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Zhang H, Jiang P, Zhao G, Li L, Chen M, Mu L, Lu X, Zhu J. Facing the solid waste of cotton straw and plastic mulch film mixture in China: Centralized or decentralized pyrolysis facility? WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 187:22-30. [PMID: 38971024 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
The widespread use of plastic mulch film (PMF) has led to significant environmental pollution, with PMF residues dispersed and mixed with straw and soil, posing challenges for recycling. Here, we proposed the mobile pyrolysis facility for the cotton straw and mulch film mixture (CMM) to mitigate the collection, storage, and transportation costs, while the application of co-pyrolysis technology for CMM conversion could improve the added value of products. Additionally, centralized combustion power generation and centralized pyrolysis systems were also established to evaluate and compare their sustainability from economic and environmental perspectives. Results showed that mobile pyrolysis has better economic performance than the centralized scenarios, due to its high internal rate of return (31 %) and significant net present value (29.21 M USD). Meanwhile, the mobile pyrolysis facility achieved a GWP of -1.298 kgCO2-eq/kg, reducing emissions by 70.79 % and 38.82 % compared to the two centralized scenarios. In conclusion, mobile pyrolysis technology provides a promising solution for PMF residue recycling because of its economically competitive approach with a lower carbon footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Guanhan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Minjiao Chen
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Liwen Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xiaohua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Jiahua Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
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2
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Enache AC, Grecu I, Samoila P. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Recycled by Catalytic Glycolysis: A Bridge toward Circular Economy Principles. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:2991. [PMID: 38930360 PMCID: PMC11205646 DOI: 10.3390/ma17122991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has escalated into a critical global issue, with production soaring from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 400.3 million metric tons in 2022. The packaging industry alone accounts for nearly 44% of this production, predominantly utilizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Alarmingly, over 90% of the approximately 1 million PET bottles sold every minute end up in landfills or oceans, where they can persist for centuries. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable management and recycling solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of PET waste. To better understand PET's behavior and promote its management within a circular economy, we examined its chemical and physical properties, current strategies in the circular economy, and the most effective recycling methods available today. Advancing PET management within a circular economy framework by closing industrial loops has demonstrated benefits such as reduced landfill waste, minimized energy consumption, and conserved raw resources. To this end, we identified and examined various strategies based on R-imperatives (ranging from 3R to 10R), focusing on the latest approaches aimed at significantly reducing PET waste by 2040. Additionally, a comparison of PET recycling methods (including primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary recycling, along with the concepts of "zero-order" and biological recycling techniques) was envisaged. Particular attention was paid to the heterogeneous catalytic glycolysis, which stands out for its rapid reaction time (20-60 min), high monomer yields (>90%), ease of catalyst recovery and reuse, lower costs, and enhanced durability. Accordingly, the use of highly efficient oxide-based catalysts for PET glycolytic degradation is underscored as a promising solution for large-scale industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Petrisor Samoila
- “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (A.-C.E.); (I.G.)
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3
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Djonyabe Habiba R, Malça C, Branco R. Exploring the Potential of Recycled Polymers for 3D Printing Applications: A Review. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:2915. [PMID: 38930283 PMCID: PMC11205834 DOI: 10.3390/ma17122915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The integration of recycled polymers into additive manufacturing (AM) processes offers a promising opportunity for advancing sustainability within the manufacturing industry. This review paper summarizes existing research and developments related to the use of recycled materials in AM, focusing on distinct polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), among others. Key topics explored include the availability of recycled filaments on the market, challenges associated with material variability and traceability, and efforts toward establishing ethical product standards and sustainability characterization methodologies. Regulatory considerations and standards development by organizations such as ASTM and ISO are discussed, along with recommendations for future advancements in improving the sustainability of filament recycling and achieving net-zero emissions in AM processes. The collective efforts outlined in this paper underscore the potential of recycled polymers in AM to foster a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Djonyabe Habiba
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPL), 2430 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (R.D.H.); (C.M.)
| | - Cândida Malça
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPL), 2430 Marinha Grande, Portugal; (R.D.H.); (C.M.)
- Coimbra Institute of Engineering (ISEC), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (IPC), Rua Pedro Nunes–Quinta da Nora, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Branco
- CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luis Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
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4
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Bjurström A, Edin H, Hillborg H, Nilsson F, Olsson RT, Pierre M, Unge M, Hedenqvist MS. A Review of Polyolefin-Insulation Materials in High Voltage Transmission; From Electronic Structures to Final Products. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2401464. [PMID: 38870339 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
This review focuses on the use of polyolefins in high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) cables and capacitors. A short description of the latest evolution and current use of HVDC cables and capacitors is first provided, followed by the basics of electric insulation and capacitor functions. Methods to determine dielectric properties are described, including charge transport, space charges, resistivity, dielectric loss, and breakdown strength. The semicrystalline structure of polyethylene and isotactic polypropylene is described, and the way it relates to the dielectric properties is discussed. A significant part of the review is devoted to describing the state of art of the modeling and prediction of electric or dielectric properties of polyolefins with consideration of both atomistic and continuum approaches. Furthermore, the effects of the purity of the materials and the presence of nanoparticles are presented, and the review ends with the sustainability aspects of these materials. In summary, the effective use of modeling in combination with experimental work is described as an important route toward understanding and designing the next generations of materials for electrical insulation in high-voltage transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Bjurström
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Polymeric Materials Division, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
- NKT HV Cables, Technology Consulting, Västerås, SE-721 78, Sweden
- Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
| | - Hans Edin
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Division of Electromagnetic Engineering and Fusion Science, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
| | - Henrik Hillborg
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Polymeric Materials Division, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
- Hitachi Energy Research, Västerås, SE-721 78, Sweden
| | - Fritjof Nilsson
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Polymeric Materials Division, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
- FSCN Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, SE-851 70, Sweden
| | - Richard T Olsson
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Polymeric Materials Division, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
- Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
| | - Max Pierre
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Polymeric Materials Division, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
| | - Mikael Unge
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Polymeric Materials Division, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
- NKT HV Cables, Technology Consulting, Västerås, SE-721 78, Sweden
- Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
| | - Mikael S Hedenqvist
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Polymeric Materials Division, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
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5
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Keith M, Koller M, Lackner M. Carbon Recycling of High Value Bioplastics: A Route to a Zero-Waste Future. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1621. [PMID: 38931972 PMCID: PMC11207349 DOI: 10.3390/polym16121621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Today, 98% of all plastics are fossil-based and non-biodegradable, and globally, only 9% are recycled. Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution is just beginning to be understood. As the global demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics continues to rise, biobased and biodegradable plastics have emerged as a promising solution. This review article delves into the pivotal concept of carbon recycling as a pathway towards achieving a zero-waste future through the production and utilization of high-value bioplastics. The review comprehensively explores the current state of bioplastics (biobased and/or biodegradable materials), emphasizing the importance of carbon-neutral and circular approaches in their lifecycle. Today, bioplastics are chiefly used in low-value applications, such as packaging and single-use items. This article sheds light on value-added applications, like longer-lasting components and products, and demanding properties, for which bioplastics are increasingly being deployed. Based on the waste hierarchy paradigm-reduce, reuse, recycle-different use cases and end-of-life scenarios for materials will be described, including technological options for recycling, from mechanical to chemical methods. A special emphasis on common bioplastics-TPS, PLA, PHAs-as well as a discussion of composites, is provided. While it is acknowledged that the current plastics (waste) crisis stems largely from mismanagement, it needs to be stated that a radical solution must come from the core material side, including the intrinsic properties of the polymers and their formulations. The manner in which the cascaded use of bioplastics, labeling, legislation, recycling technologies, and consumer awareness can contribute to a zero-waste future for plastics is the core topics of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Keith
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Martin Koller
- Institute of Chemistry, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Maximilian Lackner
- Go!PHA, Oudebrugsteeg 9, 1012 JN Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Hoechstaedtplatz 6, 1200 Vienna, Austria
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6
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Sánchez-Pineda PA, López-Pacheco IY, Villalba-Rodríguez AM, Godínez-Alemán JA, González-González RB, Parra-Saldívar R, Iqbal HMN. Enhancing the production of PHA in Scenedesmus sp. by the addition of green synthesized nitrogen, phosphorus, and nitrogen-phosphorus-doped carbon dots. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:77. [PMID: 38835059 PMCID: PMC11149319 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02522-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Plastic consumption has increased globally, and environmental issues associated with it have only gotten more severe; as a result, the search for environmentally friendly alternatives has intensified. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), as biopolymers produced by microalgae, might be an excellent option; however, large-scale production is a relevant barrier that hinders their application. Recently, innovative materials such as carbon dots (CDs) have been explored to enhance PHA production sustainably. This study added green synthesized multi-doped CDs to Scenedesmus sp. microalgae cultures to improve PHA production. Prickly pear was selected as the carbon precursor for the hydrothermally synthesized CDs doped with nitrogen, phosphorous, and nitrogen-phosphorous elements. CDs were characterized by different techniques, such as FTIR, SEM, ζ potential, UV-Vis, and XRD. They exhibited a semi-crystalline structure with high concentrations of carboxylic groups on their surface and other elements, such as copper and phosphorus. A medium without nitrogen and phosphorous was used as a control to compare CDs-enriched mediums. Cultures regarding biomass growth, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and PHA content were analyzed. The obtained results demonstrated that CDs-enriched cultures produced higher content of biomass and PHA; CDs-enriched cultures presented an increase of 26.9% in PHA concentration and an increase of 32% in terms of cell growth compared to the standard cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Itzel Y López-Pacheco
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, 64849, Monterrey, Mexico
| | | | | | - Reyna Berenice González-González
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, 64849, Monterrey, Mexico.
