Waste Disposal Process Research Articles

Assessing the Costs of Intravenous Push Waste in Intraoperative Areas Through Observation: A Multi-site Study.

The costs associated with proper disposal, management, and regulatory compliance of controlled substances in healthcare systems are substantial. In the context of the current opioid crisis, and given the high abuse potential of controlled substances, it is imperative that waste is minimized and waste procedures are followed to ensure safe disposal of controlled substances. This study aims to quantify the costs associated with fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, midazolam, and ketamine waste in intraoperative areas through a multi-site observational analysis. The study used an observational design across various hospital procedural and post-procedural units in the Southwest Florida region of the United States. Automated and non-automated workflows for wasting controlled substances were compared. As with a previous study conducted by Hertig et al., waste was evaluated as (1) the quantity (mg/μg) of medication disposed defined as 'pharmaceutical waste' or 'product waste' (PW); and (2) workforce time associated with the waste disposal process defined as 'workforce time waste' (WTW). Secondary measures include workforce costs associated with the waste disposal process. The product waste analysis was conducted between October and December 2023. The workforce time waste analysis was examined over a 10-day period in January and February 2024. A yearly extrapolation model was applied to cost data. The findings revealed substantial costs linked to both PW and WTW, emphasizing the financial burden of controlled substance waste. Study data validated previous literature describing the extent of fentanyl, hydromorphone, and morphine waste while documenting significant amounts of midazolam and ketamine waste. The combined annual waste cost for the two study hospitals was estimated at US$56,557, with workforce time accounting for 36%-50% of this total cost. This study provides vital insights into the financial and operational impact of medication waste in procedural and post-procedural areas, supporting ongoing efforts to minimize waste, ensuring the safe and effective use of controlled substances. Future research should explore the impact of medication waste across diverse healthcare settings and the cost implications associated with pharmacy professionals in the waste compliance process.

Prototypical contrastive learning based oriented detector for kitchen waste

Automatic detection of kitchen waste enables the identification and quantification of non-degradable materials, such as plastics, metals, and other substances that cannot be easily decomposed. This approach increases the efficiency of the waste disposal process with significant time and cost savings compared to manual sorting. However, detecting non-degradable waste automatically presents a great challenge due to the deformability and directional uncertainty of the objects in kitchen waste images. Object deformation leads to a lack of structural features, making it more difficult to distinguish objects. Direction uncertainty leads to redundant backgrounds when detecting with the horizontal box detector. To address these issues, we propose a kitchen waste detector (KWDet) for the automatic detection of non-degradable waste in kitchen waste. First, the KWDet introduces the oriented bounding box representation and rotated region of interest (RRoI) learner, which enables the oriented detection of non-degradable waste in kitchen waste. Second, the KWDet constructs a prototypical contrastive learning (PCL) based detection head to improve the classification performance by learning discriminative features of different non-degradable waste in kitchen waste. In the PCL based detection head, the prototype-sample contrastive loss is proposed to pull samples and prototypes from the same classes together while pushing samples and prototypes from the different classes apart. After that, we design the inter-prototype contrastive loss to learn the discriminative prototypes of different non-degradable waste. Finally, to evaluate the proposed KWDet, we construct a large kitchen waste detection dataset (KWDD), containing 13,873 kitchen waste images and 213,565 instances collected from Zhengzhou China with 5 classes. To validate the effectiveness of our proposed method, we performed ablation experiments and comparison experiments on the KWDD dataset. The experiments demonstrate that KWDet achieves a state-of-the-art (SOTA) mAP50 of 71.5%, surpassing other object detection methods by more than 1.6% mAP50. Furthermore, our approach’s Macro-F1 score outperforms the SOTA method by 4.0%. Extensive experiments on the KWDD demonstrate that the prototypical contrastive learning-based oriented detector is able to extract more robust features and better characterize the target location, suggesting that the KWDet is a powerful support for intelligent kitchen waste sorting.

O-174 Marginal gains: can small actions in the ART lab improve the environmental impact of medically assisted reproduction?

