Tons Of Waste Research Articles

Aligning Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Projects with Circular Economy Principles: A Comparative Analysis of the European Union and India's Path Forward

The growing global challenge of waste management has reached alarming levels, with approximately 4.5 million tonnes of waste generated every day worldwide—a figure that is expected to exceed 8 million tonnes by 2050, according to the World Bank. Although there have been notable improvements in how waste is managed, it has transitioned from being just a public concern to becoming a booming industry, particularly seen in the rise of the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) sector across the globe. Given this growing problem, many experts agree that addressing waste requires a shift toward a "circular economy," an approach aimed at minimizing waste altogether. This strategy is in line with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 12, which focuses on responsible consumption and production. While WtE technologies seem like a sustainable option, the process of turning waste into energy using advanced facilities raises questions about their true compatibility with circular economy principles. The UN has proposed a framework to guide WtE projects, suggesting that these frameworks can help in the transition to a circular economy—especially in terms of energy recovery. However, this requires innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs) that emphasize people-first values and the adoption of best practices by both governments and the private sector simultaneously. The main focus of this paper is to highlight the need to align WtE projects with circular economy principles to ensure sustainable and effective waste management. While this model has made significant progress in EU ( European Union) countries, it is still in the early stages of development in India. This paper explores the framework used in the EU and discusses how India can successfully adopt and implement similar practices.

P-335. Environmental Impact of Contact Precaution Use for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in Los Angeles (LA) County: Results of a Countywide Survey

Abstract Background United States hospitals produce over 5.9 million tons of waste yearly. Disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) causes up to 70% of hospital municipal plastic waste. Contact precautions, often requiring disposable gowns and gloves, are frequently used to prevent MRSA/VRE transmission. We determined the scope and environmental impact of contact precaution use for MRSA and VRE in LA County. Methods We observed patient care at LA acute care hospitals to quantify PPE used for patients in MRSA/VRE contact precautions, as well as for patients with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus (VSE). We matched observations by hospital type (community, academic safety-net) and care location (intensive care, telemetry, ward). We conducted 24 observations for each organism. To determine the extent of PPE used for MRSA/VRE, the LA County Department of Public Health surveyed acute care hospitals for the average daily number of hospitalized patients in 2023 in MRSA/VRE contact precautions. We modeled the county-wide solid waste and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from MRSA/VRE contact precautions. Results Mean gown use was higher for MRSA vs. MSSA (2.33 vs. 0.17 gowns/hour, p< 0.01) and VRE vs. VSE (2.50 vs. 0.59 gowns/hour, p< 0.01). Glove use did not vary between MRSA vs. MSSA (5.08 vs. 4.33 gloves/hour, p = 0.45) or VRE vs. VSE (5.88 vs. 5.46 gloves/hour, p = 0.50). In total, ∼3% of LA County hospitals’ licensed beds are occupied by patients in contact precautions for MRSA and VRE. In our model this level of occupancy equaled 7.3 million gowns per year for MRSA and VRE contact precautions, which generate 461,400 kilograms (kg) of plastic waste and 2.27 million kg of CO2 emissions annually. Conclusion We found that care for patients in MRSA/VRE contact precautions requires significantly more gown use than for patients with MSSA/VSE. Glove use did not differ between patients with antibiotic-resistant infections vs. their antibiotic-sensitive counterparts. LA County’s MRSA/VRE PPE causes abundant plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions equal to 5.8 million miles driven in an average car. Routine MRSA/VRE contact precautions need to be reconsidered given the paucity of supporting evidence as well as their potential harm to the environment. Disclosures Loren G. Miller, MD MPH, Armata: Grant/Research Support|Contrafect: Grant/Research Support|GSK: Grant/Research Support|Merck: Grant/Research Support|Paratek: Grant/Research Support

Enhancing Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Bottom Ash by the Stabilization of Heavy Metals

Waste-to-energy (WtE) is a key part of modern waste management. In the European Union, approximately 500 WtE plants process more than 100 million tons of waste yearly, while globally, more than 2700 plants handle over 500 million tons. Roughly 20% of the waste processed is bottom ash (BA). However, this ash can contain heavy metals in concentrations that may render it hazardous. This paper presents a study focusing on stabilizing municipal solid waste incineration BA using simple and industrially viable treatments. The Slovenian WtE plant operator wishes to install the stabilization process; thus, the samples obtained from the plant were treated (1) with a CO2 gas flow, (2) with water spraying, and (3) with a combination of water spraying and a CO2 gas flow under laboratory conditions. Thermodynamic calculations were applied to define potential reactions during the treatment processes in the temperature range from 0 to 100 °C and to define the equilibrium composition of the treated ash with additions of CO2 and water. The standard leaching test EN 12457-4 of treated ash shows a reduction of over 40% in barium concentration and over 30% in lead concentration in leachates.

