Search Results (1,814)

This study innovatively integrates ball-milled manganese dioxide nanozyme (MDMP) with the Streptomyces rochei ZY-2 inoculant in aerobic rice straw composting. The ZY-2 inoculant efficiently degrades the three major components to generate humus precursors such as phenols and quinones, while the MnO₂ nanozyme accelerates precursor polymerization into stable humic acid (HA) via oxygen vacancy-mediated catalytic activity. Simultaneously, this combination regulates microbial communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The results show that the co-treatment group (ZY-2+ MnO₂ nanozyme) had an increased HA content by 30.8%, raised HA/FA ratio by 31.6%, and degradation rates of 30.75%, 31.39%, and 16.74% for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, respectively. Additionally, cumulative emissions of CH₄, N₂O, and NH₃ were significantly reduced by 35.22%, 28.23%, and 25.67% compared to the control, attributed to the MnO₂ nanozyme’s inhibition of methanogens, enhanced nitrogen fixation, and ZY-2-driven microbial metabolic optimization. This study proposes a dual-effect strategy of “enhanced humification-synergistic greenhouse gas mitigation” for agricultural waste recycling, demonstrating significant practical value. Full article

The primary aim of this paper is to survey the literature’s coverage of integrating circular economy practices with renewable energy sources in the manufacturing sector. A systematic review of 107 peer-reviewed articles published between 2018 and 2023 in journals within the Web of Science and Scopus databases was conducted. The review documented CE and RE applications in emerging economies across Africa, Asia, and South America, assessing the overall characteristics of the research, its methodological rigour, and the barriers to or facilitators of CE and RE integration. Integration refers to the implementation of at least one CE practice, as well as one or more RE sources, in a single context, like manufacturing. A total of 14 practices were included in this analysis because they were mentioned at least 10 times by varying authors. The practice list includes recycling (mentioned in 74 articles), reducing materials (57), remanufacturing (53), the reuse of materials (51), waste minimisation (48), renewable energy use (43), consumer awareness (38), repurposing (35), refuse (33), education and training (28), environmentally friendly design (22), environmental criteria for supplier selection (17), reverse logistics (16), and stakeholder collaboration (14). Recycling, life cycle assessment, and end-of-life management were the most common CE practices in the literature. Additionally, solar power and bioenergy emerged as the most frequently recurring areas of integration for CE practices within the RE realms. Governmental support, incentives, research and development, and strong environmental legislation were found to be the most frequently recurring facilitators of effective CE and RE integration. Organisational resistance, bureaucratic red tape, lack of human capital, limited stakeholder involvement, and insufficient collaboration were found to be important barriers to effective integration between CE and RE. Full article

The practical application of powdered photocatalysts is significantly hindered by challenges in recyclability and structural instability. This work proposes a sustainable immobilization strategy by integrating BiVO₄ nanoparticles into a sodium alginate (SA) aerogel scaffold through a facile freeze-drying approach. The abundant hydroxyl/carboxyl groups of SA enable uniform dispersion of BiVO₄ within the porous network, while the aerogel architecture enhances light-harvesting efficiency and mass transfer kinetics. Innovatively, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was introduced to synergistically couple photocatalysis with sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs), where the photogenerated electrons from BiVO₄ effectively activate PMS to yield high-activity ·SO₄⁻ radicals. The optimized BiVO₄/SA aerogel achieves nearly complete removal of Rhodamine B within 2 h under visible light, which is competitive to pure BiVO₄ powders. In addition, the mechanically robust aerogel exhibits exceptional reusability, retaining ~90% efficiency after five cycles without structural collapse. This work provides a paradigm for designing recyclable photocatalyst carriers with dual oxidation pathways, demonstrating significant potential for industrial wastewater treatment. Full article

