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Keywords = household end-of-life materials

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33 pages, 1600 KiB  
Review
Utilisation of Different Types of Glass Waste as Pozzolanic Additive or Aggregate in Construction Materials
by Karolina Bekerė and Jurgita Malaiškienė
Processes 2025, 13(5), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13051613 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 871
Abstract
Unprocessed glass waste is commonly disposed of in landfills, posing a significant environmental threat worldwide due to its non-biodegradable nature and long decomposition period. The volume of this waste continues to increase annually, driven by increasing consumption of electronic and household devices, as [...] Read more.
Unprocessed glass waste is commonly disposed of in landfills, posing a significant environmental threat worldwide due to its non-biodegradable nature and long decomposition period. The volume of this waste continues to increase annually, driven by increasing consumption of electronic and household devices, as well as the growing popularity and end-of-life disposal of solar panels and other glass products. Therefore, to promote the development of the circular economy and the principles of sustainability, it is necessary to address the problem of reusing this waste. This review article examines the chemical and physical properties of various types of glass waste, including window glass, bottles, solar panels, and glass recovered from discarded electronic and household appliances. It was determined that the most promising and applicable reuse, which does not require high energy consumption, could be in the manufacture of concrete, which is the most developed construction material worldwide. Glass waste can be incorporated into concrete in three different particle sizes according to their function: (a) cement-sized particles, used as a partial binder replacement; (b) sand-sized particles, replacing fine aggregate; and (c) coarse aggregate-sized particles, substituting natural coarse aggregate either partially or fully. The article analyses the impact of glass waste on the properties of concrete or binder, presents controversial results, and provides recommendations for future research. In addition, the advantages and challenges of incorporating glass waste in ceramics and asphalt concrete are highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Chemistry: From Wastes to Value-Added Products (2nd Edition))
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12 pages, 1494 KiB  
Article
Chitin Extracted from Black Soldier Fly Larvae at Different Growth Stages
by Andrea Marangon, Geo Paul, Riccardo Zaghi, Leonardo Marchese and Giorgio Gatti
Polymers 2024, 16(20), 2861; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202861 - 10 Oct 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2420
Abstract
The black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia Illucens can grow rapidly and on a wide variety of organic materials, and it is extensively used as a means of disposing of household organic waste. Different phases of the life cycle of BSF larvae (BSFL) are [...] Read more.
The black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia Illucens can grow rapidly and on a wide variety of organic materials, and it is extensively used as a means of disposing of household organic waste. Different phases of the life cycle of BSF larvae (BSFL) are used in this work to extract chitin after the removal of lipids, mineral salts, and proteins. Multiple techniques, such as X-ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C ss-NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis, are used to investigate the chemical and physical characteristics of the extracted samples of chitin, which shows a high degree of acetylation (from 78% to 94%). The extracted chitin shows an increase of the thermal stability of 20 °C in the initial stage of life and 35 °C at the end of the life cycle if compared with a commercial standard. Moreover, the extracted chitin shows an increase in the crystallinity degree during the BSFL growth time (from 72% to 78%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polysaccharides: Chitosan, Chitin, Pectin and Gums)
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18 pages, 4897 KiB  
Review
Application of Waste Tire in Construction: A Road towards Sustainability and Circular Economy
by Mohammad R. Hassan and Denis Rodrigue
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3852; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093852 - 3 May 2024
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5060
Abstract
The global demand for rubber is on a steady rise, which is driven by the increasing production of automobiles and the growing need for industrial, medical, and household products. This surge in demand has led to a significant increase in rubber waste, posing [...] Read more.
The global demand for rubber is on a steady rise, which is driven by the increasing production of automobiles and the growing need for industrial, medical, and household products. This surge in demand has led to a significant increase in rubber waste, posing a major global environmental challenge. End-of-life tire (ELT) is a primary source of rubber waste, having significant environmental hazards due to its massive stockpiles. While landfilling is a low-cost and easy-to-implement solution, it is now largely prohibited due to environmental concerns. Recently, ELT rubber waste has received considerable attention for its potential applications in civil engineering and construction. These applications not only enhance sustainability but also foster a circular economy between ELT rubber waste with the civil engineering and construction sectors. This review article presents a general overview of the recent research progress and challenges in the civil engineering applications of ELT rubber waste. It also discusses commercially available recycled rubber-based construction materials, their properties, testing standards, and certification. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time such a discussion on commercial products has been presented, especially for civil engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy in the Construction Sector)
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19 pages, 3139 KiB  
Article
Evolution of the Payback Period for Energy-Efficient Residential Buildings in Romania in the Last Decade
by Szilárd Karda, Tamás Nagy-György and Iosif Boros
Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8986; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118986 - 2 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3701
Abstract
The European Union set ambitious targets to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and one of the measures taken towards this goal was the implementation of nearly Zero-Energy Buildings. Despite the commitments of the EU member states, many householders and investors had a disposition [...] Read more.
