Waste Paper Research Articles

Waste paper-derived porous carbon via microwave-assisted activation for energy storage and water purification

The reuse of waste papers by conversion into valuable carbon materials has received considerable attention for diverse applications such as energy storage and water purification. However, traditional methods for converting waste papers into materials with suitable properties for specific applications are often complex and ineffective, involving consecutive carbonization and activation steps. Herein, we propose a simple one-step microwave (MW)-assisted synthesis for preparing waste paper-derived porous carbons (WPCs) for energy storage and water purification. Through a 30-min synthesis, WPCs with graphitic structure and high specific surface area were successfully produced. The fabricated WPCs exhibited outstanding charge storage capability with a maximum specific capacitance of 237.7 F g−1. Additionally, the WPC demonstrates a high removal efficiency for various dyes, achieving a maximum removal efficiency of 95.0% for methylene blue. The developed one-step MW synthesis not only enables the production of porous carbon from waste paper, but also offers a viable approach to address solid waste management challenges while simultaneously yielding valuable materials.

“O.R. GOES GREEN”: a first step toward reducing our carbon footprint in the operating room and hospital

Hospitals in Europe produce approximately 6 million tons of medical waste annually, about one-third of this originating in operating rooms. Most of it is solid waste, which can be recycled if bodily fluids do not contaminate it. Only 2–3% of hospital waste must be disposed of as infectious waste, and this is much lower than the 50–70% of garbage in the biohazard waste stream. In June 2021, at the main operating room of the Department of General Surgery of the University of Turin, we began a separate collection program for materials consisting of plastic, paper, TNT (material not contaminated by bodily fluids), and biohazardous waste. We calculated the number of boxes and the weight of special waste disposed produced every month in one operating room for 18 months. The monthly number of Sanibox and the monthly weight of biohazardous waste decreased during the observation period. The reduction trend was not constant but showed variations during the 18 months. Direct proportionality between number of low-complexity procedures and production of biohazardous waste was found (p = 0.050). We observed an optimization in the collection and filling of plastic, paper and TNT boxes separated and sent for recycling. One of the barriers to recycling hospital waste, and surgical waste in particular, is the failure to separate infectious waste from clean waste. A careful separate collection of waste in the operating room is the first step in reducing environmental pollution and management costs for the disposal of hospital waste.

A first assessment of Hong Kong's circular economy for wastepaper: Material flows, value chains and the role of the semi-formal informal recycling sector

Collection, as the first stage of the recycling process, and pre-processing to increase waste stream purity constitute key operations for achieving high recycling rates and a closed loop in the circular economy. For wastepaper recycling in Hong Kong, it is the semi-formal-informal recycling (SFIR) sector that plays a central role in both stages. This study analyses the so far little explored SFIR stakeholder network in Hong Kong and sheds light on value chains, recovered waste paper quantities and the impact of policies on the sector. The findings show that SFIR stakeholders reclaim 55.6 t/recycling station/month of wastepaper and thereby achieve about a 5.7 times higher reclaim rate than the formal-private recycling system. Critical to this achievement is the SFIR transaction network, which enables its stakeholders to develop a value chain and thereby generate an added value of around 1900 HKD (243.9 USD/t) for wastepaper. Given limited circular structures in Hong Kong, financial subsidies are critical to sustain the SFIR's operations over the short-term. However, over the long-term legalization and integration of its stakeholders are necessary to ensure an economically and socially sustainable wastepaper recovery system in Hong Kong.

THE FUTURE WE WANT- PAPER RECYCLING REPORT

Since the day it was discovered until today, paper has been a piece of human existence, and it is acquiring considerably greater prevalence as the years pass by. Likely, the day-to-day schedule begins with the utilization of paper and, furthermore, ends with the utilization of paper. What's more concerning is that an enormous amount of wastepaper is created. At times, it causes severe natural degradation. A survey estimates that to produce 1 ton of paper, 17 trees are required. Additionally, we have seen that any enormous establishment, particularly instructive foundations like schools, and colleges, produces a huge amount of wastepaper, which could be recycled through environmental technology. Thus, REcosystem, a wastepaper collection and reusable product selling website, comes to the picture here, where waste papers are collected and recycled into usable products such as pencils, scrapbooks, notebooks, etc. Keywords -Recycling paper, wastepaper, Environmental technology.

