The Brazilian Policy foresees the waste management hierarchy, according to which energy reuse from waste is preferred to final disposal. However, less than 0.2% of the country's waste goes to energy production. This paper proposes sustainability indicators to support the decision to choose the best process to treat municipal solid waste (MSW) through bioenergy generation technologies. Then, we conduct a case study for Rio de Janeiro. Incineration and gasification were not economically feasible – despite TRL 9 and 8. However, the projects presented null net present value by increasing the gate fee to 94.69 and 255.39 USD/ton of MSW, respectively. The social indicators (job creation, salary increase with the absorption of waste pickers, population served, reduction in MSW sent to landfill) did not indicate the best technology. The results of the environmental indicators for incineration and gasification were, respectively, 0.45 and 0.37 t CO2eq/tMSW for GWP, 1.49 and 1.23 MWh/tMSW for energy intensity, 1.24 and 6.14 m³/tMSW for water intensity, 39.3 and 27.9 m²/tMSW for land use and 0.135 and 0.088 t SO2eq/tMSW for acidification. Gasification presented better results on 60% of the environmental indicators. However, incineration was better in important ones, water and energy intensities, besides the technical-economic aspect.

The consistent and continuous growth in the world’s population is creating many challenges for public policymakers in the different life areas, including dealing with the increasing amounts of waste that are generating problems involving air and land pollution and a shortage of land for waste disposal. This study presents the results of public policy on managing municipal waste, as manifested in the quantity and rate of waste collected throughout Israel in recent years and disposed of in the various landfills and in analysis of the political and economic factors affecting this policy. The study combines a quantitative and qualitative approach, where the quantitative study includes analysis of statistical data based on information from the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Finance, and others, and the qualitative study relies on reading and analyzing primary documents of the different government ministries on Israel’s waste disposal policy and information in the media on this issue. The research findings attest to an increase in the amount of municipal waste dumped in Israel, a merely slight decrease in the rate of landfilling as a proportion of all municipal waste disposal, and a merely slight increase in the rate of municipal waste recycled in recent years. The research conclusions stress the effects of the landfill levy and the Cleanliness Maintenance Fund on one hand, and of the government instability in the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the positivist policy embraced by decision makers in the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the power struggles between Israel’s different ministries on the other, as the respective economic and political factors affecting Israeli policy on municipal waste management.

A large amount of concrete waste is generated around the world and its recycling is an urgent issue. In this research, a new approach to recycle concrete waste with wooden waste was studied. Concrete and wooden wastes were crushed, mixed, and heat compacted to produce plates with different water contents and mix proportions at various temperatures, pressures, and durations of compaction. The bending strength of the plates was measured after compaction. The result indicated that with an increase in the percentage of wooden waste in the mixture, pressure, or temperature improved the bending strength. The increase in water content reduced the bending strength. Most of the products exhibited higher bending strength than that of ordinary concrete.

As global concerns about climate change intensify, the need for effective strategies to reduce carbon emissions has never been more urgent. This paper explores the crucial role of data automation (DA) and decision support systems (DSS) in enhancing decarbonation efforts within the realms of solid waste management (SWM), wastewater treatment (WWT), and contaminated soil remediation (CSR). Specifically, the paper provides: (i) an overview of the carbon footprint (CFP) in relation to environmental management (EM) and the role of DA and DSS in decarbonization; (ii) DA case studies in areas of SWM, WWT, and CSR; (iii) 3. life cycle assessment (LCA) based DSS case studies in areas of SWM, WWT, and CSR; (iv) multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) based DSS case studies in areas of SWM, WWT, and CSR; and (v) optimal contractual delivery methods based DSS case studies in EM practices. The analysis disclosed that adoption of DA and DSS in SWM, WWT, and CSR holds significant potential for decarbonizing these EM processes. By optimizing operations, enhancing resource efficiency, and integrating renewable energy sources, these technologies contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions and promote sustainable environmental practices. As the demand for more effective and eco-friendly solutions grows, the role of DA and DSS will become increasingly pivotal in achieving global decarbonization goals.

Industries are required to utilize treatment technologies to reduce contaminants in wastewater prior discharge and valorize by-products to increase sustainability and competitiveness. Most acid leaching gypsum purification studies have obviated the treatment of the highly acidic wastewater produced. In this work, acidic wastewater from acid leaching purification of post-consumer gypsum was treated to recover a valuable solid product and reusable water. The main aims of this work were to determine the impact of recirculating acidic and treated wastewaters on the efficiency of the acid leaching purification process and to valorize the impurities in the wastewater. Samples were characterized through X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. SimaPro 9.5 and ReCiPe 2016 midpoint method were used for the life cycle assessment of three wastewater management approaches. The reuse of the acidic wastewater did not improve the chemical purity of gypsum. Soluble impurities were precipitated at pH 10.5 as a magnesium-rich gypsum that could be commercialized as fertilizer or soil ameliorant. The alkaline treated water was reused for 6 acid leaching purification cycles without impacting the efficiency of the purification process. An acid leaching-neutralization-filtration-precipitation approach demonstrated superior overall environmental performance. Barriers and enabling measures for the implementation of an in-house wastewater treatment were identified.

Thermal plasma is a versatile technology that can be used to treat various types of wastes, including vegetal and mineral oils, solvents, plastics, papers and cardboard, glasses, bricks and rocks, metals, clothes, and mixtures of these materials. In this study, we utilized a commercial plasma cutter as a thermal plasma source to decrease the volume of a simulated low-level radioactive mixed solid waste. The simulated waste included papers, plastics, clothes, gloves, metals and stable Co, Cs, Sr, and Ce additives as surrogates of 60Co, 137Cs, 90Sr, and 144Ce, the latter typical contaminants in nuclear LLW. As a result of the process two products were obtained, a solid phase in which we focused this work and a gaseous phase. To retain as much as possible surrogates in the solid final phase, crushed glass from broken bottles was included as a vitrification additive to the original waste. After undergoing heat treatment, a dense vitreous slag was produced and ashes. The process resulted in a volume reduction of 70%, indicating the successful gasification of organic excess materials. The surrogate elements were retained in the process and were found in the ashes composition: Co (3.4% w/w), Cs (37.7% w/w), Ce (0.6% w/w) and in the glass matrix composition of Co, Cs, Sr and Ce: 72.4 ± 14.7, 32 ± 18.2, 125.3 ± 31.6, 80 ± 13.1 % w/w respectively. For the actual experimental conditions, retention efficiencies were estimated for Cobalt (Co) at 72.4 ± 14.7%, Cerium (Ce) at 80 ± 13.1%, Strontium (Sr) at 125.3 ± 31.6%, and notably Cesium (Cs) at 32 ± 18.2%.

Citrus waste has been used as a source of bioplastic research in different ways. Because the juice industry produces significant amounts of residue each year, it would be advantageous to use the byproducts in the creation of new materials. For many years, researchers have been investigating an environmentally friendly way to take citrus and other organic waste and turn it into polymers that may be used, for instance, to produce bio-based and biodegradable films for food packaging. The goal of this study is to create biofilms from orange (OW) and ginger waste (GW) using an ultrafine grinder and study the films' properties. Since pectin has the ability to gel and because cellulosic fibres are strong, citrus waste has been studied for its potential to produce biofilms. After being washed, dried, and milled, orange and ginger waste were shaped into films using a casting process. Tensile testing was used to determine the mechanical properties of biofilms, while dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to determine their thermal properties. As the number of grinding cycles increased, the suspension's viscosity increased from 29 to 57 mPa.s for OW and from 217 to 376 mPa.s for GW while the particle size in the suspension significantly decreased. For OW and GW films, the highest tensile strength was 17 MPa and 15 MPa, respectively. The maximum strain obtained among all films was 4.8%. All the tested films were stable up to 150°C, and maximum degradation occurs after 300°C.

Cigarette butts (CBs) are the most diffuse waste in the world, often abandoned in the environment without proper disposal. They are dangerous because of the numerous harmful chemicals poten-tially released in the environment. There are, in literature, several technological options for CB recycling, but some critical concerns could affect their effectiveness due to the quality and quantity of CB litter collected in the proper way. The present paper focuses on policy framework social behavior, waste collection and transport and technological processes. The Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for CBs is proposed at European level as an action to tackle CB litter and encourage sustainable product development. The CB waste collection and transport is a key step for bringing CB to the recycling process. The main concern is the small quantity of CBs collected: 0.06 % of the municipal waste and 0.18 % of the unsorted waste in the administrative area of Pe-rugia. Another crucial issue is the need for behavioral interventions to increase education and awareness of smoker citizens, addressing the discrepancy between smokers’ behaviors and beliefs.

Fruits are commonly used, fresh or processed, to prepare different industrial products with superior nutritional and health-promoting properties. Currently, the demand for processed fruit products has motivated the rapid growth of the fruit processing industries, persuading them to produce an enormous amount of by-products with less utilization. Furthermore, people's shifting dietary habits and lack of awareness of nutritional properties result in an avoidable load of fruit by-products. The knowledge of the value of by-products urges exploration with proper documentation, emphasizing the health benefits of some such products. Hence, this review is prepared by carefully analyzing the recent literature on industrial applications of fruit by-products and their nutritional and health-promoting properties. The use of fruit by-products in food industries for various purposes has been reported in the past and has been reviewed and described here. Fruit by-products are a good source of nutrients and bioactive components, including polyphenols, dietary fibers, and vitamins, implying that they could have an important role for novel, value-added functional food properties. Furthermore, fruit by-products are used as the substrate for the production of organic acids, essential oils, enzymes, fuel, biodegradable packaging materials, and preservatives.

The growing concern about climate change and the recognition of the planet’s limits led society to look for alternatives that promote the balance between the natural and the built environment. The circular economy emerges as an alternative to the linear economic model, inspired by natural metabolisms, by circulating resources in continuous loops, where their intrinsic value is maintained and improved. This research proposes a closed-loop strategy in the built environment by studying innovative constructive solutions that aim to find use, value, and inspiration in what is considered waste. A literature review is conducted on the circular design strategies, re-use and recycle typologies, and waste transformation processes. Then, the development of a methodology for qualitative evaluation and selection of re-used and upcycled construction materials from post-consumer waste and by-products is presented and then applied to thirty-five cases of constructive solutions from plastic, wood, paper, steel, aluminium, and agricultural waste. The research reports that the developed framework is adequate. The analysed alternative materials have good environmental performance and can be used as building materials despite their functional limitations, reflecting the enormous potential of waste as a resource for the construction industry.

Botanical recycled concrete, or concrete bonded with wood, is formed by heat pressing the mixture of concrete and wooden waste. Botanical recycled concrete is a relatively new material and the relationship between production condition and its real-world performance is not clear yet. This experimental study investigated the influence of several production condition factors on the density and bending strength of botanical recycled concrete. As a result, temperature and mass ratio of concrete powder to wood flour presented significant effects on the density of this botanical recycled concrete. The increase in production temperature resulted in a remarkable increment in density and bending strength. This is probably due to increased wood flowability and accelerated compaction and bonding formation. The fineness of wood flour had a significant effect on improving bending strength. This is attributed to a larger contact surface between the wood substance and concrete particles.

Global waste generation keeps increasing over the year and requires innovative solutions to minimize their impacts on environmental quality and public health. Predicted 2.2 billion tonnes per year of global municipal waste generation in the year 2025 which 1.6 fold is higher than in 2012. Hence, a strategic plan must be ascertained to overcome the future challenges of MSW locally and globally. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) coined an initiative to demonstrate a showcase pilot plant for green energy production from MSW. Therefore, the data was obtained from the survey and actual sampling within the UPM compound to estimate the MSW generated and it's potentially used for green energy production. It is estimated that 5.0 – 7.0 tonne per day of MSW generated which about 30 - 35% is an organic fraction. Upon separation, the organic fractions were digested into biogas through anaerobic. At the maximum conversion of organic fraction, about 775 kWh of electricity may able to generate from the waste. In this study, the complete biorefinery setup and utilize organic components from the MSW generated in UPM was proposed that the biogas subsequently will be used to produce green energy in the form of electricity or cooking fuel.

