Waste Containers Research Articles (Page 1)

Investigation of structural and radiation shielding properties of natural granite, clay, natural cement, and quartz supplied from Hakkâri region.

Achieving high-integrity seals in double-layered 316L nuclear waste containers through ultrasonic-frequency pulsed arc deep penetration welding

Strontium immobilization in alkali-borosilicate matrices prepared from industrial waste glass grit: Insights into hydraulic durability and microstructural alterations.

BackgroundHemophilia A is an inherited bleeding disorder with an increased risk of excessive bleeding. People affected by hemophilia A with a severe bleeding phenotype are treated prophylactically with hemostatic agents. Monitoring treatment and adjusting it to the individual patient’s needs is complicated by the scarcity of laboratories equipped to perform relevant coagulation assays and the absence of point-of-care testing platforms. A novel near-patient testing platform called the EnzySystem HemA aims to address this issue by measuring factor VIII (FVIII) activity and thrombin generation within 1 hour of 100 µL of whole blood.ObjectiveThis study assessed the usability of the EnzySystem HemA by health care professionals without prior training and gathered information on its perceived usability, effectiveness, usefulness, and acceptability.MethodsA qualitative, single-center formative usability assessment was performed. Participants performed an FVIII activity assay with a mockup of the EnzySystem HemA and were interviewed about its acceptability, usability, effectiveness, and usefulness. Video recordings of the sessions were obtained with permission and subsequently reviewed to assess usability; thematic analysis was performed on the interview transcripts.ResultsA total of 7 health care providers participated, all unaffiliated with the EnzySystem’s developer. Participants included 1 (14%) pediatric hematologist, 3 (43%; pediatric) nurses, and 3 (43%; pediatric) nurse practitioners. Two (29%) of the participants also held management positions. Five (71%) participants successfully performed the FVIII activity assay as intended. Of the remaining 2 participants, one applied insufficient force when inserting the blood tube, whereas the other was unable to transfer the blood into the EnzySystem. This latter step caused difficulties in 3 (60%) other participants; however, they completed it correctly. Five (71%) participants did not dispose of the EnzySystem components as intended, primarily due to compatibility issues of the disposable parts with the inlet of the US standard medical waste containers. Five themes were generated from the interviews: functional the way it is focuses on the acceptance of the prototype despite suggestions for various improvements, utility through faster results and increased access and potential for patient engagement relate to the envisioned benefits of the platform, and financial investment and return and ensuring accuracy reflect on potential barriers for implementation.ConclusionsDespite significant usability issues, the need for faster and more accessible testing led participants to conclude that the current platform was acceptable for use, provided that proof of assay accuracy was demonstrated. The results of this study will form the basis for further development of the EnzySystem HemA. The effectiveness of any updates will be evaluated in future usability studies, which will also include people with hemophilia A as participants.

An integral part of the consumer unit ’s life cycle includes its disposal or disposal of the distribution packaging. RFID tag used to identify the product can provide identification of the product itself as well as the packaging. This information can be used in the waste selective sorting process with regard to the safe management of waste and to optimize its secondary use. However, at this time the implementation of the RFID tag to each consumer unit is still a vision for the future, the use of RFID technology in waste management is already a real issue. Automatic identification and data capture of municipal waste containers emptying process can provide very useful information. Such information is important both for the customer who can be sure that he pays for the real services, as well as for the service providers, allowing them to easily and reliably prove the contractual service of the collection and treatment of waste. This article deals with the application of RFID technology to identify the time and place of containers with municipal waste emptying and the benefits of the system based on this principle.

Deep geological repositories - A review of design concepts, near-field evolution, and their implications for nuclear waste containment.

The Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants in Korea has accelerated the need for Technically rigorous and safety-oriented standards governing the packaging, transportation, and disposal of radioactive waste. To address this, a new set of standards based on the Korean Electric power Industry Code(KEPIC) is under development, with the goal of ensuring regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and environmental safety. This Study outlines the key elements of KEPIC based technical standards for waste containers, focusing on both metallic containers and flexible intermediate bulk containers(Soft bags,) Applicable across low-, very low, and intermediate-level waste streams. The paper analyzes domestic and international regulatory frameworks—including IAEA SSR-6, NRC 10 CFR Part 71, ASME BPVC, and related Korean regulations—and synthesizes container design and performance requirements drawn from recent committee deliberations and stakeholder reviews. Technical challenges such as structural integrity, corrosion resistance, shielding capability, and compatibility with waste forms are examined in detail. Based on these findings, the study proposes a draft structure for a new KEPIC standard and discusses its anticipated policy and practical implications for radioactive waste management during decommissioning in Korea

Littered wastes are one of the important problems in the urban environment that depends on the behavior of citizens. In this study, the perceived behavioral control of citizens and its relationship with waste littering behavior was investigated. In addition to this. the result of this behavior in the status of the urban environment was evaluated by interpreting the Clean Environment Index. The results showed that the health and environmental consequences of littering were not properly understood by the respondents because 54% were not bothered by the litter in the urban environment, only 36% considered this waste as a threat to the urban environment, and more than 90% believed that all urban litter was completely collected by the urban cleaning system. Furthermore, the assessment of respondents’ perceived behavioral control showed that 85% of citizens agreed that they could avoid littering, while more than 80% agreed that they could hold the waste for a few minutes until they found a trash bin or waste container. However, 89% responded that they had waste littering behavior, 40% of which were in low access points. Littering behavior resulted in an average density of littered waste of 0.3797 items/m2 in the studied urban environment. The calculated Clean Environment Index in 15 studied locations was ranged in 2.3–32.1, indicating that 46.6% of the locations were in a dirty and extremely dirty status. The lack of appropriate behavior of citizens, despite the high perceived behavioral control can be due to the influence of external factors, including the absence of anti-littering laws, as well as the inappropriate attitude of citizens in ignoring the negative consequences of this type of waste and the inefficiency of the urban cleaning system. Therefore, it is suggested to develop education to increase citizens’ awareness of health and environmental consequences of waste littering.

The healthcare sector is a significant producer of greenhouse gas emissions, with intensive care units (ICUs) being major contributors. The environmental impact of medical waste largely depends on disposal methods; proper segregation can enhance recycling potential. High variability in waste segregation and excessive linen consumption in the burn and polytrauma ICU. This quality improvement initiative in a 10-bed burn and polytrauma Spanish ICU used a pre-post interventional study design to address poor waste segregation and excessive linen use challenges. Following educational workshops, placement of posters and reducing chemical waste container size, the workflow for medical waste segregation was improved. During a 60-day baseline period, packaging waste, chemical waste and linen were measured for burn victims, polytrauma cases and conventional ICU patients. A new intervention focused on packaging and chemical waste segregation practices, classifying plastic or glass containers with less than 10% medication remaining as recyclable. Measurements were repeated during a subsequent 112-day intervention period. Significant differences were observed during the baseline period: average packaging waste per shift was 251.51 g (range: 62.34-440.68; p = 0.02) and average daily packaging waste was 754.53 g (range: 187.02-1322.02; p = 0.02) for burn victims compared with other groups. When comparing both periods, total chemical waste decreased from 5.34 kg (range: 4.06-6.62) to 2.07 kg (range: 1.76-2.38), with average chemical waste per patient per day dropping from 790 g (range: 582.10-998.20) to 304.70 g (range: 260.50-348.90), both statistically significant (p = 0.001). Linen usage indicated a decrease in variability despite not reaching statistically significant differences (p = 0.154). This study demonstrated that improving segregation criteria reduced variability in waste management within an ICU setting. Chemical waste was successfully decreased while increasing recyclables, showing that transforming a conventional ICU into a sustainable one is both feasible and effective.

