Driven by the high contents of organic materials in municipal solid waste (MSW) by 70% in Iran and the growing demand for mineral fertilizer, refinement of the composting technology is imperative. In the pursuit of environmental sustainability, further investigation into the life cycle assessment of the composting process and end-of-life waste management must be conducted. Hence, this study scrutinized the environmental burdens of the composting plant operation from cradle to gate. Since 50% of the raw MSW was not converted to compost, its final disposal was evaluated based on incineration, landfill, and integrated approaches. The results indicated marine and freshwater ecotoxicity of the composting process (> 50.4 kg 1,4-DB eq). Heavy metal and gas emissions during the MSW decomposition were the pivotal parameters for most impact categories. CO2 emission intensified climate change by 3523 kg CO2 eq; however, waste incineration led to emission savings of 98.75%. The environmental benefits of incineration were observed in 13 impact categories alongside a net-negative value for natural land transformation. Landfilling also induced savings in freshwater eutrophication and metal depletion by 98.67% and 99.08%, respectively. Unlike previous studies relying on generalized data, this study uses detailed, plant-level operational data and scenario-based modeling from Sistan and Baluchestan province. This approach provides realistic impact estimates and decision-relevant insights.

The propagation of plastic pollution has triggered widespread microplastics (MPs) contamination, increasingly being detected across diverse ecosystems, including agricultural landscapes. However, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding MP contamination in food crops cultivated near municipal waste dumping ground. Therefore, this study involves in investigating the occurrence and characterization of MPs in agricultural soil, vegetables (Cabbage, Chili, Brinjal, Spinach and Tomato), and their rinsed water samples. A total of 25 vegetable samples and 25 soil samples were collected from each field using a stratified design. In addition, 25 rinsed-water samples were obtained from the corresponding vegetable samples collected from the agricultural fields present in the vicinity of Dhapa dumpsite in Kolkata, India. The results of this study revealed that chili was highly contaminated with 19.00 ± 2.92 MPs g-1 and cabbage was least contaminated with 10.20 ± 4.27 MPs g-1. Polymeric profiling of the identified MPs revealed the presence of a varied range of polymers including polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with varying dominance patterns. Soil, rinsed water, and all vegetable exhibited polymer hazard Index (PHI) scores > 1000, corresponding to a level V hazard classification. Estimates of per day MP consumption (based on per capita consumption rate) indicates that spinach is associated with higher levels of MP consumption, while tomato and chilies contribute to lower levels in both rural and urban populations. The results underscore potential risks to human upon exposure, highlighting the urgent need for mitigation approaches, regulatory frameworks on dumping wastes, and sustainable agricultural practices to reduce MP contamination in food chain.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) composition and properties play a critical role in determining the efficiency and environmental impact of waste incineration processes. However, the effects of moisture variation in MSW on combustion performance in full-scale grate systems remain insufficiently understood. To reveal how the moisture variation in municipal solid waste (MSW) properties affects the combustion process in full-scale grate systems, a 50 t/d mechanical grate incinerator was modeled. The influence of MSW inlet moisture content (42.85%, 35.71%, and 28.57%) was investigated. When the moisture content is 35.71%, the horizontal and vertical temperature gradient of the incinerator was least pronounced, and the high-temperature zone in the incinerator would not be locally concentrated. The moderate ignition position could reduce the corrosion of the front and rear arches of the grate incinerator. In the combustion process of three moisture contents, the complete evaporation positions were located at X = 4.23 m in the combustion section, X = 3.15 m in the drying section and X = 2.63 m in the drying section, the corresponding ignition points were X = 6 m, X = 4.47 m, and X = 3.74 m in the combustion section, respectively. After the moisture content was reduced to 35.71% and 28.57%, the drying process was advanced by 25.5% and 37.8%, respectively; the ignition points were advanced by 25.5% and 37.7%, respectively. It is recommended that the moisture content of MSW be maintained within the range of 33.8% to 41.6% under practical operating conditions. With the decrease in the moisture content of the MSW, the O2 content at the incinerator outlet decreased; the CO2 content increased. The findings offer quantitative guidance on feed pre-treatment for MSW incineration plants.

Sustainable waste management through constructed wetlands: the role of solid waste substrates in pollutant removal

A sustainable production of ammonia using waste biomass is a new milestone to a low-carbon bioeconomy that is circular. This paper defines an integrated Aspen Plus model which integrates the steam gasification of paper mill sludge and municipal solid waste and the Haber-Bosch process to generate carbon-neutral green ammonia. The synthesis of thermochemical conversion and catalytic synthesis was optimized systematically by altering paper mill sludge feed ratio (20:80, 60:40, and 40:60 wt%), steam toward municipal solid waste ratio and pressures in the synthesis. The highest hydrogen yield (H 2 = 0.4572) and heating value (7.82 MJ/Nm 3 ) was obtained in the 60:40 blend at 800 °C and S/B = 0.025, whereas the highest NH 3 mole fraction in the solution (0.9493) was obtained under 40:60 blend at 500 °C and 250 bar. The addition of cryogenic CO 2 removal and water gas shift optimization greatly improved the purification of hydrogen and total carbon capture. The innovation of the work consists in the combined modelling structure that converts heterogeneous waste flows into a closed-loop, low-emission system of ammonia production, which has two advantages in the value of waste and the synthesis of renewable fertilizers. The results present an upscale able and ecologically friendly pathway to next-generation production of ammonia, between circular waste management and green chemical production.

