Waste Paper Research Articles

Biomethane recovery and prokaryotic shifts in anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and paper waste in organic fraction of municipal solid waste: Effect of paper content

Biomethane recovery from paper waste (PW) was achieved by mesophilic co-digestion with food waste. The feeding material containing 0%, 20%, 40% and 50% of PW in total solids (TS) were investigated in the long-term continuous operation. The results showed that the biogas production, pH, alkalinity and biodegradation of volatile solids (79.8 ± 3.6%) were stable for PW contents no more than 50%. The PW = 50% condition was considered the critical limit for the reasons of pump clogging, sufficient alkalinity (2.0 ± 0.3 g-CaCO3/L) and depletion of ammonia. Prokaryotic diversity indices decreased with the increased PW contents. Great shifts were observed in the prokaryotic communities before and after the PW contents reaches 50% as TS (18.4% as total weights). Biomethane recovery yields were deceasing from 445 to 350 NL-CH4/kg-fed-volatile-solids. The PW contents as 40% as TS (13.1% as total weights) obtained the optimal performance among all the feeding conditions.

Reviewing the potential of waste paper incorporation in enhancing concrete sustainability

Reviewing the potential of waste paper incorporation in enhancing concrete sustainability

Synthesis, characterization and performance of quaternized cellulose based flocculant derived from office paper waste for dye removal

Abstract The quaternized cellulose derivatives (QCs) were synthesized by reacting extracted cellulose from office paper waste with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) – urea. The characterization results by using Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicate that the office paper waste properties changed after chemical treatment and the extract product was confirmed cellulose. In addition, the FT-IR and SEM results confirmed the successful introduction of cationic quaternary ammonium groups into the main chain of cellulose. Meanwhile, the XRD results revealed that the crystalline structure was destroyed during etherification reaction. By using synthetic Congo red dye, the flocculation performance of the QCs was evaluated via standard jar test method at different QC dosages, initial Congo red dye concentration and pH values. It was found that the QC10 exhibited a more effective flocculation capability as compared to other synthesized QCs for over a wide pH value. The QC10 performed the best at pH 7, 100 mg/L of Congo red dye concentration and 50 mg/L of QC dosage, with percentage removal of 89.09 %. These findings demonstrated the potential application of QC in dye removal.

Financial Strategy and Projection for Recycled Paper Hub Business Project

Recycled Paper Hub is a business unit mainly focus in processing recycled paper sorted from local collector who also act as supplier such as waste paper collected from traditional market, ex-packaging collected from home industry and household waste, etc. Recycled Paper Hub primary goal is to participate in the sustainable business by contributing to the economy of the surrounding community along with a commitment to maintaining a green environment. In order to achieve this goals, Recycled Paper Hub conduct business development strategy which include financial planning and projection. The method used in this research is using data that has been previously collected and analyzed within 3 stages, namely : data collection (internaly from company that the author is working, then data filtering, and finally data presentation along with conclusion. Within this research, financial planning is distributed in 5 main pillars, that is : Financial Objectives, ,Financial Elements, Financial Projections, Feasibility Analysis, and Performance Analysis.

Recycling of printed Xerographic paper using Aspergillus assiutensis enzyme cocktail: an integrated approach to sustainable development.

To overcome the human and animal survivability risk, sustainable development is the only option on earth that can be achieved through the maximum use of renewable environmental resources. Recycling of waste paper is an emerging waste management approach to conserve natural resources. Herein, we studied enzyme-mediated process to recycle the xerographic paper by using the crude fungal extract from indigenously isolated fungi identified asAspergillus assiutensis. The fungal enzyme cocktail has been characterized for the production of multiple enzymes namely cellulase, amylase, xylanase, pectinase, and protease. All these enzymes have pH optima in the acidic range and except cellulase and all the enzymes are stable from 10 to 80C. In the zymogram analysis, pectinase, xylanase, amylase, and cellulase were detected at 68kDa, ~ 54kDa, 38kDa, and 30kDa, respectively. Also, the presence of protease was confirmed by the clear zone at 68, 31, and 16kDa. A 26% decrease in the kappa number and reduction in Hex A of the pulp was observed on the treatment of the pulp with enzyme as compared to the control pulp without any treatment. The physical and chemical properties of the pulp were also improved by enzyme-mediated pulping as compared to the control The physiochemical parameter of the effluent like TDS was reduced (397ppm) significantly in comparison to chemical deinking process and it was within the permissible limit. BOD and alkalinity were reduced when the enzymes and chemical dosage were used in combination. These results indicate that chemi-enzymatic deinking is most promising to reduce or remove the pollution parameters including ink and this approach can be used in the paper and pulp industry for sustainable development.

