The pursuit of a circular economy in the meat production sector requires management of manure resources, which limits environmental contamination and maximizes fertilizing value. However, it is not known how easily identifiable farm characteristics may influence solid manure chemical properties, ostensibly leading to better standardization of manure management in the sector. In this study, we analysed cattle manure from 36 Spanish farms representing the most common productive models. Based on the categorizations of farm type (fattening and mixed), bedding type (straw, other, none) and farm size, our findings reveal significant variability in manure composition. N contents ranged from 0.35% to 3.87%, significantly influenced by farm type (p < 0.05), with fattening cattle manure having the greatest N contents. P and K contents were not affected by the studied categorical parameters, whereas P contents varied from 0.7% to 4.0%, and K contents varied from 0.28% to 3.2%, with the largest variabilities associated with farm size. Eight farms exceeded permitted limits for EU Fertilizing Products for Zn, but this could not be attributed to known farm characteristics. Also, one farm exceeded Ni limits, and one farm Hg limits. For use as fertilizer, the average estimated emissions avoidance from the manufacture of synthetic fertilizers was calculated to be 32.57 kg CO2eq tonne manure-1. Due to the high variability of manure properties based on the key farm characteristics, the results underscore the need for individual characterizations of manures by farmers or waste managers, or the identification and consideration of additional covariables influencing manure properties.
The EU’s Green Deal had an ambitious goal: to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Now, the Commission shifted its focus to instruments like the ‘Clean Industrial Deal’ and prioritizes the EU’s competitiveness: It proposes to drastically cut back core Green Deal instruments in the so-called ‘Omnibus Packages’. This blog post will concentrate on the changes proposed in the field of sustainability reporting in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and show why the Omnibus Packages now impose substantial uncertainty on companies.
Isabela Maganha, Ana Flávia Andrade Martins, Cíntia Cristiane Moreira
et al.
Food waste is a global problem with significant economic, human and environmental impacts. The sources of food waste are many: households, grocery stores, restaurants, food service companies, farms and manufacturers. In restaurants, food waste occurs at all stages, from sellers to consumers, making it a serious social, environmental and economic issue. This study investigates food waste resulting from overstocking in a restaurant specializing in Japanese cuisine in Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil using the case study methodology. The findings indicate that the most probable cause of food waste in the restaurant is inaccurate demand and sales forecasting, leading to an outdated production plan. To address the outdated production plan, the following actions are recommended: run informative campaigns, analyze portion and dish sizes, conduct periodic reviews of food quality, change the menu frequently, select an appropriated demand and sales forecasting technique, implement pre-ordering, engage in charity/donation, apply coercion, define standard procedures and train employees. This case study offers a unique perspective by focusing on the specific geographical context of Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil, providing insights into waste management in restaurants. The theoretical implications demonstrate how the research advances existing frameworks by integrating a regionally relevant and distinctive context. On the practical side, the findings provide actionable insights to help develop targeted policies and strategies that address the specific challenges and needs faced by managers of restaurants.
Triclosan, a widely used antimicrobial agent in water known for its adverse effects was treated with Fenton and Sono Fenton oxidation. This study investigates the extraction of iron from scrap metal utilising acid digestion techniques and explores the production of iron nanoparticles for use as catalysts in Fenton and Sono-Fenton oxidation processes to degrade. Iron nanoparticles (FeSNPs) were synthesised using Mangifera indica plant extracts and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron diffusion spectroscopic spectrophotometry. Fenton and Sono-Fenton oxidation experiments were conducted with varying ratios of H2O2 to FeSNPs, and the maximum removal of triclosan was 59 % and 73 % for Fenton and Sono-Fenton oxidation, respectively, with rate constants of 0.0067 min−1 and 0.0210 min−1. The oxidation–reduction potential and pH played crucial roles in the efficiency of the oxidation processes. The total iron leached from the nanoparticles was 74.0 mg/L and 186.7 mg/L for Fenton and Sono-Fenton oxidation, respectively. At pH 3, the most effective ratio for triclosan removal by conventional Fenton oxidation was 1:4, whereas for Sono-Fenton oxidation it was 1:5. Sono-Fenton oxidation enhanced the production of hydroxyl radicals, resulting in a 14 % higher removal efficiency and a shorter treatment time compared to classical Fenton oxidation. Catalyst reusability studies demonstrated that Sono-Fenton oxidation maintained higher efficiency levels throughout multiple reuse cycles compared to Fenton oxidation. The results indicate the potential of utilizing iron nanoparticles derived from scrap metal as effective catalysts for the degradation of triclosan in water treatment applications. To recommend the most efficient Fenton oxidation method at an industrial scale, the study should be extended to evaluate the potential of these nanoparticles in both photo-Fenton and dark Fenton oxidation processes.