Pemanfaatan Limbah Kertas (Pulp) dan Serat Batang Pisang Menjadi Campuran Bahan Pembuatan Asbes Plafon Ramah Lingkungan

Garbage waste in Indonesia is classified as many, including organic and inorganic. Therefore, research was carried out with the aim of utilizing waste paper and banana tree trunks as a mixture for making environmentally friendly asbestos ceilings. The method used is an experimental method, with a mixture of cement and sand composition of 1:2 namely AP0 (38%, 60%, 2%) ; as well as variations in the composition of the mixture of cement, paper pulp, and banana stem fiber used, among others: AP1 (39%, 60%, 2%) ; AP2 (44%, 55%, 2%) ; AP3 (48%, 50%, 2%) ; AP4 (53%, 45%, 2%) and the various compositions used for mixing cement, paper pulp, banana stem fiber, and sand include: AP5 (39%, 20%, 1%, 40%) ; AP6 (44%, 20%, 1%, 35%) ; AP7 (48%, 20%, 2%, 30%) ; AP8 (53%, 20%, 2%, 25%). The highest average flexural strength results for the variation without sand in the AP4 sample = 68.121 kgf/cm2, while the variation using sand in the AP8 sample = 70.358 kgf/cm2. For the water absorption test results, the lowest average variation without sand was in the AP4 sample = 18.36%, while the variation using sand in the AP8 sample = 12.20%. This test includes flexural strength and water absorption. The use of paper pulp can reduce flexural strength and increase water absorption while banana stem fiber increases flexural strength and decreases water absorption. Therefore, it can be concluded that asbestos ceilings with a mixture of pulp and banana stem fiber are better, economical, and lighter than conventional asbestos ceilings and still meet SNI.

Partial Substitution of Cement and Fine Aggregate with Waste Paper Sludge Powder and Quarry Dust in Enhancing the Strength Parameters of Concrete

The main compositions of concrete are sand and cement. A swift construction operation leads to a shortage of these materials. The concrete industry consumes natural materials in large quantities like river sand keeping our environment in check we need to make our concrete industry more lasting by using alternative binders to make it sustainable. Squander materials, for example, Quarry dust which is the result of squashed stone and waste paper sludge coming from the paper producing businesses leads to different issues like dumping. The chance of utilizing Waste Paper Sludge Powder as a halfway trade for concrete and Quarry dust as an incomplete swap for fine aggregates is explored in this research. The substitution levels of cement with WPSP are 0.8%, 1.3%, 2.3% and 3.3%.Though the substitution levels of fine aggregates with Quarry Dust are 16%, 26%, 36, and 46%. For WPSP specimens it was seen that at a 1.3% substitution level compressive strength is expanded by 12% at 28 days when contrasted with the control blend which has a 0% substitution level. Flexural and split tensile are likewise expanded by 15% and 14%. While at 1.3%WPSP and 36% Quarry Dust in combination shows a 24% improvement in compressive strength when contrasted with the control blend. Flexural and split tensile strength increments by 24% & 29%, respectively. M25 concrete grade is designed as per IS 456:2000.

ELABORATION OF THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITES BASED ON PAPER WASTE AND BIO-SOURCED MATERIAL

It is well-known that energy consumption is increasing around the world on a daily basis. In the construction sector, a highly effective solution for reducing energy consumption involves exploring both modern and traditional buildings designed to adapt to climate changes. One promising approach is to use paper waste and bio-sourced materials as the basis for insulation. The purpose of this study was to improve the sustainability of buildings by using recycled waste materials that have a positive impact on the environment, people, and the economy. A novel insulating material composed of recycled paper waste and Ampelodesmos mauritanicus leaves and fibers was developed and used in non-load-bearing elements. The paper waste was transformed into pulp and mixed with the bio-sourced materials to create a composite material that exhibits excellent insulation properties. The resulting material is lightweight, durable, and cost-effective. Furthermore, different mechanical and thermal analyses were performed on specimens with varying dosage ratios. The results showed that the developed material has good thermal insulation, with a value of 0.027 W/m.K.

