The energy assessment of COVID-19 medical waste as a potential fuel

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge health and economic damages. Various protective face masks, such as single-use, cotton, and the most widespread FFP2 or KN95 masks, are used to prevent the spread of this virus. However, these face masks are usually packaged in plastic packaging, which increases the amount of plastic waste. Plastic gloves are also often used in the connection of the pandemic. All this leads to a large production of protective equipment, but their use contributes to the increase of this type of waste, which presents a new challenge in waste management. This article investigates a complete element analysis of these mentioned materials and observes potential harmful substances. Further, pellets, as a potential fuel for combustion or pyrolysis purposes, were produced with the content of 5% and 10% of face masks. FFP2 were firstly separated from ear straps and wires, then disintegrated, added to spruce sawdust, and compressed into pellets. A series of experiments were realized and aimed at elemental, thermogravimetric, and calorific value analyses of produced pellets. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the presence of face masks FFP2 in pellets increases the content of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen, volatile matter, and calorific values, but decreases the content of fixed carbon. According to elemental analysis of produced pellets, no significant amounts of harmful elements were found. © 2023 The Author(s)

CO2-mediated thermal treatment of disposable plastic food containers

In accordance with global economic prosperity, the frequencies of food delivery and takeout orders have been increasing. The pandemic life, specifically arising from COVID-19, rapidly expanded the food delivery service. Thus, the massive generation of disposable plastic food containers has become significant environmental problems. Establishing a sustainable disposal platform for plastic packaging waste (PPW) of food delivery containers has intrigued particular interest. To comprise this grand challenge, a reliable thermal disposable platform has been suggested in this study. From the pyrolysis process, a heterogeneous plastic mixture of PPW was converted into syngas and value-added hydrocarbons (HCs). PPW collected from five different restaurants consisted of polypropylene (36.9 wt%), polyethylene (10.5 wt%), polyethylene terephthalate (18.1 wt%), polystyrene (13.5 wt%), polyvinyl chloride (4.2 wt%), and other composites (16.8 wt%). Due to these compositional complexities, pyrolysis of PPW led to formations of a variety of benzene derivatives and aliphatic HCs. Adapting multi-stage pyrolysis, the different chemicals were converted into industrial chemicals (benzene, toluene, styrene, etc.). To selectively convert HCs into syngas (H2 and CO), catalytic pyrolysis was adapted using supported Ni catalyst (5 wt% Ni/SiO2). Over Ni catalyst, H2 was produced as a main product due to C[sbnd]H bond scission of HCs. When CO2 was used as a co-reactant, HCs were further transformed to H2 and CO through the chemical reactions of CO2 with gas phase HCs. CO2-assisted catalytic pyrolysis also retarded catalyst deactivation inhibiting coke deposition on Ni catalyst. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.

Reducing Volume to Increase Capacity—Measures to Reduce Transport Energy for Recyclable Waste Collection

The production of municipal waste is increasing all over the world. Although a significant part of the waste is collected as commingled waste, much of it is recyclable if disposed of properly. Thus, separate deposition and collection plays an extremely important role today, more than ever, not only in terms of preventing pollution but also from the point of view of recycling as a driver of circular economy and of efficient use of resources. This work is focused on the development of compaction equipment to be applied to containers, which allows a more efficient approach to the process of collecting waste for recycling. As a management option, recycling depends on collective behavior which is based on individual acts. Therefore, individual use of plastic/metal compaction systems can help meet recycling targets, even as a complement to conventional bins. Thus, herein a proposal is presented for a plastic/metal collection station with a built-in compaction element that allows for the compacting of the separated waste, individually, in an easily accessible drawer. Sorting and compacting waste before collection will result in a reduction of the number of collection/transport stops, which will also translate into higher energy efficiency, cost savings, optimization of the transported tons/km ratio, and profitability.