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, 64849, Monterrey, Mexico.
| | - Roberto Parra-Saldívar
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, 64849, Monterrey, Mexico.
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, 64849, Monterrey, Mexico.
| | - Hafiz M N Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, 64849, Monterrey, Mexico.
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, 64849, Monterrey, Mexico.
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7
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Silva de Souza Lima Cano N, Hossain MU, Bilec MM. Environmental impacts of circularity strategies for social distancing plastic shields made of polymethyl methacrylate in the United States. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024:734242X241237102. [PMID: 38566400 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x241237102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
One application of plastics that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic is for social distancing plastic shields, or protective barriers, made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) such as transparent face guards. Although available for other applications, end-of-life impacts for barriers are currently lacking in the literature, and there is a need to fill in this gap to guide decisions. This study evaluated the end-of-life environmental impacts of PMMA barriers in the United States by using life cycle assessment. We evaluated five strategies including landfilling, waste-to-energy, mechanical recycling, chemical recycling and reuse. Data were sourced from literature and various life cycle inventory databases. The Tool for Reduction and Assessment of Chemicals and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) was used as the life cycle impact assessment method. Landfilling exhibited the highest impact in all indicators and reuse demonstrated optimal results for global warming potential. A scenario analysis was conducted to explore a combination of strategies, revealing that the most promising approach involved a mix of 40% reuse, 20% mechanical recycling and 40% chemical recycling. Circular economy recommendations are proposed for managing these sources of plastic waste in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Md Uzzal Hossain
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Melissa M Bilec
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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8
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Stallkamp C, Hennig M, Volk R, Stapf D, Schultmann F. Pyrolysis of mixed engineering plastics: Economic challenges for automotive plastic waste. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 176:105-116. [PMID: 38277808 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Chemical recycling of complex plastic waste via pyrolysis can reduce fossil resource dependence of the plastics value chain and greenhouse gas emissions. However, economic viability is crucial for its implementation, especially considering challenging waste streams with high shares of engineering plastics that have lower pyrolysis product quality than standard thermoplastics waste. Thus, this study conducts a techno-economic assessment determining the profitability factors of pyrolysis plants for automotive plastic waste in Germany including different plant capacities and calculating cost-covering minimum sales prices for the resulting pyrolysis oil. Main findings are that due to economies of scale, the cost-covering minimum sales prices vary between 1182 €/Mg pyrolysis oil (3750 Mg input/year) and 418 €/Mg pyrolysis oil (100,000 Mg input/year). The pyrolysis technology employed must be robust and scalable to realize these economies of scale. Large plant capacities face challenges such as feedstock availability at reasonable costs, constant feedstock quality, and pyrolysis oil quality, affecting pyrolysis oil pricing. Due to the limited yield and quality of pyrolysis oil produced from these technically demanding feedstocks, policy implications are that additional revenue streams such as gate fees or subsidies that are essential to ensure a positive business case are necessary. Depending on the assessed plant capacity, additional revenues between 720 and 59 €/Mg pyrolysis oil should be realized to be competitive with the price of the reference product heavy fuel oil. Otherwise, the environmental potential of this technology cannot be exploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Stallkamp
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Industrial Production (IIP), Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Malte Hennig
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Technical Chemistry (ITC), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Rebekka Volk
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Industrial Production (IIP), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Dieter Stapf
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Technical Chemistry (ITC), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Frank Schultmann
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Industrial Production (IIP), Karlsruhe, Germany
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9
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Clark R, Shaver MP. Depolymerization within a Circular Plastics System. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2617-2650. [PMID: 38386877 PMCID: PMC10941197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The societal importance of plastics contrasts with the carelessness with which they are disposed. Their superlative properties lead to economic and environmental efficiency, but the linearity of plastics puts the climate, human health, and global ecosystems at risk. Recycling is fundamental to transitioning this linear model into a more sustainable, circular economy. Among recycling technologies, chemical depolymerization offers a route to virgin quality recycled plastics, especially when valorizing complex waste streams poorly served by mechanical methods. However, chemical depolymerization exists in a complex and interlinked system of end-of-life fates, with the complementarity of each approach key to environmental, economic, and societal sustainability. This review explores the recent progress made into the depolymerization of five commercial polymers: poly(ethylene terephthalate), polycarbonates, polyamides, aliphatic polyesters, and polyurethanes. Attention is paid not only to the catalytic technologies used to enhance depolymerization efficiencies but also to the interrelationship with other recycling technologies and to the systemic constraints imposed by a global economy. Novel polymers, designed for chemical depolymerization, are also concisely reviewed in terms of their underlying chemistry and potential for integration with current plastic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbie
A. Clark
- Department
of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
- Sustainable
Materials Innovation Hub, Henry Royce Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Shaver
- Department
of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
- Sustainable
Materials Innovation Hub, Henry Royce Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
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10
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Jiang M, Wang X, Xi W, Yang P, Zhou H, Duan J, Ratova M, Wu D. Chemical catalytic upgrading of polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste into value-added materials, fuels and chemicals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169342. [PMID: 38123093 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The substantial production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) products, coupled with high abandonment rates, results in significant environmental pollution and resource wastage. This has prompted global attention to the development of rational strategies for PET waste treatment. In the context of renewability and sustainability, catalytic chemical technology provides an effective means to recycle and upcycle PET waste into valuable resources. In this review, we initially provide an overview of strategies employed in the thermocatalytic process to recycle PET waste into valuable carbon materials, fuels and typical refined chemicals. The effect of catalysts on the quality and quantity of specific products is highlighted. Next, we introduce the development of renewable-energy-driven electrocatalytic and photocatalytic systems for sustainable PET waste upcycling, focusing on rational catalysts, innovative catalytic system design, and corresponding underlying catalytic mechanisms. Moreover, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of three chemical catalytic strategies. Finally, existing limitations and outlook toward controllable selectivity and yield enhancement of value-added products and PET upvaluing technology for scale-up applications are proposed. This review aims to inspire the exploration of waste-to-treasure technologies for renewable-energy-driven waste management toward a circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkun Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and New Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and New Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wanlong Xi
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and New Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, Hubei, PR China
| | - Peng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and New Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, Hubei, PR China
| | - Hexin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and New Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, Hubei, PR China
| | - Junyuan Duan
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and New Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, Hubei, PR China
| | - Marina Ratova
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
| | - Dan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and New Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, Hubei, PR China.
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11
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Jiao H, Ali SS, Alsharbaty MHM, Elsamahy T, Abdelkarim E, Schagerl M, Al-Tohamy R, Sun J. A critical review on plastic waste life cycle assessment and management: Challenges, research gaps, and future perspectives. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 271:115942. [PMID: 38218104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The global production and consumption of plastics, as well as their deposition in the environment, are experiencing exponential growth. In addition, mismanaged plastic waste (PW) losses into drainage channels are a growing source of microplastic (MP) pollution concern. However, the complete understanding of their environmental implications throughout their life cycle is yet to be fully understood. Determining the potential extent to which MPs contribute to overall ecotoxicity is possible through the monitoring of PW release and MP removal during remediation. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) have been extensively utilized in many comparative analyses, such as comparing petroleum-based plastics with biomass and single-use plastics with multi-use alternatives. These assessments typically yield unexpected or paradoxical results. Nevertheless, there is still a paucity of reliable data and tools for conducting LCAs on plastics. On the other hand, the release and impact of MP have so far not been considered in LCA studies. This is due to the absence of inventory-related data regarding MP releases and the characterization factors necessary to quantify the effects of MP. Therefore, this review paper conducts a comprehensive literature review in order to assess the current state of knowledge and data regarding the environmental impacts that occur throughout the life cycle of plastics, along with strategies for plastic management through LCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixin Jiao
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Sameh S Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Mohammed Husssein M Alsharbaty
- Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq; Branch of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq.
| | - Tamer Elsamahy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Esraa Abdelkarim
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Michael Schagerl
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna A-1030, Austria.