Rotary Drum Composting of Organic School Wastes and Compost Valorization

Inappropriate waste disposal imposes significant health risks in densely populated urban environments and schools, necessitating sustainable waste management. Therefore, a study was carried out at Al-Jazaer School, Kuwait, to evaluate rotary drum composting (RDC) of organic school waste comprising used paper, dry leaves, and vegetable food wastes in a 1:4:20 ratio. Feedstock comprising 42% organic school wastes, 42% horse manure, and 16% sawdust produced mature compost with a C:N ratio of 20.55 on the 43rd day of composting. Distinct mesophilic, thermophilic, cooling, and curing phases were observed during composting. Mature compost recorded a moisture content of 54.3%, pH 8.56, EC of 2.71 mS/cm, total nitrogen of 0.77%, total organic carbon of 18.25%, carbon content of 15.86%, and sulfur content of 0.14%. Soilless growing media comprising peat moss, perlite, and rotary drum compost in three proportions (1:1:1, 1:1:2, and 1:1:3), and peat moss, perlite, and commercial organic compost in a 1:1:3 ratio were evaluated for greenhouse vegetable production. The performance of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus cv. Ramos) raised in the lowest proportion of in-house prepared rotary drum compost (1:1:1 ratio) was comparable with that raised in the highest proportion of commercial compost (1:1:3). The study revealed the potential of RDC for decentralized sustainable waste management at the small-community scale and the suitability of compost from school wastes for soilless culture.

Adsorption performance and mechanism of waste paper-derived phosphorus-rich carbon for separation of uranium from radioactive wastewater

The use of household waste-derived materials for wastewater treatment has double environmental benefit due to the availability of simultaneous disposal of household waste and wastewater. In this work, we report the facile production of phosphorus-rich carbon from waste paper as a potential adsorbent for the disposal of uranium (VI)-containing nuclear wastewater. A simple phosphoric acid activation-carbonization strategy is developed to effectively transform waste paper into carbon. The phosphorus content of the obtained carbon reaches 8.55 at% and large pores with sizes ranging from 2 to 100 nm are observed. Batch and column adsorption experiments verify that waste paper-derived carbon can efficiently adsorb uranium (VI) from aqueous solution under weakly acidic conditions. The maximum amount of uranium adsorption on the carbon attains 492 mg g−1 at pH 4.6, and adsorption of uranium (VI) on the carbon quickly reaches the equilibrium within 20 minutes. The distribution coefficient of uranium (VI) on waste paper-derived carbon is as high as 128 L g−1. The carbon can be reused for five times with uranium (VI) adsorption efficiencies above 89% and can be used for dynamic adsorption of uranium (VI) in a fix-bed column. Kinetics, thermodynamics and DFT calculations reveal a surface complexation mechanism between uranium (VI) ion and ionized phosphoric acid group. Moreover, to avoid the generation of secondary polluted water during the treatment of uranium-containing nuclear wastewater, a water-saving method is developed for the adsorption preparation and a water-free combustion method is employed for the disposal of uranium-containing spent adsorbent instead of recycling. This study demonstrates the good application potential of household waste-derived materials in wastewater treatment and provides more clues for the amalgamation of multifold subjects.

Carbon aerogel materials synthesized from recycle paper and their VOC adsorbtion capacity

This study presented the process of synthesizing carbon aerogel materials from waste paper for the purpose of absorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The fabricated materials showed suitable properties as adsorbent materials: low density, high porosity and large surface area. The carbonization temperature and density of carbon aerogel were studied and showed a clear influence on the adsorption capacity of the materials. The adsorption capacity of the material has been tested and it is shown that it can reach 400 mg/g for toluene and acetone.