Abstract Marginal gains can small actions in the ART laboratory improve the environmental impact of medically assisted reproduction? (Invitation) Study question Is it possible to reduce the environmental impact of assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories while maintaining quality and safety? Summary answer While individual interventions may yield modest results, their cumulative effect on a wider scale can lead to substantial reductions in resource consumption and emissions over time without compromising treatment outcomes or patient/staff safety. What is known already According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the change in global climate is one of the gravest threats facing humanity, with pregnant women, new-born and child health considered highly vulnerable. In recent years growing evidence has linked climate change, air pollution, pollutant exposure and microplastics to compromised male and female reproductive health and even spontaneous and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcomes. Ironically, the healthcare industry is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, and the rapidly increasing utilisation of ART has raised concerns regarding its environmental footprint. A field primarily driven by highly specialised, energy-intensive laboratory processes, continuous monitoring of hormone testing, single-use consumables and large amounts of waste; the quest for bringing awareness to sustainable practices within ART laboratories is critical, not just for the planet, but for our patients and future generations. Study design, size, duration Alongside a comprehensive review of existing literature, a panel of international professionals and enthusiasts within reproductive medicine, law and environmental science convened in a green conferencing format to discuss key environmental challenges associated with ART and explored potential avenues for enhancing sustainability in the laboratory. A survey and interviews with stakeholders also took place to understand current attitudes and provide real-time social, economic and environmental examples of sustainability in ART laboratories. Main Results I will present a roadmap for sustainability in the IVF laboratory so far. A selection of actions which result in marginal gains within the ART laboratory include but are not limited to: Participate in a ‘green certification’ programme specifically tailored to the IVF laboratory and consider forming a ‘green team’ Aim for energy efficiency, renewable energy, preventive maintenance and consider plug load of non-essential equipment for cost savings. Consider widening operating ranges for temperature and humidity, air circulation changes and HVAC design where possible for energy savings of 15–30% Correct waste management can result in > 30% reduction in clinical waste alongside €11,600 annual savings, with focus on prevention of unnecessary consumables (dishes, media), reducing use of plastics and other single-use items to the extent that is possible and safe, and reusing where appropriate (e.g., training vitrification straws). Adopt electronic platforms for consents/laboratory paperwork; avoiding the use of > 40 pages per cycle in the UK. Reuse packaging materials (cold gel packs, bubble wrap) or form partnerships with local businesses who can reuse. Manage inventory carefully, asking for products with longer expiry dates, and consolidate purchase order to minimise frequency. Minimise liquid nitrogen loss during routine activities and consider batching samples for cryo-transport to minimise frequency of shipments. Limitations Every country, region and laboratory is different and will have their own myriad of regulatory constraints and industry standards to adhere to. This may present barriers to the adoption of certain sustainability measures in ART laboratories and is therefore imperative to seek local guidance first. Wider implications of the findings The carbon footprint of ART extends beyond the laboratory and into the supply chain, encompassing transportation, pharmaceutical production, and waste disposal processes. In this way a holistic approach is necessary, with the need for partnerships between fertility clinics, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies continuously working together to drive the development and adoption of sustainable practices and technologies across the entire ART field.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ВНЕДРЕНИЯ СИСТЕМЫ «СЕЛЬХОЗРЕЦИКЛИНГ» В АПК РОССИИ

The analysis of the state of this type of activity carried out in the paper showed the feasibility of forming a national system for the disposal of decommissioned products. To date, the process of recycling of material-intensive products, including agricultural machinery, mostly takes place spontaneously, causing environmental and economic damage. (Research purpose) The research purpose is outlining the possibilities of developing the "Agricultural recycling" system in the agro-industrial complex of Russia, including agricultural machinery, livestock and other types of waste. (Materials and methods) It was determined that one of the most important conditions for the creation of the "Agricultural Recycling" system, in addition to financial aspects (recycling fee), is the active participation in the project of manufacturers of agricultural machinery, their dealers and specialized enterprises in the engineering sector of the agro-industrial complex, which will intensify the process of deploying production facilities for the collection and processing of recycled agricultural machinery and its components. (Results and discussion) It was noted that at present the creation of a recycling system is hindered not so much by the technology of various types of recycling works, as by the lack of a concept for creating a unified waste management system for production and consumption, in which the waste disposal system should take its place along with other industry systems. No less important factors hindering the creation of a Unified Waste Management System as a whole and a Unified Equipment Recycling System are the issues of organizing waste disposal processes, interaction between participants in the recycling system, regulatory, legislative and financial support for the functioning of this system. (Conclusions) The paper identifies the main factors influencing the possibility of developing the "Agricultural recycling" system in the Russian agro-industrial complex in the next two to three years.

Efficient cadmium removal from industrial wastewater generated from smelter using chemical precipitation and oxidation assistance.