| | - Rania Al-Tohamy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
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12
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Wiesinger H, Bleuler C, Christen V, Favreau P, Hellweg S, Langer M, Pasquettaz R, Schönborn A, Wang Z. Legacy and Emerging Plasticizers and Stabilizers in PVC Floorings and Implications for Recycling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1894-1907. [PMID: 38241221 PMCID: PMC10832040 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Hazardous chemicals in building and construction plastics can lead to health risks due to indoor exposure and may contaminate recycled materials. We systematically sampled new polyvinyl chloride floorings on the Swiss market (n = 151). We performed elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence, targeted and suspect gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ortho-phthalates and alternative plasticizers, and bioassay tests for cytotoxicity and oxidative stress, and endocrine, mutagenic, and genotoxic activities (for selected samples). Surprisingly, 16% of the samples contained regulated chemicals above 0.1 wt %, mainly lead and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Their presence is likely related to the use of recycled PVC in new flooring, highlighting that uncontrolled recycling can delay the phase-out of hazardous chemicals. Besides DEHP, 29% of the samples contained other ortho-phthalates (mainly diisononyl and diisodecyl phthalates, DiNP and DiDP) above 0.1 wt %, and 17% of the samples indicated a potential to cause biological effects. Considering some overlap between these groups, they together make up an additional 35% of the samples of potential concern. Moreover, both suspect screening and bioassay results indicate the presence of additional potentially hazardous substances. Overall, our study highlights the urgent need to accelerate the phase-out of hazardous substances, increase the transparency of chemical compositions in plastics to protect human and ecosystem health, and enable the transition to a safe and sustainable circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Wiesinger
- Chair
of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Bleuler
- Service
de l’air, du bruit et des rayonnements non ionisants (SABRA), Geneva Cantonal Office for the Environment, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Verena Christen
- Institute
for Ecopreneurship, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland,
FHNW, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Favreau
- Service
de l’air, du bruit et des rayonnements non ionisants (SABRA), Geneva Cantonal Office for the Environment, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Hellweg
- Chair
of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- National
Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, Institute of Environmental
Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Langer
- Institute
for Ecopreneurship, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland,
FHNW, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
- Eawag—Swiss
Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Roxane Pasquettaz
- Service
de l’air, du bruit et des rayonnements non ionisants (SABRA), Geneva Cantonal Office for the Environment, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Schönborn
- Institute
of Natural Resource Sciences, ZHAW Zurich
University of Applied Science, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair
of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- National
Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, Institute of Environmental
Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Empa—Swiss
Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
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13
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Klotz M, Oberschelp C, Salah C, Subal L, Hellweg S. The role of chemical and solvent-based recycling within a sustainable circular economy for plastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167586. [PMID: 37804985 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Chemical and solvent-based recycling of plastic waste may help overcome some of the challenges faced by predominantly applied mechanical recycling techniques. This study quantifies the environmental impacts of chemical and solvent-based recycling as a function of varying process parameters and product composition using life cycle assessment. Furthermore, potential benefits and impacts on a system level are determined. To that end, a high-resolution material flow analysis is conducted for the reference system of Switzerland, covering all main plastic types and applications. In a scenario for the year 2040, we employ environmentally beneficial mechanical recycling where possible and convey suitable remaining waste streams to chemical or solvent-based recycling processes. Applying chemical or solvent-based recycling as a complement to maximum mechanical recycling, instead of thermal treatment with energy recovery, may achieve a reduction in the climate change impact of the system ranging from less than 10 % to almost 40 %. For achieving high environmental benefits, proper process choice and configuration are crucial. Dissolution or depolymerization provide higher benefits relative to other chemical recycling processes, but can only treat certain waste streams and require prior sorting into plastic types. Pyrolysis and gasification appeared to only have the ability to achieve substantial benefits over incineration if their output products can substitute high-impact chemicals and provided that efficient heat transfer and recovery is warranted when implemented on a large scale. As industrial-scale plants for chemical or solvent-based plastic recycling are still lacking, the upscaling potential and the environmental benefits achievable in practice are highly uncertain today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Klotz
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Christopher Oberschelp
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland; National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, ETH Zurich, Leopold-Ružička-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cecilia Salah
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland; National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, ETH Zurich, Leopold-Ružička-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luc Subal
- Realcycle GmbH, Hagenholzstrasse 85A, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Hellweg
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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14
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Wu S, Zheng J, Chen Y, Yi L, Liu C, Li G. Chemometrics-based Discrimination of Virgin and Recycled Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Plastics Toys via Non-targeted Screening of Volatile Substances. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1711:464442. [PMID: 37844445 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the growing emphasis on child safety, it is greatly urgent to identify and assess the unknown compounds and discriminate the recycled materials for plastic toys. In this study, gas chromatography mass spectrometry coupled with static headspace has been optimized by response surface methodology for non-targeted screening of unknown volatiles in acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic toys. Optimum conditions for static headspace were 120 °C for extraction temperature and 48 min for extraction time. A total of 83 volatiles in 11 categories were qualitatively identified by matching the NIST database library, retention index and standard materials. Considering high positive rate and potential toxicity, high-risk volatiles in ABS plastic toys were listed and traced for safety pre-warning. Moreover, the differential volatiles between virgin and recycled ABS plastics were screened out by orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis. Principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and linear discrimination analysis were employed to successfully discriminate recycled ABS plastic toys based on the differential volatiles. The proposed strategy represents an effective and promising analytical method for non-targeted screening and risk assessment of unknown volatiles and discrimination of recycled materials combining with various chemometric techniques for children's plastic products to safeguard children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wu
- Toys & Juvenile Products Testing Institute, Guangzhou Customs Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China; School of chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianguo Zheng
- Toys & Juvenile Products Testing Institute, Guangzhou Customs Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Toys & Juvenile Products Testing Institute, Guangzhou Customs Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Lezhou Yi
- Toys & Juvenile Products Testing Institute, Guangzhou Customs Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Chonghua Liu
- Toys & Juvenile Products Testing Institute, Guangzhou Customs Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China.
| | - Gongke Li
- School of chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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15
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Nordahl SL, Baral NR, Helms BA, Scown CD. Complementary roles for mechanical and solvent-based recycling in low-carbon, circular polypropylene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306902120. [PMID: 37934823 PMCID: PMC10655212 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306902120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic recycling presents a vexing challenge. Mechanical recycling offers substantial greenhouse gas emissions savings relative to virgin plastic production but suffers from degraded aesthetic and mechanical properties. Polypropylene, one of the most widely used and lowest-cost plastics, features methyl pendants along the polymer backbone, rendering it particularly susceptible to declining properties, performance, and aesthetics across a succession of mechanical recycles. Advanced processes, such as solvent-assisted recycling, promise near-virgin quality outputs at a greater energy and emissions footprint. Mechanical and advanced recycling are often presented as competing options, but real-world plastic waste streams are likely to require preprocessing regardless of whether they are routed to an advanced process. This study quantifies the life-cycle greenhouse gas implications of multiple recycling strategies and proposes a system in which mechanical and solvent-assisted recycling can be leveraged together to boost recycling rates and satisfy demand for a wider range of product applications. Polypropylene can be recovered from mixed-plastic bales produced at material recovery facilities and processed through mechanical recycling, with a varying fraction sent for further upgrading via solvent-assisted recycling to produce material approved for food packaging and other higher-quality applications. The resulting mechanically recycled rigid polypropylene reduces life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 80% relative to the same quantity of virgin material, while the upgraded higher-quality material achieves GHG savings of 30%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Nordahl
- Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Nawa R. Baral
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA94608
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Brett A. Helms
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA94608
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Corinne D. Scown
- Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA94608
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA94720
- Energy and Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
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16
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Zhang L, Song G, Yu K, Cheng Y, Zhao X, Lv L, Qian H, Liu G. Carbon Trading in China Reduces the Dependence of Household Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling on Government Subsidies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16153-16165. [PMID: 37861439 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
