Search Results (146)

Automated waste classification is essential for improving recycling efficiency and supporting sustainable waste management systems. However, conventional convolutional neural network (CNN) approaches primarily focus on localized feature extraction, which may limit their ability to capture complex spatial relationships in heterogeneous waste materials. This study proposes DeepWasteSort-SI-SSO, a Vision Transformer (ViT)-based framework enhanced with a Self-Improved Sparrow Search Optimization (SI-SSO) strategy for hyperparameter tuning. The optimization process focuses on key training parameters, including learning rate, batch size, and dropout rate, to improve convergence stability and reduce the risk of suboptimal local minima. The framework was evaluated on a balanced four-class waste image dataset (paper, wood, food, and leaves; N = 4000) using a five-fold cross-validation protocol. Experimental results achieved an average accuracy of 95.5% (±0.007), a macro-averaged AUC-ROC of 0.975, and a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.938, indicating strong agreement between predicted and true labels. Comparative experiments against ResNet-50 and a baseline ViT configuration suggest that SI-SSO optimization improves performance stability with only a modest increase in computational cost. These findings highlight the potential of optimized Transformer-based approaches for automated waste image classification under controlled evaluation conditions. Full article

The increasing production and accumulation of plastic waste, coupled with insufficient recycling practices, contribute to the growing presence of plastic in the environment. Nanoplastic particles are of particular concern, as they pose greater (health and environmental) risks and exhibit wider dispersion compared to macroplastics. The blood–brain barrier may be exposed to nanoplastics present in the blood, which could affect its functionality or even pass through and damage the central nervous system. This study examined the effects of polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles with different chemical surface modifications (pristine, carboxylated, aminated) and sizes (50 nm and 100 nm) on cells of the neurovascular unit (NVU): human brain endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes. Results indicated that only high concentrations of nanoparticles (100 μg/mL and 300 μg/mL) applied for 48 h decreased cell viability and barrier integrity significantly. Specifically, 50 nm carboxylated PS particles reduced barrier integrity and altered tight junction gene expression substantially. Fluorescent labelling of the investigated particles enabled to confirm their uptake by all tested cell types of the NVU, but also highlighted that the labelling changes the particles’ properties. Furthermore, cell culture medium-dependent particle agglomeration and increase of size were inversely correlated with cellular internalisation, which has to be considered for future risk assessments. Full article

The rapid growth of personal protective equipment (PPE) consumption has generated unprecedented volumes of polymer-based waste, posing a major challenge to the transition from a linear to a circular economic model. The challenges associated with PPE recycling are strongly linked to the sector of origin—including healthcare, laboratories, cleanrooms, and food processing—as this factor determines contamination levels and critically influences subsequent recycling steps. PPE waste originating from the healthcare sector requires stringent decontamination processes, which directly affect the final properties of recycled materials and their suitability for upcycling or downcycling applications. Another decisive factor is source segregation, together with labeling and sorting, given the intrinsic material heterogeneity of PPE, which commonly includes polypropylene (PP) masks, polycarbonate (PC) protective eyewear, and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) gloves. Mechanical and chemical recycling routes, including processes specifically developed for elastomeric materials, play a complementary role depending on the cleanliness and composition of the waste streams. The potential for downcycling and upcycling of recycled PPE is closely linked to polymer integrity and process compatibility. When appropriate segregation strategies and tailored recycling technologies are implemented, PPE waste can be effectively diverted from incineration. Under these conditions, PPE—once emblematic of single-use culture—can become a representative example of how complex polymer products may be reintegrated into sustainable material loops, contributing to resource efficiency and circular-economy objectives. Full article

Greenwashing by unvalidated environmental labelling is increasingly common and highly problematic due to the potential to mislead consumers. This is especially concerning for products that pose health risks, including alcohol. As environmental sustainability becomes more important to consumers, it is vital to assess changes in the use of potentially misleading claims over time. Among the first studies of its kind globally, this study aimed to (i) develop a typology of environmental claims displayed on alcohol products in Australia, (ii) examine the prevalence of these claims to establish baseline data for ongoing tracking, and (iii) assess the provision of recycling information. Four claim categories were identified: sustainability, planet friendly, bio-related and carbon-related. Claims featured on 8% of the 5982 sampled products, with considerable variation between alcohol categories. Sustainability claims were the most prevalent (5%). Recycling information appeared on 72% of products. The results suggest ambiguous environmental claims are present although not yet widespread. In contrast, recycling information is much more common although not universal. These findings highlight the need to consider restrictions on unsubstantiated environmental claims on alcohol products that can mislead consumers. Further, a nationally standardised mandatory recycling label should be introduced to assist consumers in reducing their environmental impacts. Full article