Food waste measurement has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its critical role in devising interventions to mitigate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of food waste. However, the absence of a standardized protocol for Food Waste (FdW) quantification remains a key obstacle in formulating and evaluating effective minimization strategies. This study utilizes Bland-Altman plots and regression analysis to evaluate the agreement between Self-Reported Food Waste (SRFW) and Direct Weighing Food Waste (DWFW) in a sample of 402 randomly selected households in Chamwino District, Tanzania. It also investigates the socioeconomic factors influencing disparities between these measurement methods, providing valuable insights into the drivers of these discrepancies. The findings reveal a bias of 0.100067 Kilogram (kg), indicating that SRFW measurements significantly underestimate household FdW. On average, respondents report edible FdW of 0.032703 kg through SRFW, while DWFW measures 0.132769 kg. Furthermore, gender, age, marital status, house ownership, awareness, and price and cost sensitivity are identified as significant factors influencing the bias between the two methods. The study concludes by advocating for increased awareness creation, the combined use of SRFW and DWFW methods, and measures to foster household accountability. These recommendations aim to enhance the accuracy of FdW quantification and support the development of effective waste reduction strategies.
Mouad Lazrak, Ghita Ait Baddi, Fouad Achemchem
et al.
The intensification of agricultural and urban activities has led to a substantial rise in organic waste generation, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable treatment strategies. This study presents an integrated framework that combines a low-cost, sensor-equipped composting bioreactor with advanced machine learning (ML) models to predict compost maturity and quality in real time. Organic substrates from weekly stock markets and university canteen food waste were co-composted with manure and sawdust under controlled conditions in a smart bioreactor. An embedded IoT-based monitoring system to monitor temperature, moisture, CO2, NH3 emissions enables continuous data acquisition and cloud-based visualization. Simultaneously, a curated dataset from peer-reviewed composting experiments was fused with the real-time sensor data to train supervised ML models, including XGBoost, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF) and, for both classification of compost maturity stages and regression of the germination index (GI).
Roya Sadat Neisan, Noori M. Cata Saady, Carlos Bazan
et al.
This study developed activated carbon from orange peels (ACOP) and modified ACOP with titanium dioxide (TiO2) (ACOP-TiO2), focusing on optimizing the adsorption capacity of ACOP-TiO2 for arsenic removal from water. The developed adsorbent (ACOP-TiO2) was prepared and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area analysis, and elemental analysis. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) test demonstrated that the modification increased the surface area of ACOP-TiO2 by 2.55 times greater than ACOP. Adsorption experiments were conducted using synthetic aqueous solutions of arsenic (As(V)), and the response surface methodology (RSM) incorporating central composite design (CCD) was employed for experimental optimization. The results indicated that ACOP-TiO2 demonstrated efficient arsenic removal, with optimal pH identified at approximately 4.2. Increasing adsorbent dosage (0.025–0.4 g in 50 mL solution, corresponding to 0.5–8 g L-1) positively influenced adsorption efficiency, while initial arsenic concentration (10–60 mg L-1) directly correlated with adsorbent capacity, with a predicted optimum concentration of 50 mg L-1. Contact time (0.4–6 h) exhibited minimal impact on adsorbent capacity within the experimental timeframe. Under the conditions of pH 4.2, an initial arsenic concentration of 50 mg L-1, an adsorbent dose of 3.3 g L-1 (0.165 g adsorbent/50 mL solution), and a contact time of 4.8 h, the maximum adsorbent capacity in arsenic removal for ACOP-TiO2 was 10.91 mg g−1. The intra-particle diffusion kinetic model and Temkin isotherm best described arsenic adsorption onto ACOP-TiO2. This research contributes valuable insights into utilizing agricultural waste for water treatment, offering a sustainable and economical solution for arsenic removal.
