DetritusPub Date : 2024-02-28DOI: 10.31025/2611-4135/2024.18352
A. Pivato, Giovanni Beggio, Stefano Maggi, Francesco Marrone, T. Bonato, Federico Peres, Wei Peng, M. Lavagnolo
{"title":"THE PRESENCE OF PFAS IN WASTES AND RELATED IMPLICATIONS ON THE CURRENT AND PROPOSED EUROPEAN REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: A SYSTEMATIC CRITICAL REVIEW","authors":"A. Pivato, Giovanni Beggio, Stefano Maggi, Francesco Marrone, T. Bonato, Federico Peres, Wei Peng, M. Lavagnolo","doi":"10.31025/2611-4135/2024.18352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2024.18352","url":null,"abstract":"Nowadays the use of PFAS is widespread in products in modern society and their exposure can occur directly through emissions such as dietary intake, water intake, air inhalation, and skin contact. Additionally, exposure can happen indirectly through the environmental release and degradation of their precursors. To fully understand the potential for life cycle emissions, it is necessary to consider the waste stage, as it is an integral part of a substance life cycle, whether PFAS exists in its pure form as part of a mixture or within an article. Overall, knowledge about the impact of PFAS on current and future waste management remains limited. Therefore, this study conducted a critical analysis of the presence of PFAS in relevant waste streams (plastic; metals; textile and leather; paper and cardboards). It also discussed how this presence could influence waste management, taking into account ongoing updates of the legal framework, with particular attention to proposed new provisions regarding their restriction in the REACH regulation. Within the discussed limits of the critical review, only a very small number of outliers were found to exceed the considered limit of 25 ppb for each material category. The percentage of exceedances ranged from nearly 1% (PFOS measurements in paper and cardboard waste) to 8% (\"Other PFAS\" in textiles and leather waste). Regarding the analytical methods and current limits identified, a pragmatic solution is suggested. This solution combines \"not targeted\" and \"targeted\" methodologies in a stepwise procedure, building upon the OECD definition of PFAS","PeriodicalId":44191,"journal":{"name":"Detritus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140420215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DetritusPub Date : 2023-12-31DOI: 10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18331
Kim Rainer Mattson, Lærke Lindgreen Lauritsen, Johan Berg Pettersen
{"title":"Electronic Waste Treatment Flows in Norway: Investigating recycling rates and embodied emissions","authors":"Kim Rainer Mattson, Lærke Lindgreen Lauritsen, Johan Berg Pettersen","doi":"10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18331","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18331","url":null,"abstract":"Norway is one of the countries in Europe generating the most waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) per capita. Extended producer responsibility schemes are incorporated as part of the national waste policy, with clear goals towards recovery of materials from the waste fraction. Investigating the WEEE flows in Norway, we observe clear improvements needed in the transparency of the sector, and based on the information gathered, we estimate lower recycling of materials than provided through official statistics based on reporting. 68% of WEEE sent to recycling treatments are recycled into reusable material. Accounting for WEEE occurring outside of the treatment system, only 58% is recovered for recycling. We also estimate the CO2-eq emissions of different End-of-Life treatments of WEEE, and the embodied CO2-equivalent emissions of each WEEE category, illustrating 1) what category carry the largest environmental burden with respect to its embedded materials, and 2) the environmental impact of specific treatment options within the system. We show how the recycling rate of precious metals have significant influence over the environmental impact recovery potential of the system. Its not just the amount of material that is recycled that is important, including a proxy for expended emissions effectively illustrates the need for more precise policy implementation to ensure a functional circular economy.","PeriodicalId":44191,"journal":{"name":"Detritus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139135840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative life cycle assessment of different recycled concrete aggregates","authors":"Mahsa Doostdar, Janus zum Brock, Annachiara Ceraso, Ariana Carolina Morales Rapallo, Kerstin Kuchta","doi":"10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18324","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18324","url":null,"abstract":"Concrete is recognized as the second most consumed materials in the whole world. Therefore, applying circular solutions to concrete, like recycling or reusing can guarantee a considerable benefits in terms of environmental impacts. In this paper, a comparative life cycle assessment is done for different recipes of recycled concrete aggregates in comparison to a recipe of virgin concrete aggregate, which are used in a case study called “Musterbude”. The recycling rate of aggregates used in the recipes are 45%, 60%, and 100% and they are supplied from different resources. For environmental impacts calculation, each recipe is defined as a scenario and their impacts are compared to each. The life cycle assessment results show that, despite low performance in water depletion indicator, the recipes with 100% recycled aggregates shows the best performance from environmental point of view.","PeriodicalId":44191,"journal":{"name":"Detritus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139131921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Food waste collection versus food waste disposers: A case study of a Portuguese city","authors":"Pedro Melo Rodrigues, Ricardo Rodrigues, Fátima David, Nuno Melo, Elisabete Soares","doi":"10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18326","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18326","url":null,"abstract":"The European Union (EU) prioritises sustainable development and aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 through investments in green technologies and a legislative climate framework. Waste collection and treatment systems, including biowaste like food waste, protect natural capital and citizens' well-being. Directive 2008/98/EC defines biowaste and sets the stage for exploring alternative solutions. This study focuses on the city of Guarda (Portugal) and analyses the use of disposers for food waste treatment. By comparing storage/collection systems with disposers regarding environmental and economic costs and benefits, the study aims to determine the most effective solution for collecting food waste. The analysis utilises a simulator provided by the Portuguese Fundo Ambiental®. The results show that while operating costs are higher for food waste collection systems, disposers require a more significant initial investment. Nevertheless, the cost-benefit ratio favours disposers, while the net present value analysis suggests that the food waste collection system is more favourable. Additionally, food waste collection systems contribute to higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per tonne of food waste compared to using disposers.","PeriodicalId":44191,"journal":{"name":"Detritus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139130617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DetritusPub Date : 2023-12-31DOI: 10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18325
