lean manufacturing methods to minimize waste. Furthermore, the research evaluates how PT. Recycled Paper Hub manages relationships with suppliers of recycled paper to ensure stable and high-quality supply. Strategic partnerships with suppliers of recycled paper are identified as key success factors in meeting increasing demand. The research findings indicate that the increased demand for bales of recycled paper not only reduces waste and emissions but also reinforces PT. Recycled Paper Hub's commitment to sustainability. These findings offer valuable insights for the paper industry and other companies seeking to adopt more sustainable business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)–related research on paper products has focused on food packaging with less consideration on the presence of PFAS at different stages of the paper recycling chain. This study analysed the prevalence of PFAS in paper grades used for the manufacture of recycled paperboard. The presence of PFAS was attributed to the use of PFAS-containing additives, consumer usage, exposure to packed goods as well as contamination during mingling, sorting, collection, and recovery of paper recycling material. Q Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used to analyse the paper samples after accelerated solvent extraction and solid phase extraction. The distribution and possible propagation of 22 PFAS were determined in pre-consumer, retail and post-consumer paper products. Post-consumer samples had the highest combined average concentration (ΣPFAS) at 213 ng/g, while the ΣPFAS in retail (159 ng/g) and pre-consumer samples (121 ng/g) was detected at lower concentrations. This study showed that waste collection and recycling protocols may influence PFAS propagation and that measures must be developed to minimise and possibly eliminate exposure opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of agricultural mesh technology has contributed to its improved properties. As a result, agricultural nets are widely adopted in large-scale farming applications, for example, in cereal crop farming. However, a consequence of this increased use of agricultural nets is the accumulation of large amounts of waste. The current paper focuses on the recycling of agricultural nets used in wrapping straw bales to develop additives and fillers in cement composites. The research details an analysis of the use of waste agricultural meshes as an ingredient in cement composites. Six test series of different mixtures were conducted. In the first four series, agricultural waste was utilised as an additive in a composite comprising aggregate and cement slurry (the amounts of wasted nets were 20, 40, 60, and 80 kg/m3). In the last test series, the recyclate utilised comprised a mixture of cement slurry and waste only. The composites were subjected to standard tests and thermal resistance tests. The results showcased that that the addition of a net worsened the workability of the concrete mixture, and with increasing amounts of addition, the consistency of the mixture could change from liquid to dense plastic. The flexural strength of the composite decreased with increasing amounts of recyclate. In subsequent test series, the flexural strength value was lower than that of the control (3.93 MPa), from 7.38% (3.64 MPa) for the composite with 20 kg/m3 of recyclate to 37.66% (2.45 MPa) for the composite with of 80 kg/m3 recyclate. The flexural strength value of the net-filled composite without aggregate was very high (10.44 MPa), where the value obtained for the control composite was 62.36% lower. The results of the compressive strength test showed a decrease in this parameter with increasing amounts of additive. The value assessed for the control composite was 27.99 MPa. As expected, the composite that had no aggregate and consisted of only recycled filler had the lowest compressive strength. The value of this parameter was 13.07 MPa, and it was 53.31% lower than that of the control composite. The results of the tests of resistance to temperatures were similar to those recorded for the composites with polypropylene fibres. All composites demonstrated a significant decrease in their compressive and flexural strength after annealing. SEM imaging showed that the net fibres were closely bonded to the cement stone. Finally, it was concluded that recyclates performed best as fillers in lightweight composites with a low density, low absorption, high flexural strength, and satisfactory compressive strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-enzymatic electrochemical blood glucose sensors often suffer from issues such as requiring an alkaline environment, limited monitoring range, and poor anti-interference properties. Carbon substrates have been demonstrated to improve the performance of non-enzymatic sensors, but complex and energy-consuming manufacturing processes restrict their use. Herein, a simple and green approach for the preparation of 3D porous Au/Au-Pt networks (PAAPNs) is proposed using tissue paper for recycling as the nanomaterial substrate to deposit Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles. The unique structure of the PAAPNs sensor allows for low-potential operation (-1.0 V) with a wide monitoring range (-0.25 to 36 mM) in a neutral environment. Moreover, the sensor exhibited excellent selectivity (<10% response of interference) even without the use of an anti-interference outer membrane. Further investigation using density functional theory (DFT) simulation revealed the synergistic effect between Au and Pt in promoting glucose oxidation. Overall, this work provides a simple and low-carbon footprint method for creating carbon substrates from tissue paper for recycling, offering new opportunities for fabricating novel value-added nanomaterials for medical sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene-, polyvinylidene chloride-, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance-coated paper generate microplastics or fluorochemicals in the environment. Here, we report an approach for the development of oil-resistant papers using an environmentally friendly, fluorine-free, water-dispersible poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coating on kraft paper. Carboxylic-functionalized PDMS (PDMS-COOH) was synthesized and subsequently neutralized with ammonium bicarbonate to obtain a waterborne emulsion, which was then coated onto kraft paper. The water resistance of the coated paper was determined via Cobb60 measurements. The Cobb60 value was reduced to 2.70 ± 0.14 g/m2 as compared to 87.6 ± 5.1 g/m2 for uncoated paper, suggesting a remarkable improvement in water resistance. Similarly, oil resistance was found to be 12/12 on the kit test scale versus 0/12 for uncoated paper. In addition, the coated paper retained 70–90% of its inherent mechanical properties, and more importantly, the coated paper was recycled via pulp recovery using a standard protocol with a 91.1% yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of paper recycling, certain amounts of metals can be found in the cellulose suspension, the source of which is mainly printing inks. The paper industry often uses different technologies to reduce heavy metal emissions. The recycling of laminated packaging contributes to the formation of sticky particles, which affects the concentration of heavy metals. This study aimed to determine the mass fraction of metals in the different phases of the deinking process to optimize the cellulose pulp's quality and design healthy correct packaging products. In this research, the deinking flotation of laminated and non-laminated samples was carried out by the Ingede 11 method. As a result of the study, the mass fractions of metals in cellulose pulp were divided into four groups according to the mass fraction's increasing value and the metals' increasing electronegativity. The quantities of metals were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The separation of metals from cellulose pulp is influenced by the presence of adhesives and the electronegativity of the metal. The results of the study show that the recycling process removes certain heavy metals very well, which indicates the good recycling potential of pharmaceutical cardboard samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]