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Sustainability: Resources and Waste Management
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Sustainability: Resources and Waste Management

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Chemical Engineering and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 5068

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Henning Friege

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Guest Editor
1. N³ Nachhaltigkeitsberatung Dr. Friege & Partner, Scholtenbusch 11 , D-46562 Voerde, Germany
2. Honorary Professor for Sustainability Sciences, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, D-21335 Lüneburg, Germany
Interests: resources and waste management; life cycle management of chemicals and materials; especially hazardous compounds and scarce resources; cross-sectorial energy supply; indicators for sustainable management; international chemical policy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Simone Raatz

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Guest Editor
Administrative Director, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HZDR), Chemnitzer Straße 40, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
Interests: resource technology; circular economy; recycling of metals; reactive separation processes
Prof. Dr. Ziyang Lou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Interests: emerging contaminants; wastewater treatment; landfill leachate treatment; water treatment; waste management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that waste management, and thus the use of the resources at our disposal, contributes significantly to climate change, especially by the emission of methane and nitrogen oxides from the landfilling of organic waste. On the other hand, considerable amounts of CO2 can be saved by extending the lifetime of products or increasing the use of recycled materials. In addition, intelligent and efficient raw material and waste management increases the amount of recyclable raw materials. This contributes to sustainability in three ways: if more secondary materials are available, we will use less of the primary raw materials; we can solve the climate problem by saving energy and thus avoiding CO2 emission by reducing land use, among other things, through primary raw material extraction; and we can also save space and protect soil and groundwater by reducing the deposition of non-recyclable residues.

In the future, all activities in waste and resource management should be analysed in terms of their contribution to sustainability, i.e., the interrelationships between raw materials, waste, energy, climate and other global challenges. Sometimes a simple evaluation is sufficient, e.g., when introducing waste collection in developing countries or avoiding new landfills by recycling construction waste. In many cases, however, more sophisticated methods are required for evaluation, e.g., for the realisation of single-variety separations of different metal alloys or mixed plastic waste in comparison to their energy recovery or chemical recycling; for the determination of potential contaminations of environmentally hazardous chemical compounds or residues during the recycling process, such as for the determination of energy consumption; and for the recovery of rare earths from products such as magnets or LEDs. The consideration and assessment of entire value chains in the circular economy are even more complicated, and should combine ecological and economic aspects as far as possible.
We call for papers that focus on the recovery of resources from end-of-life products and waste, and which describe and discuss potentials to be raised in the future to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Henning Friege
Dr. Simone Raatz
Prof. Dr. Ziyang Lou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gas and leachate management from landfills
  • utilization of bottom ash and fly ash from WtE facilities
  • reuse and recycling of separately collected end-of-life products
  • product design for repair or recycling
  • recycling of composite materials
  • value chains in the circular economy
  • comparison of alternatives for regional waste management and innovative treatment processes

