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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2022) | Viewed by 14998

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jinhui Li

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Guest Editor

School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Interests: circular economy; environmental risk assessment; e-waste recycling; hazardous waste management

Dr. Abhishek Kumar Awasthi

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Guest Editor

School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Interests: circular economy; global environmental issues; e-waste; hazardous waste

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The proper management of natural resources is very important for maintaining a sustainable society, including the sustainability of both resources and the environment. The linear economy cannot effectively use nonrenewable natural resources (e.g., petroleum and coal) for the reason that these primary resources cannot be restocked. Therefore, the use of the presently available resources cannot continue in similar quantities as nothing will be on hand for the future. Hence, the sustainable utilization of natural resources and the environmentally sound recycling and management of waste are the best forms of management of such valuable resources for the benefit of society. In this context, this Special Issue aims to provide a platform for the presentation of scientific work covering emerging technologies and management approaches for the treatment of waste for sustainable development.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to resource utilization; sustainable consumption; resource sustainability; environmental contamination; environmental impact and associated public health risks; and policy research related to modeling, technological, strategic, and management aspects.

Prof. Dr. Jinhui Li
Dr. Abhishek Kumar Awasthi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

circular economy
environmental impact assessment
resource recycling
e-waste management

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Strategic Management of E-Waste in Developing Countries

by Abhishek Kumar Awasthi, Eleni Iacovidou, Mrigendra Kumar Awasthi, Michael Johnson, Keshav Parajuly, Min Zhao, Saket Mishra and Akhilesh Kumar Pandey

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7263; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097263 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3551

Abstract

E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world, paradoxically containing both hazardous components and substances which can adversely impact on both the environment and public health, as well as valuable secondary resources and raw materials that could be recovered if e-waste is processed properly. Developing countries not only lack the infrastructure and technology required to manage e-waste appropriately, they largely rely on a fragmented informal sector for the management of a large fraction of e-waste that is either recognized by the state, or is marginalized and suppressed. This article examines the current situation with e-waste management in the developing countries, and assesses these countries’ challenges. The study highlights that there is an urgent need to design more better framework for e-waste that protect these countries from the problems caused by e-waste that are beyond repair and refurbishment, and to help these countries to advance their e-waste recycling and disposal facilities to prevent open burning on and dumping in the environment that can result in deleterious effects on communities at a local as well as at a global level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy from the Perspective of Technology and Management for Waste)

18 pages, 1587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decision Support Models for Site Remediation: An Evaluation of Industry Practice in China

by Na Song, Andrew Hursthouse, Iain Mclellan and Zhenghua Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11811; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911811 - 20 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1558

Abstract

China is currently facing great challenges in preventing land from further contamination by industrial activity. We evaluated the current state of business activity supporting the prevention and control of soil pollution through good waste management practice to restrict further soil contamination. The study focused on understanding drivers to improve the development of business activity in both waste management and remediation sectors in China. The status of organizations which manage solid waste and industrial operations providing remediation, professional materials, equipment, and approaches to site management are highlighted. Using questionnaires and a limited number of follow-up interviews, we consulted with remediation practitioners (>100 respondents including construction contracting workers, consultancy, equipment suppliers, and government department employees) working across China. The results identified that the site risk assessment and the wider construction phases for site remediation are typically based on guidelines from government and/or local government. The most frequently used materials for solidification or stabilization during remediation were clay minerals. Local government funds financed most remediation activities. Waste recycling would be a path to further reduce pollution from site development and its application in remediation techniques is possible. In addition to remediation methods, a strategic framework can be employed to provide decision support when assessing sites or decision-making for remediation projects. The priorities for remediation highlight that two types of soil use (arable land and land for construction) should be prioritized for remediation. This evaluation of industry practice provides useful models for wider decision-making in site remediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy from the Perspective of Technology and Management for Waste)

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16 pages, 3329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Durability Properties and Economic Potential of Shellfish Aquaculture Waste in the Construction Industry: A Circular Economy Perspective

by Begoña Peceño, José Bakit, Niris Cortes, Bernabé Alonso-Fariñas, Enzo Bonilla and Carlos Leiva

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8383; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148383 - 8 Jul 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2228

Abstract

The construction industry’s high demand for natural resources, combined with the waste generated by agriculture, creates an opportunity for the circular economy. This experiment used the CaCO₃ found in scallop shells as an ingredient for the manufacture of fire-resistant materials, replacing gypsum in compositions of 40% and 50% by weight. The mechanical compressive strength was estimated for both freeze-thaw cycles and acid and sulfate attacks. The cost of disposing of scallop shell waste in landfills, savings from substitution, and the payback period relative to the amount of production were determined. The compressive strength of the materials decreased by 80% when subjected to freeze-thaw cycles and sulfate attack. In response to acid attack, they showed a 100% increase in strength during the first three weeks and a decrease thereafter. The savings amounted to $46.36 (22.4%) for 40% replacement and $58.93 (28.4%) for 50%. Respectively, return on investment is achieved at 800- and 630-per-metric ton produced. The difference between the costs of waste disposal (in aquaculture) and the potential savings from using CaCO₃ as a raw material (in construction) creates an opportunity for commercialization between the two industries, serves as a reference for decision-makers, and complies with circular economy principles, reducing both inputs of raw materials and outputs of waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy from the Perspective of Technology and Management for Waste)

