Articles tagged with Recycling
A new study by Colorado State University outlines a path to creating advanced, recyclable plastics using natural poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB). The breakthrough method involves stereodivergent catalysis, which enables the production of enantiopure PHAs with improved properties for various applications.
A new method of separating rare earth elements from used neodymium magnets has been developed, allowing for environmentally friendly purification without organic solvents or toxic substances. The process is adaptable for other rare earths found in neodymium magnets and has the potential to influence various industrial sectors.
A new recycling technology has been developed to turn used tires into raw materials for rubber and nylon, achieving high selectivity of up to 92% and a yield of 82%. The process uses dual catalysis to convert waste rubber into valuable chemicals.
Researchers developed a new framework that connects molecular scale processes with reactor-scale models for catalytic depolymerization of plastics. The findings offer a powerful tool for designing catalyst architectures and identifying reaction conditions to boost selectivity of value-added products.
Researchers have developed a method to transform polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste into paracetamol using genetically reprogrammed E. coli bacteria. The new process creates virtually no carbon emissions and can be completed in under 24 hours.
A new study found that recycled polyethylene plastic can leach chemicals into water, causing impacts on zebrafish larvae's hormone systems and lipid metabolism. The researchers highlight the need to address toxic chemicals in plastics across their life cycle.
In a groundbreaking pilot project, South Sioux City has constructed a 4,000-foot stretch of Foundry Road using two million recycled plastic bags. This innovative asphalt blend aims to reduce plastic waste while improving road durability under varied weather conditions.
A new study found that people recycle 47% more bottles when offered a lottery-style refund, rather than the traditional 10-cent deposit return. This approach increases the thrill of possibly winning a big prize, making recycling more enjoyable and motivating.
A low-cost method to bind polyethylene and polypropylene together, creating a high-quality plastic recycling additive. The researchers used an organic alkyl peroxide to graft hydrogen molecules onto the polymers, forming a copolymer material that can be added to mechanical recycling processes.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a technique using soundwaves to separate valuable catalyst materials and fluorinated polymer membranes from catalyst-coated membranes. This breakthrough addresses critical environmental challenges posed by PFAS, which contaminate drinking water and have serious health implications.
A new recycling process for silicones has been developed, reducing environmental impacts by bringing materials back to an earlier state. The chemical recycling method gives direct access to high-quality silicone materials without loss of properties, making it a game-changer for the sector.
Washington State University researchers develop a method to recycle wind turbine blades without harsh chemicals, recovering high-strength glass fibers and resins. The recycled materials are then reused to create stronger plastics, with enhanced performance and potential applications in various industries.
Researchers developed a recycling process for cement waste into a low-carbon, high-strength material that can replace traditional Portland cement. The new cement blend reduces carbon intensity and enables new uses for construction and demolition waste.
A research project from Politecnico di Milano proposes a novel method to recycle used vegetable oil into valuable resources like bio-lubricants and air purification devices. The project optimizes waste treatment processes while reducing waste and promoting European independence in critical raw material supply.
A study of over 97 citizen scientists found that coastal areas have significantly more litter than inland locations, with urban areas consistently exhibiting more litter than rural areas. The research highlights the need for tailored waste management strategies to address regional differences in litter patterns.
A new University of Texas at Arlington study reveals high concentrations of microplastics in bird lungs, with average particles per species and gram of lung tissue measured. The study highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health and human health.
Researchers are calling for a reduction in toxic chemicals used in plastics manufacturing and a complete ban of hazardous chemicals. The study highlights the need for improved reporting, transparency, and regulation of chemicals throughout the plastics life cycle.
Researchers developed a liquid fertilizer replacing unsustainable chemical fertilizers with organic waste, producing up to 100% of nitrogen and 77% of phosphorus. The method also increases phosphorus solubility by adjusting pH levels.
Plastic Back and a US-based recycler partner to scale low-temperature chemical recycling technology converting hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable byproducts. The partnership aims to address the global plastic waste crisis, reducing landfill waste and dependency on virgin raw materials.
Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a new environmentally-friendly mortar made from recycled plastic and silica aerogel, which improves insulation and reduces plastic waste. The new mortar mix reduced heat loss by up to 55% while maintaining the required strength for masonry construction.