Assessment of Integrated Waste Management System for Sustainable Development: The Case of Goa, India

Significant management challenges have resulted from South Goa's rapid population and tourism boom, with inappropriate disposal raising concerns for the environment and public health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether implementing an Integrated Waste Management (IWM) plan in South Goa, India would be feasible in order to address those issues and produce a variety of sources from trash. In order to ascertain the area's waste management requirements, the study included evaluating the site and gathering information on trash generation, composition, and present management procedures from local authorities and government reports. The findings found out that South Goa generates 197.87 metric tons of waste each day, with 51 % being wet waste and 49% dry waste. A significant portion of this waste comes from residential and commercial sources, exacerbated by tourist inflow. The IWM plan includes techniques for waste reduction, segregation, recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy processes, which could remodel waste into beneficial merchandise like electricity and fertilizers. Implementing IWM in South Goa may want to put off the need for landfills by converting waste into power and compost, contributing to environmental sustainability and local energy needs.

Influence of plant-based fruit and apple feed on reproductive traits of sows and growth of young pigs during rearing

Waste from the fruit and vegetable and wine industries is a complete feed for pigs. Thousands of tons of waste are generated annually valuable secondary raw materials that can be used in animal feeding. The purpose of the research was to study the eff ect of plant-based fruit and apple feed on the reproductive traits of sows and the growth of young pigs during rearing. It was studied the change in the live weight of sows 2 days before farrowing, after farrowing and after weaning of piglets in the experiment. Also it was studied the prolifi cacy, litter weight at birth, litter weight at weaning, the number of weaned piglets per 1 sow. Milk production of sows was estimated by calculation. Before weaning piglets from sows, blood samples were taken to determine some morph and biochemical indicators. It was found that the inclusion of 2.0 % plant-based fruit and apple feed in the compound feed had a positive eff ect on improving the reproductive traits of sows, increasing the litter weight at weaning, and on the livability of piglets during the suckling period. A noticeable decrease in the concentration of copper and zinc in the blood of sows was observed, and the iron content in the blood samples was higher. The introduction of 2.0 % plant-based fruit and apple feed instead of wheat into the compound feed for weaned piglets made it possible to increase the average daily live weight gain by 2.93 % and reduce the cost of compound feed per 1 kg of gain by 2.72 %; the livability of piglets in both groups was the same. Feeding of young pigs during finishing pig feeding with 2.0 % plant-based fruit and apple feed instead of wheat in the compound feed had a positive effect on the main economic indicators under the conditions of the industrial complex.

Improving Service Quality at Bank Sampah APEL, Sleman Yogyakarta, Through a Digitalization Program

Background: Yogyakarta faces a waste crisis due to the Piyungan landfill closure, with Sleman generating 320 tons of waste daily. Waste Banks like APEL in Sleman manage waste through composting, recycling, and crafting, reducing waste and offering economic benefits. Contribution: The application of excel in the preparation of financial statements will contribute greatly to improve the quality of financial statements presented by BUMDes and have an impact on the effectiveness of decision making which ultimately supports the progress of these BUMDes. Method: APEL employs the 3R system, raising environmental awareness but faces challenges in manual management and limited digital promotion. BUMDes Damar Limo manages diverse transactions and must produce key financial reports. Results: BUMDes Damar Limo of central Bengkulu Region. has CekDam tourism, tourist trains and batik production as main business. Transactions that occur in these BUMdes include receipt of capital deposits, purchases of vehicles, equipment, raw materials, merchandise inventory, and supplies, payment of salaries and other costs, and revenue generation. The reports that must be presented include the income statement, statement of financial position, and statement of BUMdes health. Conclusion: The implementation of the Excel Accounting has an impact on presenting higher quality financial statements and managing BUMDes efficiently and professionally

The deployment of circular industrial ecosystems – the condition of eco-efficient elimination of the consequences for the environment caused by military actions

