Waste Paper Research Articles

Characteristics of natural corn starch/waste paper fiber composite foams treated by organic-inorganic hybrid hydrophobic coating technology.

With the growing global awareness of environmental protection, the demand for biodegradable materials to replace traditional plastic foam has become increasingly urgent. Starch-based foam, with its abundant availability, low cost, and biodegradability, has shown great potential as an alternative to plastic foam. However, its inherent high hydrophilicity and relatively low mechanical performance limit its widespread application. The aim of this study is to modify corn starch (NCS) and waste paper fiber (WPF) using citric acid (CA) and stearic acid (SA), and to develop an efficient hydrophobic coating through an organic-inorganic hybrid approach. This successfully resulted in the preparation of hydrophobic corn starch/waste paper fiber composite foam materials. Experimental results showed that the foam materials treated with a palmitic acid (PA)-modified nano-SiO2 coating (MCF@PA) exhibited excellent hydrophobic performance, with a water contact angle reaching as high as 138°, and a significant reduction in moisture absorption to 3.1%. In water immersion tests, the material maintained buoyancy and shape stability, demonstrating excellent self-cleaning properties. Additionally, the coating significantly enhanced the material's compressive strength, increasing by 90kPa, while also retaining thermal stability. However, the coating prepared by this method increased the material's hardness and reduced its biodegradability, which poses challenges for environmental sustainability. This study provides a new approach for preparing high-strength foam materials with excellent hydrophobicity and mechanical performance, paving an economical and efficient pathway for industrial production.

Waste paper sludge ash as a pozzolanic material: Enhancing concrete performance and sustainability

Waste paper sludge ash as a pozzolanic material: Enhancing concrete performance and sustainability

Wastewater treatment in the pulp and paper industry: A review

The pulp and paper industry plays a large role in global manufacturing, which creates significant water consumption and generation of wastewater that is filled with organic compounds and other chemicals. This paper will explore many different aspects of the pulp and paper industry such as raw material sourcing, manufacturing processes, environmental concerns, technological advancements, and the various wastewater treatment approaches. While there are many different methods to approach this wastewater issue, in this paper we will focus on anaerobic digestion, the application of biological aerated filters, and the use of constructed wetlands. The main material utilized in this industry is wood pulp, which undergoes multiple different procedures and processes to create the typical paper products we use every day. These processes, such as pulping and bleaching, create a large number of environmental concerns despite efforts to encourage better manufacturing practices and paper recycling.

GREEN DENTISTRY: A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR ORAL HEALTH CARE

The dental public health profession, like many others, is becoming increasingly aware of its environmental impact and the urgent need to adopt more sustainable practices. Green dentistry, also known as eco-friendly dentistry, is a growing movement that focuses on reducing waste, conserving energy, and minimizing pollution while maintaining high standards of patient care. By integrating environmentally conscious choices into daily practices—such as using digital technologies, reducing water consumption, and choosing biodegradable or recyclable materials—dentists can significantly contribute to environmental preservation without compromising the quality of their services. One of the core tenets of green dentistry is the shift towards digital dentistry. Traditional methods of record-keeping and patient management involve a considerable amount of paper and plastic waste. By adopting digital x-rays, patient records, and appointment scheduling systems, dental practices can dramatically reduce their paper use, lower radiation exposure, and decrease the need for disposable materials. Additionally, using energy-efficient equipment and eco-friendly sterilization techniques can help reduce the carbon footprint of dental offices, aligning with global sustainability goals. As the dental community moves towards greener practices, there is an opportunity for education and advocacy in dental public health. Dental schools and professional organizations play a crucial role in promoting awareness of sustainable practices among both practitioners and patients. By fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within the field, we not only contribute to a healthier planet but also inspire the next generation of dentists to prioritize sustainability in their professional lives. Green dentistry represents a vital step towards a more sustainable future for both the profession and the world at large.

