Use Of Recycled Materials Research Articles

Innovative Pavement Solutions: A Comprehensive Review from Conventional Asphalt to Sustainable Colored Alternatives

Climate change significantly impacts transportation infrastructure, particularly asphalt pavements. Similarly, the heat absorption of paved surfaces, especially conventional black pavements, significantly intensifies the urban microclimate. Paved surfaces, including asphalt pavements, account for over 30% of the covered surfaces and are vulnerable to rising temperatures, which cause not only pavement distress, such as rutting and cracking, but also urban heat islands (UHI). Sustainable pavement solutions, specifically colored pavements, have been investigated for their potential to mitigate these effects. This review presents an extensive overview of current pavement technologies, emphasizing conventional asphalt’s economic, environmental, and functional characteristics. A discussion of the benefits and challenges of colored pavements is also provided, including their ability to reduce UHI, enhance safety, and contribute to sustainable urban growth. This paper discusses advancements in pavement material science, the use of recycled materials, and the application of reflective coatings, providing insights into sustainable infrastructure development. Transitioning from conventional black pavements to sustainable colored alternatives is not merely a matter of material choice but a strategic transition toward resilient urban planning. Increasing demand for environmentally friendly infrastructure could prompt the construction industry to adopt colored pavements as a tool to promote environmental stewardship.

The Sustainable Management of Ecohotels for the Support of Ecotourism—A Case Study

Ecotourism represents a modern form of tourism that accepts the principles of sustainable development and the adequacy of the conditions of tourist destinations. The environmental awareness of all parties participating in tourism, objects, and subjects of tourism determines the development of ecotourism. Ecohotels, or “green hotels”, as an integral part of ecotourism, represent tourist accommodation facilities that have the “The Flower” certificate, their business activities minimize the impact on environmental quality. The management of ecohotels therefore implements programs and measures determining sustainable competitiveness at the local, regional, and supra-regional levels in the business in interaction with reducing the carbon footprint, water consumption, energy consumption, and waste production. They also support the use of recyclable materials and bio-products and the introduction of environmental management respecting the principles of green management in all areas of the tourism business. The competitiveness of ecohotels is in interaction with the willingness of tourists to use their pro-environmental services. The presented study is focused on the willingness of tourists to use the services of ecohotels, with an emphasis on identifying an effective strategy for supporting the development of ecotourism in the Slovak Republic. The study concentrates on the willingness of tourists to use ecohotels as part of their tourist activities based on a questionnaire survey. The study identifies the factors of strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats of the use of ecohotels by tourists in supporting the development of ecotourism. Through the exact quantification of the weights of individual factors in terms of Saaty’s matrix and a SWOT analysis, an effective strategy for the use of ecohotels in supporting the development of ecotourism is defined. In recent years, the stimulation and use of tourists’ interest in environmental quality, with an emphasis on reducing negative impacts on the environment, has resonated; thus, a model of effective marketing strategy is presented.

A Review Article On The Impact And Evolution Of Sustainable Brands

The growing emphasis on sustainability has prompted significant changes in the fashion industry, particularly among brands striving to align with eco-friendly and ethical practices. This study explores the impact of sustainable brands on consumer behavior and industry standards. It examines how these brands are integrating sustainable practices into their operations, from the use of recycled materials to adopting circular economy principles. Despite consumers' increasing awareness and positive attitudes towards sustainability, there remains a noticeable gap between these attitudes and actual purchasing behaviors. This research highlights the crucial role of sustainable brands in addressing this disconnect by fostering transparency and authenticity in their practices. The study also investigates the effectiveness of various communication strategies employed by sustainable brands to enhance consumer trust and engagement. By analyzing data from consumer surveys and brand case studies, the research identifies key factors influencing the success of sustainable brands, including brand identity, sourcing practices, and marketing strategies. The findings suggest that while sustainable brands are making strides, continued innovation and consumer education are essential for driving broader adoption and achieving meaningful environmental and social impact.

