Reuse Of Waste Research Articles

Strategies for effective reuse of waste from abandoned buildings under sustainable development

Introduction: In the continuous advancement of urbanization, abandoned buildings are a huge challenge in achieving sustainable development goals. If these legacy buildings are not properly handled, they will cause a huge burden on society, economy, and the environment. Based on the material flow analysis method, an evaluation index system was constructed for legacy building resources, and a systematic study was conducted on the reuse pathways of their waste.Methods: This study focuses on the material flow, reuse pathways, and resource utilization strategies of legacy construction waste, aiming to improve the reuse efficiency of waste building materials and promote the achievement of sustainable development goals. In the study, indicator design was used to quantify the obstacles to the reuse of legacy construction waste, and social and economic costs were analyzed to ensure the comprehensiveness and scientificity of the research.Results: The experimental results show that the waste recycling rate under the implementation of this strategy reached 82.7%, and the resource utilization rate increased by 50.1%. For the obstacles to the reuse of construction waste, the network density reaches 0.052, and the overall network structure shows a lack of concentration, indicating that the current management methods for construction waste reuse have further optimization space.Discussion: The study effectively promotes the sustainable utilization of legacy buildings in cities, which is of great significance for improving the quality of urban space and promoting sustainable social development.

Design and modelling of mobile thermal energy storage (M−TES) using structured composite phase change material modules

This study concerns with a modelling led-design of a novel mobile thermal energy storage (M−TES) device aimed to address off-site industrial waste heat recovery and reuse in the UK. For the first time, salt-based composite phase change material (CPCM) modules were employed as the M−TES medium, utilizing air for charging and discharging. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were initially developed and validated against experimental data. The 2D model was used for parametric study to determine critical M−TES dimensions, followed by the 3D model for a comprehensive evaluation of thermal performance of the M−TES device. Key parameters examined included temperature uniformity within CPCM modules, evolution of air temperatures at the inlet and outlet, thermal storage capacities, charging/discharging rates, and specific efficiencies defined as heat transfer efficiencies and charging/discharging efficiencies throughout a complete cycle. The results under baseline conditions demonstrated that the M−TES device stored nearly 400 MJ of heat with a TES density of 560 kJ/kg after 10 h of charging, achieving an average CPCM temperature of 662 K. Approximately 97 % of the stored heat was released with the average outlet air temperature exceeding 468 K during the subsequent 10-hour discharging period. This work preliminarily verified the feasibility of the novel M−TES concept for integrating industrial thermal processing decarbonization with domestic heat supply.

Recycling and reuse of waste banded iron formation as fine aggregate in the production of lightweight foamed concrete: Fresh-state, mechanical, thermal, microstructure and durability properties assessment

This study investigates the possibility of using BIFs as sustainable fine aggregates to produce lightweight foam concrete (LWFC) by replacing sand with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 % banded iron formations (BIFs). The fresh concrete properties, such as slump flow, density, and setting time, as well as its mechanical properties, including compressive strength, splitting strength, and flexural strength, were investigated. The thermal conductivity, specific heat, porosity, gas permeability, pore distribution, and sorptivity were measured to determine durability and thermal performance. Microstructural analysis of the mixes was performed using SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and mapping. The results recommended a 10 % replacement ratio to achieve an increased compressive strength ratio of 55.88 % compared to the control mix at 7 days (d). The strength at later ages increased compared to that of the control mix by 33.9 %, 30 %, 42.48 %, and 42.4 % at 14, 28, 56, and 180 d, respectively. In addition, the flexure increased by 42.7 % at 7 d, 49.6 % at 14 d, and 45.6 % at 28 d compared to the control mix. In addition, the UPV also increased gradually from 2757 to 3699 km/s with increase in BIFs content. Furthermore, the porosity decreased at 7 d, 14 d, 28 d, and 90 d. Moreover, chloride penetration decreased by 2.5 %, where an improvement in thermal conductivity was achieved with BIFs to 0.342 W/mK compared to that of the control mix. In addition, a reduction in the specific heat of the material from 1042 J/kg K to 1007 J/kg K was observed. SEM showed a better arrangement of pores when BIFs were utilized compared with that of control mix without BIFs. In conclusion, the incorporation of waste BIFs as fine aggregates in lightweight foam concrete demonstrates a promising potential for enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of construction materials, paving the way for durable building materials in the construction industry.

