The treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as a possible source of micro- and nano-plastics and bioplastics in agroecosystems: a review

AbstractPlastics fragmentation into smaller debris, namely, micro- and nano-plastics (MPs and NPs), is a matter of global concern because of their wide distribution in terrestrial and marine environments. The latest research has focused mainly on aquatic ecosystems, and fragmentation of bioplastics into micro- and nano-particles (MBPs and NBPs) is not considered. The distribution, concentration, fate and major source of MPs, NPS, MBPs and NBPs in agroecosystems still need to be understood. The use of composts and sewage sludge from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) treatment plants as soil amendments is likely to represent a major input of these debris. The present review provides insights into the current evidence of pollution from micro- and nano-particles of both fossil- and bio-origin in the OFMSW treatment, and aims at evaluating if the recycling of organic waste and its application as a soil fertilizer outweigh the risk of pollution in terrestrial environments. Huge unpredictability exists due to the limited numbers of data on their quantification in each source of possible solution. Indeed, the major hurdles arise from the difficult to quantify the micro-, especially the nano-, particles and subsequently assess the concentrations in the environments, as well as bioaccumulation risks, and toxic effects on organisms. Graphical Abstract

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An Innovative Green Process for the Stabilization and Valorization of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app9214516 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (21) ◽

pp. 4516 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Carola Esposito Corcione ◽

Francesca Ferrari ◽

Raffaella Striani ◽

Stefania Minosi ◽

Mauro Pollini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thermal Treatment ◽

Municipal Solid Waste ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Organic Waste ◽

Urea Formaldehyde ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Complete Removal ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Organic Fraction ◽

Stabilization Phase

This work is aimed at the development of innovative, easy and cheap methods for the stabilization, inertization and valorisation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). For the first time, two original processes for transforming the organic waste into an inert, odorless and sanitized material were here proposed. The first one, called dual step, starts with grinding of the OFMSW, by means of an industrial shredder. After being finely ground, the organic waste was exposed to a sterilization process by means of UV/ozone radiations or thermal treatment (stabilization phase) in order to obtain a complete removal of the OFMSW’s bacterial activity. By means of several microbiological analyses, the best sterilization method was chosen. The incorporation in a thermosetting matrix was, then, carried out through mixing the sterilized and finely ground organic waste into a water soluble urea formaldehyde (UF) based resin, with a formaldehyde content less than 1% wt, followed by a thermal treatment for UF-resin crosslinking (inertization phase). An alternative cheaper and easier process, called one step, was also proposed and investigated, by combining the sterilization with the curing thermal process (at higher temperature) of the thermosetting matrix. The preliminary experimental results reported in this paper suggest that both the proposed methods could be considered suitable for the production of high valorized innovative OFMSW-derived panels or bricks that could find application in several fields, such as building or construction materials. Finally, a brief description of the prototype machinery, properly designed for implementing OFMSW stabilization and valorization processes, is reported.

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An Innovative Green Process for the Stabilization and Valorization of Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) I Part

10.20944/preprints201909.0284.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Carola Esposito Corcione ◽

Francesca Ferrari ◽

RAFFAELLA STRIANI ◽

Stefania Minosi ◽

Mauro Pollini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thermal Treatment ◽

Municipal Solid Waste ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Organic Waste ◽

Urea Formaldehyde ◽

Research Work ◽

Complete Removal ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Organic Fraction ◽

Stabilization Phase

This work is aimed at the development of innovative, easy and cheap methods for the stabilization, inertization and valorisation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). For the first time, two original processes for transforming the organic waste into an inert, odorless and sanitized material were here proposed. The first one, called dual step, starts with grinding of the OFMSW, by means of an industrial shredder. After being finely ground, the organic waste was exposed to a sterilization process by means of UV/ozone radiations or thermal treatment (stabilization phase) in order to obtain a complete removal of the OFMSW’s bacterial activity. By means of several microbiological analyses, the best sterilization method was chosen. The incorporation in a thermosetting matrix was, then, carried out through mixing the sterilized and finely ground organic waste into a water soluble urea formaldehyde (UF) based resin, with a formaldehyde content less than 1% wt, followed by a thermal treatment for UF-resin crosslinking (inertization phase). An alternative cheaper and easier process, called one step, was also proposed and investigated, by combining the sterilization with the curing thermal process (at higher temperature) of the thermosetting matrix. The preliminary experimental results reported in this paper suggest that both the proposed methods could be considered suitable for the production of high valorized innovative OFMSW-derived panels or bricks, that could find application in several fields, such as building or constructions materials. Finally a brief description of the prototype machinery is reported properly designed for implementing OFMSW stabilization and valorisation processes developed in this research work.