Cork activated carbon as a new sustainable electrode for electrochemical desalination: Customized surface chemistry for improved performance

Capacitive deionization (CDI) desalination has proven to be a promising solution to combat water scarcity, standing out for its efficiency and low energy consumption. In this study we investigated the feasibility and sustainability of using recycled cork stoppers as carbon electrodes for CDI. The cork stoppers underwent carbonization at three different temperatures (500, 700 °C, and 900 °C) and then activation with Potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 850 °C. The as-obtained electrodes (ECAC) demonstrated salt adsorption capacities (SAC) comparable to other biowaste carbon electrodes. The potential of zero charge (EPZC) values of the electrodes reflected the influence of synthesis conditions on their surface properties. Considering the EPZC, symmetric configuration, in which both electrodes (cathode (-) || (+) anode) were made of the same material (ECAC(-)||(+)ECAC), and asymmetric electrodes, using different materials (ECAC(-)||(+)YP80-F) were investigated. The use of asymmetric electrodes proved to be mandatory to obtain high charging efficiency and desalination capacity. It was found that the EPZC determines the correct electrode configuration to prevent the deleterious effect of co-ions repulsion. Herein, we used the carbonization temperature as a new strategy to tune the EPZC in order to obtain electrodes with the desired surface properties for application in CDI, thus avoiding the usual laborious and costly chemical-based approaches. Regarding the desalination performance, asymmetry combined with the appropriate cell potential was optimized to obtain charging efficiencies close to 100 % and maximum SAC, thus resulting in minimized specific energy consumption. This study not only confirms the efficacy of cork stoppers as electrodes for CDI but also promotes the use of recycled materials, contributing to a circular economy and environmental impact mitigation.

Additive Manufacturing of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Produced From Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of producing recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (r-ABS) filaments from waste electrical and electronic equipment (W EEE) casings, specifically discarded monitors and televisions, and to compare their properties with those of virgin ABS. Theoretical Framework: The research was based on a literature review of additive manufacturing, WEEE recycling, and the thermal, mechanical, rheological, and microscopic characterizations of recycled polymers, with an emphasis on fused deposition modeling (FDM). Method: WEEE casings were collected and mechanically recycled to produce r-ABS filaments. These filaments were characterized and compared with virgin ABS filaments using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analyses (TGA and DSC), rheological, mechanical, and microscopic evaluations. Results and Conclusion: The results indicated that r-ABS filaments exhibit properties comparable to those of virgin ABS. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of the main functional groups of ABS in the recycled samples. Thermal analysis showed similar behavior between the recycled and virgin materials, with a single thermal decomposition event. Rheological analysis demonstrated that r-ABS possesses viscoelastic properties suitable for the FDM process, and mechanical characterization showed that r-ABS exhibited tensile strength close to virgin ABS. Microscopic analysis revealed good layer adhesion and a low number of voids, factors that contribute to the quality of the printed objects. Research Implications: This study contributes to the valorization of polymeric waste, promoting the use of recycled materials in additive manufacturing processes, which can benefit both the environment and the 3D printing industry. Originality/Value: The research addresses a topic still underexplored in the literature, especially concerning the recycling of WEEE casings for the production of ABS filaments.

Modern Insulation Materials for Sustainability Based on Natural Fibers: Experimental Characterization of Thermal Properties

The recycling of materials is in line with the policy of a closed-loop economy and is currently an option for managing waste in order to reuse it to create new products. To this end, 3D printing is being used to produce materials not only from pure polymers but also from their composites. Further development in this field seems interesting and necessary, and the use of recycled materials will help to reduce waste and energy consumption. This article deals with the use of degradable waste materials for the production of insulating materials by 3D printing. For the study, samples with different numbers of layers (one and five), composite thickness (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mm) and composition (including colored resins that were transparent, black, gray, and metallized, as well as resins that were colored gray using soybean oil and gray using natural fibers) were made. The role of natural fillers was played by glycerin and biomass ash with a weight ratio of 5%. The finished materials were tested, and the values of the coefficient of thermal resistance and heat transfer were determined. The best thermal properties among the tested materials were distinguished by a five-layer sample made of soybean-oil-based resin with a thickness of 100 mm. This sample’s heat transfer coefficient was: 0.16 W/m2K. As a material for thermal insulation in 3D printing technology, biodegradable components have great potential.