Abstract Desiccation cracks in clay soils are a serious problem in landfill liner. This study aims to evaluate the behaviour of soil cracks in fly ash-bentonite mixtures as land-fill lining materials under wet-dry cycles and analyse the crack intensity using a quantitative approach in the form of Crack Intensity Factor (CIF). The methods used in this study include laboratory testing of three variations of soil composites consisting of fly ash, bentonite, and coconut fiber. Each variation was tested through swelling test, Standard Proctor, permeability test, and desiccation crack test simulated in temperature-controlled compaction tanks (25°C and 40°C) for 15 days. Visual and quantitative analyses of CIF were performed by periodic im-aging and processing using MATLAB software. Results showed that the composite with the highest bentonite content (V1) showed the largest CIF value (2.94% at 40°C and 0.38% at 25°C), while the composite without bentonite (V3) had the lowest CIF value (0.138% at 40°C and 0% at 25°C). In summation, material adding with bentonite and coconut fiber can decrease the desiccation crack significantly due to elasticities modulus, to absorb deformation before spreading the crack. Furthermore, the use of wetting-drying cycle as a method and measured by CIF to analyse the morphology crack are beneficial to assess the variation sample.

The object of this study is the municipal solid waste management system within a modern urban environment, where rapid urbanization and population growth pose significant challenges to ecological sustainability. The key problem addressed is the inefficiency of waste collection due to overflowing containers, poor route planning, and suboptimal resource allocation. To tackle these issues, an intelligent waste monitoring system has been developed that integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, computer vision, data analytics, and a Regional Geographic Information System (RGIS). The system includes a computer vision model that analyzes images of waste containers to determine their fill level. Fine-tuning the model on locally collected image data, reflecting regional characteristics such as lighting, container types, and weather conditions, significantly improved detection accuracy and adaptability. Route optimization for waste collection is implemented using a mathematical formulation of the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), solved via Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), which helped reduce fuel consumption, travel time, and staff workload. Integration with RGIS and GPS enables dynamic routing and real-time geospatial visualization of operational data. The proposed system forms a closed-loop control cycle that links automated detection, spatial analysis, and decision-making. Experimental results demonstrate high efficiency, adaptability to regional conditions, and scalability, confirming the system’s practical applicability to other urban areas. In the future, the system may be expanded to include environmental monitoring modules such as air quality, noise, and soil conditions and predictive modeling of waste generation, thereby supporting the sustainable development of smart city infrastructure

Collecting waste directly from the consumer could be considered the initial stage of electronic waste recycling. Despite numerous studies employing mathematical assignment models to determine the optimal location of containers for waste collection from end-users, no research has been deemed to incorporate the demographic characteristics of the regions into these assignment models. This study aims to accomplish more effective results by incorporating the factors affecting consumers’ recycling trends (the population, income level, education level, and age distribution of the relevant region) into the assignment model. By integrating abovementioned parameters characterizing regional differences in the micro sense and country-based differences in the macro sense into the assignment model, a generic model is structured to help local administrators determine their first-step e-waste recycling policies. The main contribution of the proposed model is that significantly more realistic results regarding the amount of e-waste to be collected can be obtained when factors indicating regional differences are included in the container assignment model. Thus, local governments could utilize these findings as a reference to create more sustainable policies for the next steps of e-waste recycling. The model application is demonstrated through a case study for a local government in Turkey.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a major clinical and economic burden, with pathogens such as Escherichia coli contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Traditional manual disinfection methods are often insufficient, particularly in high-risk hospital environments. In this study, we investigated innovative strategies to enhance surface decontamination and reduce infection risk. First, we assessed the efficacy of the SMEG BPW1260 bedpan washer-disinfector, a thermal disinfection system for human waste containers. Our results demonstrated a reduction in Clostridium difficile and Escherichia coli contamination by >99.9% (>3 log reduction), as measured by colony-forming units (CFU) before and after treatment. Molecular techniques, including spectrophotometry, cell counting, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for DNA quantification, confirmed reduction in bacterial contamination. Specifically, Clostridium difficile showed a reduction of approximately 89% in both optical density (OD) and cell count (cells/mL). In the case of Escherichia coli, a reduction of around 82% in OD was observed, with an even more pronounced decrease in cell count, reaching approximately 99.3%. For both bacteria, DNA quantification by qPCR was below detectable limits. Furthermore, we optimized the energy efficiency of the disinfection cycle, achieving a 45% reduction in power consumption compared to standard protocols without compromising antimicrobial efficacy. Secondly, we developed a sustainable cleaning solution based on methyl ester sulfonate surfactants derived from waste cooking oil. The detergent's antibacterial activity was tested on contaminated surfaces and further enhanced through the incorporation of nanoassemblies composed of silver, electrostatically bound either to biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles or to conventional magnetic nanoparticles. Washing with the detergent alone effectively eliminated detectable contamination, while the addition of nanoparticles inhibited bacterial regrowth. Antimicrobial testing against E. coli revealed that the nanoparticle-enriched formulations reduced the average MIC values by approximately 50%, with MIC50 values around 0.03-0.06 mg/mL and MIC90 values between 0.06 and 0.12 mg/mL, indicating improved inhibitory efficacy. Finally, recognizing the infection risks associated with intra-hospital transport, we tested the SAFE-HUG Wheelchair Cover, a disposable non-woven barrier designed to reduce patient exposure to contaminated wheelchair surfaces. Use of the cover resulted in a 3.3 log reduction in surface contamination, based on viable cell counts. Optical density and bacterial DNA were undetectable in all covered samples at both 1 and 24 h, confirming the strong barrier effect. Together, these approaches-thermal no-touch disinfection, eco-friendly detergent boosted with nanoparticles, and protective transport barriers-respond to the urgent need for effective, sustainable infection control methods in healthcare settings. Our findings demonstrate the potential of these systems to counteract microbial contamination while minimizing environmental impact, offering promising solutions for the future of infection prevention in healthcare settings.