Nowadays, stricter control and rigorous landfill standards are being promoted in industries that produce liquid discharges into the environment. The development of innovative and sustainable technologies to remove lead from water is of great importance in all aspects, with safe recycling practices, especially with high lead concentrations, such as in mining activities. The experiment was conducted at a reverse osmosis (RO) pilot plant, operated at low impact pressures and designed to optimize energy savings without compromising separation efficiency. By reducing energy consumption, the process not only lowers operational costs but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with high energy consumption. The results show that RO operated at low pressures successfully removed 99.75% of lead at a pressure of 10 bar and a flux of 67.44 L/m²·h, demonstrating a practical and sustainable solution for lead removal at pressures of 5, 7.5, and 10 bar, which are considered low pressures since they are below 1.0 MPa. In addition to its high removal efficiency, the process offers significant advantages in terms of energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint. Enhancing the efficiency of this technology is crucial, not only to decrease operational costs but also to reduce environmental impact. Full article

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are made up of precious metals, e.g., gallium. These elements can be recovered and reused, reducing the need for new raw materials. Proper recycling prevents harmful substances in LEDs, such as lead and arsenic, from contaminating the environment. Recycling LEDs uses less energy compared to producing new ones, leading to lower carbon emissions. The valuable metal gallium faces the challenge of supply and demand due to the surge in its demand, the difficulty of separating it from minerals, and processing issues during extraction. In this review, we describe the methods for recycling gallium from LEDs by using different techniques such as pyrolysis (95% recovery), oxalic acid leaching (83.2% recovery), HCL acid leaching of coal fly ash (90–95% recovery), subcritical water treatment (80.5% recovery), supercritical ethanol (93.10% recovery), oxidation and subsequent leaching (91.4% recovery), and vacuum metallurgy separation (90% recovery). Based on our analysis, hydrometallurgy is the best approach for recovering gallium. It is reported that approximately 5% of the waste from LEDs is adequately recycled, whereas the total gallium potential wasted throughout production is over 93%. By recycling LEDs, we can minimize waste, conserve resources, and promote sustainable practices. Thus, recycling LEDs is essential for strengthening a circular economy. Full article

The shift towards renewable energy has highlighted the importance of sustainable practices in wind power development, particularly concerning the end-of-life (EoL) management of wind turbine blades. Conventional blades made from thermoset resins present significant recycling challenges due to their cross-linked structure, which often leads to landfill disposal or energy-intensive recycling processes. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of 45 m wind turbine blades using the Eco Audit approach across four primary life cycle stages: material production, manufacturing, transportation, and operation and maintenance. Six blade models with different fiber and resin configurations are assessed, focusing on a comparison between conventional thermoset resins and Elium, a newly developed liquid thermoplastic resin by Arkema. Elium offers promising recyclability options, including mechanical and chemical processes, which could substantially lower the environmental burden. Compared to composites made with thermoset resins, Elium-based blades demonstrate up to a 22.5% reduction in embodied energy and a 16% decrease in carbon footprint. Additionally, Elium’s compatibility with existing manufacturing processes, room-temperature curing capability, and lower processing energy contribute to its industrial feasibility. Notably, the analysis reveals that the material production phase significantly contributes to the total environmental impact, accounting for up to 98% of the embodied energy and carbon footprint in certain blade models, underscoring the importance of selecting a more sustainable resin, such as Elium, from the outset to reduce the overall environmental load. Full article

Digital platforms in fashion e-commerce are progressively shaping sustainable consumption practices. This research explores the interplay between consumer behaviors toward recycled and second-hand fashion, and the adoption of digital platform-driven innovations. The analysis is based on a structured questionnaire and an online survey of 1000 consumers conducted in 2025, employing a combination of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including both cluster and factor analysis. The findings suggests that demographic factors—particularly age, education, and gender—significantly shape consumer attitudes toward digital innovations in fashion e-commerce apps. The analysis also confirms that the perceived effectiveness of AI and AR tools is significantly correlated with an increased interest in circular fashion options, including second-hand marketplaces and recycled clothing. The study emphasizes the strategic importance of platform features in fostering conscious fashion choices, thereby offering practical insights for retailers aiming to harmonize technological innovation with sustainability goals. Full article