Performance of Iron Ore Tailings/Cement Composite at High Temperatures: Inconbustibility

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the performance of an iron ore tailings/cement composite at high temperatures, used in brick manufacturing. Specifically, it investigates the non-combustibility of the material and its structural integrity after exposure to intense heat, with an emphasis on compressive strength and the economic and sustainable viability of this composite. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on concepts of sustainability in civil construction and the reuse of industrial waste. The literature highlights the synergy between iron ore tailings and Portland cement, resulting in materials with good durability and non-combustibility. Previous studies indicate a reduction in environmental impact and the economic feasibility of using these composites as substitutes for traditional materials, in addition to the importance of maintaining structural strength under extreme conditions. Method: The adopted methodology involves the manufacture of test specimens using CP V-ARI cement and iron ore tailings, molded and cured according to Brazilian standards. Non-combustibility tests are conducted in a muffle furnace at 750°C, measuring temperature variation, smoke emission, and mass loss. Additionally, compressive strength tests are conducted before and after heat exposure to assess material degradation. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that the composite exhibits satisfactory non-combustibility properties, with an average mass loss of 3.1%, well below the permissible limit of 50%. However, a significant loss of 67.5% in compressive strength was observed after exposure to high temperatures. The discussion contextualizes these results, highlighting the need to optimize the composition to minimize strength loss, although non-combustibility remains a positive aspect. Research Implications: Practical implications include the potential use of the composite in environments subject to high temperatures, as a passive fire protection measure. Theoretically, the research contributes to the understanding of the behavior of cementitious composites with industrial waste under extreme conditions, suggesting directions for future studies and applications in civil engineering and sustainable construction. Originality/Value: This study makes an original contribution by exploring the specific combination of iron ore tailings with cement at high temperatures, providing new insights into its applicability and limitations. The relevance of the research lies in the potential reduction of environmental impact and the promotion of sustainable practices in civil construction, as well as enhancing fire safety in buildings.

РЕЦИКЛІНГ БУДІВЕЛЬНИХ ВІДХОДІВ ПІД ЧАС ВІЙНИ В УКРАЇНІ

The article analyzes the consequences of large-scale infrastructure and residential building destructions that Ukraine has faced during the war, and proposes the implementation of new approaches to using construction debris resulting from bombings. The primary focus is on the challenges of disposal and reuse of construction waste in the context of war and the exacerbation of the financial crisis in the country. It has been found that there is spontaneous accumulation and uncontrolled storage of hazardous materials at temporary dumpsites, which creates extreme environmental risks. The article describes international experiences in handling construction waste and uses the results of an author's study on the behavior of displaced persons from Ukraine to Austria regarding the human impact on climate change. Survey results confirm the importance of creating social responsibility and conditions for waste sorting. Despite the unprecedented scale of challenges facing Ukraine, we believe this situation opens up unique opportunities for new approaches to waste management and the implementation of a circular economy in Ukraine.

Effective sludge management: Reuse of biowaste and sewer sediments for fired bricks

ABSTRACT This study partially replaced the clay with sewer sludge (SS) and rice husk (RH-SS) to make fired bricks. The brick samples were examed in terms of shrinkage, water absorption, and compressive strength. Besides, they were analyzed via XRD and metal extraction to determine the heavy metal residuals in the products. The results showed that it was possible to fabricate fired bricks using sewer sludge or rice husk-blended sludge with up to 30% by weight. These brick samples complied with the technical standard for clay brick production, in which the compressive strength was more than 7.5 MPa, water absorption was from 11–16%, and the linear shrinkage was all less than 5%. The rice husk addition helped mitigate the heavy metal residuals in the bricks and leaching liquid, in which all the values were lower than the US-EPA maximum concentration of contaminants for toxicity characteristics. Implications: Previous studies have proved the possibility of mixing sewage sludge from different origins (sewage sludge, river sediment, canal sediment, sewer sediment, etc.) with clay and some wastes to make bricks. In which, mostof the studies used sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants, very fewdealt with lake/river or sewer sediment. This study shall be the first to study the possibility of employing sewer sediments with the addition of rice husk powder to achieve two targets, including (1) the reuse of biowaste and sludge for brick fabrication and (2) the reduction of heavy metals in final calcined bricks. Different ratios of the rice-husk blended sewer sludge (RH-SS) – clay mixture shall be tested to find the optimized compositions. The results showed that it was possible to fabricate fired bricks using sewer sludge or rice husk-blended sludge with up to 30% by weight, which meant reduce 30% of clay in the brick production. The final products were proved to meet the quality standard in terms of compressive strength (more than 10 MPa), water absorption(from 11–16%), and the linear shrinkage (less than 5%). Larger scale of this study can be an evident to recommend for policy change in the waste reuse in construction field.