Accurate information on waste composition is essential for strategic planning in waste management and developing environmental technologies. However, detailed analyses of individual waste containers are both time- and cost-intensive, resulting in a limited number of available samples. Therefore, it is crucial to apply statistical methods that enable reliable estimation of average waste composition and its variability, while accounting for territorial differences. This study presents a statistical approach based on territorial stratification, aggregating data from individual waste container analyses to higher geographic units. The methodology was applied in a case study conducted in the Czech Republic, where 19.4 tons of mixed municipal waste (MMW) were manually analyzed in selected representative municipalities. The method considers regional heterogeneity, monitors the precision of partial estimates, and supports reliable aggregation across stratified regions. Three alternative approaches for constructing interval estimates of individual waste components are presented. Each interval estimate addresses variability from the random selection of waste containers and the selection of strata representatives at multiple levels. The proposed statistical framework is particularly suited to situations where the number of samples is small, a common scenario in waste composition analysis. The approach provides a practical tool for generating statistically sound insights under limited data conditions. The main fractions of MMW identified in the Czech Republic were as follows: paper 6.7%, plastic 7.3%, glass 3.6%, bio-waste 28.4%, metal 2.1%, and textile 3.0%. The methodology is transferable to other regions with similar waste management systems.

Muon tomography is a powerful technique for detecting and imaging high-density materials embedded within a lower-density matrix. A relevant application is the identification of metallic objects—such as components with density comparable to or greater than iron—encapsulated in concrete, as typically found in low-activity radioactive waste storage. To simulate realistic waste confinement scenarios, two mock-ups were constructed, each containing metallic objects of varying composition, shape, and size, embedded in concrete. They were inspected by means of the muon tomography demonstrator developed by the INFN Padova group. Preliminary results are presented, highlighting the capability of the technique to effectively probe the internal structure of cemented radioactive waste containers.

Waste containers for every clinical need.

