Upcycling waste paper into carbon dot; AgI composites for efficient pesticide degradation

Improving environmental awareness among youth is vital for a sustainable future. Growing individuals who are sensitive to nature ensure that permanent steps are taken to solve environmental problems. This study aims to analyze young people’s perceptions and attitudes toward the environment and to reveal their level of sensitivity and environmentally friendly behaviors. A face-to-face survey was conducted with 286 young people living in Hatay province. The findings obtained were evaluated by factor analysis. In addition, it was found that they acquired environmental knowledge mostly on their own and that they were aware that deforestation and environmental pollution threatened the future. It was determined that youth have recycling awareness. Besides, it is argued that paper, plastic, glass and metal waste should be separated, waste oil should not be poured down the sink but collected in suitable containers, used batteries should be collected separately and recycling bins should be kept at home or in the neighborhood. Moreover, it is stated that environmental awareness should be taught as a course in schools through experts in order to instill it in people. Additionally, it should be supported to organize events and activities aimed at raising environmental awareness in individuals. Furthermore, practices such as social responsibility projects should be implemented to increase youth responsibility towards the environment.

The development of low-cost and sustainable adsorbents is crucial for reducing CO2 emissions associated with climate change. In this context, waste-derived porous carbons have emerged as promising materials for adsorption applications. This work evaluates the CO2 adsorption performance of porous carbons derived from printed paper waste using temperature swing adsorption (TSA). The activated carbons were produced by pretreating printed paper waste, followed by impregnation with KOH, K2CO3, or KHC8H4O4 and chemical activation via pyrolysis at 800°C. Adsorption tests were conducted using TSA, assessing adsorption capacity as a function of temperature. The results showed that the maximum CO2 adsorption capacity at 30°C for AC-KOH, AC-KCO, and AC-KHP was 7.64%, 6.28%, and 6.80%, respectively. In adsorption tests at 30°C at 1bar, AC-KOH (83.33% micropore volume) demonstrated the best performance with a maximum CO2 adsorption efficiency of 7.64% (2.29mmolg-1). The average fluctuation after 10 adsorption-desorption cycles was less than 1%, indicating good regeneration and stability of AC-KOH. These results suggest that printed paper is a promising precursor for producing adsorbents for CO2 adsorption.

Abstract The efficient use of biomass as a solid fuel is essential to satisfy energy requirements and provide an appropriate alternative to coal. This study examined the co-briquetting of Jatropha Seed Shell (JSS), Groundnut Husk (GNH), and Paper Waste (PW) at various 
mixing ratios to determine the optimal percentage for superior quality briquettes. These three residues were selected because their complementary chemical profiles and addresses the limitations of using individual residues, providing a high-performance. JSS 
and GNH served as raw materials for briquette manufacturing, whereas PW was used as a binder in minor quantities (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5% by weight). Cylindrical biomass briquettes with a diameter of 3 cm and lengths of 4 to 5 cm were manufactured at varying 
compaction pressures of 60, 70, and 80 MPa. To use the created briquettes as fuel, essential attributes were assessed, revealing that superior quality briquettes may be achieved using a mixing ratio of JSS:GNH:PW=60:35:05 at 80 MPa. The regression models 
between dependent and independent variables, as well as the correlation analysis between two variables concerning briquette qualities, were conducted using the trial version of IBM-SPSS statistical software. The coefficient of determination (R²) was 
determined as follows: compressed density 0.778, relaxed density 0.792, relaxation ratio 0.791, shattering index 0.801, and compressive strength 0.852. The fuel properties and calorific value were assessed for JSS:GNH:PW=60:35:05 at 80 MPa, and the findings verified that the briquettes manufactured with 5% PW alongside JSS and GNH are appropriate for utilization as a solid fuel for steam generation in various applications.

High-value nanocellulose from laser-printed waste paper: From comparative synthesis to mechanistic insights on morphological and thermal properties.

Quantifying carbon reduction potential of "Zero-Waste City" pilot: A case study of Shenzhen based on Source reduction-Recycling-Disposal framework.

Estimating the climate impacts of future paper production and recycling with life cycle assessment.

Analysis of waste generation and environmental impact of a multi-dose iodinated contrast media injection system in an emergency radiology department.

Enhanced biodegradation of sticky deposits through cutinase-lipase synergy in designer cellulosomes.

