Feature Papers in Recycling 2022

A special issue of Recycling (ISSN 2313-4321).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 50119

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, RU INSTM, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: polymer processing; mechanical behaviour of polymer-based systems; rheological behaviour of polymer-based systems; green composites; biocomposites; nanocomposites; biodegradable polymers; polymer blends; degradation and recycling of polymer-based systems
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Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, CIRIAF, University of Perugia, Via G.Duranti 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Interests: energy storage and energy systems; natural gas hydrates; clathrate hydrates; CO2 capture; energy efficiency; waste management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce a new Special Issue entitled “Feature Papers in Recycling 2022.” This is a collection of important, high-quality papers (original research articles or comprehensive review papers) published in open access format by prominent scholars. Recycling is a peer-reviewed scientific journal in the area of waste reutilization and resource recycling. It provides an international online forum for studies related to recycling, resource recovery, and waste utilization across many industries, including glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics. We intend for this issue to be the best forum for disseminating excellent research findings, as well as sharing innovative ideas in the field.

In this Special Issue, we aim to collect contributions in the main fields covered by the journal:     

  • Resource recycling;
  • Waste processing technologies;   
  • The circular economy;  
  • Zero waste programs;     
  • Environmental and social impact of recycling;   
  • Product (eco) design and recycling.

Prof. Dr. Francesco Paolo La Mantia
Dr. Beatrice Castellani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Recycling is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • metal recycling
  • polymer recycling
  • biomass recycling
  • chemicals recycling
  • e-waste recycling
  • energy recycling
  • waste management
  • recycling policies
  • economics of recycling

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 182 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Feature Papers in Recycling 2022”
by Francesco Paolo La Mantia and Beatrice Castellani
Recycling 2023, 8(4), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8040060 - 13 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1492
Abstract
This Special Issue aimed to collect high-quality papers (original research articles or comprehensive review papers) published during 2022 on the subject of waste recycling [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)