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Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Organic Fraction to Energy. Cuban Case Study. Brief Considerations

Global Journal of Energy Technology Research Updates ◽

10.15377/2409-5818.2015.02.02.2 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 39-44

Author(s):

Oscar Cabeza ◽

◽

Alfredo Alonso ◽

Yoel Lastre ◽

Jorge Medina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Municipal Solid Waste ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Organic Fraction

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EFFECT OF HYDRAULIC RETENTION TIME ON THERMOPHILIC ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF PAPER-CONTAINING ORGANIC FRACTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers Ser G (Environmental Research) ◽

10.2208/jscejer.74.iii_195 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (7) ◽

pp. III_195-III_203

Author(s):

Aijun ZHU ◽

Jing WU ◽

Yu QIN ◽

Toshimasa HOJO ◽

Yu-You LI

Keyword(s):

Anaerobic Digestion ◽

Municipal Solid Waste ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Retention Time ◽

Hydraulic Retention Time ◽

Organic Fraction ◽

Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion

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Economic and environmental assessment of bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste

Bioresources and Bioprocessing ◽

10.1186/s40643-021-00392-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jon Kepa Izaguirre ◽

Leire Barañano ◽

Sonia Castañón ◽

José A. L. Santos ◽

M. Teresa Cesário ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Municipal Solid Waste ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Environmental Assessment ◽

Basal Medium ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Organic Fraction ◽

Extraction Solvent ◽

Experimental Parameters ◽

The Cost

AbstractThe management of municipal solid waste is a major logistic and environmental problem worldwide. Nonetheless, the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is a valuable source of nutrients which can be used for a variety of purposes, according to the Circular Economy paradigm. Among the possible applications, the bioproduction of a biodegradable polyester, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)], using OFMSW as carbon platform is a promising strategy. Here, an economic and environmental assessment of bacterial P(3HB) production from OFMSW is presented based on previously published results. The SuperPro Designer® software was used to simulate P(3HB) production under our experimental parameters. Two scenarios were proposed depending on the fermentation medium: (1) enzymatic hydrolysate of OFMSW supplemented with glucose and plum waste juice; and (2) basal medium supplemented with glucose and plum waste juice. According to our results, both scenarios are not economically feasible under our experimental parameters. In Scenario 1, the low fermentation yield, the cost of the enzymes, the labour cost and the energy consumption are the factors that most contribute to that result. In Scenario 2, the cost of the extraction solvent and the low fermentation yield are the most limiting factors. The possibility of using process waste as raw material for the generation of other products must be investigated to enhance economic feasibility. From an environmental viewpoint, the photochemical oxidation potential (derived from the use of anisole as extraction solvent) and the generation of acid rain and global warming effect (caused by the burning of fuels for power generation) are the most relevant impacts associated to P(3HB) production under our experimental parameters.

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Environmental impact assessment of organic fraction of municipal solid waste treatment by anaerobic digestion in Sri Lanka

Waste Management & Research ◽

10.1177/0734242x211013405 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0734242X2110134

Author(s):

Rasangika Thathsaranee Weligama Thuppahige ◽

Sandhya Babel

Keyword(s):

Anaerobic Digestion ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Environmental Impact ◽

Municipal Solid Waste ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Resource Scarcity ◽

Policy Formation ◽

Ozone Formation ◽

Organic Fraction ◽

Management Options

The management of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) has continued to be a significant challenge in Sri Lanka. Anaerobic digestion is one of the management options of OFMSW. However, it generates unavoidable environmental impacts that should be addressed. The present study focuses to assess the environmental impact of a full-scale anaerobic digestion plant in Sri Lanka from a life cycle perspective. The inventory data were obtained from direct interviews and field measurements. Environmental burdens were found to be in terms of global warming potential (230 kg CO2 eq) ozone formation on human health (6.15 × 10−6 kg NO x eq), freshwater eutrophication (2.92 × 10−3 kg P eq), freshwater ecotoxicity (9.27 × 10−5 kg 1,4 DCB eq), human carcinogenic toxicity (3.98 × 10−4 kg 1,4 DCB eq), land use (1.32 × 10−4 m2 a crop eq) and water consumption (2.23 × 10−2 m3). The stratospheric ozone depletion, fine particulate matter formation, ozone formation on terrestrial ecosystems, terrestrial acidification, marine eutrophication, ecotoxicity (terrestrial and marine), human non-carcinogenic toxicity, mineral resource scarcity and fossil resource scarcity, were avoided due to electricity production. Results show that the direct gaseous emissions and digestate generation should be addressed in order to reduce the burdens from the anaerobic digestion plant. Finally, the results of the study could help in policy formation and decision-making in selecting future waste management systems in Sri Lanka.

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