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 2118 KiB  
Article
More than 30 Years of PVC Recycling in Europe—A Critical Inventory
by Uwe Lahl and Barbara Zeschmar-Lahl
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3854; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093854 - 4 May 2024
Viewed by 876
Abstract
PVC has a special status, as chlorine is a component of the polymer molecule. The properties of chlorine are the reason why the polymer molecule needs additivation. PVC is the mass plastic to which the most diverse and quantitatively largest number of additives [...] Read more.
PVC has a special status, as chlorine is a component of the polymer molecule. The properties of chlorine are the reason why the polymer molecule needs additivation. PVC is the mass plastic to which the most diverse and quantitatively largest number of additives are added. This makes PVC difficult to recycle. More than three decades ago, the PVC industry announced its commitment to improve the sustainability of the material through material recycling. We analysed the latest figures from the European PVC industry, ensuring that the statistics included the quantities that enter the market as recyclate. We also analysed the significance of replacing virgin PVC with recyclates. We conclude from this that, after a good three decades, the recycling result is rather meagre. The lion’s share of PVC waste in Europe is still going to waste-to-energy plants, where it tends to be a nuisance. The many announcements to close the chlorine cycle via waste incineration have not got very far either. And the announcements to expand chemical recycling in parallel have not been successful. On the basis of this stocktaking, we have analysed, in a second separately published part, which conclusions can be drawn for regulatory measures, building on a current ECHA investigation report. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability: Resources and Waste Management)
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21 pages, 9331 KiB  
Article
Recovery of Materials from Refrigerator: A Study Focused on Product Distribution, Recyclability and LCA Evaluation
by Felipe Alejandro Garcia Paz, Magdalena Heibeck, Ashak Mahmud Parvez, Jorge Torrubia, Karl Gerald van den Boogaart and Simone Raatz
Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1082; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031082 - 26 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1002
Abstract
This study outlines a recycling initiative conducted at Rekular GmbH, focusing on the recycling of 100 refrigerators. The recycling process employed a combination of manual dismantling, depollution, and mechanical processing techniques. Manual dismantling followed a predefined protocol to extract various materials, while the [...] Read more.
This study outlines a recycling initiative conducted at Rekular GmbH, focusing on the recycling of 100 refrigerators. The recycling process employed a combination of manual dismantling, depollution, and mechanical processing techniques. Manual dismantling followed a predefined protocol to extract various materials, while the mechanical and physical processes involved shredding, zigzag, magnetic, and eddy current separation (ECS) to liberate and separate different materials. The resulting ferrous, non-ferrous and polymer product fractions were analyzed and categorized, providing valuable insights into the quality of interim products in the refrigerator recycling process. Simulations were then performed using FactSageTM version 8.2 and HSC Chemistry 10 version 10.3.7.1 software to simulate the recovery of metals from the ferrous and non-ferrous fractions using pyro metallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods. An electric arc furnace (EAF) was utilized for iron (Fe), while a re-smelter process for aluminium (Al), and the black copper route was simulated for copper (Cu) recovery. The recovery rates including metallurgical, mechanical, and physical processes are as follows: Fe (78%), Al (68.4%), and Cu (52.4%). In contrast, the recovery rates through metallurgical processes are as follows: Al (99%), Fe (79%), and Cu (88%). This discrepancy is attributed to losses of these elements resulting from incomplete liberation in mechanical processing. Additionally, a product/centric approach was applied and the recycling index reached 76% for recovery the Al, Cu, and Fe metals in a refrigerator recycling process. Turning to the environmental impact evaluation within the life cycle assessment (LCA), the process unit with the highest emissions per refrigerator in the recycling process was the use of nitrogen during the shredding process, accounting for 3.7 kg CO2 eq/refrigerator. Subsequently, the consumption of medium voltage electricity from the German grid during mechanical and physical separations contributed to 0.6 kg CO2 eq/refrigerator. The EAF, and electrolytic refining stages in the metallurgical recovery process also had a notable impact, generating 10.7 kg CO2 eq/refrigerator. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability: Resources and Waste Management)
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12 pages, 2292 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Source Resolution of Heavy Metals in an Electroplating Site and Their Health Risk Assessment
by Zikai Fan, Xiaoyun Xu, Rong Wang, Zhi Meng, Luochun Wang, Xinde Cao and Ziyang Lou
Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12166; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612166 - 9 Aug 2023
Viewed by 910
Abstract
It is very important to understand the distribution and sources of typical potentially toxic elements in industrial sites in order to provide essential information for risk assessment and the process of land reclamation selection. Here, around 29 soil column samples of 6 m [...] Read more.
It is very important to understand the distribution and sources of typical potentially toxic elements in industrial sites in order to provide essential information for risk assessment and the process of land reclamation selection. Here, around 29 soil column samples of 6 m depth were collected using a geoprobe drill rig from a typical electroplating site located in the Yangtze River Delta, which has been operating for more than 20 years. Analysis in the laboratory, including measurement of elemental concentrations using ICP-OES, was carried out. The distribution and sources of typical heavy metals were investigated, and correlated risks were assessed using positive matrix factorization. As, Pb, and Cr were the dominant heavy metal pollutants, with ranges of 3.20–154 mg/kg, 13.9–9271 mg/kg, and 27.2–2970 mg/kg, which were 1.28 times, 11.6 times, and 3.71 times higher than the Chinese national standard, respectively. Pb was found to be accumulated in the top 0–2 m and As in the top 0–3 m due to the presence of a typical clay and loamy soil. Additionally, Cr could be transferred into the groundwater, with a maximum concentration of 497 mg/kg, due to frequent interaction between the groundwater and soil. A PMF model showed that the dominant sources of pollution were the electroplating process section, the glass melting process section, the production process section, and the electroplating wastewater. Pb, As, and Cr were mainly generated from the industrial production process, glass melting process, and electroplating process. The pH and CEC appeared to influence the chemical speciation greatly, with higher content observed bound to carbonates as a result of exchange processes in the case of high CEC and low pH conditions. Both the Pb and As observed could contribute to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, respectively, based on PMF-HRA analysis, which should receive greater attention in risk management strategies for polluted sites. Identification of the main sources of heavy metals in a site could provide a basis for potential land reclamation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability: Resources and Waste Management)
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Review

