Development and application of a multiple linear regression model to consider the impact of weekly waste container capacity on the yield from kerbside recycling programmes

The paper describes the development and application of a multiple linear regression model to identify how the key elements of waste and recycling infrastructure, namely container capacity and frequency of collection affect the yield from municipal kerbside recycling programmes. The overall aim of the research was to gain an understanding of the factors affecting the yield from municipal kerbside recycling programmes in Scotland. The study isolates the principal kerbside collection service offered by 32 councils across Scotland, eliminating those recycling programmes associated with flatted properties or multi occupancies. The results of a regression analysis model has identified three principal factors which explain 80% of the variability in the average yield of the principal dry recyclate services: weekly residual waste capacity, number of materials collected and the weekly recycling capacity. The use of the model has been evaluated and recommendations made on ongoing methodological development and the use of the results in informing the design of kerbside recycling programmes. The authors hope that the research can provide insights for the ongoing development of methods to optimise the design and operation of kerbside recycling programmes.

Synthesis of caffeic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid molecularly imprinted polymers and their application for the selective extraction of polyphenols from olive mill waste waters

Using caffeic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid as templates, two molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared that were used for isolation of polyphenols from olive mill waste water samples (OMWWs) without previous pre-treatment. For the preparation of the caffeic acid MIPs 4-vinylpyridine, allylurea, allylaniline and methacrylic acid were tested as functional monomers, ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (EDMA), pentaerythritol trimethylacrylate (PETRA) and divinylbenzene 80 (DVB80) as cross-linkers and tetrahydrofuran as porogen. For p-hydroxybenzoic acid 4-vinylpyridine, allylurea and allylaniline were tested as functional monomers, EDMA and PETRA as cross-linkers and acetonitrile as porogen. The performance of the synthesized polymers was evaluated against seven structurally related compounds by means of polymer-based HPLC. The two polymers that presented the most interesting properties were further evaluated by batch rebinding and from the derived isotherms their capacity and binding strength were determined. Using solid-phase extraction (SPE), their ability to recognize and bind the template molecule from an aqueous solution as well as the pH dependence of the binding strength were explored. After establishing the best SPE protocol, an aqueous model mixture of compounds and a raw OMWWs sample were loaded on the two best polymers. The result of the consecutive use of the two polymers on the same sample was explored. It was concluded that acidic conditions favour the recognition abilities of both polymers and that they can be used for a quick and efficient isolation of the polyphenol fraction directly from raw OMWW.

Hydrolysis characteristics and kinetics of waste hay biomass as a potential energy crop for fermentable sugars production using autoclave parr reactor system

The use of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste crops has received considerable attention as a sustainable feedstock that can replace fossil fuels for the production of renewable energy. Therefore, municipal bin-waste in the form of hay was investigated as a potential energy crop for fermentable sugars production. Hydrolysis of hay by dilute phosphoric acid was carried out in autoclave parr reactor, where reactor temperature (135-200 degrees c) and acid concentration (2.5-10% (w/w)) were examined. Analysis of the decomposition rate of hemicellulosic biomass was undertaken using HPLC of the reaction products. Xylose production reached a maximum value of 13.5 g/100 g dry mass corresponding to a yield of 67% at the best identified conditions of 2.5 wt% H3PO4, 175 degrees C, 10 min reaction time, and at 5 wt% H3PO4, 150 degrees C, and 5 min reaction time. For glucose, an average yield of 25% was obtained at 5 wt% H3PO4, 175 degrees C and 30 min. Glucose degradation to HMF was achieved at 10 wt% H3PO4 and 200 degrees C. The maximum yield for produced arabinose was an average of 3 g/100 g dry. mass corresponding to 100% of the total possible arabinose. The kinetic study of the acid hydrolysis was also carried out using the Saeman and the Two-fraction models. It was found for both models that the kinetic constants (k) depend on the acid concentration and temperature. For xylose and arabinose it was found that the rate of formation was more favoured than the rate of degradation. By contrast, for glucose it was found that glucose degradation was occurring faster than glucose formation. It can be concluded that dilute phosphoric acid hydrolysis of hay crop is feasible for the production of fermentable sugars which are essential for bioethanol synthesis. 

