Multilayer Packaging in a Circular Economy.

Sorting multilayer packaging is still a major challenge in the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste. In a 2019 Germany-wide field study with 248 participants, lightweight packaging (LWP) was randomly selected and analyzed by infrared spectrometry to identify multilayer packaging in the LWP stream. Further investigations of the multilayer packaging using infrared spectrometry and microscopy were able to determine specific multilayer characteristics such as typical layer numbers, average layer thicknesses, the polymers of the outer and inner layers, and typical multilayer structures for specific packaged goods.

Optimized biogenic sulfuric acid production and application in the treatment of waste incineration residues.

The biological leaching of metals from different waste streams by bacteria is intensively investigated to address metal recycling and circular economy goals. However, usually external addition of sulfuric acid is required to maintain the low pH optimum of the bacteria to ensure efficient leaching. Extremely acidophilic Acidithiobacillus spp.

Estimation of dump and landfill waste volumes using unmanned aerial systems.

The paper discusses how the choice of software and hardware components used in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) affects the accuracy of estimating volume on landfills and dumpsites, and the amount of ground work needed to create a high-altitude justification of reference geodetic network. A non-specialized low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a specialized UAV of a geodetic class were compared in scenarios with different numbers of ground control points. In addition, the use of desktop and cloud software for photogrammetric data-processing was assessed.

Drone technology in municipal solid waste management and landfilling: A comprehensive review.

The paper discusses the experience of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the management of municipal solid waste landfills and dumpsites. Although the use of drones at waste disposal sites (WDS) has a more than ten-year history, the active application of these technologies has increased in the last 3-4 years. The paper analyzes scientific publications of 2010-2021 (July) and identifies the main WDS management task groups for which the solution of UAV can be used.

Recycling chains for lithium-ion batteries: A critical examination of current challenges, opportunities and process dependencies.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) show high energy densities and are therefore used in a wide range of applications: from portable electronics to stationary energy storage systems and traction batteries used for e-mobility. Considering the projected increase in global demand for this energy storage technology, driven primarily by growth in e-vehicles, and looking at the criticality of some raw materials used in LIBs, the need for an efficient recycling strategy emerges. In this study, current state-of-the-art technologies for LIB recycling are reviewed and future opportunities and challenges, in particular to recover critical raw materials such as lithium or cobalt, are derived.

Carbonized Solid Fuel Production from Polylactic Acid and Paper Waste Due to Torrefaction.

The quantity of biodegradable plastics is increasing steadily and taking a larger share in the residual waste stream. As the calorific value of biodegradable plastic is almost two-fold lower than that of conventional ones, its increasing quantity decreases the overall calorific value of municipal solid waste and refuse-derived fuel which is used as feedstock for cement and incineration plants. For that reason, in this work, the torrefaction of biodegradable waste, polylactic acid (PLA), and paper was performed for carbonized solid fuel (CSF) production.

Mini-review of waste-to-energy related air pollution and their limit value regulations in an international comparison.

The concept of circular economy supports mitigation of climate change and other environmental pressures to the planet. Circulating materials in anthropogenic processes come with the risk of accumulating hazardous substances and compounds. In this concept, waste incineration or waste-to-energy (WtE) is a necessary technology to remove these compounds from the life cycle.

Comparison of Microplastic Pollution in Beach Sediment and Seawater at UNESCO Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve.

Microplastics have become a global concern due to their persistent properties and impacts on the marine environment. This research investigates pollution sources and behaviors of microplastics at UNESCO Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. Density flotation with sodium chloride is employed to extract microplastics from sand at Can Gio Beach, and a double-filtration procedure is developed to recover microplastics from seawater at the beach and Dong Tranh Cape.

Monitoring of seven industrial anaerobic digesters supplied with biochar.

Background: Recent research articles indicate that direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) is an alternative metabolic route for methanogenic archaea that improves microbial methane productivity. It has been shown that multiple conductive materials such as biochar can be supplemented to anaerobic digesters to increase the rate of DIET. However, the industrial applicability, as well as the impact of such supplements on taxonomic profiles, has not been sufficiently assessed to date.

Static modelling of the material flows of micro- and nanoplastic particles caused by the use of vehicle tyres.

The emissions of tyre wear particles (TWPs) into the environment are increasing and have negative impacts on the environment and human health. The aim of this study was therefore to establish a mass balance for vehicle tyres und TWP emissions in Austria using static material flow analysis, which enabled a quantification of mass flows of rubber including carbon black as the most mass-relevant tyre filler. Vehicle-specific and mileage-dependent emission factors were used to calculate the TWP emissions.

A critical review of the environmental impacts of manufactured nano-objects on earthworm species.

The presence of manufactured nano-objects (MNOs) in various consumer or their (future large-scale) use as nanoagrochemical have increased with the rapid development of nanotechnology and therefore, concerns associated with its possible ecotoxicological effects are also arising. MNOs are releasing along the product life cycle, consequently accumulating in soils and other environmental matrices, and potentially leading to adverse effects on soil biota and their associated processes. Earthworms, of the group of Oligochaetes, are an ecologically significant group of organisms and play an important role in soil remediation, as well as acting as a potential vector for trophic transfer of MNOs through the food chain.

