Article
Environmental Sciences
Deli Jiang, Xuegeng Chen, Limin Yan, Jiacheng Yang, Ying Li
Summary: Agricultural plastic films have caused serious pollution. This study examined the mechanical and friction properties of commonly used polyethylene plastic films in Xinjiang cotton fields, and provided reference for the formulation of standards and the design of a residual film collecting machine.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
S. Huysveld, K. Ragaert, R. Demets, T. T. Nhu, D. Civancik-Uslu, M. Kusenberg, K. M. Van Geem, S. De Meester, J. Dewulf
Summary: This study presents a data-driven method for quantifying the overall substitutability of plastics, focusing on both technical and market substitutability. By analyzing non-food contact material applications and hypothetical future food contact material applications, the study reveals the differences in environmental performance between mechanical recycling and thermochemical recycling in various scenarios.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chang Li, Mingxing Sun, Xiangbo Xu, Linxiu Zhang
Summary: The extensive use of mulch film in Chinese agriculture has raised concerns about plastic pollution. Smallholder farmers, the main users of mulch film, have their usage influenced by socioeconomic development trends, with income affecting usage levels. Additionally, mulch film recycling is influenced more by specific policies and film-related characteristics than household factors.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Antonella Patti, Stefano Acierno, Gianluca Cicala, Mauro Zarrelli, Domenico Acierno
Summary: The study aims to minimize the environmental impact of packaging applications by promoting recycling and using sustainable materials in 3D printing technology. The research shows that the recycled polymer has similar properties to virgin PLA and wood/PLA filaments.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Katarina Novakovic, Deepashree Thumbarathy, Marloes Peeters, Mark Geoghegan, Josephine Go Jefferies, Chris Hicks, Danae Manika, Sheng Dai
Summary: Interest in recycling is high, but plastic packaging waste recycling rate has stagnated. New approaches are needed to overcome existing limitations. Proposing the use of specific types of plastic for packaging and efficient separation of individual types for recycling.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Aimee Grace Uzamurera, Peng-Yang Wang, Ze-Ying Zhao, Xiu-Ping Tao, Rui Zhou, Wen-Ying Wang, Xiao-Bin Xiong, Song Wang, Kiprotich Wesly, Hong-Yan Tao, You- Cai Xiong
Summary: This study conducted a two-year landfill test and found significant changes in physical forms and spectral peaks in the biodegradable film. Compared to the polyethylene film, the biodegradable film had higher release of microplastics and phthalic acid esters, and had negative effects on soil and crop productivity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yasemin Celik, Madina Shamsuyeva, Hans Josef Endres
Summary: This study aims to differentiate between recycled PET (rPET) and virgin PET (vPET) by analyzing various properties such as glass transition and melting temperature, degree of crystallinity, bending, and impact properties of 20 different commercially available PET recyclates from 14 suppliers. The results show that the properties of vPET have such a broad range that all corresponding properties of the tested rPET fall within this range.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chen-Hua Wang, Hsin-Tien Lin
Summary: Packaging accounts for the largest demand in global plastic consumption, with around 60% used for food and beverage packaging. Our study quantified the food packaging generation from major supermarket and convenience store chains in Taipei, Taiwan, and found that 64.99% of the packaging was recycled. Identifying limitations in different stages and designing corresponding strategies is crucial to promote plastic food packaging recycling.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rahul Tiwari, Numanuddin Azad, Deblina Dutta, Bholu Ram Yadav, Sunil Kumar
Summary: Plastic waste is on the rise due to urbanisation and globalization, with India being one of the top producers. Only a small percentage of plastic produced in India is recycled. This study explores mechanical and chemical recycling methods, as well as less carbon-intensive plastic degrading strategies using biodegradation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ayah Alassali, Caterina Picuno, Zhi Kai Chong, Jinyang Guo, Roman Maletz, Kerstin Kuchta
Summary: This paper critically reviews the topics of plastics recycling, circular economy on plastics, and challenges to plastic waste recycling, emphasizing that the quality of recycled plastic is generally determined by the homogeneity of the recovered plastic feed. A total of 682 related studies were used to assess the changing research priorities from 1950 until 2020.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emilia Garofalo, Luciano Di Maio, Paola Scarfato, Annalisa Apicella, Antonio Protopapa, Loredana Incarnato
Summary: The study aimed to close the loop in the circular economy approach by mechanically recycling post-consumer flexible packaging materials to obtain new films. It was found that the addition of nanofillers and compatibilizers is crucial for stabilizing bubbles and ensuring uniform film deformation in the production process.