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18 pages, 3536 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of Dumped Municipal Solid Waste in Sri Lanka as Affected by the Climate Zone and Dumping Age

by Muhammad Rashid Iqbal, Abeywickrama Bamunusin Kankanamge Thilini Piumali, Nadeej Hansaraj Priyankara, Alagiyawanna Mohottalalage Nayana Alagiyawanna, Laksiri Chandana Kurukulasuriya and Ken Kawamoto

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4706; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084706 - 14 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1743

Abstract

Due to the rapid increase in population and urbanization, municipal solid waste (MSW) generation is increasing. Sri Lanka, in particular, faces serious difficulties in finding new sites for MSW disposal, due to the lack of available space; therefore, the rehabilitation of existing MSW dumping sites and the extension of their services are required to achieve sustainable urban development. To examine suitable rehabilitation techniques, it is essential to identify the physicochemical and mechanical properties of dumped MSW, fully considering climatic conditions, waste composition, and the time since the waste was dumped. In this study, therefore, the physicochemical and mechanical properties of dumped MSW were investigated; the dumped MSW was taken from existing MSW dumping sites in three climate zones in Sri Lanka, namely the Karadiyana site in the wet zone, Udapalatha in the intermediate zone, and Hambantota in the dry zone, and it was taken at different times after being dumped. The results showed that the waste composition and biodegradation of organic materials affected the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the dumped waste. The measured compaction parameters of the “old” sites at Udapalatha and Hambantota were higher compared to the “new” sites. Compaction parameters at the Karadiyana site, on the other hand, were low, at even >20 years since being dumped, probably due to the high amount of scarcely compacted materials. In direct shear tests, both strain hardening and softening of the waste samples were observed, depending on the difference in vertical stress. Based on the Pearson correlations among measured physicochemical and mechanical parameters, it was found that the loss on ignition (LOI) would be a good indicator to quickly assess the mechanical parameters of “new” and “old” waste materials, due to the small sensitivities to waste age and climate conditions in Sri Lanka. In particular, LOI correlated well to measured specific gravity and compaction properties, and the r² values of correlations exceeded |0.80|. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy from the Perspective of Technology and Management for Waste)

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17 pages, 26614 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leveraging Life Cycle Assessment to Better Promote the Circular Economy: A First Step Using the Concept of Opportunity Cost

by Esra Aleisa and Reinout Heijungs

Sustainability 2022, 14(6), 3451; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063451 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2797

Abstract

In economics, opportunity cost is defined as the benefit foregone by choosing another course of action. Considering opportunity costs enables the improved handling of trade-offs to better support strategic decision-making. We introduce the concept of opportunity cost into life cycle assessment (LCA). In our framework, opportunity cost extends the system expansion paradigm to support better alignment with a circular economy (CE). Opportunity cost thinking is considered to be most useful for the efficient allocation of scarce economic capital for the creation of economic value. In the environmental domain, we use such thinking to account for the implications of ‘wasting waste’. In this paper, we consider a case of treated wastewater sludge being used as a source of nutrients as a vehicle to study the points at which LCA can support a CE. Our conclusions, however, have wider repercussions because there are many more situations in which product systems are analytically demarcated from the web of connections in which they are embedded. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy from the Perspective of Technology and Management for Waste)

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14 pages, 7183 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microwave Sintering Rapid Synthesis of Nano/Micron β-SiC from Waste Lithium Battery Graphite and Photovoltaic Silicon to Achieve Carbon Reduction

by Min Zhao, Qin Chen, Michael Johnson, Abhishek Kumar Awasthi, Qing Huang, Weihua Gu, Chenglong Zhang, Jianfeng Bai, Zhen Tian, Ruyan Li and Jingwei Wang

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11846; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111846 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2010

Abstract

The paper describes one promising method and approach for the recycling, reuse, and co-resource treatment of waste photovoltaic silicon and lithium battery anode graphite. Specifically, this work considers the preparation of nano/micron silicon carbide (SiC) from waste resources. Using activated carbon as a microwave susceptor over a very short timeframe, this research paper shows that nano/micron β-SiC can be successfully synthesized using microwave sintering technology. The used sintering temperature is significantly faster and more energy-efficient than traditional processes. The research results show that the β-SiC particle growth morphology greatly affected by the microwave sintering time. In a short microwave sintering time, the morphology of the β-SiC product is in the form of nano/micron clusters. The clusters tended to be regenerated into β-SiC nanorods after appropriately extending the microwave sintering time. In the context of heat conversion and resource saving, the comprehensive CO₂ emission reduction is significantly higher than that of the traditional SiC production method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy from the Perspective of Technology and Management for Waste)

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