scholarly journals Light and eco-friendly structure design of an instant noodle bowl

2018 ◽  
Vol 185 ◽  
pp. 00019
Author(s):  
Jiunn Fang ◽  
Po-Chuan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Construction Materials ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Recycled Paper ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Plastic Bag ◽  
Additional Space ◽  
Instant Noodles

Instant noodles have become a very common food in recent years, and because of its convenience and affordability, it is now one of the most profitable products in the food industry. While it is a very convenient food product to carry around, its packaging tends to be inconvenient and not eco-friendly. The packaging of instant noodles can be categorized into two different types: The first is small, and very light, packed in plastic bags, requiring that customers supply their own bowl in order to enjoy the food; the other is packed in a paper, or Styrofoam bowl, usually with additional space in the bowl for customers to add water. The dimensions of the bowl make it less portable, and the construction materials are not eco-friendly. We build a model design that combines the benefits of each packaging type (Fig.2). The size remains as small as the plastic bag type, while simultaneously having the expandable space of the bowl type. The proposed model is made compact during shipping, but its foldable design allows the customer to readily reconstruct it into a bowl for use. Using recycled paper and PE film for materials, we have ensured that, with the use of special recycling technology, the packaging is 100% recyclable. The result is an eco-friendly, light, and purposeful design.

Landfill mining : potential source for maintenance-free construction materials?

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aarne Saareväli
Keyword(s):  
Construction Materials ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Polymer Chains ◽  
Single Type ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Plastic Recycling ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Free Construction ◽  
Different Types

As the use of plastic products is very widespread, reuse of the plastic waste represents a huge challenge. Plastic packaging (e.g. thin plastic bags, foil, foodwrappings) and other plastic waste (pallets, garden furniture, buckets, sport and hobby equipment, car bumpers, canisters, pipes, bobbins, computer and TV cases, plastic refrigerator details, etc.) form the most problematic and continuously growing type of waste, that according to common solutions can be mainly landfilled, or incinerated.Initial sorting of waste and subsequent recycling of single-type plastics into uniform mass, granules or new products are the generally preferred solutions for recycling plastic. Recycling is normally performed based on one specific type of plastic, e.g. LDPE, HDPE, PS, PP or PET, in the course of which the sorted plastic waste is washed, shredded, dried and granulated. The biggest problem with mixed plastics is posed by the fact that polymers of different types are immiscible because of their different molecular weights and long polymer chains. Heating the polymers is not sufficient for decomposing polymer molecules; therefore, the polymers to be recovered must typically have identical compositions to achieve effective mixing. When plastics of different types are simultaneously melted together, they usually do not mix – like oil and water – and will form layers. Low-grade mixed dirty plastic is typically rejected from recycling. Rexest Grupp Ltd, however, has developed a technology for recycling mixed plastic waste.In this study it has been discovered that mixed plastic waste that was landfilled for over a decade did not differentiate from the fresh mixed plastic, neither had the landfilled plastic lost its polymeric properties. Landfilled plastic needs only to be separated from other materials (eg textile, paper) and soil. After mechanical separation, recycling technologies that are able to use of mixed plastic waste, were as also able to handle mixed landfill plastic.Experiments demonstrate that construction materials and products like decking boards, noise barriers, garden furniture etc. could therefore be produced also from landfilled plastic waste, turning this waste into the maintenance free products that are also recyclable after decades of use. Taking into account vast number of landfills that contain plastic waste it raises question whether turning these materials into recyclable construction materials could form a new challenge and possibility to support the environment, and lower the need for the usage of new resources.

scholarly journals Plastic Consumption in Group of Teens and Young Adults from Pangandaran District, Indonesia: A Glimpse of Environmental Awareness among the Locals outside Big Cities

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Rega Permana ◽  
Achmad Rizal ◽  
Zahidah Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Consumption Behavior ◽  
Plastic Packaging ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Plastic Bag

In this research we tried to get an understanding of plastic consumption behavior in a relatively remote area, Pangandaran district Indonesia, especially on teens and young adults to evaluate their environmental awareness. Volunteers were asked to note down their plastic consumption for over 31 days and differentiate it in three different types of plastic waste that are plastic bottles, plastic bags, and plastic packaging. Results showed that plastic consumption in teens and young adults of the Pangandaran District is still inevitable although they are already exposed to the knowledge of plastic waste impacts. The usage accounted for up to 5 plastics per day. A fluctuating pattern of plastic used was found predominantly for three types of plastic waste with the plastic packaging topping the consumption, followed by the plastic bottle and plastic bag. We hypothesized that the idea of plastic detrimental effects is already known in the group, however the plastic consumption still an unavoidable option since there is no choice and straight law enforcement in the district. This putting the teens and young adults of Pangandaran District at the conscious incompetence category, according to the psychological theory of competence.

scholarly journals Physiological changes in Jatropha curcas L. seeds during storage

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Cunha Fernandes dos Santos Dias ◽  
Glauter Lima Oliveira ◽  
Guilherme Gama Vallory ◽  
Laércio Junio da Silva ◽  
Marcos Morais Soares
Keyword(s):  
Jatropha Curcas ◽  
Suitable Condition ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Oil Seeds ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Plastic Bag ◽  
Physiological Quality ◽  
Cold Chamber