A facile and sustainable strategy to construct recyclable paper with enhanced water and oil resistance for eco-friendly food packaging

As a potential substitute for petroleum-based plastics as food packaging material, application of paper is hampered by weak resistance to water and oil. In light of this, paper barrier coating was prepared based on sodium alginate and alkyl ketene dimer. The properties of the obtained SAKD emulsion were investigated and stabilizing mechanism was proposed. Furthermore, SAKD emulsion was applied on paper surface for enhancing barrier properties against both water and oil. After coated, oil resistance KIT was increased from 0 to 8, sizing degree increased by 3977 % and Cobb30 decreased by 66.08 % probably because a more closed structure formed with lower surface energy. Barrier properties to air, water vapor and organic solvents were also strengthened. Additionally, the coating exhibited good stability after folded repeatedly. Furthermore, SAKD coating layer did not negatively affected degradability of paper and the coated paper could be efficiently recycled via a facile treatment, confirming its eco-friendliness. This work demonstrates a sustainable and simple route to prepare paper with good barrier properties and provides the feasibility of developing eco-friendly paper packaging for food based on bio-based materials.

To Print or Not to Print - Sustainable Practice in Geriatric Integrated Care Clinics

Abstract Background The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a cornerstone of geriatric medicine and is frequently carried out in integrated care clinics using a paper document (1). The expansion of integrated care services occurs alongside climate change, an increasingly challenging public health crisis at a local and national level (2). Paper waste is a contributor to deforestation and carbon emissions. We aimed to assess the environmental impact of paper use within our geriatric integrated care service. Methods 12 months of Geriatric Integrated Care attendances were included between 1st January 2023 to 1st January 2024. We measured the number of CGAs performed and A4 pages used in documentation. Environmental impact was evaluated based on carbon emissions per A4 page (3). Results A CGA was completed on 780 patients in a 12-month period which included in-hospital, frailty at the front door and 2 community specialist teams' assessments. This resulted in 11,700 pages of A4 paper in documentation. Estimated carbon emissions are 70.2kg CO2 emissions for the 12-month period. Extrapolating this solely to the 32 ICPOP teams in geriatric medicine in Ireland it would result in the equivalent of 22 trees per year, emitting 1,123.2 Kg of CO2 emissions per year from these assessments alone or equivalent to driving 8028.6km (4). Conclusion The benefits for patients and staff of integrated digital healthcare records are well established. The environmental impact of how we provide healthcare is not. Paperless solutions are required for both patient safety, seamless record keeping and environmental sustainability in keeping with UN sustainable development goals.

Composition of New York State (United States) Disposed Waste and Recyclables in 2021: An Advanced Analysis of Waste Sort Data

Understanding the composition of disposed municipal solid waste (MSW) and recyclables can lead to better waste management. New York State (United States) has never had a state-wide waste characterization sorting program. In 2021, sampling was conducted at 11 locations, representing 25% of the state population outside of New York City. Twenty-three tonnes from 173 discrete samples were sorted into 41 categories. The resulting data were analyzed by single constituent approaches and more novel multivariate distance techniques. The analyses found that disposed MSW was 22.8% paper, 20.5% food, and 16.8% plastics. Recyclable paper and glass–metal–plastic containers were 18.2% (11.7% paper, 6.5% containers) and yard waste was 6.5%, meaning about 25% of the disposed MSW could have been recovered. Multivariate analysis determined that the disposed MSW was similar to that from other United States jurisdictions such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York City, and Syracuse (NY), and different from California and United States Environmental Protection Agency model data. Recyclables composition was different from disposed MSW composition. Dual-stream recyclables were sorted better than single-stream recyclables. Corrugated cardboard was the most common paper recyclable and plastics were the most common container recyclable. The data are being used to help guide planning for an expected packaging extended producer responsibility law for the State.

Sustainable three-dimensional printing of waste paper-based functional materials and constructs

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a prominent technology across various industrial sectors, and its increasing popularity urgently calls for sustainable 3D printing materials. However, the availability of such materials remains under exploit. Here, we present a low-cost strategy to harnesses waste papers as a feedstock to develop sustainable 3D printing inks. This approach offers a remarkable printability and circular utilisation of biodegradable paper wastes to produce 3D printed constructs, with desired mechanical properties and shape stability for high temperature applications. Our constructs can be efficiently recycled into inks for reprinting, and our method can be applied to various types of waste papers. By employing multi-material printing, our approach can be extended to produce multi-coloured constructs, security information printings, and mechanically appealing designs. This strategy offers an innovative and sustainable solution that addresses the need for repurposing paper wastes, which would otherwise end up in landfills, while concurrently reducing the reliance on virgin plastics for 3D printing.