The European Union set ambitious targets to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and one of the measures taken towards this goal was the implementation of nearly Zero-Energy Buildings. Despite the commitments of the EU member states, many householders and investors had a disposition to incredulity regarding the energy efficiency of the buildings due to the higher cost of the investment and the relatively long payback time. However, at the end of 2021, the energy crisis significantly rewrote the circumstances, and energy prices and the costs of construction materials began to rise. In this situation, it was necessary to reconsider the importance of energy efficiency for buildings due to the maintenance costs. This article aims to assess changes in payback periods over the past 13 years and conduct life cycle cost evaluations by comparing energy-efficient residential buildings with traditional houses. The analysis considers variations in construction materials and labor costs in Romania, as well as energy price changes during the building’s operational phase. Through these methodologies, it has been demonstrated that the implementation of energy-efficient buildings offers a cost-effective solution already in the medium term, providing incentives for investors and future houseowners to reduce their dependence on energy and pursue long-term decarbonization. Full article
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43 pages, 2629 KiB  
Review
Sustainable and Bio-Based Food Packaging: A Review on Past and Current Design Innovations
by Florencia Versino, Florencia Ortega, Yuliana Monroy, Sandra Rivero, Olivia Valeria López and María Alejandra García
Foods 2023, 12(5), 1057; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12051057 - 2 Mar 2023
Cited by 210 | Viewed by 90585
Abstract
Food loss and waste occur for many reasons, from crop processing to household leftovers. Even though some waste generation is unavoidable, a considerable amount is due to supply chain inefficiencies and damage during transport and handling. Packaging design and materials innovations represent real [...] Read more.
Food loss and waste occur for many reasons, from crop processing to household leftovers. Even though some waste generation is unavoidable, a considerable amount is due to supply chain inefficiencies and damage during transport and handling. Packaging design and materials innovations represent real opportunities to reduce food waste within the supply chain. Besides, changes in people’s lifestyles have increased the demand for high-quality, fresh, minimally processed, and ready-to-eat food products with extended shelf-life, that need to meet strict and constantly renewed food safety regulations. In this regard, accurate monitoring of food quality and spoilage is necessary to diminish both health hazards and food waste. Thus, this work provides an overview of the most recent advances in the investigation and development of food packaging materials and design with the aim to improve food chain sustainability. Enhanced barrier and surface properties as well as active materials for food conservation are reviewed. Likewise, the function, importance, current availability, and future trends of intelligent and smart packaging systems are presented, especially considering biobased sensor development by 3D printing technology. In addition, driving factors affecting fully biobased packaging design and materials development and production are discussed, considering byproducts and waste minimization and revalorization, recyclability, biodegradability, and other possible ends-of-life and their impact on product/package system sustainability. Full article
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13 pages, 4770 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Household Water Supply: A Case Study Considering Consumption Patterns within a Life-Cycle Perspective
by Valentina Zúñiga, Sofía Leiva, Cristian Riquelme, Gloria Gómez, Gladys Vidal and Patricio Neumann
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 1946; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031946 - 19 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4149
Abstract
Household water supply can cause different environmental impacts associated with the consumption of energy and materials, the generation of waste, and other inputs and outputs necessary to treat and distribute water. These impacts depend on the population’s consumption patterns, due to the potential [...] Read more.
