Articles tagged with Recycling
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A recent study published in Construction and Building Materials has found that heat treatment can significantly improve the strength of recycled concrete, reducing its environmental impact. The researchers developed an energy-efficient means of improving recycled concrete outcomes through thermal treatment.
Researchers at ORNL developed a theory that thylakoids help plants tolerate harsh conditions, while a digital platform informs on hydropower development. AI-powered neutron scattering can also accelerate experiments, and e-waste recycling is being explored.
A team of scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has designed a new material system to overcome the challenges of mixed-plastic recycling. They created customized polydiketoenamine (PDK) plastics that can be recycled efficiently and indefinitely, providing a low-carbon manufacturing solution for plastic products.
Researchers developed a sustainable method of synthesizing diphenylmethanol derivatives using Chinese alumina, reducing waste and costs. The new method recycles alumina by washing it with water and drying between usages, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.
The circular economy faces challenges in implementing international policies due to spatiotemporal dimensions of environmental risk and variability of global policies. The article proposes ways forward for anthropogenic circularity, including controlling toxic releases, international flow of materials, and harmonization of internationa...
Researchers at Tsinghua University Press have developed a novel solution to recycle excavated soil and rock into construction products through sintering utilization. The study found that using this method can save nearly 270 million yuan in disposal costs while meeting environmental standards.
Engineers at RMIT University discovered a bitumen blend that's both UV-resistant and withstands traffic loads. The mixture of crumb rubber from recycled tyres halves the rate of sun damage when mixed with bitumen, making it an ideal sustainable solution for roads.
Environmental advocates argue that chemical recycling doesn't eliminate single-use plastics, which remain a significant pollution concern. The Biden administration is seeking comment on exempting industry processes from Clean Air Act regulations, amid growing state legislation encouraging advanced recycling.
Researchers developed an enzyme that can break down plastic waste in hours, making it a promising solution for the world's plastic problem. The enzyme, called FAST-PETase, has the potential to revolutionize recycling and reduce global landfill waste by billions of tons.
Researchers are developing innovative ways to reuse automotive glass, crushing it into small pieces and purifying the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) for industrial use. This approach aims to reduce waste and conserve resources as the demand for automotive glass continues to grow.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a sustainable, pollen-based 'paper' that can be printed on and reused multiple times. The paper's non-toxic properties make it an attractive alternative to conventional wood-based paper, which has a significant environmental impact.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a novel approach to rubber recycling that repurposes end-of-life tyres into concrete for residential constructions. The study found that crumb rubber concrete is a safe, green alternative with higher impact resistance, toughness, and ductility compared to conventional conc...
Researchers from NTU Singapore and Waseda University found that fermented soybean waste improves fat metabolism and mitigates the effects of diet-induced obesity. The study, published in Metabolites, showed that mice fed fermented okara gained less body mass and had lower levels of fat and cholesterol.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a simple and rapid chemical recycling process for polycarbonates, breaking down plastic waste within 20 minutes at room temperature. The new process can convert waste into its chemical constituents, preserving product quality over an infinite number of cycles.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provide valuable insights on managing C&D waste and reducing carbon emissions in building refurbishment projects. By upcycling generated waste, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, with a potential reduction of around 40% compared to traditional practices.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology outlines an optimized recycling process for electric vehicle batteries, reducing thermal treatment times to just 30 minutes and operating at room temperature. This process can increase the efficiency of metal recovery, lower environmental impacts, and reduce costs.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen find that pharmaceutical residues in sewage sludge and cattle manure do not harm soil organisms, despite concerns over environmental risks. Organic fertilizers like sludge and manure provide better soil quality than conventional mineral fertilizers.
A new study suggests that mass customization can generate higher profits and reduce environmental waste considerably when overproduction is a problem. Customers willing to wait for bespoke clothing can make the fashion industry more environmentally sustainable.
A new open-source tool called SwolfPy helps solid waste systems achieve environmental goals by assessing various options in one place. The tool identifies the range of best possible options for users, depending on their priorities.
Researchers at West Virginia University have created a simple microwave catalytic process to upcycle single-use plastics into high-value benzene, toluene, and xylene. This technology aims to increase the recycling rate of plastic waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative source of petrochemical materials.
