Review
Engineering, Environmental
Lucia Helena Xavier, Marianna Ottoni, Leonardo Picanco Peixoto Abreu
Summary: E-waste is both a source of hazardous materials and valuable secondary resources. The challenge lies in identifying the potential for value recovery in different supply chains due to diverse definitions. The urban mining approach, inspired by industrial metabolism, industrial ecology, and the circular economy, utilizes recycling and circular solutions. This study reviews literature on urban mining and analyzes the various definitions of value recovery, including stages, potential according to circular economy principles, location, and critical raw materials (CRMs). The results emphasize the importance of e-waste as a secondary source of CRMs and provide recommendations for analysis and mitigation of e-waste impact through urban mining.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Lucia Helena Xavier, Ellen Cristine Giese, Ana Cristina Ribeiro-Duthie, Fernando Antonio Freitas Lins
Summary: The concept of circular economy, focusing on reuse and recirculation of products and materials, has the potential to reduce demand for raw materials, minimize resource consumption, create job opportunities, and prevent negative impacts from natural resource exploitation. Urban mining techniques offer a sustainable way to manage e-waste, recover materials, reduce primary material intake, and stimulate circularity in the supply chain.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kok Siew Ng, Anh N. Phan
Summary: This study introduces a novel concept of integrating material recovery with waste-to-hydrogen production, aiming to save disposal costs and increase revenue by utilizing rejected materials through a Gasification-H-2 system. It is recommended to use a larger scale Gasification-H-2 system to compete with the production cost of hydrogen from fossil-based systems.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Vishakha Kaim, Jukka Rintala, Chao He
Summary: The increasing generation of e-waste poses a significant risk of REEs pollution if not properly disposed of. However, e-waste could be a secondary source for critical REEs mining. This review focuses on the selective recovery of REEs from e-waste using IL extraction as a sustainable alternative to traditional solvents. The use of ILs shows promising results in terms of extractability and selectivity, although further research is needed for real e-waste extraction efficiency and recovery rate.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Business
Belinda Wade, Cristyn Meath, Andrew Griffiths
Summary: This article presents a longitudinal study of the SME Rock Trade Industries, examining the importance of waste utilization capabilities in innovation. It proposes a model of capability development based on the strength of the desire for change and the deviation from the marketplace.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Teun Johannes Verhagen, Marijn Louise Sauer, Ester van der Voet, Benjamin Sprecher
Summary: The recycling of demolition waste is crucial for reducing the primary material demand in the construction sector, but in the Dutch construction industry, there are challenges in repurposing waste materials, requiring new government policies to improve processing efficiency and reuse rates.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manu Sharma, Sudhanshu Joshi, Kannan Govindan
Summary: The rapid consumption of advanced e-products has increased challenges for the linear economy, leading to the need for a transition to a circular economy with urban mining playing a crucial role in resource recovery. This study addresses the issues and challenges of electronic waste urban mining (EWUM) in India using MCDM methods, highlighting the importance of addressing socio-economic issues and implementing awareness campaigns, safe disposal practices, and eco-friendly product manufacturing.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Aida Mollaei, Brandon Byers, Carolina Christovan, Adama Olumo, Catherine De Wolf, Chris Bachmann, Carl Haas
Summary: The study analyzes the impact of regional factors on building end-of-life strategies by comparing case studies of buildings from different locations. The findings highlight the importance of social economic factors in decision-making, and indicate that regulations and cultural norms have a greater impact on material recovery decisions than labor costs.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Federico Savini
Summary: This article examines the changing political economy of waste utility services in response to circular economy programs, with a focus on three sectors in the Netherlands. It highlights the increasing globalization of waste recovery corporations, the uncertain role of incineration facilities in circular economy planning, and the emergence of a material reuse market driven by the circular economy in cities. The paper concludes that ongoing changes in waste markets may lead to (circular) economies becoming more dependent on wasteful consumption and production.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lucia Helena Xavier, Marianna Ottoni, Josh Lepawsky
Summary: This paper explores e-waste management in the Americas, with a focus on Brazil and Canada. It finds that both countries lack harmonized regulation, have low control over illegal trade, and lack traceability in their e-waste management systems.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Mohit Jain, Ashwani Kumar, Amit Kumar