Recyclability of wastepaper containing cellulose nanofibers

Cellulosic/lignocellulosic nanofibers (CNF/LCNF) are value-added products which recently have been considered widely. This study focused on valorization of waste by making CNF from white cutting wastepaper (WCW), which was confirmed by the transmission electron microscope images. The CNF present in the paper recycling process showed significant effects on the final product and process aspects. Addition of 5% CNF (based on dry weight of pulp) to the recycled fibers improved the strength properties as well as the fines retention. But in contrast, the drainage decreased from 303 to 188 mL CSF. Finally, considering the importance of wastepaper history on the quality of recycling process and final products, as a new vision, this study focused on recyclability of wastepaper which has experienced CNF as an additive in their history of papermaking. In this respect, the papers reinforced with nanofibers in their history, after several recycling, experienced less reduction in the tensile and tear indices and fines retention. In summary, it seems that the presence of CNF in the wastepaper can slow down the reduction of product density and process properties during several recycling cycles and so restore their potential for subsequent papermaking cycles.

Energy saving potential in steam systems: A techno-economic analysis of a recycling pulp and paper mill industry in Morocco

The industrial sector represents nearly 40 % of global energy consumption, with steam systems accounting for 30 % of energy use in manufacturing. As the need for cleaner processes intensifies within African and global energy transitions, adopting energy efficiency practices becomes imperative. Governments are focusing on reducing energy losses in fossil fuel-dominated manufacturing industries, which are major producers of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite their significant energy consumption, industrial heat processes are often overlooked in efforts to reduce costs and emissions. To address this, the study examines thermal energy processes and identifies energy-saving opportunities within steam systems through a techno-economic analysis of a recycling pulp and paper mill in Morocco. This is the first study focusing specifically on steam systems within a particular industry in the country. The research uses a system approach covering steam generation, distribution, end-use, and recovery. The current system is benchmarked through a rating questionnaire, and proposed energy-saving actions include leak repair, pipe insulation, blowdown management, and improved boiler combustion efficiency. An economic study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of these opportunities. Findings reveal a 6 % reduction in thermal energy consumption, annual savings of $417 899 and nearly 482 TJ, a 6 % decrease in GHG emissions (2158.5 tons of CO2 per year), and water savings of approximately 5300 m³ per year (13 %). The total investment of $8750 has negligible payback periods. Despite diverse industrial activities, this work is useful for other industries since the fundamental components of the steam system are widely shared. Moreover, it supports the African Union's Agenda 2063 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by providing practical insights and recommendations for enhancing industrial energy efficiency.

Controllable preparation and morphology regulation of nanocelluloses from waste paper by a green hydrolysis method

This study focused on the morphology regulation of nanocelluloses (NCs) aiming at preparing NCs with the controllable properties. NCs with rod-shaped, spherical, and rod-shaped and spherical composite structures were prepared from waste paper by a green enzymatic hydrolysis. The critical enzyme concentration for the transition of NCs from one morphology to another was explored. Several analytical methods, including TGA, XRD, SEM, TEM, DSC and WCA, were employed to characterize the prepared NCs. The results showed that with the cellulase enzyme concentration lower than 6 μ/ml or higher than 30 μ/ml, the prepared NCs had a single rod-shaped or spherical structure. When the cellulase concentration was between 6 and 30 μ/ml, the prepared NCs had a composite morphology of rods and spheres. Besides, NCs with a composite morphology dominated by rod-like or spherical structures had a higher thermal stability. Moreover, NCs prepared with cellulase enzyme concentration of 6 and 35 μ/ml had the highest and lowest crystallinity of 81.7 % and 59.3 %, respectively. Hence, this work achieved the morphology and property regulation of NCs by a green method which expanded the application scope of NCs and realized the high value utilization of waste paper.