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16 pages, 1117 KiB  
Review
Comprehensive Analysis of Industrial Solid-Waste-to-Energy by Refuse-Derived Fuel Technology: A Case Study in Shanghai
by Ting Li, Wei Li, Ziyang Lou and Luochun Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4234; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104234 - 17 May 2024
Viewed by 126
Abstract
The prolific generation of industrial solid waste (ISW) in China, coupled with its complex composition, presents significant challenges due to exceeding environmental capacity. Identifying an appropriate approach to maximize the use of ISW, particularly low-value industrial solid waste (LISW), is crucial for addressing [...] Read more.
The prolific generation of industrial solid waste (ISW) in China, coupled with its complex composition, presents significant challenges due to exceeding environmental capacity. Identifying an appropriate approach to maximize the use of ISW, particularly low-value industrial solid waste (LISW), is crucial for addressing environmental issues. This study explores the potential of converting LISW into refuse-derived fuel (RDF), an energy-rich precursor, as a promising method for disposal and reutilization. The advantages of RDF lie primarily in two key areas: management and technology. Regulatory aspects cover principles governing RDF feedstock preparation, storage and transportation requirements, and pollutant emission regulations. Technical considerations include pretreatment techniques, additive selection, and analyzing RDF as a substitute for fossil fuels. To assess the effectiveness of RDF technology in harnessing the remaining energy from LISW, this paper provides an overview of relevant national laws and regulations concerning incineration plants, guiding the utilization of RDF in such facilities. Additionally, using Shanghai as a case study, we evaluate the ISW situation, domestic waste incineration plants, and cement kiln plants to identify potential scenarios for RDF application in future energy systems. Our findings suggest that LISW holds significant potential as a power plant fuel, particularly when blended with higher calorific value materials to produce RDF particles with exceptional combustion performance, density, and storage characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability: Resources and Waste Management)
26 pages, 2678 KiB  
Review
Measuring Circularity in Cities: A Review of the Scholarly and Grey Literature in Search of Evidence-Based, Measurable and Actionable Indicators
by Kartik Kapoor, Nikhil Sayi Amydala, Anubhav Ambooken and Anne Scheinberg
Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14302; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914302 - 27 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1480
Abstract
Circularity in cities is key to Earth’s sustainable and resource-efficient future. In contrast to the broad framework of circular economy, circularity is a technical concept associated with avoiding disposal and prolonging the useful life of products and materials, and thereby extracting fewer [...] Read more.
Circularity in cities is key to Earth’s sustainable and resource-efficient future. In contrast to the broad framework of circular economy, circularity is a technical concept associated with avoiding disposal and prolonging the useful life of products and materials, and thereby extracting fewer resources. In search of metrics and indicators to measure the impacts of circular processes in cities in real time, the authors reviewed the literature on the circular economy and circularity, in search of evidence-based circularity indicators suitable for cities to use to benchmark the environmental and climate benefits of six waste prevention cascades. This paper reports on a systematic literature review using the PRISMA protocol to screen, evaluate, and review published and grey literature sources. From more than 15,000 papers screened, after application of criteria, fewer than 25 papers were found that presented evidence-based, measurable, and actionable indicators or indicator sets for benchmarking the performance of circular processes in cities. The authors concluded that the practical commitment to evidence-based tracking of circularity (in cities) is weak. Practical progress towards a circular economy and physical and economic circularity will require stakeholders to strengthen and test the very small number of indicators and indicator sets that are relevant and useful for cities and regions to use for measuring their progress towards becoming more circular, and increase evidence-based monitoring for circularity and the circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability: Resources and Waste Management)
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