Review
Agronomy
Paulina Bogusz, Piotr Rusek, Marzena S. Brodowska
Summary: With the challenge of producing enough food for a growing world population, the agriculture industry faces the issue of potential environmental harm from fertilizer use. Suspension fertilizers offer a solution by combining the benefits of liquid and solid fertilizers, improving nutrient digestibility and reducing production costs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wojciech Czekala
Summary: Due to fossil fuel limitations, new energy sources and organic fertilizers for agriculture are being sought. This study aims to determine the content of total nitrogen and its fractions in the raw and processed digestate from agricultural biogas plants. The results show that digestate is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Wojciech Czekala, Tomasz Jasinski, Mieczyslaw Grzelak, Kamil Witaszek, Jacek Dach
Summary: This article discusses the production and use of digestate as a fertilizer, including methods such as composting, biochar, and fertilizer granules. Numerous scientific studies indicate that digestate can be used directly as a fertilizer and can also be processed into products suitable for specific soil and plant needs. However, further research is needed, particularly on the impact of raw material diversity and processing methods on the composition and performance of digestate.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Maarten Everaert, Olivier Duboc, Elden Willems, Gerhard Soja, Christoph Pfeifer, Niels Van Velthoven, Rodrigo de Oliveira-Silva, Dimitrios Sakellariou, Jakob Santner
Summary: Boron (B) fertilizers are crucial for global crop production. A study investigated thermochemical treatments to process cellulose fiber insulation waste into a slow-release B fertilizer, achieving slow-release properties through the formation of sparingly soluble Ca-B phases. Results showed the potential of slow-release B in reducing toxicity and leaching losses, indicating its effectiveness as a B application method.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid, Khurram Shahzad
Summary: Implementing the composting technology in organic waste management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can produce compost, reduce waste management problems by closing the materials recycling loop, generate extra income, and add net revenue to the national economy. It will also help decision-makers devise a suitable sustainable waste management policy.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linlin Lu, Wei Fan, Shengbo Ge, Rock Keey Liew, Yang Shi, Hao Dou, Shujuan Wang, Su Shiung Lam
Summary: This paper reviews the current progress of recycling and reuse of waste silk, which is a result of the improvements in living standards and the throw away culture of mankind. The utilization of waste silk in various applications, such as energy, fabric, composites, skincare, biological tissue engineering, filtration, and electronics, is explored. The modification, optimization, and application of regenerated silk fibroin extracted from waste silk show great potential for industrialization and sustainable development. Furthermore, making waste silk functional and intelligently wearable provides two promising ways for recycling waste silk with low cost and high return value. The recovery and utilization of waste silk serve as a paradigm for valorization of other fiber-based waste materials.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Raja Oloan Saut Gurning, Daniel Imanuel Tangkau
Summary: This study aims to explore the collaborative waste management of different port activities in Bali-Indonesia using circular economy principles. It was discovered that recycling waste from all related entities has the potential to generate new energy for other port operations, as well as the production of several main fishing products.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Clelia Fagone, Margherita Santamicone, Valentina Villa
Summary: All sectors are impacted by digital, economic, and demographic transitions. The construction industry is also undergoing significant changes and needs to find strategic solutions to mitigate its environmental impact. A circular and sustainable approach must be developed to manage the industry's environmental footprint.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Muna Al-Obadi, Hiba Ayad, Shaligram Pokharel, Mohamed Arselene Ayari
Summary: Food waste is a global challenge, and technology development and education programs can help reduce it. Different techniques and methods are used to manage and prevent food waste, highlighting the importance of current food waste management.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shashi, Piera Centobelli, Roberto Cerchione, Myriam Ertz, Eugenio Oropallo
Summary: Sustainable and circular construction aims to reduce emissions and waste by reusing and recycling materials, leading to economic benefits and resource conservation for future generations.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Business
Nagendra Kumar Sharma, Kannan Govindan, Kuei Kuei Lai, Wen Kuo Chen, Vimal Kumar
Summary: The study highlights the importance of 3R approach, competitive advantage of CE, consumer attraction to recycling, sustainability goals achievement, and resource conservation through material reuse as key prospects for transitioning from LE to CE. However, impediments such as awareness issues, recyclability challenges, financial constraints, weak management vision, and lack of trained employees were identified. Additionally, consumer acceptability and prerequisites like strong management will, innovation, technology up-gradation, employee training, motivation, and guidelines were found to be crucial for successful CE implementation.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Operations Research & Management Science
Samuel Fosso Wamba, Muriel Fotso, Elaine Mosconi, Junwu Chai
Summary: Plastic waste management is a major challenge for environmental pollution and health in emerging countries. However, some firms believe that improving plastic waste management can lead to value creation and capture from a circular economy perspective. This study evaluates the contribution of plastic waste management to Cameroon's circular economy through a longitudinal research approach involving 12 organizations. The findings suggest that plastic waste management for value creation is still in its early stages in Cameroon. Overcoming the challenges identified in this paper is necessary to move towards full value creation and capture, and we propose future research avenues.