The consequences of military actions are an unprecedented case of environmental damage in Ukraine. According to official data, more than 670,000 tonnes of waste were generated due to the damage (destruction) of buildings and structures as a result of hostilities in the territory of Ukraine, which can be considered the minimum possible amount according to the preliminary assessment. Attacks continue and lead to increased volumes of waste, burden on land use in communities and creation of ecological threat. International experience shows the possibility of obtaining ecological, social and economic benefits from the reuse of construction and demolition waste. In the context of the implementation of the European integration vector, Ukraine should focus on the effective management of such waste based on the principles of the circular economy − reuse, recycling and recovery. The fulfilment of this urgent task is possible thanks to the creation of conditions for the deployment of industrial circular ecosystems − a set of entities of various economic activity sectors and civil society that work and evolve together with the aim of creating added value based on the principles of reducing the use of primary materials, reusing materials and products, their processing and recovery, thereby extending the life cycle of goods and forming their enhanced value. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the expediency of deploying circular industrial ecosystems as a condition for eco-efficient elimination of the consequences for the environment caused by military actions. Based on the example of the eponymous project of the global company Energy Vault on gravitational energy storage using composite blocks, which are created with industrial waste and construction and demolition waste, key actions are outlined that will contribute to the emergence and development of circular industrial ecosystems in Ukraine around existing technologies. A range of problematic issues that need to be solved for the formation of institutions, routines, behaviour and culture of economic entities for the deployment of circular industrial ecosystems, in particular, with the aim of eco-efficient elimination of the consequences for the environment caused by military actions, is outlined. Recommendations have been provided on updating the legal support for the management of waste from the demolition of buildings and structures as a result of hostilities; reforming and expanding the range of tools for stimulating sustainable waste management; as well as developing interdisciplinary research.

Application of Foundry Wastes in Eco-Efficient Construction Materials: A Review

Foundries generate millions of tons of waste annually, posing a challenge to companies that generate it and to the environment due to landfill disposal. Meanwhile, the construction sector contributes heavily to global resource consumption. Adopting a circular economy approach by integrating foundry wastes into construction materials offers two main benefits: reducing landfill accumulation and preserving natural reserves of raw materials while also supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This paper presents a review of recent studies on the use of foundry wastes in construction materials and provides an overview of the foundry industry, including its background, waste management, and statistics. Furthermore, a bibliometric analysis highlights the evolution of research in this area, showing a 182% increase in publications over the last 10 years. Key findings include that waste foundry sand is the most widely utilized foundry waste in construction materials, while ceramic mold shells and paraffin waxes remain underexplored. Concrete is the primary material incorporating foundry waste. The incorporation of foundry waste into construction materials improves durability and mechanical strength when used in appropriate proportions. The replacement content can reach up to 100%. These results underscore the feasibility of foundry waste as a sustainable alternative in construction, building circularity, and reducing environmental impact.

Introduction to the Importance of Waste Management for Elementary School Students in Sumberejo Village, Madiun

In 2022, based on data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Indonesia produced around 19.45 million tons of waste. The increase in waste continues with the increasing population and community consumption. The waste management program at the elementary school level aims to increase student awareness of waste reduction, environmental conservation, and participation in recycling practices. Socialization is carried out through material presentations, recycling practices, and interactive Q&A, with a focus on the role of individuals in protecting the environment. This program took place at SD Desa Sumberejo, Madiun District, Madiun Regency, and involved students in organic and inorganic waste sorting activities. The results of the activities showed an increase in students' understanding of the concept of recycling and their motivation to take real action, such as managing waste independently. The high enthusiasm from students and the positive response from the school showed the success of the socialization. However, the effectiveness of long-term behavioral change was measured through post-program surveys and follow-up observations that showed an increase in waste sorting in the school environment as an indicator of the program's sustainability.