Research

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26 pages, 1127 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Data Security and Perceived Benefits on Mobile Phone Recycling Behaviour and the Recycling Intention Mediation Role
by Taher Ben Yahya, Noriza Mohd Jamal, Balan Sundarakani and Siti Zaleha Omain
Recycling 2023, 8(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8010027 - 18 Feb 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3628
Abstract
Mobile phones are the most heavily utilised electronic devices on a global scale. Since they are relatively smaller than other electronic devices, unlike other electronic waste (e-waste), they are not disposed of properly. Hence, this study examines the factors influencing mobile phone users’ [...] Read more.
Mobile phones are the most heavily utilised electronic devices on a global scale. Since they are relatively smaller than other electronic devices, unlike other electronic waste (e-waste), they are not disposed of properly. Hence, this study examines the factors influencing mobile phone users’ overall intention to recycle their mobile phones. The factors used originate from the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), but additional factors were also included, namely, perceived benefits and data security, to allow for a more in-depth analysis of customer behaviour. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyse 601 results from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a self-administered online survey. The results demonstrate that perceived benefits (whether environmental or financial) and perceived behavioural control possess the most statistically significant positive effects on the UAE mobile phone users’ intention to participate in reverse supply chain (RSC) processes such as refurbishing or recycling. The impacts of attitude and subjective norms were the second most positive influences. Meanwhile, only 7% of UAE mobile phone users were significantly impacted by data security in participating in RSC processes. Additionally, recycling intention had no noticeable mediation effect on the relationship among the TPB variables and the extended variables (namely, data security and perceived benefits) and mobile phone recycling behaviour. The study offers confidence to industrial players in implementing these particular factors in their reverse supply chain management (RSCM) systems to influence more users to return end-of-life (EOL) or end-of-use (EOU) mobile phones, which could, in return, assist in resource preservation and environmental protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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18 pages, 997 KiB  
Article
Quality Aspects in the Compounding of Plastic Recyclate
by Maximilian Auer, Jannick Schmidt, Jan Diemert, Gabriel Gerhardt, Maximilian Renz, Viola Galler and Jörg Woidasky
Recycling 2023, 8(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8010018 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4134
Abstract
Compounding is the final processing step for quality adjustment and control before recycled thermoplastic polymer material can be introduced into production processes. Motivated by the need for higher recyclate shares, the research question is which quality problems recycling compounders are encountered in practice, [...] Read more.
Compounding is the final processing step for quality adjustment and control before recycled thermoplastic polymer material can be introduced into production processes. Motivated by the need for higher recyclate shares, the research question is which quality problems recycling compounders are encountered in practice, where they occur, and which mitigation options might be reasonable. Therefore, an online survey with 20 recycling compounders based in Germany was conducted asking about typical processing steps and processed materials, test procedures for quality assurance, quality problems, and possibilities for reducing quality problems. Results show that compounders mainly name impurities and contaminations of the input material as challenging and the reason for quality problems. The study shows that the problems are not dependent on the material input type. Quality problems occur along the entire secondary value chain, with companies manufacturing components themselves being particularly affected. The composition determination of the input materials helps to minimize quality problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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12 pages, 454 KiB  
Article
The Uptake of Recycled Plastic in Manufacturing Companies: A Moral Responsibility or Worthwhile Business Strategy?
by Owais Khan
Recycling 2023, 8(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8010009 - 7 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3062
Abstract
The production and consumption of plastics, which is indispensable in our modern life, has caused severe environmental impacts. Hence, academics and policymakers have been advocating the circularity of plastics. The role of businesses—particularly manufacturing companies—is pivotal to ensuring the circularity of plastics. This [...] Read more.
The production and consumption of plastics, which is indispensable in our modern life, has caused severe environmental impacts. Hence, academics and policymakers have been advocating the circularity of plastics. The role of businesses—particularly manufacturing companies—is pivotal to ensuring the circularity of plastics. This study, therefore, attempted to investigate whether chief executives of manufacturing companies based in the EU are keen on the uptake of recycled plastic and, furthermore, whether the uptake of recycled plastic is a worthwhile business strategy. This study found that the attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control of chief executives positively shape their behavioral intention toward the circularity of plastics. Furthermore, the behavioral intentions of chief executives positively influence the uptake of recycled plastic in manufacturing companies, which could consequently improve business performance. This study suggests measures to increase the uptake of recycled plastic among businesses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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16 pages, 20256 KiB  
Communication
Mineral Carbonation of Basic Oxygen Furnace Slags
by Daniel Vollprecht and Dominik Wohlmuth
Recycling 2022, 7(6), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7060084 - 7 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2445
Abstract
Mineral carbonation is a method in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) in which carbon dioxide reacts with natural or synthetic mineral phases to form carbonates. In this study, BOF slag consisting of alite, Ca3SiO5, belite, Ca2SiO4 [...] Read more.
Mineral carbonation is a method in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) in which carbon dioxide reacts with natural or synthetic mineral phases to form carbonates. In this study, BOF slag consisting of alite, Ca3SiO5, belite, Ca2SiO4, melilite, (Ca,Na)2(Mg,Al)[4][Si2O7], brownmillerite, Ca(Fe,Al)2O5, calcium ferrite, Ca2FeO4 and Ca-, Mg- and Mn-bearing wuestite, (Mg,Ca,Mn,Fe)O, was crushed into different particle size fractions and exposed over various durations (1 d, 3 d, 9 d, 14 d, 24 d) at a grate to 120 °C hot off-gas with a CO2 content of 25%. However, the total inorganic carbon (TIC) content never increases above the detection limit of 0.5% throughout the experimental duration. The determination of the carbonation depth using phenolphthalein does not reveal a homogeneous carbonation front, but an irregular carbonation. This observation was confirmed by microprobe analyses using elemental mapping. The solubility of the slag increases with increasing carbonation, e.g., the leachability of sulfate increases from 7.8 to 8270 mg/kg dry matter (DM), and of calcium from 940 to 3860 mg/kg DM. The leaching of environmentally relevant element varies: the leachable concentration of molybdenum increases from 0.017 mg/kg DM to 0.089 mg/kg DM, that of chromium remains constant (ca. 0.05 mg/kg DM) whereas that of vanadium decreases from 1.1 to 0.45 mg/kg. In summary, the chosen carbonation technology must be improved to enhance carbonate yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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15 pages, 7155 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study of Manufacturing NdFeB Magnet Wastes Recycling: Oxidative Roasting-Selective Leaching and Whole Leaching Routes
by Tapany Patcharawit, Woranittha Kritsarikan, Tanongsak Yingnakorn and Sakhob Khumkoa
Recycling 2022, 7(5), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7050068 - 19 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2852
Abstract
This research investigated recycling of manufacturing NdFeB magnet wastes in as-sintered and powder forms which contained high carbon via pyro-hydro metallurgy process. Effects of oxidative roasting on selective leaching of the magnet wastes were the main focus in comparison to recycling via whole [...] Read more.
This research investigated recycling of manufacturing NdFeB magnet wastes in as-sintered and powder forms which contained high carbon via pyro-hydro metallurgy process. Effects of oxidative roasting on selective leaching of the magnet wastes were the main focus in comparison to recycling via whole leaching without oxidative roasting. The process started from oxidative roasting at 600 °C, sulfuric leaching, drying, roasting at 750 °C for powder and 800 °C for sintered wastes, water leaching, oxalic acid precipitation and calcination at 1000 °C to obtain neodymium oxides. Oxidative roasting was found to reduce carbon and resulted in neodymium and iron oxide formation with a minimum amount of neodymium iron oxide. This provided effective selective leaching of neodymium. For whole leaching, a significant loss of neodymium into leached residue was observed. Oxidative roasting-selective leaching provided significant recovery in the amount of 75.46% while whole leaching resulted in only 31.62 wt.% in the case of sintered waste. The final composition via oxidative roasting-selective leaching consisted of 68.11 wt.% neodymium, 19.83 wt.% praseodymium and 0.31 wt.% iron, while whole leaching resulted in a higher amount of iron at 1.20 wt.%. Similar results were obtained for powder magnet waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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21 pages, 533 KiB  
Article
Environmental Effects of Bio-Waste Recycling on Industrial Circular Economy and Eco-Sustainability
by Sasmoko, Khalid Zaman, Maida Malik, Usama Awan, Wiwik Handayani, Mohd Khata Jabor and Muhammad Asif