*Here is the link to the talk I gave for the LifeSciLab in Uppsala, Sweden. I posted the slides on this website earlier.* [How reporting on study limitations can diminish Avoidable Research Waste](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQaKzdo4sh8) *In the 45-minute talk, I cover the Avoidable Research Waste (ARW) papers of 2009 and 2014. I comment on the links between UNESCO's Open Science Recommendations paper (2021) and Robert Merton's CUDOS principles that describe and prescribe good ways of doing science (1942). I talk about my own work (with Dr. Halil Kilicoglu and others) on self-acknowledgment of limitations and connect that to the question of how we may organize skepticism (the 'OS' in CUDOS) in our research teams). I distinguish four types of limitations and link the types 3 and 4 to multiverse sensitivity analysis, a radical form of testing the robustness of study findings. Finally, I spend 10 minutes on the results of a small study we did at our open science support desk to find out to what extent our faculty's researchers embraced the 14 principles of our internal open science checklist between 2020 and 2023. The last slide discusses slow science, team science and again the organization of skepticism within research settings.* The link between more transparency about our own study limitations and the reduction of research waste should have been made much clearer. A nice challenge for another talk.

Paper waste generation in higher education institutions represents a significant environmental concern due to its considerable volume and resource potential. At the Sumatera Institute of Technology, paper waste management has not been fully optimized, and data on paper waste generation are still limited. Therefore, this study aims to analyze paper waste generation at the Institut Teknologi Sumatera. The method used to calculate paper waste generation in this study was the waste sampling method based on SNI 3964-2025. Waste sampling was conducted for eight consecutive days in four administrative buildings at the Institut Teknologi Sumatera. The results indicated a total paper waste generation of 11.7 kg/day, with the highest contribution originating from the Student Affairs and Finance Office building (3.9 kg/day). The findings demonstrate that paper waste generation is influenced not only by population size but also by the characteristics of administrative activities, document processing intensity, and institutional work systems. This study provides essential baseline data to support the planning of paper waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs, contributing to the development of sustainable waste management strategies in higher education institutions. Keywords: Paper waste generation, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, SNI 3964-2025, Sustainable waste management.

Universities generate significant quantities of paper waste and represent controlled institutional settings where circular economy interventions can be operationalized. This study evaluates a university-anchored, closed-loop waste paper recycling system that integrates environmental performance, economic viability, and women’s empowerment within a single institutional framework. Using an integrated material flow analysis and life cycle assessment (MFA–LCA) approach, combined with enterprise cost analysis and a mixed-methods social impact assessment, a 17-month case study was conducted at a residential university campus in India. Results show that the recycling pathway achieved a net greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction of 85% compared to conventional landfilling, functioning as a net carbon sink primarily due to avoided virgin paper production and high material recovery (86.2%). The recycling enterprise, supported by institutional infrastructure and procurement commitments, achieved cost recovery with a 13.3% operating surplus, generating stable average monthly incomes of INR 3,344 for participating rural women. Social assessment revealed statistically significant improvements across economic empowerment, skills and confidence, decision-making autonomy, and social participation, with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 1.37– 2.36). The findings demonstrate that when a university acts as an anchor institution by providing infrastructure and procurement support for environmental mitigation and socio-economic empowerment, these outcomes can be mutually achieved as the outcomes of circular practice. These findings demonstrate that universities can serve as effective catalysts for implementing the circular economy, creating replicable models that simultaneously deliver quantifiable climate benefits, economic sustainability, and inclusive rural development, all aligned with national sustainability objectives.

Sustainable print management has become an issue of paramount importance in respect to organizations that want to mitigate the effects they have on the environment whilst still being able to operate efficiently. The conventional print management systems tend to be based on fixed set of rules and manual controls hence resulting in wastage of paper, energy and unchecked waste. The research is a proposed comprehensive data-oriented system of sustainable print management, which combines data analytics, predictive modeling, and optimization methods in order to allow intelligent, adaptative, and resource-efficient printing environments. The suggested solution will take advantage of past print logs, device level energy logs, and patterns of user behavior to predict print demand, uncover inefficiencies, and make informed decisions. Predictive models are also used to forecast print volumes in future and possible waste in order to allow proactive measures to be taken like job consolidation, duplex enforcement and digital alternatives. The optimization algorithms also contribute to sustainability by dynamically assigning the print jobs to devices which consume less energy and scheduling workloads to reduce maximum consumption of energy. Moreover, user-friendly analytics is also integrated in order to gain an insight into the printing activity and implement nudging technologies that promote responsible printing without interfering with productivity. The experimental results show that there are quantifiable decreases in the amount of paper, energy use, and print-related emissions in comparison with the traditional systems and serviceable levels are attained. The results show the possibility of the data-driven strategies to make print management more of a proactive sustainability contributor as opposed to an operational reactive mechanism.

