Next Issue
Volume 8, February
Previous Issue
Volume 7, October
 
 

Recycling, Volume 7, Issue 6 (December 2022) – 10 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): The life cycle assessment (LCA) method is useful for quantifying and comparing the environmental impact of construction waste management scenarios. However, due to its complexity, LCA is seldom used by technicians during the design phase, which constitutes a crucial stage in the prevention of environmental impacts. This paper proposes an LCA-based tool, integrated into the building information modeling (BIM) methodology, which helps designers to automate the environmental assessment of recycling versus disposal. The CW-LCA-BIM tool was applied to the structural system of a building in Spain. Up to 99% of non-hazardous waste was recyclable or reusable. Recycling could prevent 1.4 times the emissions of the disposal scenario and could save 85 times its energy consumption. The results can help policy makers in waste prevention policies. View this paper
  • Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list.
  • You may sign up for e-mail alerts to receive table of contents of newly released issues.
  • PDF is the official format for papers published in both, html and pdf forms. To view the papers in pdf format, click on the "PDF Full-text" link, and use the free Adobe Reader to open them.
Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
12 pages, 2718 KiB  
Article
Washing Post-Consumer Flexible Polyethylene Packaging Waste
by Ezgi Ceren Boz Noyan, Abhijit Venkatesh and Antal Boldizar
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060090 - 14 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3006
Abstract
The mechanical and thermal properties of injection-molded recycled polyethylene were studied, specifically with respect to the influence of large-scale washing and melt-compounding of polyethylene from post-consumer packaging waste. Three types of materials were studied: those taken after sorting, after sorting and washing, and [...] Read more.
The mechanical and thermal properties of injection-molded recycled polyethylene were studied, specifically with respect to the influence of large-scale washing and melt-compounding of polyethylene from post-consumer packaging waste. Three types of materials were studied: those taken after sorting, after sorting and washing, and after sorting, washing, and melt-compounding, including melt-filtration, all from a large-scale material flow. The materials were further processed on a laboratory scale and compared. The results showed that large-scale washing significantly reduced thermo-oxidative stability, as well as molar mass and melt viscosity. The degradation during large-scale washing made the material susceptible to further degradation in the subsequent extrusion compounding, as shown by the differences in compounding at 240 and 200 °C using a high-shear screw configuration. The compounding parameters, screw configuration, and compounding temperature did not influence the stiffness and strength of the unwashed and large-scale-washed materials, but the elongation-at-break varied, specifically, with the increased temperature. Washing had an influence on the mechanical properties as well, and the unwashed material provided molded samples with stiffness measurements of approximately 550 MPa, whereas the large-scale-washed material provided stiffness of approximately 400 MPa. The strength measurements were approximately 15 MPa for samples made of both unwashed and large-scale-washed material, and the elongation-at-break measurements were between 50 and 150%. The large-scale-washed and compounded materials had very different mechanical properties, with stiffness measurements of approximately 320 MPa, strength of approximately 20 MPA, and elongation-at-break of approximately 350%. The significantly different mechanical properties of the large-scale-washed and compounded materials were likely due to the melt-filtration included in the compounding through the removal of metal and rubber particles, and they may also have been due to the compatibilizing and stabilizing additive used in the compounding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Recycling, Processing and Use of Plastic Waste II)
Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 1326 KiB  
Communication
Sustainable Bio-Composites Obtained from Recycling Post-Industrial PLA and Fillers Derived from Coffee Production
by Andrea Saccani, Maurizio Fiorini and Gianfranco Burzotta
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060089 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2009
Abstract
Bio-composites have been formulated by exploiting post-industrial PLA derived from thin film production and silver skin, a by-product of the coffee’s roasting process. The mix design for the compounds exploits the effects of regrading and toughening agents. The mechanical properties of the materials [...] Read more.
Bio-composites have been formulated by exploiting post-industrial PLA derived from thin film production and silver skin, a by-product of the coffee’s roasting process. The mix design for the compounds exploits the effects of regrading and toughening agents. The mechanical properties of the materials have been investigated as well as the thermal and physical ones. The recycled material mixed with the regrading additive shows good mechanical properties. The filler addition increases the elastic modulus of PLA up to a 20% but decreases the mechanical properties (about 20% on tensile strength), leading to a brittle behavior (minus 35% of impact strength). The use of a toughening agent restores the plastic deformation ability of the matrix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Recycling and Processing of Plastic Waste)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3762 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Kuwait
by Mohammed Baqer Hasan Almusawi, Ahmad Tarmizi Bin Abd Karim and Saleem Ethaib
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060088 - 24 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5240
Abstract
This research aimed to evaluate Kuwait’s current construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) situation by focusing on C&D waste generation and management issues. This work also investigated the causes and factors affecting C&D waste to understand the actual waste management activities and proposed [...] Read more.