Analysis of Waste Management at TPS Perumnas Mandala, Kec. Percut Sei Tuan

Indonesia is a country with a very large population and the trend continues to increase. The North Sumatra region produces the 7th largest volume of waste in Indonesia, with around 882,033 thousand tons of waste generated. Perumnas Mandala is one of the areas in the city of Medan that has a dense population, where the temporary disposal site (TPS) is not far from residential areas. So the problem of waste management arose at the Perumnas Mandala waste landfill, Percut Sei Tuan district. The aim of this research is to determine waste management at TPS Perumnas Mandala Kec.Sei Tuan. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive research type. The population in this study were all residents around Perumnas Mandala. The samples in this study were informants, namely the head of waste officers at the Perumnas Mandala TPS, 2 waste officers at the Perumnas Mandala TPS, and several residents around the Perumnas Mandala TPS, namely around 5 communities around the Perumnas Mandala TPS, using a purposive sampling technique. The research results show that waste management at TPS is still not good due to several factors such as lack of waste transportation facilities, lack of waste officers in managing waste at TPS, lack of community habits in sorting types of waste, limited trucks and trucks that are damaged so they stop working. operating waste transportation for 4 months, this has caused the volume of waste to increase at the TPS. The conclusion of this research is that waste management at the Perumnas Mandala TPS is not optimal, it is recommended that the government and the private sector improve facilities and infrastructure as well as collaborate with the community in managing waste well.

Assessing the Biogas Potential of Slaughterhouse Waste in Tenerife: A Sustainable Approach to Waste Management in an Outermost European Region

The Canary Islands, as an outermost region of Europe with fragmented territory, benefit from an exemption under Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 allowing for animal by-products disposal in landfills. However, this practice has resulted in environmental and economic challenges, including reduced landfill capacity, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and missed opportunities for renewable energy production. Specifically, waste management in Tenerife faces significant challenges due to the burgeoning meat production and subsequent waste generation in its primary slaughterhouses. With an average annual production of 5,000 tons of waste, landfill capacity is nearing its limit. This study therefore aims to assess the biogas production potential from slaughterhouse waste in Tenerife and evaluate anaerobic digestion as an alternative approach. Various combinations of viscera, blood, and slaughterhouse sludge from cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, and chickens were analyzed to determine their biogas potential. Results indicate that comprehensive valorization of these wastes could generate 12.86 GWh of energy, equivalent to approximately 20% of the energy consumed in the municipality's industrial sector. Moreover, this approach could reduce emissions by 5.88 Gg of CO2 equivalent and alleviate landfill pressures, thereby mitigating current waste management impacts. Given the region's reliance on imported fuels and limited territorial space, anaerobic digestion presents an environmentally and economically sustainable solution for managing slaughterhouse waste within a closed-loop system.

LITERATURE REVIEW ON MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ITS RISING RISKS & MANAGEMENT SKILLS IN SPECIAL REFERENCE TO JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND, INDIA

Municipal Solid Waste is a rising issue in developing countries. Tons of waste are produced in India and are currently being disposed of in landfills. They are not managed well from the view or thought of protecting the environment, nature, soil, water, or air. Municipal waste in landfills is releasing Methane which is one of the most prominent greenhouse gases that is responsible for the rise in global temperature. In Jamshedpur JUSCO, a branch of TATA STEEL is taking the initiative to manage this waste, turn it into Manure, and use it for growing plants around the city. Initiatives like Waste to Wealth are also in full motion to reduce the overall waste load in the city and manage it according to the guidelines.

Analysis of cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe) heavy metal content in the river around Putri Cempo landfill, Surakarta

Abstract Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) shows that by 2023, 33.18% or equivalent to 6.5 million tonnes of waste in Indonesia will still accumulate without adequate handling. The continuous accumulation of waste in landfills will produce pollutants in the form of leachate that can pollute groundwater and rivers. Leachate can result in the presence of heavy metals in water, including heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe). This condition is a threat to the ecosystem in river waters and can indirectly have an impact on human health. This study aims to determine the content of heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe) in the river around the Putri Cempo landfill in Surakarta City, Central Java. The sampling point is at coordinates 7°32′14.4 ‘S 110°51′30.0 ’E, then testing for heavy metal content using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) method. The results showed that the cadmium (Cd) content in the river water was relatively low at -0.0274876 mg/L. This is caused by several factors, namely the nature of Cd which is not easily soluble in water so that it easily settles into sediment, the dilution of river water by rain, and the river is far from the industrial area. In contrast to Cd, iron (Fe) levels in river water far exceed the safe limit of 7.98940397 mg/L. This indicates that the river water in the area has been heavily polluted by heavy metal iron (Fe). The high levels of iron (Fe) are caused by the disposal of iron-containing domestic waste, the presence of iron water reservoirs in the Putri Cempo landfill, and corrosion of water pipes that contain iron (Fe).

