Municipal Waste Recycling Research Articles

Thermokinetics of mass-loss behavior on direct reduction of copper slag by waste plastic char

The effective utilization of waste plastics is the key technology for environmental protection. Waste plastic char was proposed as a reductant for recovering valuable metals from copper slag. Reaction reactivity, mass-loss behavior and thermokinetics of copper slag were studied by FTIR and thermogravimetric analyzer. The main functional groups of waste plastic char are benzene ring, C-O and –OH. Mass-loss behavior evaluation method was proposed based on calculating and detection of sample’s total mass-loss and reductant mass-loss.With temperature increasing, reaction mechanism transformed. Three-dimension diffusion and interface’s chemical reaction rate are restrictive steps for the first and the second reaction regime, respectively. For waste plastic char, activation energy of the first regime and second regime are about 289.5 ~ 276.2 kJ/mol and 584.5 ~ 709.9 kJ/mol, respectively. CaO changed the second regime’s activation energy. When CaO added, activation energy of waste plastic char and coal decreased by 119.8 ~ 121.5 kJ/mol and 100.0 ~ 113.6 kJ/mol respectively. Waste plastic char presents better reduction reactivity in the second reduction regime than coal. This research makes it possible for recycling of municipal organic wastes and iron containing slags.

Economic and Ecological efficiency with respect to Waste Treatment Policies: Literature Review

Developed countries have undertaken far-reaching policy measures to promote recycling of municipal waste. However, the understanding of the consequences of different policy measures are often less than complete. A number of promoted waste recycling policies tend to focus entirely on environmental impacts abstracting from other important costs to society. Recycling is not a free activity. It uses resources to produce resources. Hence, it is not always definite that the marginal net product is positive. The goal of this paper is to review international literature regarding different approaches to economic and ecological efficiency related to waste treatment policies. The recycle of waste is a function of economic and non-economic influence. We consider what is meant by efficient recycling policies via examining such concepts as social optimality, cost-efficiency, non-economic efficiency in the sense of affecting behavior and eco-efficiency. Keywords: social optimality, Pareto optimum, Pigou tax, cost-efficiency, non-economic efficiency, eco-efficiency, waste DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-21-17 Publication date: July 31 st 2020

A new learning interaction rule for municipal household waste classification behavior based on multi-agent-based simulation

The sorting and recycling of municipal household waste (MHW) as a complex adaptive system is becoming increasingly popular in current research. However, traditional simulation modeling ignores the important influence of anticipated regret and personality traits on individual choice behavior. This study introduces the degree of regret-joy in agent-based simulation modeling and designs a learning rule that takes into account the personality characteristics of individuals, their neighbors, and historical information to analyze the waste sorting behavior of municipal residents. The results suggest that the number of people participating in formal recycling approaches is significantly higher than informal recycling approaches after accounting for the economic profits of formal recycling approaches. Our results also reveal that subsidies are an important factor influencing the waste sorting behavior of municipal residents. However, simply reducing the time required for a formal recycling approach does not affect the behavioral decisions of municipal residents. Only improving the accessibility of facilities in formal recycling approaches on the premise of regulating the informal recycling market, will the number of municipal residents participating in the former increase significantly. The intensity of communication and learning among municipal residents also affects the volatility of decision-making. When intensity is high, group decision-making changes greatly, but at low intensity, group behavior tends to be stable. These findings are useful as a theoretical reference for the development of waste management policies.

Physical and chemical processes simulation of organic wastes processing by the method of high-temperature oxidation in the melted slag

Recycling of municipal waste is associated with accumulation of significant amounts of sewage sludge. The paper proposes a technology for the thermal utilization of sewage sludge with vitrification of a non-combustible residue. The paper presents the results of numerical simulation of the physical and chemical processes that accompany the high-temperature oxidation of pre-dried and pre-pelleted sewage sludge on the surface of the slag melt in a pilot plant with the melter capacity of up to 100 kg/h pellet. The mathematical model of the melter has been created and numerical calculations of the flow of high-temperature gaseous medium supplied by burner devices in the working volume of the furnace have been made in a stationary approximation taking into account the thermophysical and chemical processes occurring in the raw material, fed in the form of dry pellets (sediment).