Modified Fibrous Mass of Leather and Paper Waste for the Production of Packaging Paper and Cardboard

Recycling leather waste, which accumulates in large quantities in tanneries, and producing packaging paper with improved properties reduces the environmental burden and is at the same time economically efficient. A modified fibrous mass of waste from tanned and untanned leather scraps, waste paper, and acrylic emulsion was obtained and packaging paper based on them was produced. Alkaline modification of tanned leather waste - chrome shavings - leads to an increase in the electrokinetic potential and, accordingly, the stability of the fibrous suspension, partial hydrolysis of skin collagen occurs with the formation of new polar groups, and at the same time, the degree of cross-linking of the skin increases. In the paper composition, new intermolecular bonds are formed between cellulose and skin collagen. The microstructure, elemental composition, morphology, thermal and physical-mechanical properties of modified chrome shavings and composite paper were determined. A significant improvement has been achieved in the main parameters of paper: surface density (decrease by 16-25%), breaking load and breaking length (increase by 15-23%), number of double bends (increase by 2-6 times) in comparison with paper obtained from pure waste paper, and also to a greater extent compared to paper obtained from unmodified leather waste.

Activated Carbon from Paper Waste as Potential Adsorbents for Methylene Blue and Hexavalent Chromium

Environmental pollution is a significant problem and is increasing gradually as more and more harmful pollutants are being released into water bodies and the environment. Water pollutants are dangerous and pose a threat to all living organisms and the ecosystem. Paper waste is one of the most widespread and largest wastes in the world. This research aims to address two important problems simultaneously: the reduction in solid waste in the environment using activated carbon from paper waste as potential adsorbents and the removal of harmful contaminants from water. Carbon from paper waste was activated with H2O2, HNO3, and KMnO4 for the adsorption of Cr(VI) and MB. SEM, EDX, FTIR, Raman, and BET were used to determine the properties of the materials. The surface morphology of the materials consisted of amorphous particles. EDX shows that all activated samples have a higher content of (O) than carbon paper waste. Adsorption studies showed that there was a stronger interaction between the pollutants and the adsorbent at a higher initial concentration (200 mg/L) than at the lower initial concentrations. The contact time data show that uptake increases when the interaction time between the contaminant and the adsorbent is increased. The tests for the pH of the solution show that the adsorption of Cr(VI) decreases when the pH is gradually increased, whereas the adsorption of MB increases when the pH of the solution is increased. The results fit better with the Freundlich isotherm and PSO models. The temperature studies show that the enthalpy was positive, indicating that the uptake process is endothermic. The Gibbs free energy values were all negative, indicating that adsorption between the adsorbents and the pollutants was favored. After four consecutive cycles, all the samples retained more than 60% of their uptake capability.

Experimental Investigation on Utilization of Shredded Waste Paper in Concrete

Experimental Investigation on Utilization of Shredded Waste Paper in Concrete

Combustion characteristics and gasification kinetics of Brazilian municipal solid waste subjected to different atmospheres by thermogravimetric analysis

This study examines the gasification kinetics of Brazilian municipal solid waste (MSW) and its components under air, CO2, and air/CO2 (70/30 vol%) atmospheres. The ignition indices of paper and plastic are 6 and 3 times that of food waste, which are 38.6 × 10−3 %/min3 and 19.6 × 10−3 %/min3, respectively, implying a faster separation of volatile compounds from the paper and plastic. The minimum Eα values of 132 kJ/mol and 140 kJ/mol have been obtained for paper waste under air and air/CO2, respectively. On CO2 condition, MSW has an average Ea value of 96 kJ/mol. Under an air/CO2 atmosphere, a high synergistic ΔW of −4.7 wt% has been identified between individual components. The presence of air and CO2 improves the oxidation and char gasification process, thus resulting in better combustion. Hence, the gasification of MSW under an air/CO2 atmosphere would improve the waste-to-energy plant’s performance and minimize the CO2 emission.

