Articles tagged with Recycling
A new study suggests that curbside recycling can compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, providing a return on investment similar to or better than electric vehicles. The authors recommend restructuring programs to target high-value materials and implementing policies to relieve cost burdens on local governments.
Researchers found that disposable diaper waste can replace up to 8% of sand in concrete and mortar used to build a single-story house, reducing construction costs. The study suggests using this unconventional material for low-cost housing in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers suggest sharing smaller, lightweight EVs to manage resource use in EV batteries. They found that reducing material supply risks requires systemic approaches and investments in new battery technologies.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers found that Canadian electronic waste (e-waste) has more than tripled in the last two decades, generating close to a million tons in 2020. E-waste generation per person has increased from 8.3 kg to 25.3 kg between 2000 and 2020.
Researchers in Brazil and UK develop process to recycle plastic from used coffee pods into conductive and non-conductive filaments. The filaments have various applications, including sensors and machinery parts.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo have created a machine that can recharge N95 respirators and surgical masks to 97% efficiency. By applying a uniform voltage distribution, the device restores the mask's electrostatic charge, increasing its effectiveness.
Researchers at Colorado State University have created a new chemical strategy to deliver universal dynamic crosslinkers into mixed plastic streams, transforming them into viable new polymers that can be turned into higher-value materials. The method makes post-consumer plastics usable as a new kind of material with useful properties.
Researchers have developed a new type of organic battery that uses redox-organic electrode materials (OEMs) synthesized from natural materials. The battery features high capacity, scalability, and recyclability, making it a promising sustainable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers at Duke University have produced the world's first fully recyclable printed electronics that replace hazardous chemicals with water in the fabrication process. The demonstration points to a path towards reducing environmental footprint and human health risks in the electronics industry.
Max Planck scientists explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence in materials science, discussing how combining physics-based modeling with AI can unlock complex material designs. The research focuses on overcoming limitations of traditional methods and handling sparse, noisy data.
The latest issue of PLOS Biology features a special collection on biology-based solutions to reduce plastic pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, and produce food or energy more sustainably. Insect enzymes may degrade plastic waste, while photosynthetic algae can capture CO2 produced by industrial applications.
Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a closed-loop recycling process for polymers using microparticles, resulting in fully recyclable films with high mechanical stability and fracture energy. The strategy enables the reuse of polymer materials, reducing plastic waste and environmental pollution.
A comprehensive product stewardship scheme has been proposed to address the environmental impact of solar panel disposal in Australia. The plan includes recycling steps, serial numbers for tracking, and legislation to ensure environmentally friendly disposal.
North Carolina State University researchers have found a way to separate blended cotton and polyester fabric using enzymes, which could lead to more efficient recycling of the fabric's component materials. The process requires multiple steps, but can effectively separate cotton from polyester in under 48 hours.
A new method developed by scientists at Argonne National Laboratory and Cornell University converts used HDPE into a fully recyclable and potentially biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to break polymer chains, making the material easier to decompose.
A new study suggests that a sustainable plastics economy is possible by increasing recycling rates to 74% and using innovative production methods, such as carbon capture and utilization. This would require a fundamental shift in the way plastics are produced, consumed, and disposed of.
Researchers have developed a novel process that converts plastic waste into liquid gasoline-like fuel at low temperatures, eliminating unwanted byproducts. The innovative method uses alkylation catalysts and combines cracking and reaction steps in a single vessel, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and University of Georgia is leading a $749,997 NSF Convergence project to collect and analyze data in Pittsburgh and Georgia to build a more circular economy. They will use the Circularity Assessment Protocol (CAP) to examine material usage and management at community levels.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a new technique using the 'flash Joule' method to transform plastic waste into high-value carbon nanotubes and hybrid nanomaterials. This process is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for recycling plastic waste.
Researchers produced biogas from apple pomace, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and generating electricity and heat. The bioenergy recovery can supply 19% of the anaerobic reactor's energy needs, contributing to public policy and cutting fossil fuel consumption.
Researchers decipher metabolic mechanisms of Comamonas testosteroni to digest complex carbons, enabling potential for biotechnology platforms that recycle plastic waste. The study reveals a novel approach to upcycle plastic waste into industrially relevant polymers.
