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
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Patrizia Ghisellini, Ivana Quinto, Renato Passaro, Sergio Ulgiati
Summary: This study evaluates the current collection and recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in Italy. It analyzes national and regional data, conducts qualitative interviews, and aims to improve understanding of the WEEE reverse supply chain and the main barriers and drivers to collection and recycling.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Victor Kouloumpis, Giorgos E. Konstantzos, Christina Chroni, Konstadinos Abeliotis, Katia Lasaridi
Summary: The study examines the environmental impacts of preparing for reuse of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). The repair and reuse of smartphones can reduce their environmental impacts, while the repair and reuse of vacuum cleaners result in increased environmental impacts. These findings can inform policy-making and decision-making regarding specific preparing for reuse targets.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2023)
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
Sina Rudolf, Steffen Bloemeke, Jan Felix Niemeyer, Sebastian Lawrenz, Priyanka Sharma, Sven Hemminghaus, Mark Mennenga, Kerstin Schmidt, Andreas Rausch, Thomas S. Spengler, Christoph Herrmann
Summary: This article aims to understand the repair process and typical failure patterns by conducting a repair study in Germany. The study analyzed the current barriers of the repair sector from various perspectives and discussed the results, including a total success rate of 55% for 382 repair attempts. Recommendations for action were also given to make repair services more attractive for repairers and customers, based on the interim findings.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jennifer Pollard, Mohamed Osmani, Christine Cole, Suzana Grubnic, James Colwill
Summary: This research developed a Circular Economy Business Model Innovation Process Framework through collaborative workshops with key stakeholders in the electrical and electronic equipment sector, providing manufacturers with a systematic approach to integrating the circular economy. The Framework, consisting of five interconnected layers, addresses factors such as business strategy, challenges, opportunities, and policies, enabling manufacturers to develop and implement a circular economy business model tailored to their offerings.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Jose Francisco de Oliveira Neto, Laise Alves Candido, Anisio Brasileiro de Freitas Dourado, Simone Machado Santos, Lourdinha Florencio
Summary: This study provides a qualitative and quantitative literature review on the management of waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from a circular economy perspective. The results show an increase in publications on WEEE management since 2015, with a focus on recycling, reuse, and technologies for material/energy recovery. However, there is a lack of research on prevention/reduction of WEEE generation. The current management approach prioritizes technological solutions for end-of-pipe treatment, rather than addressing long-term sustainability.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ida Mae de Waal
Summary: The current legal framework for governing the life cycle of materials and products in the EU may hinder the transition towards a circular economy. This article identifies legal barriers, gaps, and incentives within the framework governing electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and proposes improvements to enable a more circular EEE chain in alignment with the objectives of the circular economy and life cycle thinking.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hilal Shams, Altaf Hossain Molla, Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, Hawa Hishamuddin, Zambri Harun, Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar
Summary: The widespread use of electric and electronic products has led to the generation of a large amount of e-waste. The concept of a circular economy is attracting researchers to study e-waste management. This study reviews research articles published in the MDPI Sustainability journal on e-waste in the context of operations and supply chain management, identifying research themes and clusters and providing future research guidelines.
Article
Environmental Studies
Rohit Panchal, Anju Singh, Hema Diwan
Summary: The circular economy promotes material recirculation for pollution prevention. This study estimates e-waste generation in India and determines the economic potential of recovering common, precious, and critical raw materials embedded in WEEE. The analysis shows that WEEE recycling can reduce dependency on critical raw material imports from other countries.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Md Tasbirul Islam, Usha Iyer-Raniga
Summary: Electronic waste is growing rapidly worldwide. Recycling is an environmentally friendly waste management strategy that recovers valuable materials. In Australia, waste printed circuit boards are mainly recycled overseas. This study uses lifecycle assessment to identify the best solution for waste PCB disposal. The results suggest that integrated material and energy recovery is the best approach for waste PCB recycling in Australia.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
O. S. Shittu, I. D. Williams, P. J. Shaw
Summary: The generation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is increasing annually due to high demand for advanced and affordable devices. A study conducted in the UK found a substantial stockpile of unused, reusable small EEE with high ownership levels and estimated values, emphasizing the need for prompt recovery to prevent technological obsolescence.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Camilo Llerena-Riascos, Sebastian Jaen, Jairo Rafael Montoya-Torres, Juan G. Villegas
Summary: The paper introduces an optimization-based simulation approach for designing sustainable management system policies for Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). By integrating a system dynamics model and a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model, the proposed approach enhances the representation and performance of WEEE processes. Computational results show that the approach outperforms exclusive system dynamics analysis in both economic and environmental aspects, achieving higher profits and environmental benefits. The model suggests that the cornerstone for improving system performance in the case study is the replacement rate.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Abhishek Kumar Awasthi, Eleni Iacovidou, Mrigendra Kumar Awasthi, Michael Johnson, Keshav Parajuly, Min Zhao, Saket Mishra, Akhilesh Kumar Pandey