Comparing European countries' performances in the transition towards the Circular Economy

The aim of the present research is to compare the performances of the 28 EU Member States in the period 2006–2016 in order to assess their progress towards the achievement of circular economy objectives. This study overviews the conceptual background, that informed the implemented measures so as to create an accumulation of knowledge which focuses on the one hand on “Reduction, Reuse, Recycling” actions, and on the other hand on the main impact areas of circular economy activities. Furthermore, the evaluation of these actions and their impacts were carried out correlating Growth Domestic Products in Purchasing Power Standards data with quantitative indicators: Produced Municipal Waste – PMW, Produced Food Waste – PFW, Municipal Waste Recycling rate – MWRr, Domestic Material Consumption - DMC, Production Material Reuse rate – PMRr, Market rate of Recyclable Raw Materials – MrRRM. These indicators allow assessing the degree of transition achieved by the member states in the implementation of circular economy. The analysis shows that different strategies were adopted by the 28 EU Member States and that only a few of these could be considered effective in meeting the challenges of the circular economy in European Union.

Municipal Waste Management in Towns of Switzerland: a Foreign Ecologist’s View

The article presents the results of the research carried out by the foreign ecologists, particularly the study of the system of municipal waste management in the municipality of Maienfeld, Switzerland. The total amount of municipal waste has been calculated. The systems of municipal waste collection, sorting, transportation and recycling have been studied. Besides, four possible scenarios of waste recycling in Maienfeld have been developed. Moreover, the environmental assessment of the waste recycling system by GHG/SLCP emissions has been conducted, and the impact of recycling on the climate has been determined. Finally, taking into account the results of the research, the best scenario of recycling has been proposed.

Recycled electronic plastic and marine litter

Black consumer plastics are often contaminated with hazardous chemicals because of technological constraints on sorting dark plastic during recycling of municipal waste coupled with the convenience of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) as a secondary source of black plastic. In this study, samples of beached plastic litter (n = 524) from southwest England were categorised according to origin, appearance and colour (black versus non-black) before being analysed by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry for elements that are characteristic of EEE. The small number of items of WEEE retrieved (n = 36) were largely restricted to wiring insulation and constructed of lead-stabilised polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Among the remaining samples, Br, Cd, Cr and Pb were commonly detected in all categories of black plastics (n = 264) with maximum concentrations of 43,400 mg kg−1, 2080 mg kg−1, 662 mg kg−1 and 23,800 mg kg−1, respectively. Moreover, concentrations of Br were significantly correlated with concentrations of the flame retardant synergist, Sb (n = 22), and 35 samples were potentially non-compliant with regard to limits defined by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. For plastics of other colours (n = 224), Br and Pb were detected in fewer samples and Br was co-associated with Sb in only two cases, with occasional high concentrations Cd, Cr and Pb largely attributed to the historical use of cadmium sulphide and lead chromate pigments. An avian physiologically-based extraction test applied to selected samples cut to mm-dimensions revealed bioaccessibilities ranging from <0.1% for Cr in a green fragment to about 2.4% (or about 580 mg kg−1) for Pb in black PVC. The recycling of WEEE into consumer, industrial and marine (e.g. fishing) plastics that are mainly coloured black appears to be an important vehicle for the introduction of hazardous chemicals into the environment and a source of their exposure to wildlife.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MUNICIPAL COMMUNAL WASTE

The key goal of this work is to analyze the process of municipal waste recycling in the European Union and in Serbia, as well as to identify the economic instruments which are missing in this field. The work is intending to answer to the several related questions: first, the economic basis of recycling, that is to establish a general framework in which this process can fulfill its economic viability; second, to analyze the present state, effects and problems in which recycling operations are performing in the European Union and the position of Serbia in this context; thirdly, to establish economic instruments and measures to promote recycling of municipal waste in Serbia. The paper proposes a set of economic instruments in the field ofresolving these issues are at the basis ofstandards established in the European Union.