Every year, the world produces over 400 million metric tons of paper, which harms forests, increases carbon emissions, and disturbs the natural balance. A lot of paper is used in education, so there is a need to move towards more sustainable practices. Paperless education uses digital tools like e-books, online libraries, and learning platforms instead of printed books and notes, offering a greener alternative. However, moving towards paperless education is not easy. Especially in developing regions, there is still lack of digital devices and stable internet. Schools face poor infrastructure, resistance to change, cybersecurity risks, health concerns from long screen time etc. It also faces problems such as electronic waste and the gradual loss of skills such as handwriting. Despite these challenges, paperless education has many advantages. It makes teaching-learning process more interactive, improves access for diverse learners, supports independent learning, saves costs, and reduces paper waste. NEP 2020 in India supports digital learning through initiatives like DIKSHA and SWAYAM. This study employs a documentary analysis approach, reviewing scholarly articles, policy documents, and relevant web sources to examine the environmental impact of paper consumption and the role of paperless education in building a greener future. It suggests that, when supported by inclusive policies, robust digital infrastructure, and a balanced approach that values both people and the environment, paperless education can foster a greener future while creating a more effective and sustainable learning system. Keywords: Paperless Education, Digital Learning, NEP 2020, Greener Future

Printed electronics offer a scalable and sustainable route for integrating sensing systems into everyday environments; however, the use of flexography remains highly limited, and fully printed sensors fabricated exclusively with industrial flexographic technology have not been previously reported. This study evaluates the feasibility and practical limits of fabricating resistive humidity sensors for relative humidity (RH) measurements using flexography only, relying on commercial infrastructure, packaging-grade substrates, and low-temperature processing. Silver interdigitated electrodes and a carbon-based sensing layer were printed using solvent-based electronic inks, industrial aniloxes (12 and 20 cm3/m2), and standard flexographic conditions (10 m/min, ≤120 °C drying), without any post-processing. The sensing layer was optionally modified with adsorptive additives (≤5 wt% MgO; additionally, Al2O3 and Al) to enhance moisture interaction while maintaining rheological compatibility. Sensors were fabricated on recyclable paper substrates and PET for comparison. Under controlled conditions (10%–90% RH at 23 °C), devices exhibited a maximum relative resistance change of ~75% at 90% RH (referenced to 40% RH), low hysteresis (≤~5%), rapid visible response (<1 min), and stabilization within ~30 min. MgO increased relative response by 20%–233%, depending on humidity. Paper-based sensors showed higher responses but single-use behavior under flooding, while PET enabled repeatable cycling. Rather than targeting state-of-the-art performance, this work defines the functionality reliably achievable using flexography only, clarifying trade-offs among substrate choice, layer thickness, and additives for sustainable, humidity and disposable flood monitoring.

Currently, secondary fiber from waste paper, consisting of white types of paper, is subjected to bleaching for the production of sanitary and hygienic products. The aim of this paper is to investigate the possibility of bleaching secondary fibre from MS-5B waste paper (waste from corrugated and boxboard) for its use in the production of WLC boxboard with a white cover layer instead of the bleached sulphate pulp, which is used today. An analysis of literary sources has revealed that the bleaching chromophore groups with hydrogen peroxide is the most promising method for the secondary fiber from waste paper grade MS-5B. This method is more environmentally friendly compared to others, since its use does not involve the inclusion of chlorine-containing reagents in the process and requires less energy costs due to the absence of delignification. The study established the optimal technological parameters for bleaching: hydrogen peroxide concentration – 30 %, bleaching duration – 60 min, process temperature – 70 °C. However, at these technological parameters the whiteness increased only from 23 to 36 % with an improvement of optical properties without a significant decrease in the physical and mechanical properties, because bleaching had almost no effect on the morphology of the fiber. Using more "rigid" technological parameters led to an increase in the whiteness from 23 to 50 %, but at the same time, the strength properties of the fibres noticeably decreased. The lignin content reduced after bleaching under “rigid” conditions using TCF technology.