Effectiveness of wood ash and paper sludge as liming and nutrient sources for annual ryegrass grown in podzolic soils of Newfoundland

AbstractThe acidic soils of western Newfoundland require liming for successful production of most crops. Locally sourced paper mill waste wood ash (WA) and paper sludge (SL) have potential as cheaper alternatives to limestone (LIME). Two greenhouse experiments evaluated WA and SL as liming and soil conditioning amendments for annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) production. At 55 days after seeding, soil pH in WA (6.2 and 6.3) and wood ash and paper sludge (WASL) (6.0 and 6.3) were not different from that in LIME (6.0 and 6.5) for Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. However, pH in SL was 0.4 and 0.3 points lower than in LIME. Compared to LIME, WA, SL, and WASL produced 31%–52% and 57%–74% greater biomass yield in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. N uptake was greater in WA (60 and 129 kg N ha−1) and WASL (51 and 97 kg N ha−1) compared to LIME (40 and 85 kg N ha−1), in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. SL did not differ from LIME in Experiment 1, but reduced N uptake by 57% in Experiment 2. The results show significant potential of WA as an alternative amendment for liming and yield improvement of annual ryegrass grown in NL podzolic soils. However, SL has limited potential due to the risk of increasing N immobilization and residual soil mineral N when growing conditions are limiting. Combining SL with WA or biochar seemed to alleviate these risks. Overall, the adoption of these amendments for field production systems warrants serious consideration, following supplemental field studies to determine optimal application rates and timing.

Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Concrete Blocks Reinforced With Glass Particles and Recycled Paper: A Sustainable Approach

The materials to produce concrete blocks (sand, gravel, and cement) are limited resources that are becoming scarce over time due to their increasing demand in construction. On the other hand, the waste of glass and paper is progressively increasing without being fully utilized through recycling. Therefore, the objective of this scientific research is to evaluate the influence on the mechanical properties of masonry concrete blocks made with recycled glass and paper particles. Likewise, the sample was non-probabilistically selected for convenience, consisting of 192 concrete blocks manufactured with additions of 3% (2% glass particles and 1% recycled paper), 6% (4% glass particles and 2% recycled paper), and 9% (6% glass particles and 3% recycled paper), as well as concrete blocks manufactured without additions. According to the results obtained, at 3%, 6%, and 9% addition of glass and paper particles, the absorption decreased by 4.94%, 3.398%, and 3.52% respectively. However, the warping increased between 1.7mm and 1.8mm, while the compressive strength (f'c) increased to 75kg/cm2, 82kg/cm2, and 77kg/cm2, respectively. Similarly, the axial compressive strength (f'm) increased to 91.22kg/cm2, 94.45kg/cm2, and 92.80kg/cm2, and the diagonal compressive strength (V'm) increased by 8.90kg/cm2, 9.70kg/cm2, and 9.70kg/cm2. Nevertheless, the manufacturing cost of masonry units showed a progressive reduction with the amount of glass + paper addition, amounting to 0.57 USD, 0.55 USD, and 0.53 USD. It was also determined that the optimal addition of these materials in the concrete mix in terms of cost and strength is 9% (glass + paper), resulting in compressive strengths of 77kg/cm2, 92.8kg/cm2, and 9.70kg/cm2, with a cost of 0.53 USD per unit. In conclusion, it can be affirmed that adding glass and recycled paper particles in the production of concrete blocks for use in load-bearing masonry walls positively influences the physical and mechanical properties of the blocks. Additionally, it allows for a reduction in manufacturing costs, leading to significant savings for builders.

