Articles tagged with Recycling
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have successfully demonstrated a scalable approach to solar-powered plastic recycling, converting plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals in outdoor conditions. The technology uses a simple spray-coating method to produce photocatalyst materials and reactors ...
A new UN report details the environmental costs of artificial intelligence, including its burgeoning electricity use, carbon emissions, water footprint, and land occupation. The investigation finds that AI's expansion involves significant energy consumption, leading to substantial CO2, water, and land footprints.
The University of Manchester is developing new technologies to recover valuable materials from hard-to-recycle waste, including disposable vapes and cars. The project aims to break down these materials at a molecular level and recover valuable components that can be reused.
A recent study reveals that nearly half of every T-shirt goes to waste before it's even produced, highlighting the need for a more circular approach to fashion. The research found that only 17% of original fibers in a new T-shirt can be recycled globally.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute develop a one-step molten salt upcycling process to transform spent nickel cathodes into high-performance materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. This approach reduces recycling costs and energy demands while increasing the value of recovered materials.
Researchers at Yokohama National University developed a new recyclable resin that can be reused multiple times without losing quality. The resin uses reversible photodimerization to form bonds that can be broken and re-formed, enabling high-precision stereolithography.
The HARMONY project has achieved a significant milestone by processing recycled neodymium-iron-boron powder into functional magnet components. The process enables the production of high-quality magnets using industrially relevant methods, reducing dependence on primary raw materials.
Researchers developed a heat-tolerant cutinase enzyme that combines structural rigidity with flexibility, enabling efficient degradation of PET at high temperatures. This discovery provides new insights into designing enzymes for sustainable plastic recycling and addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste.
Researchers have developed a water-soluble cellulose ethyl phosphite (CEP) adhesive that integrates high bonding strength, environmental tolerance, and recyclability. The CEP adhesive demonstrates remarkable thermal stability and resistance to moisture-related degradation, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers have developed a room-temperature method to separate battery electrode materials from aluminum foil, preserving valuable cathode materials. The process produces clean hydrogen as a byproduct and can be repeated multiple times with high efficiency.
A new study by the University at Buffalo reveals that unequal access to recycling facilities plays a key role in shaping plastic waste management practices in the US. Wealthier and more college-educated communities are more likely to have convenient access to large-scale industrial recycling facilities, making recycling easier and more...
A new method developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge uses solar-powered acid photoreforming to break down hard-to-recycle plastics into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals. This approach could create a circular system where one waste stream solves another, reducing plastic waste and pollution.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a breakthrough method for chemically recycling acrylic plastics using lower temperatures and sustainable solvents. The new process delivers over 95% conversion of the plastic and yields high-quality monomers, offering a clear pathway toward genuine circularity in acrylic materials.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to recover nearly all critical minerals from spent lithium-ion batteries, including metals like lithium and graphite. The process uses microwave-induced plasma treatment with room-temperature solvents, resulting in high recovery rates and minimal environmental impact.
Scientists have engineered a microbial assembly line that converts plastic waste into a variety of useful products, including biopolymers, enzymes, and electricity. The breakthrough uses pyruvate as a universal currency to generate a wide range of outputs.
A new Concordia study reveals that UK household recycling rates are influenced by factors such as garbage collection frequency, education, and population density. The research found that districts with less frequent garbage collection and convenient recycling systems had higher recycling rates, with median levels of around 61%.
A new study by Manchester researchers argues that directional terms like 'upcycling' and 'downcycling' can skew perceptions of plastic sustainability. The study suggests that a more nuanced approach is needed to evaluate the environmental impact of recycling technologies.
Researchers at Newcastle University have created a reversible adhesive that can bond materials together like traditional glue but can also be easily separated. This technology allows for the reuse, repurposing, or recycling of dissimilar materials, making it a game-changer for industries such as packaging and automotive parts.