Recent years have experienced an increase in construction and demolition waste (C&DW), which is the most significant solid waste stream. C&DW is contributing to exceeding all planetary boundaries and presents a range of other issues. In order to better understand the existing research on C&DW, a global bibliographic analysis was undertaken through seven groups of keyword searches and the results visualised using VOCviewer. The results show that C&DW receives only a modest research attention compared to other areas of waste, and this is despite an exponential increase in C&DW research since 2016. The analyses also show that concrete is the most researched material in terms of C&DW, and that reuse, recycling, and circular economy are so far attracting only proportionally modest research attention. This signals a need for further acceleration of the C&DW research, and specifically for more research on reuse, recycling, and circular economy for materials other than concrete.

The possibility of making precious stones from radioactive waste is being considered. Vitrified and cemented radioactive waste (RW) is considered as an artificial rock belonging to aluminosilicates and calcites. Two methods are proposed for the manufacture of radioactive gemstones from RW and their subsequent storage with the possibility of sale, resale, inheritance, and so on. That is, RW is considered as real estate in which capital can be invested. After decontamination in hundreds and thousands of years, it will be of scientific, historical, jewelry interest.

The new climate law introduces a policy of sustainable construction, the assumption of which is the reduction of CO2 by the construction industry and the use of environmentally friendly materials, such as agricultural, mineral, and recycled waste, while limiting the consumption of natural resources. The article is a literature review that analyzes selected waste materials from various sectors of the economy that can be used as additives or partial substitutes for natural resources in the production of cement and in and cement building materials, the production of which reduces CO2 emissions, producing materials with high mechanical strength and environmentally friendly.

The use of food waste disposers in gastronomical facilities influence the municipal wastewater composition. Ground food waste poses problems in the operation of the sewerage network and generates high electric energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The study aimed to determine, for five towns with a PE of 4,000 to 220,000, the volumes of catering waste discharged to the WWTPs. The towns differed in the number of inhabitants, beds in hotel and catering places. The calculations were made based on data received from the operators of WWTP. The pollutant concentrations in 2019, were compared with data from the "pandemic" year - 2020. The loads of catering waste entering the sewerage system in 2019 ranged from 32.7 to 1062 tons. In town with the largest tourist base, the BOD value in 2020 accounted for 62.3% of 2019 value. In the largest town, the annual energy consumption for food waste treatment could be up to 2,539,770 kWh. If the waste was fermented, it could be obtained up to 1,376,650 m3 of methane. There is a strong need for implementing a collection system for food waste from catering facilities and its fermentation to produce methane, which can be used for energy purposes.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Candida auris presents a formidable global health challenge, causing severe healthcare-associated infections with high mortality rates. Its ability to colonize surfaces and resist standard disinfectants undermines traditional hygiene practices, prompting an urgent need for novel strategies. Ultraviolet C (UVC) light offers a promising approach due to its rapid and broad-spectrum germicidal efficacy. This review comprehensively examines the current knowledge of UVC LED technology in combating C. auris, highlighting its effectiveness, limitations, and potential applications in healthcare hygiene. UVC light has potent activity against C. auris, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. UVC can reduce C. auris on contaminated surfaces, aiding in transmission prevention. This review explores implementation strategies, including mobile UVC systems for targeted disinfection of high-risk areas and equipment, integration into air handling units (AHUs) to continuously disinfect recirculating air, and incorporation into water treatment systems. Current limitations in our understanding of UVC safety and effectiveness necessitate further research to optimize application protocols and ensure treatment safety while maintaining efficacy against C. auris. Integrating UVC disinfection technology into infection control programs holds promise for strengthening hygiene practices that will curb the global spread of C. auris and improve patient outcomes.

The article discusses an alternative way of recycling radioactive waste (RW), presented in the form of radioactive building materials - concrete and reinforced concrete structures and metal fittings, with the further use of materials, obtained during recycling, in the space industry. That is, it is supposed to send radioactive waste into space not as a passive ballast, but as a payload that will operate in space under conditions of increased radiation.

Insecticide testing facilities that evaluate a variety of vector control products may generate large amount of hazardous wastes from routine operations. These wastes originate from degraded technical grade materials, sprayed substrates, redundant stock or working insecticidal solutions. The washing of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) during preparation for laboratory and experimental hut trials also contribute to waste water with insecticide content. Human and environmental exposure to insecticidal waste can occur during transport, categorization, storage and disposal in resulting in environmental pollution and potential health effects. Various national and international guidelines have been devised for safe disposal and should be strictly followed to avoid adverse effects on humans or environment. The current paper describes a case study from insecticide test facility in north-eastern Tanzania in management of insecticidal waste.

Solid-state lighting has been replacing conventional lighting in the market, raising concerns for implementing an efficient end-of-life management system. Since LED waste streams have not been quite dominant, characterization studies (product-level characteristics, component-wise information, bill of materials, diversity, and differences) are inconsistent and having substantial gaps. This study investigates the end-of-life LED lamp literature, focusing on the bill-of-materials, and reveals that the characterization procedure suffers from a severe lack of sample representativeness. Consequently, characterization results are widely varied and not generalizable. Moreover, most of the studies did not inform and document the detailed sample characteristics, precluding the possibility of identifying reasons for variation. Combining available information from the recent studies, we present a mass distribution at the component level, exemplifying the prospect for meeting EU regulatory limit and the need for more insight at the lamp and component level. To fill the disconnection between lamp level characteristics and component and material content, we propose a characterization protocol that carefully documents lamp, component, and material level information by establishing a lamp-component–material composition nexus. The protocol may help researchers, policymakers, and industrial stakeholders conduct a systematic characterization, analyze complexities and prepare for a sustainable solution.

Lignocellulosic fungi are highly versatile organisms with valuable applications in bioremediation processes, including the biodegradation of agro-industrial effluents. In this work, the use of a native strain of the white-rot fungus, Pycnoporus aff. sanguineus, was studied for its use in the bioremediation of the sugar industry waste called vinasse, originating from the San Martín del Tabacal Sugar Mill, located in the north of the Salta province, Argentina. We studied under controlled laboratory conditions the bioremediation process of 3 concentrations of vinasse (5, 10, and 25% in distilled water) with a native isolated strain. The results showed biomass growth at all three tested concentrations, with a maximum at the highest vinasse concentration (25%), while the percentages of color and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal indicated that the most efficient treatment was with 10% vinasse. The results obtained are promising for the treatment of effluents from the sugar industry using white-rot fungi considering the valuable subproducts of Pycnoporus spp. biomass.

In the aerospace industry, composites based on polymer or metal matrices and fillers made from granite, marble, lime and other rock powders are used. These fillers are similar in composition to cement and glass used for immobilization of radioactive waste (RW). In this paper, it is proposed to grind cemented or vitrified radioactive waste into micro or nanopowder and introduce this powder into a polymer or metal matrix to obtain a composite with improved physical characteristics, which can be used as a structural element or equipment element of automated space stations, satellites or rovers. In this way, it is possible to dispose of a huge amount of accumulated radioactive waste into space as a payload.

Bread is one of the most popular products consumed almost daily and, simultaneously, the most frequently wasted product in large quantities. The factors determining this phenomenon in a household must first be known in order to develop and implement effective programmes to combat consumers throwing away bread. Minimizing bread waste contributes to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 12 of "halting food waste by 2030". The aim of the study was to examine the influence of selected sociodemographic, economic and behavioural characteristics of consumers on the methods of managing stale bread. The study was conducted on a nationwide, random, and representative group of 1115 adult respondents. Over 15% of respondents admitted throwing stale bread into the waste container. Statistical analysis showed that the highest percentage of younger people, residents of large cities, and working people declared throwing unused bread into the waste container. More than 1/3 of respondents declared that they process stale bread into breadcrumbs. A higher percentage of the oldest people, residents of rural areas, and families with more than four adults declared that they manage bread this way. There was no significant relationship between the frequency of bread purchase and all methods of managing stale bread (except for feeding animals). The place of purchase influenced four methods of handling stale bread.

This report aims to document the extent of plastic waste pollution in lorry stations in Accra, assess its impact on public health and propose actionable solutions for effective waste management in stations. By highlighting the severity of the issue as well as providing recommendations for solutions, we seek to inform and inspire municipal assemblies, policymakers and other stakeholders to take decisive action against plastic waste pollution in lorry stations in Accra. Plastic waste pollution is a growing concern in Ghana, with lorry stations being particularly affected due to high foot traffic and inadequate waste management infrastructure within stations. This report is significant because of its implications for addressing public health hazards, continuing the ongoing efforts to reduce plastic pollution in Ghana and addressing community concerns. Through this comprehensive analysis, Mckingtorch Africa aims to drive meaningful change and create a cleaner, healthier Ghana for present and future generations.

Traditional lime-based materials have considerable potential for use as components of green materials for plastering and finishing building surfaces in both new construction and historic heritage conservation. The paper presents the preliminary results of a research activity aimed at developing pre-packaged products based on Traditional Lime Putty (TLP) by partially replacing natural aggregates with Stone Waste Sludge (SWS), with a low rate of recovery from Apricena limestone production district in Apulia. The mineralogical and chemical analysis carried out by means XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), TG-DTA (Thermo Gravimetry-Differential Thermal Analysis) and hydrochloric acid attack test showed that the SWS consisted of 98.4 % CaCO3 by mass. The particle sizes measured by laser diffraction technique are below 22.5 μm for the 92% by mass of the sample. The high fineness of the stone waste was confirmed by the Blaine specific surface method equal to 9273.79 cm2/gr. The behavior of three fresh mixtures for prepacked coarse plaster, fine plaster, and finishing plaster with 12.90%, 17.94%, and 18.90 by mass of SWS, respectively, was evaluated by spreading test and applicability tests on a perforated ceramic slab. The finishing plaster has the highest consistency value of 235 mm, while the fine plaster and the coarse plaster have values of 205 mm and 155 mm, respectively. The coarse plaster is suitable for the use as base plaster (arriccio) or second layer rendering (tonachino) up to a thickness of approximately 1 cm. Both the fine plaster and finishing plasters can be used for the surfaces finishing with the application of layers of a few millimeters thick.

This research seeks to solve the multi-faceted problem of waste disposal by analyzing the application of waste plastic and tyre material within non-structural concrete to ensure more sustainability and less environmental degradation. Study focusses on material properties including specific gravity, water absorption and bulk density and characteristics of the concrete that is produced by the utilization of the above waste aggregates including workability, compressive strength, flexural strength and tensile strength. This paper employs secondary data collection and MATLAB in the analysis of the findings pointing to the fact that the mechanical properties reduce with the level of waste content yet emphasizing the green aspect of such materials. Thus, a complex and diverse effect is demonstrated by the life cycle assessments (LCA) for global warming, ozone depletion, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and acidification. Furthermore, the utilization of waste materials decreases the compressive, flexural, and tensile strength, but it provides distinct ecological benefits which prove the importance of proper mix proportions for concrete performance. The outcomes of this research will be useful for further investigation in the application of the concept as well as to call for the development of new ideas for the improvement of bonding of wastes to aggregates in concrete.

The paper presents a thorough examination of the burgeoning field of utilizing manufacturing waste for sustainable energy generation, aligning with the global imperative for resource efficiency and clean energy solutions. With the manufacturing sector being a significant contributor to waste generation, this study explores innovative approaches to transform waste materials into valuable resources, thereby mitigating environmental impacts and contributing to a circular economy. This work critically reviews current trends, emphasizing technological advancements, policy interventions, and market dynamics shaping the manufacturing waste utilization landscape. Noteworthy developments, such as advanced sorting technologies and the integration of digital solutions, are discussed in detail, showcasing their role in enhancing the efficiency of waste management processes. The study outlines future trends in the field, anticipating a shift towards closed-loop systems guided by circular economy principles. This comprehensive review aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainable waste management and energy generation by providing a holistic perspective on the field's current state and offering insights into the future trajectories that will propel manufacturing waste toward a more sustainable and circular future. The synthesis of technological innovation, collaborative efforts, and evolving regulatory frameworks presents a compelling case for the continued exploration of manufacturing waste as a valuable resource in the pursuit of a more sustainable and energy-efficient world.