Summary: Landfill mining involves excavating and processing buried waste to recover secondary resources. This study reviews the technologies used for excavation and processing, as well as the fractions recovered, their characterization, and the environmental and safety issues associated with landfill mining. The study also discusses the challenges and opportunities for the reuse of materials obtained from landfill mining.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Monica Garcia Aguilar, Juan Felipe Jaramillo, Daniel Ddiba, Diana Carolina Paez, Hector Rueda, Kim Andersson, Sarah Dickin
Summary: There is increasing interest in implementing circular approaches to urban sanitation and waste management worldwide. This study assesses the governance capacity to implement resource recovery from organic waste streams in Chia, Colombia, and identifies local initiatives and public participation as enabling factors while inadequate monitoring, information sharing, and awareness among stakeholders pose barriers. The results provide insights for other urban areas in low- and middle-income countries and contribute to the understanding of governance conditions necessary for implementing resource recovery in similar contexts.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maya Mgharbel, Layal Halawy, Aline Milane, Joseph Zeaiter, Walid Saad
Summary: In this study, pyrolysis is proposed as a sustainable treatment for pharmaceutical waste in the context of circular economy, with low temperature pyrolysis of 500 mg paracetamol tablets conducted. The liquid and gas products were analyzed using GC-MS, and the pyrolytic behavior was studied through kinetic and thermodynamic analysis. The results showed that the pyrolysis products, including the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and other compounds, could be repurposed as new tablets or used as fuel or chemical feedstock.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Deblina Dutta, Rahul Rautela, Lohit Kumar Srinivas Gujjala, Debajyoti Kundu, Pooja Sharma, Mamta Tembhare, Sunil Kumar
Summary: E-waste management is a global concern due to the increase in end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (EEEs). Improper disposal of EEE has negative impacts on the environment and human health. Various studies have been conducted on metal recovery processes from E-waste using pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and biometallurgy. This review provides a comprehensive summary of these processes, their advantages, and limitations. It also includes a bibliometric study and discusses the circular economic approach to sustainable E-waste management.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan, Deepak Singh, Wenchao Xue, Ram Avtar, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Goh Hui Hwang, Tjandra Setiadi, Ahmad B. Albadarin, Saeed Shirazian
Summary: This study investigated the feasibility of using coconut shell waste-based activated carbon for ammonium stripping and adsorption, achieving almost complete removal of NH3-N and 90% removal of COD at optimized conditions. However, for effluents with COD higher than 200 mg/L, further biological processes are needed for complete removal of refractory compounds.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
F. O. Ongondo, I. D. Williams, S. Keynes
Article
Engineering, Environmental
F. O. Ongondo, I. D. Williams
Article
Engineering, Environmental
F. O. Ongondo, I. D. Williams
Review
Engineering, Environmental
F. O. Ongondo, I. D. Williams, T. J. Cherrett
Article
Engineering, Environmental
F. O. Ongondo, I. D. Williams, J. Dietrich, C. Carroll
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Francis O. Ongondo, Ian D. Williams
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-WASTE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
(2012)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojian Liu, Bei Wang, Yayun Ma, Xiangyang Zhou, Juan Yang, Yuehui He, Jingjing Tang, Fanyun Su, Wan Yang
Summary: This study proposes a combined process of reduction roasting of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid leaching to improve the recovery efficiency of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries. By utilizing the reducing gas produced from the pyrolysis of herb-medicine residue, the layered structure of the cathode powder is destroyed and converted into Li2CO3, Ni, Co, and MnO. Additionally, selective extraction of lithium is achieved using oxalic acid, and the efficiency and kinetics of lithium extraction are improved under the combined action of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muxina Konarova, Nuno Batalha, Gabriel Fraga, Mohamed H. M. Ahmed, Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock
Summary: This study presents a proof of concept for a technology that integrates PET recovery from mixed plastic waste and plastic pyrolysis. By depolymerizing PET into TPA using a low volatility oil as medium, it achieves low-pressure operation and a selective separation and recovery of TPA from the product mix. Full PET conversion and high TPA recovery were achieved, making it an effective solution for processing mixed waste streams and improving the yield and quality of liquid product from thermal pyrolysis compared to untreated feedstock.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenhua Sun, Jing Li, Xuejiang Wang, Siqing Xia, Jianfu Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the influence of in-situ formed MgFe2O4 on the hydrothermal treatment of swine manure. The results showed that the in-situ formation of MgFe2O4 improved the dehydration and decarboxylation of organic components in swine manure, thereby improving its carbonization degree. Furthermore, it enhanced the stabilization of heavy metals and the retention of phosphorus. MgFe2O4 modified hydrochars exhibited remarkable adsorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cu(II) without any leaching of heavy metals.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yijing Jiang, Boyang Leng, Jingxin Xi