China's enterprises of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling suffer from low profitability that is highly dependent on government subsidies. This low economic gain impedes the sustainable growth of China's WEEE-recycling sector and also adds to the government's financial burden. Prior life-cycle studies have approved the carbon reduction potentials or net carbon credit of recycling WEEE. However, policymakers fail to know whether the revenue from selling carbon credits can offset the government's financial subsidy. We performed life-cycle and cost-benefit analyses for a case recycling enterprise that processes six categories of household appliances. The results show that the reduction potentials of greenhouse gases range from 930-3450 kgCO2e by recycling per ton of household appliances and materials substitution. The recycling enterprise would gain extra revenue ranging from 32 to 160 RMB per ton of appliance if the carbon credits were sold at China's current carbon price, i.e., 45-60 RMB tCO2e-1. Recycling waste refrigerators exhibits the highest carbon revenue, offsetting 6-17% of the government's financial subsidy. Microcomputers, by contrast, indicate the lowest carbon revenue, equivalent to 1-3% of its highest government subsidy. For each household appliance category, when the carbon price reaches 270-600 RMB tCO2e-1, selling carbon credits can fully offset the government's financial subsidy. Constrained by the processing capacity of the case enterprise, optimizations for appliance-recycling composition contribute a 15-25% profit growth to the current economic gains. Interpreting the specific profit depends on the predefined scenarios of carbon price and the substitution rate of the regenerated materials for the virginal ones. Our findings show that raising the profitability of WEEE recycling enterprises through the carbon trading policy contributes to the sustainable growth of China's WEEE-recycling sector while alleviating the government's financial burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education); School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Guobao Song
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education); School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Keli Yu
- China National Resources Recycling Association, Room 8321, No. 13 Yue Tan Bei Xiao Jie, Xicheng District, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Yunlai Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education); School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education); School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Lin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education); School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of the Environment, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huimin Qian
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education); School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Gang Liu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
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17
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Arena U, Parrillo F, Ardolino F. An LCA answer to the mixed plastics waste dilemma: Energy recovery or chemical recycling? WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 171:662-675. [PMID: 37865064 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
The study focuses on mixed plastics waste (MPW), whose complex and unpredictable composition (due to high polymer heterogeneity, additives, and contaminants) makes its valorisation a true technical, environmental, economic, and regulatory challenge. Chemical recycling by means of advanced thermochemical treatments (ATT) could be a successful strategy, able to support the transition from a carbon intensive to a carbon negative sector, and alternative to the current treatments of energy recovery or mechanical downcycling. Some of these ATTs provide an efficient recovery of valuable resources, such as fuels and chemicals, but their role is mainly limited by time necessary to complete the process optimization and implement the required infrastructures. A reliable identification of the best alternatives is thus crucial. A specific LCA approach quantifies the environmental performances of a selected set of ATT technologies for resource recovery from MPW. It includes plastics-to-energy, by combustion or gasification; plastics-to-methane and plastics-to-hydrogen, by gasification; and plastics-to-oil, by thermal pyrolysis. The results highlight the crucial role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) units, which partially reduces that of the specific thermochemical treatment. The best performances, particularly for Climate Change category, are those of the MPW-to-hydrogen by gasification, followed by those of MPW-to-energy by combustion or gasification, all equipped with CCS. The sensitivity analysis considers the evolution of the European energy mix, characterised by a larger utilisation of renewable energy sources, and highlights the corresponding increased sustainability of chemical recycling by ATTs. This suggests that the MPW dilemma should be definitively solved in a close future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Arena
- Department of Environmental, Biological, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies - University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi, 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesco Parrillo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies - University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi, 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Filomena Ardolino
- Department of Environmental, Biological, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies - University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi, 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
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18
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Penndorf P, Jabs J. A new approach to making scientific research more efficient - rethinking sustainability. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2371-2374. [PMID: 37737013 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
As interest in sustainability grows, many researchers raise questions about changing scientific practices. To enable effective change, we reconceptualize sustainability as an approach that optimizes the efficiency of procedures, thereby benefiting scientists and minimizing environmental footprints. Since the implementation of sustainable approaches can be challenging, we describe the 6R concept as a framework to arrive at actionable steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Penndorf
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
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19
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Stapleton MJ, Ansari AJ, Ahmed A, Hai FI. Change in the chemical, mechanical and physical properties of plastics due to UVA degradation in different water matrices: A study on the recyclability of littered plastics. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 334:122226. [PMID: 37479173 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
To move towards a circular society, the recyclability potential of littered plastics should be explored to provide potential value for a product that is typically destined for landfill or incineration. This study aims to understand the changes in physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of four types of plastics (polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC) and polylactic acid (PLA) after simulated environmental degradation. Plastic samples were subjected to different water matrices (in an attempt to simulate terrestrial, ocean, and river environments) to understand the role the environment plays on plastic degradation. Significant physical, mechanical, and chemical changes were observed for the PET, PP and PLA samples. Flakes and cracks were noted during the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of PET, PP and PLA illustrating the surface degradation that had occurred. Colour scanning of the samples provided complementary information about their suitability for upcycling or downcycling. Both PET and PP had visual colour changes, making them unsuitable for upcycling purposes. PLA had a significant decrease in its tensile strength in all environmental conditions, alongside significant chemical and surface change as revealed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and SEM analysis, respectively. PC had little to no changes in its chemical, mechanical, and physical properties due to high resistance to solar (UVA) degradation in presence of salt and natural organic matter in the form of humic acid. Therefore, out of the four types of plastics tested, PC was the only plastic determined to have good upcycling potential if collected from the environment. However, PET and PP could still be recycled into lower value products (i.e., construction materials).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Stapleton
- Strategic Water Infrastructure Laboratory, School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Ashley J Ansari
- Strategic Water Infrastructure Laboratory, School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Aziz Ahmed
- Strategic Water Infrastructure Laboratory, School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Faisal I Hai
- Strategic Water Infrastructure Laboratory, School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
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20
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Kassab A, Al Nabhani D, Mohanty P, Pannier C, Ayoub GY. Advancing Plastic Recycling: Challenges and Opportunities in the Integration of 3D Printing and Distributed Recycling for a Circular Economy. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3881. [PMID: 37835930 PMCID: PMC10575100 DOI: 10.3390/polym15193881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of the circular economy has emerged as a promising solution to address the mounting concerns surrounding plastic waste and the urgent need for sustainable resource management. While conventional centralized recycling remains a common practice for plastic waste, centralized facilities may prove inadequate in handling the ever-increasing volumes of plastic waste generated globally. Consequently, exploring alternative recycling methods, such as distributed recycling by additive manufacturing, becomes paramount. This innovative approach encompasses actively involving communities in recycling practices and promotes a circular economy. This comprehensive review paper aims to explore the critical aspects necessary to realize the potential of distributed recycling by additive manufacturing. In this paper, our focus lies on proposing schemes that leverage existing literature to harness the potential of distributed recycling by additive manufacturing as an effective approach to plastic waste management. We explore the intricacies of the recycling process, optimize 3D printing parameters, address potential challenges, and evaluate the mechanical properties of recycled materials. Our investigation draws heavily from the literature of the last five years, as we conduct a thorough critical assessment of DRAM implementation and its influence on the properties of 3D printing structures. Through comprehensive analysis, we reveal the potential of recycled materials in delivering functional components, with insights into their performance, strengths, and weaknesses. This review serves as a comprehensive guide for those interested in embracing distributed recycling by additive manufacturing as a transformative approach to plastic recycling. By fostering community engagement, optimizing 3D printing processes, and incorporating suitable additives, it is possible to collectively contribute to a more sustainable future while combatting the plastic waste crisis. As progress is made, it becomes essential to further delve into the complexities of material behavior, recycling techniques, and the long-term durability of recycled 3D printed components. By addressing these challenges head-on, it is feasible to refine and advance distributed recycling by additive manufacturing as a viable pathway to minimize plastic waste, fostering a circular economy and cultivating a cleaner planet for generations to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Kassab
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA;
| | - Dawood Al Nabhani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA; (D.A.N.); (C.P.)
| | - Pravansu Mohanty
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA; (D.A.N.); (C.P.)
| | - Christopher Pannier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA; (D.A.N.); (C.P.)