Researchers explore circular economy approaches to improve battery recycling efficiency and purities of raw materials. A promising approach is 'Design for Recycling', which aims to standardize screw connections and design materials for automated disassembly and reduced solvent use.
A new study reveals that circular waste management systems can effectively reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, with the potential to eliminate open burning of waste by 2050. The researchers estimate that this could account for almost a quarter of global methane emissions.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a new camera technology that can separate plastics based on their chemical composition. The technology uses hyperspectral cameras and machine learning to identify 12 types of plastics, including PE, PP, PET, and others, making it possible for more accurate recycling.
Researchers detected emerging synthetic antioxidants in e-waste recycling dust, including hindered phenol and sulfur antioxidants. The study highlights the need for further research on their environmental behaviors and toxicities.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a new use for e-waste plastics by repurposing them as an alternative to laboratory cell culture containers. The team found that over 95% of human stem cells seeded on e-waste plastics remained healthy after a week, comparable to cells grown on conventional plates.
Researchers have successfully degraded synthetic polyisoprene using enzyme LCPK30, a breakthrough that could enable recycling of car tires and production of new plastics. The method involves creating an emulsion with the polymer, allowing the enzyme to break down long molecular chains into smaller fragments.
A comprehensive assessment of polyurethane in the US reveals complexities that affect its recovery and recycling. The study highlights opportunities to enhance circularity and increase bio-based content of polyurethanes.
A University at Buffalo study found that a specific messaging strategy in PSAs increased recycling intention among New Yorkers who struggle with proper recycling. The research used the theory of planned behavior to develop an effective video, targeting those who feel uncertain about their own recycling abilities.
Researchers found that a battery's chemistry can affect its environmental impact, with cobalt being a common material that requires more energy to mine and has negative effects on the environment. Replacing cobalt with nickel can alleviate concerns, but there are tradeoffs involved. The study suggests that reusing batteries before recy...
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed an environmentally friendly process to chemically recycle bio-based plastics into fertilizers. The process, which uses ammonia to break down the plastics, produces nitrogen-rich molecules that can be used as fertilizer, showing promising results in plant growth experiments.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a clean and cost-effective way to upcycle used plastic into high-value products such as carbon nanotubes and clean liquid fuel. The two-step process converts organic waste into charcoal, which is then used as a catalyst to upcycle the plastic.
A new recycling system has been developed to decompose epoxy resins in an aqueous solution of glutathione, allowing for the recovery of recyclable materials. The system shows promise for promoting the reuse of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and reducing environmental pollution.
A new framework from Cornell University's Fengqi You and Xiang Zhao provides a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts of plastic waste chemical recycling. The framework quantifies climate change and human toxicity, offering insights into optimal technologies and market dynamics.
Researchers at North Carolina State University demonstrated a low-cost technique for recycling nanowires from electronic devices. The method involves dissolving the polymer matrix containing the nanowire network and separating the nanowires using ultrasound, allowing for their reuse in new devices. After four life cycles, the nanowires...
Researchers at Flinders University have developed a new sustainable insulation material using waste cooking oil, sulfur, and wool offcuts, offering promising energy savings for property owners and tenants. The composite boasts low flammability and biodegradable properties, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
A University of Michigan-led study finds that urine diversion and recycling can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, freshwater consumption, and the potential for algal blooms. The method also has lower environmental impacts than conventional wastewater treatment and fertilizer production methods.
A new study finds that electronic waste generated by Americans has been declining since 2015, mainly due to the decrease of bulky CRT displays. This decline poses challenges for e-waste recycling regulations and the recovery of critical elements like cobalt and indium.
Researchers studied the use of plastic in nest construction by leaf-cutter bees and found it could change the environment of their nests. They suggest using natural fibers instead to avoid harmful effects on the insects.
A study from the University of Michigan challenges the notion that plastic packaging is the primary environmental concern, instead revealing that product content often has a greater impact. The research emphasizes the importance of reducing overall consumption and waste management.
Industry is shifting towards chemical recycling as a solution to tackle the problem of plastics, breaking down them into their building blocks. The process has environmental benefits but also raises concerns about reducing plastic consumption and increasing disposable packaging production.