Abstract: Oil seeds, such as J. curcas, are more prone to deterioration and consequently to loss of quality during storage. In this context, adequate technics for its preservation are of great importance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different environments and packaging for the conservation of J. curcas seeds during twelve months of storage. The seeds were placed in three different types of packaging: a multiwall paper bag (or Kraft paper bag); a cloth bag; and a high-density plastic bag. After this, the seeds were stored in three different conditions: a laboratory (23 ± 3 ºC; 64 ± 11% of RH); a refrigerated room (20 ± 2 oC; 55 ± 5% of RH) and a cold chamber (10 ± 2 oC; 55 ± 5% of RH). Initially and thereafter every three months, the physiological qualities (germination and vigor) of the seeds were evaluated. J. curcas seeds packed in the plastic bags and stored in a cold chamber maintained their germination potential during twelve months. There was a decline in the physiological quality of the seeds stored in the laboratory conditions, independent of the packaging used. It was concluded that the most suitable condition for the storage of J. curcas seeds was packing them in plastic bags, placed in a cold chamber (10 ± 2 oC; 55 ± 5% of RH).

Agriculture—Things That Are Grown

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Rez
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Recycled Paper ◽  
Additional Energy ◽  
Energy Inputs

Timber has the lowest embodied energy of any of the construction materials. Paper production from trees requires much more energy. There is some energy saving in recycling, as recycled paper substitutes for pulp derived from wood chips. Growing crops for food also requires energy. The energy required for plants to grow comes from the sun, but there are additional energy inputs from fertiliser and farm machinery to speed up the growth process and vastly improve crop yields. If grains are used as animal feed, then the energy inputs are much larger than the dietary energy output—the larger the animal and the longer it is fattened up before slaughter, the more inefficient the process. The use of crops to make fuel for electrical power generation or for processing into liquid fuels is horribly inefficient. The problem is simple—the plants do not grow fast enough!

scholarly journals Application of Blockchain in Education: GDPR-Compliant and Scalable Certification and Verification of Academic Information

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4537
Author(s):  
Christian Delgado-von-Eitzen ◽  
Luis Anido-Rifón ◽  
Manuel J. Fernández-Iglesias
Keyword(s):  
Data Protection ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
General Data Protection Regulation ◽  
Certification System ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Different Types ◽  
International Regulations ◽  
Innovative Solution ◽  
General Data ◽  
Academic Information

Blockchain technologies are awakening in recent years the interest of different actors in various sectors and, among them, the education field, which is studying the application of these technologies to improve information traceability, accountability, and integrity, while guaranteeing its privacy, transparency, robustness, trustworthiness, and authenticity. Different interesting proposals and projects were launched and are currently being developed. Nevertheless, there are still issues not adequately addressed, such as scalability, privacy, and compliance with international regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation in Europe. This paper analyzes the application of blockchain technologies and related challenges to issue and verify educational data and proposes an innovative solution to tackle them. The proposed model supports the issuance, storage, and verification of different types of academic information, both formal and informal, and complies with applicable regulations, protecting the privacy of users’ personal data. This proposal also addresses the scalability challenges and paves the way for a global academic certification system.

scholarly journals Considerations, benefits and unintended consequences of banning plastic shopping bags for environmental sustainability: A systematic literature review

2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2110039
Author(s):  
Asphat Muposhi ◽  
Mercy Mpinganjira ◽  
Marius Wait
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Policy Option ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Transient Nature ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Plastic Bag ◽  
Foamed Plastics

Although the ban on plastic bags is gaining in prominence as a policy option to manage plastic bag litter, there are mixed views on its rationale and effectiveness. This study employs a systematic literature review to understand considerations, benefits and unintended consequences of banning plastic bags. The review’s results pointed to the limited success of a plastic bag ban owing to lack of suitable alternatives, limited state capacity to monitor and enforce the ban, thriving black market, structural and instrumental power of the plastic industry. The power of the industry was manifested by the covert practice of deflecting accountability to consumers by focusing on business-oriented solutions, including an inclination towards self-regulation. The findings of this study underscored the need for a global treaty to address the transient nature of plastic bag litter and moving away from the symbolic gesture of targeting only plastic shopping bags but considering the environmental impact of all forms of plastic such as straws, foamed plastics, plastic bottles and caps. There is a general consensus in literature that the end of plastic shopping bags is not nigh due to their utilitarian benefits. This study therefore recommends the promotion of a circular economy focusing on ecological modernisation, sustainable plastic bag manufacturing and recovery strategies such as recycling as a long-term strategy. A significant strand of literature reviewed also recommends the adoption of community-driven approaches such as voluntary initiatives as opposed to a plastic bag ban as they proved to be effective in promoting environmental citizenship behaviours in countries such as Finland.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of intervention on behaviour change against use of non-biodegradable plastic bags: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gbadebo Collins Adeyanju ◽  
Teslin Maria Augustine ◽  
Stefan Volkmann ◽  
Usman Adetunji Oyebamiji ◽  
Sonia Ran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Government Regulations ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Regulatory Strategy ◽  
Plastic Bag ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Biological Decomposition