| | - Georges Y. Ayoub
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA;
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21
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Zou L, Xu R, Wang H, Wang Z, Sun Y, Li M. Chemical recycling of polyolefins: a closed-loop cycle of waste to olefins. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad207. [PMID: 37601241 PMCID: PMC10437089 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The unsuitable disposal of plastic wastes has caused serious environmental pollution, and finding a green manner to address this problem has aroused wide concern. Plastic wastes, especially polyolefin wastes, are rich in carbon and hydrogen, and chemical recycling shows distinct advantages in their conversion into olefins and realizes a closed-loop cycling of plastic wastes. Plastic wastes should be labeled before disposal. The necessity for, and methods of, pretreatment are introduced in this paper and the whole recycling process of polyolefin wastes is also summarized. As the core technology pyrolysis, including thermal, catalytic and solvolysis processes, is introduced in detail due to its potential for future development. We also briefly describe the feasible strategies of pyrolytic oil refining and life cycle assessment of the chemical recycling process. In addition, suggestions and perspectives concerning the industrial improvement of polyolefin chemical recycling are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zou
- Sinopec Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Co., Ltd, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Run Xu
- Sinopec Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Co., Ltd, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- 2060 Research Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Sinopec Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Co., Ltd, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuhan Sun
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- 2060 Research Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Mingfeng Li
- Sinopec Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Co., Ltd, Beijing 100083, China
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22
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Khan SAR, Tabish M, Yu Z. Mapping and visualizing of research output on waste management and green technology: A bibliometric review of literature. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2023; 41:1203-1218. [PMID: 37052320 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x221149329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The transition to a circular economy (CE) and environmental protection highly depends on waste management (WM) and green technology (GT). The purpose of this study is to examine the past two decades of WM and GT research to identify the most significant advancements and potential future research areas. Bibliometrics content analysis and text mining were utilized to resolve the subsequent issues: Has WM and GT research developed over time in the CE industry? Does WM and GT research have a clearly defined purpose? How do you foresee the future of WM and GT research in the context of CE evolving? Consequently, 1149 journal articles from the Scopus database were used to create and evaluate bibliometric networks. Therefore, five significant CE-related issues requiring additional research were identified: The first category is bio-based WM, followed by CE transition, GT, ecological impacts, municipal solid WM and lifecycle assessment, and finally, bio-based WM. Future research topics and a tool for the CE transition may be impacted by the investigation of inclusive WM systems, GT practices and their defining highlight patterns (which aim to minimalize waste generation). Future research goals include reducing waste and implementing WM into the CE framework.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhang Yu
- School of Economics and Management, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Business Administration, ILMA University, Karachi, Pakistan
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23
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Arora Y, Sharma S, Sharma V. Microalgae in Bioplastic Production: A Comprehensive Review. ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2023; 48:7225-7241. [PMID: 37266400 PMCID: PMC10183103 DOI: 10.1007/s13369-023-07871-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The current era of industrialization includes a constantly increasing demand for plastic products, but because plastics are rarely recycled and are not biodegradable plastic pollution or "white pollution" has been the result. The consumption of petroleum-based plastics will be 20% of global annual oil by 2050, and thus there is an inevitable need to find an innovative solution to reduce plastic pollution. The biodegradable and environmentally benign bioplastics are suitable alternative to fossil-based plastics in the market due to sustainability, less carbon footprint, lower toxicity and high degradability rate. Microalgal species is an innovative approach to be explored and improved for bioplastic production. Microalgae are generally present in abundant quantity in our ecosystem, and polysaccharide in the algae can be processed and utilized to make biopolymers. Also, these species have a high growth rate and can be easily cultivated in wastewater streams. The review aims to determine the recent status of bioplastic production techniques from microalgal species and also reveal optimization opportunities involved in the process. Several strategies for bioplastic production from algal biomass are being discussed nowadays, and the most prominent are "with blending" (blending of algal biomass with bioplastics and starch) and "without blending" (microalgae as a feedstock for polyhydroxyalkanoates production). The advanced research on modern bioengineering techniques and well-established genetic tools like CRISPR-Cas9 should be encouraged to develop recombinant microalgae strains with elevated levels of PHA/PHB inside the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukta Arora
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Jalandhar, Punjab India
| | - Shivika Sharma
- Biochemical Conversion Division, SSS-NIBE, Kapurthala, Punjab India
| | - Vikas Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Jalandhar, Punjab India
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24
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Zunita M, Winoto HP, Fauzan MFK, Haikal R. Recent Advances in Plastics Waste Degradation Using Ionic Liquid-Based Process. Polym Degrad Stab 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
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25
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Salah C, Cobo S, Pérez-Ramírez J, Guillén-Gosálbez G. Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Hydrogen from Waste Polymers. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2023; 11:3238-3247. [PMID: 36874195 PMCID: PMC9976282 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c05729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The rising demand for single-use polymers calls for alternative waste treatment pathways to ensure a circular economy. Here, we explore hydrogen production from waste polymer gasification (wPG) to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic incineration and landfilling while generating a valuable product. We assess the carbon footprint of 13 H2 production routes and their environmental sustainability relative to the planetary boundaries (PBs) defined for seven Earth-system processes, covering H2 from waste polymers (wP; polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene), and a set of benchmark technologies including H2 from natural gas, biomass, and water splitting. Our results show that wPG coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS) could reduce the climate change impact of fossil-based and most electrolytic routes. Moreover, due to the high price of wP, wPG would be more expensive than its fossil- and biomass-based analogs but cheaper than the electrolytic routes. The absolute environmental sustainability assessment (AESA) revealed that all pathways would transgress at least one downscaled PB, yet a portfolio was identified where the current global H2 demand could be met without transgressing any of the studied PBs, which indicates that H2 from plastics could play a role until chemical recycling technologies reach a sufficient maturity level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Salah
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied
Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Selene Cobo
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied
Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Javier Pérez-Ramírez
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied
Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gonzalo Guillén-Gosálbez
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied
Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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26
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Microbial Enzyme Biotechnology to Reach Plastic Waste Circularity: Current Status, Problems and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043877. [PMID: 36835289 PMCID: PMC9967032 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of synthetic plastic waste in the environment has become a global concern. Microbial enzymes (purified or as whole-cell biocatalysts) represent emerging biotechnological tools for waste circularity; they can depolymerize materials into reusable building blocks, but their contribution must be considered within the context of present waste management practices. This review reports on the prospective of biotechnological tools for plastic bio-recycling within the framework of plastic waste management in Europe. Available biotechnology tools can support polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling. However, PET represents only ≈7% of unrecycled plastic waste. Polyurethanes, the principal unrecycled waste fraction, together with other thermosets and more recalcitrant thermoplastics (e.g., polyolefins) are the next plausible target for enzyme-based depolymerization, even if this process is currently effective only on ideal polyester-based polymers. To extend the contribution of biotechnology to plastic circularity, optimization of collection and sorting systems should be considered to feed chemoenzymatic technologies for the treatment of more recalcitrant and mixed polymers. In addition, new bio-based technologies with a lower environmental impact in comparison with the present approaches should be developed to depolymerize (available or new) plastic materials, that should be designed for the required durability and for being susceptible to the action of enzymes.
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27
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Li L, Luo H, Shao Z, Zhou H, Lu J, Chen J, Huang C, Zhang S, Liu X, Xia L, Li J, Wang H, Sun Y. Converting Plastic Wastes to Naphtha for Closing the Plastic Loop. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:1847-1854. [PMID: 36635072 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
To solve the serious environmental problem and huge resource waste of plastic pollution, we report a tandem catalytic conversion of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) into naphtha, the key feedstock for renewable plastic production. Using β zeolite and silicalite-1-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles (Pt@S-1), a naphtha yield of 89.5% is obtained with 96.8% selectivity of C5-C9 hydrocarbons at 250 °C. The acid sites crack long-chain LDPE into olefin intermediates, which diffuse within the channels of Pt@S-1 to encounter Pt nanoparticles. The hydrogenation over confined metal matches cracking steps by selectively shipping the olefins with right size, and the rapid diffusion boosts the formation of narrow-distributed alkanes. A conceptual upgrading indicates it is suitable for closing the plastic loop, with a significant energy saving of 15% and 30% reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Hu Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Zilong Shao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Haozhi Zhou
- Institute of Carbon Neutrality, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Junwen Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjun Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaojie Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Shunan Zhang
- Institute of Carbon Neutrality, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Xia
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiong Li
- Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang National Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Carbon Neutrality, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhan Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Carbon Neutrality, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Cleantech Innovation, Shanghai 201616, People's Republic of China
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Thevenon A, Vollmer I. Towards a Cradle-to-Cradle Polyolefin Lifecycle. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202216163. [PMID: 36440579 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202216163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Achieving efficient chemical depolymerization of waste polyolefins to monomers remains an unsolved challenge, while it could be an effective means to avoid further waste accumulation in the environment and generate economic benefits. In a recent publication by Conk et al., polyethylene (PE) is converted to propylene, the second most used monomer in the polymer industry. The conversion is achieved via a tandem catalysis approach in which partially unsaturated PE chains react with ethylene to generate propylene with yields as high as 87 %. The study is a first proof of concept showcasing a selective chemical depolymerization of PE to a monomer. Future research is expected to focus on the catalyst optimization, process design, and compatibility with contaminated and multi-polymer waste streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Thevenon
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ina Vollmer
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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29
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Mouren A, Avérous L. Sustainable cycloaliphatic polyurethanes: from synthesis to applications. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:277-317. [PMID: 36520183 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00509c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Polyurethanes (PUs) are a versatile and major polymer family, mainly produced via polyaddition between polyols and polyisocyanates. A large variety of fossil-based building blocks is commonly used to develop a wide range of macromolecular architectures with specific properties. Due to environmental concerns, legislation, rarefaction of some petrol fractions and price fluctuation, sustainable feedstocks are attracting significant attention, e.g., plastic waste and biobased resources from biomass. Consequently, various sustainable building blocks are available to develop new renewable macromolecular architectures such as aromatics, linear aliphatics and cycloaliphatics. Meanwhile, the relationship between the chemical structures of these building blocks and properties of the final PUs can be determined. For instance, aromatic building blocks are remarkable to endow materials with rigidity, hydrophobicity, fire resistance, chemical and thermal stability, whereas acyclic aliphatics endow them with oxidation and UV light resistance, flexibility and transparency. Cycloaliphatics are very interesting as they combine most of the advantages of linear aliphatic and aromatic compounds. This original and unique review presents a comprehensive overview of the synthesis of sustainable cycloaliphatic PUs using various renewable products such as biobased terpenes, carbohydrates, fatty acids and cholesterol and/or plastic waste. Herein, we summarize the chemical modification of the main sustainable cycloaliphatic feedstocks, synthesis of PUs using these building blocks and their corresponding properties and subsequently present their major applications in hot-topic fields, including building, transportation, packaging and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Mouren
- BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Université de Strasbourg, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France.
| | - Luc Avérous
- BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Université de Strasbourg, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France.