In South Korea, demolition waste (DW) management has become increasingly significant owing to the rising number of old buildings. Effective DW management requires an efficient approach that accurately quantifies and predicts the generation of DW (DWG) of various types, which necessitates access to the required information or technology capable of achieving this. Hence, we developed an artificial intelligence-based model that predicts the generation of ten DW types, specifically from buildings in redevelopment areas. We used an artificial neural network algorithm with < 10 neurons in the hidden layer to derive individual input variables and optimal hyperparameters for each DW type. All DWG prediction models achieved an average validation and test prediction performance (R²) of 0.970 and 0.952, respectively, with their ratios of percent deviation ≥ 2.5, ver-ifying them as excellent models. Moreover, a Shapley additive explanations analysis revealed that DWG was most impacted by the floor area for all the DW types, with a positive correlation with DWG. Conversely, other factors showed either a positive or negative correlation with DWG de-pending on the DW type. The study findings will enable demolition companies and local gov-ernments in making informed decisions for efficient DW management and resource allocation by accurately predicting the generation of various types of DW.

The recycling, incineration, and final disposal rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) are calculated based on the total amount of waste input to each facility in many countries. These statistic data have serious limitation in setting the national goal and policy for effective waste management because it is not considering the amount of foreign objectives in the process of each life-cycle stage. This case study is to estimate the actual rates of recycling, incineration, and final disposal by material flow analysis (MFA) after the collection of MSW in Korea. The actual rates of recycling, incineration and final disposal for MSW in 2016 were 49.9%, 32.9% and 23.1% respectively, indicating that the recycling rate was lower by 10.1%, while the incineration and final disposal rates were raised by 7.6% and 8.4% respectively, compared with the statistics for current MSW. In addition, the changed actual rates of recycling, incineration treatment, and final landfill, and variation of waste treatment charge according to treated amounts per treatment method was analyzed. This results of this study will contribute to establish national level of plan on effective waste management.

SDG target 12.3 calls for halving food waste at retail, food service, and household by 2030. The food waste index for this purpose includes parts attached to food that are usually removed intentionally ("unavoidable food waste") and allows counting the conversion to animal feed and utilisation as biomaterial as means of reduction. In Japan, the "Food Waste Recycling Law" which has been in effect since 2001, promotes the recycling of food waste generated from businesses, designating feed conversion as top priority. On the other hand, based on the more recent "Food Loss Reduction Promotion Act" of 2019, the government is currently promoting the reduction of avoidable food waste, as to meet the SDG target. Based on statistical sources and interviews with Ministry officers, this paper explains the history and achievements of Japan's 23-year policy based on the Food Recycling Law, as well as the tension between the two legislations.

Spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste can be disposed in deep horizontal drillholes in sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous rocks. Horizontal drillhole disposal has safety, operational, and economic benefits: The repository is deep in the brine-saturated zone far below aquifers in a reducing environment of formations that can be shown to have been isolated from the surface for millions of years; its depth provides safety against inadvertent intrusion, earth¬quakes, and near-surface perturbations; it can be placed close to the reactors and interim storage facilities, minimizing transportation; disposal costs per ton of waste can be kept substantially lower than for mined repositories by its smaller size, reduced infrastructure needs, and staged imple¬mentation; and, if desired, the waste could be retrieved using “fishing” technology. In the proposed disposal concept, corrosion-resistant canisters containing unmodified fuel assemblies from commercial reactors would be placed end-to-end in up to 50 cm diameter horizontal drill¬holes, a configuration that reduces mechanical stresses and keeps the temperatures below the boiling point of the brine. Other high-level wastes, such as capsules containing 137Cs and 90Sr, can be disposed in small-diameter drillholes. We provide an overview of this novel disposal concept and its technology, discuss some of its safety aspects, and compare it to mined repositories and the deep vertical borehole disposal concept.

Millions of tons of wool waste are produced yearly by textile industries, which may become a serious environmental hazard in the near future. Given this concern, it is crucial to explore strategies to reduce the amount of wool waste generated worldwide and adopt more sustainable practices for dissolving and regenerating wool keratin (WK) from textile waste. Most traditional methods involve the use of expensive, toxic, harmful, and poorly biodegradable compounds. To overcome these limitations and facilitate the reuse of wool waste through a cascade valorization strategy, researchers have started testing the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) as a more sus-tainable and eco-friendlier alternative for WK dissolution and regeneration. In this study, the potential of two different DES mixtures, Choline chloride (ChCl): Urea and L-Cysteine (L-Cys): Lactic acid (LA), was explored for dissolving wool waste. Subsequently, the obtained gels based on DES-WK were blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in different ratios to produce nanofibers using the electrospinning technique. The effect of pH and the properties of the electrospinning solutions, namely electrical conductivity and viscosity, on the morphology of the gel solutions were evaluated. Moreover, the morphological features of the produced gel-based electrospun PVA/DES-WK nanofibrous membranes were analyzed using scanning electron mi-croscopy (SEM). Additionally, the PVA/L-Cys: LA DES-WK, which proved to be the most effective DES mixture for fabricating WK gel-based nanofibers, were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and tensile tests. Furthermore, their antioxidant and an-timicrobial abilities were evaluated. The results obtained revealed that this approach to valorize textile waste offers a unique avenue for the development of sustainable functional materials with potential applications in various biomedical and industrial fields.

Sharing the same raw material, recycling and composting are in direct conflict with incineration of municipal solid waste in combined heath and power plants. Indeed, waste-to-energy plants in regions with high recycling rates import urban waste from other countries to use otherwise unused capacity, and raise revenues. Using the case of Italy’s second largest and economically most developed region, I discuss the economic viability of municipal solid waste incineration to produce electricity and heath in the context of the increasing role of electricity production from renewable energy sources as well as of the emerging mass-scale uptake of bioplastics. Four lessons and three guidelines aimed to local authorities and policy makers emerge from the present study.

The study presented below establishes the progress and challenges of a Circular Economy (CE) in agriculture in Ibero-America. To this end, a documentary review was carried out to conceptualise the characteristics of CE and the way in which it has been implemented in Ibero-American countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Spain and Portugal. Additionally, a bibliometric study was carried out, starting from the "Scopus" and "Wos" databases, which facilitates the identification of the frequency of writings, number of publications, topics related to CE, key words, authors, among other criteria that are fundamental for recognising the importance in the academic and business spheres. This study uses different statistical programmes such as R-tool, R-Package, Bibliometrix, VOSviewer and Biblioshiny. The findings show a growing trend towards the analysis of sustainability and CE processes in agriculture.

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore what inside the lipid lump obtained from skin. Try to understand the reasons for these physiological functions. In this paper, the lipid droplets or lumps was aimed to shed light on, figuring out what kind of cracks from metabolism were embedded inside. Results: A novel method was introduced for the detection of pathogens within lipid droplets extracted from acne or inflamed pores, as well as normal pores, using microscopic analysis. Through this technique, the presence of cracks from our body within these lipid droplets were identified. Methods: Observations were conducted using a microscope, with samples placed on slides and grind like blood smear. To enhance the transparency of the samples, tween-20 was utilized. This reagent was first time to be used for observing such big lipid lump of skin secretion. The evidences were recorded using the DMi8 camera from Leica.

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are essential to most electronic devices. Digitalization and upgradation of gadget generates lots of PCB-containing electronic waste. Conserving resources and protecting the environment requires recycling such e-waste. The present paper is focused on the recovery of metals from PCBs by physical pretreatment and hydrometallurgical processes. Initially, the waste PCBs were pre-treated to separate metallic and non-metallic fractions. The metallic concentrate was leached using nitric acid (strong oxidative agent) for dissolution of metals. The system was fully jacketed with scrubber and condenser so that no emission of toxic gases to the environment. The process parameters viz. effect of acid concentration, pulp density, temperature, time, etc. were optimized and the obtained data were scientifically validated. Kinetics leaching fitted well with the Shrinking core model, XB = kc.t for Cu, (1-(1-XB)1/2) for Ni and 1-3(1-XB)2/3 + 2(1-XB) for Pb. The optimized conditions derived from these studies will be useful for recovery of metals from waste PCBs, and tin left in the residue could be further treated for the purpose of safe disposal or the utilization in an environmentally friendly manner. The developed process provides environmental benefits and has potential to be commercialized after scale-up studies.

Nano-emulsions of essential oils (EO) and their chemical constituents are promising raw materials for the ecological control of Tribolium castaneum. Curcuma longa Linn is a plant known for the properties of its rhizome which is used in food, health and hygiene products. Its leaves are by-products with no commercial value, but with unexplored bioactive volatile constituents. This study aims to evaluate the repellency of nano-emulsions containing the EO from leaves of C. longa or its three main chemical constituents against T. castaneum. The representative mixture of EO extracted in four different months showed p-cymene (26.0%), 1,8-cineole (15.1%) and terpinolene (15.5%) as major compounds. Nano-emulsions of EO (HLB 16.7), terpinolene (HLB 15.0), 1,8-cineole (HLB15.0) and p-cymene (HLB 15.0) were repellent at concentrations of 11 μg/cm2 (EO, terpinolene and p-cymene) and 1.1 μg/cm2 (1,8-cineole). The EO nano-emulsion droplet size increased linearly over time, remaining below 300 nm for 35 days and below 600 nm for 80 days. The EO nano-emulsion proved to be a green alternative to synthetic pesticides, as it was safe against the bioindicator Chlorella vulgaris. Terpinolene, 1,8-cineol and p-cymene were able to inhibit the enzyme telomerase from T. castaneum in an in silico assay, which may explain the repellency of these samples. This study provides ideas for the utilization of EO from leaves of C. longa as raw material of new environmentally friendly plant-derived nanobiopesticides.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of reducing the amount of organic waste on the weight of cats in Tehran. The weight of 4192 cats was measured from spring 2016 to the end of winter 2020. They were classified into 6 age groups, 2 gender groups, and 13 geographical areas. Their weight was measured for 48 months (16 seasons). The statistical parameters analysis showed no weight loss in 2017, but since 2018, cats have been losing weight every year. They had lost about 178g of their weight in 2018. The sharpest annual decrease was observed in 2019 when about 301g of weight loss was recorded. In the winter of 2020, 115g of weight loss took place. In the spring of 2017, no weight change was observed, but in the spring of 2018, the cats lost 155g of their weight. Their weight loss intensified in the spring of 2019 and about 299g of weight loss was observed. In the summer of 2017, as in the spring of the same year, no weight loss was recorded, but for the summer of 2018, the weight loss was evident and about 205g of the weight of the cats had been reduced. The weight loss in the summer of 2019 not only continued but intensified and about 304g of weight loss was recorded for cats. Weight change was not observed in the fall of 2017 as in the spring and summer of the same year. In the fall of 2018, weight loss was recorded for cats. They had lost about 324g of their weight in the fall of 2018. Also, they experienced a weight loss of about 218g in the fall of 2019. During the spring, summer, and autumn of 2017, no weight loss was observed in the cats for the winter of 2018, but in the winter of 2019, the cats faced the most severe weight loss (seasonally). They lost about 401g of weight in the winter of 2019. Of course, in the winter of 2020, about 186g of weight loss was observed in cats. The results showed that female cats did not lose weight in 2017 but experienced weight loss in 2018 with a weight loss of 181g. The weight loss of females intensified in 2019 and 294g of weight loss was recorded. Female cats lost 186g of their weight in the winter of 2020. Male cats did not lose weight like female cats in 2017. But in 2018, a weight loss of 166g was observed in male cats. The weight loss of male cats continued in 2019 and 311g of weight loss was recorded for them. However, in 2020, unlike females, weight loss was not observed in male cats. It can be said that both sexes lost more weight in the winter of 2019 than in other seasons. In 2017, weight loss was observed only for the region of 10, and in the same year, weight gain was recorded for the region of 15. But in 2018, except for regions 3, 4, 15, and 19, weight loss was observed in other regions. In 2019, the weight loss of cats spread and weight loss was observed in all regions except the region of 12. In winter 2020, weight loss was recorded only in the region of 4. In the end, it can be concluded that the weight of cats has decreased since the spring of 2018 because the beginning of the decrease in the amount of organic waste has been recorded since the winter of 2018. So, there is a direct relationship between the weight of cats and the amount of organic waste (access to food). The amount of garbage has been decreasing since the winter of 2018, and the average weight of cats has also been decreasing since the spring of 2018 due to the decrease in access to food.