Waste management in a tissue paper mill: a practical approach

The principles of sustainability, together with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations (UN), are essential tools for achieving and maintaining quality of life for the coming years. The sector can make use of these objectives, and the process can become more efficient, with less water consumption and reduced waste. Using virgin cellulose fiber derived from eucalyptus or even recyclable white paper as raw material, this production method is responsible for producing paper with characteristics such as softness, low grammage and good liquid absorption, with products such as toilet paper, napkin, among others. Within the manufacturing process, several procedures can be responsible for the appearance of lint and paper dust, being a type of waste in this industry. Among these, we can mention the increase in fines content, resulting from the fiber refining process, initial mechanical treatment of the paper raw material, which provides the product with resistance. The paper crepe formation procedure is responsible for making the tissue sheet acquire characteristics such as softness and volume, but which can lead to the creation of waste. Through a simple approach related to the balance of process materials, with the analysis of process inputs and outputs, the aim of this work is to estimate the amount of material lost in a tissue paper machine. It is a fundamental preliminary assessment for making decisions regarding waste management.

IMPLEMENTASI ALGORITMA CNN MOBILENET UNTUK KLASIFIKASI GAMBAR SAMPAH DI BANK SAMPAH

Waste is a global problem that must be resolved so that the environment is well maintained, especially in developing countries such as Indonesia. A good understanding of waste will have an impact on optimal waste management. Waste banks are one way out in waste management so that what was originally useless becomes marketable. In its implementation, the waste bank must have data collection and transparency of customer waste data in real time. Technology is one of the main solutions to produce digital products that make it easier for people to access information accurately. By using the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm, an image of image data can be predicted with good accuracy. Along with the development of technology today, various kinds of architectures are present, one of which is Mobilenet. This architecture has the ability to run machine learning models on mobile and IoT devices. Furthermore, the resulting model is quite good with an accuracy rate of 96% on Metal waste, 92% on Paper and Organic waste, 80% on Cardboard waste, 76% on Glass waste, and 72% on Plastic waste. The disadvantages that exist in this model when predicting with almost similar shapes and images that have many objects in them, the error will be greater so there is a possibility of error in predicting the results of the garbage image.

Results of research on the morphological composition of solid municipal waste in residential buildings in southern regions of Russia

The relevance of the work is determined by the extensive coverage of the «waste reform» in public sources, mass media, and scientific publications. The article provides references to sources confirming the constant changes in the morphological composition of solid municipal waste and its differences based on the source type. The paper presents the results of research on the morphological composition of solid municipal waste in residential buildings in the central regions of the Russian Federation, based on studies conducted from 2016 to 2022. The research was carried out in the Republic of Mordovia, the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Yaroslavl region, and the Tula region at 105 accumulation sites, located in 25 municipalities (urban district, urban or rural settlement). The research results show differences in the composition of solid municipal waste from apartment buildings and individual residential houses in the central regions of Russia. The author draws conclusions about the composition of solid municipal waste for apartment buildings and individual residential houses in the central regions of the Russian Federation. It is determined that the main component of this type of waste is food waste regardless of the type of housing conditions. The main difference in the composition of solid municipal waste from apartment buildings and individual residential houses is the different percentage ratio of the «paper, cardboard» components. Changes in the composition of these waste materials are identified by seasons. It is shown that seven main components of solid municipal waste: food waste, paper, cardboard, garden and park waste, glass, screenings (small fraction, sweepings), miscellaneous, and polymers constitute about 90 % of their total mass.

Advances and prospects for adsorption-driven valorization of newspapers using activated carbon: a short review

Abstract The valorization of newspaper waste through adsorption-driven processes using activated carbon presents a promising avenue for sustainable waste management. This comprehensive review explores the advances and prospects of using activated carbon to enhance the value of newspapers. The fundamental properties of activated carbon, its unique adsorption mechanisms, and its interaction with contaminants commonly found in newspapers, such as ink dyes, heavy metals, and organic pollutants, are also discussed. Applications of activated carbon-treated newspapers span across air and water purification, soil enrichment, and odour control. The paper critically evaluates the environmental benefits of this approach, comparing it with conventional disposal methods. Furthermore, challenges associated with implementing activated carbon-assisted valorization and potential strategies for overcoming them are discussed. Real-world case studies highlight successful projects, shedding light on this innovative waste management solution’s economic viability and technological feasibility. This review concludes by emphasizing the role of adsorption-driven valorization in transforming newspaper waste into a valuable resource, addressing environmental concerns, and shaping future research directions.