Willow catkins-assisted synthesis of ZnFe2O4/ZnO hetero-tubes for chemiresistive dibutylamine sensors operated at 130 °C

The chemiresistive sensors have enabled the sensing of diverse organoamines, but the low-temperature detection of highly carcinogenic and combustible dibutylamine (DBA) has not been achieved to date. Herein, based on the concept of waste reuse and sustainable development, the discarded willow catkins were served as biotemplates and soaked into zinc or iron nitrates and their mixed solution. The above precursors were calcined at 500 °C in the air to controllably synthesize two homo-tubes and two ZnFe2O4/ZnO hetero-tubes, all of which are assembled by uniform nanoparticles. Among, the 1.25 at% ZnFe2O4/ZnO hetero-tubes possess uniform mesoporous distribution, high content of adsorbed oxygen species, and catalytic sites of high-valent Fe4+ Lewis acid, thus realizing the first metal oxide-based sensor with excellent trace DBA sensing at low temperature. The 1.25 at% ZnFe2O4/ZnO sensor exhibits high response of 79–100 ppm DBA at low 133 °C, which is 1.4, 1.8 and 2.3 times higher than those of 3.2 at% ZnFe2O4/ZnO, ZnO and ZnFe2O4 tubes, respectively. Furthermore, it also behaves rapid response kinetics (11 s∼10 ppm), good humidity resistance, reliable long-term stability (60 days), and the ability to actually detect prometryn herbicide. In addition, its response mechanism for the enhanced DBA sensing was investigated.

Optimizing material circularity pathways in industrial waste streams: A decision-making model

The increasing pressures of environmental regulation and the introduction of new policy frameworks by various nations have accelerated the popularization of industrial solid waste management and recovery, underscoring the transition towards a circular economy. This paradigm shift emphasizes the importance of material recovery, reuse, and recycling of industrial waste to minimize environmental impact and enhance sustainability. Despite the availability of individual approaches for waste recovery, there exists a significant gap in the systematic selection of optimal recovery pathways that facilitate the reintegration of materials into the production cycle. Addressing this gap, our study introduces a novel optimization model designed to identify the most efficient material circularity routes that leverage both the technical and biological cycles of the circular economy framework. Utilizing the Genetic Algorithm optimization tool in MATLAB, our model prioritizes pathways that maximize material recovery and profit generation simultaneously. This dual-objective function serves as the cornerstone of our analysis, ensuring a balanced approach to environmental sustainability and economic viability. The model's efficacy was tested on pre-calculated quantities of fabric waste generated by the Biyagama Export Processing Zone, providing a practical case study for its application. Our findings reveal diverse scenarios under which the model can allocate varying weights to each objective, demonstrating its flexibility and utility as a decision-making tool for stakeholders in the waste management sector. The results indicate that the model is not only capable of optimizing waste circularity pathways for maximum material recovery and profit generation but also offers a customizable framework that can adapt to the specific priorities of different stakeholders. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by filling a critical gap in the selection of sustainable waste recovery pathways, offering a practical, optimized, and scalable solution that can significantly advance the goals of the circular economy in the industrial sector.•Decision-making model for stakeholders in the waste management sector.•Model selects the best material recovery pathways.•Textile industrial fabric waste stream used as a pilot to test the model's effectiveness.