Mining is an important industry that provides products and services through infrastructure systems worldwide. However, the global development promotes the steady growth and accelerated demand for minerals, resulting in the accumulation of hazardous waste in land, sea and air environments and, consequently a series of environmental and health problems. Restoration techniques from mining tailing have become increasingly discussed among scholars due to their potential to offer benefits over reducing tailings levels, thereby reducing environmental pressure for the correct management and adding value to previously discarded waste. This review paper critically explores available literature on the main techniques of mining tailing recycling, and discusses leading recycling technologies, including the advantages and drawbacks, as well as future perspectives. The findings of this review contribute as a reference for scholars as well as support for decisionmakers concerning the related environmental issues.

Forest recreation can be successfully used for the psychological relaxation of respondents and can be used as a remedy for common problems with stress. The special form of forest recreation intended for restoration is forest bathing. These activities might be distracted by some factors, such as viewing buildings in the forest or using a computer in nature, which interrupt psychological relaxation. One factor that might interrupt psychological relaxation is the occurrence of an open dump in the forest during an outdoor experience. To test the hypothesis that an open dump might decrease psychological relaxation, a case study was planned that used a randomized, controlled crossover design. For this purpose, two groups of healthy young adults viewed a control forest or a forest with an open dump in reverse order and filled in psychological questionnaires after each stimulus. A pretest was used. Participants wore oblique eye patches to stop their visual stimulation before the experimental stimulation, and the physical environment was monitored. The results were analyzed using the two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The measured negative psychological indicators significantly increased after viewing the forest with waste, and the five indicators of the Profile of Mood States increased: Tension-Anxiety, Depression-Dejection, Anger-Hostility, Fatigue, and Confusion. In addition, the negative aspect of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule increased in comparison to the control and pretest. The measured positive indicators significantly decreased after viewing the forest with waste, the positive aspect of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule decreased, and the Restorative Outcome Scale and Subjective Vitality scores decreased (in comparison to the control and pretest). The occurrence of an open dump in the forest might interrupt a normal restorative experience in the forest by reducing psychological relaxation. Nevertheless, the mechanism of these relevancies is not known, and thus, it will be further investigated. In addition, in a future study, the size of the impact of these open dumps on normal everyday experiences should be investigated. It is proposed that different mechanisms might be responsible for these reactions; however, the aim of this manuscript is to only measure this reaction. The identified psychological reasons for these mechanisms can be assessed in further studies.

The aim of this research study was to develop hydrogels samples for using in potential biomedical applications. Hydrogels consisting of different volumes of keratin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and starch. The keratin is derived from the chicken was the primary material on the hydrogels due to attractively for the potential wound healing application. The hydrogel samples were made by using the freeze‑thawing method, and they were examined using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), porosity amusement, swelling ratio and keratin release kinetic models that analyzed using (zero-order, first-order Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models). These results were indicated that feather keratin could use with formulated hydrogels suitably for controlled keratin release studies .

Highlights: A new material with a bending strength higher than that of concrete was developed using vegetable or fruit waste. The new material maintains the color, taste, and flavor of the original vegetable or fruit. Without water resistant treatment, the material is edible and can be conditioned with seasonings

Biofuels have become an integral part of everyday life in modern society. Bioethanol and fatty acid methyl esters are a common part of both the production of gasoline and diesel fuels. Also, pressure on replacing fossil fuels with bio-components is constantly growing. Waste vegetable fats can be replacing biodiesel. HVO seems to be a better alternative. This fuel has a higher oxidation stability for storage purposes, a lower temperature of loss of filterability for the winter time, a lower boiling point for cold starts and other. Viscosity, density, cold filter plugging point of fuel blend, and flash point were measured to confirm that a fuel from HVO is so close to a fuel standard that it is possible to use it in engines without modification. The objective of this article is to show the properties of different fuels with and without HVO admixtures and to prove the suitability of using HVO compared to FAME. HVO can also be prepared from waste materials and no major modifications of existing refinery facilities are required. No technology in either investment or engine adaptation of fuel oils is needed in fuel processing.

Resilience embodies the personal qualities that enable one to thrive in the face of adversity. A previous Italian study showed that injured workers had a lower level of resilience than non-injured workers. The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between occupational injuries and psychological resilience. The subjects were 197 drivers from two Finnish waste transport companies. As a part of larger questionnaire, they fulfilled the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, which consisted of 25 items. Drivers reported their occupational injuries during the last three years. The drivers involved in occupational injuries had higher score (average 69.3) on Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale than drivers avoided injuries (67.7). According to Student’s t-test the difference between groups was highly significant (t = 40.44, df = 196, p<0.001). The result of this study was contradictory to earlier Italian study. One explanation may be that the Italian study was done with traumatic context with seriously injured patients. Waste transport drivers were rather young and fit males, who had suffered only minor injuries.

When municipal solid waste (MSW) is landfilled, it begins to decompose under anaerobic conditions and is formed landfill gas is dominated by methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Reducing methane emissions is essential in the fight against climate change. It must be implemented at global and European levels, as set out in 2030 in the impact assessment of the climate goals plan. This assessment states that to achieve the goal by 2030 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55%, the methane emissions must be reduced, considering the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Glasgow Climate Pact includes a global mitigation target of 2030 year: to reduce CO2 emissions by 45%, the emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases. For that purpose, looking for new, more advanced ways of managing such waste is necessary. The main objective of the experimental study was to evaluate the influence of aeration, probiotic introduction, and water supply on the production of landfill gases (CO2, CH4, N2, H2, etc.) in the different fifth landfills’ models during the management of MSW and to propose the best solutions for reducing environmental pollution. The results of the research showed that the first and second models of landfills, using only anaerobic conditions, can be used for the treatment of MSW for the production of biogas (CH4, CO2), as up to 40–60% of it was released during the 120-experiment period. The third landfill model can be applied in old, already closed landfills, where rapid stabilization and aeration of MSW are required to minimize pollutant emissions (N2, etc.) and unwanted odors and shorten biodegradation processes. The results of the fourth and fifth landfill models, in which aerobicanaerobic conditions were applied, showed that the developing nitrification-denitrification processes resulted in complete nitrogen removal (from 20% to 0%), and overall waste stabilization improved the biodegradation of the MSW. Later, relatively good (on average 30%) results of biogas (CH4, CO2) emissions are achieved during anaerobic conditions formation results. Summarizing all experiment results of all landfill models for further evaluation of the processes, all models can be applied in real practice depending on where they will be used and what result they want to achieve.

Solid waste management is a major environmental challenge, especially in developing countries, with increasing amounts of waste glass (WG) and waste plastics (WP) not being recycled. In Ethiopia, managing WG and WP requires innovative recycling techniques. This study examines concrete properties with WG and WP as partial replacements for fine aggregate. Tests were conducted on cement setting time, workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. Concrete grade C-25, with a compressive strength of 25 MPa, was prepared using an optimum ratio of 14% WG and 6% WP. Mechanical properties were tested at 7 and 28 days of curing. At 20% replacement, workability decreased at water-cement ratios of 0.5 and 0.6 but remained stable at 0.4. Thus, a 0.4 ratio was used. For 10% replacement, compressive strength increased by 12.55% and 6.44% on the 7th and 28th days, respectively. At 20% replacement, compressive strength decreased by 14.35% and 0.73% on the 7th and 28th days, respectively. On the 28th day, splitting tensile strength at optimum replacement was 4.3 MPa, an 8.5% reduction from the control mix. However, flexural strength increased by 19.7%, from 12.46 MPa to 15.52 MPa. Overall, WG and WP improved flexural strength but slightly reduced splitting tensile strength.

A suitable waste management strategy is crucial for a sustainable and efficient circular economy in the construction sector, and requires precise data on the volume of demolition waste (DW) gen-erated. Therefore, we developed an optimal machine learning (ML) model to forecast the quantity of recycling and landfill waste based on the characteristics of DW. A dataset comprising infor-mation on the characteristics of 150 buildings, demolition equipment utilized, and volume of five waste types generated (i.e., recyclable mineral, recyclable combustible, landfill specified, and landfill mix waste, and recyclable minerals) was constructed. ML models were developed to predict the quantities of such waste. Artificial neural network, decision tree, gradient boosting machine, k-nearest neighbors, linear regression, random forest (RF), and support vector regression were applied, and optimal models were derived via hyperparameter tuning. The RF model demonstrated superior performance. In both validation and test phases, the “recyclable mineral waste” and “recyclable combustible waste” models achieved accuracies of of 0.987 and 0.972, re-spectively. The “recyclable metals” and “landfill specified waste” models achieved accuracies of 0.953 and 0.858 or higher, respectively. Moreover, the “landfill mix waste” model exhibited an accuracy of 0.984 or higher. SHapley Additive exPlanations analysis highlighted floor area as the primary input variable influencing model performance. The type of equipment employed in demolition emerged as another crucial input variable impacting the volume of recycling and landfill wastes generated. The developed model can provide precise data on waste management, thereby facilitating the decision-making process for industry professionals.

In the face of 21st-century environmental challenges, including climate change, migration pressures, and waste disposal issues, certain healthcare sectors, notably dentistry, pose a significant global environmental footprint with concerns about carbon emissions and waste production. This scoping review delves into the paradox that healthcare, while dedicated to safeguarding health, inadvertently contributes to environmental degradation through waste accumulation and disposal. The analysis of relevant pertinent literature emphasizes the imperative for an environmentally sustainable approach to dental waste measurement, disposal methods, and comprehensive education for stakeholders. Aligned with the World Conference on Sustainable Development and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, the study adhered to PRISMA-ScR scoping review guidelines and Institute of Medicine's recommendations. The study utilized Medline/PubMed and international organization websites for data retrieval, employing Boolean operator queries in Medline. A systematic literature analysis identified six cross-sectional studies (2004-2018) highlighting variations in dental waste composition due to the lack of standardized identification methods. This heterogeneity underscores the need for a proposed research model, emphasizing comprehensive methodologies and healthcare staff training in waste management. The study advocates for environmentally conscious dental practices, contributing to broader sustainable healthcare goals through sharing of a research protocol for dental solid waste management.

Natural fibers have attracted increasing interest as an alternative to produce environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. Particularly, hemp fibers have revealed to be widely used in various industrial applications due to their extremely unique properties. However, hemp can generate a large amount of agro-waste, and results in an attractive source of biopolymers for the development of low-cost materials in alternative to the raw materials and conventional petroleum-based plastics. In addition, deep eutectic solvents (DESs), a new type of truly green solvents, have been tested to remove gums, lignin, and other non-cellulosic components from hemp fibers. Reusing these components dissolved into the DESs to fabricate new materials directly by electrospinning is a very attractive but still unexplored endeavor. Thus, this innovative research to venture new upcycling pathways is focused on the fabrication of composite nanofibers by electrospinning of a gel-based blend of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hemp agro-waste (HW) dissolved into choline chloride (ChCl) : Glycerol (1:2) and ChCl : Urea (1:2) DES mixtures. The results obtained revealed that the produced nanofibers displayed uniform appearance with diameters ranging from 257.72 ± 65.63 nm to 380.78 ± 133.98 nm. In addition, the mechanical properties of the electro-spun composite nanofibers produced from the gel-based blends of HW dissolved in DESs and PVA (HW-DESs_PVA) were found to be superior, resulting in an enhanced tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Furthermore, the incorporation of HW into the nanofibers was able to provide bioactive antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Overall, this study demonstrated a promising, more sustainable, and eco-friendly way to produce electrospun composite nanofibers using HW in a circular economy perspective.

The accurate classification of landfill waste diversion plays a critical role in efficient waste management practices. Traditional approaches, such as visual inspection, weighing and volume measurement, and manual sorting, have been widely used but suffer from subjectivity, scalability, and labour requirements. In contrast, machine learning approaches, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), have emerged as powerful deep learning models for waste detection and classification. This paper analyses VGG-16, InceptionResNetV2, DenseNet121, Inception V3, and MobileNetV2 models to classify real-life waste when trained on pristine and unadulterated materials, versus samples collected at a landfill site. When training on DiversionNet, the unadulterated material dataset with labels required for landfill modelling, classification accuracy was limited to 49.69% in the real environment. Using real-world samples in the newly formed RealWaste dataset showed that practical applications for deep learning in waste classification is possible, with Inception V3 reaching 89.19% classification accuracy on the full spectrum of labels required for accurate modelling.