A recent study led by ASU researcher Chris Wharton found that a values-based intervention can reduce household food waste by an average of 28%. The intervention used clear plastic bins to track food waste and highlighted the impact of cost, health, and environmental concerns. Participants reported that watching their waste build up pro...
A new study found that European countries are exporting large amounts of plastic waste to Asia, where it is often not recycled and ends up in the ocean. The research estimated that between 1-7% of all exported European polyethylene ended up in the ocean, contributing to significant environmental and social impacts.
Researchers at Shinshu University have created a method to blend different types of thermoplastic materials without compromising their quality. By using a compatibilizer, they successfully melted various plastics together, paving the way for more efficient recycling and reducing plastic waste in the environment.
Researchers have created a chemical recycling process that breaks down real consumer plastics into a new product, a biodegradable solvent called methyl lactate. The method has been tested on various types of bioplastics and shown to produce high quantities of the green solvent, regardless of sample characteristics.
Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a new chemical recycling method that can break down plant-based plastics like PLA into their constituent molecules. This technology has the potential to create a circular economy by reusing carbon indefinitely, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
The study, conducted by the University of Córdoba, demonstrates the feasibility of using recycled demolition waste to build roads. The results show that recycled aggregates from mixed materials and concrete foundations performed better than natural aggregates in terms of surface properties and mechanical development.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that people who live in areas with more natural exposure are more likely to engage in environmentally friendly behaviors. Urban greening initiatives could play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability.
The review highlights the need for improved waste management solutions to handle growing numbers of retired electric vehicle batteries. Recycling methods are being improved to make processes more economically efficient, minimizing environmental impacts.
A new study highlights the need for governments and industry to act now to develop a robust recycling infrastructure for end-of-life lithium ion batteries. The UK has an enormous opportunity to address this issue, with analysis suggesting eight gigafactories are needed by 2040 to service demand for recycled materials.
Researchers surveyed consumers in the mid-Atlantic region to investigate wine preferences, recycling attitudes, and behaviors. The study found that about 85% of participants were willing to bring empty wine bottles to a winery for recycling. Wineries can attract younger customers by offering sustainable practices, such as recycling and...
A study by Penn State researchers found that when consumers are reminded of the products that their recyclables can be turned into, they are more likely to recycle. The team conducted a series of studies where participants were shown advertisements featuring product transformation, and results showed a significant increase in recycling...
A Rutgers-led team has created a new way to unprint paper using pulses of intense xenon light, eliminating the need for conventional recycling. This method can erase multiple toner colors without damaging the paper, reducing energy costs and pollution.
US National Parks produce a staggering 100 million pounds of trash each year, with managers seeking ways to divert recyclable materials and reduce overall waste. Key findings from recent research include the importance of moral norms and perceived difficulty in influencing visitor behavior.
Researchers from Penn State University and Boston College found that promoting recyclable waste transformation increases recycling rates. Consumers who saw product transformation messages recycled up to 87.7% of their waste, compared to 19% for those without such messages.
Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a novel e-waste recycling method using pulsed power, which successfully separates metal from plastic in CD-ROMs. The technique uses high-voltage electrical discharges to break down materials, resulting in efficient separation and minimal environmental impact.
Researchers have developed a method using near infrared hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics to sort different types of plastic and those with varying flame retardants. This technique enables efficient recycling of plastics, reducing the amount dumped into the environment.
The University of Texas at Arlington has developed a modular, multi-step water treatment system that can transform unconventional oil and gas waste into reusable water. The system requires multiple treatment modalities to remove contaminants, making it difficult to accomplish effectively and economically.
A new study has revealed extensive lead contamination at recycling plants in seven African countries, with levels up to 48,000 ppm. The contamination poses significant health risks to nearby communities and children, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and emissions control measures.
Researchers from the University of Houston and IBM report emerging technologies that can increase plastic recycling rates, including chemical recycling methods and compatibilization of mixed plastic wastes. The goal is to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs, paving the way for more easily recyclable materials.
A recent study at the University of Missouri found that collegiate sports venues can significantly reduce waste by implementing better recycling systems, donating unsold food to charities, and replacing high-emission foods with more sustainable options. By adopting these strategies, stadiums can achieve 'zero waste' operations and set ...