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30
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Bhanderi KK, Joshi JR, Patel JV. Optimization process for glycolysis of poly (ethylene terephthalate) using bio-degradable & recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. J INDIAN CHEM SOC 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jics.2023.100904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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31
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MILICHOVSKÝ FRANTIŠEK, MAJEROVÁ ADÉLA. WILL WE BE ABLE TO USE RECYCLED PLASTICS OR SHALL WE DECIDE FOR PACKAGING FREE PRODUKCTION? 12 2022. [DOI: 10.33543/1202276283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Recycled plastic and its use are imperative for preserving the environment, including proper plastic wash-out. Will we ever be able to push the Czech population and firms to use recycled material? Or is it happening spontaneously? A questionnaire created on Google Forms involves ten legislative and motivational questions comprising relevant data on the amount of plastic in municipal waste between 2010 and 2020 from the Czech Statistical Office. We found that the population understands the importance of using recycled material and recycled plastic without the government's impulse. Despite the high capital intensity, the state should impose taxes to protect the sustainable environment. We suggest a comprehensive and in-depth survey to acquire more accurate data.
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32
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Larder RR, Hatton FL. Enabling the Polymer Circular Economy: Innovations in Photoluminescent Labeling of Plastic Waste for Enhanced Sorting. ACS POLYMERS AU 2022; 3:182-201. [PMID: 37065718 PMCID: PMC10103190 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.2c00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that moving from a linear to circular economy for plastics will be beneficial to reduce plastic pollution in our environment and to prevent loss of material value. However, challenges within the sorting of plastic waste often lead to contaminated waste streams that can devalue recyclates and hinder reprocessing. Therefore, the improvement of the sorting of plastic waste can lead to dramatic improvements in recyclate quality and enable circularity for plastics. Here, we discuss current sorting methods for plastic waste and review labeling techniques to enable enhanced sorting of plastic recyclates. Photoluminescent-based labeling is discussed in detail, including UV-vis organic and inorganic photoluminescent markers, infrared up-conversion, and X-ray fluorescent markers. Methods of incorporating labels within packaging, such as extrusion, surface coatings, and incorporation within external labels are also discussed. Additionally, we highlight some practical models for implementing some of the sorting techniques and provide an outlook for this growing field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan R. Larder
- Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona L. Hatton
- Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
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33
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Kallenbach EMF, Eriksen TE, Hurley RR, Jacobsen D, Singdahl-Larsen C, Friberg N. Plastic recycling plant as a point source of microplastics to sediment and macroinvertebrates in a remote stream. MICROPLASTICS AND NANOPLASTICS 2022; 2:26. [PMID: 36532855 PMCID: PMC9734615 DOI: 10.1186/s43591-022-00045-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Microplastic is now ubiquitous in freshwater, sediment and biota, globally. This is as a consequence of inputs from, for example, waste mismanagement, effluents from wastewater treatment plants and surface runoff from agricultural areas. In this study, we investigated point source pollution of plastic to an upland stream, originating from a recycling plant that recycles polyethylene film in a remote area of Norway. Sediment (~2 kg) and macroinvertebrates (549 individuals in total) were sampled at one site upstream and two sites downstream of the recycling plant to study microplastic deposition and food web uptake. In total, 340 microplastic films were identified through a combination of visual and µFTIR analysis in the sediment samples. This corresponded to a concentration of 0.23 (± 0.057) items per g sediment upstream of the plastic recycling plant and 0.45 (± 0.017) and 0.58 (± 0.34) items per g downstream. The dominant plastic polymer was polyethylene, which increased significantly downstream of the plastic recycling plant. This indicates the role of the plastic recycling plant as a point source for microplastic in this catchment. Among the three sites investigated, a fairly constant concentration of polypropylene was found, indicating a diffuse source of polypropylene films across the catchment possibly relating to low-intensity agricultural land-use. Low levels of polyethylene were also observed upstream, which may be linked to either local or longer-distance atmospheric transport. Despite the considerable presence of microplastic in sediments, concentrations in macroinvertebrates were extremely low with only a single microplastic particle identified in the total of 549 macroinvertebrates-belonging to three different feeding groups-investigated. Our study suggests that: 1) microplastic pollution can be transferred to remote areas as unintended losses from recycling facilities, 2) remote areas with limited land-use pressure still have detectable levels of microplastic and 3) microplastic is only taken up by stream macroinvertebrates to a limited degree despite relatively high sediment concentrations, and thus there are no strong indications for ecological risks posed by microplastic to this ecological group at this location. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43591-022-00045-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie M. F. Kallenbach
- NIVA Denmark Water Research, Njalsgade 76, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | | | | | - Dean Jacobsen
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | | | - Nikolai Friberg
- NIVA Denmark Water Research, Njalsgade 76, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- NIVA, Økernveien 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway
- Water@Leeds, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
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Cook E, Velis CA, Cottom JW. Scaling up resource recovery of plastics in the emergent circular economy to prevent plastic pollution: Assessment of risks to health and safety in the Global South. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2022; 40:1680-1707. [PMID: 35875954 PMCID: PMC9606178 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x221105415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Over the coming decades, a large additional mass of plastic waste will become available for recycling, as efforts increase to reduce plastic pollution and facilitate a circular economy. New infrastructure will need to be developed, yet the processes and systems chosen should not result in adverse effects on human health and the environment. Here, we present a rapid review and critical semi-quantitative assessment of the potential risks posed by eight approaches to recovering value during the resource recovery phase from post-consumer plastic packaging waste collected and separated with the purported intention of recycling. The focus is on the Global South, where there are more chances that high risk processes could be run below standards of safe operation. Results indicate that under non-idealised operational conditions, mechanical reprocessing is the least impactful on the environment and therefore most appropriate for implementation in developing countries. Processes known as 'chemical recycling' are hard to assess due to lack of real-world process data. Given their lack of maturity and potential for risk to human health and the environment (handling of potentially hazardous substances under pressure and heat), it is unlikely they will make a useful addition to the circular economy in the Global South in the near future. Inevitably, increasing circular economy activity will require expansion towards targeting flexible, multi-material and multilayer products, for which mechanical recycling has well-established limitations. Our comparative risk overview indicates major barriers to changing resource recovery mode from the already dominant mechanical recycling mode towards other nascent or energetic recovery approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Costas A Velis
- Costas A Velis, Room 304, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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35
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Study on the SPCC and CFRTP Hybrid Joint Performance Produced with Additional Nylon-6 Interlayer by Ultrasonic Plastic Welding. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14235235. [PMID: 36501625 PMCID: PMC9740003 DOI: 10.3390/polym14235235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the high degree of dissimilarity in physicochemical properties between metal and carbon fiber, it presents a tremendous challenge to join them directly. In this paper, cold rolled steel (SPCC) and carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) chopped sheet hybrid joints were produced with the addition of Nylon 6 (PA6) thermoplastic film as an intermediate layer by the ultrasonic plastic welding method. The effect of ultrasonic welding energy and preheating temperature on the hybrid joint microstructure and mechanical behavior was well investigated. The suitable joining parameters could obtain a strong joint by adding the PA6 film as an intermediate layer between the SPCC and bare carbon fibers. Microstructural analysis revealed that the interface joining condition between the PA6 film and the SPCC component is the primary reason for the joint strength. The crevices generated at the interface were eliminated when the preheating temperature arrived at 200 °C, and the joint strength thus significantly increased. The lap shear test results under quasi-static loading showed that the welding energy and preheating temperature synergistically affect the joint performances. At 240 °C, the joint strength value reached the maximum. Through the analysis of the microstructure morphology, mechanical performance, and the failure mechanism of the joint, the optimized joining process window for ultrasonic plastic welding of SPCC-CFRTP by adding an intermediate layer, was obtained.