Solid spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants has 3.4% fission products (80-160amu), contributing to over 99.8% radioactivity. On the other hand, liquid high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) from spent fuel reprocessing has 98.9% bulk elements (0-60amu) with 0.1% radioactivity. A separation mechanism on the mass categories as groups presents unique opportunities in managing HLRW for the long term with a considerable cost reduction. This paper proposes a thermal plasma-based separation system incorporating atmospheric pressure plasma torches for HLRW mass separation into low-resolution mass groups. Several engineering issues, such as waste preparation, waste injection into the plasma and waste collecting after mass separation, need to be addressed. Using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation, the generic system can be studied using noble gas mass separation and further analyze the mass filter capabilities. This paper provides the history of plasma-based mass separation. Functional modelling of a thermal plasma mass separation system is proposed under atmospheric pressure. Finally, aspects of mass separation simulation using noble gas Argon and Helium inside the plasma mass separation system were studied in COMSOL Multiphysics.

Waste orange peel represents a heavy burden for the orange juice industry, estimated in several million tons per year worldwide; nevertheless, this by-product is endowed with valuable bioactive compounds, such as pectin, polyphenols and terpenes. The potential value of the waste orange peel has stimulated the search for extraction processes, alternative or complementary to landfilling or to the integral energy conversion. This study introduces controlled hydrodynamic cavitation processes, as a new route to the integral valorization of this by-product, based on simple equipment, speed, effectiveness and efficiency, scalability, and compliance with green extraction principles. Waste orange peel, in batches of several kg, was processed in more than 100 L of water, absent any other raw materials, in a device comprising a Venturi-shaped cavitation reactor. The extractions of pectin, endowed with a very low degree of esterification, polyphenols (flavanones and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives), and terpenes (mainly d-limonene) were effective and fast (high yield, few min of process time), as well as the biomethane generation potential of the process residues was effectively exploited. The achieved results proved the viability of the proposed route to the integral valorization of waste orange peel, though wide margins exist for further improvements.

This study was undertaken to forecast waste generation rates of accommodation sector of North Cyprus as a case. Three predictor models including multiple linear regression (MLR), artificial neural networks (ANNs) and central composite design (CCD) were applied to predict the waste generation rate during the lean and peak seasons. ANN showed highest prediction performance, specifically, lowest values of the standard error of prediction (SEP = 2.153), mean absolute error (MAE=1.378) and highest R2 value (0.998) confirmed the accuracy of the model. The analysed wastes were categorised into recyclable, general waste and food residues. The authors estimated the total waste generated during the lean season as 2010.5 kg/day, in which large-sized hotel accounted for largest fraction (66.7%), followed by the medium hotels (19.4%) and guesthouse accounted for smallest part (2.6%). During the peak season, about 49.6% increases in the waste generation rates were obtained. Interestingly, 45% of the wastes were generated by the British tourists while the least waste was generated by African tourists (7.5%). The ANN predicted that the small and large hotels would produce 5.45 and 22.24 tons of waste by the year 2020, respectively. The findings herein are promising and useful in establishing a sustainable waste management system.

A tumbler screen type residual film–impurity mixture wind separator as a key equipment for secondary utilization of farmland residual film. During the working process, the proportion of impurities in the separated waste mulch film intermittently increases, resulting in poor working stability of the device, which may hamper long-term operation. In this study, the material inside the separation unit was continuously monitored, and the main factor affecting separator per-formance was determined to be the challenges in the effective depolymerization of some residual film–impurity mixtures. The principles of agglomeration and depolymerization of the residual film–impurity mixtures were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete element method (DEM) flow-solid coupling simulation methods. The key factor affecting the disaggregation of the mixture was the collision force between the residual film–impurity mixture and the trommel screen. The collision force was maximum when the residual film–impurity mixture first collided with the trommel screen when it was fed into the separation device. As determined by force analyses, the key factors affecting the collision force of the process were the material feeding amount and the structure of the inlet. Furthermore, simulations were carried out for different inlet structure forms; the evaluation index was the maximum collision force of the residual film–impurity mixture agglomerate on the trommel screen. The best disaggregation effect was obtained with a square feed inlet and at a feeding rate of 202 kg/h. A prototype was built using these specifications for verification. The average value of the ratio of impurities in the re-sidual film was 6.966%, the coefficient of variation was 7.38%, and the dispersion of statistical results was small. The ratio of impurities in the residual film was kept constant during the con-tinuous operation of the wind separator. Thus, this study analyzed the agglomerate disaggregation process and provided theoretical insights for deter-mining the optimal structures of the inlets of various cleaning devices and the feeding volumes.

In this study, a decentralized incineration facility was evaluated over a three-year period, focusing on performance aspects such as burning rate, ash production, fuel and electricity consumption, and ash composition while processing animal by-products (ABP). The total cost for ABP incineration was determined to be 159 € per ton of ABP, with the major components being capital depreciation (42%), maintenance expenditures (26%), labor (18%), and transportation costs (9%). Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) consumption ranged from 3-7 kg per ton of ABP, while electricity use was between 15-20 kWh per ton of ABP incinerated. The incineration process generated 7-10% (by weight) ABP ash, which was characterized by high calcium and phosphorus content and low levels of hazardous trace elements. Leaching tests demonstrated the potential for recovering the alkaline supernatant for flue gas treatment and the phosphorus-rich slurry for fertilizer production. The findings suggest that energy recovery and valorization are crucial for minimizing operational costs and environmental impact, emphasizing the benefits of integrating advanced resource recovery techniques in ABP incineration facilities.

By the end of 2023, biowaste must be completely separated or recycled at source based on the EU legislation. Separate biowaste collection and valorisation towards biofuels could play an essential role in the biobased circular economy. In this context, the principal goal of this paper was to demonstrate in pilot scale the technological solution of bioethanol production via the utilisation of urban source-separated biowaste within the city context of Athens, Greece. More specifically, the main aim was the demonstration of a pilot system in continuous operation (over 10 operating cycles) with real feedstock – wet separately collected biowaste. From the 11 pilot trials performed with wet feedstock, the mean starch and cellulose degradation of the pilot trials amounted up to 80.69±16.27% and 79.41±10.37% respectively, while the bioethanol yield was 74.05±6.82%. The latter was comparable to that of more intensive pretreatment methods. Homogenization and shredding that was applied in this study, stand as promising and cost-effective pretreatment methods for bioethanol production from wet feedstock. Further research is needed to optimize conditions and evaluate scalability. Nevertheless, pilot scale testing is a crucial step in the development and deployment of this technology since it serves as a bridge between laboratory research and full-scale implementation, offering a practical and controlled environment to validate and optimize the technology while minimizing risks and uncertainties.

The basic principles of geological risk calculation through Probability of Success (PoS) are mostly applied for numerical estimation of additional hydrocarbon existence in proven reservoirs or potential hydrocarbon discoveries in selected geological regional subsurface volume. It can be tailored and validated for a comprehensive input dataset collected in the selected petroleum province, adapted by dividing up geological events into several probability categories and classes. The most applied categories are (existence of) reservoir rocks, traps and isolators, source rocks, migration pathways and preservation conditions for hydrocarbons The methodology results in unique probability values as multiplication of independent statistical events, which can also be applied in the assessment of a potential hydrocarbon discovery of desired minimal volume and its value in any virtual currency like risk-neutral dollars. Such methodology has been extensively developed in the last decades in the Croatian subsurface, mostly in the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin System (CPBS). Through the adaptation of geological categories, it was also applied in hybrid, i.e., stochastical, models developed in the CPBS (Drava Depression). Stochastically estimation of porosity was already applied. As the robustness of this methodology is very high, it was also modified to estimate the influence of water-flooding in increasing oil recovery in some proven Neogene sandstone reservoirs in the CPBS (Sava Depression). This new modification is being presented to be applied to geological risk calculation, intending to assess the safety of geological environment in deep wells, where depleted radioactive fuel would be disposed, a subject of great importance. The case study encompassed the magmatic and metamorphic rocks in the pre-Neogene basement of the CPBS. For disposal purpose, these are regionally lithologies considered as to be the safest ones considering petrophysical values, water saturation, recent weathering and tectonic activity.

The energy crisis and environmental degradation are pressing challenges, intensified by popula-tion growth and the excessive generation of solid waste. Converting waste into energy, especially through pyrolysis, is a viable and sustainable alternative. This thermal process transforms waste such as banana peels and used tires into high-value products such as gas, coal and oil. This study aims to evaluate the production of pyrolytic oil from the pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of these ma-terials, considering different proportions and temperatures, as well as using a decision tree to predict the composition of the bio-oils. The pyrolysis tests with 100% banana peel and 75% banana peel mixed with 25% tire showed a decrease in oil yield with increasing temperature, with a drop of around 30% when comparing 500 ºC to 400 ºC. In contrast, co-pyrolysis with 50% of each ma-terial and 100% of the tire resulted in increases in oil yield as the temperature rose. FTIR analysis of the oils showed the presence of relevant functional groups, while elemental analysis and de-cision tree modeling provided accurate predictions of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen content. The results suggest that the co-pyrolysis of waste tires and banana peels is a viable alternative for the production of bio-oil.

The size of the population and the need for residential spaces are increasing. One possible solution is to add new floors to existing buildings. The positive aspects of such a solution with respect to its socio-economic impact and impact on the environment is that large amounts of carbon dioxide release will be avoided, waste and its treatment will be reduced, and agricultural land and green spaces will be preserved. However, adding floors to existing structures might be structurally challenging, especially in terms of the behavior under seismic actions. This paper presents a numerical study of a reinforced concrete frame in an old building to which new floors are subsequently added. The analysis shows that the frame does not behave as a whole with the old part of the structure, nor does it behave the same as if it were made with rigid joints compared to additional ones connected using hinge joints. The change from the corner (knee) joint to the external joint has its own effect on the distribution of internal forces in the structure as a whole and in the joint in particular.

The recycling of common soda-lime glass (SLG) is far from being complete, since the material may contain small polymeric, metallic and ceramic contaminations. This has a negative impact on the quality of new glass articles prepared via re-melting. Alternatively, the full reuse of contaminated cullets could be achieved by low-temperature consolidation into geopolymer-like materials. SLG powders, used either as received or pre-washed in acid solution, were added to a sodium aluminate solution at the room temperature for 3 h, under low-speed mechanical stirring. Microporous semi-crystalline monoliths were formed by the casting of suspensions in plastic molds and cured at 75°C overnight. The monoliths featured hydrosodalite as the main crystalline phase for as received SLG and LTA zeolite in the case of pre-washed SLG. The mechanical properties compared well with those of cementitious materials. Moreover, by addition of coarse glass particles as fillers, the methodology successfully yielded Venetian terrazzo-like samples, which could lead to significant material and energy savings in their manufacture. The proposed approach could also be extended to other difficult-to-reuse glass formulations and provide attractive and versatile up-cycled materials.

The performance of recycled aggregate concrete deteriorates due to the defects of adhesive mortar, pores and cracks on the surface of recycled aggregate. It is of great engineering significance to modify the reclaimed aggregate to improve its performance and adaptability. In this paper, the physical and chemical properties of waste concrete recycled aggregate are reviewed. Then, the existing modification methods and technologies of recycled aggregate, including physical, chemical and biological methods, are reviewed. Finally, the existing problems of the current modification technology are summarized, and the future research direction is proposed. It is expected to provide a new idea and method for the modification of waste concrete recycled aggregate.

Organic fertilizers are fertilizers made from organic materials which are partly or wholly derived from waste materials, the function of these fertilizers is to improve the physical, biological, and chemical properties of the soil, these fertilizers are processed through the composting process, these fertilizers are very much needed because they are difficult to obtain at a high price. expensive. This study aims to obtain data on the growth and yield of sweet corn, due to the use of agricultural waste as organic fertilizer. The research method was experimentally consisting of 5 treatments and 5 replications; ie P0 = Without organic fertilizer (control) P1 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 2.5 tons/ha, P2 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 5 tons/ha P3 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 7.5 tons/ha, P4 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 10 tons /ha using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) The results showed that organic fertilizer had a significant effect on plant height aged 30, 40 and 50 DAP, had a very significant effect on cob length at a dose of 10 t.ha-1 and, had no significant effect on cob weight, will still have a high weight of 350 g.cob-1 From this description it can be concluded that organic compost can be used as a substitute for chemical fertilizers which provides an increase in the growth and production of sweet corn plants at the use of 10 tons/ha.