The discharge of industrial effluents into water bodies poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study examines how the Werabo River in Woliso town, Oromia, Ethiopia, is affected by wastewater from the Woliso soap and detergent factory. In this study the level of pollution caused by the factory’s effluent and its effects on the ecological and socio-economic aspects of the local area were evaluated. To achieve this aims, water samples were collected at several points along the Werabo River, including the point where the manufacturing effluent joins the river. The samples were analyzed for various physicochemical parameters, and the water quality index (WQI) was calculated to assess the overall water quality. Additionally, socio-economic surveys and interviews were conducted to gather the local community’s perspectives on the pollution and its consequences. The findings showed that the levels of nitrate, phosphate, sodium, potassium, oil-grease, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS) were significantly higher at site II (the effluent discharge point) compared to upstream water samples. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the three sampling sites based on the measured parameters. The WQI results showed that the water samples collected during the rainy season (WQI = 179.5) and the spring (WQI = 231) were classified as poor and very poor water quality status, respectively. The socio-economic survey also highlighted the severe health, social, and economic impacts of the wastewater discharge on the local community, particularly to the users of the studied river. The environmental and socioeconomic effects of the wastewater discharge into the Werabo River from the Woliso soap and detergent industry are significantly highlighted by this study. The findings underscore the need for improved industrial waste management and offer important information for policymakers and stakeholders to develop effective pollution control measures and strategies for sustainable water resource management.
Steven David Pickering, Ömer Gökçe, Davide Hanna
et al.
This study investigates public attitudes towards the use of human excretion-based fertiliser (HEBF) in agriculture. Focusing on England and Japan, countries with contrasting histories of nightsoil use, we conducted representative surveys to understand public acceptance and sex-based differences in attitudes. Our findings reveal significant cultural and sex-based disparities in the willingness to utilize HEBF. The Japanese are more accepting of using HEBF for food production, with fewer health concerns, compared to the English. However, English respondents are more open to using HEBF in public parks. The study emphasises the need for further research on societal perceptions and highlights the importance of cultural context in adopting sustainable practices like HEBF in agriculture.
Municipal waste management is among the critical global issues that need special attention and is the primary concern of municipal authorities. This research aims to find the most suitable municipal waste dumping and disposal location. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and geographic information system (GIS) have been used to find relevant municipal Waste dumping sites. The final output of the Waste dumping suitable sites has been extracted using 10 functional parameters, namely distance from the pond, distance from the residential area, distance from the sensitive area, land use and land cover, slope, distance from the university campus, distance from roads, distance from the river, elevation, and distance from railway stations. The result reveals that only 6% of the municipality's land is best fitted for waste dumping. These areas are mainly fallow land, and 17% is highly suitable for waste dumping. The finding also indicated that the eastern part of Ward No. 22 and the south and southwestern part of Ward No. 16 are best for waste dumping. By methodically selecting appropriate locations, this study may help urban planners and legislators build a waste management infrastructure that is both resilient and ecologically responsible by reducing negative impacts on the environment, safeguarding public health, and making the most efficient use of available resources.
Daniel Hogan Itam, Ekwueme Chimeme Martin, Ibiba Taiwo Horsfall
The increasing volume of solid waste generated globally necessitates efficient classification systems to enhance recycling and waste management processes. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have emerged as a powerful tool for image classification tasks, including solid waste identification. However, difficult external variables including changes in illumination, occlusion, and background clutter can have a big impact on CNN performance. Furthermore, pooling procedures frequently cause classic CNNs to lose spatial information, which might impair performance on tasks requiring extremely fine sense of place. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the application of an improved CNN-based models for solid waste classification. In the present study we explored image data resizing, augmentation technique and hyperparameter tuning to improve the performance of the proposed model. The results demonstrate that the improved-CNN model achieved high accuracy of 94.40 % compared to the conventional CNN and other deep learning model such as ResNet-50, Inception-V3 and VGG-19 (81.83, 66.67, 52.83 and 56.00 %).
A. Hashem, Chukwunonso O. Aniagor, S. Farag
et al.
The study explored the capacity of modified pinewood dust (S-dust) for adsorbing acid blue 193 dye. The novel adsorbent was prepared via the insitu intercalation of quaternized ammonium copolymer (cationic surfactant) onto pinewood dust. The synthesized biosorbent was characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersion X-ray (EDX) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area equipment. To establish the variable effects on the dye uptake, the ranges of solution pH, initial adsorbate concentration, contact time and adsorbent dosage were varied. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 117.58 mg/g was recorded at pH 4.0, 0.1 g/L adsorbent dose and 2 h sorption duration. The process kinetics and isotherm modelling fitted best to the pseudo-first-order and Freundlich models, respectively. From the mechanistic/diffusion studies, intraparticle and pore diffusion mechanisms were respectively postulated at low and high initial adsorbate concentrations. Also, the occurrence of a nonspontaneous endothermic uptake process was inferred from the thermodynamics evaluations. Therefore, the effective acid blue 193 dye uptake onto novel S-dust was confirmed in this study.