Circular economy and Industry 4.0 principles are increasingly shaping industrial practices. In the textile sector, environmental impacts and low recyclability make circularity a critical priority. This study focuses on enhancing both circularity and operational efficiency in a Portuguese manufacturer of labels and trimmings. Achieving this requires the collection of relevant data and identification of the factors that most influence operational performance, while linking these to circularity outcomes. To support this effort, the paper presents two complementary methodologies: Multi-layer Stream Mapping (MSM) for evaluating manufacturing efficiency and the Overall Circularity Index (OCI) for assessing circularity performance. MSM provides a detailed analysis of process efficiency, identifying sources of waste and summarizing results through user-friendly scorecards that highlight high-impact improvement areas. The OCI measures a company’s circularity on a scale from 0 to 1—where 1 represents full circularity—using strategic indicators across environmental, material, economic, and social dimensions. The MSM revealed an overall efficiency of 71%, whereas the OCI resulted in a final score of 0.516. When applied together, MSM and the OCI form a straightforward, iterative, and effective framework for diagnosing strengths and weaknesses in the manufacturing process, supporting evidence-based decision-making and guiding the company’s transition toward more circular and efficient operations. Full article

Flexible packaging often consists of multilayer films that combine different materials to achieve high barrier performance, but these structures are incompatible with current recycling technologies. Polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) offer more recyclable alternatives but require additional oxygen-barrier materials that do not compromise recyclability. This study investigates the influence of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Ormocer^® barrier coating, and PP labels with different adhesives on PP recyclability. Recyclates were produced using twin-screw extruder to simulate the recycling process and then injection-molding to make tensile test specimens. Mechanical properties, melt flow rate (MFR), oxygen induction time (OIT), and odor were evaluated. Findings showed that low label content (5–12.5%) has minimal impact on recyclate quality. The addition of 10% EVOH increased the elastic modulus of PP granulate and cast-PP (cPP) film by 26% and 14%, respectively, and improved oxidation stability by 9%, while reducing cPP film impact strength by 77%. Ormocer^® decreased mechanical performance, particularly elongation at break (−18%), likely due to defect-inducing particles, but had limited influence on MFR. Labels and Ormocer^® also introduced odor variations. Overall, the findings indicate that EVOH up to 10% and labels up to 12.5% yield promising results, providing guidance for designing recyclable, monomaterial packaging. Full article

Recent advancements in food packaging have transitioned from passive containment toward innovative smart systems that integrate active and intelligent functionalities to improve product preservation, safety, and consumer interaction. This review examines the evolution of these technologies, focusing on biodegradable polymers and nanomaterial-enhanced substrates that combine environmental sustainability with superior barriers and antimicrobial performance. Developments in embedded sensing systems, including chemical, temperature, and humidity sensors, enable the continuous monitoring of food quality and environmental conditions, supporting extended shelf-life and early contamination detection. Intelligent packaging further incorporates indicators, sensors, and data carriers that enhance transparency and traceability across supply chains. These systems are often connected through blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms for real-time data analysis. The review also addresses consumer engagement via interactive labels and personalized nutritional feedback, along with the economic, behavioral, and regulatory aspects influencing large-scale adoption. Life cycle assessments are analyzed to evaluate trade-offs between enhanced functionality and environmental impact, emphasizing recyclability and end-of-life strategies within circular economy frameworks. Finally, the article discusses current technical challenges while highlighting emerging trends such as AI-driven predictive analytics and IoT-enabled connectivity as key enablers of sustainable, efficient, and safe food packaging systems. Full article

Prostate cancer tissue usually involves either well formed glands, poorly formed glands or a combination of the two morphologies, which can be correlated with metabolic differences and tumor heterogeneity. This is particularly important for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, where the heterogeneity and metabolic changes drive cancer progression and treatment refractory properties. Sortilin and syndecan-1 expression accurately define the two different morphologies in prostate cancer tissue, are critical to the process of metabolic regulation, and exhibit mechanistic/functional interactions during prostate cancer progression. As trans-membrane proteins that recycle from endocytic compartments to the cell surface, sortilin and syndecan-1 are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention that address the two major forms of prostate cancer. In this study, we describe an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) strategy that utilizes monoclonal antibodies which bind to specific extracellular domains of these integral membrane proteins to elicit anticancer activity in prostate cancer cell lines. Anti-sortilin (clone 11H8) and anti-syndecan-1 (clone 6D11) monoclonal antibodies demonstrated high specificity for epitopes on the extracellular, N-terminal domains of these respective proteins and were effectively internalized into prostate cancer cell endocytic compartments. Monomethyl aurastatin E (MMAE)-conjugated ADCs exhibited low nanomolar cytotoxicity in LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Mechanistically, 11H8-MMAE and 6D11-MMAE triggered cytotoxicity and morphological alterations in androgen-sensitive and androgen-insensitive cells. However, the uptake of fluorescent labelled 11H8 and 6D11 antibodies appeared to be high, whereas the killing capacity of the MMAE-conjugated antibodies was less impressive, suggesting the need for further ADC development. These promising proof-of-concept ADCs are designed to exploit molecular and metabolic vulnerabilities in prostate cancer and may have utility for overcoming treatment resistance by simultaneously targeting different forms of the cancer. Full article