Effect of homogeneous catalysts on ring opening reactions of epoxidized cooking oils

This paper shows two ways of efficiency improvement of bio-polyol synthesis to generate more environmental and economic benefits. The application of waste oil in the synthesis of plastic components allows recycling of such municipal waste and is consistent with the principles of Green and Sustainable Chemistry. The economic aspects are associated with analyzing the influence of different catalysts on the time and temperature of ring opening reactions as well as the costs of the catalysts used in this process. This work presents the impact of three types of catalysts, (sulfuric acid, acid diethyl ether complex and tetrafluoroboric acid solution in water) on the ring opening reactions of epoxidized cooking oils and the properties of the final bio-polyols.The application of sulfuric acid in this experiment required a much higher temperature than in the case of the catalysts based on tetrafluoroboric acid and a longer reaction time. The shortest reaction time was achieved using tetrafluoroboric acid diethyl ether complex but the costs of this catalyst limit its possible application. However, similar products were obtained when using a tetrafluoroboric acid solution in water and the costs of this catalyst are acceptable for industrial applications. The properties of the bio-polyols and the tendency for the occurrence of the oligomerization reaction depended on the type of the catalysts used and were confirmed by the means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, MALDI-TOF as well as by viscosity changes. It was concluded that the type of the catalyst and its concentration have a major impact on the physical and chemical properties of the resultant bio-polyols.

Municipal waste recycling in big cities in Poland in the context of ecologisation

Abstract The goal of the paper is to evaluate and analyse changes in selective municipal collection, recycling level, and recovery, of waste. The article indicates the Polish legislation currently in force to systematise the organisation of waste management systems. It presents the participation of selective waste collection in the total municipal waste at the voivodeship scale, as well as changes in the number of individually segregated fractions (i.e. categories of waste segregation) of selectively collected waste in Poland. Moreover, the levels of waste recycling and recovery were analysed for the country’s ten largest cities, while also showing that the cities implement accepted goals of municipal waste recovery. On the example of Warsaw, the structure of collected waste was discussed and attention was paid to the problem of quality of collected waste, which results in it being sent to sorting facilities.

SEPARATE AND DOMINATE: HIDDEN POTENTIAL OF WASTE MARKET IN RUSSIA AND IN THE WORLD

The waste market is a large segment of international trade, which allows earning on the recyclable treatment materials and the waste trade. The separate waste collection allows obtaining a better quality of recyclable materials, which can be processed without additional sorting. Toda, measures for infrastructure development for separate collection, recycling, and incineration of solid municipal waste are established as part of the Strategy of solid municipal waste management in theRussian Federation. At the same time, disposal is the primary method of waste management. As a result, there is a problem of development of separate waste collection system which is aimed at reducing the use of a non-eco-friendly and desirable method of waste management – disposal. OECD proposes many standards for separate waste collection are possible, including integration of waste management hierarchy, development of extended producer responsibility practices, stimulation and training of population in a separate waste collection, etc. These measures allowed OECD countries, for example,Germany,Sweden,Austriato become world leaders in the field of waste treatment. These countries improve the quality of the environment, earn through recycling, resale of garbage, saving the money by re-using of useful components contained in the wastes.

Current Scenario of the Tehran Municipal Solid Waste Handling Rules towards Green Technology.

This study aims to study the waste management process and recycling of municipal waste in Tehran. Currently, Kahrizak is the defined landfill area which collects the waste generated from 22 districts of Tehran. The organic wastes undergo to the windrow composting method in order to manage the partial of the waste generated in the city. Samples from the compost pile generated in Kahrizak were examined to evaluate its fertilizer value to be used further by the farmers. The results show that the obtained compost does not reach the acceptable quality to be used further in agriculture, due to lack of homogeneity, aeration and presence of heavy metals. Overall, it has been concluded that, due to the improper waste segregation and management prior to sending to landfill and presence of non-organic materials such as hazardous metals and medical wastes, causes difficulties in proper waste management, implementation and producing high quality compost. Based on this study the existence of stakeholders, society, economy and proper handling rules can effectively improve the waste management system in the country and leads to the sustainable green environment.