Influence of solution chemistry on Cr(VI) reduction and complexation onto date-pits/tea-waste biomaterials

Tea waste (TW) and Date pits (DP) were investigated for their potential to remove toxic Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. Investigations showed that the majority of the bound Cr(VI) ions were reduced to Cr(III) after biosorption at acidic conditions. The electrons for the reduction of Cr(VI) may have been donated from the TW and DP biomasses. The experimental data obtained for Cr(VI)-TW and Cr(VI)-DP at different solution temperatures indicate a multilayer type biosorption, which explains why the Sips isotherm accurately represents the experimental data obtained in this study. The Sips maximum biosorption capacities of Cr(VI) onto TW and DP were 5.768 and 3.199 mmol/g at 333 K, respectively, which is comparatively superior to most other low-cost biomaterials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of the metal loaded biosorbents confirmed the participation of -COOH, -NH and O-CH groups in the reduction and complexation of chromium. Thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the biosorption of Cr(VI) onto TW and DP biomass was endothermic, spontaneous and feasible at 303-333 K. The results evidently indicated that tea waste and date pits would be suitable biosorbents for Cr(VI) in wastewater under specific conditions.

Hip protectors to prevent hip fractures - a waste of time and money?

Abstract:
Background: An estimated 30-60% of older
adults fall every year and about 1% of falls result in a hip fracture. Hip fracture is a serious and growing problem, with a 3-10 fold rise in worldwide incidence predicted by 2050 (Gullberg, et al 1997). Hip protectors are underwear with built in protection for the greater trochanter. They are designed to prevent hip fractures by dispersing or absorbing the force of a fall. Trials
published to 2001 were broadly supportive of
the effectiveness of hip protectors, and this
was reflected in a Cochrane review in 2000.
However, earlier trials were methodologically
flawed and subsequent trials have not demonstrated effectiveness. The most recent Cochrane review describes only a marginal benefit (Parker et al, 2005).
Review and Discussion: This presentation
evaluates the current evidence for the use
of hip protectors and discusses the use of
that evidence by manufacturers, suppliers,
professional groups and guideline developers.
Interestingly, despite the limitations of the
evidence base, most advice has been broadly
supportive. Reasons for this are proposed
and discussed in the context of a critique of
evidence-based healthcare. protectors. However, the available evidence can be used in different ways and for different purposes by those with an interest in promoting
the use of hip protectors. A conservative
approach is warranted, where, if we cannot
demonstrate that hip protectors work, we
presume that they do not. This presentation will be of use to practitioners wanting to evaluate the evidence base for hip protectors (and other recommended interventions) on behalf of clients. It will also be of interest to policy makers who must assess the claims made for health care technologies as part of the decisionmaking process.
Recommended reading:
Gullberg B, Johnell O, Kanis JA (1997) Worldwide
projections for hip fracture. Osteoporos
Int. 7(5):407-13 .
Parker MJ, Gillespie WJ, Gillespie LD (2005) Hip
protectors for preventing hip fractures in older
people. The Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001255.pub3. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD001255.pub3.

Development of a value-added soil conditioner from high shear co-granulation of organic waste and limestone powder

This paper reports on a technical feasibility study of the production of organo-mineral fertiliser from the co-granulation of limestone powders with tea waste. The results from this preliminary study show that the co-granulation of tea waste provided an alternative method of waste recovery, as it converts the waste into a value-added product. Fertiliser granules were successfully produced from various compositions of limestone and tea waste. The effect of tea waste concentration on granule strength was analysed; the granule strength
was in the range 0.2 to 1.8 MPa depending on powder composition; increasing the tea waste mass fraction resulted in a reduction in granule strength.Varying the teawaste to limestone ratio also influenced the compressibility of the granules; the granules compressibility increased with increasing tea waste mass fraction. It was further found that increasing the mass fraction of tea waste in the binary mixture of powder reduced the granule median size of the batch.

Waste Management and Sustainability during the Design Phase of a Construction Project: A Qualitative Review

Waste management and sustainability are two core underlying philosophies that the construction sector must acknowledge and implement; however, this can prove difficult and time consuming. To this end, the aim of this paper is to examine waste management strategies and the possible benefits, advantages and disadvantages to their introduction and use, while also to examine any inter-relationship with sustainability, particularly at the design stage. The purpose of this paper is to gather, examine and review published works and investigate factors which influence economic decisions at the design phase of a construction project. In addressing this aim, a three tiered sequential research approach is adopted; in-depth literature review, interviews/focus groups and qualitative analysis. The resulting data is analyzed, discussed, with potential conclusions identified; paying particular attention to implications for practice within architectural firms. This research is of importance, particularly to the architectural sector, as it can add to the industry’s understanding of the design process, while also considering the application and integration of waste management into the design procedure. Results indicate that the researched topic had many advantages but also had inherent disadvantages. It was found that the potential advantages outweighed disadvantages, but uptake within industry was still slow and that better promotion and their benefits to; sustainability, the environment, society and the industry were required.