A novel sustainable AZ31 based Mg matrix composite reinforced with recycled IN718 powder for circular materials economy

The pursuit of sustainable practices in manufacturing has sparked an increased interest in recycling and reusing materials to reduce waste and environmental effect. One interesting technique is incorporating recycled materials to develop advanced composite materials. In this study, we focus on utilizing recycled Inconel IN718 powders as reinforcement particles in AZ31D. Powders of IN718 finer than 37 μm, developed from machining chips through high energy ball milling process, are infused into AZ31 through friction stir processing (FSP), enabling a circular economy practice in advanced material development. The resulting composite material is evaluated for its microstructure and mechanical performance. Microstructural study reveals a uniform distribution of reinforcement particle inside the matrix throughout the processed zone. Strong interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcement, and the addition of dispersion strengthening mechanisms helped reducing the tension/compression yield asymmetry problem. The study highlights the use of recycled materials in composites to achieve sustainability in manufacturing.

No such thing as waste in primary food sector.

The European Union (EU) circular economy action plan aims to double its use of recycled material by 2030. We argue that waste-centric approach to resources may have adverse consequences to this ambition. The aim of the work was to find out the factors limiting or promoting the use of waste from primary food sector in countries with the same cultural background and similar climate in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Norway. Biomass from the primary food production sector is of good quality and excellent to use, but its use may be limited if given waste status. From numerous management decision trigger clusters, which may affect valorisation of the biomass, we focus on technology and policy. Our semi-structured interviews addressed the analysis and management of waste or by-products and explored the end-of-waste and alternative mechanisms that allowed the biomass to be valorised. However, the interviews revealed that none of the companies regard anything becoming waste, but as raw material or production left-over. Any obstacles hypothesised turned out not to be acknowledged by companies at all. This appears to be a very good example of the use of resources, but the approach is haphazard and may conflict with official understanding and waste reporting requirements. Definition of waste is the same in the EU, and arbitrary treatment can be misleading. There is a need for better management of the material flow to ensure effective biomass circulation avoiding its becoming waste. We recommend that this be addressed by introducing environmental, social, governance and a self-control system.

Application of Life Cycle Assessment in Beer Production: Systematic Review

The production of beer, a beverage of global cultural and industrial importance, has a significant impact on the environment due to the use of natural resources and the emissions generated during the various stages of the production process. Therefore, this article examines the sustainability of beer production through a review of literature articles that have used Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess its environmental impacts. A systematic literature review was conducted by selecting peer-reviewed articles published between 2001 and July 2024 using databases such as Scopus and Google Scholar. The search included studies analyzing different stages of the beer life cycle, from raw material production to packaging and distribution, using specific keywords related to LCA and brewing. The results showed that energy use and packaging are the two critical aspects identified in the review, which represent a significant part of the environmental footprint. However, it is important to note that the available studies on the subject are few and heterogeneous and they use different methodologies, impact categories, and functional units, which complicates the comparison and synthesis of results, limiting the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Recommendations were made to improve sustainability, including the adoption of more efficient technologies, the use of recycled materials for packaging, and the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. These strategies could aim to significantly reduce the overall environmental impact of beer production.