CO2-mediated thermal treatment of disposable plastic food containers

In accordance with global economic prosperity, the frequencies of food delivery and takeout orders have been increasing. The pandemic life, specifically arising from COVID-19, rapidly expanded the food delivery service. Thus, the massive generation of disposable plastic food containers has become significant environmental problems. Establishing a sustainable disposal platform for plastic packaging waste (PPW) of food delivery containers has intrigued particular interest. To comprise this grand challenge, a reliable thermal disposable platform has been suggested in this study. From the pyrolysis process, a heterogeneous plastic mixture of PPW was converted into syngas and value-added hydrocarbons (HCs). PPW collected from five different restaurants consisted of polypropylene (36.9 wt%), polyethylene (10.5 wt%), polyethylene terephthalate (18.1 wt%), polystyrene (13.5 wt%), polyvinyl chloride (4.2 wt%), and other composites (16.8 wt%). Due to these compositional complexities, pyrolysis of PPW led to formations of a variety of benzene derivatives and aliphatic HCs. Adapting multi-stage pyrolysis, the different chemicals were converted into industrial chemicals (benzene, toluene, styrene, etc.). To selectively convert HCs into syngas (H2 and CO), catalytic pyrolysis was adapted using supported Ni catalyst (5 wt% Ni/SiO2). Over Ni catalyst, H2 was produced as a main product due to CH bond scission of HCs. When CO2 was used as a co-reactant, HCs were further transformed to H2 and CO through the chemical reactions of CO2 with gas phase HCs. CO2-assisted catalytic pyrolysis also retarded catalyst deactivation inhibiting coke deposition on Ni catalyst.

Spent coffee grounds: An intriguing biowaste reinforcement of thermoplastic starch with potential application in green packaging

With respect to the explosion of single-use plastic packaging consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, environmentally friendly substitutes are critically needful for sustainable development. Therefore, the present work focuses on the functional properties of bioplastic blends prepared through hot compressing molding of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and spent coffee grounds (SCG) in different ratios (0%–20% SCG) as the potential features of SCG were extensively employed in biocomposites for the first time. The insertion of dark brown SCG into TPS hindered UV transmission by 100% at 320 nm and 99.2% at 400 nm. Moreover, the samples with 15% and 20% SCG induced a surge in radical scavenging activity from 7.95% to over 92% at a concentration of 0.1 g/ml owing to the rich source of antioxidants in SCG. The lignin component and high carbon content also improved the thermal performance of TPS/SCG blends, enhancing thermal stability, delaying onset and maximum degradation temperatures, and achieving the HB rating in the UL-94 test. Compared to a pure TPS matrix, TPS blends incorporating up to 10% SCG exhibited improvement in elastic modulus without deterioration of tensile strength. © 2022 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Assessing Consumers’ Intentions Towards Green Alternatives of Disposable Packaging: A Case Study in Beijing and Shanghai

China’s plastic pollution has gotten worse, especially during the COVID pandemic when the city’s lockdowns boosted the food takeout business. Although the government has made efforts in curbing the use of conventional single-use plastic packaging, the problem is still looming up in the critical time of building ecological civilization. The key to resolve the overwhelming usage of disposable plastic packaging lies in reduction, along with using green alternatives: biodegradable packaging and returnable containers. The study investigated consumers’ willingness to adopt new alternatives by applying the extended classical behavioral theory: the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The measurement scale, developed upon previous literature, gains validated reliability and validity after running confirmatory factory analysis (CFA) in SmartPLS. The study distributed 536 questionnaires online, targeting consumers from Beijing and Shanghai. 430 valid samples were collected and analyzed, with results showing that consumers’ perceived behavior control has strong and positive effect on their willingness to pay more to using biodegradable packaging and willingness to participate in the returnable container programs. The environmental attitude, social norms and past green behavior show less direct relationships with people’s adopting intentions. Their effects on the intentions are mediated by perceived behavior control disproportionately. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Impact of COVID 19 on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Evidence from Egyptian Plastic Packaging Industry