Article
Polymer Science
Freddys R. Beltran, Marina P. Arrieta, Eduardo Moreno, Gerald Gaspar, Luisa M. Muneta, Ruth Carrasco-Gallego, Susana Yanez, David Hidalgo-Carvajal, Maria U. de la Orden, Joaquin Martinez Urreaga
Summary: The study on recycling 3D printing PLA wastes into films showed that mechanical recycling increases crystallinity and decreases viscosity, while recycled materials degrade faster under composting conditions compared to the original filament. Additionally, solid-state polymerization process can improve intrinsic viscosity of recycled materials derived from a well-known reference grade.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Victor S. Cecon, Greg W. Curtzwiler, Keith L. Vorst
Summary: Plastic recycling rates in the United States are low, with majority of unrecycled plastics ending up in landfills or waste-to-energy facilities. This study evaluated the composition of bales containing plastics marked as #3-7, and found significant differences between Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in terms of composition and sorting technology. The research suggests the potential for mechanically recycling currently unrecycled mixed plastic waste and emphasizes the need for upgraded sorting systems to prevent contamination.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pietro Picuno, Zoe Godosi, Caterina Picuno
Summary: This study analyzed the conditions for recycling agricultural plastic film after contact with agrochemicals and drew some conclusions. Mechanical recycling of agricultural plastics is limited by the loss of mechanical properties caused by ageing and contamination with agrochemicals. The low potential for closed-loop recycling of plastic film is due to its reduced working life and accelerated degradation when in contact with agrochemicals.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Yanchun Ding, Guangfeng Shi, Hua Zhang
Summary: This paper establishes a theoretical model for the plastic flow characteristics of metal materials in scratching, studies the evolution law of plastic flow angles under the influence of multiple scratching factors, and validates the accuracy of the model.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Caterina Picuno, Ayah Alassali, Michel Sundermann, Zoe Godosi, Pietro Picuno, Kerstin Kuchta
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Giuseppe Cillis, Dina Statuto, Pietro Picuno
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Aime Lay-Ekuakille, Moise Avoci Ugwiri, John Peter Djungha Okitadiowo, Vito Telesca, Pietro Picuno, Consolatina Liguori, Satya Singh
IEEE INSTRUMENTATION & MEASUREMENT MAGAZINE
(2020)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fatima Baptista, Patricia Lourenco, Vasco Fitas da Cruz, Luis Leopoldo Silva, Jose Rafael Silva, Manuela Correia, Pietro Picuno, Evangelos Dimitriou, Georgios Papadakis
Summary: Higher education institutes are crucial for integrating sustainable development into the educational system, MSc programmes should include interdisciplinary courses related to sustainability, traditional face-to-face training methods are still considered important, while online learning has become more significant due to the pandemic.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppe Cillis, Dina Statuto, Pietro Picuno
Summary: The research examines the interactions between rural buildings and the surrounding land in two case studies in the Mediterranean region, highlighting the abandonment of land and rural buildings heritage, as well as the disappearance of agroforestry systems with high ecological value. A multi-chronological geo-database incorporating different land cover datasets has been implemented into a GIS to assess these relationships and produce spatial information to support decision-makers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giuseppe Cillis, Dina Statuto, Evelia Schettini, Giuliano Vox, Pietro Picuno
Summary: This study proposes an applied and simplified methodology for monitoring and planning agricultural plastics, using different datasets to quantify the areas covered by plastics. The study area, located in the Ionian Coast of Southern Italy, accurately identifies 2000 hectares of agricultural land covered by plastics and identifies areas prone to plastic waste accumulation. The simplicity and reliability of the techniques and model implemented make it applicable for local authorities to create an Agricultural Plastics Atlas for continuous monitoring and future impact assessments.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Canio Manniello, Giuseppe Cillis, Dina Statuto, Andrea Di Pasquale, Pietro Picuno