Construction engineering in China under green Transition: Policy research Topic clusters and development forecasts

China’s construction engineering market is gradually transitioning towards high-quality development, driven by policies such as green and low-carbon. Identifying research topics for China’s construction engineering policy and predicting future research trends are crucial for policymakers to make informed decisions and promote the transformation of the construction industry. This study combines Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model (ARIMA) to analyze more than 6,500 relevant literature abstracts. The LDA model identified 11 key topics, with the five hottest topics conceptualized with trend prediction. ARIMA-based trend forecasts show that these topics will continue to grow over the next two years. Energy Consumption in Construction (Topic 2) is caused by the urgency of transforming China’s construction industry. The environmental impacts of green construction (Topic 6) are due to the sustainability potential of the green construction model. The relationship between urbanization, the economy and the environment (Topic 7) was prompted by the discussion that the relationship between them is still unclear. The use of recyclable materials in construction (Topic 8) is a result of resource depletion and environmental degradation. The relationship between urbanization and ecosystems (Topic 9) was prompted by the environmental problems associated with China’s high rate of urbanization. These findings reveal the focus and development trend of construction engineering transformation in China and provide feedback to policy makers and companies from the perspective of experts and scholars. The accuracy of the predictions can be further improved in the future through data updates and multi-modeling combinations.

Exploring the use of recycled materials in interior design and their environmental benefits

Sustainable and environmentally friendly interior design practices have grown in popularity in recent years. The field of interior architecture has adopted a fresh perspective in its design process. Consideration of both the user's and the environment's well-being are central to sustainable interior design. Sustainable interior design is discussed in the article, along with the significance and use of certain materials. In addition, examples of completed projects that prioritize environmental friendliness are shown, along with the fundamental principles of sustainable design. As a result of the economy's meteoric rise, "green ecology" has quickly gained widespread acceptance. Investigating and studying the potential uses of biodegradable materials in this setting is worthwhile. The use of biodegradable materials in home decor is the topic of this article. Avoidance, reduction, and reuse are the three main tenets of waste minimization initiatives.

Principles for Incorporating Recycled Materials into Airport Pavement Construction for More Sustainable Airport Pavements

Current international waste policy promotes the reduction and re-use of waste materials, and in some cases, specifically calls for the use of recycled materials in pavements. Consequently, there is a need to understand the performance of recycled materials in airport pavements, as well as the overall sustainability benefit. This paper reviews several recycled materials and their applications to asphalt concrete, cement concrete, and bound and unbound granular materials in the context of airport pavements. Additionally, it reviews sustainability quantification methods, as well as implementation challenges for using recycled materials in airport pavements. For comparing pavements with and without recycled materials, a triple bottom line approach is appropriate. The triple bottom line approach should use life cycle cost assessment and life cycle assessment for the financial and environmental impacts, respectively, as best-practice, with frameworks and guidelines already established. For social impacts, it is recommended to quantify the reduction in virgin material use which relates to intergenerational equity by ensuring access to materials by future generations. Because there are still implementation challenges for the airport pavement industry, principles are developed that aim to promote uptake of recycled materials. These principles include sorting and processing, minimising haulage distances, and ensuring performance of pavement layers through performance testing and performance-related specifications.

Injection molding of post-industrial recycled glass fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS GF40): industrial feasibility and material analysis

Polymer recycling has become increasingly important in recent decades due to economic and environmental benefits. Recycling provides a cost-saving material supply as well as avoids environmental spillage and enables resource conservation. Quantifying the changes in material properties due to recycling is a key aspect in establishing a circular economy, as it allows understanding the impact of using recycled materials on manufacturing and products. To date, research and industry have investigated the use of recycled materials for commodity and engineering polymers. For high performance plastics, this knowledge exists only at the laboratory scale. The present study comprehensively characterizes the properties of virgin and recycled glass fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS GF40) materials. The materials considered are commercially available to industry, and the recyclates have been reclaimed from post-industrial wastes by the material manufacturers. The results show that as the recycled content increases, the tensile strength of PPS GF40 revealed a similar value for a 50 % recyclate or decreases by 21 % for a regranulate due to both macromolecular shortening and fiber scission. In addition, the shrinkage of each material is quantified. Here, shrinkage increases with increasing result of recycled content. Increasing the amount of recycled material in the compound results in lower process forces in injection molding due to higher melt flow indices. With the help of these results, industrial products may be tailored to meet the properties of recyclate-based materials in order to conserve virgin material resources. In addition, material cost saving potentials are identified by economic calculations based on presently available industrial offers. In the light of the presented results, the introduction of recyclate-based PPS GF40 materials into industrial mass production can be assessed on the basis of mechanical and rheological properties as well as material costs. The overall objective of this study is to provide the aforementioned insights to exploit the economic and environmental benefits of polymer recycling on an industrial scale.