Carbon footprint reduction potential of waste management strategies in tourism.

Tourism is one of the major economic factors contributing to growth and jobs worldwide. The number of international travellers has increased more than 50-fold in the past 70 years. However, the contribution of tourism to (municipal) waste generation is also large and is increasing, accompanied by an increase in some environmental and socio-economic impacts.

Investigations on inhibitory effects of nickel and cobalt salts on the decolorization of textile dyes by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete velutina.

Organic aromatic compounds used for dyeing and coloring in the textile industry are persistent and hazardous pollutants that must be treated before they are discharged into rivers and surface waters. Therefore, we investigated the potential of the white rot fungus Phanerochaete velutina to decolorize commonly used reactive dyes. The fungus decolorized in average 55% of Reactive Orange 16 (RO-16) after 14 days at a maximum rate of 0.

Data set of smallholder farm households in banana-coffee-based farming systems containing data on farm households, agricultural production and use of organic farm waste.

The data was collected in the Karagwe and Kyerwa districts of the Kagera region in north-west Tanzania. It encompasses 150 smallholder farming households, which were interviewed on the composition of their household, agricultural production and use of organic farm waste. The data covers the two previous rainy seasons and the associated vegetation periods between September 2016 and August 2017.

A European nano-registry as a reliable database for quantitative risk assessment of nanomaterials? A comparison of national approaches.

Despite the fact that nanomaterials have been in use for decades and chemicals legislation is largely harmonised within the EU, quantitative and safety-relevant information on nanomaterials is still scarce. In particular, information about production volumes, their unique physicochemical properties (size, specific surface area, etc.) and nanomaterial exposure, which may lead to adverse effects on human health and the environment, is still lacking.

Stabilization of anaerobic co-digestion of biowaste using activated carbon of coffee ground biomass.

Process instability commonly encountered in anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of organic fractions of municipal solid wastes (OFMSWs) is addressed by utilizing hydrochar (CB-HTC) and activated hydrochar (ACB-HTC) derived from coffee ground biomass. Addition of CB-HTC or ACB-HTC shortened the lag phase resulting in high biogas yield of 68.57 Nl/kg oTS or 102.

Role and potential of the circular economy in managing end-of-life ships in china.

China's circular economy has made notable progress since the 21st century and shaped various industry segments. Among these, ship recycling has been particularly outstanding as it evolved exceptionally fast and assumed an internationally leading role. In this article, we present field survey findings on recycling standards and recovery capacities regarding the material flows at Chinese shipbreaking yards, which overall perform comparatively sustainable.

Draft Genome Sequence of a New Bacterium Isolated from Anaerobic Digestion of Biomass.

Here, we present the genome sequence and annotation of the novel bacterial strain HV4-5-C5C, which may represent a new genus within the family (order ). This strain is a potential keystone species in the hydrolysis of complex polymers during anaerobic digestion of biomass.

Chemically Stressed Bacterial Communities in Anaerobic Digesters Exhibit Resilience and Ecological Flexibility.

Anaerobic digestion is a technology known for its potential in terms of methane production. During the digestion process, multiple metabolites of high value are synthesized. However, recent works have demonstrated the high robustness and resilience of the involved microbiomes; these attributes make it difficult to manipulate them in such a way that a specific metabolite is predominantly produced.

Mobility and fate of ligand stabilized semiconductor nanoparticles in landfill leachates.

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are nanocrystals used in diverse optoelectronics. At the end of their useful life they are likely to end up in landfills, where they could be mobilzed by infiltrating rain water. In this work, spectroscopic and light scattering techniques were employed to investigate the environmental fate of QDs exposed to leachates from Austrian landfill sites containing municipal solid and bulky wastes.

Complete Genome Sequence of a New sp. Isolated from Anaerobic Digestion and Biomethanation.

Here, we present the genome sequence and annotation of the bacterial strain HV4-5-A1G, a potentially new species. Based on its genomic data, this strain may act as a keystone microorganism in the hydrolysis of complex polymers, as well as in the different acidogenesis and acetogenesis steps during anaerobic digestion.

Investigation of the heterogeneity of bromine in plastic components as an indicator for brominated flame retardants in waste electrical and electronic equipment with regard to recyclability.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) can contain brominated flame retardants (BFRs) that pose a threat to human health and the environment. In addition, Br-containing plastics reduce the recycling potential of WEEE. In order to gain a better insight into the distribution of Br in plastics from WEEE, the total concentration of Br was measured on the level of device types and plastic components using handheld X-ray fluorescence (hXRF).

Complete Genome Sequence of a New Bacterium Isolated from Anaerobic Biomass Digestion.

Here, we present the genome sequence and annotation of HV4-6-C5C, a bacterial strain isolated from a mesophilic two-stage laboratory-scale leach bed biogas reactor system. Strain HV4-6-C5C may represent a new genus of the family and may have a key role in acidogenesis and acetogenesis steps during anaerobic biomass digestion.