This research aimed to evaluate Kuwait’s current construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) situation by focusing on C&D waste generation and management issues. This work also investigated the causes and factors affecting C&D waste to understand the actual waste management activities and proposed strategies to minimize the waste generated at the local level. This study estimated C&D waste generation rates based on data collected from five construction projects and two demolition projects in Kuwait. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the causes of C&D waste generation. The results showed that the average C&D waste quantities generated by construction activities were 49.5 kg/m2 for public/commercial building projects and 35 kg/m2 for residential projects. At the same time, public/commercial construction, residential construction, and demolition works generated 1.480 ton/m2, 0.0495 ton/m2, and 0.035 ton/m2, respectively. The average composition of C&D waste from the construction sector was 35.4% concrete waste, followed by 19.2% tiles/blocks, and 14.2% metals, with the remainder being other materials. Meanwhile, the demolition waste was composed of 70% concrete and cement waste and 20% metals. The results showed that 54% of the projects disposed of their C&D waste directly in the landfills. The leading causes of C&D waste generation were reworks due to changes in specifications, poor material quality, improper material handling, and improper site management. Strategic C&D waste management practices are necessary for sustainable natural resource management and conservation of the environment. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 665 KiB  
Review
Healthcare Waste Management in Nigeria: A Review
by Obiora B. Ezeudu, Tochukwu S. Ezeudu, Uzochukwu C. Ugochukwu, Imokhai Theophilus Tenebe, Agbaji P. Ajogu, Uchenna V. Nwadi and Charles C. Ajaero
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060087 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 10198
Abstract
Healthcare waste management has become an important aspect of medical care delivery globally. This is simply because of its hazardous and infectious components that have greater potential for adverse health and environmental impacts. As such, certain guidelines and procedures have been developed by [...] Read more.
Healthcare waste management has become an important aspect of medical care delivery globally. This is simply because of its hazardous and infectious components that have greater potential for adverse health and environmental impacts. As such, certain guidelines and procedures have been developed by international aid agencies and conventions to guide national governments and local administrations in formulating policies and practices for effective healthcare waste management. In this work, we reviewed the existing literature to appraise the status of healthcare waste management practices in Nigeria. This included generation, segregation, collection, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal. The current work further reviewed the other essential elements of healthcare waste management, such as policy landscapes, training, awareness, and waste characterization, and discusses challenges and opportunities for effective healthcare waste management in Nigeria. Among the challenges are poor funding, inadequate training, ineffective legislature, and absence of data. However, there are available low-cost technologies that are suitable for the treatment of waste in a developing country like Nigeria. This technology variant offers an opportunity for a circular economy as it can simultaneously achieve energy production, waste management, and other socioeconomic advantages. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2725 KiB  
Article
Kinetics of Zn–C Battery Leaching with Choline Chloride/Urea Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents
by Irlanda G. Cruz-Reyes, Jorge A. Mendoza-Pérez, Rosario Ruiz-Guerrero, Dulce Y. Medina-Velázquez, Luis G. Zepeda-Vallejo and Ángel de J. Morales-Ramírez
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060086 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2459
Abstract
A choline chloride/urea natural deep eutectic solvent (ChCl NADES) was prepared via a green chemistry method and used to leach Zn and Mn oxides from conventional Zn–C scrap batteries. FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize the NADES. The leaching [...] Read more.
A choline chloride/urea natural deep eutectic solvent (ChCl NADES) was prepared via a green chemistry method and used to leach Zn and Mn oxides from conventional Zn–C scrap batteries. FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize the NADES. The leaching kinetics of the Zn and Mn oxides was monitored at isothermal conditions (80, 100, 125, and 150 °C) and at two solid/NADES ratios: 3.3 and 10 g dm−3. It was possible to dissolve Zn and Mn oxides under all of tested conditions, reaching more than a 95% recovery for both metals at 150 °C after 90 min, whereas, at 25 °C, it was possible to leach up to 90% of the Zn and 30% of the Mn after 4320 min (72 h). Furthermore, the leaching kinetics was controlled by the boundary layer, coincident with a shrinking core model. According to the Arrhenius plot, the activation energy for Zn ranges from 49.13 to 52.21 kJ mol−1, and that for Mn ranges from 46.97 to 66.77 kJ mol−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling of Spent Batteries—Trash to Treasure)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1635 KiB  
Article
Asbestos Waste Treatment—An Effective Process to Selectively Recover Gold and Other Nonferrous Metals
by Omirserik Baigenzhenov, Alibek Khabiyev, Brajendra Mishra, Indira Aimbetova, Sultan Yulusov, Inkar Temirgali, Yerzhan Kuldeyev and Zhanar Korganbayeva
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060085 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2311
Abstract
We investigated the potential of tailings generated from chrysotile asbestos fiber production as a source of iron, nonferrous metals, and gold. We proposed the use of granulometric separation and systematically examined different enrichment processes, namely magnetic separation, gravity concentration, and enrichment using a [...] Read more.
We investigated the potential of tailings generated from chrysotile asbestos fiber production as a source of iron, nonferrous metals, and gold. We proposed the use of granulometric separation and systematically examined different enrichment processes, namely magnetic separation, gravity concentration, and enrichment using a Knelson concentrator, to extract the valuable components. The characterization of the initial tailing samples revealed that it comprises primarily of serpentine, brucite, antigorite, hematite, vustite, sillimanite, and magnesium oxide. Using the suggested enrichment process, we isolated gold, chromite, and nickel-cobalt concentrates as valuable products in addition to magnetite. The new approach exhibited high separation efficiency for iron, nonferrous metals, and gold, allowing their satisfactory extraction. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 20256 KiB  
Communication
Mineral Carbonation of Basic Oxygen Furnace Slags
by Daniel Vollprecht and Dominik Wohlmuth
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060084 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2026
Abstract
Mineral carbonation is a method in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) in which carbon dioxide reacts with natural or synthetic mineral phases to form carbonates. In this study, BOF slag consisting of alite, Ca3SiO5, belite, Ca2SiO4 [...] Read more.
Mineral carbonation is a method in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) in which carbon dioxide reacts with natural or synthetic mineral phases to form carbonates. In this study, BOF slag consisting of alite, Ca3SiO5, belite, Ca2SiO4, melilite, (Ca,Na)2(Mg,Al)[4][Si2O7], brownmillerite, Ca(Fe,Al)2O5, calcium ferrite, Ca2FeO4 and Ca-, Mg- and Mn-bearing wuestite, (Mg,Ca,Mn,Fe)O, was crushed into different particle size fractions and exposed over various durations (1 d, 3 d, 9 d, 14 d, 24 d) at a grate to 120 °C hot off-gas with a CO2 content of 25%. However, the total inorganic carbon (TIC) content never increases above the detection limit of 0.5% throughout the experimental duration. The determination of the carbonation depth using phenolphthalein does not reveal a homogeneous carbonation front, but an irregular carbonation. This observation was confirmed by microprobe analyses using elemental mapping. The solubility of the slag increases with increasing carbonation, e.g., the leachability of sulfate increases from 7.8 to 8270 mg/kg dry matter (DM), and of calcium from 940 to 3860 mg/kg DM. The leaching of environmentally relevant element varies: the leachable concentration of molybdenum increases from 0.017 mg/kg DM to 0.089 mg/kg DM, that of chromium remains constant (ca. 0.05 mg/kg DM) whereas that of vanadium decreases from 1.1 to 0.45 mg/kg. In summary, the chosen carbonation technology must be improved to enhance carbonate yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 421 KiB  
Article
How Do Industrial Ecology, Energy Efficiency, and Waste Recycling Technology (Circular Economy) Fit into China’s Plan to Protect the Environment? Up to Speed
by Sasmoko Sasmoko, Muhammad Zaheer Akhtar, Haroon ur Rashid Khan, Sriyanto Sriyanto, Mohd Khata Jabor, Awais Rashid and Khalid Zaman
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060083 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3479
Abstract
The challenges of environmental protection are especially prevalent in South and Southeast Asian nations, which adversely affects their sustainable developmental goals. During the last two decades, increased industrialization and urbanization have caused massive air pollution, particularly in the most industrialized and densely populated [...] Read more.