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36
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Shen Z, Tiruta-Barna L, Hamelin L. From hemp grown on carbon-vulnerable lands to long-lasting bio-based products: Uncovering trade-offs between overall environmental impacts, sequestration in soil, and dynamic influences on global temperature. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 846:157331. [PMID: 35843325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the potential of carbon storage in soil combined with mitigation via bio-based products is investigated for the case of 100 years of hemp cultivation on carbon-vulnerable land (CV-lands) in France. The originality of this study lies in the coupling of soil organic carbon (SOC) simulations (over 100 years of hemp cultivation) with consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) to investigate the mitigation potential of different environmental impacts, and the coupling with dynamic LCA to investigate the long-term effects on global warming. When hemp stems (straw) are left on the ground, SOC increases of 25.8 t ha-1 are observed over 100 years. However, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that result from diverting the initial land use to hemp cultivation cannot be compensated for and, therefore, this scenario cannot mitigate global warming or most other impacts. Two long-lasting product scenarios were studied: insulation boards in buildings and car panels, both involving the production of hemp concrete as co-product. Our study shows that, even though no additional long-term carbon sequestration in soil could be achieved, both scenarios ensured a long-term climate benefit well beyond 2100, mostly because of carbon sequestered in the hemp-based products but also as a result of avoided fossil-based products. Uncertainty analyses reveal that the yield is the most influential parameter, inducing significant uncertainties in all scenarios and most impact categories. According to the overall results obtained, the car panel scenario is the most promising pathway with the lowest environmental impacts and the highest potential for long-term global warming mitigation; this is in part due to the reduction of fuel consumption during the use phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Shen
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France.
| | | | - Lorie Hamelin
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
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37
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Lase IS, Bashirgonbadi A, van Rhijn F, Dewulf J, Ragaert K, Delva L, Roosen M, Brandsma M, Langen M, De Meester S. Material flow analysis and recycling performance of an improved mechanical recycling process for post-consumer flexible plastics. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 153:249-263. [PMID: 36126399 PMCID: PMC9585909 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Increasing the recycling rates for post-consumer flexible plastics (PCFP) waste is imperative as PCFP is considered a difficult-to-recycle waste with only 17 % of PCFP effectively recycled in Europe. To tackle this pressing issue, improved mechanical recycling processes are being explored to increase the recycling rates of PCFP. One interesting option is the so-called quality recycling process (QRP) proposed by CEFLEX, which supplements more conventional mechanical recycling of PCFP with additional sorting, hot washing, improved extrusion, and deodorization. Material flow analysis (MFA) model is applied to assess the performance of QRP. Four performance indicators related to quantity (process yield and net recovery) and quality (polymer grade and transparency grade) are applied to measure the performance of three PCFP mechanical recycling scenarios. The results are compared against the conventional recycling of PCFP, showing that QRP has a similar process yield (64 % - 66 %) as conventional recycling (66 %). The net recovery indicator shows that in QRP higher recovery rates are achieved for transparent-monolayer PCFP (>90 %) compared to colored-multilayer PCFP (51 % - 91 %). The quality indicators (polymer and transparency grades) demonstrate that the regranulates from QRP have better quality compared to the conventional recycling. To validate the modeling approach, the modeled compositional data is compared with experimental compositional analyses of flakes and regranulates produced by pilot recycling lines. Main conclusions are: (i) although yields do not increase significantly, extra sorting and recycling produces better regranulates' quality (ii) performing a modular MFA gives insights into future recycling scenarios and helps in decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irdanto Saputra Lase
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedlaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
| | - Amir Bashirgonbadi
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles, and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark 130, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium; Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6162 Geleen, the Netherlands.
| | - Freek van Rhijn
- Nationaal Testcentrum Circulaire Plastics (NTCP), Duitslanddreef 7, 8447SE Heerenveen, the Netherlands.
| | - Jo Dewulf
- Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kim Ragaert
- Circular Plastics, Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6162 Geleen, the Netherlands.
| | - Laurens Delva
- Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT), Department of Materials, Textiles, and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark 130, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
| | - Martijn Roosen
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedlaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
| | - Martine Brandsma
- Nationaal Testcentrum Circulaire Plastics (NTCP), Duitslanddreef 7, 8447SE Heerenveen, the Netherlands.
| | - Michael Langen
- HTP GmbH & Co. KG, Maria-Theresia-Alle 35, 52064 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Steven De Meester
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedlaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
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38
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Dong Z, Zhang L, Li H, Gong Y, Jiang Y, Peng Q. Knowledge Mapping and Institutional Prospects on Circular Carbon Economy Based on Scientometric Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12508. [PMID: 36231804 PMCID: PMC9566575 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The circular carbon economy is receiving increasing research attention as an essential tool for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. However, there is no research on the literature distribution and the current situation of the circular carbon economy studies. This paper presents a scientometric analysis of 1452 academic papers on the circular carbon economy and their references from 2010-2021 using the Citespace visualization network. The results show that research on the circular carbon economy has experienced a relatively gradual growth from 2010 to 2016, followed by an explosive growth from 2016 to 2021. Research cooperation among countries is close, forming a relatively concentrated cooperation network, while the core author group has not yet formed. Furthermore, the research on circular carbon economy strongly correlates with relevant international hotspots and national policy changes, reflecting the instrumental characteristics of circular carbon economy research. We summarized three main research topics through keywords clustering. In addition, we point out the future research directions from technical progress considering industry differences and cooperation, multiple environmental policies and legal system construction, interregional and international cooperation, etc., from an institutional research perspective. This article provides an essential and valuable reference for related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengai Dong
- School of Law, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Lichen Zhang
- School of Law, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Houjian Li
- College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yanhui Gong
- School of Law, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- School of Law, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qiumei Peng
- School of Law, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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Inamdar I. Recycling of plastic wastes generated from COVID-19: A comprehensive illustration of type and properties of plastics with remedial options. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:155895. [PMID: 35568167 PMCID: PMC9095076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plastic has contributed enormously to the healthcare sector and towards public health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the frequent usage of plastic-based personal protective equipment (PPEs) (including face masks, gloves, protective body suits, aprons, gowns, face shields, surgical masks, and goggles), by frontline health workers, there has been a tremendous increase in their manufacture and distribution. Different types of plastic polymers are used in the manufacture of this equipment, depending upon their usage. However, since a majority of these plastics are still single-use plastics (SUP), they are not at all eco-friendly and end up generating large quantities of plastic waste. The overview presents the various available and practiced methods in vogue for disposal cum treatment of these highly contaminated plastic wastes. Among the current methods of plastic waste disposal, incineration and land filling are the most common ones, but both these methods have their negative impacts on the environment. Alongside, numerous methods that can be used to sterilize them before any treatment have been discussed. There are several new sorting technologies, to help produce purer polymers that can be made to undergo thermal or chemical treatments. Microbial degradation is one such novel method that is under the spotlight currently and being studied extensively, because of its ecological advantages, cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and maintenance. In addition to the deliberations on the methods, strategies have been enumerated for combination of different methods, vis-à-vis studying the life cycle assessment towards a more circular economy in handling this menace to protect mankind.
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40
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Ronkay F, Molnár B, Szabó E, Marosi G, Bocz K. Water boosts reactive toughening of PET. Polym Degrad Stab 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2022.110052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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41
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Yasin S, Hussain M, Zheng Q, Song Y. Thermo-soil weathering and life cycle assessment of carbon black, silica and cellulose nanocrystal filled rubber nanocomposites. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155521. [PMID: 35489517 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Carbon black (CB) and silica (Sil) as rubber reinforcement have raised environmental concerns for being high resources consumptive and less susceptible towards biodegradability. Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) has demonstrated great potentials for use as biodegradable nanofillers in rubber nanocomposites while evaluation of its environmental impacts with optimal end-of-life (EOL) choices is not carried out. To simulate realistic EOL, thermo-oxidative aging and soil burial aging behaviors of rubber nanocomposites with 33.3% filler were performed. The environmental weathering performance modeled with the help of life cycle assessment (LCA) illustrates increased biodegradation susceptibility with partial replacement of CB or Sil with CNC in the nanocomposites, hence promoting the environmental solutions for waste minimalization by enhancing the biodegradability potentials. In terms of LCA, the CNC incorporation contributes more to the environmental impacts in manufacturing but greatly lowers the EOL choices, by reducing the global warming potential values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohail Yasin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Munir Hussain
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Qiang Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yihu Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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42
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Environmental Assessment of the Life Cycle of Electricity Generation from Biogas in Polish Conditions. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15155601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Life cycle analysis allows for the assessment of the qualitative and quantitative relationship between selected areas of human activity and the consequences for the environment. One of the important areas is the production of electricity and heat, for which the main raw material in Poland is hard coal. An alternative may be to use biogas as a fuel for energy purposes. This article presents the assessment of environmental hazards caused by the production of energy from biogas. The analysis took into account the change of the substrate from maize silage, commonly used in Polish biogas plants, to waste from the domestic agri-food industry. The evaluation covered the acquisition of substrates, their transport to a biogas plant, generation of electricity from biogas, and management of the generated by-products. The analysis was done in terms of both the impact and sensitivity categories. It was found that the emission of pollutants related to the acquisition of the substrate plays a key role and the use of waste for the production of biogas used for energy production brings environmental benefits. The analysis has shown that replacing coal with biogas, regardless of the raw materials used in its production, results in a positive environmental effect, especially in the areas of human health and resources categories. The positive environmental effect of the production of electricity from biogas can be enhanced by switching raw materials from purpose-grown crops to waste from the agri-food industry and agriculture. An important factor influencing the environmental impact is the degree of heat utilization (the greater the percentage of heat utilization, the greater the environmental benefits) and management of all by-products.