Applicability of Paper and Pulp Industry Waste for Manufacturing Mycelium-Based Materials for Thermoacoustic Insulation

Applicability of Paper and Pulp Industry Waste for Manufacturing Mycelium-Based Materials for Thermoacoustic Insulation

Advancing sustainable molded packaging: Integrating silica aerogel into recycled paper pulp for the fabrication of thermally and mechanically stable superhydrophobic composites

In recent years, the growing demand for sustainable packaging has significantly fueled the quest to explore novel approaches that enhance the applicability of renewable alternatives. This study leverages the unique properties of silica aerogel (SA) to address the limitations of traditional molded pulp products. By integrating SA into recycled paper pulp (RP), we aimed to improve water resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. Composites were prepared with varying SA concentrations (1–10 %). Contact angle measurements showed enhanced hydrophobicity, with RP/SA3 % achieving a contact angle of 152.09°, compared to 122.39° for neat RP. The tensile index (TI) of RP/SA composites with 3 % SA increased by 21.09 % compared to neat RP, indicating better mechanical strength. Thermal conductivity significantly decreased, with RP/SA10 % reducing from 0.155 W m−1·K−1 in neat RP to 0.088 W m−1·K−1, a 43.2 % improvement in thermal insulation. Additionally, composites with 1 % and 3 % SA maintained high biodegradability, showing over 50 % degradation after six weeks in soil. These results suggest that incorporating SA into RP composites enhances their functionality without compromising biodegradability, offering a promising solution for sustainable packaging. As regulatory bodies emphasize resource management and waste reduction, the potential of these innovative and environmentally friendly packaging solutions becomes increasingly significant.

Optimal 4E design and innovative R-curve approach for a gas-solar- biological waste polygeneration system for power, freshwater, and methanol production

BackgroundCogeneration power plants traditionally rely on fossil fuels to produce stable power and heat. However, increasing energy demand and population growth have intensified the emission of biological pollutants due to fossil fuel use. The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution advocates for integrating renewable energy sources to mitigate these issues. ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate the integration of a solar-biomass polygeneration system with a hybrid solar-waste-fossil fuel cogeneration system. The goal is to analyze the system from technical, economic, and environmental perspectives, focusing on optimizing energy demand and minimizing environmental impact. MethodsTo assess energy demand and supply, the R-curve methodology was applied to the hybrid cogeneration system, with a specific focus on solar and biomass renewable energies. Various scenarios were analyzed, including total annual costs, pollutant emissions, water footprint, and overall environmental impact based on life cycle assessment. The study examined and compared the performance of three types of biomass waste (Municipal solid waste, mixed paper waste, and date palm waste). Multi-objective optimization was performed using artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, employing four meta-heuristic algorithms. The conditions generated by each algorithm were analyzed and compared. ResultsMunicipal solid waste, being the most readily available fuel, provided the most favorable economic conditions for the system. Environmentally, municipal solid waste ranked in the middle compared to other fuels. Among the optimization algorithms, the Salps swarm algorithm proved to be the most efficient in terms of calculation time and system efficiency improvements. The optimization improved net power generation by 5.25 %, overall energy efficiency by 16.27 %, total cost rate by 10.19 %, and total environmental impact rate by 14.02 %. ConclusionThe integrated system's performance was analyzed across different climatic change throughout the year. The multi-objective Salps swarm algorithm optimization demonstrated significant benefits in enhancing system efficiency and reducing costs and environmental impacts.

Physical and mechanical characterization of solid waste collected from rural areas of China: Experimental study

To support the landfill design and waste management in rural areas of China, solid waste covering eight provisional regions was collected and tested in the laboratory to characterize its physical properties (composition, moisture content, specific gravity, dry unit weight) and mechanical properties (compressibility and shear strength). The results show that, compared with solid wastes from urban areas (MSW), solid waste from rural areas (RSW) comprised a much lower content of soil-like, gravel, and inert waste and a significantly higher content of combustible waste, thereby yielding a much lower specific gravity and dry unit weight. Similar to MSW, the compression index of RSW correlated well with its physical properties. However, its strength properties displayed divergence. Notably, the friction angle φ' of RSW remained relatively consistent, ranging from 28.4° to 30.9°. This narrow range is attributed to RSW's higher combustible-to-inert (CI) ratio compared to MSW. The cohesion intercept c' of RSW ranged from 13.5 to 24.9 kPa, showing a positive correlation with the fiber content without considering contribution from paper waste. This finding combined with data from the literature further revealed that the trend of increasing cohesion intercept with increasing fiber content became weakened over time. Relationships between φ' and c' versus C/I for RSW observed in this study will serve as an extension to the existing finding reported for MSW in the literature, i.e., for predominately combustible waste with C/I exceeding 10, constant values of strength parameters (i.e., moderate values φ' = 30°, c' = 20 kPa) are recommended. The results of this study are useful for the capacity design and slope stability analysis of landfills as well as waste recycle and reuse, ensuring a sustainable development of environment in China.