Household water supply can cause different environmental impacts associated with the consumption of energy and materials, the generation of waste, and other inputs and outputs necessary to treat and distribute water. These impacts depend on the population’s consumption patterns, due to the potential availability of different water sources. In this work, the environmental impacts of water supply were evaluated from a production-consumption perspective, integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) and a survey for determining the end uses and sources of water at household level. The proposed method was applied in the city of Chillán (Chile), where three main sources exist: tap, bottled, and well water. Two household profiles were evaluated, differentiated by the presence of wells within the household. The results show that bottled water generates impacts up to three orders of magnitude greater than the other sources. Although it is the source with the lowest volumetric contribution (<1%), it accounts for 39–92% of the household impacts. Households with well access present greater per capita consumption of water, mainly associated with outdoor activities, but the environmental impacts are similar between profiles. Overall, this study demonstrates the importance of integrating a consumption perspective into LCA studies, generating better information for decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)
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14 pages, 3024 KiB  
Article
Recycling and Material Flow Analysis of End-of-Life Fluorescent Lamps in South Korea
by Yong-Chul Jang, Kyunghoon Choi, Youngsun Kwon, Hakyun Song and Hyunhee Kim
Energies 2022, 15(23), 8825; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15238825 - 23 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3827
Abstract
Proper management and treatment of end-of-life fluorescent lamps with a toxic metal of mercury has attracted critical concern in the solid waste community. In this study, material flow analysis (MFA) and substance flow of mercury were performed on the lamps by life cycle [...] Read more.
Proper management and treatment of end-of-life fluorescent lamps with a toxic metal of mercury has attracted critical concern in the solid waste community. In this study, material flow analysis (MFA) and substance flow of mercury were performed on the lamps by life cycle in South Korea. It was found that, in 2020, approximately 2957 tons (or 27.9 million units) of end-of-life fluorescent lamps from households were collected and recycled by the recycling facilities in South Korea. Approximately 278 kg of mercury was recovered from the lamps and treated at the hazardous incineration facilities. Based on the results of dynamic flow analysis, the amount of fluorescent lamps to be retried is expected to continually decrease to be about 14.2 million units, which is estimated to be 23 kg of mercury. However, continued collection efforts on end-of-life fluorescent lamps owing to increasing demands for light-emitting diode lamps should be made from the perspectives of proper treatment of mercury as well as resource recovery. More detailed studies on other mercury-containing lamps (e.g., metal halogen lamps, high-pressure mercury lamps, and high-pressure sodium lamps) are warranted to determine mercury flows in waste streams for proper collection and treatment upon disposal. Full article
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19 pages, 722 KiB  
Review
Potential Uses of Spent Coffee Grounds in the Food Industry
by Adriana S. Franca and Leandro S. Oliveira
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142064 - 12 Jul 2022
Cited by 68 | Viewed by 22872
Abstract
Current estimates place the amount of spent coffee grounds annually generated worldwide in the 6 million ton figure, with the sources of spent coffee grounds being classified as domestic (i.e., household), commercial (i.e., coffee houses, cafeterias and restaurants), and industrial (i.e., soluble and [...] Read more.
Current estimates place the amount of spent coffee grounds annually generated worldwide in the 6 million ton figure, with the sources of spent coffee grounds being classified as domestic (i.e., household), commercial (i.e., coffee houses, cafeterias and restaurants), and industrial (i.e., soluble and instant coffee industries). The majority of the produced spent coffee grounds are currently being inappropriately destined for landfills or to a form of energy recovery (e.g., incineration) as a refuse-derived fuel. The disposal of spent coffee in landfills allows for its anaerobic degradation with consequent generation and emission of aggressive greenhouse gases such as methane and CO2, and energy recovery processes must be considered an end-of-life stage in the lifecycle of spent coffee grounds, as a way of delaying CO2 emissions and of avoiding emissions of toxic organic volatile compounds generated during combustion of this type of waste. Aside from these environmental issues, an aspect that should be considered is the inappropriate disposal of a product (SCG) that presents unique thermo-mechanical properties and textural characteristics and that is rich in a diversity of classes of compounds, such as polysaccharides, proteins, phenolics, lipids and alkaloids, which could be recovered and used in a diversity of applications, including food-related ones. Therefore, researchers worldwide are invested in studying a variety of possible applications for spent coffee grounds and products thereof, including (but not limited to) biofuels, catalysts, cosmetics, composite materials, feed and food ingredients. Hence, the aim of this essay was to present a comprehensive review of the recent literature on the proposals for utilization of spent coffee grounds in food-related applications, with focus on chemical composition of spent coffee, recovery of bioactive compounds, use as food ingredients and as components in the manufacture of composite materials that can be used in food applications, such as packaging. Full article
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19 pages, 2464 KiB  
Article
Sound Absorbing and Insulating Low-Cost Panels from End-of-Life Household Materials for the Development of Vulnerable Contexts in Circular Economy Perspective
by Manuela Neri, Elisa Levi, Eva Cuerva, Francesc Pardo-Bosch, Alfredo Guardo Zabaleta and Pablo Pujadas
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(12), 5372; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11125372 - 9 Jun 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5364
Abstract
From a construction point of view, neighborhoods with residents living at or below the poverty threshold are characterized by low energy efficiency buildings, in which people live in acoustic discomfort with no viable options for home improvements, as they usually can not afford [...] Read more.