The effective treatment of cadmium (Cd) in smelting wastewater is of great industrial importance. This study investigates the efficient removal of Cd from real industrial smelting wastewater via chemical precipitation using a series of experiments. In particular, the effects of different precipitants, agitation conditions, and the addition of NaOCl on Cd removal and pH variation are investigated. CaO (3.75 g/L), NaOH (3.50 g/L), and Ca(OH)2 (3.75 g/L) are found to be effective in elevating the wastewater pH and achieving high Cd removal rates (>99.9%), while the use of NaOH as a precipitant maintains a high Cd removal rate even at low agitation intensities. The properties of the produced sludge and supernatant are also determined using moisture content, particle size, and sludge leaching analyses due to the importance of economic and environmental sustainability in filtration, dewatering, and waste disposal processes. In addition, the addition of 2% NaOCl is tested, revealing that it can improve the Cd removal efficiency of Ca(OH)2, thus potentially reducing processing costs and enhancing the environmental benefits. Overall, these findings offer valuable insights into the removal of Cd from smelting wastewater, with potential implications for both environmental sustainability and economic viability. PRACTITIONER POINTS: CaO, NaOH, and Ca(OH)2 effectively remove Cd (>99.9%) from smelting wastewater. The use of NaOH leads to high Cd removal rates even at low agitation speeds. Adding 2% NaOCl can reduce the Ca(OH)2 dose for more economical Cd removal.

Screening transparent model fluids to emulate the rheological properties of high solid anaerobic digestate of food waste

Due to the opacity of high solid anaerobic digestate, optical visualization techniques (e.g., particle image velocimetry) cannot be used directly for measuring the flow field inside high solid anaerobic digestion (HSAD) systems. This study mainly focused on selecting suitable surrogate fluids for optical visualization techniques by comparing the flow curves, thixotropic properties, viscoelastic behavior and creep recovery properties of HSAD digestate with a total solid from 10 % to 15 % (w/w) and transparent model fluids. Results indicated that the Bingham model outperformed the power-law model and Herschel-Bulkley model in describing the flow curves of HSAD digestate, xanthan gum and laponite. The digestate and xanthan gum had a similar thixotropic kinetic coefficient of 0.003 and 0.004, respectively. Besides, the digestate and xanthan gum had a similar modulus transformation trend with a power function whose power exponents were 0.17 and 0.19, respectively. In general, xanthan gum can be a suitable substitute for HSAD digestate with a total solid from 10 % to 15 %. The results can guide the implementation of optical visualization techniques to understand the flow pattern within HSAD systems, and improve the mass and heat transfer efficiency during food waste disposal processes.

Autonomous Trash Tracking System

Our revolutionary waste management project introduces a comprehensive solution leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform traditional waste disposal systems. By integrating a smart mobile application and sensor-equipped trash cans, our initiative aims to streamline the waste disposal process, addressing challenges such as timing issues, accessibility concerns, and data management inefficiencies. The mobile app empowers users with real-time information on bin availability, optimal disposal times, and recycling practices, fostering a sense of responsibility and environmental sustainability among communities. Sensor-equipped trash cans strategically placed in public spaces communicate with the mobile app and municipal waste management systems via the Internet of Things (IoT), providing accurate, up-to-date data on bin statuses. This data-driven approach allows for dynamic optimization of waste collection routes, minimizing operational costs and environmental impact. Furthermore, municipalities can utilize real-time data insights to allocate resources efficiently, schedule maintenance based on usage patterns, and implement targeted educational campaigns. Overall, our technology-driven solution not only enhances efficiency in waste management but also contributes to reducing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable waste disposal practices. Keywords—Smart dustbins, proximity sensors, moisture sensors, App development, software and hardware integration

The Reality Of Solid Waste Management In Urban Areas Of Latin America

Currently, the generation of solid waste is observed as a problem that is escalating to higher levels in all countries of the world and also in Latin America. Thus, this literature review article aims to understand and describe the various waste management procedures used in different countries in the region. A search was carried out in different databases and bibliographic sources, using the Scielo, Dialnet and Scopus platforms. In this way and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 articles were selected, which were considered to provide the reality of policies, action plans, innovation in management techniques and infrastructure. Finally, the administrative deficiency in waste disposal processes is pointed out, which occurs widely in Latin America, with Brazil being the country that presents the greatest number of studies highlighting the deficiencies of its constituent cities. Furthermore, the impact of the joint work of participatory agents (population, State, private sector) is highlighted, which conditions both the good and bad results of solid waste management.