Summary: In recent decades, the construction industry has made advancements in using natural green resources, such as vegetable fibers, in concrete to create economically and environmentally sustainable building materials. This study specifically investigated the impact of aspect ratio on the tensile characteristics of concrete blocks with Arundo donax fibers. The results showed that higher aspect ratios resulted in superior tensile properties.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Canio Manniello, Giuseppe Cillis, Dina Statuto, Andrea Di Pasquale, Pietro Picuno
Summary: In recent years, there has been increasing attention towards non-conventional building materials, particularly vegetable fibres, as eco-friendly alternatives. This article investigates the tensile strength of a new type of fibre extracted from the stem of Giant Reed Arundo donax L. and evaluates its potential applications in concrete bricks. The results suggest that natural fibres have potential value in enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete bricks.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Roberta Rossi, Pietro Picuno, Massimo Fagnano, Mariana Amato
Summary: Plant roots, especially those of cardoon, contribute significantly to erosion control by increasing soil resistance to shear stress. The measured cardoon roots have a wide range of tensile strength and exhibit differences between summer and fall roots. The high root length density and root area ratio of cardoon contribute to its soil reinforcement potential, which can be useful for comparing different crop choices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ibrahim Al-Helal, Pietro Picuno, Abdullah A. Alsadon, Abdullah Ibrahim, Mohamed Shady, Ahmed M. Abdel-Ghany
Summary: The effect of greenhouse shape and orientation on the degradation rate of plastic cover optical properties was examined. Results show that different surfaces and orientations of the greenhouse can lead to a decrease in transmittance, but the overall degradation rate is similar.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Canio Manniello, Giuseppe Cillis, Dina Statuto, Andrea Di Pasquale, Pietro Picuno
Summary: A multi-chronological examination of territory using GIScience and historical cartography reveals the environmental impact of land-use change on agricultural soil and atmospheric carbon dioxide balance. The study focuses on the municipality of Ruoti in Southern Italy, which has experienced significant land-use transformations due to agricultural activities. The results show that these transformations have led to changes in land use, including the abandonment of rural areas and expansion of urban areas, resulting in a significant increase in woodland and a decrease in orchard and arable land. These changes have doubled the soil carbon fixation value, contributing to understanding the unforeseen changes in the rural landscape, ecosystems, and the environment.
ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giuseppe Cillis, Dina Statuto, Evelia Schettini, Giuliano Vox, Pietro Picuno
Summary: Plastic pollution has a higher negative impact on terrestrial ecosystems, particularly agricultural soils. The mismanagement of agricultural plastic waste can lead to pollution of agricultural soil and aquifers, which in turn can enter the human food chain. This study developed a methodology for spatial quantification of agricultural plastics to achieve sustainable post-consumer management.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pietro Picuno, Zoe Godosi, Caterina Picuno
Summary: This study analyzed the conditions for recycling agricultural plastic film after contact with agrochemicals and drew some conclusions. Mechanical recycling of agricultural plastics is limited by the loss of mechanical properties caused by ageing and contamination with agrochemicals. The low potential for closed-loop recycling of plastic film is due to its reduced working life and accelerated degradation when in contact with agrochemicals.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Giuseppe Cillis, Dina Statuto, Pietro Picuno
Summary: To assess forest dynamics and management strategies, monitoring systems based on qualitative and quantitative tools are necessary. By utilizing historical GIS and evolving spatial analysis tools, a case study in the Mediterranean region showed how a diachronic analysis was used to evaluate forest landscape dynamics.
Proceedings Paper
Agricultural Engineering
Roberto Puglisi, Dina Statuto, Pietro Picuno
Summary: Protecting crops under a greenhouse allows optimal management throughout the year. Whitewashing the external cladding material with slaked lime in summer has positive effects on the microclimate and crop development. Analysis of different calcium hydroxide solutions provides insights on selective filtering of solar radiation.
ACTUAL TASKS ON AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING (ATAE 2021)
(2021)