An atomically dispersed rhodium on TiO₂ catalyst enables a tandem process, combining hydrogenative reduction with α,β-hydrogen–deuterium exchange of cinnamic acid, in which D₂O serves as the deuterium source. In contrast with previous reductive deuteration methods that yield only partially labeled 3-phenylpropanoic acids (D^α-inc.: ≤50%, D^β-inc.: ≤50%), this heterogeneous system delivers near-quantitative deuterium incorporation (D^α-inc.: 94%, D^β-inc.: 99%) under mild conditions, outperforming Rh nanoparticles and homogeneous Rh catalysts. Mechanistic studies indicate that α-C–H activation is the slowest transformation step within the overall process, owing to the exceptional C–H bond activation capability of the atomically dispersed catalyst; efficient α-C–H hydrogen–deuterium exchange is readily achieved. In addition, although catalyst recyclability is constrained by Rh aggregation, no Rh leaching is detected. This work provides a concise, operationally simple route to alkyl fully deuterated 3-phenylpropanoic acids (d₄-PA) and showcases the application of an atomically dispersed catalyst in tackling challenging deuterium-labeling transformations. Full article

Food packaging helps in labeling, transport, preservation, and the safety of food. Safety is especially critical in processing foods for vulnerable populations like infants/children, individuals with medical conditions, and older adults. These groups frequently rely on specialized nutrition products, including foods regulated in the United States (US) as infant formulas, medical foods, and foods for special dietary use (FSDU). As US states set post-consumer recycled (PCR) content mandates for product packaging, newer technologies like advanced recycling are essential to meet developing demands for recycled and sustainable packaging materials for specialized nutrition products. Also, advanced recycling must be fully supported in sustainability policies to ensure an adequate and safe recycled packaging supply. However, these urgent needs may not be well-recognized or understood. A literature search to identify scientific publications produced during the last 25 years found few papers specific to the packaging of specialized nutrition products and advanced recycling. Understanding emerging trends in safe food packaging materials, recycling, and sustainability policies is essential for maintaining access to specialized nutrition products in the US. This Perspective makes the case for advanced recycling as a path to safe, more sustainable food packaging for US specialized nutrition products and describes opportunities for strengthening the advanced recycling policy framework. Full article

As the automotive industry increasingly relies on plastic components to meet fuel efficiency and emissions targets, the challenge of managing end-of-life vehicle (ELV) plastics continues to grow. Currently, more than 80% of ELV plastics in the U.S. are landfilled due to limited economic incentives and technical barriers to recycling. This study examines a mechanical recycling pathway for thermoplastic components disassembled from ELVs and assesses their usability for reintegration into new vehicle parts. Four representative materials were chosen based on material labels embedded in recovered parts and aligned with their virgin industrial equivalents: polypropylene (PP), 10% talc-filled PP (PP-T10), 20% talc-filled PP (PP-T20), and a 20% glass-/mineral-filled polyamide (PA6 + GF7 + MF13). The materials underwent shredding, drying, and injection molding before being characterized by particle size analysis, density measurement, thermal analysis (TGA, DSC), mechanical testing, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) evaluation. The results in this work indicated that minor differences in crystallinity were observed and small differences between model materials and ELV materials could have contributed to these changes. Mechanical testing revealed that neat polypropylene suffered a 15–20% reduction in stiffness and tensile strength, but talc-filled polypropylene and glass/mineral-filled nylon retained >90% of their modulus, strength, and heat deflection temperature values relative to virgin controls. Differences between virgin and ELV materials could have been attributed to use life degradation, contamination during use life, or even chemical/processing differences in model materials and ELV materials. However, these findings suggest that mechanically recycled, disassembled ELV plastics can retain sufficient structural performance to support circularity efforts in the automotive sector. Full article