ANNALS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hanna Salmenpera, Kati Pitkanen, Petrus Kautto, Laura Saikku
Summary: The study shows that different actors in promoting the circular economy face varying obstacles, and promoting material value retention in cycles can be achieved through better sharing of waste-related data and increased dialogue and cooperation among key players.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Taylor Maddalene, Kathryn Youngblood, Azlan Abas, Keri Browder, Edith Cecchini, Sheridan Finder, Saurabh Gaidhani, Wiwandari Handayani, Nguyen Xuan Hoang, Kunal Jaiswal, Ellen Martin, Sanskriti Menon, Quinn 'Brien, Parama Roy, Bintang Septiarani, Nguyen Hieu Trung, Chever Voltmer, Madison Werner, Ricardo Wong, Jenna R. Jambeck
Summary: Cities bear a significant burden of plastic management and pollution, but this is not widely recognized. The circular economy is seen as a solution for reducing pollution and increasing sustainability, but there is a lack of consistent quantification and monitoring methods. The comparison of data from six cities participating in the Urban Ocean® program highlights the dominance of plastic items and packaging in consumer goods and litter, posing challenges for waste management systems. City-level data exchange can contribute to the development of a global network of circular cities.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abraham Zhang, Shenghao Xie, Yu Gong, Changjun Li, Yanping Liu
Summary: Household waste source separation reduces landfill and incinerator waste, enabling value recovery and promoting a circular economy. China recently implemented a strict waste sorting program in big cities. This study uses the Fuzzy DEMATEL method to identify and analyze implementation barriers in Shanghai and Beijing, revealing hasty planning and lack of grassroots policy support as the most influential barriers. Policy implications are discussed to inform future waste sorting implementation decisions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marzena Smol, Joanna Duda, Agnieszka Czaplicka-Kotas, Dominika Szoldrowska
Article
Energy & Fuels
Marzena Smol, Christian Adam, Stefan Anton Kugler
Article
Energy & Fuels
Marzena Smol, Paulina Marcinek, Eugeniusz Koda
Summary: The European Green Deal focuses on transitioning industries towards a circular economy; Poland has identified raw material recovery sector as a strategic sector and established development guidelines; despite rapid growth in the recovery industry, challenges such as lack of industrial symbiosis and inadequate technical support still exist.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Joanna Duda, Rafal Kusa, Stanislaw Pietruszko, Marzena Smol, Marcin Suder, Janusz Teneta, Tomasz Wojtowicz, Tadeusz Zdanowicz
Summary: This paper aims to develop a roadmap for further development of the photovoltaic energy market in Poland, covering five areas including technology, power grids, law, economic conditions, and social conditions. The study reveals that parallel progress in all identified areas is required for the development of the PV market and technology.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marzena Smol, Dariusz Wloka
Summary: This paper evaluates the potential use of a selected natural sorbent, opoka rock, for removing biogenic compounds from water. The experiment shows that opoka rock is effective in removing phosphorus, but less effective in removing nitrogen. Further research is recommended to explore the competitive advantages of this low-cost sorbent in commercial applications.
Article
Economics
Marzena Smol
Summary: The green deal is a strategy that mobilizes communities and businesses to create a clean and green economy through the implementation of environmentally friendly solutions in various sectors, while considering the three aspirations of sustainable development. Various concepts and strategies for green deals have been launched at national, European, and international levels, with the aim of protecting the planet and integrating green solutions into post-COVID recovery plans.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michal Preisner, Marzena Smol
Summary: The article presents an analysis of the current methods for phosphorus removal in municipal wastewater treatment plants in Poland. The research shows that a significant amount of phosphorus can be recovered from wastewater and sewage sludge, which can be used for fertilizer production.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marzena Smol, Paulina Marcinek, Zuzana Simkova, Tomas Bakalar, Milan Hemzal, Jiri Jaromir Klemes, Yee Van Fan, Kinga Lorencz, Eugeniusz Koda, Anna Podlasek
Summary: Phosphorus (P) is the most important raw material for food production and listed as a Critical Raw Material (CRM) for the EU. It is essential for human nutrition and fertiliser production. However, V4 countries lack domestic phosphate rock deposits and have to import P from countries like Russia, China, and Morocco, which poses a risk if borders are closed. On the other hand, V4 countries have significant secondary P resources in waste that are currently not recovered on an industrial scale.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Marzena Smol
Summary: Nowadays, industrial and municipal enterprises are faced with the challenge of complying with tightening regulations and recommendations in the field of environmental protection, particularly within the context of the circular economy. It is crucial for enterprises, including water and sewage management, to actively participate in the transition towards a circular economy. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for a 'Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Future' that incorporates various technological solutions for the circular management of waste streams generated in WWTPs.
Editorial Material
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Syed Mithun Ali, Andrea Appolloni, Fausto Cavallaro, Idiano D'Adamo, Assunta Di Vaio, Francesco Ferella, Massimo Gastaldi, Muhammad Ikram, Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar, Michael Alan Martin, Abdul-Sattar Nizami, Ilhan Ozturk, Maria Pia Riccardi, Paolo Rosa, Ernesto Santibanez Gonzalez, Claudio Sassanelli, Davide Settembre-Blundo, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Marzena Smol, Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis, Irene Voukkali, Nan Yang, Antonis A. Zorpas
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Klara Ramm, Marzena Smol
Summary: In 2020, the European Commission introduced a legal requirement for water reuse for agricultural purposes in the European Union. This paper examines the implementation status of the regulation and finds significant variations across EU countries. While some countries have fully implemented the regulation, others have only partially implemented or not implemented it at all.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marzena Smol, Renata Koneczna
Summary: This paper proposes a set of economic indicators for assessing the progress of transformation towards the circular economy in the water and wastewater sector. These indicators are based on a systematic review of economic indicators developed by international organizations and researchers, and are grouped into three categories of cash flow: income, expenses, costs, and investment financing.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marzena Smol
Correction
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marzena Smol, Paulina Marcinek, Joanna Duda, Dominika Szoldrowska