Polyvinylamine as a wet-end additive: Effects of pH and anionic contamination

The effects of polyvinylamine (PVAm) on papermaking process attributes and handsheet quality were evaluated for a recycled copy paper furnish in a near neutral-to-alkaline pH range. The degree of protonation of primary amine groups, such as those in PVAm, is known to decrease with increasing pH. Streaming potential tests surprisingly showed that a high treatment level of PVAm on the copy paper furnish was able to maintain a net positive zeta potential up to pH of about 11, whereas charge demand titrations indicated that PVAm maintained its positive charge character up to about pH 10. Favorable dewatering was observed when the furnish had been pretreated with 1% polyacrylate dispersant prior to treatment with PVAm at the 0.5% level, and the mass of filtrate increased slightly with increasing pH. First-pass retention tests showed poor retention efficiency in systems where the furnish had been treated with the dispersant, then PVAm, in an unfavorable pH range of about 9 to 9.5. Higher retention was achieved both at pH 8.2 and at pH 10 or higher. Handsheets showed superior breaking length results in the systems where the stock had been pretreated with the dispersant, though strength decreased strongly with increasing pH. Differences in filler content, as indicated by ash analysis, were not large enough to account for the observed strength differences. Formation uniformity was substantially increased by the pretreatment with dispersant, even in the presence of PVAm and throughout the studied pH range.

Citizens’ Perception of Blockchain-Based E-Voting Systems: Focusing on TAM

Digital transformation and new technologies have made people’s lives easier and led to great results in most areas of business and society. Implementing blockchain technology is one of the best tools for establishing sustainable smart cities and societies. In terms of sustainable governance sophisticated and secure voting systems are necessary to achieve high integrity and transparency and null election fraud, and, in environmental sustainability, e-voting systems eliminate the mass waste of paper and transportation gas emissions; namely, e-voting systems are eco-friendly with high democratic outcomes. Blockchain technology can revolutionize e-voting by increasing the security and transparency of the voting process. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into blockchain-based e-voting systems further augments their effectiveness. AI algorithms can analyze voting patterns and detect irregularities, supporting the prevention of fraudulent activities and coercion. ML procedures can enhance voter authentication processes, improve accessibility for diverse demographics, and optimize the productivity of blockchain networks during peak voting periods. This study focuses on understanding citizen perceptions of blockchain-based e-voting in a smart city context using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The study’s results indicate that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are important factors in determining citizens’ intentions to use blockchain-based e-voting. Furthermore, trust in the technology and perceived security were found to influence the usefulness of blockchain-based e-voting positively. This study provides important insights for policymakers and technologists seeking to promote the adoption of blockchain-based e-voting systems in smart cities. The findings of the research supported the research model with positive results. In conclusion, our research model encourages the adoption of a blockchain-based e-voting system to enhance the future voting environment.

Design and Development of Attachable Mini Trash Box Holder for Drafting Table

The objective of this study is to design and develop an attachable mini trash box holder which will be attached to the drafting table of the students. It was designed for the user to have an accessible trash box where they can dispose their garbage, particularly the pencil shavings, paper waste, and other cut materials during the making of miniatures. Thus, it will maintain the cleanliness of the user's table, and so the classroom. The study used a descriptive developmental research design, and weighted mean as the statistical tool in analyzing the data. A sample population of 30 participants are the BSIT-ADT students from first to third year of Surigao del Norte State University. They were the respondents of the online survey using google form and were selected using the Stratified random sampling. The respondents evaluated the attachable holder according to its manageability in table 1, with a weighted mean of 3.70 which means Accessibility in table 2 got a weighted mean of 3.50, which also means Table 3 containing the effectiveness in terms of Aesthetics got 3.65 which indicates economy in table 4, got 3.71 terms of safety got 3.56, which means Very Effective. As per findings, the respondents have seen that the attachable mini trash box holder has a positive impact based on its effectiveness in terms of Manageability, Accessibility, Aesthetics, Economy, and Safety. It was acknowledged by the

Investigating waste mineral-filled cellulose sourcing in circular economy for regeneration into composite: Matching existing market volumes of oil-based plastics for packaging

Global consumption of plastics has increased continuously in recent decades, leaving today's society with one of the most pressing environmental problems, plastic pollution. Current research has been focused on the development of bio-sustainable products with the aim of replacing the use of petroleum-based polymers with sustainable, renewable, and environmentally friendly materials. In this context, bioplastics have emerged, and where possible supporting biodegradability. The most abundant polymer occurring naturally is cellulose and remains one of the most promising renewable materials to replace plastic. This work forms part of a larger research activity studying the novel production of regenerated cellulose using ionic liquid dissolution, with the aim of drawing on filler-containing paper and board waste as a raw material for potential plastic replacement in circular economy. Analysis applied to a literature search is reported comparing the current consumption of plastics in packaging, the generation of packaging waste, the production and consumption of paper and cardboard and finally the recycling rate of these materials in Europe with special focus on material that either fails to enter, or is rejected during, the classical recycling process. Based on these data, commercialisation of cellulose regeneration made solely from the volume of paper and board waste that has failed to enter standard recycling, excluding single use products, e.g., sanitary, would be able to cover the current demand for plastic films used in packaging, and that no additional biomass in principle is needed. This finding not only supports the effort being made to scale-up the cellulose regeneration process commercially but relieves the pressure on agricultural land currently foreseen to be otherwise needed for extensive biomass production, rather allowing it to serve its main purpose in food production, so contributing to the circular economy quest for sustainability obviating environmental impact.