Researchers have introduced a new class of polymers called polythioenones, which are mechanically and chemically recyclable and suitable for 3D printing. These polythioenones demonstrate better mechanical properties than conventional polyolefins thanks to a special ring-shaped building block.
A recent study found that autophagy, a natural defense mechanism in cells, is less efficient in female eggs with moderate or severe DNA damage. Boosting autophagy can improve egg quality and reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. The study's findings offer new directions for improving reproductive health.
Scientists at Linköping University have created a sustainable recycling process for perovskite solar cells, allowing all parts to be reused without hazardous solvents. The recycled cell retains the same efficiency as the original, paving the way for efficient energy harvesting and reduced e-waste.
Recycling lithium-ion batteries recovers critical metals, emitting less greenhouse gases and using significantly less water and energy than conventional mining. The study's findings suggest that recycling can help relieve supply insecurity and mitigate climate change by utilizing existing battery sources.
Researchers developed a recyclable alternative to thermosets, making materials like car tires and hip joints more environmentally friendly. The new material, made from dihydrofuran, can be easily recycled and degrades naturally over time.
Researchers at Kyungpook National University have developed a new approach to map and engineer enzymes for enhanced plastic recycling. They employ landscape profiling to identify efficient biocatalysts for recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET), producing high-purity monomers under mild conditions.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a stronger, biodegradable adhesive polymer that can replace common superglues. The new polymer, made from P3HB, offers tunable adhesion strength and is biodegradable under various conditions.
Researchers developed a novel method for carbon fiber recycling that leverages Joule heat generation, thermal stress, and expansion forces to separate fibers without chemicals. The technique is more effective than traditional methods, preserving longer fibers with higher strength and reducing environmental impact.
The use of plastic in Europe has skyrocketed, with each person generating an average of 36 kg of plastic packaging waste in 2021. KTU researchers conducted a macro-environmental analysis to examine six key areas influencing plastic packaging recycling, including outdated regulations and lower quality recycled plastics. This highlights ...
A new study reveals that US state policies are falling short of reducing food waste, with only California, Vermont, and Arizona projected to achieve the goal. Current policies focus on recycling methods, but experts suggest a shift towards prevention and rescue strategies is needed to address food insecurity.
A new method predicts the makeup of municipal solid waste with unprecedented detail, allowing waste managers to forecast specific materials and plan accordingly. This improvement enables more efficient recycling and landfill operations, making sustainable waste management a practical reality.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed an efficient storage agent for sustainable energy solutions using triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO), a well-known chemical byproduct. The team's 'one-pot' reaction method enables the transformation of TPPO into a usable product with powerful potential to store energy.
Researchers estimate that human-made products store around 400 million tons of fossil carbon annually, equivalent to 9% of extracted fossil carbon. Recycling and increasing product lifetime can help reduce waste streams, while enacting policies to minimize landfill discharge is crucial.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country have assessed the technical feasibility of automatically separating marine plastic waste from urban recycling. They found that PET plastic bottles of marine and urban origin can be separated with high effectiveness using an optical separation system.
A new study by Finnish researchers found that recycled plastic railway sleepers can significantly reduce carbon emissions, with potential savings of up to 3,610 tCO2e per year. The production process for these plastics requires less energy and generates fewer emissions than traditional materials like steel and concrete.
A new method developed by Penn researchers uses a chemical-separation technique to extract cobalt from 'junk' materials, increasing the capacity for purified cobalt production with minimal environmental harm. The process avoids harsh chemicals and generates lower costs than traditional methods.
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has launched a styrofoam recycling project to divert over 900 pounds of EPS waste from landfills each month. The program aims to reuse existing styrofoam materials, reducing the need for styrene and minimizing environmental impact.
Researchers have developed a method to convert black polystyrene waste into reusable starting materials using sunlight or white LEDs. The technique involves adding carbon black and exposing the mixture to high-intensity light, resulting in efficient breakdown of polymer bonds.
A University of Michigan-led study suggests that recycled pacemakers can be used safely and effectively in patients with life-threatening cardiac conditions. The international clinical trial involved nearly 300 people across seven countries and found no significant differences in pacemaker function up to 90 days after the procedure.