AbstractThe devastating impacts that bio-degradable products such as plastic bags are having on human health, wildlife, and the environment is enormous, especially single-use once. Single-use plastics are non-biodegradable products and does not undergo biological decomposition nor degenerate. This review examines various government regulations targeted at changing behaviour against plastic bags consumption and their effectiveness. Following a rigorous search in 13 databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Nature, etc. only 17 peer-reviewed journal articles that are published between 2000 and 2019 and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Each study’s methodological quality was assessed using the GRADE system, and data were extracted using a uniquely designed form. The results revealed that regulations based solely on the thickness of plastic bags does not reduce plastic bags consumption. However, regulations focused on banning ‘single-use’ plastic bag usage, imposing higher taxes and levies on consumers, significantly reduce plastic bags consumption. Overall, the latter is considered the most effective. Also, the results show that attitude, perception and behaviour change toward bio-degradable products or climate-friendly behaviour can be significantly influenced by public policy or regulations. Although the behaviour seems short-lived in some countries, therefore further studies need to probe on why. Also, the absence of a national regulatory strategy in North America reduced the inclusion of studies from the region, hence need for more research focusing on sub-national regulations.

Nanotechnology in Civil Engineering - A Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 935 ◽  
pp. 151-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivakumar Naganathan ◽  
Charan Singh Jasbir Singh ◽  
Yim Wil Shen ◽  
Peng Eng Kiat ◽  
Sivadass Thiruchelvam
Keyword(s):  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Concrete Pavement ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
Engineering Construction ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Pavement Engineering

Nanotechnology can be used for design and construction processes in many areas since nanotechnology generated products have many unique characteristics. These characteristics can significantly fix current construction problems, and may change the requirement and organization of the construction process. This paper reviews the basic concept of nanotechnology, different types of nanomaterial and their manufacturing process as well as the applications of nanotechnology in different fields such as concrete, pavement engineering, construction materials. Use of nanotechnology is found to offer high performing and efficient materials. Specific application areas include water and waste water treatment, construction materials etc. The use of nanotechnology in civil engineering is still in infancy stage. The production methods, pollutions caused to human health, manufacturing difficulties, performance are the issues to be addressed in order to use the nanotechnology in civil engineering.

scholarly journals Bacteriostatic Effect of a Calcined Waste Clamshell-Activated Plastic Film for Food Packaging

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien-Ya Kao ◽  
Yen-Chieh Huang ◽  
Sheng-Yi Chiu ◽  
Ko-Liang Kuo ◽  
Pai-An Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Viable Count ◽  
Migration Test ◽  
Bacteriostatic Effect ◽  
Fish Fillet ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Plastic Bag ◽  
Raw Fish ◽  
Metal Migration

The addition of calcined waste clamshells (CCS) into polyethylene (PE) plastic bags imparts antibacterial properties due to the presence of CaO. In this study, different proportions of calcined waste clamshells were added to PE to explore its bacteriostatic effects. The PE plastic bags with 9% and 11% of CCS exhibited antibacterial efficacy. Further, total aerobic viable count (TVC) values for raw fish fillet packaging in 9% and 11% CCS-PE plastic bags for five days were similar to the 0% CCS-PE plastic bag group after three days of incubation. In addition, the CCS-PE plastic bag demonstrated stability against solvents when examined using the metal migration test under heptane, ethanol, and acetic acid treatments. The results revealed that the CCS-PE bag retains its CaO bacteriostatic efficacy and that the addition of CCS powder to PE prolongs the shelf life of raw fish fillets, as well as mitigating safety concerns from metal leakage.

Public Policy Evaluation on Limitation of The Use of Plastics Bags based on Social Marketing Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-207
Author(s):  
Cheryl Pricilla Bensa
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Outreach Programs ◽  
Target Behavior ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Change Behavior ◽  
Plastic Bag ◽  
The Government ◽  
Quota Sampling

The plastic bag diet campaign has been carried out by many parties including government agencies, but the campaign is feared to only reach the cognitive stage, not a meaningful change in attitude. Many campaigns on the problem of plastic waste have been carried out from NGOs, the private sector, and the government, but what is wrong so as to the problem of plastic waste continues to occur? Why does the problem of plastic waste still stop at the campaign without a comprehensive behavior implementation of the community? The research method was a survey using quota sampling and descriptive. The population people in Balikpapan, Jakarta and Surabaya. The campaign to limit plastic bags can be successful if there is a synergy of the regulators; the government and NGOs, the private sector such as retailers, and the community. The related parties are expected to design a campaign in accordance with the social marketing model. Moreover, the related parties must also conduct formative research of the target behavior: the community about plastic waste and the extent to which the related parties must endeavor so that it can be known what audience benefits are most appropriate in formulating a campaign. In the implementation of social marketing, related parties have to clearly formulate the target behavior that exists so that people are not confused and have one voice. In addition, policies must also be upheld to support and maintain the results of social marketing to be sustainable. Moreover, educational and outreach programs that can change behavior about the environment will also help future generations to reduce pollution of plastic waste.

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