COS production is carried out enzymatically using chitosanase, but this process is expensive. Production costs can be reduced by using crude enzyme chitosanase, and the resulting COS has depolymerization &lt; 20 and molecular weight &lt; 3900 Da. Sources of crude enzyme chitosanase come from the soil, sediment, and fishery waste. Chitosanase is produced from bacteria and molds isolated from the source or direct isolation process for extracellular enzymes, especially from fishery waste. Microorganisms in the soil produce chitosanase as a biocontrol and self-defense agent. Bacteria and molds have been isolated, including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, Paenibacillus sp., and Penicillium janthinellum. Fishery waste, especially parts of the digestive tract, is a source of chitosanase because of its relation to its nature and food, such as small fish, frogs, and several types of crustaceans. In addition, fishery waste can be used as a carbon and nitrogen source (C/N) in microorganism culture media. The chitin content becomes a stimulant for the synthesis of chitosanase by microorganisms. Crude enzyme chitosanase has an active site that hydrolyzes chitosan by breaking glycosidic bonds and producing glucosamine units (GlcN) and N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc). This mechanism can take place through two events, namely inverting and retaining. Crude enzyme chitosanase can break glycosidic bonds, especially with the same groups, for example, bonds between glucosamine or N-acetyl glucosamine. The COS produced is of the partially acetylated COS (paCOS) type, which still contains an acetyl group. The degree of deacetylation is a significant factor in the resulting COS product, COS with the fully deacetylated COS (fdCOS) type of chitosan with a high degree of deacetylation. Other factors to consider are the raw material of chitosan, the incubation time, the screening process, and the production of microorganism cultures.

Waste management is a significant issue that Indonesia must face. The presence of waste will always exist as long as life continues. One of the main challenges in waste management is the proper separation of organic and inorganic waste. As a solution to address this issue, the Ministry of Environment has made efforts to develop Waste Banks. However, it also creates new problems related to manual data collection, lack of monitoring by the community in implementing waste management activities, and a lack of specific reports regarding waste management conducted by officers. We propose the creation of a website using the Agile Development SDLC method. This website involve several steps and incorporate functions for data digitalization and expedited data collection, such as the addition of QR Code functionality, Monthly Reporting Function, and enhanced data security. The method used in this research is Agile Development. The application has been developed with a user-friendly interface and the latest web development technologies to ensure smooth performance. Overall, the web-based application for organic and inorganic waste using Laravel is an important step to promoting sustainable waste management practices.

Concrete production requires a significant amount of natural resources, with aggregates comprising between 55% and 80% of the total volume. However, over-exploitation of natural aggregates has led to the exploration of alternative materials for use in concrete production. In this study, crushed hazelnut shells were investigated as a partial replacement for fine aggregate, addressing the problem of natural resource depletion and offering a second use for this important agricultural waste product available in Chile. Hazelnut shells were incorporated in percentages of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% by weight of sand for water-cement ratios of 0.4 and 0.5. The compressive strengths at 7 and 28 days and bending tensile strengths at 28 days were determined, alongside physical properties such as workability, temperature, air content, fresh density, and hardened density of the concrete. Our findings show that replacing 2.5% of the fine aggregate with hazelnut shells led to higher compressive strength at 28 days, exceeding the strength of the standard specimens by 9.5%, whereas replacing 5% of the fine aggregate led to the highest bending tensile strength, exceeding the resistance of the standard specimens by 3.5%. Moreover, the 0.4 w/c ratio consistently led to better results for both compressive and bending tensile resistances, with fewer and lower reductions in mechanical resistances compared to the standard mixture. Our results suggest that concrete mixes with hazelnut shells as a replacement for fine aggregate at a percentage of up to 2.5% can be used in constructive systems with compression strengths lower than 17 MPa, and mixtures with up to 10% hazelnut shell replacement can be used in structures with tensile bending stress requirements lower than 6 MPa. Overall, the use of hazelnut shells as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in concrete production presents an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective solution for the construction industry.

The study addresses the management of kitchen waste by transforming it into biofertilizer formulations utilizing an effective in-house developed multi-enzyme preparation. A separate hydrolysis and fermentation bioprocessing approach which in particular relates to the application of a separate enzyme preparation from Aspergillus niger P-19 to separately hydrolyze kitchen waste, followed by the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae AP-407 in the liquid hydrolysate as well with simultaneous production of carrier-based biofertilizer. In liquid and carrier-based biofertilizers, the viable cell count reaches 3.00 × 1012 CFU/ml and 3.00 × 1012 CFU/g, respectively. The current study adopts a novel process technique for the manufacturing of both carrier and liquid biofertilizers, adopting a zero-waste approach to the management of kitchen waste.

Recently, the amount of waste generated has been rapidly increasing, there have been difficulties disposing of waste in Korea. As a solution to this, treating waste using a cement kiln has suggested, but the environmental and economic effects have not been specifically studied. In this study, the effects of alternative resources, and reducing the social costs(Installation and Operation) associated with waste treatment facilities were analyzed. Through a co-processing method, a reduction of approximately 53kg of CO2 can be realized during the production of one ton of cement, and cost savings of about 3,815 milion USD. Another effect is an extension of the expiration date for landfills by 7.55 years.

Iron and chromium based alloys have found wide application in various fields of science and technology. Primary carrier based on Fe-Cr-Al alloy is used in block catalysts for high-temperature hydrocarbon conversion, in production of block metal catalysts for neutralization of toxic gases released during operation of internal combustion engines, as well as those present in smoke emissions from enterprises. Influence of thermal action on Fe-Cr-Al alloy foil and stability of secondary carrier on its surface was studied. Elemental composition of the surface layer of X15U5 alloy foil does not remain constant during heating and depends on the thermal treatment mode. Some of the elements come to surface and elemental composition of surface layer can differ significantly from that observed in the bulk of foil sample. This implies the possibility of changing the adhesive and adsorption properties of the foil surface, as well as the need to take this fact into account when supporting a secondary carrier and active phase to the foil. Applied technique of phosphating and supporting a secondary carrier to the foil surface makes it possible to obtain a sufficiently stable coating. There is no shedding of the secondary carrier from foil surface during high-temperature treatment in air.

Composting is one of the most economical and environmentally safe methods of recycling organic waste. Soil microorganisms play a significant role in decomposition and the availability of plant nutrients. This study was designed to prepare a suitable microbial inoculum and its evaluation on composting heap to decrease the time of waste degradation. The bacteria were isolated and molecular characterized from the soil near composting area by using 16S ribotyping technique. The identified strains of bacillus cereus used as an inoculum gives better results to expedite the degradation of organic waste. The prepared bacterial inoculum with molasses was also compared with commercial inoculum by optimizing physical and chemical parameters (temperature, oxygen, C: N, pH, and moisture content) of composting heap. Monthly reading of these parameters was taken from experimental and control treatments. The highest decomposition rate of organic waste was recorded in treatment A (experimental heap) where molasses and bacterial inoculum were added and less decomposition was observed in treatment D (experimental heap) where no inoculum and molasses were added. It was concluded from the studies that the prepared bacterial inoculum with two strains of Bacillus was effective and prepared mature compost in 2.5 months by increasing decomposition efficiency of organic waste. Furthermore, the prepared compost was also sustainable in its physical and chemical characteristic.

More than 800 million tons of fish are utilizing in a year and 25-30% become waste. The waste amount is beneficial source for extraction of collagen. But procedure of extraction is still to be optimized. The current study was designed to extract collagen from fish through fish waste fermentation under various conditions. For collagen extraction we did lactic acid fermentation in which yogurt and Dough bacteria was added with fish sample and placed it in incubator at 30ºC for one month. In yogurt and dough culture have at least 10 type of lactic acid bacterial species. After every week we check PH of each sample and take soup of that sample. After centrifugation of that sample’s TCA (Trichloroacetic acid) precipitation was done of yogurt and dough sample and kept at -20ºC. then did SDS-PAGE) using 6% resolving and 5% stacking gel of already stored sample. Then HaCaT cells (1 × 10⁴ cells/well) were cultured in 96-well flat-bottom culture plates and treated with appropriate doses of FFCP (fermented fish collagen peptide) for 24 and 48 hours.The SDS-PAGE revealed that the collagen protein of fish had doublet pattern for α1 and α2 chains at corresponding to 145 kDa and 132 kDa respectively. The density for α1 twice as compared to α2. Our result agrees that The fish collagen consists mostly of α-chain as well as little amount of inter and intra molecular cross-linked components of α-chains; b (dimmer) and c (trimer). Different biochemical tests were done for identification of lactic acid bacteria catalase positive, citrate positive, urease negative. Our fermented fish collagen and peptides mixture were test for cellular cytotoxicity and proliferative effect on HaCaT cells. Current result shows that fermented extracted collagen are nontoxic and induce the proliferation of HaCaT cells. Current study is supported by various studies that revealed the medical application of fish extracted collagen as underline.

The dry washing method is an alternative to replace water washing, thereby reducing the negative impacts of contamination. However, commercial adsorbents come from industrial processes that, due to their composition, may not be such a sustainable resource in the global biodiesel production process. In this study, the use of organic residues, such as sawdust, coconut fiber, nutshell, rice husk and water hyacinth fiber, were proposed as bioadsorbents for the purification of biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO). Quality parameters such as the acid value, water content, and free and total glycerin content were evaluated and compared with those of commercial resins such as Magnesol® and Amberlite™. Promising results were obtained using sawdust during the purification process, achieving a 31.6% reduction in the acid value compared to that of unpurified biodiesel, the reduction was 31.3% more efficient than Amberlite™. Sawdust adsorbed free glycerin at 55.8%, being more efficient than Amberlite™. The total glycerin values were similar between commercial resins and sawdust. A water content values were similar than Amberlite™ and better than that with Magnesol®, at 4.3% and 39.81%, respectively. These results show that sawdust can be used as an alternative bioadsorbent in a dry purification method for biodiesel being a residue with less environmental impact.

This study evaluates the production of biohydrogen from agro industrial waste. The worldwide energy demand is increasing exponentially and the reserves of fossil fuels are depleting, the combustion of fossil fuels has the effect on environment because of CO2 emission. Hydrogen generation market size is forecast to cross 180 billion by 2024, according to a new research report by global market. For the production of biohydrogen. we had chosen groundnut shell as our source, using Tween80 as a surfactant we had undergone pre-treatment studies for (10min,20min,30min,40min,50min) we had estimated the content of cellulose, protein, carbohydrates at (1%,2%,3%,4%,5%) and obtained the optimum value in the form of graph. The production of hydrogen is done by using the rumen fluid of the cow and the quantity of the hydrogen produced by this process is identified by using the analytical instrument Gas Chromatography.

This preprint is focused in the presence of plastics and microplastics in food. We will discuss how many we eat, and how they arrive to the food, and why. We will treat many other things, such as the waste treatment in Europe and in Spain, with updated data; how much plastic waste is generated; what are microplastics and how they are analyzed, I will tell about the experience we have at the University of Alicante (UA); how they can be removed and we will estimate how many we eat over the course of a year.

Mining is one of the main economic activities of several developing countries as Chile. Due to the progressive fall of the ore grades and the increasingly refractory composition of minerals, concentrating plants have increased that has led to an increase in the generation of tailings. Tailings, especially those obtained in the past, have remaining copper and other valuable species in quantities that can potentially be recovered, such as gold, silver, vanadium and rare earth elements. This transforms this abundant waste into a potential source of precious or strategic metals for secondary mining. One of the techniques of solid-liquid separation that allows the processing of solutions with low concentrations of metals corresponds to the adsorption, and more recently the biosorption, which is based on the use of biological matrices that do not constitute an environmental liability after application. Biosorption occurs as a consequence of the wide variety of active functional groups present in the different types of biomass. Bacterial, fungal, plant and algal biomasses have been described as biosorbents, mainly for the treatment of diluted and simple solutions. This work aims to recover copper from leached tailings using biomass of the red algae Gracilaria chilensis as a biosorbent. The tailing samples were taken from an abandoned deposit in the north of Chile and after an acid leaching copper was biosorbed, for which the kinetics of adsorption and the equilibrium isotherms were studied, applying the Freundlich and Langmuir models. Operational parameters such as adsorbent dose, pH and initial metal concentration were studied.