Dhananjay Singh Shyamal, Muntjeer Ali, Mandeep Singh
et al.
The efficient and effective operation of trommel screens is essential for the economic and environmental sustainability of mechanical biological treatment (MBT) based solid waste treatment plants. The present study evaluated the performance of four trommel screens (aperture sizes of 80, 32, 16, and 4 mm) being used at the MBT plant of the Municipal Corporation Karnal, India. The performance of trommel screens was evaluated at a fixed speed of rotation and inclination angle. For optimum performance, trommel screens must be operated at a particular range of feed rates with regular cleaning every four hours of operation. The organic recovery achieved by 80 mm and 32 mm aperture size trommel screen was 26.95 % and 95.82 %. The organic quality improvement achieved by 80 mm and 32 mm trommel screens was 122.50 % and 108.89 %. The trommel screen's heating value improvement and energy recovery ranged from 70.68 % to 135.16 % and 28.27 % to 98.74 %, respectively. The oversized fractions of trommel screens of opening sizes 80 mm and 32 mm meet the fuel specification prescribed by the Indian Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. The trommel screen's Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) ranged from 0.63 kWh/tonne to 5.66 kWh/tonne. The learnings and outcomes of this study are helpful for designers, policymakers, operators of solid waste treatment plants, and researchers.
Bioplastics have garnered substantial interest as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. However, their management and conversion to biogas continues to be significantly challenging. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of various plastics for hydrolysis at 160 °C for 12 h using different solvents. The biogas yield (BGY) of the monomers constituting these plastics and the obtained plastic hydrolyzates was comprehensively evaluated. When water was used as a solvent, 100 % hydrolysis of polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) was observed. When polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) were hydrolyzed with water, the degradation ratio was approximately 30 %; however, using an aqueous lactic acid solution as a solvent improved the degradation ratio to 78 % and 100 %, respectively. In the BGY test of the plastic hydrolyzates, the biogas volumes derived from the hydrolyzates were 563, 461, 337, and 573 mL/g COD-added for PLA, PBS, PBAT, and PHB, respectively. With 1,160 gCOD/L waste PLA hydrolyzate, continuous co-digestion of sewage sludge and the hydrolyzate was conducted. Organic loading rates of sewage sludge and the hydrolyzate were 2.3 and 2.4 gCOD/L/d, respectively. The operation was stable and the methane production volume from the PLA hydrolyzate was 414 L/kgCOD-added. Using highly concentrated PLA hydrolyzate, the hydraulic retention time was 19.3 days, which was only 0.7 days shorter than that of anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge only (20 days). Therefore, highly concentrated PLA hydrolyzate maintains the retention time of normal sewage sludge digestion. Conclusively, the present study has crucial practical implications for plastic waste management.
Mojeed O. Bello, Nasiru Abdus-Salam, Folahan A. Adekola
et al.
Here in, we reported the utilization of guinea corn husk (an agricultural waste) and aluminium can (a municipal waste) for low-cost and sustainable means of zeolite Y preparation. Sodium silicate and sodium aluminate precursors were prepared from guinea corn husk and aluminium wastes respectively. The obtained solutions of the precursors were directly and hydrothermally converted to zeolite Y at 100 °C crystallization temperature for 24 h. The resulting zeolitic material was characterized by its properties. In comparison with collected standard data and commercially available zeolite Y, zeolite Y was successfully prepared from the waste resources. The result of X-ray Diffraction (XRD) indicated zeolite Y with good crystallinity, especially at the characteristic 2θ of 6.23°, 10.9° and 11.86°. The elemental compositions observed from Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) are in appropriate proportion and also confirmed the product. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the major characteristic absorption bands of zeolite in the mid-infrared region. It can be concluded that re-using agricultural and municipal wastes for the preparation of zeolite Y was achieved. This is a sustainable means of preparation of zeolite Y through a waste management approach for potential applications in adsorption, catalysis and ion exchange.