Recycling 2022, 7(4), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7040060 - 15 Aug 2022
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 6362
Abstract
Few prior studies have examined the social and environmental consequences of waste generation and recycling, resulting in a policy gap in the sustainability agenda. The research filled a knowledge vacuum in the literature by investigating the environmental repercussions of different waste generation and [...] Read more.
Few prior studies have examined the social and environmental consequences of waste generation and recycling, resulting in a policy gap in the sustainability agenda. The research filled a knowledge vacuum in the literature by investigating the environmental repercussions of different waste generation and recycling processes in the Chinese economy. The study analyzed waste production and recycling statistics over the last 46 years, from 1975 to 2020, and their impact on the nation’s emissions per capita. This study used four primary approaches to determine the links between the examined variables, beginning with the unit root test, which identifies the stationary process of the variables’ underlying processes. Second, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model was used to produce the variables’ short- and long-run estimates. Third, estimations of Granger causality examined the causal relationships between the variables. Finally, innovation accounting matrices (IAM)were utilized to predict the relationships between variables during the following decade. The unit root estimates imply the mix order of variable integration; hence, it is appropriate to employ ARDL modeling for parameter estimations. The ARDL estimations demonstrate that combustible renewables and waste decrease a nation’s carbon emissions by boosting industrial waste recycling. Despite recycling systems, carbon emissions have escalated to uncontrolled levels owing to the massive production of municipal solid garbage. Sustainable waste management and recycling are vital to reducing carbon emissions. Granger’s estimations of causation imply that combustible renewables and waste and carbon emissions cause industrial and municipal solid waste recycling. Additionally, population growth is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, biowaste recycling, and industrial waste recycling. Furthermore, this shows the two-way connections between combustible renewables and waste and carbon emissions, implying the need to develop green waste recycling strategies in a nation. The IAM method identified future relationships between variables, which aids policymakers in implementing sustainable waste management practices for a nation. This study concludes that the environmental consequences of waste generation and recycling impede the nation’s circular economy agenda, which can be sustained by knowledge spillovers, chemical reduction in manufacturing, and allocating a certain amount of US dollars to ecological resource conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
15 pages, 1441 KiB  
Article
Unpicking the Gender Gap: Examining Socio-Demographic Factors and Repair Resources in Clothing Repair Practice
by Rachel H. McQueen, Lisa S. McNeill, Qinglan Huang and Balkrushna Potdar
Recycling 2022, 7(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7040053 - 5 Aug 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5412
Abstract
Increased fashion consumption spurred by fast fashion has led to excessive textile waste, giving rise to a global crisis as textile waste pollutes land and waterways, while landfill and incineration contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. Extending a product’s life for as long [...] Read more.
Increased fashion consumption spurred by fast fashion has led to excessive textile waste, giving rise to a global crisis as textile waste pollutes land and waterways, while landfill and incineration contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. Extending a product’s life for as long as possible is a core principle of the circular economy (CE) to ensure that the maximum value of the original product is realized over its lifetime. As such, repair is an essential component of a CE because it supports the preferred waste hierarchy elements of reduce and reuse, with recycling being the last resort in a CE necessary to close resource loops. Consumers are an essential enabler of a CE; therefore, it is critical to understand consumers’ characteristics in the context of behaviors such as repair. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of gender on engagement in clothing repair practices; women have often only been the focus of clothing repair studies. An online survey was conducted to collect responses from Canadian and U.S. consumers (n = 512). Findings showed that self-repair was the most common form of clothing repair, with women being more highly engaged in self-repair practices, increasing with age. Paid repair is the type of repair that has the lowest level of engagement, and there are only negligible differences between the genders. Men utilize unpaid forms of repair more than women. However, among the youngest age group (18–24), both genders are equally likely to have clothing repaired for free. Gender gaps exist, but opportunities for increased utilization in repair can be created to encourage full participation within a CE. In particular, the findings point to the importance of increasing repair activities amongst men and younger consumers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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13 pages, 2895 KiB  
Article
Environmental and Economic Comparison of Natural and Recycled Aggregates Using LCA
by Adriana Dias, Salem Nezami, José Silvestre, Rawaz Kurda, Rui Silva, Isabel Martins and Jorge de Brito
Recycling 2022, 7(4), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7040043 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4666
Abstract
Recycled aggregates (RAs) have been playing an important role in replacing natural aggregates (NAs) in concrete production, thereby contributing to a reduction in the extraction of natural resources and the promotion of a circular economy. However, it is important to assess the global [...] Read more.
Recycled aggregates (RAs) have been playing an important role in replacing natural aggregates (NAs) in concrete production, thereby contributing to a reduction in the extraction of natural resources and the promotion of a circular economy. However, it is important to assess the global impacts of this replacement, in both environmental and economic terms. In this study, an overview of the impacts of the production of natural and recycled aggregates is presented, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Through this methodology, products with the same function are compared and information about the best solutions is given, considering their environmental and economic impacts. Studies with data collected from specific producers were compared, as well as environmental product declarations (EPDs) and generic databases, regarding the production of natural and recycled, coarse and fine, and rolled and crushed aggregates. This study intends therefore to provide the environmental and economic impact comparison at the global level through LCA from different data sources. According to this literature review, the best and worst environmental results are assigned to lower and higher transport distances, respectively. Regarding EPDs, the lowest environmental impacts are related to recycled coarse aggregates and the highest to natural coarse crushed aggregates. In terms of generic databases, the results are similar, with the lowest impacts associated with natural fine rolled aggregates and the highest to natural coarse crushed aggregates. In what concerns the economic impacts, in general, recycled aggregates are associated with the lowest costs. However, these results are highly dependent on transport distances and costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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14 pages, 2353 KiB  
Article
An Overview of Packaging Waste Models in Some European Countries
by Giacomo Di Foggia and Massimo Beccarello
Recycling 2022, 7(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7030038 - 10 Jun 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6424
Abstract
Efficient packaging waste management systems are essential considering recent revisions of the European legislation on packaging waste management that sets ambitious targets. European rules aim to deal with the increasing quantities of packaging waste, which cause environmental problems. Consequently, it is necessary to [...] Read more.
Efficient packaging waste management systems are essential considering recent revisions of the European legislation on packaging waste management that sets ambitious targets. European rules aim to deal with the increasing quantities of packaging waste, which cause environmental problems. Consequently, it is necessary to identify functional packaging waste management systems to achieve these targets effectively and efficiently. However, given the heterogeneity of the different packaging management systems, policymakers, scholars, and industry operators struggle to have a comparative view. The number of non-harmonized laws in force across countries, autonomous recycling targets, and constant updates are prominent problems that make it difficult to obtain comparable information for research, business, and policymaking. To fill this gap, our research question consists of assigning responsibilities for prevention, collection, recycling, and recovery and an overview of some models at a glance with respect to the general governance and functioning of the system. We base our research on a multiple-case design since more cases are examined using complementary data collection methods, analysis of the previous literature, reports, legislation, and business and institutional websites. Our results provide insights from the following cases: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. In addition, policy implications emerge as our insights help overcome barriers in the European market’s development caused by the different rules on packaging management and design serving policymakers that aim to harmonize the management of packaging waste. The paper also contains managerial implications for circular economy business models that can be used by managers who aim to design or upgrade their business models according to both recent legislative upgrades and packaging management systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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Review