Analisis Resiko Lingkungan dalam Pembangunan Gedung di Atas Tanah Lunak

Construction projects around the world have a significant impact on the environment where construction is being built, both on a local and global scale. Each stage of the construction process has a measurable environmental impact, including the process of mining the materials used to obtain raw materials, transporting these materials to the location, noise, dust caused by the use of heavy equipment, and the waste disposal process after completion of construction. With a rapidly developing global economy, it is important to understand the impact of construction projects on the environment and how it can be reduced this impact in the future. This research aims to analyze risks that occur in the environment which generally happen in building construction using variables from the results of a review of several journals related to environmental impacts. The method used in this research is a quantitative method based on data collecting from the questionnaires. The results obtained show that the most important factors that influence the environment are noise (30%), dust (24%), road damage (20%), and the amount of waste after construction (9%).

Rheological properties of high-performance SCC using recycled marble powder

Due to the impacts of cement manufacturing and depletion of the natural aggregates for concrete production, recycling of construction and demolition waste materials has become an alternative replacement to natural materials that lower their consumption and satisfy the environment. One of these alternatives is replacing cement with recycled materials from marble, ceramic, granite, and concrete wastes or even replacing the coarse aggregate with crushed marble and other stone wastes. Marble, granite, and natural stone wastes rapidly increase each year due to unmanaged waste disposal processes and the incremental increase in construction potential. Marble slurry, which comes from washing and cleaning marble surfaces, shows a filler effect by giving the concrete a denser and homogenous structure. This study evaluates the marble filler effects on the rheology in the fresh state of self-compacting concrete (SCC) through four SCC mixes by incorporating 10% marble powder (MP) and 33% fly ash (FA) as a partial ordinary Portland cement (OPC) replacement. Tests on paste and mortar were conducted to assess the suitability of the marble dosage on the water content and the superplasticizer amount. Spread flow and V-funnel tests were assessed. The results showed that mixes with MP required additional mixing water to ensure the same workability. Regardless of the high viscosity and air content, the overall developed marble SCC mixes reduced the cement quantity by up to 11% and provided excellent rheological properties like that of the reference mix. Besides the economic benefits, this transformation of waste to valuable materials involves environmental advantages and sustainability promotion.

HYGIENE HIVE MONITOR

In modern days, we desire a healthy and hygiene-friendly environment for our society. We see multiple dustbins with an overflow of waste in urban areas. This situation is created pathogens, which spread diseases in our society. Its affect clean India mission. So, we designed the system aimed at improve the effectiveness and sustainability of waste collection and disposal processes. In this setup, once the dustbin reaches its maximum capacity, a notification containing its live location is dispatched to the corporation. The detection of the dustbin's capacity is facilitated by employing an ultrasonic sensor. Then level of garbage is displayed by LCD and the level is sent to the corporation. This helps the timely collection of garbage. As the rain is fell into the trash can; the stink was affecting our society. The rain drop sensor detects the rain drops; trashcan will be automatically close. This helps to reduce the stench and improves healthy environment. If suppose, after sending the live location notification, the dustbin does not cleaned by workers then the notification sent to the higher authority. Then if the dustbin is empty or less than capacity of 80, message is sent to the corporation (Cleaned). It is helping the higher official, whether the workers are working properly or not. We used an efficient and cheap component to make this project economical. It can be easily understood by the workers. It reduces the overflow of garbage. A system is used to improve our nation. Concluding that the system helping us to save the time, energy, cost, and fuel. Improve the concept of less human and speedup process. Key Words: Ultrasonic sensor, raindrop sensor, IR sensor, IoT, Dustbin

Site Selection of Medical Waste Disposal Facilities Using the Interval-Valued Neutrosophic Fuzzy EDAS Method: The Case Study of Istanbul