Enhanced vanadium recovery from vanadium-bearing steel slag is essential in the sustainable use of metallurgical solid waste. This study uses microwave-assisted acid leaching on roasted clinker and systematically investigates it to enhance vanadium recovery; uses response surface methodology (RSM) to identify optimal parameters for leaching; and the influences of sulfuric acid concentration, leaching time, liquid-to-solid ratio (L/S ratio), and leaching temperature on vanadium dissolution are evaluated. The optimal leaching parameters are identified as an L/S ratio of 10:1, 41% sulfuric acid concentration, 65 min leaching time, and 92 °C leaching temperature, under which the highest vanadium extraction rate is 84.58%. Kinetic studies revealed that the leaching behavior during the initial 30 min followed a shrinking core model with fixed particle size. The vanadium microwave-assisted acid leaching process exhibited the observed activation energy (Ea) of 37.30 kJ·mol−1, following a kinetic order of 1.5392 relative to sulfuric acid concentration, implying that ion transport across the solid phase formed during the reaction determined the step that limits the reaction rate. The semi-empirical kinetic equation established in this study accurately describes the leaching behavior under different conditions. This research establishes a theoretical framework and technical reference for boosting vanadium recovery from steel slag, which uses microwave-assisted leaching technology.

Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are widely used in electronic devices and renewable energy systems. Fluorochemicals are essential components of LiBs, as a component of electrolytes, electrodes, and coatings. However, there are concerns about the environmental release of fluorochemicals, especially within landfills after disposal, due to the fact that landfill leachate is typically treated in facilities not designed to attenuate fluorochemicals. We have evaluated the occurrence of fluorochemical compounds in commercial LiBs and fluoropolymer binders and the release of LiB-derived fluorochemicals in simulated municipal solid waste (MSW) leaching experiments. Our survey of 19 LiBs found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including bis(perfluoroalkyl)sulfonimide (bis-FASI, up to 36 mg) and inorganic fluorochemicals such as hexafluorophosphate (PF6-, up to 1.4 g) and bis(fluorosulfinyl)imide (bis-FSI, up to 250 mg). PFAS were also measured in fluoropolymer binders in the range of 2-2000 ng/g. Nontargeted analysis resulted in detection of diverse fluorinated sulfonimides and organic phosphofluoridates in batteries as well as 6 novel PFAS in fluoropolymer binders. Analysis of MSW landfill leachates indicated the presence of LiB-derived fluorochemicals up to 76 μg/L. Simulated MSW leaching experiments showed that LiBs released PFAS (up to 100 mg/L) and inorganic fluorochemicals (up to 1.4 g/L) into the landfill leachate over a period of 220 days. Furthermore, PF6- and bis-FSI transformed in landfill leachate to form organic phosphofluoridates and novel amino sulfonyl fluorosulfanomides. This is the first report of PFAS and fluorochemical release from LiBs and transformation under landfill leaching conditions.

Electrocoagulation-enhanced pretreatment for efficient operation of packed bed anaerobic filter treating leachate: kinetic and performance evaluation.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the theoretical and conceptual conceptions of 9th grade teachers of Environmental Education and Science subjects from municipal schools in Barreirinhas, Maranhão, about solid waste. The research is qualitative and data collection was carried out through a semi-structured form with 12 teachers about teacher training, knowledge about solid waste, pedagogical practices, environmental education actions, challenges and difficulties. It was found that most of the teachers do not have specific training and do not feel prepared to develop environmental education activities, but they understand the importance of developing the theme of solid waste in school.

Evaluating LA-ICP-MS and digestion-based ICP-MS methods for trace elements determination in oil shale and its solid wastes.

Introduction: The efforts to reduce COVID-19 transmission could significantly affect pollution and weather in most parts of the world due to the reduction of industrial activities and road transport. Hence, this systematic review aimed to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on air pollution. Methods: The keywords were searched in the online databases of Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane. We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Results: Generally ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, NOX, NO, SO2, CO, black carbon, BTX (benzene, toluene, and Xylene), NH3, HCHO, PAHs, CH4, Solid Waste, UFPs (Ultrafine particle, ≥115.5 nm)) decreased significantly during lockdown period due to restricted human activities. Noteworthy, controversial findings have been reported concerning O3 levels; most studies, especially in East Asia, reported enhancement in the levels of O3, which was mainly attributed to meteorology factors. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused a global health crisis, the improvement in worldwide air quality status was significant. Conclusion: Generally, pollutants generated by industrial activities were observed to be significantly reduced during lockdowns.

Mechanochemically driven pollutant degradation by zero-valent iron: from nanoscale mechanisms to reactor design and scale-up strategies.

All-solid-waste-based non-sintered ceramsite prepared from coal fly ash and dechlorinated municipal solid waste incineration fly ash: performance and hydration mechanisms.

Phosphogypsum and carbide slag synergy for red mud soil stabilization: Mechanical performance, environmental impacts, and micro-scale mechanisms.

Enhancing CO2 adsorption capacity through Fe2O3/CaO ratio engineering in simulated fly ash-derived zeolite synthesis through gradient oxide modulation.

Efficient and green utilization of Bayer red mud in solid waste based geopolymer

High-quality, low-nitrogen bio-oil from kitchen waste via K2CO3-catalyzed solvothermal liquefaction in recycled ethanol-water co-solvent.

Formation and in-situ identification of unique microplastic-rock blends under anthropogenic thermal conditions.

Low carbon chemiluminescence detection of glucose by boosting of CCu bonding nanocomposites from epoxy resin waste debromination treatment.

Governmental response to public complaints about solid waste sorting in China: Evidence from quasi-natural experiments