Enhancing the Quality of Polypropylene Recyclates: Predictive Modelling of the Melt Flow Rate and Shear Viscosity.

The extensive use of polypropylene (PP) in various industries has heightened interest in developing efficient methods for recycling and optimising its mixtures. This study focuses on formulating predictive models for the Melt Flow Rate (MFR) and shear viscosity of PP blends. The investigation involved characterising various grades, including virgin homopolymers, copolymers, and post-consumer recyclates, in accordance with ISO 1133 standards. The research examined both binary and ternary blends, utilising traditional mixing rules and symbolic regression to predict rheological properties. High accuracy was achieved with the Arrhenius and Cragoe models, attaining R2 values over 0.99. Symbolic regression further enhanced these models, offering significant improvements. To mitigate overfitting, empirical noise and variable swapping were introduced, increasing the models' robustness and generalisability. The results demonstrated that the developed models could reliably predict MFR and shear viscosity, providing a valuable tool for improving the quality and consistency of PP mixtures. These advancements support the development of recycling technologies and sustainable practices in the polymer industry by optimising processing and enhancing the use of recycled materials.

Penentuan kriteria ekonomi sirkular dan keberlanjutan dalam pemilihan suplier pada rantai pasok pangan menggunakan fuzzy demantel approach

This research aims to determine the criteria for CE and sustainability as indicators for evaluating suppliers in the food supply chain. This study is beneficial in realizing government regulations on environmentally friendly products. The method used in this research combines fuzzy multi-criteria decision making theory and the Dematel technique, known as Fuzzy Dematel. The criteria for CE and sustainability in the food supply chain suppliers in this study are obtained from literature and Expert’s opinions, consisting of 20 criteria distributed across four aspects: economic, environmental, social, and circular. The criteria that have a strong influence and relationship with CE and sustainability criteria in the evaluating food supply chain suppliers are cost, design of products, and the use of recyclable materials in packaging products. This indicates that these criteria are the most important factors that can have a significant influence as indicators for selecting CE and sustainability suppliers. With these criteria, managers can assist in evaluating supplier in industries undergoing a transition toward a CE.

Environmentally-Friendly Recycled Leather‑Reinforced Composite: Thermal and Acoustic Properties

Increase in energy consumption and environmental pollution are some of the main problems of today. One of the ways to overcome these problems is to increase the use of recycled materials. Heat and sound insulation in buildings can play an important role in saving energy and reducing environmental pollution with composite materials made from recycled leather. This study investigates the possibility of reusing leather scraps. Composite material was produced by cutting leather waste for thermal and sound insulation of buildings into small pieces and pressing them in a mechanical mold using polyvinyl acetate binder. The effect of the thickness of the developed new leather-added composite materials on their thermal and acoustic insulation properties was examined. When the thermal and acoustic properties of the composites were evaluated, it was determined that the PVA/skin thicknesses forming the mixture varied depending on the mean temperature and frequency (Hz). As a result of the measurements, it was seen that the sound at the 3000 Hz frequency, to which the human ear is most sensitive, was absorbed by 61%.