In recent years, as a result of the increasing demand for health services, medical waste (MW) generated from health facilities has increased significantly. Problems that threaten the environment and public health may arise as a result of inadequate medical waste management (MWM), especially in densely populated metropolitan areas. Therefore, it is very important that the disposal process of waste is carried out in a way that minimizes harm to human health and the environment. MW disposal site selection is among the most important decisions that local governments make. These decisions have many conflicting and similar criteria and alternatives. However, decision-makers may experience significant uncertainty when evaluating the alternatives. This study adopts the interval-valued neutrosophic (IVN) fuzzy EDAS method for the evaluation of MW disposal facility siting alternatives in Istanbul. This approach is used to evaluate potential sites based on a comprehensive, hierarchical criteria framework designed to address data uncertainty and inconsistency common in multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) scenarios. Within the scope of the study, six main criteria (distance settlement area, social acceptance, costs, environmental impacts, infrastructure facilities, and disaster and emergency) and nineteen sub-criteria are meticulously analyzed. Considering the geographical location and dense urban texture of Istanbul, the study emphasizes the criteria related to distance to residential areas, logistics costs, and potential disaster risks. Among the identified criteria, land costs, topographical features, proximity to landfills, and distance to high-voltage lines are emphasized as the least important criteria. This study, which evaluated various alternatives, identified Pendik, located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, as the most suitable site for MW disposal due to its minimal risk. The study also compares the four main alternatives and highlights their relative strengths and weaknesses.

Spatio-temporal distribution and carcinogenic assessment due to potentially toxic elements in aquifer water of Ganga and Yamuna River basins, India

The spatial and temporal dispersion of potentially toxic elements (PTE) are evaluated for shallow groundwater samples of Delhi and Patna considering PTE pollution index (HPIPTE), evaluation index (HEIPTE), cancerous and non-cancerous effects, hazard coefficient index (HQI) and overall hazard index (HInc) considering fuzzy entropy weights and source identification is done through PCA. The evaluation of groundwater indicators as pH, TDS and PTE (As, Ni, Mn, B, Pb, Fe and Zn) indicated 6.67% and 3.33% of sampling stations exceeded the threshold limit, HPIPTE > 100 for arid and humid periods of Delhi, whereas 3.33% and 13.33% of sampling stations come under high contamination in the banks of the Ganga in arid and humid seasons respectively. The hazard coefficient index (HQI), only 18% and 21% of the specimens were in the grade of low pollution in both the seasons of Delhi and Patna. The trend of HQI is followed as, HQIAs>HQIPb>HQIFe>HQIMn>HQINi≥HQIZn>HQIB in Delhi region for both Young and elders in both seasons, while the sequence is followed as, HQIAs>HQIPb>HQIFe>HQIMn>HQIZn>HQINi>HQIB in the Ganga River basin area for elders and Young. The index (HInc) found 4 Young & 3 elders and 4 Young & 4 elders (Patna, arid and humid seasons) whereas 6 Young and 5 elders (Delhi, arid and humid seasons) affected as per the index per 1000 cases reported. The PC1 (As, Fe, Mn, and Pb) and PC2 (pH, As, Fe, and Pb) extracted from PCA pointed to the effects of evolution of contamination, hydrogeochemical reaction, disintegration of rocks, its dissolution, dispersion, and dilution in unconfined deep aquifers. Rapid depletion of groundwater table may cause the influx of As contamination in the shallow groundwater, whereas high Pb, Fe, Mn and Ni may be the reasons of nearby industries and improper waste disposal process. The findings and GIS mappings may put some light on the PTE over the Rivers which can help the local government and decision makers to formulate safe and protective bounds, to reduce the rate of contamination and to protect the water ecology and environmental system.

New Insights into Microplastic Contamination in Different Types of Leachates: Abundances, Characteristics, and Potential Sources

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is an important destination for abandoned plastics. During the waste disposal process, large plastic debris is broken down into microplastics (MPs) and released into the leachate. However, current research only focuses on landfill leachates, and the occurrence of MPs in other leachates has not been studied. Therefore, herein, the abundance and characteristics of MPs in three types of leachates, namely, landfill leachate, residual waste leachate, and household food waste leachate, were studied, all leachates were collected from the largest waste disposal center in China. The results showed that the average MP abundances in the different types of leachates ranged from (129 ± 54) to (1288 ± 184) MP particles per liter (particles·L−1) and the household food waste leachate exhibited the highest MP abundance (p < 0.05). Polyethylene (PE) and fragments were the dominant polymer type and shape in MPs, respectively. The characteristic polymer types of MPs in individual leachates were different. Furthermore, the conditional fragmentation model indicated that the landfilling process considerably affected the size distribution of MPs in leachates, leading to a higher percentage (> 80%) of small MPs (20–100 μm) in landfill leachates compared to other leachates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study discussing the sources of MPs in different leachates, which is important for MP pollution control during MSW disposal.