One of the biggest problems that the Dominican Republic has had in recent decades is the efficient management of solid waste produced by the population. This problem has worsened in recent years due to the decrease in available areas for the construction of sanitary landfills, the lack of recycling culture in the population, the deficiency in waste collection, and the scarce legal controls aimed at preserving water and air and soil, among other factors. The objective of this study was to explore the management of solid waste by the population and the municipality of Puñal, province of Santiago, to evaluate and analyze the situation and generation of solid waste, municipal solid waste management services, and the attitudes of the population regarding recycling projects and waste management, to evaluate the viability and sustainability of the use organic waste for energy generation. A total of 275 households from 29 localities in the municipality of Puñal were surveyed, which allowed for a significant population sample. According to the results obtained, the most significant type of waste produced by families is organic waste, followed by plastic waste and paper. Of the total organic waste produced in the municipality, 53% of solid waste is disregarded through the municipal waste collection system, while 47% is used as plant fertilizers or animal feed. On the other hand, most households receive the municipal waste collection service and pay for this service. The results of our research show that the implementation of an energy production system based on organic waste would be viable in the municipality of Puñal. However, a more efficient waste collection system would be necessary and the development of programs and projects that allow all households to participate in the system.

In recent years, the demand for natural and synthetic zeolites has surged due to their distinctive properties and myriad industrial applications. This research aims to synthesise crystalline zeolites by co-recycling two industrial wastes: salt slag (SS) and rice husk ash (RHA). Salt slag, a problem-atic by-product of secondary aluminium smelting, is classified as hazardous waste due to its reac-tive and leachable nature, though it is rich in aluminium. Conversely, RHA, an abundant and cost-effective by-product of the agro-food sector, boasts a high silicon content. These wastes were utilised as aluminium and silicon sources for synthesising various zeolites. The study examined the effects of temperature, ageing time, and sodium concentration on the formation of different zeolite phases and their crystallinity. Results indicated that increased Na+ concentration favoured SOD zeolite formation, whereas LTA-type zeolite formation was promoted at higher temperatures and extended ageing times. The formation range of the different zeolites was defined and supported by a crystallographic, microstructural, and morphological analysis. Additionally, the thermal be-haviour of the zeolites was investigated. This work underscores the potential to transform indus-trial waste, including hazardous materials like salt slag, into sustainable, high-value materials, fostering efficient waste co-recycling and promoting clean, sustainable industrial production through cross-sectoral industrial symbiosis.

In response to the escalating global waste production rate, sustainable waste management be-comes indispensable. In parallel, the transformation of energy system is vital in order to ensure affordable, decentralized, and sustainable energy for the global community, based on economic, environmental, and social criteria. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) is an effective option in order to put a stepping stone to address both issues provided that multiple views and criteria are considered. This paper puts forward a generic methodological framework to holistically assess WtE technologies based on the PROMETHEE approach. In addition to environmental, economic, and social aspects, demonstration of applicability of the proposed methodology is realized at national level the case of Greece. Anaerobic Digestion seems to be the most preferable choice, recognized for its cost-effectiveness and lower environmental burden to other WtE technologies (i.e. gasification, pyrolysis, incineration). Insightful expert opinions and public preference are of paramount importance to the adopted approach, revealing technology-specific concerns and preferences. In addition, the material presented underscores a crucial gap in Life Cycle Assessment studies for large-scale WtE, emphasizing the need for future scientific attention and exploration. Public consensus indicates a positive overall attitude towards waste valorization in the context of energy production.

Food waste is a real environmental challenge worldwide. It is a major sin in Islam; yet it is ubiquitous in Muslim society, a society where the majority of people say that Islam is critical in their life. Ingrained in moral aspects of overconsumption, a conundrum this paradox study tries to unravel is why plate waste is prevalent in the Arab Muslim society, despite the teaching of the Quran [Muslim’s holy book] and Sunna [teaching and acts of prophet Muhammad] against wanton waste. The influence of religiosity on environmental concern and intentions to reduce food waste in Islam and Christianity has been widely examined. However, our understanding of why religious people waste food remains limited. This serendipitous qualitative inquiry is the first to examine food waste from the nexus triad -food waste, hospitality, and religion, and comprehensively. Findings suggest that the conception of contemporary Arab hospitality, entrenched in Karam/generosity, and entangled with the interpretation of sin and God’s mercy, is a major contributing factor to plate waste perpetuation. The gravity of food waste warrants a new conceptualization of Arab generosity. Suggestions for plate waste prevention in this cultural context, grounded in the interviews and the Quran, are presented.

This study addresses the global issue of recycling used vehicle rubbish tires, typically burned out or trimmed to be reused in playground floors or road banks. In this study we explore a novel environmentally responsive approach or decomposing and recovering the carbon black particles contained in tires (25-30 wt.%) by vacuum pyrolysis. Given that carbon black is well known for its UV protection in plastics, the objective of this research is to provide an ecological alternative to commercial carbon black of fossil origin by recycling the carbon black (rCB) from used tires. In our research, we create a composite material using rCB and high density polyethylene (HDPE). In this article we present the environmental aging studies carried out to this composite material. The topographic evolution of the samples with aging and the oxidation kinetic of the surface and through the thickness were studied. A Beer-Lambert law is used to relate the oxidative index to the characteristic depth of the samples. This work helps to demonstrate the feasibility of using recycled carbon black particles from waste tires as a filler for UV protection.

With the rapid development of new energy vehicles and the digital electronics industry, the demand for lithium has surged, necessitating advanced lithium extraction technologies. Electrochemical methods, noted for their high selectivity and efficiency in extracting target ions from liquid sources in an environmentally friendly manner, have become increasingly vital. These methods are versatile, applicable in scenarios such as lithium extraction from saline lakes, mother liquor separation, and lithium enrichment. They include electrochemical deintercalation, electrochemical ion pumps, and electrodialysis, each offering unique benefits and challenges depending on the application context. This review provides a detailed exploration of the research progress in lithium extraction using electrochemical methods and discusses future prospects for these technologies, emphasizing their potential to meet the growing demand for lithium.

Civil construction is one of the oldest known activities in humanity, reports indicate that builders of the Roman Empire already sought the reuse of materials. Currently, considering the depletion of the supply of natural resources, the recycling of solid waste from construction and demolition (CDW), not only provides new products, but also offers ecological and economic alternative. In this context, this research seeks new variables for the disposal of waste from construction and demolition having in the composition of artificial finishing stones an odd possibility to be analyzed. In this research was developed and analyzed a new composite from the construction and demolition waste using as a binder an orthophthalic polyester resin. The residue was sieved and separated by granulometry by the simplex centroid method, the best compacted mixture was determined statically by ANOVA and the Tukey test. The residue was characterized by X-ray fluorescence and the resin by infrared spectroscopy by Fourier transform. Artificial rock plates were produced with 85% residue and 15% resin, by mass, by vibro system, compression and vacuum, later were cut for mechanical, physical and chemical tests. Analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy of fractured compositions as well as grain sizes. The artificial stone with the best results presented density of 2,256 g/cm3, water absorption of 0.69%, apparent porosity of 1.55%; bending strength of 34.74 MPa and compression of 111.96 MPa; good results in the alterability and thermal tests. In this satisfactory scenario, the use of this waste in the composition of artificial rocks is promising because it directly meets the concept of sustainable development; replacing the concept of end-of-life of the linear economy, by new circular flows of reuse, restoration and renovation, in an integrated process the circular economy; as well as the quality of the final product with properties similar to the artificial rocks already marketed.

Worldwide, different strategies are elaborated in order to ensure optimum conditions for the development and growth of the economic competitiveness, but also for increasing the quality of life and environment protection. All these strategies are closely linked with the development and modernization of the systems for producing energy from clean and renewable sources. In this context, the present paper presents the results of the researches regarding the evaluation of the sustainability of the briquettes production, using the biomass resulted from vine winter pruning as raw material. An analysis of the scientific references indicates that nearly 8 Mt of biomass result from over 7.4 million hectares of vine plantations existent worldwide, biomass that could be valorized through densification in order to produce solid biofuels with a lower calorific value of more than 17 MJ·kg-1. When designing the scientific endeavor, the following aspects were considered: defining the aim and objectives of the research; design of the research algorithm; collection, preparation and conditioning of the biomass; chemical analysis of the briquettes; evaluation of the technological characteristics of the briquettes; evaluation of the energy consumption and energy efficiency for producing the briquettes, taking into account two drying methods (natural and artificial drying). In the meantime, some specific laboratory equipment was design and built for the artificial drying of biomass, evaluation of the mechanical durability, measurement of the energy consumption etc. The analysis of the experimental data has led to the conclusion that the agricultural waste from vine pruning can constitute an important and sustainable source of energy in the form of bri-quettes, which fulfill most of the requirements imposed by the international standards.

The escalating global demand for clean water has propelled research into sustainable and cost-effective purification methods. Activated carbon (AC) derived from biowaste materials presents an environmentally friendly and economically viable solution for water treatment. This review article provides an extensive overview of the synthesis techniques, characterization methods, and applications of biowaste activated carbon (BAC) for water purification. It discusses the diverse sources of biowaste, such as agricultural residues, food waste, and biomass, and explores various activation methods including physical, chemical, and biological processes. Furthermore, the article examines the adsorption mechanisms, performance factors, regeneration strategies, and emerging trends in BAC synthesis and application. Insights from this review can guide future research endeavors and facilitate the development of sustainable water purification technologies.

This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impact of implementing the beverage container DRS on marine and coastal litter along the Latvian coastline. It incorporates data and insights from the assessment of deposit fractions litter in coastal areas during the post-season autumn period in three monitoring sessions from 2021 (before the introduction of the DRS in Latvia) to 2023 (post-introduction). In 2022, a 43% overall decrease in selected public coastal areas was observed, with significant reductions at 11 out of 17 sites. This positive trend continued in 2023, showcasing a further 22% decrease compared to 2022 and a substantial 56% decrease compared to 2021. The study delves into the specific impact on different material types of beverage containers, reporting significant decreases in plastic and aluminum litter fractions. While glass beverage container litter showed a smaller decrease, overall positive trends continued in 2023. However, the situation with aluminum cans remained challenging, especially in border areas with Lithuania and Estonia. The study emphasizes that beverage containers with identifiable deposit system labels constitute a minority of the total litter pressure, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to address containers without deposit labels, particularly in specific border areas. The findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the deposit system in mitigating coastal litter, contributing to sustainable waste management practices in Latvia.

Modernizing the retail sector is essential to societal progress toward creating a smart city. The retail sector is crucial to the development of a smart city because of its adaptability and capacity for innovation. However, due to their perishability, supermarkets throw away a lot of fruits and vegetables. This article discusses the design of a sub-optimal process for processing sorted fruits using a reverse logistics approach, demonstrating how productivity can be increased despite constraints on processing capacity. This paper presents the results of a case study conducted in a Qatari supermarket that offers a variety of regular fruit processing techniques. In order to maximize output and cut down on waste, this project aimed to develop a reverse logistics system for imperfect fruit.

The global demand for rubber is on a steady rise, which is driven by the increasing production of automobiles and the growing need for industrial, medical, and household products. This surge in demand has led to a significant increase in rubber waste, posing a major global environmental challenge. End-of-life tire (ELT) is a primary source of rubber waste, which possesses significant environmental hazards due to its massive stockpiles. While landfilling is a low-cost and easy-to-implement solution, it is now largely prohibited due to environmental concerns. Recently, ELT rubber waste has garnered considerable attention for its potential applications in civil engineering and construction. These applications not only enhance sustainability but also foster a circular economy between ELT rubber waste and the civil engineering and construction sectors. This review article concentrates on the recent research progress and challenges in the civil engineering applications of ELT rubber waste. It also discusses commercially available recycled rubber-based construction materials, their properties, testing standards, and certification. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time such a discussion on commercial products has been presented.