Application of Three-Dimensional Porous Aerogel as Adsorbent for Removal of Textile Dyes from Water

The textile industry is one of the most important industries in the European Union. The main environmental problems of the textile industry are the high water consumption, the generated pollution, the variety of chemicals used and the high energy demand. Recently, adsorbents with a large specific surface area and low weight, such as aerogels, have attracted great interest as promising materials for removing dyes from polluted water. Cellulose aerogels are inexpensive and non-toxic. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were chosen as the best method to describe the performance of the adsorbent. In this study, the adsorption efficiency of Congo red, Naphthol green B, Rhodamine B and Methylene blue were determined by using an adsorbent synthesized from paper and cardboard waste. The total organic carbon concentration was chosen as an indicator of the concentration of the dyes in the solutions. The aerogel capsules had 5% cellulose content. It was found that the adsorption capacity of the aerogel in the solutions of Congo red varied from 0.028 mg/g to 14.483 mg/g; in the solutions of Naphthol green B, from 0.013 mg/g to 7.698 mg/g; in the solutions of Rhodamine B, from 0.020 mg/g to 8.768 mg/g; and in the solutions of Methylene blue, from 0.024 mg/g to 13.538 mg/g.

Preparation of Polyaniline-Modified Cellulose/PDMS Composite Triboelectric Material and Application of Its Pretreatment in MOW Pulp.

Self-powered electronic equipment has rapidly developed in the fields of sensing, motion monitoring, and energy collection, posing a greater challenge to triboelectric materials. Triboelectric materials need to enhance their electrical conductivity and mechanical strength to address the increasing demand for stability and to mitigate unpredictable physical damage. In this study, polyaniline-modified cellulose was prepared by means of in situ polymerization and compounded with polydimethylsiloxane, resulting in a triboelectric material with enhanced strength and conductivity. The material was fabricated into a tubular triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) (G-TENG), and an electrocatalytic pretreatment of mixed office waste paper (MOW) pulp was performed using papermaking white water as the flowing liquid to improve the deinking performance. The electrical output performance of G-TENG is highest at a flow rate of 400 mL/min, producing a voltage of 22.76 V and a current of 1.024 μA. Moreover, the deinking effect of MOW was enhanced after the electrical pretreatment. This study explores the potential application of G-TENG as a self-powered sensor power supply and emphasizes its prospect as an energy collection device.

Phosphate Esters: New Coating Materials for a Sustainable Release Paper.

AbstractPaper manufacturers have long used silicone as the coating agent for release liners. However, silicone‐based release paper is very difficult to recycle due to covalent bonds between silicone and fibers. The most suitable solution to overcome this problem is to use alternative coating materials with adequate release properties, provided that they can be easily repulped in typical paper recycling facilities. We proposed a coating agent composed of phosphate esters and dimethylacetamide in order to manufacture a recyclable and efficient release paper. Analyses carried out on coated sheets showed that phosphate esters allowed the formation of a surface with adequate release properties (low peeling force and surface free energy). In addition, the residual adhesion values obtained with phosphate esters confirmed that they are well anchored on the backing paper surface, thus limiting the mass transfer to the adhesive tape.

Influence of Physical–Mechanical Strength and Water Absorption Capacity on Sawdust–Waste Paper–Recycled Plastic Hybrid Composite for Ceiling Tile Application

In recent times, there has been a notable surge in the interest in promoting environmentally conscious products, particularly within the building industry where the focus has shifted towards sustainable materials. In this study, as a sustainable building material, ceiling tiles have been fabricated as a composite board containing waste materials, namely waste paper, sawdust, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and epoxy resin, and characterized comprehensively through physical and mechanical tests, density, thickness swelling (TS), modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and flexural strength (FS) for product stability. A total of nine composites were fabricated with different ratios through molding techniques, and the characterization results were compared to determine the optimized stable ratio of composite composition. The composition of 25% waste paper, 15% sawdust, 10% recycled PET, and 50% epoxy resin presented the maximum FS compared to the other composite ratios. Water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling were evaluated after immersion durations of 1–24 h. The findings revealed that as the density increased, the sawdust content within the matrix decreased from 25–35%. Concurrently, an increase in recycled PET content resulted in decreased water absorption and thickness swelling. Significantly, the MOE, MOR, and FS demonstrated optimal values at 864.256 N/mm2, 12.786 N/mm2, and 4.64 MPa, respectively. These observations represent the excellent qualities of this hybrid composite board, particularly in terms of sustainability, stability, and water absorption capacity. Moreover, its lightweight nature and ability to support ceiling loads further enhance its appeal for construction applications. This study not only advances the discourse on sustainable construction materials but also fosters opportunities for broader acceptance and innovation within the industry.