Synergistic control potential of flue gas pollutants under Ultra-Low emission standards in waste incineration plants

As the dominant waste disposal process, incineration is regarded as the main incentive for the “not-in-my-backyard” syndrome, and faces an inescapable pressures of ultra-low emissions (ULE). Establishing precise response relationships between emission factors (EFs) and full-process influencing factors can provide guidance for the synergistic mitigation of flue gas pollutants (FGPs). In this work, the multi-dimensional EFs of FGPs were identified by initially integrating FGPs concentration monitoring data of existing 1,226 processing lines in China, technologies applied and operational experience (OE), local economic and political characteristics. Significant regional imbalance performance was observed, which EFs in the coastal regions were 3.55–92.39 % lower than those of the inland areas. NOx, SO2, HCl were identified as critical components requiring further reduction under the ULE standards, with exceedance rates recorded at 73.07 %, 38.90 %, and 56.69 %, respectively. An indicative value of 20 mg/m3 for PM is recommended for the control of heavy metals of Cd + Tl and Sb + As + Pb + Cr + Co + Cu + Mn + Ni based on the correlation coefficients of r = 0.28 (p < 0.001) and r = 0.20 (p = 0.002), respectively. Waste composition and OE were quantified as the main contributors of EFs’ disparities by the tree-branching controlled variable approach established in this study. Predictive models for FGPs control process and corresponding EFs were constructed. EFs of nine FGPs in 2030 would decrease by 0.97–65.42 %, due to more complex purification processes employed to meet ULE’s limitations, such as the application of five-stage processes growing from 45.60 % to 58.28 %. While regional imbalance in EFs-SO2 and EFs-HCl were extended with increases from 25.83 % to 33.07 % and 9.91 % to 32.32 %, respectively, due to the consistent disparities of OE and growing heterogeneity of control policies. Enhancing interregional empirical exchanges, reducing the regional market monopolies, and formulating technical guidelines would be beneficial to synergize the reduction of FGPs emissions and alleviate regional imbalance.

A comparative assessment of microbial biodiesel and its life cycle analysis.

Biodiesel is a type of sustainable, biodegradable energy made from natural sources like vegetable oils, animal fat, and from microbes. Unlike traditional diesel, it has a lower carbon footprint and produces fewer harmful emissions when burned. Biodiesel has gained popularity as a more sustainable substitute for hydrocarbon-based diesel and may be utilized in diesel engines without any modification. In this review, biodiesel from microorganisms such as algae, yeast, and fungi and advantages over another feedstock were discussed. The life cycle evaluation of biodiesel is a thorough assessment of the ecological and economic effects of biodiesel production and use, from the extraction of raw ingredients to the waste disposal process. The life cycle analysis considers the entire process, including the production of feedstocks, the production of biodiesel, and the use of biodiesel in vehicles and other applications. Life cycle analysis of biodiesel produced from microorganisms takes into consideration the environmental impact and sustainability of each step in the production process, including the impact on land use, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the availability of resources. In this section, biodiesel produced from microorganisms and other raw materials, its comparisons, and also steps involved in the life cycle such as the cultivation of microorganisms, harvesting of biomass, and conversion to biodiesel were discussed. The processes like extraction and purification, hydrothermal liquefaction, and their environmental impacts were examined by using various LCA software from the previously mentioned process.

Investigation of Microplastics Contamination in African Catfish Clarias gariepinus and Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Fish Species in Owe River Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the presence of microplastics (MPs) contamination in surface water and two fish species (Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus) in Owe River. One Litre (1 L) of water samples were collected from four different locations along the river in triplicates, samples were digested to remove organic matters. Eighteen (18) numbers of fishes were collected for each species. Samples collected were dissected and the guts excised were digested with 10% Potassium hydroxide and 10% Hydrogen Peroxide. Both digested water and fish samples were filtered using 0.45µm membrane through a vacuum filtration apparatus. The filter papers were then observed under digital microscope (1600X RoHS China) for MPs identification. MPs were classified into colours and shapes. A total of 104 items was found in the gut of both fish species with an average of 4.33 ± 1.71 and 1.44 ± 0.70 items/individual for Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus respectively. Fiber was seen to be dominant in fish species compared to other MPs shapes identified.The abundance of MPs in the water samples ranged from 203 ± 50.64 to 724.33 ± 129.89 Items/L with a total of 1898± 198.34 Items/L. Most of the recovered MPs from river water samples were fragments. Attenuated total reflectance– Fourier transform infrared (ATR – FTIR) spectroscopic analyses led to the identification of four (4) plastic polymer types, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) jointly constituting 82 % of the plastic particles. The enormous anthropogenic activities and indiscriminate disposal of plastic themed wastes along the river course are notably contributing factors to the MPs contamination of Owe River. A serious monitoring of waste disposal and necessary mitigation process is advised.