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the valorization of paper waste through recycling with the addition of esparto (Stipa tenacissima) as a natural additive. Three formulations were tested: 50% paper − 50% esparto, 70% paper − 30% esparto, and pure recycled paper. A higher esparto content provides rigidity, fibrous texture, and increased strength, whereas a greater proportion of recycled paper enhances flexibility and homogeneity but reduces solidity. Tensile tests, carried out with three repetitions per formulation, revealed a significant improvement in mechanical properties with esparto addition: Young’s modulus reached 19.77 GPa for 50% esparto, 15.76 GPa for 30% esparto, and 12.85 GPa for pure paper. Increasing esparto content enhanced tensile strength and internal cohesion. These results confirm the potential of esparto as a natural and eco-friendly reinforcement for recycled paper, contributing to sustainable production and the circular economy.

In this 45 minute talk, I go back to the Avoidable Research Waste (ARW) papers of 2009 and 2014. I briefly comment on the links between UNESCO's Open Science Recommendations paper (2021) and Robert Merton's CUDOS principles that describe and prescribe good ways of doing science (1942). I talk at some length about my own work (with Dr. Halil Kilicoglu and others) on self-acknowledgment of limitations and connect that to the question of how we may organize skepticism (the 'OS' in CUDOS) in our research teams). I distinguish four types of limitations and link the types 3 and 4 to multiverse sensitivity analysis, a radical form of testing the robustness of study findings. Finally, I spend 10 minutes on the results of a small study we did at our open science support desk to find out to what extent our faculty's researchers embraced the 14 principles of our internal open science checklist between 2020 and 2023. The last slide discusses slow science, team science and again the organization of skepticism within research settings.

Globally, an estimated 11.2billion tons of municipal solid waste are generated annually. The increasing volume and complexity of waste, together with rapid urbanization, pose major risks to human health through diarrheal disease outbreaks. In many urban centers of low- and middle-income countries, solid waste management (SWM) practices remain inadequate. In Mbale City, Uganda, diarrheal disease ranks among the top five causes of morbidity and mortality, with over 28,000 cases reported in 2018. This study assessed the association between diarrheal disease and SWM practices and perceptions among residents of Industrial Division, Mbale City. A descriptive cross-sectional study employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches was conducted among 424 adult respondents (≥ 18 years) during the entire month of February 2020 in the Industrial Division of Mbale City. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while qualitative data were obtained through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant (KI) interviews with community leaders and municipal officials. Data were entered into Epidemiological Data Software (EpiData) and analyzed using STATA. Potential confounders were identified from literature and expert consultation, including age, sex, education, water source, sanitation, and family size. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations between diarrhea and predictor variables. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Diarrheal disease was defined as the passage of three or more loose or watery stools in 24h (WHO). The prevalence of diarrheal disease among adults in Industrial Division was 36.8%. After adjusting for confounders (age, sex, education, water source, water treatment, and toilet type), only the type of solid waste generated was significantly associated with diarrhea: households generating textiles had lower odds compared to those generating paper waste (AOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24-0.90). Other significant factors included household size, source of drinking water, and toilet ownership. While overall SWM practices were moderate, key risk factors for diarrheal disease included unsafe water sources, lack of household toilets, and larger household sizes. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved sanitation, safe water supply, and community awareness on proper waste handling. Local authorities should strengthen community sensitization on SWM, ensure continuous water quality surveillance, promote construction of household toilets, and integrate family planning initiatives into urban public health programs.

Plastic packaging raises environmental concerns due to the release of microplastics, which has led to increasing interest in paper as an alternative to plastic packaging. However, creating paper that is both recyclable and biodegradable (no microplastic formation over its lifecycle) and still providing the needed oxygen barrier has been a challenging task to achieve. Reported herein is the use of biodegradable poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) for paper coating, incorporating different nanoclays (laponite and montmorillonite) at various concentrations and assessing their barrier properties. Analysis of the gas, moisture, thermal, and mechanical properties of the samples showed enhanced performance, particularly for laponite-based samples. At a temperature of 23 °C and 50% relative humidity, the oxygen permeability coefficient (OP) of the best sample was 0.875 ± 0.02 cm3·mm/m2·day, 9-fold lower than that of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film (11.68 ± 0.41 cm3·mm/m2·day) of 0.058 mm thickness. The coated paper is also repulpable and recyclable per the FBA protocol. Overall, this work offers an opportunity to develop alternative packaging materials with good oxygen barriers and mechanical properties without releasing microplastics or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment.