Pub Date : 2026-02-28Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115370
Siqi Chen , Zhenjie Gu , Yan Fang , Yunxiang Weng , Haiqing Liu , Qinhui Chen
The improper disposal of dredged silt may lead to land occupation, ecological contamination, reduced river flood discharge capacity, and navigation channel obstruction. Based on its inherent characteristics, a dual-functional composite solidifier used for simultaneous flocculation and solidification was developed. Its flocculation efficacy was evaluated by specific resistance to filtration (SRF), capillary suction time (CST), unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing coupled with moisture transformation analysis etc. Results demonstrate that 3% of shell powder addition is optimal through Ca2+-mediated charge neutralization, electrical double layer compression and alkaline-stimulated gelation. Fluorogypsum facilitates the formation of AFt crystal for pore-filling, while the hydration of shell powder provides alkaline Ca(OH)2 to drive pozzolanic reactions to form C-S(A)-H gels which play a role in cementation and densification. The UCS of solidified soil reaches 2.52 MPa at the synergistic effect of the comprehensive waste utilization which displays superior sustainability and cost-effectiveness over conventional cement-based approaches. The solidified soil exhibits friendliness towards green plants. This disposal method achieves the recycling and resource recovery of three types of solid waste.
{"title":"Sustainable development solidification of dredged silt by fluorogypsum with the flocculation and activation of shell powder","authors":"Siqi Chen , Zhenjie Gu , Yan Fang , Yunxiang Weng , Haiqing Liu , Qinhui Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115370","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115370","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The improper disposal of dredged silt may lead to land occupation, ecological contamination, reduced river flood discharge capacity, and navigation channel obstruction. Based on its inherent characteristics, a dual-functional composite solidifier used for simultaneous flocculation and solidification was developed. Its flocculation efficacy was evaluated by specific resistance to filtration (SRF), capillary suction time (CST), unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing coupled with moisture transformation analysis etc. Results demonstrate that 3% of shell powder addition is optimal through Ca<sup>2+</sup>-mediated charge neutralization, electrical double layer compression and alkaline-stimulated gelation. Fluorogypsum facilitates the formation of AFt crystal for pore-filling, while the hydration of shell powder provides alkaline Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub> to drive pozzolanic reactions to form C-S(A)-H gels which play a role in cementation and densification. The UCS of solidified soil reaches 2.52 MPa at the synergistic effect of the comprehensive waste utilization which displays superior sustainability and cost-effectiveness over conventional cement-based approaches. The solidified soil exhibits friendliness towards green plants. This disposal method achieves the recycling and resource recovery of three types of solid waste.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 115370"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-28Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115371
Felix Brück , Florian Schmutzler , Jan Reeh , Christine Fröhlich , Harald Platen , Harald Weigand
Lime treatment is widely applied for stabilizing and conditioning municipal sewage sludge to improve handling and hygienic properties. It also offers the potential for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration through lime recarbonation. Thereby, atmospheric CO2 reacts with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) to form calcium carbonate (CaCO3), partly or fully offsetting process CO2 emissions generated during lime production. However, its extent and rate are largely unexplored.
We investigated the spontaneous recarbonation of lime-treated sewage sludge using samples from two full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). WWTP1 applies hydrated lime prior to dewatering, while WWTP2 adds quicklime after dewatering. Samples were incubated under controlled conditions for six months and analyzed using thermogravimetry–mass spectrometry (TGA–MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and bulk element determinations.
Progressive transformation of Ca(OH)2 into CaCO3 confirmed spontaneous recarbonation. Within four months, WWTP1 samples reached near-complete carbonation with rates approaching 100 % of the calcination-related process CO2 emissions. By contrast, WWTP2 samples exhibited lower rates of recarbonation, with a maximum of ∼94 %, likely due to heterogeneous lime distribution, and encapsulation of unreacted lime along with differences in lime quality.
These findings provide the first conclusive evidence for substantial spontaneous recarbonation of lime-treated sewage sludge under ambient conditions. They demonstrate that CO2 uptake is strongly influenced by lime type, dosing strategy, and sludge composition. This establishes a robust basis for integrating lime recarbonation into carbon accounting frameworks and for evaluating the long-term carbon sink potential of lime-treated sludge, while fuel-related emissions from lime production remain outside the scope of this study.
{"title":"From lime stabilization to CO2 sequestration: spontaneous recarbonation in municipal sewage sludge","authors":"Felix Brück , Florian Schmutzler , Jan Reeh , Christine Fröhlich , Harald Platen , Harald Weigand","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115371","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115371","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lime treatment is widely applied for stabilizing and conditioning municipal sewage sludge to improve handling and hygienic properties. It also offers the potential for carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) sequestration through lime recarbonation. Thereby, atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> reacts with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub>) to form calcium carbonate (CaCO<sub>3</sub>), partly or fully offsetting process CO<sub>2</sub> emissions generated during lime production. However, its extent and rate are largely unexplored.</div><div>We investigated the spontaneous recarbonation of lime-treated sewage sludge using samples from two full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). WWTP1 applies hydrated lime prior to dewatering, while WWTP2 adds quicklime after dewatering. Samples were incubated under controlled conditions for six months and analyzed using thermogravimetry–mass spectrometry (TGA–MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and bulk element determinations.</div><div>Progressive transformation of Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub> into CaCO<sub>3</sub> confirmed spontaneous recarbonation. Within four months, WWTP1 samples reached near-complete carbonation with rates approaching 100 % of the calcination-related process CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. By contrast, WWTP2 samples exhibited lower rates of recarbonation, with a maximum of ∼94 %, likely due to heterogeneous lime distribution, and encapsulation of unreacted lime along with differences in lime quality.</div><div>These findings provide the first conclusive evidence for substantial spontaneous recarbonation of lime-treated sewage sludge under ambient conditions. They demonstrate that CO<sub>2</sub> uptake is strongly influenced by lime type, dosing strategy, and sludge composition. This establishes a robust basis for integrating lime recarbonation into carbon accounting frameworks and for evaluating the long-term carbon sink potential of lime-treated sludge, while fuel-related emissions from lime production remain outside the scope of this study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 115371"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aiming to mitigate the impacts of global plastic pollution, several strategies have been adopted, such as replacing conventional plastics with compostable and biodegradable polymers. However, the effectiveness of these polymers in real-world environments has been questioned due to low degradation rates. Therefore, the present study experimentally assessed, in a real estuarine environment, degradation of bags made of PLA + PBAT + starch, PLA + PBAT, polyethylene (PE) with an oxo-biodegradable additive and solely PE. During an 180-day exposure period, morphological, chemical and structural analyses including SEM, FTIR, TGA and DSC were carried out. The results showed that bags made of PLA + PBAT + starch presented more consistent degradation evidence, in estuarine environments, than those without starch addition (PLA + PBAT). However, after 45 days of exposure, such blends have undergone fragmentation, probably forming microplastics (MPs). While samples composed by PLA + PBAT + starch significative differed in macroscopic and microscopic structure, condition indexes and thermal properties from ordinary PE, no significative differences were seen for samples made of PLA + PBAT and oxo-biodegradable plastics. Despite degradation performance of bags PLA + PBAT + starch based, assessments with regard microplastic formation and ecotoxicity must be performed in aquatic scenarios.
{"title":"Degradation of supposedly biodegradable polymers in a real estuarine environment","authors":"Beatriz Barbosa Moreno , Milton Alexandre Cardoso , Fabio Ruiz Simões , Isabelly Bertochi Veroneze , Sandra Andrea Cruz , Ítalo Braga Castro","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115365","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115365","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aiming to mitigate the impacts of global plastic pollution, several strategies have been adopted, such as replacing conventional plastics with compostable and biodegradable polymers. However, the effectiveness of these polymers in real-world environments has been questioned due to low degradation rates. Therefore, the present study experimentally assessed, in a real estuarine environment, degradation of bags made of PLA + PBAT + starch, PLA + PBAT, polyethylene (PE) with an oxo-biodegradable additive and solely PE. During an 180-day exposure period, morphological, chemical and structural analyses including SEM, FTIR, TGA and DSC were carried out. The results showed that bags made of PLA + PBAT + starch presented more consistent degradation evidence, in estuarine environments, than those without starch addition (PLA + PBAT). However, after 45 days of exposure, such blends have undergone fragmentation, probably forming microplastics (MPs). While samples composed by PLA + PBAT + starch significative differed in macroscopic and microscopic structure, condition indexes and thermal properties from ordinary PE, no significative differences were seen for samples made of PLA + PBAT and oxo-biodegradable plastics. Despite degradation performance of bags PLA + PBAT + starch based, assessments with regard microplastic formation and ecotoxicity must be performed in aquatic scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 115365"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-28Epub Date: 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115375
Lezhu Su , Yuanqi Peng , Yan Tan , Yuzhen Chen , Bo Xiang , Kailiang Xie , Fushan Zhang , Nan Zhou
For centuries, plant ash has been repurposed as a fertilizer owing to its nutrient richness. Black carbon particles within plant ash serve as one of the vectors for potassium; however, their inherent high stability facilitates accumulation and migration in the soil, consequently impacting the release of potassium and other nutrients. In this study, based on the DLVO theory, the transport of black-carbon and endogenous potassium was studied by leaching released experiment. And the influence of black carbon from tobacco straw (TC) and corn straw (CC) on potassium ion (K+) release across varying conditions were compared. The results indicated that the endogenous potassium content in TC was 144 mg·g−1, with approximately 78% being readily available, which was 1.5 times the potassium supply capacity of CC. In contrast, CC exhibited higher hydrophobicity, resulting in a much higher migration rate compared to TC. Notably, as the pH increased, so did the repulsive forces, ion concentration, and ionic valence, intensifying the compression of the electric double layer and impacting the transport of black carbon and potassium. This research offers valuable insights for the development of ecological fertilizers, highlighting the impact of black-carbon properties on potassium dynamics in agricultural systems.
{"title":"Straw ash-derived black carbon particles: Insights into potassium release and transport mechanisms","authors":"Lezhu Su , Yuanqi Peng , Yan Tan , Yuzhen Chen , Bo Xiang , Kailiang Xie , Fushan Zhang , Nan Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115375","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115375","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For centuries, plant ash has been repurposed as a fertilizer owing to its nutrient richness. Black carbon particles within plant ash serve as one of the vectors for potassium; however, their inherent high stability facilitates accumulation and migration in the soil, consequently impacting the release of potassium and other nutrients. In this study, based on the DLVO theory, the transport of black-carbon and endogenous potassium was studied by leaching released experiment. And the influence of black carbon from tobacco straw (TC) and corn straw (CC) on potassium ion (K<sup>+</sup>) release across varying conditions were compared. The results indicated that the endogenous potassium content in TC was 144 mg·g<sup>−1</sup>, with approximately 78% being readily available, which was 1.5 times the potassium supply capacity of CC. In contrast, CC exhibited higher hydrophobicity, resulting in a much higher migration rate compared to TC. Notably, as the pH increased, so did the repulsive forces, ion concentration, and ionic valence, intensifying the compression of the electric double layer and impacting the transport of black carbon and potassium. This research offers valuable insights for the development of ecological fertilizers, highlighting the impact of black-carbon properties on potassium dynamics in agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 115375"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115346
Mario Ávila , Sofie Verbrugge , Inge Bellemans , Kim Verbeken
This study evaluates the potential of partially replacing coking coal—a critical raw material—with solid recovered fuel (SRF) pellets made from non-recyclable waste plastics. Total CO2 emissions and gross profit (GP) from metallurgical coke production in 2019, 2022, and 2023 were assessed across nine plant configurations under two scenarios: the Benchmark Scenario (BS) using only coking coal, and the AlterCoal Scenario (AS) replacing 2 wt% of the coking coal by SRF pellets. Results show indirect and total emissions in the AS decreased by 5.7 % and 6.4 %, respectively. Higher pellet density increased GP, though with a minor rise in emissions. Additionally, a linear correlation was found between GP and oven pushes: plants with fewer daily pushes—due to larger ovens—achieved greater profitability and GP per ton of direct CO2 emitted. These results provide guidelines for steel plants considering this process, thereby contributing to the broader goal of emission reduction.
{"title":"Carbon footprint of coke-making in Europe and the cost-effectiveness of plant design: Optimization by using alternative reductants","authors":"Mario Ávila , Sofie Verbrugge , Inge Bellemans , Kim Verbeken","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115346","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115346","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the potential of partially replacing coking coal—a critical raw material—with solid recovered fuel (SRF) pellets made from non-recyclable waste plastics. Total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and gross profit (GP) from metallurgical coke production in 2019, 2022, and 2023 were assessed across nine plant configurations under two scenarios: the Benchmark Scenario (BS) using only coking coal, and the AlterCoal Scenario (AS) replacing 2 wt% of the coking coal by SRF pellets. Results show indirect and total emissions in the AS decreased by 5.7 % and 6.4 %, respectively. Higher pellet density increased GP, though with a minor rise in emissions. Additionally, a linear correlation was found between GP and oven pushes: plants with fewer daily pushes—due to larger ovens—achieved greater profitability and GP per ton of direct CO<sub>2</sub> emitted. These results provide guidelines for steel plants considering this process, thereby contributing to the broader goal of emission reduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115346"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study used quantitative biogas measurements from four full-scale biogas plants to determine which trace components can be expected in biogas from biogenic agricultural or municipal residues. The objective was to identify trace compounds that could damage the catalyst when biogas is used as a feedstock for a catalytic conversion. Knowing the exact composition of the biogas, including for example all sulfur-containing molecules, is therefore essential for the process’s operational expenditures (OPEX). The results of this investigation add to a database of fully measured biogases and can be used to select suitable biogas purification steps. Trace compounds found in all measured biogas samples were ethanol, acetone, toluene, alpha-pinene and 3–methylfuran. However, biogases from different substrates contain distinctive trace components. The biogas from organic waste shows the highest amount of S-containing molecules (up to 14.7 ppm in total), while the biogas from wastewater sludge shows higher amounts of siloxanes (50 mg m–3STP) and the biogases from agricultural waste contain oxygenates like acetone and 2-butanone. Measurements taken at various points along the process chain indicate that activated carbon is sufficient for removing most of the trace components from biogas. However, it was observed in one plant that the activated carbon must be replaced before it reaches its adsorption limit to avoid the desorption of volatile organic compounds. Biogas or the biogenic CO2 are well-suited to be used in downstream processes, but analytical monitoring of the biogas composition and a suitable connection between plant and downstream process are required.
{"title":"Extensive study on biogas trace compounds from agricultural and municipal biomass residues for downstream catalytic conversion","authors":"Selina Nieß , Mathias Stur , Ute Mikow , Marcel Pohl , Marco Klemm","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115330","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115330","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study used quantitative biogas measurements from four full-scale biogas plants to determine which trace components can be expected in biogas from biogenic agricultural or municipal residues. The objective was to identify trace compounds that could damage the catalyst when biogas is used as a feedstock for a catalytic conversion. Knowing the exact composition of the biogas, including for example all sulfur-containing molecules, is therefore essential for the process’s operational expenditures (OPEX). The results of this investigation add to a database of fully measured biogases and can be used to select suitable biogas purification steps. Trace compounds found in all measured biogas samples were ethanol, acetone, toluene, alpha-pinene and 3–methylfuran. However, biogases from different substrates contain distinctive trace components. The biogas from organic waste shows the highest amount of S-containing molecules (up to 14.7<!--> <!-->ppm in total), while the biogas from wastewater sludge shows higher amounts of siloxanes (50 mg m<sup>–3</sup>STP) and the biogases from agricultural waste contain oxygenates like acetone and 2-butanone. Measurements taken at various points along the process chain indicate that activated carbon is sufficient for removing most of the trace components from biogas. However, it was observed in one plant that the activated carbon must be replaced before it reaches its adsorption limit to avoid the desorption of volatile organic compounds. Biogas or the biogenic CO<sub>2</sub> are well-suited to be used in downstream processes, but analytical monitoring of the biogas composition and a suitable connection between plant and downstream process are required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115330"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145918599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115355
Maoting Yu , Chengping Li , Ailin Xu , Bo Li , Yushu Wu , Boyue Dong , Zhaohui Zheng , Jinsong Wang , Yingjie Zhang , Peng Dong , Chongjun Bao , Zhengfu Zhang
The rapid expansion of electric vehicles has driven a surge in end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Conventional hydrometallurgical recycling, dependent on strong inorganic acids and chloride-containing reagents, induces severe secondary pollution and equipment corrosion. Although deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are extensively explored as green alternatives, mainstream chloride salt-acid systems persistently risk chlorine contamination, necessitating inherently safe chloride-free alternatives. This study developed a novel chloride-free DES with excellent recyclability using trimethylglycine (TMG) and glycolic acid (GA). Response surface methodology (RSM) optimization yielded optimal leaching conditions: 1.95 h, TMG:GA molar ratio of 1:3.2, S/L of 20 g/L, and 99 °C. Under these conditions, unprecedented leaching efficiencies (>99%) for Li, Ni, Co, and Mn from spent LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM111) were achieved, with demonstrated universality across multiple cathode configurations (>94%). The kinetic study showed that the leaching process is governed by surface chemical reaction, with activation energies of 33.19/42.61/40.50/37.38 kJ mol-1 for Li/Ni/Co/Mn. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveiled that the DES disrupts metal–oxygen (M−O) bonds via a synergistic reductive-chelation mechanism, where binding energies followed Mn > Co > Ni. This work offers a promising approach for recycling spent batteries with its environmental friendliness, high efficiency, broad applicability, and in-depth mechanism.
{"title":"Synergistic and efficient leaching of valuable metals from spent NCM cathodes using a novel chlorine-free acidic deep eutectic solvent","authors":"Maoting Yu , Chengping Li , Ailin Xu , Bo Li , Yushu Wu , Boyue Dong , Zhaohui Zheng , Jinsong Wang , Yingjie Zhang , Peng Dong , Chongjun Bao , Zhengfu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115355","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115355","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid expansion of electric vehicles has driven a surge in end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Conventional hydrometallurgical recycling, dependent on strong inorganic acids and chloride-containing reagents, induces severe secondary pollution and equipment corrosion. Although deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are extensively explored as green alternatives, mainstream chloride salt-acid systems persistently risk chlorine contamination, necessitating inherently safe chloride-free alternatives. This study developed a novel chloride-free DES with excellent recyclability using trimethylglycine (TMG) and glycolic acid (GA). Response surface methodology (RSM) optimization yielded optimal leaching conditions: 1.95 h, TMG:GA molar ratio of 1:3.2, S/L of 20 g/L, and 99 °C. Under these conditions, unprecedented leaching efficiencies (>99%) for Li, Ni, Co, and Mn from spent LiNi<sub>1/3</sub>Co<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (NCM111) were achieved, with demonstrated universality across multiple cathode configurations (>94%). The kinetic study showed that the leaching process is governed by surface chemical reaction, with activation energies of 33.19/42.61/40.50/37.38 kJ mol<sup>-1</sup> for Li/Ni/Co/Mn. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveiled that the DES disrupts metal–oxygen (M−O) bonds via a synergistic reductive-chelation mechanism, where binding energies followed Mn > Co > Ni. This work offers a promising approach for recycling spent batteries with its environmental friendliness, high efficiency, broad applicability, and in-depth mechanism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115355"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Composting is a widely used method for managing and valorizing biowaste. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is commonly applied to evaluate its environmental impacts. Current methods used to model life cycle inventories often oversimplify the complex physical, chemical, and biological processes involved. This study introduces the Parametrized Composting Tool for Environmental Assessment (PaCTEA), developed to better capture the influence of biowaste composition variability and operational parameters on composting environmental impacts. PaCTEA integrates a composting model that predicts direct emissions of CO2, NH3, CH4, and N2O, as well as the nutrient composition of the resulting compost. This detailed characterization enables a more accurate estimation of the potential substitution of fertilizers and peat. Even though the core of PaCTEA is a complex chemical engineering model, it is linked to a simple parametrization based on operational parameters. To demonstrate its functionality, simulations were performed to assess the influence of biowaste composition, aeration mode, and ambient temperature on the environmental performance of composting. The LCA results show clear differences between scenarios. Variations in biowaste composition reduced ecosystem quality and natural resource impacts by up to 29% and 52%, and increased human health benefits by nearly 9%. Passive aeration outperformed active aeration, improving ecosystem quality by up to 175% and human health benefits by 35%, while reducing natural resource impacts by 50%. Composting at 5°C increased ecosystem quality and resource impacts by up to 32% and 7%, and reduced human health benefits by about 5% compared to 25°C.
{"title":"Parametrization of biowaste composting system for life cycle assessment","authors":"Nomena Ravoahangy , Guillaume Majeau-Bettez , Olivier Schoefs","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115337","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115337","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Composting is a widely used method for managing and valorizing biowaste. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is commonly applied to evaluate its environmental impacts. Current methods used to model life cycle inventories often oversimplify the complex physical, chemical, and biological processes involved. This study introduces the Parametrized Composting Tool for Environmental Assessment (PaCTEA), developed to better capture the influence of biowaste composition variability and operational parameters on composting environmental impacts. PaCTEA integrates a composting model that predicts direct emissions of CO<sub>2</sub>, NH<sub>3</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, and N<sub>2</sub>O, as well as the nutrient composition of the resulting compost. This detailed characterization enables a more accurate estimation of the potential substitution of fertilizers and peat. Even though the core of PaCTEA is a complex chemical engineering model, it is linked to a simple parametrization based on operational parameters. To demonstrate its functionality, simulations were performed to assess the influence of biowaste composition, aeration mode, and ambient temperature on the environmental performance of composting. The LCA results show clear differences between scenarios. Variations in biowaste composition reduced ecosystem quality and natural resource impacts by up to 29% and 52%, and increased human health benefits by nearly 9%. Passive aeration outperformed active aeration, improving ecosystem quality by up to 175% and human health benefits by 35%, while reducing natural resource impacts by 50%. Composting at 5°C increased ecosystem quality and resource impacts by up to 32% and 7%, and reduced human health benefits by about 5% compared to 25°C.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115337"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115356
Moritz Mager , Lukas Zeilerbauer , Alexander Felgel-Farnholz , Sandra Czaker , Jörg Fischer , Sander H.J. Postema , Johann B. Kasper , Marcel C.P. van Eijk
European legislation, particularly the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), is rapidly increasing the demand for high-quality recycled polypropylene (PP) in packaging applications. Achieving such qualities through mechanical recycling remains challenging due to the heterogeneity of post-consumer waste, while the role of intensified washing in the overall decontamination remains debated. This study evaluates the influence of additional sorting and washing intensity on material properties, product performance, and environmental impacts in mechanical recycling of Dutch post-consumer rigid PP. White, clear, and colored fractions were processed under cold and hot wash conditions, extruded, and converted into cups by injection molding and thermoforming. Sorting effectively reduced feedstock heterogeneity, while hot washing slightly improved oxidation stability and ductility. Cup testing showed that the investigated recyclates achieved 77–88 % of virgin polypropylene top load performance. Hot washing removed surface contamination but did not significantly reduce volatile organic compounds or migration levels. A Life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed in openLCA using Ecoinvent background data. The results showed that advanced mechanical recycling, despite higher energy and chemical demand, remained environmentally advantageous, achieving significantly lower climate change impacts compared to virgin PP. However, the recyclate substitution rate in final products was identified as the dominant driver of environmental benefits. Overall, maximizing substitution and sorting efficiency proved more effective for achieving sustainable, high-quality PP recycling than intensifying washing.