Summary: The increased generation of municipal solid waste has had a significant impact on the economy, environment, and public health. The current waste treatment process has limitations. By developing a comprehensive social costing model, this study assesses the impacts of municipal solid waste management throughout its life cycle and provides policymakers with best practices and feasibility information.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marina Hernandes de Paula e Silva, Ricardo Coser Mergulha, Jose Geraldo Vidal Vieira, Andrea Brasco Pampanelli, Rodrigo Salvador, Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva
Summary: This study developed and implemented a self-assessment tool to assist companies in decision-making processes for establishing circular flows based on Lean Manufacturing and Circular Economy principles. The tool utilized a maturity model and was applied to nine companies of varying characteristics. The findings revealed that certain companies showed higher maturity in water-waste and chemical-emissions management, with larger enterprises focusing on these strategies. However, many companies lacked sufficient training and employee awareness prior to seeking cleaner alternatives, and comprehensive actions to manage the product lifecycle were lacking. To address these gaps, the tool provided tailored recommendations for each company to improve their processes, products, and value chain.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gamze Dogdu, Turgay Pekdemir, Sanaz Lakestani, Seyda Karabork, Osman Cavus
Summary: This paper presents data on food waste associated with mini size food packaging services, highlighting the difficulties in emptying the food and consumer wastefulness as the main causes. These findings have significant implications for the sustainability of food and relevant packaging.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingxia Li, Xin Kong, Yuxin Chen, Jianan Niu, Jia Jing, Jin Yuan, Yifeng Zhang
Summary: This study investigates how to enhance methane production from food waste after hydrothermal pretreatment. The results demonstrate a significant increase in methane yield when zero-valent iron and magnetite are used together, and high organic loading is favorable for methane production. Microbial diversity analysis further reveals the dominant pathways and metabolic processes involved in methane generation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
D. H. H. Sim, I. A. W. Tan, L. L. P. Lim, E. T. Lau, B. H. Hameed
Summary: The development of controlled-release fertilizer formulation is important for preventing environmental pollution caused by nutrient leaching and volatilization. This study combined biochar-based fertilizer with encapsulation technology to improve the nutrient release mechanism. Optimal conditions for synthesizing urea-impregnated biochar (UIB) were determined using central composite design, and the release of nitrogen was described by mathematical models. Results showed that encapsulated UIB (EUIB) achieved complete release of nitrogen in water and exhibited improved water retention in sandy-textural soil. Therefore, EUIB derived from peppercorn waste has the potential to be used as a sustainable controlled-release fertilizer for agriculture.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuchuan Wang, Neslihan Akdeniz
Summary: Incorporating biochar into composting systems can increase compost temperatures. This study developed a heat transfer model for a biochar-amended co-composting system and found that biochar increased thermal conductive losses but also enhanced microbial activity, resulting in an overall increase in total heat unit. When biochar was applied on the surface, it mainly functioned as an insulator.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
George Tsalis, Birger Boutrup Jensen, Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
Summary: This paper empirically explores the relationship between retail price promotions and household food waste. The results show that households with a higher proportion of discount food purchases and environmental awareness tend to waste less food, while larger households and those lacking food handling skills tend to waste more food.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukas Friederici, Arne Koch, Patrick Martens, Jana Pantzke, Sebastiano Di Bucchianico, Thorsten Streibel, Christopher P. Rueger, Ralf Zimmermann
Summary: The increasing demand for lightweight materials has led to a rise in fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) production. However, the properties and compositional range of FRPs pose challenges to recycling strategies. Pyrolysis has emerged as a promising method for separating the fibers from the polymer matrix. This study investigated the pyrolysis process using thermal analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and also assessed the toxicity of the recovered fibers using an in vitro model.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Devika Kannan, Shakiba Khademolqorani, Nassibeh Janatyan, Somaieh Alavi
Summary: This paper introduces Smart Waste Management (SWM) that applies Industry 4.0 technologies in waste management. A framework called SWM4.0 is developed, which highlights the importance of smart people, smart cities, smart enterprises, and smart factories in achieving successful waste management. The paper also suggests future research directions and managerial implications.