THE PRESENCE OF PFAS IN WASTES AND RELATED IMPLICATIONS ON THE CURRENT AND PROPOSED EUROPEAN REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: A SYSTEMATIC CRITICAL REVIEW

Nowadays the use of PFAS is widespread in products in modern society and their exposure can occur directly through emissions such as dietary intake, water intake, air inhalation, and skin contact. Additionally, exposure can happen indirectly through the environmental release and degradation of their precursors. To fully understand the potential for life cycle emissions, it is necessary to consider the waste stage, as it is an integral part of a substance life cycle, whether PFAS exists in its pure form as part of a mixture or within an article. Overall, knowledge about the impact of PFAS on current and future waste management remains limited. Therefore, this study conducted a critical analysis of the presence of PFAS in relevant waste streams (plastic; metals; textile and leather; paper and cardboards). It also discussed how this presence could influence waste management, taking into account ongoing updates of the legal framework, with particular attention to proposed new provisions regarding their restriction in the REACH regulation. Within the discussed limits of the critical review, only a very small number of outliers were found to exceed the considered limit of 25 ppb for each material category. The percentage of exceedances ranged from nearly 1% (PFOS measurements in paper and cardboard waste) to 8% ("Other PFAS" in textiles and leather waste). Regarding the analytical methods and current limits identified, a pragmatic solution is suggested. This solution combines "not targeted" and "targeted" methodologies in a stepwise procedure, building upon the OECD definition of PFAS

Manufacturing of Solid Substrates Using Waste Paper Fiber and Biochar

Manufacturing of Solid Substrates Using Waste Paper Fiber and Biochar

The role of hornification in the deterioration mechanism of physical properties of unrefined eucalyptus fibers during paper recycling

Physical properties of cellulosic paper deteriorate significantly during paper recycling, which hinders the sustainable development of the paper industry. This work investigates the property deterioration mechanism and the role of hornification in the recycling process of unrefined eucalyptus fibers. The results showed that during the recycling process, the hornification gradually deepened, the fiber width gradually decreased, and the physical properties of the paper also gradually decreased. After five cycles of reuse, the relative bonding area decreased by 17.6%, while the relative bonding force decreased by 1.8%. Further results indicated that the physical property deterioration of the paper was closely related to the decrease of fiber bonding area. The fiber bonding area decreased linearly with the reduction of re-swollen fiber width during paper recycling. Re-swollen fiber width was closely related to the hornification. Hornification mainly reduces the bonding area of unrefined eucalyptus fiber rather than the bonding force. The work elucidates the role of hornification in the recycling process of unrefined eucalyptus fibers and the deterioration mechanism of paper physical properties, which will be helpful to control the property deterioration of paper and achieve a longer life cycle.

Polyamidoamine epichlorohydrin (PAAE) wet-strength agent: Generations, application, performance, and recyclability in paperboard and linerboard

Polyamidoamine epichlorohydrin (PAAE) is the preeminent permanent wet strength additive used in papermaking. Wet strength additives are used to improve paper resistance to a rupture force in wet environments. The invention of PAAE in 1957 was an innovation, as it improved paper properties by giving superior wet strength in humid or wet conditions. It was rapidly adopted by the industry. Despite PAAE’s long history, the mechanism of PAAE interaction with fiber has not been fully understood. Therefore, fundamental understanding of PAAE mechanism needs to be investigated to improve its utilization in making sustainable paper products. These areas include an understanding of repulping methods and optimal PAAE dosages for better cost and performance. This paper investigates different generations of PAAE, the application method, and its impact on paper recyclability. Three generations of PAAE are currently on the market with at least two newer iterations under development. Critical application parameters that need to be understood include determination of the bonding mechanism, optimal dosage, and retention parameters. The main drawback of PAAE application is it makes paper recycling difficult. Several repulping methods are proposed for better recyclability and sustainability in the papermaking process.