Based on the 2014 Indonesian Health Profile, it is known that nationally there are 74.76% of districts/cities that have implemented medical waste management guidance and have not met the target of the 2014 Ministry of Health Strategic Plan, which is 75%. The number of hospitals in Indonesia is 2,601 hospitals. Hospital medical waste belongs to the category of hazardous and toxic waste that is very important to manage properly. Some medical waste is included in the category of hazardous and infectious waste. There are still many hazardous medical wastes in the form of chemical waste, pharmaceutical waste, heavy metals, genotoxic waste and pressurized containers that have not been properly managed. Meanwhile, infectious waste is waste that can be a source of disease both for hospital human resources, patients, visitors/patient referrals or the community around the hospital environment. Infectious waste is usually in the form of patient body tissues, syringes, blood, bandages, culture cultures, materials or equipment that come into contact with infectious diseases or other media that are estimated to be contaminated by the patient's disease will be the main threat to public health where the UPTD DATU BERU HOSPITAL is close to the settlement allows environmental pollution if waste management is not carried out properly. This study aims to determine the analysis of solid medical waste management in UPTD DATU BERU HOSPITAL. This study uses a type of descriptive research, using qualitative methods. The respondents in this study were in accordance with the above criteria of 2 key informants, 2 main informants and 3 triangulated/additional informants totaling 7 people. The results of this study show that there is still a lack of commitment of hospitals in the solid medical waste management system, supporting facilities have not been fulfilled, and the stages of waste management and labeling have been carried out. The final disposal site is not suitable and needs to change the sanitary landfill method. It is recommended to the hospital to increase commitment to waste management, equip each waste-producing room with needle cutters, safety boxes in each room, equip personal protective equipment, provide immunization programs and health checks.

Healthcare practitioners in low and middle-income countries encounter numerous challenges, including insufficient staffing, an unreliable electrical infrastructure, and constrained resources. Unstable availability of electricity constitutes a significant impediment to the efficacy of public health initiatives that depend on technology requiring electrical power. More than 95% of medical apparatus is procured from developed nations, with an only 13% of medical device manufacturers situated within LMIC. Non-profit organizations have developed innovative medical technologies that offer life-saving solutions previously inaccessible in the developing world. The device is designed to be cost-effective, made from local resources, compact, portable, and operated without electricity. The device is designed to have replaceable parts, a waste container cut off, and be compatible with standard suction catheter/tubing. It includes user and maintenance training, displayed parameters, corrosion-resistant components, and pump pedal spring loading. A combination concept was created by combining the manufacturing capabilities of a diaphragm with the efficiency of a piston cylinder. The final design chosen uses a piston-cylinder assembly with a trash bag diaphragm for the seal, eliminating the need for exact tolerances and costly machining. A prototype was built on top of this combined design concept. The design concept involves the implementation of locally accessible resources for the pressure-generating mechanisms, as well as the adaptability and ease of assembly of the device. The ideal length of the cylinder assembly was determined through pressure readings using a digital manometer differential pressure sensor. Changing the capacity of the cylinder can adjust the pressure range. The ideal cylinder length was found to be 12.75 inches as it provided the desired pressure range, although longer cylinders were inconsistent and difficult for users to operate. The Foot-Operated Suction Unit is particularly well suited for usage in distant places without power supply, rural health facilities, home care, field emergencies, and brief power outages due to its compact size, low weight, and simplicity of operation. Hospitals of all levels typically employ foot-operated suction units to execute abortions and to draw blood, pus, sputum, and other mucus during surgical operations.

PT. XYZ is a company engaged in providing telecommunications services, where one of the tasks of its employees is maintenance. In the office area where they work, there are unidentified problems that make the employees uncomfortable. This research aims to determine the 6S assessment form score and the causes of the lowest score in certain variables, as well as to provide recommendations to improve the work area. This study uses the 6S method (sort, set in order, shine, standardization, sustain, and safety) for improving the work area. The results of this study show that the 6S score for the work area is 2.437, which is classified as below the minimum acceptable level, indicating the need for improvement. A fishbone diagram is used to investigate the cause and effect, and the 6S Identification Form is used to identify areas or facilities that can be proposed for improvement. The recommendations given to improve the work area include creating clear and firm SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), adding various shelves, replacing the existing trash bins with waste containers, and providing 6S training facilities to help employees better understand and raise awareness of the importance of implementing 6S as a work culture. These findings have practical implications for improving employee well-being and operational efficiency through systematic workplace organization, particularly for maintenance teams in the telecommunications sector.

Prediction of airborne bacterial concentrations and identification of critical factors in contaminated waste facilities: Insights into interpretable machine learning models.