An overview of waste crime, its characteristics, and the vulnerability of the EU waste sector

While waste is increasingly viewed as a resource to be globally traded, increased regulatory control on waste across Europe has created the conditions where waste crime now operates alongside a legitimate waste sector. Waste crime,is an environmental crime and a form of white-collar crime, which exploits the physical characteristics of waste, the complexity of the collection and downstream infrastructure, and the market opportunities for profit. This paper highlights some of the factors which make the waste sector vulnerable to waste crime. These factors include new legislation and its weak regulatory enforcement, the economics of waste treatment, where legal and safe treatment of waste can be more expensive than illegal operations, the complexity of the waste sector and the different actors who can have some involvement, directly or indirectly, in the movement of illegal wastes, and finally that waste can be hidden or disguised and creates an opportunity for illegal businesses to operate alongside legitimate waste operators. The study also considers waste crime from the perspective of particular waste streams that are often associated with illegal shipment or through illegal treatment and disposal. For each, the nature of the crime which occurs is shown to differ, but for each, vulnerabilities to waste crime are evident. The paper also describes some approaches which can be adopted by regulators and those involved in developing new legislation for identifying where opportunities for waste crime occurs and how to prevent it.

Automotive waste heat recovery: Working fluid selection and related boundary conditions

This paper presents the rational for the selection of fluids for use in a model based study of sub and supercritical Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The study focuses on multiple vehicle heat sources and the potential of WHR ORC’s for its conversion into useful work. The work presented on fluid selection is generally applicable to any waste heat recovery system, either stationary or mobile and, with careful consideration, is also applicable to single heat sources. The fluid selection process presented reduces the number of potential fluids from over one hundred to a group of under twenty fluids for further refinement in a model based WHR ORC performance study. The selection process uses engineering judgement, legislation and, where applicable, health and safety as fluid selection or de-selection criteria. This paper also investigates and discusses the properties of specific ORC fluids with regard to their impact on the theoretical potential for delivering efficient WHR ORC work output. The paper concludes by looking at potential temperature and pressure WHR ORC limits with regard to fluid properties thereby assisting with the generation of WHR ORC simulation boundary conditions.

A comparison of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) management strategies in Ireland and the Czech Republic and the lessons learned

In order to meet the recycling and recovery targets set forth by the European Union's (EU) Waste and Landfill Directives, both the Irish and Czech governments’ policy on waste management is changing to meet these pressures, with major emphasis being placed upon the management of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW). In particular, the EU Landfill Directive requires reductions in the rate of BMW going to landfill to 35% of 1995 values by 2016 and 2020 for Ireland and the Czech Republic, respectively. In this paper, the strategies of how Ireland and the Czech Republic plan to meet this challenge are compared. Ireland either landfills or exports its waste for recovery, while the Czech Republic has a relatively new waste management infrastructure. While Ireland met the first target of 75% diversion of BMW from landfill by 2010 and preliminary 2012 data indicate that Ireland is on track to meet the 2013 target, the achievement of the 2016 target remains at risk. Indicators that were developed to monitor the Czech Republic's path to meeting the targets demonstrate that it did not meet the first target that was set for 2010 and will probably not meet its 2013 target either. The evaluation reports on the implementation of Waste Management Plan of Czech Republic suggest that the currently applied strategy to divert biodegradable waste from landfill is not effective enough. For both countries, the EU Waste Framework and Landfill Directives will be a significant influence and driver of change in waste management practices and governance over the coming decade. This means that both countries will not only have to invest in infrastructure to achieve the targets, but will also have to increase awareness among the public in diverting this waste at the household level. Improving environmental education is part of increased awareness as it is imperative for citizens to understand the consequences of their actions as affluence continues to grow producing increased levels of waste.

Graphical abstract
Despite the differences in the levels of waste generation in both the Czech Republic and Ireland, each country can learn from each other in order to meet the recycling and recovery targets set by the European Union's (EU) Waste and Landfill Directives. Both countries will not only have to invest in infrastructure to achieve the targets, but will also have to increase awareness among the public in diverting this waste at the household level. In addition, there needs to be minimum safe standards when land-spreading organic agricultural and organic municipal and industrial materials on agricultural land used for food production, as well as incentives to increase BMW diversion from landfill such as the increased landfill levy implemented in Ireland and the acceptance of MBT and/or incineration as a means of treating residual waste.