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23 pages, 1326 KiB  
Review
Waste Management for Green Concrete Solutions: A Concise Critical Review
by Magdalena Osial, Agnieszka Pregowska, Sławomir Wilczewski, Weronika Urbańska and Michael Giersig
Recycling 2022, 7(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7030037 - 10 Jun 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 8056
Abstract
Reinforced concrete based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is one of the most commonly used materials in modern buildings. Due to the global growth of the building industry, concrete components have been partially or completely replaced with waste materials that can be used [...] Read more.
Reinforced concrete based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is one of the most commonly used materials in modern buildings. Due to the global growth of the building industry, concrete components have been partially or completely replaced with waste materials that can be used as binders or aggregates. Besides the ecological aspects, modern architecture widely needs materials to make the concrete durable, resisting large loads and various detrimental forces in the environment. This opens the possibilities of managing waste materials and applying them in practice. This paper presents a concise review of the green solutions for ecofriendly materials in the building industry that deal with the practical application of materials commonly treated as waste. The main emphasis was placed on their influence on the properties of the building material, optimal composition of mixtures, and discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the “green” additives. It turned out that some solutions are far from being ecofriendly materials, as they leech and release numerous harmful chemicals into the environment during their presence in concrete. Finally, the paper suggests a research direction for the development of an ecofriendly structural material for a sustainable future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Recycling 2022)
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