Enhancing environmental sustainability: Optimal municipal-industrial waste burial site selection in Bandar Abbas, Iran using a fuzzy multi-criteria approach incorporating physical-geotechnical factor

Bandar Abbas, Iran faces a significant challenge with the disposal of approximately 500 tons of waste daily, often leading to severe environmental contamination due to improper disposal practices. Existing methodologies for waste management site selection in the region have largely overlooked critical physical-geotechnical factors, focusing primarily on ecological and structural criteria. This study aims to fill this gap by employing a novel fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approach that integrates environmental, ecological, structural, and physical-geotechnical factors for optimal burial site identification. Using the Analytic Network Process (ANP) to weigh the criteria, this research develops information layers for each aspect. Euclidean distance mapping, combined with fuzzy operators (AND, OR, SUM, Product) and varied gamma values, generates a superposition map for site suitability analysis. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is then applied to rank potential sites and identify the most suitable locations. The results indicate that ecological criteria have the greatest influence on site selection, followed by structural, environmental, and physical-geotechnical factors. Key sub-criteria affecting site selection include proximity to sensitive habitats, residential areas, rivers, and fault lines. Based on the TOPSIS ranking model, five suitable burial locations in Bandar Abbas were identified, with Area 4 (west of Tal Siah Village) emerging as the optimal site. This study contributes to advancing waste management practices by offering a comprehensive, data-driven framework that balances environmental sustainability and geotechnical considerations, providing valuable insights for global application.

Intelligent control system and operational performance optimization of a municipal solid waste incineration power plant

This study proposed an integrated intelligent control system in one municipal solid waste incineration power plant to improve the system's control accuracy, economic performance and environmental impact, including the intelligent combustion, intelligent denitrification, intelligent desulfurization and intelligent soot-blowing control subsystems. The precise detection and adjustment of the key operational parameters was achieved by integrating these modules into the existing distributed control system. A comparative analysis of the operation data between pre-optimization and post-optimization states was conducted to assess the changes in the key operational and economic parameters. The results indicate that the introduction of the intelligent control module can significantly improve the system stability and parameter control accuracy, thereby enhancing the economic efficiency of the waste incineration power plant and reducing the operation workload and the pollutants emissions. Specifically, the standard deviations of main steam flowrate and pressure decreased by 45.1 % and 60.7 %, respectively. Furthermore, the consumptions of the ammonia water and lime slurry were reduced by 38.2 % and 23.2 %, respectively, while the auxiliary power consumption rate declined by two percentage points, and the power generation per ton of waste increased by 4.2 %. These improvements not only strengthen the economic benefits but also effectively reduce the pollutants emissions.

PLN CSR Program Through Community Empowerment at Saguling Dam, Citarum River, Bandung, West Java

Saguling Dam is a man-made reservoir located in West Bandung Regency, which dams the flow of the Citarum River, the largest river in West Java. The current condition of the dam has been heavily polluted by an abundance of water hyacinth and a buildup of household waste covering the river's surface. According to data from the Bandung City Sanitation Company in 2016, approximately 2.5 million residents produced 1,500 - 1,600 tons of waste per day. However, only 1,100 - 1,200 tons were transported to the Sarimukti Final Disposal Site (TPA), and 150 - 250 tons were processed by residents. The remaining 150 - 250 tons of waste were disposed of in Citarum River's tributaries. PLN (State Electricity Company) implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program themed "Green Employee Involvement" through community empowerment efforts aimed at addressing the waste problems in the Saguling Dam. The "Green Employee Involvement" program, in collaboration with the Bening Saguling Foundation, was carried out in celebration of World Environment Day 2024. The research methodology used is qualitative, employing a case study approach. Data collection methods include literature review and observation. The research findings show that PLN's Corporate Social Responsibility program, themed "Green Employee Involvement" in collaboration with the Bening Saguling Foundation, has had a positive impact on environmental preservation while also providing economic benefits to the community in the Saguling Dam area, Bandung, West Java.

A mini-review on egg waste valorization.

Each year, approximately million tons of waste is generated from eggshells disposed of in landfills. This waste is challenging to manage because of the odor and microbiological development. However, eggshells have potential applications as a solid byproduct. They can be modified and used in various industries such as metal, polymer and ceramic composites, in the production of biodiesel, heavy metal absorption from wastewater, and even as a biomaterial to substitute bone tissues. Furthermore, eggshells can be used as a cheap adsorbent for the treatment of contaminated waterways. They are also a great source of calcium and fertilizer for plants, animals and humans. Chicken eggshells can even be used as a catalyst for converting waste frying oil into biofuel. This review highlights the challenges and opportunities of eggshell waste valorization in the food industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessing the Environmental Impact of Municipal Waste on Energy Incineration Technology for Power Generation Using Life Cycle Assessment Methodology.