Research reveals UK households are 'wishcycling' instead of recycling due to confusing product labels and differing recycling facilities. The study recommends standardization of bin collection services and uniform labelling to make recycling more effective for consumers.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a technique using waste carpet fibers to reduce early-age shrinkage cracking in concrete by up to 30%, improving durability. The team aims to address the massive environmental challenge of textile waste disposal, which poses significant concerns for firefighting materials.
Researchers developed a new process to create high-performance polymer blends with improved mechanical properties. The process forms stable nanocrystalline layers at the interfaces between different polymer phases, enhancing the transfer of mechanical stresses and increasing tensile properties.
A new open-access database, LitChemPlast, has compiled over 3,500 substances measured in plastic products across 47,000 samples. The study highlights substantial knowledge gaps, including contamination of recycled plastics with hazardous substances and limited regional coverage in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers aim to refine mechanical recycling process through segregation to enhance recycled foam performance. The project will create components suitable for the footwear and automotive industries, reducing environmental impact.
Despite Norway's ambitious circular economy goal, the country incinerates more than 65% of collected waste, with significant gaps in data collection and measurement methods. Researchers propose 18 new methods to improve efficiency, highlighting the need for more accurate reporting on recycling rates.
A new recycling process reduces environmental impact by eliminating energy-intensive methods, producing harmful waste streams. The innovative technique recovers critical metals with high purity (>95%) and yield (>85%), addressing critical metal shortages and negative environmental impacts.
Researchers found that stored human urine had little impact on soil bacterial communities, increasing nitrifying and denitrifying groups compared to synthetic fertilizers. The study suggests that recycled urine could enhance agricultural sustainability, reduce wastewater pollution, and decrease reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
A new type of mussel-inspired adhesive has been developed that can be deactivated 'on command' through oxidation, allowing for efficient repair and recycling. The biobased adhesive loses its stickiness without becoming dramatically hydrophobic, making it easier to remove.
A novel method for the selective chemical recycling of PET has been developed, allowing for the recovery of polyester from textile waste. The method uses alcohols and an inexpensive iron trichloride catalyst to yield diethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol with high selectivity.
A new chemical process can vaporize plastics, reducing waste and creating hydrocarbon building blocks for new plastics. The catalytic process efficiently degrades a mix of post-consumer plastic waste, bringing closer a circular economy for many throwaway plastics.
A new study reveals that eco-friendly activewear companies' post-consumer circular economy policies are hindered by geography, making them ineffective for global customers. The research found that many companies have take-back schemes but restrict them to domestic customers or specific locations, limiting their environmental impact.
A new substrate material developed at MIT, University of Utah, and Meta enables not only the recycling of materials and components but also scalable manufacture of complex multilayered circuits. The material's design allows for easy processing and dissolving, making it suitable for recycling precious metals and microchips.
A review explores the application of machine learning in biological treatment processes for organic waste, improving efficiency and sustainability. ML algorithms are used to predict treatment outcomes, optimize process parameters, and enable real-time monitoring.
A nationwide bottle deposit program could significantly increase the rate of plastics recycling in the US, from 24% to 82%, according to MIT researchers. With the right policies in place, including sufficient demand for recycled material, PET bottles can be safely made into new products with high quality and minimal processing.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have identified a molecular mechanism in plant cellular recycling, crucial for managing environmental stress. The ESCRT machine plays a key role in sealing autophagosomes, allowing plants to recycle damaged cell components and recover valuable resources.
Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, have developed a cost-effective method to produce nearly oxygen-free titanium. This process could facilitate mass production of titanium alloys in industries such as electronics and aerospace.
A UTA chemist has developed a new method to separate and recycle mixed plastics using supercritical fluid chromatography. The technique can differentiate oils created from various plastics, holding promise for improving recycling rates and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Researchers developed a method to recycle cement using electric arc furnaces, significantly reducing emissions from concrete and steel production. The process can replace up to half of cement in concrete with recycled cement, producing zero-emission cement if powered by renewable energy.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a new PCB that performs on par with traditional materials and can be recycled repeatedly. The process uses a solvent to transform a type of vitrimer into a jelly-like substance, allowing solid components to be plucked out for reuse or recycling.
A new method recovers phosphorus from sewage sludge ash through chemical and heat treatment, providing a valuable resource for industries. The process can be implemented with lower energy requirements and costs than conventional technologies, making it an attractive solution for addressing the depletion of phosphorus ores.