Reuse of construction and demolition waste (CDW) fines as plant-growing substrate

Reuse of construction and demolition waste (CDW) fines as plant-growing substrate

Reuse of Hollow Concrete Blocks Waste in the Formulation of an Eco-Mortar Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Use in Filling Materials

Reuse of Hollow Concrete Blocks Waste in the Formulation of an Eco-Mortar Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Use in Filling Materials

Waste Plastic-Supported Pd Single-Atom Catalyst for Hydrogenation.

As worldwide plastic pollution continues to rise, innovative ideas for effective reuse and recycling of waste plastic are needed. Single-atom catalysts (SACs), which are known for their high activity and selectivity, present unique advantages in facilitating plastic degradation and conversion. Waste plastic can be used as a support or raw material to create SACs, which reduces waste generation while simultaneously utilizing waste as a resource. This work successfully utilized waste plastic polyurethane (PU) as a support, through a unique Rapid Thermal Processing Reactor (RTPR) to synthesize an efficient Pd1/PU SACs. At 25 °C and 0.5 MPa H2, Pd1/PU displayed outstanding activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of styrene, as well as remarkable stability. Pd1/PU performed well in hydrogenating a variety of common substrates. These findings highlight the great potential of SACs in plastic waste reuse and recycling, offering intriguing solutions to the global plastic pollution problem.

One‐pot hydrothermal biochar obtained from malt bagasse waste as an electrode‐modifying material towards the stripping voltammetric sensing of lead

AbstractPb2+ ions are highly toxic to living beings because they tend to bioaccumulate in the body. For this reason, the development of simpler, low‐cost, and easy‐to‐operate techniques that can detect and quantify low concentrations of metal ions would help to identify contaminating media and improve public health. This work proposes a Pb2+ voltammetric sensor based on a carbon paste electrode modified with hydrothermal biochar (hydrochar, HC) obtained from malt bagasse waste (HC/CPE). The obtained hydrochar was characterized by zero‐charge point, FT‐IR, XRD and thermogravimetry. The differential pulse adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetry (DPAdASV) technique was used to perform the Pb2+ determination. After optimizing important parameters for detecting Pb2+ ions and the parameters of the voltammetric technique employed, a linear response range of 0.50 to 7.06 μmol L−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 55.0 and 181.5 nmol L−1 were achieved, respectively. The developed voltammetric procedure was applied towards the Pb2+ determination at tap water and river water samples, with excellent recoveries (ranging of 91.19 to 109.22 %), proving that the HC‐based electrode has great potential for detecting Pb2+ ions. Hydrothermal carbonization allowed the biomass to be converted into functionalized hydrochar, eliminating the need for subsequent functionalization/activation steps for use as a Pb2+ adsorbing material on the electrodic surface. The proposed sensor also proved to be easy to assemble and environmentally friendly by using biomass waste as the carbon material. Thus, the proposed sensor adds to the literature the possibility of simple and easy detection of metal ions with a waste reuse bias.

Assessing Compliance with Domestic Waste Disposal Practices: Insights from Cagayan de Oro City

Background & Aim: Domestic waste, encompassing various types like food, recyclable, garden, and hazardous waste, poses significant challenges in rapidly urbanizing areas like Cagayan de Oro City. This study aimed to assess compliance with domestic waste disposal practices in a selected barangay, focusing on proper disposal, segregation, and reuse. Methods & Materials: A descriptive research design was employed to evaluate compliance with domestic waste disposal practices among Cagayan de Oro City barangay residents. Surveys were conducted with randomly selected respondents aged 20 to 65, covering waste disposal, segregation, and reuse. Stratified random sampling ensured proportional representation from various zones within the barangay, with a sample size of 349 respondents determined using Cochran's formula. Results: Significant differences were found in compliance based on age and gender, with middle-aged individuals and females showing higher levels, especially in reuse. Employment status significantly influenced compliance, with retirees and the unemployed exhibiting higher levels compared to employed. No significant differences were observed based on education, socio-economic status, or information source. Conclusion: Gender and employment significantly influenced compliance, with men showing greater disposal compliance and women demonstrating higher adherence to segregation and reuse. Age also played a notable role, particularly in influencing reuse practices. Targeted interventions considering these factors are essential for enhancing waste management strategies. Recommendation: Clinical practitioners should focus on tailored waste disposal programs to improve compliance with domestic waste disposal practices, emphasizing the importance of proper segregation, reuse, and disposal techniques to foster cleaner and healthier communities in rapidly urbanizing areas.