Summary: E-waste is a rapidly growing waste stream that contains both hazardous components and valuable resources. Developing countries face challenges in managing e-waste due to lack of infrastructure and reliance on informal sector. There is an urgent need to design better framework for e-waste management and help these countries improve recycling and disposal facilities.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jessika Luth Richter, Sahra Svensson-Hoglund, Carl Dalhammar, Jennifer D. Russell, Ake Thidell
Summary: This paper provides an overview of the research and practice of harvesting spare parts from used and waste electrical and electronic equipment, and identifies opportunities for increased value retention through stakeholder value mapping. It also suggests further refinements for policy to upscale spare part harvesting in light of circular economy goals and objectives.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
P. J. Shaw, K-C Leung, D. Clarke
Summary: The study found that apart from soluble reactive P, other non-regulated forms of phosphorus exist in UK chalk streams, with their contribution to total phosphorus being highly variable. The research results suggest that targeted analysis can guide and focus management interventions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
O. S. Shittu, I. D. Williams, P. J. Shaw
Summary: The generation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is increasing annually due to high demand for advanced and affordable devices. A study conducted in the UK found a substantial stockpile of unused, reusable small EEE with high ownership levels and estimated values, emphasizing the need for prompt recovery to prevent technological obsolescence.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
O. S. Shittu, I. D. Williams, P. J. Shaw
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hannah Barker, Peter J. Shaw, Beth Richards, Zoe Clegg, Dianna Smith
Summary: In European countries, over 40% of food loss and waste occurs at the retail and consumer stages, highlighting the urgent need for remediation. Nudge techniques, including social norms, reminders, and disclosure, have shown effectiveness in changing food waste behaviors at the household level. Prioritizing these nudge approaches in interventions could lead to positive impacts on reducing food waste and have important policy implications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jim Allan Wright, Simon Damkjaer, Heini Vaisanen, Quaranchie Adama-Tettey, Mawuli Dzodzomenyo, Allan G. Hill, Lorna Grace Okotto, Joseph Okotto-Okotto, Peter Shaw
Summary: The substantial increase in plastic production has led to a proliferation of plastics in the environment, causing plastic deposition on the seabed and ingestion by marine fauna. Monitoring mismanaged plastic waste from household consumption is urgently needed. Previous household expenditure surveys have quantified mismanaged plastic waste from packaged water consumption, but not from other products. In this study, the researchers utilized two household expenditure surveys to quantify mismanaged plastic waste from cooking oil consumption in urban Greater Accra, Ghana, and all cities nationally in Kenya. The results showed that packaged water consumption generates more plastic waste than oil packaging in Greater Accra, while oil packaging generates more plastic waste than packaged water in urban Kenya. The study concludes that expenditure surveys have ample potential to be used internationally to quantify mismanaged plastic waste from households, although uncertainties in waste estimates need to be considered.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hannah Barker, Peter J. Shaw, Beth Richards, Zoe Clegg, Dianna M. Smith
Summary: Global society is wasting food at unsustainable levels, contributing to carbon emissions. Food insecurity and obesity are increasing concerns in high-income countries. This study evaluated household food waste and found that a majority of it was unprocessed and avoidable, occurring during food preparation. Different interventions should be targeted towards different demographics, focusing on food security, diet quality, and saving money for one, three, and four+ person households, and reducing potentially avoidable unprocessed food waste in households with a university degree.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Guadalupe Vianey Landeros Gonzalez, Gabriela Dominguez Cortinas, Malcolm Hudson, Peter Shaw, Ian D. Williams
Summary: This review critically analyzes the factors influencing the quantities and composition of microplastics reaching wastewater treatment plants. It highlights the need for regulation of microplastics in personal care and cosmetic products, the challenges in accurately estimating microplastics from certain sources and activities, and the lack of information regarding microplastics in personal care and cosmetic products used by male consumers. The review recommends replacing voluntary practices with formal regulation and conducting more research on the role of consumer behavior in generating microplastics.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xavier Pierron, Ian D. Williams, Peter J. Shaw
Summary: Meeting consumers' demands for EEE products requires a shift to circular economy approaches. Small EEE devices hold residual value and critical resources, but current incentives are not effective in altering long-term end-of-use behavior.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Olanrewaju S. Shittu, Ian D. Williams, Peter Shaw, Natalie Montiero, Rhiannon Creffield
Summary: The article highlights the importance of reorienting consumer behaviors in the circular economy model and validates the feasibility and effectiveness of recovering and reusing reusable EEE from urban mines through empirical research. The results show that a carefully planned and implemented system based on the ISB model can effectively promote product lifetime extension and circular economy development.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xavier Pierron, Ian D. Williams, Peter J. Shaw
Summary: An extended TPB model incorporating behavioral economics could better model end-of-use decisions for small WEEE, potentially informing policy and incentive design to transform anthropogenic stocks into resource flows in a circular economy.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Freya Radford, Lina M. Zapata-Restrepo, Alice A. Horton, Malcolm D. Hudson, Peter J. Shaw, Ian D. Williams
Summary: The study systematically compared different methods for extracting microplastics from soils, finding hydrogen peroxide to be the optimal method for organic matter removal and canola oil to be the best for density separation. The efficiency of microplastic recovery varied depending on polymer type and soil organic matter content.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2021)
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.