Susanne N. Mahnik, Marc Hoffmann, N. Fraeyman, Dimitrios Komilis
{"title":"HOSPITAL WASTE – LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AND MANAGEMENT DIFFERENTIATIONS IN AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, GERMANY AND GREECE","authors":"Susanne N. Mahnik, Marc Hoffmann, N. Fraeyman, Dimitrios Komilis","doi":"10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18325","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18325","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, the differences regarding hospital waste management, specifically regarding the legal and technical situation and the definition of hazardous hospital waste in four member states (Austria, Belgium, Germany and Greece) are presented. All countries follow the legal guidelines of the European Union, but the technical situation, especially the possibilities for thermal waste disposal in incineration plants are different. Also, the definition and categories of hazardous medical wastes is different in the aforementioned four EU member states. The annual production amounts of medical waste in selected countries are presented, as well as criteria that lead to their classification as hazardous medical waste.","PeriodicalId":44191,"journal":{"name":"Detritus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139133790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DetritusPub Date : 2023-12-31DOI: 10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18328
Mohammed Zari, Richard Smith, Rebecca Ferrari
{"title":"EVALUATION OF DUST EMISSION RATE FROM LANDFILL MINING ACTIVITIES","authors":"Mohammed Zari, Richard Smith, Rebecca Ferrari","doi":"10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18328","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18328","url":null,"abstract":"Mining operations are one of the most significant sources of particulate emissions in the atmosphere. Landfill mining (LFM) process activities, including excavation, screening, shredding, and equipment handling, have the potential to emit particulate matter into the environment as short-term episodic emissions during operational periods. Previous investigations show that LFM activities can potentially cause human health and environmental impacts through exposure of these emissions. This paper evaluates the dust emission rate of such activities to understand factors responsible for higher emissions rate and determine where any pressure points exist in order to mitigate risk. Nine empirical formulas were adopted from surface mining activities, including point, line, and area sources of activity. Parameters identified in the equations were adjusted to LFM application conditions. From emission results, it is observed that point source activities were the major sources of emission. The study area was divided into multiple phases and one phase cumulative for the maximum/average/minimum point sources emissions over the lifetime of the landfill mining operation calculated in this study are approximately 5.04 tonnes (t) / 3.23 (t) / 1.61 (t), respectively. However, the one phase cumulative for the maximum/average/minimum line sources emissions over the lifetime of the landfill mining operation are approximately 100.8 (kg/m) / 40.32 (kg/m) / 20.16 (kg/m), respectively. Mitigation measures to control high emission rate of LFM related activity, such as utilising tankers or bowsers to spray water around the LFM area, to control airborne emissions, should be considered. The results of this research are expected to inform air dispersion modelling for environmental impact assessment studies of air pollution.","PeriodicalId":44191,"journal":{"name":"Detritus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139133269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DetritusPub Date : 2023-12-31DOI: 10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18323
Ateeq Rahman, Hilaria Hakwenye, V. Uahengo
{"title":"WASTE EGGSHELLS AS CATALYSTS: AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY APPROACH","authors":"Ateeq Rahman, Hilaria Hakwenye, V. Uahengo","doi":"10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18323","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2023.18323","url":null,"abstract":"Sustainability is crucial for the survival of mankind, ecosystem for the development of society. There have been huge amount of waste have been dumped which creates pollutions. Hence, from Green chemistry perspective it is a protocol to design heterogeneous catalysts which can yield products from waste products with minimization of wastes pollution with environmentally friendly heterogeneous catalytic process for the developed environmentally friendly products with longevity. Such green synthesized heterogeneous catalysts will replace the existing homogeneous process to heterogeneous catalysts being developed from waste materials. This abstract highlight key aspects on the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts derived from waste materials such as egg shell, rice husk for synthesis of Ag Nanoparticles developed, which can applied for biomass conversions, to environmental remediation, heterogeneous catalysts for organic transformations. These egg shell CaO catalysts are characterized using analytical techniques, such as: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric-Differential Thermal Analyzer (TG-DTA), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, which gives its complete picture of its structure, porosity, morphology, thermal stability, reusability, and activity of catalysts. Hence heterogeneous catalysts developed from egg shell wastes and medical plants will become increasingly popular since two decades. Since, the egg shell waste is developed into egg shell CaO catalysts for cleaner, reusable, eco-friendly catalysts for economic growth for Namibia and other developing and underdeveloped countries.","PeriodicalId":44191,"journal":{"name":"Detritus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139130020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}