“Waste Is Wealth”: Circular Economy Strategies from Media Persuasion to Utilization

Circular economy strategies encompassing “Waste is Wealth” (also known as “Waste is Gold”) policies in Thailand have been popularised through various media. This study focused on a community of people in the central north of Thailand and their ”return waste for money” practices, with 403 participants surveyed in mid-2022. The analysis of their responses, using descriptive and inferential statistics, identified the factors contributing to the gap between the available information in the media regarding the existence of regulations and policies addressing the recycling and reusing of waste and people’s responses to that information. Residents’ knowledge and understanding of proper waste management, derived from the media, were essential elements in educating communities. The collection and disposal of garbage were handled very differently between the rural and urban communities, with different municipalities making different provisions for residents’ waste disposal. Our analysis showed that a holistic approach was needed, particularly including the publication of comprehensive and understandable information on government policies and regulations, the differentiation of waste material types, garbage and waste collection, and disposal methods, including returning, recycling, and reuse, which were identified as being necessary for effective and efficient waste disposal and encouraging recycling and reuse. It was shown that without valid information available via social media and the mass media, peoples’ attitudes and behaviours will not change and the recycling of plastic waste materials will be limited, even with the promise of Waste is Wealth.

One-step production of peanut shell derived N, P co-doped carbon materials for high-performance symmetric supercapacitors

In order to realize the reuse of agricultural waste and improve the electrochemical performance of carbon materials, N and P co-doped carbon materials were prepared by using rich and cheap waste peanut shells as carbon precursors and NH4H2PO4 as N and P sources. The effects of the mass ratio of peanut shell and NH4H2PO4 on the structure, composition, morphology and electrochemical properties of carbon materials were studied in detail. The results show that when the mass ratio is 2:3, the prepared PSC-3 has the largest surface area and higher heteroatom content, which provides a structural basis for its high electrochemical performance. Electrochemical tests show that the specific capacitance of PSC-3 at 1 A g−1 can reach 184 F g−1, and has excellent rate performance. When the mass ratio is higher than or below 2:3, the electrochemical performance of carbon materials will be reduced, demonstrating the feasibility of achieving the best electrochemical performance by adjusting the amount of NH4H2PO4. In addition, the symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) assembled by PSC-3 can obtain an energy density of 10.1 Wh kg−1, which has excellent energy storage characteristics.

THE TACIT END-OF-WASTE STATUS IS de facto USED IN THE EU AND CRUCIAL FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

For a well-functioning circular economy, recycled materials with a specific purpose, that have a market, and meet the legal requirements for both products and the environment should have an end-of-waste (EoW) status. However, at the EU level, EoW has only been established for certain metals and cullet glass, and implementation at the national level has slowed down. One potential solution is tacit EoW, supported by articles 6(1) and 6(4) of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD), which place responsibility on economy operators with possible oversight by authorities. This discussion paper examines the status of various waste streams in the EU and illustrates that tacit EoW is already widely used in regulation and waste management practices. This includes: - Reuse of waste as a product after preparation (level 2 of the waste hierarchy); - Recycling of materials (level 3 of the waste hierarchy) to produce new products; - Recycling in environmental applications, such as fertilisers, soil conditioners, and growing substrates, as well as backfilling operations; - Energy production from various biomass and wood waste categories. Granting tacit EoW status consistent with level 3 of the waste hierarchy to other materials processed by certified industrial facilities would benefit the circular economy. A first group consists of materials recycled into products that do not come into contact with the environment, which could benefit from immediate tacit EoW, since the four EoW conditions are met. Ten wastes of this group are ranked for priority EoW by the Joint Research Center of the EU.