MIT engineers have designed a 3D-printed floor truss system made from recycled plastic, which exceeds building standards set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The printed flooring can hold over 4,000 pounds and weighs about 13 pounds per truss, making it a lighter alternative to traditional wood-based trusses.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a new technology for plastic recycling that uses aqueous chemi-mechanical recycling to blend, decolorize, and purify mixed polyolefins. This approach reduces energy consumption and eliminates toxic chemicals compared to existing methods.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed an energy-efficient reactor that captures and recycles methane to produce clean hydrogen and high-performance carbon nanotubes. The process uses a multi-pass floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition reactor with process gas recycling, significantly reducing energy requirements.
A team of researchers from Chonnam National University explores how boosting consumer trust can increase adoption of second-life EV battery tech. They found that transparent safety inspections and tailored messaging can improve adoption outcomes.
Researchers found high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in recycled tire rubber granulate, linked to cancer and environmental harm. Fine particle sizes released more toxins into water and soil, increasing ecosystem risk.
A new study found that fine rubber crumbs from recycled tires can release high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment, contaminating soil and water. The smallest particles released the most toxic chemicals, posing risks to organisms, plants, and potentially human health.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new plant-based plastic made from cellulose that rapidly degrades in natural environments, eliminating microplastic waste. The biodegradable plastic can be adjusted in strength and flexibility with added choline chloride, providing a practical solution to ocean pollution.
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland found that buying second-hand gifts involves a deliberate decision-making process, often driven by eco-friendly values. The study suggests that consumers tend to deliberate more when buying second-hand furniture or clothing, but less for items like books.
A new study by Linköping University finds artificial turf pitches more environmentally sustainable than natural turf when recycled and maintained properly. However, there are reservations due to production impact and maintenance emissions that can be mitigated with electrified machinery.
The Battery Large Model system revolutionizes battery design, manufacturing, operation, and recycling through AI-simulation synergy. It provides a novel technological path for the industry's intelligent upgrade, enabling autonomous design scheme generation, accurate performance prediction, and intelligent defect detection.
Researchers found elevated levels of lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium, and antimony in metal recycling workers' blood and urine, highlighting the need for better cleaning practices and respiratory protection. The study's results emphasize the importance of monitoring rare earth metals and implementing measures to reduce workplace exposure.
Researchers at Tohoku University have demonstrated a water-resistant and recyclable redox-active metal-organic framework (RAMOF) that can store electrons in acidic aqueous solutions. The breakthrough material shows high durability in an aqueous RAMOF-based rechargeable battery.
The article proposes a circular economy approach to reduce waste, increase durability, and repurpose spacecraft and satellites. Data analysis and digital technologies will be essential for developing sustainable practices.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a novel, non-toxic method to recycle mixed-fiber textiles, utilizing a deep eutectic solvent to separate and recover cotton and polyester components. The process achieves near-complete recycling with minimal damage to materials.
A new study shows that lithium can be recovered from battery waste using an electrochemically driven recovery process, which demonstrates economic viability with the potential to simplify operations. The method has been tested on commonly used types of lithium-containing batteries and produces recovered lithium at a cost comparable to ...
A new recycling process recovers nearly all valuable materials from used batteries with high purity, requiring less energy, chemicals, and costs compared to existing methods. The two-step flash Joule heating method separates lithium and transition metals quickly and cleanly.
Rice University researchers outline emerging solutions to make graphite production cleaner and more resilient, including synthetic graphite from renewable sources. The study emphasizes the critical role of graphite in energy storage technologies and the need for sustainable supply chain management.
Researchers have developed a new molten salt technique that restores the structure and performance of used high-nickel cathode materials, allowing for more efficient battery recycling. The approach, published in Energy & Environment Nexus, regenerates the material itself so it can be reused in new batteries.
Researchers developed a photothermal catalyst, Li0.51Mn2O4, to upgrade spent lithium manganate oxides and waste PET into highly efficient recyclable materials. The study achieved high conversion rates and reduced fossil resource consumption by up to 77% compared to traditional thermal catalysis.
The research partnership aims to develop stronger aluminum alloys for high-performance applications. Three projects focus on reducing iron impurities through electrical or chemical approaches.
A new method to recycle PA-66, a type of polymer found in fishing nets and automotive parts, has been developed. The process involves introducing melamine into melted waste, resulting in a nylon material with improved properties that can be reprocessed up to three times.