From a construction point of view, neighborhoods with residents living at or below the poverty threshold are characterized by low energy efficiency buildings, in which people live in acoustic discomfort with no viable options for home improvements, as they usually can not afford the materials and labor costs associated. An alternative to this is to use low-cost insulating elements made of non-conventional materials with acceptable acoustic properties. Given that household materials at their end-of-life (EoLHM) are free of costs and available also to the more disadvantaged population, they can be used to build acoustic panels for such contexts. This approach embraces several benefits since it reduces the amount of waste produced, the footprint deriving from the extraction of new raw materials and, by highlighting the potential of the EoLHM, discourages the abandonment of waste. In this paper, the acoustic properties of EoLHM, such as cardboard, egg-cartons, clothes, metal elements and combinations of them, are investigated by means of the impedance tube technique. The measured sound absorption coefficient and transmission loss have shown that EoLHM can be used for the realization of acoustic panels. However, since none of the analyzed materials shows absorbing and insulating properties at the same time, EoLHM must be wisely selected. This innovative approach supports the circular economy and the improvement for the living condition of low-income households. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acoustic Properties of Absorbing Materials)
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21 pages, 1382 KiB  
Review
Conversion of End-of-Life Household Materials into Building Insulating Low-Cost Solutions for the Development of Vulnerable Contexts: Review and Outlook towards a Circular and Sustainable Economy
by Manuela Neri, Mariagrazia Pilotelli, Marco Traversi, Elisa Levi, Edoardo Alessio Piana, Mariasole Bannó, Eva Cuerva, Pablo Pujadas and Alfredo Guardo
Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4397; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084397 - 15 Apr 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5034
Abstract
In a world increasingly aware of the environmental cost of the current production/ consumption model, the use of sustainable practices to reduce our environmental impact as a society becomes imperative. One way to reduce this impact is to increase the reuse of materials [...] Read more.
In a world increasingly aware of the environmental cost of the current production/ consumption model, the use of sustainable practices to reduce our environmental impact as a society becomes imperative. One way to reduce this impact is to increase the reuse of materials that are considered, by current definitions of ”waste”, at their end of life. End-of-Life Household Materials (EoLHM) can be defined as household waste materials that still possess exploitable properties, thus making them suitable for reuse. There are several studies in the literature that address the recycling of these materials. When it comes to their reuse, unfortunately, only a limited number of studies are available. This paper aims to fill this gap by investigating the possibility to convert EoLHM, such as clothes or packaging, into low-cost thermal insulating materials for the improvement of the indoor thermal comfort in buildings, especially for households at risk of suffering from energy poverty. For this purpose, a comprehensive literature review and a qualitative analysis of both commercial and EoLHM are proposed. Commercial thermal insulating materials analysis is used as a reference to measure the performance of EoLHM. Important aspects to be considered when choosing suitable EoLHM for a smart conversion and reuse are also investigated. The most important outcome of this investigation is the comprehension that the conversion of EoLHM into insulating material is possible, and it implies a direct reduction in waste production, with environmental benefits and positive social implications. However, some aspects such as adaptability, life expectancy, collection and storage are, at present, in need of further thinking and development to make the EoLHM reuse and re-conversion processes viable on a large (neighborhood/city) scale. Full article
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19 pages, 1325 KiB  
Article
Decisions on Recycling or Waste: How Packaging Functions Affect the Fate of Used Packaging in Selected Swedish Households
by Helén Williams, Fredrik Wikström, Katarina Wetter-Edman and Per Kristensson
Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4794; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124794 - 15 Dec 2018
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 10098
Abstract
The intention of this paper is to learn more about why consumers choose whether or not to recycle, with special attention given to the functions of the packaging itself, in order to provide suggestions for improvements in packaging design, recycling systems and the [...] Read more.