Determining the amount of biowaste generated, separated, and recycled at source in households (BHrecycled) is crucial for assessing its potential inclusion in the total mass of waste prepared for reuse and recycling on the country level. Although the EU has introduced standardized rules for BHrecycled measurement, it is still a major challenge. This study, the first to be conducted on a large scale in Poland and the EU countries, aimed to determine the actual mass of BHrecycled (kitchen waste (B_K) per capita per year (kg/(capita·year)) and garden waste (B_G) per square meter of green area (kg/(m²·year)) in 1150 households that use an active composting unit located in more than 400 municipalities in all the voivodeships in Poland. Each municipality is characterized by individual MSW generation (MSW_G) values (the amount of waste generated per capita per year). The MSW_G values of the municipality where the household was located were used to group the data of B_K and B_G. In Poland, the average masses of B_K and B_G remained within the ranges of 81.02–107.49 kg/(capita·year) and 1.02–2.87 kg/(m²·year), respectively, across the MSW_G value. However, there was no clear statistical relationship between the MSW_G value and B_K or B_G. The average masses of B_K and B_G were ca. 97 kg/(capita·year) and ca. 2 kg/(m²·year). These results enable the determination of the total amount of BHrecycled in Poland. By incorporating these findings into waste management, strategies, monitoring, and reporting practices can be improved. Moreover, it promotes compliance with the EU recycling targets. Full article

This qualitative case study explores how preschool teachers enact inclusive pedagogical practices by integrating tangible technologies, low-tech, and no-tech tools within an inquiry-based learning framework. Focusing on teacher decision-making and children’s multimodal engagement, the study examines two questions: (1) How do early childhood teachers use a range of tools to support inclusive, inquiry-driven learning? and (2) How do children engage with these tools to communicate, collaborate, and construct knowledge? Drawing on classroom observations, teacher-created storyboards, child artifacts, and educator reflections, findings illustrate how programmable robots, recycled materials, and hands-on resources support accessibility and creative expression for diverse learners. Children used alternative modalities such as coding, drawing, building, and storytelling to represent their ideas and engage in problem-solving across a range of developmental and linguistic needs. Teachers are positioned as pedagogical designers who scaffold inclusive participation through flexible environments, intentional provocations, and responsive guidance. Rather than treating technology as a standalone innovation, the study emphasizes how its integration, when grounded in play, inquiry, and real-world relevance, can promote equity and engagement. These findings contribute to research on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), early STEM education, and inclusive instructional design in early childhood classrooms. Full article

To meet the demand for sustainable pavement infrastructure, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has become a key strategy to enhance material circularity. This study investigates the coupled mobilization and blending behaviors between virgin and aged asphalt mastic in RAP systems. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to quantify the mobilization rate (MR) of aged mastic on RAP aggregate surfaces using the Composite Aging Index (CAI). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fluorescence Microscopy (FM), combined with digital image analysis, were employed to assess the blending interface and quantify the degree of blending (DoB). A 3D model was developed to describe the nonlinear relationship between MR and DoB. The results show that regeneration is dominated by physical diffusion, while mixing temperature has a stronger effect on MR than time. The binder interface displays a smooth transition, whereas the mastic interface exhibits a gear-like structure. DoB in the binder system is higher than that in the mastic system under the same condition, with early-stage temperature elevation playing a key role. Even near 100%, MR does not lead to full blending due to interfacial saturation. These insights are valuable for guiding the design of RAP and optimizing mixing conditions to enhance recycling efficiency in practical applications. Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, has emerged as a transformative technology across various industries due to its potential for design flexibility, material efficiency, and reduced production lead times. As global attention increasingly shifts toward environmental sustainability, there is a growing need to evaluate the ecological implications and opportunities associated with AM. This comprehensive review explores the current state of sustainable and green additive manufacturing (SGAM) technologies and practices, highlighting innovations that reduce energy consumption, minimize material waste, and incorporate renewable or recyclable materials. This study focuses on the utilization of recyclable thermoplastics combined with biodegradable polymers, exploring sustainable source materials, cold fabrication techniques, and cyclic lifecycle strategies integrated with renewable energy systems. Despite its potential, SGAM faces key challenges such as material compatibility, scalability of manufacturing processes, mechanical property optimization, and the need for standardized production protocols. Nevertheless, this work finds that SGAM devices are effective in minimizing environmental impact across the entire manufacturing process, aligning with predominant research trends that emphasize strategic predictive models to guide future developments in AM system implementation. The review concludes with future directions and research opportunities to enhance the environmental performance of AM technologies, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing landscape. Full article

Sustainable transport infrastructure, highlighted in Agenda 21, Rio+20, and the 2030 Agenda, promotes resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Integrating circular economy principles into road construction supports these goals. However, limited material traceability and insufficient lifecycle information hinder the effective adoption of circular practices in the sector. Material passports have emerged as an enabling tool to address this gap by systematically documenting detailed data on material composition, environmental impact, lifecycle history, and potential for reuse or recycling. Despite growing adoption in the building sector, their application in road infrastructure remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to develop a material passport framework tailored for road pavements to enhance circularity and promote sustainable material management. A two-phase research method was used; first, a structured desk review identified relevant attributes; second, these attributes were categorized into six key domains and organized across three hierarchical levels: product, layer, and material to reflect pavement system complexity. The proposed framework enables multi-level documentation. Thus, the outcome of this study majorly contributes to advancing circular economy practices and the achievement of sustainable development goals by promoting resource efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and responsible material use across the pavement lifecycle. Full article

Climate changes have increased interest in the circular economy, an alternative model that seeks to minimize environmental impact and maximize resource reuse. A key element of this model is individuals’ behaviors and attitudes, which determine the overall efficiency of recycling processes. The study fills the gap by investigating how selected socio-demographic factors affect attitudes and intentions toward recycling and material reuse in the Slovak Republic, by using the Perceived Characteristics of Innovating (PCI) framework. Through a two-way ANOVA, we tested the hypotheses that higher education correlates with stronger recycling attitudes and that women are more willing than men to engage in circular practices. The results show that gender differences in consumer attitudes towards the circular economy do occur, but their magnitude is often conditioned by education level. Education proved to be the strongest predictor of ecological behavior: respondents with higher education reported stronger beliefs in the importance of recycling and a greater willingness to act sustainably. The interaction between gender and education revealed that university-educated women hold the most pronounced pro-environmental attitudes, underscoring the importance of gender-sensitive educational strategies. It is recommended that environmental education and outreach focus on less-educated groups, particularly women, who have high potential to influence their communities. Full article

This study evaluates the effectiveness of various rejuvenating oils, including soybean oil (N-oil), waste frying oil (F-oil), byproduct oil (W-oil), and aromatic hydrocarbon oil (A-oil), in restoring aged asphalt coatings by reducing asphaltene flocculation and improving colloidal stability. The rejuvenators were incorporated into aged asphalt binder via direct mixing at controlled dosages. Their effects were assessed using microscopy, droplet diffusion analysis, rheological testing (DSR and BBR), and molecular dynamics simulations. The aim is to compare the compatibility, solubility behavior, and rejuvenation potential of plant-based and mineral-based oils. The results indicate that N-oil and F-oil promote asphaltene aggregation, which supports structural rebuilding. In contrast, A-oil and W-oil act as solvents that disperse asphaltenes. Among the tested oils, N-oil exhibited the best overall performance in enhancing flowability, low-temperature flexibility, and chemical compatibility. This study presents a novel method to evaluate rejuvenator effectiveness by quantifying colloidal stability through grayscale analysis of droplet diffusion patterns. This integrated approach offers both mechanistic insights and practical guidance for selecting bio-based rejuvenators in asphalt recycling. Full article

An important task for the European Union is to transpose agreements and international standards in regulation and directives that are binding on member states. The resultant European action plans and directives identify priority areas in the building and energy sectors where circular economy principles can be applied. Italy records a general circular materials rate of 20.8%, surpassing the mean European value. But low recycling rates are still registered in the construction sector. This paper aims to assess the position of Italy with respect to the European regulatory framework on circularity in the energy transition of buildings. Firstly, the government’s initiatives and technical standards are introduced and commented upon. Secondly, the study illustrates the current Italian platforms, networks, and public and private initiatives highlighting opportunities and obstacles that the energy sector has to overcome in the area of circularity. It emerges that Italian policies still use voluntary tools that are not sufficiently in line with an effective circular economy model. Moreover, data collection plays a crucial role in accelerating the implementation of future actions. Italy should consider the foundation of a National Observatory for the Circular Economy to elaborate European directives, harmonize regional policies, and promote the implementation of effective practices. Full article