Study on the mesoscopic mechanical behavior and damage constitutive model of micro-steel fiber reinforced recycled aggregate concrete

This study employs in-situ 4D CT experimental techniques to investigate the mesostructured changes and mechanical behavior of micro steel fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete (MSF-RAC) under uniaxial compression and cyclic loading conditions. The research aims to address the scientific problem of limited understanding of how micro steel fibers affect the mesoscopic mechanical behavior and structural damage characteristics of recycled aggregate concrete. High-resolution CT scanning technology was utilized for real-time observation of crack initiation and propagation, revealing the micro-mechanisms by which micro steel fibers enhance RAC. The study found that incorporating micro-steel fibers significantly improves the density of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), inhibits crack development, and enhances the mechanical properties of the concrete. Based on these observations, an improved stiffness degradation damage constitutive model was proposed, which comprehensively considers the distribution orientation of micro steel fibers and ITZ characteristics. The model effectively predicts the stress-strain relationship of MSF-RAC under various conditions, demonstrating high accuracy and practicality. These findings provide important theoretical support and experimental evidence for the optimal design of RAC, showcasing significant engineering application value by promoting the sustainable use of recycled materials in construction.

Environmentally sustainable apparel merchandising of recycled cotton-polyester blended garments: Analysis of consumer preferences and purchasing behaviors

This research work examines how consumer behavior and purchasing pattern are affected by recycled cotton-polyester blended clothing, with a particular emphasis on sustainable apparel merchandising. The use of recycled materials has drawn a lot of attention as environmental sustainability in the fashion business is growing attention. In order to investigate customer behavior, perceptions, preferences and purchasing decisions regarding recycled cotton-polyester blended clothing.This research employed a mixed-methods design that included both qualitative and quantitative methods. For a deeper understanding of the customer attitudes, opinions and motives towards sustainable fashion recycled materials in particular, this phase qualitatively involves a one-on-one interview and focus group discussions based on age, gender social class as well as the level of education. In addition, the study considers aspects such as longevity in use, wear resistance, quality, ease of use and clothing comfort that influence buying decisions. Using data from the qualitative phase as a foundation, the quantitative phase uses surveys given to a broad consumer sample to measure consumer preferences and purchasing pattern for recycled cotton-polyester clothing. This research aims at identifying the key factors that impact the preference of customers and buying behavior for recycled cotton and polyester blends based apparel. Additionally, it aims to assess how well sustainable clothing merchandising techniques work to promote these goods. This study indicates that individuals aged 25–45 from higher social strata and with higher educational attainment exhibit greater awareness and preference for recycled apparel with more than 60 % demonstrating a marked inclination towards these products.

Properties of Adhesive Mortars Using Waste Glass.

This study investigates the use of waste glass as an active aggregate in glass polymers based on water glass, aiming to enhance the sustainability of construction materials by utilizing recyclable waste. Methodologically, the research employs a combination of water glass as a binder with waste glass, analyzing their chemical interaction and the resulting mechanical properties. The primary findings reveal that the inclusion of finely ground waste glass not only promotes the polycondensation and hardening processes of water glass but also significantly influences the adhesive and cohesive strengths of the developed glass polymers. After 7 days of hardening, the tensile strength of these materials exceeds that of standard concrete with values reaching up to 4.11 MPa, indicating strong adhesion capabilities that could pull out fragments of the concrete substrate. Conclusively, the study underscores the potential of waste glass in improving the structural and economic efficiencies of building materials, contributing to a reduction in landfill waste and offering a promising avenue for the innovative use of recyclable materials in construction.

Pelatihan Pemanfaatan Stik Es Krim Sebagai Alternatif Dekorasi Dinding Rumah

This research focuses on the utilization of ice cream sticks as an alternative material for wall decoration. The objective of this study is to enhance the creativity of participants, provide an economical solution for home decoration, increase awareness of the use of recycled materials, and explore new economic opportunities. The training program developed in this research aims to teach participants how to create aesthetically pleasing and unique wall decorations using ice cream sticks, a commonly available and inexpensive material. The training includes theoretical and practical sessions to ensure participants gain both knowledge and hands-on experience. The results show that participants not only developed new skills but also gained insights into potential business opportunities in the craft industry. Additionally, this study contributes to environmental sustainability by promoting the use of recycled materials. The findings suggest that with proper guidance and training, ice cream sticks can be effectively transformed into valuable decorative items, thereby offering both economic and environmental benefits.