A team of researchers developed an efficient strategy to recycle lead from discarded car batteries, creating a new market for recycled lead in high-tech equipment. The resulting photodetectors show excellent stability and fast response speeds, with potential applications in optical communication, chemical analysis, and imaging.
A new framework identifies barriers and context-specific measures for plastic use and disposal, guiding policymakers in selecting effective intervention measures. The framework has been tested in Kyoto City, revealing potential desirable behavioral changes, critical barriers, and corresponding intervention measures.
Researchers have developed a new method for recycling high-density polyethylene (HDPE) into fully recyclable and biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to cleave polymer chains, reducing carbon emissions and pollution associated with HDPE.
A new recycling process has been developed to convert Nylon-6 into ε-Caprolactam with over 95% selectivity and 90% yield, eliminating the need for solvents or toxic chemicals. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for managing plastic waste.
A new study from the University of Portsmouth explores how to improve sustainable disposal of electronic waste. Researchers found that using metaphorical language, such as comparing battery pollution to Olympic swimming pools, increased recycling rates among consumers.
Scientists have created a new polyester material that combines mechanical stability with high biodegradability, making it an attractive alternative to traditional plastics. The innovative material, called polyester-2,18, was shown to degrade in lab experiments and pass industrial composting standards.
A WVU engineer has developed a technology that can treat urine on site rather than at a centralized wastewater treatment facility, allowing for the recovery of nitrogen as a valuable fertilizer. The approach enables quick treatment and promotes the reduction of nutrient discharge into lakes and rivers.
USC researchers have developed a novel method to transform post-consumer mixed plastics into diverse valuable secondary products with unprecedented efficiency. The two-stage process produces chemical groups that can be used by fungi to create antibiotics, statins, immunosuppressants, and antifungals.
A new study highlights the complexity of chemicals in plastics, which could undermine the effectiveness of a global plastics treaty. The diversity of chemicals in plastics poses challenges to recycling and waste management, making it difficult to ensure the integrity and safety of products over extended lifetimes.
Top 300 Fortune 500 firms made 72% of plastic pollution commitments, focusing on recycling over virgin plastic reduction; study finds this approach insufficient to address the plastics crisis.
Major chemical companies are backing pyrolysis plants to expand plastics recycling, but environmentalists remain skeptical. The process converts plastic waste into hydrocarbon feedstocks that can be turned into plastics again, making up for the shortcomings of traditional recycling which captures only about 9% of plastics in the US.
A Japan Science and Technology Agency research group developed high-performance catalysts for efficient synthesis of value-added chemicals from polyester and vegetable oil. These catalysts enable nearly 100% selectivity in converting polyester into raw materials, offering a promising solution to chemical recycling.
A new process developed at the University of California, Berkeley, breaks down polyethylene plastics into propylene, a feedstock for high-value plastics. The process uses catalysts to depolymerize polyethylene, producing 80% propylene and upcycling waste into valuable products.
Researchers at WVU are resurrecting discarded electronics, recovering minerals, and making new products for national defense. The technology also has promise beyond national defense, including community-level e-waste recycling and space applications.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin created synthetic rocks to study rare earth element formation. The study reveals that fluids containing REEs replace common limestone via complex reactions, shedding light on the mechanisms of rock formation and industrial separation processes.
Researchers developed a simple, fraud-resistant method to evaluate recycled content in new plastic products by adding a fluorescent tag. The technique was successfully tested on various polymers and colors, identifying the percentage of recycled material in real-world products.
The need to reduce diabetes care product waste is a pressing issue, with disposable devices generating enormous amounts of plastic. Experts, including Professor Lutz Heinemann, are exploring strategies to increase recycling and sustainability in the industry.
Researchers at RMIT University developed a method to recycle disposable PPE into stronger concrete, increasing strength by up to 22% and improving resistance to cracking. The study aims to create a circular economy approach for healthcare waste, reducing landfill waste and creating valuable resources.
Researchers have developed a new composite resin suitable for wind turbine blades that can be recycled into new blades or other products. The material has the same physical properties as its predecessor, making it ideal for reuse.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a new method for converting plastics into valuable chemicals using hydrogenolysis. The process reduces the use of precious metal ruthenium while increasing efficiency and selectivity.
Researchers developed a new enzyme that can degrade poly(ethylene) terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in bottles. The enzyme, HotPETase, is thermostable and selectively breaks down PET, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste challenge.
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 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 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 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.