Study of ZnAl Hydroxides-Based Thin Films to Enhance the Filiform Corrosion Resistance of Acrylic-Coated AA5005

In recent years, the imperative to adopt a sustainable approach to aluminum coating pre-treatments due to environmental concerns has engaged researchers in corrosion studies. This work investigates Zn-Al hydroxides-based conversion coatings developed on AA5005 to enhance filiform corrosion (FFC) resistance. The conversion coatings were applied as a pre-treatment (200 nm–800 nm thick, depending on synthesis conditions) prior to coating with acrylic paint. The synthesis of the Zn-Al hydroxides conversion coating involves a rapid hydrothermal method at near-neutral pH. Electrochemical tests performed on the ZnAl hydroxides conversion coatings onto AA5005 revealed a substantial improvement in localized corrosion resistance. FFC tests in a climatic chamber exhibit a significant decrease (about 50%) in rust creep filament propagation compared to bare AA5005 after 1000 h. Those results were obtained employing Zn and Al salts at neutral pH for ten minutes at 95 °C. The findings obtained suggest that the synthesis process is of potential interest within the context of chemical surface conversion treatments for aluminum. In fact, eco-friendly metallic salts contribute to a more economical and environmentally friendly waste disposal process, making this treatment a potential solution for industrial applications, considering its simplicity, time efficiency, and use of non-toxic products.

Ecological footprint of different laying hen production systems in San Jeronimo municipality Antioquia, Colombia

In recent years, fish production has increased worldwide due to population growth and consumer interest in this type of product, proving an increase in the waste generated, with concomitant negative impact on the environment. Ecological footprint methodology is one of the sustainability indicators most used for assessing process environmental impact. This technique quantifies the effect of anthropogenic activities on the environment concerning water, forest products, infrastructure and carbon footprint, providing integral, comparable and reliable results. In this study, the environmental impact generated by taking advantage of red tilapia (Oreochromis Spp.) viscera to produce chemical silage and its implementation in the feeding of laying hens was determined, using the ecological footprint methodology as an indicator of sustainability. The productive system consisted of a red tilapia (Oreochromis ssp.) production farm located in the municipality of San Jerónimo, Antioquia (Colombia). The productive variables of the laying hens, laying percentage, egg weight and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. This chemical silage production process generates a reduction of 1.493 kg of CO2 per month compared to that generated by fresh viscera and are discharged into shallow dumps. Additionally, the main categories that generate the greatest impact on the production system are the use of natural resources and wastewater disposal. On the other hand, the productive variables of laying hens of the Isa Brown breed were not significantly affected by the inclusion of chemical silage at the 95% significance level, maintaining the percentage of laying and improving feed conversion. It was concluded that the use of fish by-products to produce feed for laying hens generates a reduction in the environmental load when compared to conventional waste disposal processes (landfill disposal). Red tilapia (Oreochromis Spp.) viscera chemical silage can be used as an alternative protein substitute in feeding laying hens for improved production performance. Key words: Ecological footprint, fish waste, layer hen, chemical silage, wastewater

Penerapan Konsep Ekonomi Sirkular Dalam Pengelolaan Sampah Untuk Menunjang Green Economy di Desa Nelayan Kondangmerak, Kabupaten Malang

Waste management remains a challenge in Indonesia to this day. Several regions, including the fishing village of Kondangmerak in Malang Regency, East Java, still face obstacles in the waste disposal process. Due to its distance from the village's administrative center, 20 households in Kondangmerak are compelled to manage their own waste. Efforts involve waste incineration, but this poses new issues due to incomplete combustion. The objective of this initiative is to enhance the knowledge and well-being of the community through waste management activities. Various methods are employed, such as waste management and recycling training, the creation of plastic bottle waste bins, and the development of infographic banners on waste. The outcomes encompass improved community skills in waste management, the utilization of dedicated plastic waste bins, and the dissemination of information through infographic banners at various locations along the Kondangmerak Beach.