The life cycle assessment methodology is a comprehensive environmental impact evaluation approach rooted in the "cradle-to-grave" concept. This study takes a municipal solid waste incineration power plant in central China as an example to comprehensively explore the potential ecological and environmental impacts of municipal solid waste incineration power generation through life cycle assessment methods. Burning one ton of waste can recover 7342 joules of thermal energy. Compared with traditional landfill, incineration can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 30%, with a potential global warming impact of -0.69 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent. Amongst environmental impacts, land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems possess the greatest potential toxicity, followed by the harmful effects on human health and the influence of ozone-producing photochemical pollution. Lastly, there comes terrestrial acidification, whereas other types of effects can be relatively disregarded in comparison. In the process of waste incineration power generation, the potential impacts of global warming, ionizing radiation, and fossil resource scarcity are less than zero, indicating that this is an environmentally friendly process. In response to the above-mentioned environmental impacts, it is necessary to pay attention to improving incineration efficiency, optimizing leachate treatment, reducing coal use, and controlling acidic gas emissions in the process of urban solid waste incineration power generation. This research offers insights into advancing environmentally sustainable technologies for utilizing waste as an energy resource.

A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of the endoscopic sinus surgery considering materials, energy, and waste.

Operating rooms generate 1.8 million tons of waste annually, or 20%‒30% of the total healthcare waste in the United States. Our objective was to perform a life cycle assessment (LCA) for endoscopic sinus surgeries (ESSs) in order to analyze its environmental impact. A comprehensive LCA of ESS was performed considering energy, climate, and water use impacts associated with the materials and processes used. It focuses on the ESS performed at a large tertiary academic hospital and then extends the impacts to consider annual US surgeries. The assessment considers end-of-life waste management at both landfills and incinerators. Single-use instrument production constitutes 89%‒96% of the total impacts throughout the life cycle of an ESS. Waste-to-energy incineration is shown to be a preferred end-of-life destination, as it recovers much of the input production energy of plastic items, ultimately reducing the input to 36%, although this is done at the expense of higher greenhouse gas emissions. For multi-use items, decontamination dominates environmental impact (>99% of totals), but consideration of reusable items reduces overall energy consumption and global warming potential (GWP) by 25%‒33%. Single-use items dominate the total environmental impact of ESS. While multi-use items require additional decontamination over their lifetimes, results show that their incorporation reduces energy consumption and GWP by 25%‒33%, demonstrating the clear environmental benefit.

Bio-based polylactic acid labware as a sustainable alternative for microbial cultivation in life science laboratories

Single-use plastics (SUPs) in life science laboratories account for approximately 5.5 million tonnes of waste per year globally. Of SUPs used in life science laboratories, Petri dishes, centrifuge tubes, and inoculation loops are some of the most common. In order to reduce the reliance on petrochemical-based SUPs in the life science research laboratory and minimize the negative environmental impacts associated with SUPs, this research investigates the applicability of polylactic acid (PLA) in single-use labware as a replacement for petrochemical-based plastics. PLA is one of the most well-studied biodegradable plastics that can be produced from sustainable resources. Commercially available PLA was used to 3D print a select range of labware to test the suitability of PLA-based material for routine microbiology work. An injection moulded PLA-based Petri dish was also designed and produced, for increased optical clarity. The biocompatibility was tested against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis) strains of bacteria. The PLA-based labware did not negatively impact the cell growth, viability, and metabolic activity of the bacterial cultures. The injection moulded PLA Petri dish showed a reduced colony forming unit count for the Gram-negative E. coli strain compared to the polystyrene Petri dish, ∼1.5 × 109 CFU/mL and ∼3.0 × 109 CFU/mL respectively, during late-exponential growth. The colony counts were, however, in the same order of magnitude. This observed difference may be due to the internal environment inside the Petri dish, hence the internal O2 concentration, humidity, and temperature during bacterial growth were investigated. This work demonstrates, for the first time, a full successful workflow of bacterial growth using a sustainable bioplastic, providing a pathway to reducing the environmental impacts of SUPs in life science laboratories.