Consumers are increasingly willing to choose more sustainable products, driven by affordability and sustainability considerations. However, they often face difficulties in understanding the multitude of product certifications and identifying “greenwashing” marketing claims. This highlights the need for a clear and harmonized sustainability scoring system that allows consumers to benchmark products. Sustainability encompasses three key pillars: environmental, social, and economic. Accurately scoring a product’s sustainability requires addressing a wide range of criteria within these pillars, introducing significant complexity. This study proposes a multicriteria methodology for scoring the sustainability of apparel products into an A to E label. The approach combines a life cycle assessment covering environmental impacts from “farm-to-gate”, with a social evaluation based on country-level social key performance indicators (KPIs) and factory-specific data aligned with the International Labour Organization (ILO). Additionally, the sustainability score incorporates the impact of product durability, as longer-lasting products can reduce environmental footprint and costs for consumers. The methodology is defined and validated through a case study of a white T-shirt produced with 50% recycled cotton and 50% organic cotton. The results demonstrate the comprehensive assessment of the T-shirt’s environmental and social impacts, providing a detailed sustainability score, highlighting the role of recyclability. This comprehensive sustainability scoring system aims to provide consumers with a clear, harmonized, and reliable assessment of product sustainability, empowering everyone to make informed purchasing decisions aligned with their values. It will also enable brands and retailers to calculate the sustainability score of their products, including in the scope of digital product passport, provided they can ensure traceability and transparency along the supply chain. Full article

The outlook for biobased plastics in packaging applications is increasingly promising, driven by a combination of environmental advantages, technological innovation, and shifting market dynamics. Derived from renewable biological resources, these materials offer compelling benefits over conventional fossil-based plastics. They can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are often recyclable or biodegradable, and, in some cases, require less energy to produce. These characteristics position biobased plastics as a key solution to urgent environmental challenges, particularly those related to climate change and resource scarcity. Biobased plastics also demonstrate remarkable versatility. Their applications range from high-performance barrier layers in multilayer packaging to thermoformed containers, textile fibers, and lightweight plastic bags. Notably, all major fossil-based packaging applications can be substituted with biobased alternatives. This adaptability enhances their commercial viability across diverse sectors, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agriculture, textiles, and consumer goods. Several factors are accelerating growth in this sector. These include the increasing urgency of climate action, the innovation potential of biobased materials, and expanding government support through funding and regulatory initiatives. At the same time, consumer demand is shifting toward sustainable products, and companies are aligning their strategies with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals—further boosting market momentum. However, significant challenges remain. High production costs, limited economies of scale, and the capital-intensive nature of scaling biobased processes present economic hurdles. The absence of harmonized policies and standards across regions, along with underdeveloped end-of-life infrastructure, impedes effective waste management and recycling. Additionally, consumer confusion around the disposal of biobased plastics—particularly those labeled as biodegradable or compostable—can lead to contamination in recycling streams. Overcoming these barriers will require a coordinated, multifaceted approach. Key actions include investing in infrastructure, advancing technological innovation, supporting research and development, and establishing clear, consistent regulatory frameworks. Public procurement policies, eco-labeling schemes, and incentives for low-carbon products can also play a pivotal role in accelerating adoption. With the right support mechanisms in place, biobased plastics have the potential to become a cornerstone of a sustainable, circular economy. Full article

The increasing environmental concerns of plastic waste have encouraged more interest in environmentally friendly packaging, but consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for green alternatives in emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia is not fully explored. This research explores the relationship between awareness of sustainability and price sensitivity in determining WTP for green packaging in the Saudi retail market. The study utilizing a mixed method included both a Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) and a Discrete Choice Modeling (DCM). In it, data was gathered and analyzed using a sample of 424 urban consumers in Saudi Arabia’s major cities. The findings of OLS regression indicated awareness of sustainability had a significant, positive effect on WTP, whereas price sensitivity had a negative effect. There was a marginal interaction effect indicating that awareness could overcome price aversion. Logistic regression supported awareness as a dominant factor in binary product choice, although price sensitivity was not significant in the said model. The multinomial logit model also showed that the type of package, environmental labels (more so the “100% recyclable” type), and price had significant effects on consumer preferences. These results indicate that there is acceptance of sustainable packaging by consumers in Saudi Arabia if the product is communicated effectively and priced competitively. Full article

Endocytosis in filamentous fungi is spatially restricted to a subapical zone known as the endocytic collar, which plays essential roles in membrane recycling and the maintenance of polarized growth. In this study, we investigated the ontogeny of the endocytic collar in Neurospora crassa by tracking fimbrin-labeled endocytic patches using confocal microscopy during conidial germination, hyphal branching, and regeneration following mechanical injury. We consistently observed an initial accumulation of endocytic patches at the hyphal tip, forming an apical cap, which later reorganized into a subapical collar. This transition was correlated with a significant increase in elongation rate and the appearance of a Spitzenkörper, indicating a link between exocytosis and collar positioning. Although this correlation is robust, our data do not establish causality; rather, collar formation appears to occur after surpassing a critical elongation. Our findings suggest that exocytosis displaces endocytosis from the apex, resulting in the formation of the collar, which is not required for the establishment of polarized growth but is essential for its maintenance. These results support the development of a unified model of collar formation in filamentous fungi and provide new insight into the spatial coordination between endocytic and exocytic processes during hyphal development. Full article