SP6.4 - Were QR codes to distribute information to patients following a consultation beneficial in a clinical setting?

Abstract Aims To investigate whether the use of QR codes to distribute information from brochures online would be accepted and preferred by patients compared to physical paper brochures; If paper waste can be reduced - fewer brochures being printed and discarded and hence eco-friendly and cost effective Methods Benign breast conditions were chosen for this project and QR codes generated with specific URLs for each booklet linked to a scannable QR code. At the end of clinical consultation, the Consultant invited and guided patients to scan the QR code brochure specific for their symptoms. 60 patients, from October 2022 to March 2023 were invited to take part in this original study, as a part of their consultation, with their responses gathered and analysed. Results 60 patients completed the feedback form with a 100% response rate. The age range was 20 to 70 (mean age = 45 years), of which 76.7% were aged under 50 years, and 96.7% were female. The majority (78.3%) preferred accessing an electronic leaflet via a QR code instead of a paper leaflet, and 88.3% found it easier to access information online via the QR code over other methods to access websites. Conclusions The majority of the patients were satisfied/very satisfied with the use of QR codes to access the online brochures. Although this was a simple study, it provides the basis to design a larger trial with a standardised methodology procedure, so that we can draw meaningful results from appropriate statistical analyses.

Building aluminium-air battery on waste paper for DIY learning

Abstract Environmental sustainability and the effective use of renewable resources are critical subjects that need to be integrated into our educational systems through practical, hands-on learning. This paper focuses on the fabrication of aluminium-air batteries using waste materials, providing an innovative and cost-effective DIY approach to energy storage education. Utilizing aluminium from food packaging and graphite from pencils, this study demonstrates the construction and functionality of an aluminium-air battery to run an LED, highlighting its potential applications in educational settings and low-cost energy solutions. The paper aims to inspire the adoption of environmentally friendly practices and enhance students’ understanding of electrochemical energy conversion through accessible and engaging DIY projects.

The Role of Waste Reduction Technology in Sustainable Recycling of Waste Paper at Thi-Qar University

The Role of Waste Reduction Technology in Sustainable Recycling of Waste Paper at Thi-Qar University

Chemical profiling of paper recycling grades using GC-MS and LC-MS: An exploration of contaminants and their possible sources

Paper packaging made with recycled paperboard is used to pack various consumer goods that can include amongst others, electronics, toys, food, cosmetics, and stationery. Chemical profiling of the various paper recycling grades used in the manufacture of recycled paperboard was undertaken to investigate possible sources of contaminants and their propagation in the paper recycling chain. Pre-consumer, retail and post-consumer paper-based materials were collected at papermills, corrugators, grocery stores, household waste, solid waste disposal sites and recycling facilities. In the GC-MS analysis, phthalates, long-chain aliphatic compounds, and fatty acids were the most commonly detected compounds whilst phthalates and bisphenols featured most prevalently in the LC-MS analysis. The factors that were identified as likely contributors to the detection of the different chemical compounds included the presence of wood derivatives, the use of certain chemical additives during manufacturing, and exposure of paper to contaminants from consumers, other goods and the environment. Waste mingling, recovery, sorting and reprocessing into recycled paper were also shown to influence the chemical profile of paper materials. Sparse partial least squares-discriminate analysis indicated that newspaper and office paper had unique chemical constituents, whilst cartons were shown to have higher variability. By looking at key stages of paper recycling, this study showed that the possible persistence and transformation of chemical compounds in additives must be evaluated when considering the recyclability of paper-based materials. Further, it highlighted that different separation approaches may be required to reduce contaminant exposure opportunities in post-consumer paper materials.

Recyclable electroactive paper based on cationic fibers adaptable to industrial papermaking

Recyclable electroactive paper based on cationic fibers adaptable to industrial papermaking