Assessment the Optimal Strategies for Municipal Solid Waste Recycling and Recovery Process with the Analysis of SWOT and QSPM in Ardabil

Background and Objectives: Environmental pollution from waste is one of the main problems of municipal waste management. Since evaluation of the recycling and recovery process is one of the most important stages in municipal waste management, this study aimed to determine the optimal strategies for recycling and recycling Ardabil municipal waste by SWOT analysis and QSPM matrix in 2017. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, basic information was obtained through library studies and review of texts, observations, field visits, specialized interviews, and completion of a questionnaire from 80 experts in this field. Finally, was used analytical method SWOT and QSPM Matrix. Results: The final score of the internal factors 2.03 and the external factors were 3.05. According to the IE matrix, the current status of the process was located in the WO status. In the QSPM matrix, among strategies based on the charm score, the option of supporting recycling capabilities (composting, extracting energy, producing quality products), and recovery waste for the construction of related factories and the creation of a job market for unemployed youth proportional to The conditions of the status with a score of 11.57 were introduced as the first priority. Conclusion: Considering the current status of Ardabil municipal waste recycling and recycling process, which is in accordance with the IE matrix in the region of change, it is necessary to take advantage of opportunities in order to compensate for the weaknesses of the process.

Assessment of the Changes in the Economy of Municipal Waste in Poland After 2004

Abstract The aim of European Union policy is to implement the principles of sustainable development, in which particularly important are: environmental protection and rational management of resources. Major role is given to waste management and appropriate prioritization of activities in this area. The main goal of waste management is prevention, minimization and elimination of wastes “at source”, as well as encouraging efficient use of natural resources through recovery and recycling of waste. Storage process should be minimalized over the years until the complete elimination. As shown by statistics data, unfortunately in Poland, the process is very slow. The analysis of the data provided by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) over the last thirteen years shows a significant increase in the level of recovery and recycling of municipal waste. All together it was 11.654 million Mg of municipal waste collected in 2016. Wastes selected from municipal waste (paper, glass, plastics, metals) accounted for only 25.2% (2.942 million Mg), and mixed waste accounted for 74.8% (8.712 million Mg). In 2016 the recycling rate was 27.83%, composting or fermentation – 16.22%, 19.44% of municipal wastes are subjected thermal transformation and the storage level is 36.51%. Landfilling is still the most common form of municipal waste disposal.

Models for Analyzing the Dependencies between Indicators for a Circular Economy in the European Union

The circular economy has become one of the main strategic issues on a global scale in the striving towards achieving sustainable economic systems. The traditional model of production, consumption and disposal is being transformed into a recycling and waste integration process from the beginning of the production cycle of a product until its full use by the consumers. While measuring the progress towards a circular economy can be a challenging factor, several indicators can be used to evaluate developments in this direction. That is why recycling in general, as well as recycling of municipal waste, have become a main strategic issue in the process towards implementation of circular economy principles. The main objective of the paper is to elaborate a panel regression model for determining the dependency between main indicators, that are indicating progress of the circular economy in Europe, such as the recycling rate of municipal waste, circular material use rate, R&amp;D expenditure by all sectors, trade in recyclable raw materials and environmental tax revenues, resource productivity and domestic material consumption. Furthermore, the fixed and random effects regression models estimations are included and tested through the Durbin–Hausman–Wu statistic. The research in this study is based on the analysis of regressions in the circular economy fields in the European Union and intends to contribute to the research in the field, being an emerging scientific topic due to changing technological, economic and environmental factors.

A comparative assessment of single cylinder diesel engine characteristics with plasto-oils derived from municipal mixed plastic waste

Recycling of municipal mixed plastic waste (MPW) is an emerging technology for conversion of waste to wealth. In the current study, MPW was processed to produce plasto-oils (PO1 and PO2) by thermochemical depolymerization in a batch production of 0.5 ton/batch. These oils were used in a 3.7 kW rated power single cylinder direct injection compression ignition (CI) engine to assess performance, combustion and emission behavior of the engine. The experimental results with plasto-oils were compared with base diesel fuel operation at different brake mean effective pressures (BMEPs) of 1.8, 3.8, 5.8, 7.8 and 10.8 bar. It is explored that brake thermal efficiency of the test engine with plasto-oils was almost comparable with the diesel fuel at all engine loads. Carbon based emissions such as unburnt hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and smoke emissions from the engine at 3.8–10.8 bar BMEPs were slightly higher with plasto-oils than diesel fuel. Nitrogen oxides emission decreased faintly with the use of plasto-oils at medium and high BMEPs (5.8–10.8 bar). However, at lower BMEPs (1.8–3.8 bar), emission behavior of the engine (HC, CO, smoke and NOx emissions) was same with all kinds of fuels (diesel, PO1 and PO2). Overall, it is ascertained from the study that the plasto-oils exhibited a comparable performance with the conventional diesel fuel, which further promises its viability to use as a fuel candidate for CI engines.

