Transparent Cellulose-Based Films Prepared from Used Disposable Paper Cups via an Ionic Liquid

Paper cups are widely employed in daily life with many advantages, but most of the used paper cups are incinerated or landfilled, due to the great challenge of separating the thin inner polyethylene (PE) coating, causing the waste of energy and the pollution of our environment. Therefore, recycling and converting the used paper cups into high-value materials is meaningful and important. In this work, transparent cellulose-based films were successfully prepared from the used paper cups via 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid after simple pretreatment. Additionally, the difference in properties and structures of cellulose-based films regenerated in different coagulation baths (water or ethanol) was also explored. It was found that the cellulose-based film possessed good thermal property and displayed better hydrophobicity than the traditional pure cellulose film. Moreover, they also demonstrated good mechanical property and the tensile strength of cellulose-based film regenerated in water can reach 31.5 Mpa, higher than those of cellulose-based film regenerated in ethanol (25.5 Mpa) and non-degradable polyethylene film (9–12 MPa), indicating their great potential as the packaging materials. Consequently, valorization of the low cost used paper cups and preparation of high-valve cellulose-based films were realized simultaneously by a facile and green process.

Reuse of coffee waste and paper cups for acoustical panel applications in architectural studios

This study has been initiated with an aim of enhancing the acoustical comfort levels in the architectural studios of Bilkent University in Ankara. Initial assessment of the studios by field tests indicated very long reverberation times, supporting the complaints by the students and instructors. In order to be applied in studio environment, acoustical panels are developed out of recycled materials. The increasing coffee demand and consumption of our era have motivated the reuse of both paper cups and coffee waste. The end-product is composed of two layers. The outer layer is out of recycled coffee cups, placed in different arrangements in terms of orientation, size, and spacing. The backing layer is a panel of compressed and kiln-dried coffee grains and tea leaves. The coffee/tea residues are adhered together by using natural binders. In order to determine the best possible alternative of the waste materials with the highest sound absorption performance, different density variations have been explored. Both impedance tube tests and acoustical field measurements are utilized during the process of research and development. Considering the increasing demand for green technology, the layered panel system is proposing cost minimized, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable solutions with improved acoustical and aesthetical values.

Rethinking the paper cup — beginning with extrusion process optimization for compostability and recyclability

More than 50 billion disposable paper cups used for cold and hot beverages are sold within the United States each year. Most of the cups are coated with a thin layer of plastic — low density polyethylene (LDPE) — to prevent leaking and staining. While the paper in these cups is both recyclable and compostable, the LDPE coating is neither. In recycling a paper cup, the paper is separated from the plastic lining. The paper is sent to be recycled and the plastic lining is typically sent to landfill. In an industrial composting environment, the paper and lining can be composted together if the lining is made from compostable materials. Coating paper cups with a compostable performance material uniquely allows for used cups to be processed by either recycling or composting, thus creating multiple pathways for these products to flow through a circular economy. A segment of the paper converting industry frequently uses an extrusion grade of polylactic acid (PLA) for zero-waste venues and for municipalities with ordinances for local composting and food service items. The results among these early adopters reveal process inefficiencies that elevate manufacturing costs while increasing scrap and generally lowering output when using PLA for extrusion coating. NatureWorks and Sung An Machinery (SAM) North America researched the extrusion coating process utilizing the incumbent polymer (LDPE) and PLA. The trademarked Ingeo 1102 is a new, compostable, and bio-based PLA grade that is specifically designed for the extrusion coating process. The research team identified the optimum process parameters for new, dedicated PLA extrusion coating lines. The team also identified changes to existing LDPE extrusion lines that processors can make today to improve output. The key finding is that LDPE and PLA are significantly different polymers and that processing them on the same equipment without modification of systems and/or setpoints can be the root cause of inefficiencies. These polymers each have unique processing requirements with inverse responses. Fine tuning existing systems may improve over-all output for the biopolymer without capital investment, and this study showed an increase in line speed of 130% by making these adjustments. However, the researchers found that highest productivity can be achieved by specifying new systems for PLA. A line speed increase to more than 180% and a reduction in coat weight to 8.6 µm (10.6 g/m2 or 6.5 lb/3000 ft2) was achieved in this study. These results show that Ingeo 1102 could be used as a paper coating beyond cups.

Hygienic conditions in Quick Service Restaurants during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Customers Perspectives

COVID-19 crisis has hit many QSRs hard. There are numerous problems which are faced by these restaurants due to the high competition in the market. Nowadays, there is an even major problem to be faced in the food industry, which is Coronavirus pandemic. It has a disastrous effect on the food industry. There have been dramatic declines in sales for many Quick Service Restaurants. Some of them have permanently closed their doors. The aim of this research is to examine the hygiene and health conditions in quick service restaurants (QSRs) from customers perspective during Covid-19 Pandemic with a specific focus on international chains in Egypt. Moreover, examining QSR’ customers information about COVID-19. In order to achieve this aim, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to a convenience sample of QSR’s customers in order to illustrate to what extent QSR chains are maintain the proper hygienic and health conditions during pandemic. The results interestingly showed that QSRsgoers are moderately satisfied with the hygienic procedures that maintained in these chains. In this regard, it is recommended that QSR chains should struggle to increase the level of their customers satisfaction regarding this subject e.g., provision of disinfection materials, wearing and providing protective face masks, gloves, and disposable cutlery and paper cups.

Quantification of microplastics by count, size and morphology in beverage containers using Nile Red and ImageJ

Abundant evidence of microplastics (MP) found in the environment, and its toxicity effect in animals calls for human-related research. However, well-established quantitative controlled studies on the potential route of human exposure to MP are still sparse. MP count, size and morphology in 15 polylactic acid (PLA)-lined plastic cups and 15 PLA-lined paper cups were examined using Nile Red fluorescence tagging, microscopic photography, and morphology assessment and quantification based on ImageJ. In the plastic cups, the count and area of MP fibers were found to be significantly higher compared with blanks (p < 0.05), but not MP particles or total MP. In paper cups, count or area was not significantly different in terms of MP particle, MP fibers or total MP. No interesting trend was observed in the distribution regarding the size of MP particles or fibers. These results indicate that selected paper cups and plastic cups could be considered as safe beverage containers, but further research on the toxicological effects of MPs in different morphologies released from plastic cups on human health is needed.