The paper presents the impact of COVID 19 on small-and medium-sized enterprises and the survival initiatives based on the owners' perspectives. The authors focused on plastic packaging small and medium size producers working in Egypt as a case study. The study applies qualitative approach conducted through phone-based interviews with five selected SMEs' and also supported by desk research and followed by three experts' interviews with professionals working at the ministry of environment in Egypt. The paper finds that SMEs working in the plastic packaging in Egypt were hit significantly by COVID-19. The impacts of COVID 19 on SMEs are classified into operational problems and financial problems. Regarding operational problems, the number of paid employees and the total number of hours worked by paid employees were reduced by 50%. And in terms of production, clear disruption in the supply chain occurred. Regarding financials, they have limited cash on hand, yet they did not apply for a loan to cover their expenses and preferred to temporarily reduce production. This paper represents one of the first attempts to closely assess the impact of COVID-19 on Egyptian SMEs working in plastic packaging. The assessment considers various aspects including employment, production, supply chain, financials, and the outlook to capture the full potential cost of COVID-19. It also discusses the solid waste plan (2019-2023) and how the government can support the green initiatives related to plastic recycling. The results show that fiscal and monetary measures taken by the Egyptian government were not perceived as the ultimate support desired by SMEs in this specific industry. They wanted more tailored programs addressing their specific needs. © 2021 IEEE.

System Dynamic Modeling for Plastic Supply Chain in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Plastic packaging wastes are increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers tend to stay home and purchase online. Plastic packaging waste is difficult to break down. It pollutes the environment and then enters the food chain, putting people and wildlife at risk. This paper presents the development of system dynamic models for sustainable plastic supply chain management in Klang Valley, Malaysia. System dynamic models for plastic supply chains, including forward, open-loop and closed-loop supply chains, were developed using Vensim 7.2 PLE software. To estimate the amount of plastic packaging wastes discharged at landfill, these models were simulated using various waste diversion rates. The results indicated that, when all stakeholders in the supply chain recycled 10% of their plastic packaging waste, the total amount of plastic packaging waste going to landfill could be reduced by approximately 65%. However, the means of open-loop and closed-loop supply chains, did not differ much. © 2022, HARD Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Recyclable waste collection—Increasing ecopoint filling capacity to reduce energy for transportation

Urban waste production is increasing around the world. In the present Covid-19 context, an emergent flow of waste growth, as well as of pollution in general, stems from confinement and the use of protective masks. Although part of the waste is considered commingled, much is recyclable, if properly disposed off. Hence, recycling plays today, more than ever, an extremely important role, not only in terms of pollution prevention, but also from the point of view of the circular economy and of resources use efficiency. Thus, this work is focused on developing an approach to assist in recycling wastes. As a management option, recycling depends on a collective behavior, that relies on individual acts. Therefore, the individual use of plastic/metal compaction systems can help reaching the recycling targets, even as a complement to conventional commingled waste bins. Thus, we present a proposal for a plastic/metal collection station with a built-in compaction element that allows one to compact separated waste, individually, in an easily accessible drawer. Sorting and compaction of waste before collection will then result in a reduction of the number of collection/transportations stops, which will also translate into higher efficiency, reduction of costs, optimization of transported tons/km ratio, and profitability.

An Environmental Dilemma for China During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Explosion of Disposable Plastic Wastes.

Plastic pollution control has been on top of the political agenda in China. In January 2020, China announced a phased ban on the production and usage of various types of single-use plastics as a solution to environmental pollution problems. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 seems to be a new obstacle to the ban on single-use plastic products. To basically satisfied the daily necessities and contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 under the background of the regular epidemic prevention and control in China, online ordering, contactless delivery and wearing mask have become an important and feasible way of daily life. However, the unrestrained use of disposable plastic bags, lunch boxes and masks within the nationwide quarantine leads to hundreds of millions of plastics wastes every day. The potential environmental pollution caused by the use of disposable plastic products during the pandemic should arouse social concern. The Chinese government should manage environmental protection in parallel with anti-pandemic endeavors as the situation of the pandemic evolves.