Effect of hygroscopicity of typical powder solid wastes on their radon exhalation characteristics

The characteristics of radon exhalation in the hygroscopic properties of powder solid wastes are immensely significant for environmental safety and their transportation, storage, and landfill. This study detected the radon concentration of superfine cement and five kinds of powder solid waste: fly ash, silica fume, coal gangue, S95 mineral powder, and molybdenum tailing powder, at different hygroscopic times for 1–5 d under 95 % relative humidity. Additionally, the influence of particle size and porosity of solid waste on radon exhalation characteristics was analyzed using a laser particle size analyzer and nitrogen adsorption technology. The results show that the radon exhalation rate of the solid waste was at a low level in dry conditions. Although the presence of water due to the increased moisture absorption rate inhibited the radon exhalation to a certain extent, it was higher than that in dry conditions. The reciprocal of the moisture absorption rate had a strong linear relationship with the ratio between the radon exhalation rate after hygroscopy and radon exhalation rate from dry materials. The pore structure has a significant effect on the exhalation rate of radon, and the macropores inhibits the exhalation rate of radon. The results of this study have guiding significance for the reuse of solid waste and the prevention of radiation risk of radon exhalation during transportation.

Aqueous arsenic (III) removal using a novel solid waste based porous filter media block: Traditional and machine learning (ML) approaches

Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater is one of the main obstacles preventing people from having easy access to potable water. Gypsum-based a porous filter media block (PFMB) made with moringa bark was proposed to remove arsenic (III) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption isotherms using Langmuir (R2 = 0.976) and Freundlich (R2 = 0.967) and kinetics using pseudo-first and second order and intraparticle diffusion models were achieved. The removal rates of PFMB using 10 g/L in batch experiments were found to be 98.4 % and 94.2 % for 0.50 and 1.0 ppm, respectively. The efficiency was evaluated by varying the material composition, pH, and experimental conditions using a machine learning model with an R2 = 0.95. A new approach to forecasting adsorption capacity based on material composition and experimental data allows the effective determinate to be found from a wider perspective. The model explanation with shapley additive value (SHAP) and partial dependence plots (PDP) showed the initial concentration, and time were the most influential factors in the adsorption process. Arsenic (III) adsorption on the innovative composite material appears promising, which will ensure the reuse and effective disposal of solid waste. ANN can be used to evaluate and predict new conditions without lab experimentation.

Microbial Chaff Reinforcement: Preparation and Performance Study of a Soil Stabilizer

The fungus bran is the waste of the fruiting body of edible fungi, which is rich in a variety of protein and fiber, amino acids, polysaccharides, enzymes, and other nutrients, and has high reuse value. In this study, the fungus bran produced by desert Tremella was used as the raw material to prepare the fungus bran which could provide plant nutrients and water retention function. After 7 days of experiments, it was found that the sand fixation material had good water retention performance and significantly increased the aggregate performance of the sand. The results of FTIR and SEM analysis showed that the sand chaff was involved in the agglomeration process of sand, and the sand and the chaff were well combined, with a better spatial network structure and surface morphology. Therefore, it is a great prospect to explore the reuse of solid waste of fungal bran in desert afforestation.

An Overview of Methods to Enhance the Environmental Performance of Cement-Based Materials

Urbanization and demographic growth have led to increased global energy consumption in recent years. Furthermore, construction products and materials industries have contributed significantly to this increase in fossil fuel use, due to their significant energy requirements, and consequent environmental impact, during the extraction and processing of raw materials. To address this environmental problem, architectural design and civil engineering are trying to implement strategies that enable the use of high-performance materials while minimizing the usage of energy-intensive or toxic and dangerous building materials. These efforts also aim to make buildings less energy-consuming during their useful life. Using waste materials, such as Construction and Demolition Waste (CdW), is one of the most promising approaches to address this issue. In recent years, the European Union (EU) has supported recovery strategies focused on using CdW, as they account for more than 30% of the total waste production in the EU. In this regard, reuse techniques—such as incorporating concrete fragments and bricks as road floor fillers—have been the subject of targeted scientific research. This review will outline various strategies for producing green cement and concrete, particularly emphasizing the reuse of Construction and Demolition Waste (CdW).