Critical raw materials are projected to grow from 1 million tonnes in 2022 to between 1.2 and 1.9 million tonnes by 2050. Europe can recover more of these essential materials by improving collection, design, and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Researchers have developed a high-performance supercapacitor made from upcycled water bottles, demonstrating improved capacitance and reduced production costs compared to traditional glass fiber separators. The PET-derived supercapacitor is fully recyclable and poised for market-ready devices within the next five to 10 years.
Researchers have identified key barriers to safely extending the life of solar panels and decreasing waste. One major challenge is the low cost of new panels undercutting the resale market for used systems.
A new gas-solid separation method promises cleaner and cheaper recycling of critical elements. The technique uses flash Joule heating to extract REEs in seconds without water or acids, achieving over 90% purity and yield for REE recovery.
Engineers at RMIT University have developed cardboard-confined rammed earth, a novel building material that uses locally sourced materials and reduces waste going to landfill. The material boasts one quarter of the carbon footprint of concrete and can be made on-site using cardboard formwork.
Researchers developed a new behavioral model for waste separation, incorporating external factors and demographic variables. The Theory of Planned Behavior + External influences + Heterogeneity (TPB + E + H) framework increases explanatory power and provides a flexible platform for policy-level interventions.
A new catalyst breaks down polyolefin plastics into liquid oils and waxes, which can be upcycled into higher-value products. This process bypasses the labor-intensive step of pre-sorting mixed plastic waste, making recycling more efficient and practical.
MIT researchers developed a sustainable electrolyte that quickly breaks down when submerged in organic solvents, allowing for easy recycling of components. The new material could revolutionize the battery industry by simplifying the recycling process and reducing electronic waste.
A team from the University of Münster has developed a method for recycling dry-processed lithium ion battery cathodes, separating materials and granulating them for reuse. The process is attractive not only for sustainability but also for cost efficiency.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a smart plastic that can self-heal and adapt to extreme conditions, making it ideal for aerospace and automotive applications. The material's unique properties allow it to restore its shape after deformation, improve vehicle safety, and reduce environmental waste.
A new photothermal catalyst made from recycled EV battery materials boosts the efficiency of plastic upcycling, converting polyester into valuable monomers. The process demonstrates significant improvements in conversion rates and reduced energy costs compared to traditional methods.
A study by researchers at the University of Münster found that deploying end-of-life EV batteries as stationary energy storage devices can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By prioritizing reuse, countries with high renewable energies can save up to 56 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Over 60 academic experts urge global plastics treaty to include human health impacts, toxic chemical regulation, and production caps. The briefing event, hosted by Cambridge University Press, offers clear evidence-based recommendations for a legally binding treaty.
Researchers at University of California - Santa Barbara develop a new filter that can extract rare earth elements from end-of-life products like electronic waste. The technique combines solid-state extraction with precision chemistry to create a simple and environmentally attractive process, increasing the concentration of REEs fourfold.
Researchers successfully converted CO2 from thermal power plant exhaust into formic acid and formamide using waste silicon wafers from discarded solar panels. The reaction produces high yields of these valuable organic chemicals, demonstrating the practicality of recycling materials to sequester greenhouse gases.
A team at Binghamton University has developed a process to convert food waste into biodegradable plastic, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a sustainable alternative. The process utilizes bacteria to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plastic, which can be harvested and shaped into various products.
A new study estimates US vacation renters waste $2.3 billion worth of food each year due to grocery and leftovers going uneaten. The average nightly rental fee comes with a 5.1% surcharge for wasted food, equivalent to an additional lodging tax.
Health experts urge the UN to strengthen the treaty's focus on ending plastic production and reducing toxic chemicals. The World Health Organization estimates that one-quarter of global deaths are linked to environmental harm, including chemicals, pollution, and waste.
A University of Houston engineer has developed a method to create strong and eco-friendly materials from bacterial cellulose, which could replace plastic in various industries. The new material has high tensile strength flexibility, foldability, optical transparency, and long-term mechanical stability.