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43
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Current Prospects for Plastic Waste Treatment. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14153133. [PMID: 35956648 PMCID: PMC9370925 DOI: 10.3390/polym14153133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The excessive amount of global plastic produced over the past century, together with poor waste management, has raised concerns about environmental sustainability. Plastic recycling has become a practical approach for diminishing plastic waste and maintaining sustainability among plastic waste management methods. Chemical and mechanical recycling are the typical approaches to recycling plastic waste, with a simple process, low cost, environmentally friendly process, and potential profitability. Several plastic materials, such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polyurethanes, can be recycled with chemical and mechanical recycling approaches. Nevertheless, due to plastic waste’s varying physical and chemical properties, plastic waste separation becomes a challenge. Hence, a reliable and effective plastic waste separation technology is critical for increasing plastic waste’s value and recycling rate. Integrating recycling and plastic waste separation technologies would be an efficient method for reducing the accumulation of environmental contaminants produced by plastic waste, especially in industrial uses. This review addresses recent advances in plastic waste recycling technology, mainly with chemical recycling. The article also discusses the current recycling technology for various plastic materials.
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Abstract
Unsustainable rice straw management causes environmental impacts; hence, utilisation of rice straw for bioenergy is a promising strategy for sustainable rice straw management. Although rice straw has a high potential for bioenergy generation, the whole production cycle and application may cause environmental damage that is not fully understood. Hence, environmental performance studies are required to determine the most effective rice straw utilisation options. A comprehensive approach, such as life-cycle assessment (LCA), can give comprehensive information on the possible environmental effects of rice straw utilisation for bioenergy. Therefore, this study briefly overviews the LCA of rice straw utilisation for bioenergy production. It is found that utilisation of rice straw for bioenergy could reduce global warming potential compared to energy production from fossil fuels. However, it is suggested that other impact categories in LCA be evaluated in the bioenergy production from rice straw research to determine the overall sustainability of the production.
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45
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Closing of Carbon Cycle by Waste Gasification for Circular Economy Implementation in Poland. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15144983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Domestic coal and waste resources, which are valuable sources of carbon, can support efforts to transform a linear economy into a circular carbon economy. Their use, as an alternative to conventional, imported fossil resources (crude oil, natural gas) for chemical production, provides an opportunity for Poland to solve problems related to competitiveness, security of supply, and sustainable development in various industries. This is important for Poland because it can provide it with a long-term perspective of economic growth and development, taking into account global trends (e.g., the Paris Agreement) and EU legislation. The article presents a concept to support the transformation from linear toward a circular carbon economy under Polish conditions. The carried-out analyses showed that coal, RDF, and plastic waste fuels can be a valuable source of raw material for the development of the chemical industry in Poland. Due to the assumed availability of plastic waste and the loss of carbon in the production process, coal consumption is estimated at 10 million t/yr, both in the medium- and long-term. In case where coal consumption is reduced and an additional source of ‘green hydrogen’ is used, CO2 emissions could be reduced even by 98% by 2050. The presented results show the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed solution and could be the basis for development of the roadmap for transition of the linear to circular economy under Polish condition.
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46
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Prioritizing Cleaner Production Actions towards Circularity: Combining LCA and Emergy in the PET Production Chain. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14116821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Petrochemicals, which convert oil and gas into products such as plastics, are fundamental to modern societies. Chemists recognize their role in designing materials and the adverse effects that these may have on the environment, preventing sustainable development. Several methodological frameworks and sustainability assessment approaches have been developed to evaluate the resources used in the petrochemical sector in terms of environmental costs. Still, there is a need to evaluate these systems in terms of environmental costs deeply. A combination of life cycle assessment and emergy accounting—to assess the environmental support for resource use—is applied in this study of the PET production chain in Europe. The unit emergy values of several intermediates are calculated or updated to facilitate the discernment of the quality of energy used and the processes’ efficiency. Several routes for synthesizing renewable para-xylene and ethylene glycol from biomass are discussed and confronted with the efforts focused on recycling and recovering the final product, providing concurrently a procedure and a valuable data set for future CP actions. The results show that understanding the efficiencies changing across the production chain may help stakeholders decide where and when interventions to promote a circular economy are most effective along a petrochemical production chain.
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47
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Venkatachalam V, Pohler M, Spierling S, Nickel L, Barner L, Endres H. Design for Recycling Strategies Based on the Life Cycle Assessment and End of Life Options of Plastics in a Circular Economy. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202200046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Venkateshwaran Venkatachalam
- Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy Leibniz Universität Hannover An der Universität 2 Garbsen 30823 Germany
| | - Merlin Pohler
- Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy Leibniz Universität Hannover An der Universität 2 Garbsen 30823 Germany
| | - Sebastian Spierling
- Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy Leibniz Universität Hannover An der Universität 2 Garbsen 30823 Germany
| | - Louisa Nickel
- Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy Leibniz Universität Hannover An der Universität 2 Garbsen 30823 Germany
| | - Leonie Barner
- Centre for a Waste‐Free World Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry and Physics Queensland University of Technology 2 George Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia
| | - Hans‐Josef Endres
- Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy Leibniz Universität Hannover An der Universität 2 Garbsen 30823 Germany
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48
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Mangold H, von Vacano B. The Frontier of Plastics Recycling: Rethinking Waste as a Resource for High‐Value Applications. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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49
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Nicholson SR, Rorrer JE, Singh A, Konev MO, Rorrer NA, Carpenter AC, Jacobsen AJ, Román-Leshkov Y, Beckham GT. The Critical Role of Process Analysis in Chemical Recycling and Upcycling of Waste Plastics. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2022; 13:301-324. [PMID: 35320697 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-100521-085846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for new technologies to enable circularity for synthetic polymers, spurred by the accumulation of waste plastics in landfills and the environment and the contributions of plastics manufacturing to climate change. Chemical recycling is a promising means to convert waste plastics into molecular intermediates that can be remanufactured into new products. Given the growing interest in the development of new chemical recycling approaches, it is critical to evaluate the economics, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and other life cycle inventory metrics for emerging processes, relative to the incumbent, linear manufacturing practices employed today. Here we offer specific definitions for classes of chemical recycling and upcycling and describe general process concepts for the chemical recycling of mixed plastics waste. We present a framework for techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment for both closed- and open-loop chemical recycling. Rigorous application of these process analysis tools will be required to enable impactful solutions for the plastics waste problem. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Volume 13 is October 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R Nicholson
- Grid Planning and Analysis Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA.,BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, Colorado, USA;
| | - Julie E Rorrer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Avantika Singh
- BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, Colorado, USA; .,Carbon Catalytic Transformation and Scale-Up Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
| | - Mikhail O Konev
- BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, Colorado, USA; .,Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
| | - Nicholas A Rorrer
- BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, Colorado, USA; .,Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
| | - Alberta C Carpenter
- BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, Colorado, USA; .,Strategic Energy Analysis Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Yuriy Román-Leshkov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregg T Beckham
- BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, Colorado, USA; .,Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
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50
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Wang X, Li C, Lam CH, Subramanian K, Qin ZH, Mou JH, Jin M, Chopra SS, Singh V, Ok YS, Yan J, Li HY, Lin CSK. Emerging waste valorisation techniques to moderate the hazardous impacts, and their path towards sustainability. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:127023. [PMID: 34482075 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Due to the recent boom in urbanisation, economy, and global population, the amount of waste generated worldwide has increased tremendously. The World Bank estimates that global waste generation is expected to increase 70% by 2050. Disposal of waste is already a major concern as it poses risks to the environment, human health, and economy. To tackle this issue and maximise potential environmental, economic, and social benefits, waste valorisation - a value-adding process for waste materials - has emerged as a sustainable and efficient strategy. The major objective of waste valorisation is to transit to a circular economy and maximally alleviate hazardous impacts of waste. This review conducts bibliometric analysis to construct a co-occurrence network of research themes related to management of five major waste streams (i.e., food, agricultural, textile, plastics, and electronics). Modern valorisation technologies and their efficiencies are highlighted. Moreover, insights into improvement of waste valorisation technologies are presented in terms of sustainable environmental, social, and economic performances. This review summarises highlighting factors that impede widespread adoption of waste valorisation, such as technology lock-in, optimisation for local conditions, unfavourable regulations, and low investments, with the aim of devising solutions that explore practical, feasible, and sustainable means of waste valorisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Red Tide Prevention of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Chong Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chun Ho Lam
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Zi-Hao Qin
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Jin-Hua Mou
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Mushan Jin
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Vijay Singh
- Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, 338, AESB, 1304 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Jianbin Yan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hong-Ye Li
- Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Red Tide Prevention of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Carol Sze Ki Lin
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, China.
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