The intention of this paper is to learn more about why consumers choose whether or not to recycle, with special attention given to the functions of the packaging itself, in order to provide suggestions for improvements in packaging design, recycling systems and the environmental assessment of different packaging designs. The study focussed on ten households in Sweden that where motivated to participate in the study in order to gain an understanding of the complex matter of this decision-making process. The intention of implementing an interview-based qualitative study was to gain rich data and to reach beyond the respondents’ immediate verbal responses. The respondents were interviewed with open-ended questions, which were supported with pictures of packaging; additionally, their waste bins were examined. This explorative study suggests a set of obstacles that cause consumers to dispose of packaging relating to the functions of packaging. The different obstacles that determine whether or not packaging is recycled were organised according to three different themes: the attitude towards cleanliness, the effort required to clean and sort and uncertainties about the best environmental alternative. The different functions of packaging do in fact influence all of the identified themes and; therefore, influence the decisions consumers make with regards to the recycling of specific packaging. The identified packaging functions were easy to separate different materials, easy to separate different parts, easy to clean, easy to empty, easy to reseal, easy to compress and communication regarding recycling. Consumer behaviour with regards to specific packaging functions and recycling should be further investigated. It should also be considered for inclusion in design processes, to increase the chance of materials being recycled, and in food-packaging life-cycle assessments, to provide results that align more closely with reality. Full article
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14 pages, 30875 KiB  
Article
Carbon Footprints of Urban Residential Buildings: A Household Survey-Based Approach
by Xiaomei Yan, Shenghui Cui, Lilai Xu, Jianyi Lin and Ghaffar Ali
Sustainability 2018, 10(4), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041131 - 10 Apr 2018
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6293
Abstract
With China’s rapid urbanization process, massive and extensive construction materials are aggregated as stock in urban areas. Understanding the carbon footprints of residential buildings is crucial for achieving the goal of low-carbon cities. In this study, to reveal the emission characteristics of residential [...] Read more.
With China’s rapid urbanization process, massive and extensive construction materials are aggregated as stock in urban areas. Understanding the carbon footprints of residential buildings is crucial for achieving the goal of low-carbon cities. In this study, to reveal the emission characteristics of residential buildings regarding carbon footprint, stratified random sampling was developed, and a face-to-face questionnaire was conducted, to obtain critical information on residential buildings and the socio-economic status of 1092 families from 46 communities in Xiamen City, China. The community buildings’ structures were identified, and carbon emissions from the residential buildings were quantified based on analysis of the entire building life cycle. The building life cycle can be divided into six stages: extraction and production; transportation; construction; operation; demolition; and recycling. The household carbon footprints ranged from 0.37 tCO2/year to 22.45 tCO2/year; the per capita carbon footprints ranged from 0.19 tCO2/year to 11.23 tCO2/year. Overall, for the 46 surveyed communities, the average household and per capita carbon footprints were 4.11 tCO2/year and 1.4 tCO2/year, respectively. The total carbon footprints of urban residential buildings were 4.86 MtCO2/year. Analysis of the extraction and production stage revealed that steel recycling could avoid almost 0.05 MtCO2/year. No significant correlations were found between energy use awareness and energy use. The findings can be used by Chinese energy policymakers to understand the views of various energy users, and to re-attune the efforts against these opinions and interests. However, we consider this study a start and not an end to the importance of gauging opinions on energy security from the population of energy users. Nonetheless, awareness campaigns through print and electronic media could be another tool for life cycle emissions reduction in building sector. Full article
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13 pages, 466 KiB  
Article
The Environmental Costs of Photovoltaic Power Plants in South Korea: A Choice Experiment Study
by Hee-Jong Yang, Seul-Ye Lim and Seung-Hoon Yoo
Sustainability 2017, 9(10), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101773 - 30 Sep 2017
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5927
Abstract
The photovoltaic (PV) power supplies renewable and sustainable electricity without greenhouse gases and air pollutants emissions. However, the potential environmental impacts caused by PV power plants can negatively affect both the ecosystem and human life. Thus, the environmental costs arising from the PV [...] Read more.
The photovoltaic (PV) power supplies renewable and sustainable electricity without greenhouse gases and air pollutants emissions. However, the potential environmental impacts caused by PV power plants can negatively affect both the ecosystem and human life. Thus, the environmental costs arising from the PV power plants should be measured and the efforts to reduce them should be made. To this end, this article seeks to assess the environmental costs of PV power plants using a choice experiment (CE). Four attributes chosen for this purpose are habitat loss, landscape destruction, hazardous materials, and light pollution. The trade-offs between each attribute and price were successfully assessed in the CE survey of 1000 South Korean respondents. The environmental costs of a one percentage point increase in habitat loss, landscape destruction, hazardous materials, and light pollution caused by PV power plants are estimated to be KRW 135 (USD 0.12), 53 (0.05), 122 (0.11), and 158 (0.14), respectively, per household per month. The findings can provide policymakers with useful information for both evaluating and planning the PV power plant-related policies. Full article
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