The challenges of environmental protection are especially prevalent in South and Southeast Asian nations, which adversely affects their sustainable developmental goals. During the last two decades, increased industrialization and urbanization have caused massive air pollution, particularly in the most industrialized and densely populated countries. Due to China’s fast economic expansion and development, the demand for natural resources has increased, resulting in climate change, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and environmental risks. China’s ecological footprint has been the subject of little investigation on the premises of a circular economy. This study used a literature review methodology on the critical key factors that hinder or facilitate the transition of a linear economy towards a circular economy. Further, based on the literature review, this study used industrial ecology, energy efficiency, and waste recycling technology factors to analyze the role of the circular economy on the country’s environmental sustainability agenda for the period of 1975–2020. The results show that in the short run, the link between ecological footprints and per capita income is monotonically decreasing; however, in the long run, the relationship is U-shaped. In both the short and long run, waste recycling technology and cleaner manufacturing significantly decrease ecological footprints. Renewable energy consumption increases ecological footprints in the short run but decreases them in the long run. The management of natural resources reduces ecological footprints to support the ‘resource blessing’ hypothesis. The Granger causality corroborated the unidirectional relationship between ecological footprints, oil rents, and urbanization and ecological footprints. In addition, economic growth Granger causes industrialization and waste recycling technology while green energy Granger causes economic growth, industrialization, and recycling technology. The two-way link between economic development and urbanization exists within a nation. The variance decomposition analysis (VDA) predicts that in the future, China’s natural resources, green energy demand, and technological spillover will limit its ecological footprint through material and technology efficiency. Full article
18 pages, 2946 KiB  
Article
Environmental Impact Assessment of Construction Waste Recycling versus Disposal Scenarios Using an LCA-BIM Tool during the Design Stage
by Carmen Llatas, Rocío Quiñones and Nuria Bizcocho
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060082 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3496
Abstract
The scientific community has revealed the environmental benefits of recycling construction waste (CW) versus its disposal, and its contribution to circularity. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method enables the environmental impact of CW management to be quantified and facilitates the comparison of recycling [...] Read more.
The scientific community has revealed the environmental benefits of recycling construction waste (CW) versus its disposal, and its contribution to circularity. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method enables the environmental impact of CW management to be quantified and facilitates the comparison of recycling versus alternative disposal scenarios. However, due to its complexity, LCA is seldom used by technicians during the design phase, which constitutes a crucial stage in the prevention of environmental impacts. This paper therefore proposes an LCA-based tool, integrated into the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology, that helps designers to automate the environmental assessment of recycling versus disposal. The CW-LCA-BIM tool uses impact factors obtained from an LCA model applied to CW and was applied to the structural system of a building in Spain. Up to 99% of the non-hazardous waste was recyclable or reusable. The management of three types of recyclable waste was assessed: concrete (27.2 t), plastics (4.2 t), and steel (1.5 t). Recycling is shown to be the best option since it prevents 1.4 times (14.6 t) the emissions of the disposal scenario and saves 85 times (148.5 GJ) its energy consumption. This tool can be developed in other waste management systems and infrastructures. It can be useful both for designers for the reduction of the environmental impact of their buildings, and for policy managers for waste-prevention policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Using Circular Economy Principles to Manage Construction Waste)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 688 KiB  
Review
The Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Effective Battery Life Cycle in the Closed Circular Economy Model—A Perspective
by Agnieszka Pregowska, Magdalena Osial and Weronika Urbańska
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060081 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5698
Abstract
Global pollution of the environment is one of the most challenging environmental problems. Electronic-based population and anthropogenic activity are the main reasons for dramatically increasing the scale of waste generation, particularly battery waste. Improper battery waste disposal causes harmful environmental effects. Due to [...] Read more.
Global pollution of the environment is one of the most challenging environmental problems. Electronic-based population and anthropogenic activity are the main reasons for dramatically increasing the scale of waste generation, particularly battery waste. Improper battery waste disposal causes harmful environmental effects. Due to the release of heavy metals, battery waste affects ecosystems and health. We are faced with the challenge of effective battery waste management, especially recycling, to prevent the depletion of natural resources and maintain ecological balance. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is practically present in all areas of our lives. It enables the reduction of the costs associated with various types of research, increases automation, and accelerates productivity. This paper reviews the representative research progress of effective Artificial Intelligence-based battery waste management in the context of sustainable development, in particular, the analysis of current trends, algorithm accuracy, and data availability. Finally, the future lines of research and development directions of human-oriented Artificial Intelligence applications both in the battery production process and in battery waste management are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling of Spent Batteries—Trash to Treasure)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Previous Issue
Next Issue
Back to TopTop