Transforming waste management methods: a Dutch Airport’s journey toward a circular economy through baseline measurements and strategic priority setting

Airports, the essential hubs of global travel, have to cater for the increasing demands for air travel, with growing passenger numbers and the associated growth in resource consumption. While the aviation sector prioritizes reducing environmental impact in the air, substantial waste is generated at airports. This necessitates a critical examination of waste management practices, especially since a Circular Economy (CE) approach is gaining momentum within the aviation sector. This article introduces the Baseline Circular Airports Method (BCAM), a methodology developed and rigorously tested at Schiphol Amsterdam airport. BCAM systematically analyzes resource streams, considering composition and relevant stakeholders, treatment processes, and environmental impact. By doing so, it establishes strategic prioritization of resource streams for airports to perform focused and effective interventions. BCAM analysis reveals that the highest impact of operational resource streams are Residual, Plastic, Swill, Paper, and International Catering Waste (CAT1), and that corresponding waste management efficiencies can be determined. These outcomes serve as a baseline for ongoing monitoring, offering airports a starting point for strategic planning and assessing progress towards sustainable waste management and CE transitions.

Online elasticity estimation and material sorting using standard robot grippers

Stiffness or elasticity estimation of everyday objects using robot grippers is highly desired for object recognition or classification in application areas like food handling and single-stream object sorting. However, standard robot grippers are not designed for material recognition. We experimentally evaluated the accuracy with which material properties can be estimated through object compression by two standard parallel jaw grippers and a force/torque sensor mounted at the robot wrist, with a professional biaxial compression device used as reference. Gripper effort versus position curves were obtained and transformed into stress/strain curves. The modulus of elasticity was estimated at different strain points and the effect of multiple compression cycles (precycling), compression speed, and the gripper surface area on estimation was studied. Viscoelasticity was estimated using the energy absorbed in a compression/decompression cycle, the Kelvin-Voigt, and Hunt-Crossley models. We found that (1) slower compression speeds improved elasticity estimation, while precycling or surface area did not; (2) the robot grippers, even after calibration, were found to have a limited capability of delivering accurate estimates of absolute values of Young’s modulus and viscoelasticity; (3) relative ordering of material characteristics was largely consistent across different grippers; (4) despite the nonlinear characteristics of deformable objects, fitting linear stress/strain approximations led to more stable results than local estimates of Young’s modulus; and (5) the Hunt-Crossley model worked best to estimate viscoelasticity, from a single object compression. A two-dimensional space formed by elasticity and viscoelasticity estimates obtained from a single grasp is advantageous for the discrimination of the object material properties. We demonstrated the applicability of our findings in a mock single-stream recycling scenario, where plastic, paper, and metal objects were correctly separated from a single grasp, even when compressed at different locations on the object. The data and code are publicly available.

Isotherm-kinetic equilibrium investigations on absorption remediation potential for COD and ammoniacal nitrogen from leachate by the utilization of paper waste sludge as an eco-friendly composite filler

The paper industry is a major environmental polluter due to paper waste sludge (PWS), often disposed of in hazardous ways. The techniques are employed to disposing of PWS are posing significant environmental hazards and risks to well-being. This study aims to evaluate PWS as a potential replacement for commercial adsorbents like AC and ZEO in treating stabilized leachate. Contact angle analysis of PWS was 92.60°, reveals that PWS to be hydrophobic. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with parameters set at 200 rpm stirring speed, 120 min contact time, and pH 7. Optimal conditions for COD and NH3–N removal were identified at 120 min contact time, 200 rpm stirring speed, pH 7, and 2.0 g PWS ratio. Removal percentages for COD and NH3–N were 62% and 52%, respectively. Based on the results of the isotherm and kinetic studies, it was observed that the Langmuir and Pseudo second order (PSO) model exhibited greater suitability compared to the Freundlich and Pseudo first order (PFO) model, as indicated by higher values of R-squared (R2). The R-squared of Langmuir for COD and NH3–N were 0.9949 and 0.9919 and for Freundlich model were 0.9855 and 0.9828 respectively. Whereas the R-squared of PFO for COD and NH3–N were 0.9875 and 0.8883 and for PSO were 0.9987 and 0.9909 respectively.