In this modern era, pollution of water resources due to industrial waste effluents is an alarming problem as it can cause various health problems in aquatic animals as well as in humans. Among the industrial pollutants, organic dyes are one of the leading chemicals that cause severe damage to the aquatic environment. These harmful organic dyes are practically omnipresent in various types of industries such as textile, tannery, cosmetic, food industries, etc. Photodegradation of these organic dyes is regarded as a promising technology for industrial waste treatment as it is a cost-effective and environment-friendly process. In this study, a nanostructured material of iron has been synthesized using the Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. extract in an easy and eco-friendly way. The potential of this synthesized nanostructured material to act as a photocatalyst, for the degradation of organic dyes, has been explored. Due to its small size and high dispersion, more than 72 % degradation has been achieved within 90 min. A comparative study of its photocatalytic efficiency in different degradation processes has also been performed.
Crop residues are valuable sources of lignocellulosic biomass that will continue to be available as long as food production for humanity continues. Maize, a cereal crop that serves as a staple food in many parts of the world and is cultivated in numerous countries, holds great importance. The surge in maize production generates substantial amounts of corncobs which can be used as feedstock for the production of xylitol, a compound with a rapidly growing market, and ethanol. In this study, hemicellulose was extracted from the corncobs to obtain xylose by subjecting them to acid hydrolysis with 1 % H2SO4. Non-conventional yeast strain Candida tropicalis Y6 isolated from rotten vegetables was tested for growth and xylose utilization potential on synthetic and acid pre-hydrolysate medium supplemented with mineral salts. Candida tropicalis Y6 exhibited high growth and sugar utilization. On synthetic medium with xylose as the sole C source it produced 6.71 g/L and 0.38 gg-1 of xylitol showing maximum conversion efficiency (53 %) at 24 h, and also produced 0.3 g/L ethanol at 48 h. When cultured on undetoxified corncob hydrolysate, C. tropicalis Y6 produced 0.41 g/L xylitol and 0.74 g/L ethanol. Its xylose conversion was severely affected in acid hydrolysates possibly due to the presence of inhibitors. This C. tropicalis Y6 strain was distinct from other reports in producing a higher level of ethanol than xylitol during fermentation of corncob acid prehydrolysate pointing towards the ratio of XR and XDH enzymes activities under studied conditions.
Koffi Sossou, S. Bala Prasad, Komlavi Eyram Agbotsou
et al.
This review thoroughly assesses the viability and effectiveness of biological and advanced coagulation methods for treating leachate. It offers a comprehensive analysis of landfill leachate, with a specific focus on its composition and the presence of diverse pollutants and contaminants. The study investigates leachate toxicity and evaluates advanced coagulation processes and strategies designed to remove or reduce organic contaminants by employing coagulants. The novelty of this review lies in its emphasis on demonstrating the efficacy of coagulation and flocculation methods utilizing chemicals such as alum, ferric chloride, and aluminum sulfate in leachate treatment. These methods facilitate the removal of recalcitrant pollutants and demonstrate considerable removal efficiency. Noteworthy removal effectiveness is evident in coagulation/flocculation procedures targeting various contaminants, including suspended particles, heavy metals, and xenobiotic organic compounds. Additionally, the study examines the leachate’s toxicity both before and after treatment with the coagulation process.
Fossil fuels resources are continually running out due to the rapid rise in industrialization and outgrowth. Moreover, the excessive utilization of fossil fuel has resulted in release of various toxic gases and global warming. Hence, it necessitates the demand to explore for an inexhaustible, renewable and eco-friendly energy sources. In this review, various waste biomasses which are abundantly available throughout the world have been reviewed as a feedstock for obtaining various value added products i.e. bio-oil, gases and biochar etc., using various pyrolysis techniques. The pyrolysis is considered to be the most effective conversion technique in which three stage degradation mechanism is observed leading to the production of valuable hydrocarbons from decomposition of hemicelluloses, cellulose and lignin. The bio-oil obtained if upgraded properly, is served as fuel for commercial use. The study also reviews the composition of lignocellulosic biomass, conversion techniques, and mechanism of conversion to various pyrolytic products, upgradation of bio-oil and effective utilization of biomass for energy generation. This review suggests utilization of lignocellulosic biomass waste as energy resource by converting it to value-added products by low-cost conversion methods which would ultimately lead to overcome the energy crises to some extent.