Anaerobic digestion of waste material to biogas, with the remaining digestate slurry used as agricultural biofertilizer, is already a route of sustainable fuel production and its uptake will grow further. However, the foam layer that forms on top of the reacting mixture impedes the process and leads to liquid and solid material contaminating the gas product. Ideally, any effective foam repression should be low-cost, and react fast. Therefore, methods of optimizing anaerobic digestion need foam repression as one of the parameters in increasing gas yield. Foam can be repressed by pre-treating substrate which destroys filamentous bacteria and adding trace elements. The drawback to this method is the high cost of pre-treatment, the trace elements not being biodegradable and being toxic at high concentration; this method does not completely repress foam and is only effective under moderate organic loading

The predominant management approach for municipal solid waste (MSW) remains disposal, given significant increases in generation and disposal rates of MSW in recent decades. In addition to the well-documented carbon emissions from disposal sites, these sites accumulate numerous elements, the masses of which are substantial globally yet inadequately quantified. The unique combinations of waste constituents, elements, diverse environments, and confined spaces in disposal sites create distinct biogeochemical conditions, setting them apart from any other infrastructure or geological feature on Earth. This review first presents a global summary of the cumulative masses and disposal rates of MSW constituents and associated elements. The five dominant transformation and transport processes influencing disposed elements are examined: biochemical degradation, physicochemical transformation, gas migration, leachate migration, and solid spillage. The magnitudes and rates of the processes corresponding to major disposed elements, including carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, and several metals, are systematically summarized. We examine and quantify the potential environmental impacts and health risks associated with element transformation and transport. We also explore the existing knowledge and techniques for resource recovery and site remediation of disposal sites. The distilled compilation of measurements and insights herein serves as a valuable primer for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers involved in MSW management.

Quarry waste fines and eggshells are unavoidable wastes which relentlessly contribute to environmental load and pollution. Although a number of studies have suggested various methods for recycling, these wastes remain underutilized due to some technical constraints. In addition, no study has yet been explored on the possibility of combining quarry waste fines (QWF) and eggshell powder (ESP) for tobermorite synthesis. Tobermorite is the main component which primarily provides strength to the autoclaved aerated concrete products. For this purpose, this study seeks to evaluate the potential of QWF- ESP mix at 10%, 15% and 20% amounts of cement, respectively. The XRF, XRD, and TGA–DTA techniques were used to characterize the waste materials while physical and mechanical property tests and XRD analysis were performed on the autoclaved samples. It was found that QWF contains 53.77% SiO2, while ESP contains 97.8% CaO which are key components for tobermorite synthesis. This study also revealed that the mixture with only 10% cement has the highest compressive strength among the QWF-ESP samples. Furthermore, the formation of tobermorite in the samples was confirmed through XRD analysis. Hence, the hydrothermal curing of QWF –ESP can be further developed to produce functional tobermorite – bearing materials.

Acerola (Malpighia spp.) is a tropical plant genus of shrubs and trees whose fruit is rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. However, its production generates significant waste that could pose an environmental issue. This review aims to summarize recent research on the potential uses of acerola wastes, including the extraction of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and pectins, as well as the development of materials such as nanomaterials, chitosan, and biofuels. Additionally, the paper discusses the potential medical applications of acerola wastes, such as wound healing, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Finally, the paper explores the challenges and opportunities of using acerola waste as a sustainable source of raw materials and energy. The findings suggest that acerola waste could be a valuable resource for developing high-value products and promoting sustainable production practices in the fruit industry.

Cemeteries can be compared to landfills since their leachate, also known as necroleachate, can be transported and pollute groundwater, surface waters, and soils. In Brazil, the cemeteries management is the responsibility of states and municipalities, to ensure that they do not generate negative environmental impacts and risks to public health. This article aims to discuss Brazilian sanitary-environmental legislation relating to cemetery waste management. Among the Brazilian states, half have sanitary-environmental legislation for cemeteries, and between the municipalities, only 19 have specific legislation. The legislation is broad and has many gaps, leading to environmental vulnerability and risk of contamination for the people who live in the surrounding area.

Biorefineries convert biomasses in bioproducts and they contribute to transition to the circular economy. In this way it will be avoiding the penalty associated with generating a lot of waste. The first step in the obtention chain of bioproducts consists of the high value added products extraction. The following steps are aimed at the utilisation of all by-products or waste generated. The kinetic anaerobic digestion of these residues are evaluated in this research to produce biogas/methane. Pepper waste have been employed in batch and semi-continuous anaerobic digestion assays trying the optimization of the yields adding, as catalysts, absorbent nanoparticles and/or using strategies of pretreatment.

The adoption of recycling and proper disposal techniques for electronic waste is crucial in advancing sustainable development. The traditional approaches of motivating people for collection of electronic waste are often insufficient due to inadequate methods reaching out, given incentives, calculating appropriate incentives associate to the task of gathering the electronic waste and a lack of transparency in the entire process. Insufficient collection of electronic waste could result in the release of numerous harmful substances into the environment. Prior research studies have been carried out to tackle the issue of electronic waste management in a broad sense. The findings of those studies indicated diverse strategies, each of which is relevant solely to a restricted range of electronic waste reprocessing circumstances. The current study has presented a proposed technique for incentivizing tasks and activities associated to collection of electronic waste through the adoption of vector space technique. Blockchain smart contact technology, has been used to implemented the strategy. The method used involves various well defined mapping of tasks, nature of activities, and their magnitude in order to derived an incentive. Some scenarios for the calculations of incentives are presented, and the findings reveals the based case is by utilizing weighting scale scheme where each tasks and activities are mapped to its associated inventive rather than providing fixed incentive values. Ethereum was used as digital token for each unit of incentive. This concept has contributed in encouraging personal accountability in the management of e-waste collection in order to cultivate sustainable behaviors for a long term solution.

Jade waste is a normal byproduct that makes up much more than the amount of jade extracted. Therefore, recycling jade waste is worth investigating from the point of view of energy conservation. Moreover, it is an environment-friendly material, which is desirable for use in building materials. In this study, Xiuyan jade waste was repurposed as antibacterial additives for building coatings. The powder waste was activated by milling and subsequent annealing. The antibacterial properties of the treated waste were mostly related to the annealing temperatures. Based on the investigations of the phase change and the release of metal ions of a series of samples and their antibacterial activities, the antibacterial mechanism of the treated samples was explored experimentally. The most applicable sample for coatings was finally chosen by considering its pH values and its antibacterial abilities. Antibacterial testing showed that the addition of treated jade waste could enhance the bacterial inhibition rate of building coatings from 60% to 99.9%.

Excessive production, consumption and indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste cause an increasing plastic pollution with detrimental impacts on environment and human health. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards plastic pollution among Malaysians and evaluate the variation of plastic pollution related KAP among various socio-demographics. An online survey was conducted, and 294 valid responses was obtained. Descriptive statistics, KAP scoring and cross tabulation of responses were estimated. One-way analysis of variance, paired t-test and binary logistic regressions were carried out. Results showed that respondents had poor knowledge (mean 7.41 ± 1.80) and practice score (3.81 ± 1.39) across all socio-demographics. Compared to younger (18-30 years) respondents, older ones (>46 years) had higher knowledge (odds ratio, OR 4.304; p<0.01). However, middle aged (31-45 years) respondents reported significantly (p<0.01) higher attitude (OR 4.019) and practice (OR 4.056; p <0.05). Respondents with environmental related university education had showed higher odds about plastic pollution related knowledge (OR 10.343; p<0.01). Suggestions are made to undertake interventions such as environmental awareness creation, incorporating plastic pollution topics in formal and informal education, and providing recycling facilities nearby the localities for encouraging good practices towards minimizing plastic uses and pollution.

In this paper, the authors identified key elements important for circularity: (1) Background: The primary goal of circularity is to eliminate waste and to prove the constant use of resources. In the paper, we classify studies according to circular approaches. The authors identified main elements and classified them into categories important for circularity, starting with the managing and reducing waste and the recovery of resources; and ending with the circularity of material, and general circularity-related topics and presented scientific works dedicated to each of the above-mentioned categories. The authors analyzed several core elements from the first category aiming to investigate and connect different waste streams and provided a regression model; (2) Methods: The authors used a dynamic regression model to identify relationships among variables and selected the ones, which has an impact on the increase of biowaste. The research was delivered for the 27 European Union countries during the period between 2020 and 2019; (3) Conclusions: The authors indicated that the recycling rate of wasted electrical equipment in the previous year has an impact on the increase of recycling biowaste next year. This is explained as non-metallic spare parts of electronic equipment are used as biowaste for fuel production. And the separation process of the composites of electric equipment takes some time, on average the effect is evident in one year period.

COVID-19 greatly challenges human beings in the health sector and leaves behind a large amount of medical waste that poses many potential threats to the environment. In this paper, we compiled relevant data released by official agencies and the media, and conducted data supplementation based on previous studies to calculate the net value of medical waste production in Hubei Province during COVID-19 with the help of a neural network model. Then, we reviewed the data related to the environmental impact of medical waste per unit and designed four scenarios to estimate the environmental impact of new medical waste generated during the epidemic. The results showed that at a medical waste generation rate of\ 0.\ 5\ kg/(\ bed\ \cdot\ d) COVID-19 resulted in a net increase in medical waste volume of about 3366.99 tons in Hubei Province. In the four scenario assumptions, if the medical waste brought by COVID-19 is completely incinerated, it will have a large impact on the air quality. If it is disposed by distillation sterilization, it will produce a large amount of wastewater and waste residue. Based on the results of the study, three policy recommendations are proposed in this paper: strict control of medical wastewater discharge, reduction and transformation of the emitted acidic gases, and attention to the emission of metallic nickel in exhaust gas and chloride in soil. These policy recommendations provide a scientific basis for controlling medical waste pollution.

In no-tillage systems, there is an accumulation of crop residues (CR) which plays an important role in available of soil-N. A study was set up to provide information regarding the CR N credit, and the influence of N mineral fertilizer. An incubation was run in a loam soil with addition of a similar rate of residue (10 Mg ha-1; sugarcane, soybean, and brachiaria) and N mineral fertilizer (urea; 120 kg N ha-1). After the stabilization of biological activity, soil and remaining residues were collected, and N monitored. Results showed that the N credit was positive with application of soybean, sugarcane, and brachiaria. There was an expressive performance of soybean N credit represented by a positive balance, and a reduction from 2.49 to 0.9 g kg-1 of N in residue, with direct increase of 90% of soil-N. There is no need of N fertilizer to potentialize the soybean N credit, but it is requested to potentialize N credit of brachiaria and sugarcane. The urea demonstrated be a good enhancer of brachiaria N credit, but it was not adequate to sugarcane residues. Based in our result, the accumulation and incorporation of CR can be considered as a N credit with positive contribution in soil-N.

A shrimp oil rich in omega-3 lipids and carotenoids is obtained in remarkably high 5 wt% yield extending to pink shrimp processing waste (head and carapace) the circular economy approach to extract fish oil from fish processing by-products using d-limonene. Biobased limonene, a powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant agent, is an excellent solvent for both lipids and astaxanthin-based carotenoids preventing oxidative degradation during the extraction cycle including solvent and oil separation at 85°C. A new low cost route is established to extract valued marine oil from biowaste annually made available in over 2.2 million tonnes.

With an increasing demand for quality of care and lower costs, hospitals are looking for industry-based methods to improve efficiency in their processes. This study aims to reduce waste in a public hospital in Mexico by improving the medical supply process for the operating room. To this end, a lean healthcare (LH) implementation following the DMAIC approach (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) is carried out. We analyze the value stream of the supply process, including main surgical procedures and their related medical supplies, and identify different causes of inefficiency, which are evaluated and controlled through different tools, including a value stream map, Kanban, and the 5S program. As a result, five types of waste were reduced. Over-processing requests were reduced by 15.3%, defective identification numbers were reduced by 46.5%, redundant processing was improved by 94.8%, near 2.8% of the unnecessary inventory was reduced, and transportation waste was reduced by up to 16.7%. Finally, the lead-time for the main supplies was reduced by 33 days. This work demonstrates that LH and DMAIC are effective in reducing waste and are highly conducive to improving sustainability in healthcare processes. Moreover, it provides practical insights for practitioners regarding the implementation of LH in public hospitals in developing countries.