The Relevance of Circular Economy Practices to the Sustainable Development Goals

SummaryThis paper identifies the extent to which circular economy (CE) practices are relevant for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results of a literature review and a matching exercise to determine the relationship between CE practices and SDG targets show that CE practices, potentially, can contribute directly to achieving a significant number of SDG targets. The strongest relationships exist between CE practices and the targets of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The paper also explores synergies that can be created through CE practices among several of the SDG targets. Furthermore, it identifies several potential trade‐offs between targets for decent work, safe working environments, human health and current CE practices relating to recycling of municipal waste, e‐waste and wastewater, and provides suggestions how these can be overcome. The paper concludes that CE practices can be applied as a “toolbox” and specific implementation approaches for achieving a sizeable number of SDG targets. Further empirical research is necessary to determine which specific types of partnerships and means of implementation are required to apply CE practices in the SDG context.

PENGOLAHAN SAMPAH ORGANIK PERKOTAAN MENGGUNAKAN LARVA BLACK SOLDIER FLY (Hermetia illucens)

Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae (Hermetia illucens) can be used as insect based municipal organic waste recycling technology. The purpose of this research was to examine the utilization of BSF larvae as bio-processors of organic waste in order to produce compost and nutritious larvae biomass. Larvae feeds as treatments of experiment consist of restaurant organic waste mixed with fish silage 6% as treatment A, restaurant organic waste with dairy blood waste 6% as treatment B, and restaurant organic waste as treatment C. The result of this research showed that the highest larvae growth according to its length, width and body weigth was resulted by treatment B, followed by treatments A and C. Total metamorphic development time from egg to imago was 35 days; comprised of as larvae, prepupa, pupa, and imago for 12-13, 6, 6, and 15 days, respectively. Proximate analysis showed that BSF larvae had protein content 33.31 to 33.88%, and fat content 30.07 to 34.39%. Final solid residues of the three treatments was ranged from 90.3-90.6% after 10-11 days of bio-processing.

An Assessment of Impact of Income Inequality on Sustainable Economic Growth in the Context of Saving

Income inequality can possess a different impact on economic growth as it can both stimulate and slow down economic growth. The stimulating effect of income inequality reveals via saving. Wealthier people dispose the capability save more and devote a larger portion of their saving to investments and technological developments. However, environmental and social perspectives shall be also taken into consideration when aiming for a sustainable development. Therefore, relatively more wealthy people shall invest into environmental friendly projects and R&D. This paper considers the effects of income inequality on sustainable economic growth in the context of saving for the EU-25 countries during the period of 2005 – 2013. In the empirical research countries have been divided into 4 clusters. Impact of interaction between income inequality, savings, economic growth, spending on social security to domestic material consumption, renewable energy in gross final energy consumption, municipal waste generation, municipal waste recycling, ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions was estimated to be insignificant in all four country cluster groups. Interaction between income inequality, savings, economic growth, spending on social security was estimated to increase emission of sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, but reduced amount of gross domestic energy consumption. The interaction is estimated to increase emission of nitrogen oxides in the country cluster groups with relatively low income level and different relationship between income and economic growth levels.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.28.3.17438

Municipal performance in waste recycling: an empirical analysis based on data from the Lombardy region (Italy)

By using a large cross-sectional dataset that observes municipalities from one of the most populated and wealthiest regions in Europe (Lombardy, Italy), this paper investigates how municipal waste re-cycling is correlated with a wide set of municipallevel variables. Results show that municipal waste recycling is linked to geographical, demographic, socio-economic and political variables. They also reveal that these tendencies vary according to municipalities’ population size. This empirical analysis helps in identifying those municipalities that have higher probability of being virtuous in terms of waste recycling.