{"title":"Advancing mechanical recycling of polypropylene: lessons from sorting, washing, and life cycle assessment","authors":"Moritz Mager , Lukas Zeilerbauer , Alexander Felgel-Farnholz , Sandra Czaker , Jörg Fischer , Sander H.J. Postema , Johann B. Kasper , Marcel C.P. van Eijk","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115356","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115356","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>European legislation, particularly the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), is rapidly increasing the demand for high-quality recycled polypropylene (PP) in packaging applications. Achieving such qualities through mechanical recycling remains challenging due to the heterogeneity of post-consumer waste, while the role of intensified washing in the overall decontamination remains debated. This study evaluates the influence of additional sorting and washing intensity on material properties, product performance, and environmental impacts in mechanical recycling of Dutch post-consumer rigid PP. White, clear, and colored fractions were processed under cold and hot wash conditions, extruded, and converted into cups by injection molding and thermoforming. Sorting effectively reduced feedstock heterogeneity, while hot washing slightly improved oxidation stability and ductility. Cup testing showed that the investigated recyclates achieved 77–88 % of virgin polypropylene top load performance. Hot washing removed surface contamination but did not significantly reduce volatile organic compounds or migration levels. A Life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed in openLCA using Ecoinvent background data. The results showed that advanced mechanical recycling, despite higher energy and chemical demand, remained environmentally advantageous, achieving significantly lower climate change impacts compared to virgin PP. However, the recyclate substitution rate in final products was identified as the dominant driver of environmental benefits. Overall, maximizing substitution and sorting efficiency proved more effective for achieving sustainable, high-quality PP recycling than intensifying washing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115356"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146019853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115314
Jan-Ole Boness , Timo Kautz , Bärbel Kroschewski , Roland Hoffmann-Bahnsen
The use of human excreta in the context of the circular economy has the potential to recycle nutrients, save water and energy, and sequester carbon. However, the risk of pathogen contamination of soil and crops, particularly from land application of solid human excreta (feces), is a realistic scenario. In our study we investigated a double thermophilically treated and quality assured compost (Hygienized Human Feces Compost). We used indicator organisms for fecal contamination to monitor the risk of pathogen contamination of the soil after application of human feces compost. Indicator organisms were Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Enterococcus spp. and Clostridium perfringens. One pot experiment under semi-controlled conditions and three on-farm experiments were conducted on loamy sand and sand soils. The experimental period ranged from 58 to 1123 days. The levels of fecal indicator organisms in soil show a consistent pattern across all experiments. E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Enterococcus spp. were not detected in any of the soil samples. C. perfringens was found in concentrations ranging from <10 to 103 CFU g−1 FM. However, there was no evidence of a systematic increase in the soil concentrations of C. perfringens following human feces compost application. In different years and under different experimental conditions, we were not able to detect any increase in the concentration of indicator organisms for fecal contamination in our experiments. We therefore assume that sandy soils might be generally suitable for application of quality-assured fertilizers from human excreta.
{"title":"Does human excreta fertilization increase pathogen contamination in sandy soils?","authors":"Jan-Ole Boness , Timo Kautz , Bärbel Kroschewski , Roland Hoffmann-Bahnsen","doi":"10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115314","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115314","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of human excreta in the context of the circular economy has the potential to recycle nutrients, save water and energy, and sequester carbon. However, the risk of pathogen contamination of soil and crops, particularly from land application of solid human excreta (feces), is a realistic scenario. In our study we investigated a double thermophilically treated and quality assured compost (Hygienized Human Feces Compost). We used indicator organisms for fecal contamination to monitor the risk of pathogen contamination of the soil after application of human feces compost. Indicator organisms were <em>Escherichia coli</em>, <em>Salmonella</em> spp., <em>Enterococcus</em> spp. and <em>Clostridium perfringens</em>. One pot experiment under semi-controlled conditions and three on-farm experiments were conducted on loamy sand and sand soils. The experimental period ranged from 58 to 1123 days. The levels of fecal indicator organisms in soil show a consistent pattern across all experiments. <em>E. coli</em>, <em>Salmonella</em> spp. and <em>Enterococcus</em> spp. were not detected in any of the soil samples. <em>C. perfringens</em> was found in concentrations ranging from <10 to 10<sup>3</sup> CFU g<sup>−1</sup> FM. However, there was no evidence of a systematic increase in the soil concentrations of <em>C. perfringens</em> following human feces compost application. In different years and under different experimental conditions, we were not able to detect any increase in the concentration of indicator organisms for fecal contamination in our experiments. We therefore assume that sandy soils might be generally suitable for application of quality-assured fertilizers from human excreta.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23969,"journal":{"name":"Waste management","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 115314"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145852456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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