Deinking of Mixed Office Waste (MOW) Paper Using Enzymes

Deinking of Mixed Office Waste [MOW] paper was carried out by using a flotation device and adding enzymes as defibrillators. Employing the computational simulation of the molecular coupling between the cellulase enzyme obtained from Trichoderma sp. and cellulose, the enzyme-cellulose molecular complex and the main amino acids endo-β-1,4-D-glucanase of this molecule, responsible for the hydrolysis of cellulose, were obtained. Three of these amino acids were used for deinking. The deinked cellulose fibers were evaluated according to the standards of the paper industry (ISO whiteness [brightness], factor of reflectance, opacity, and tonality) to determine the efficiency of deinking. The experimental results show that the best optical characteristics of the sheets of deinked paper with amino acids are those where a mixture of aspartate, glutamate, and asparagine was applied, instead of their individual dosage. In addition to the aforesaid, the use of enzymes instead of the traditionally used reagent, such as sodium hydroxide, avoids the contamination of wastewater; additionally, the operation of the column is carried out easily, taking into consideration that the pH of the system goes from alkaline to neutral.

Criteria For The Development of Green Office Standard of Thailand For Environmental Sustainability

The Green Office Standard was developed to lessen resource consumption and wastage in the office work process, achieve savings and minimize CO2 emission from the office's operations in the environment. Its long-term goal is training and motivating staff for resource efficiency, energy conservation, reduce pollution and wastage in the offices’ work process and recycle the generated waste and these behavioral changes will lead to environmental sustainability. This research aims to develop a Green Office Standard in Thailand explaining its criteria to promote the establishment of green offices all over Thailand. Specifically, this article describes the criteria of green office standards, which are grouped into six categories as 1) Policies determination, operation planning, and continual improvement; 2) Communication and creating awareness; 3) Resource and energy consumption; 4) Office waste management; 5. Environment and safety; and 6) Eco-friendly procurement. It used mixed research methodology in different stages from March 2016 to August 2018, but mainly by the application of EDFR (Ethnographic Delphi Futures Research), by selecting a group of 17 expert panels to obtain their outlook and opinions. Green Office Standard was finally developed to certify participant-organizations in Thailand that conforms their management according to the criteria of Green Office Management Standard.

Management of Bio-Waste by the Paper Mulch

Mulch is a type of protective covering placed on or spread over the soil surface that helps to conserve soil moisture, suppress weed growth and enrich the soil. The paper mulch is the most complete mulch and has numerous beneficial effects upon the soil and plants. This mulch which is produced from office waste paper, newspaper and wrapping papers, conserves soil moisture, is effective at suppressing and inhibiting weed growth, enhances agro-ecosystem health by improving the air and water movement through the soil; providing moist conditions thereby promoting micro-organisms and worm populations; promoting plant growth and product, promoting leaf litter build up and helping to improve the pH balance in the soil.

Bacterial cellulose as reinforcement in paper made from recycled office waste pulp

Bacterial cellulose, produced during fermentation of Kombucha tea, was investigated relative to its ability to modify the characteristics of pulp from recycled office wastepaper. The produced bacterial cellulose wet films were dispersed and added rates of 5%, 10%, and 15% to the recycled office wastepaper. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses, scanning electron microscopy images and thermogravimetric analysis values were determined in order to characterize the pulp samples. The results of these analyses showed similar changes as the amount of added bacterial cellulose increased, which also meant an increased amount of filler attaching to the fiber matrix. The burst index and tensile index values were protected while the tear index value partially decreased as the amount of added bacterial cellulose increased. The brightness values of the bacterial cellulose reinforced papers did not change after thermal aging, while the changes in the yellowness values were quite limited. Higher water absorption rates, and lower air permeability values were obtained from bacterial cellulose reinforced recycled office wastepaper sheets, which corresponded to the addition of increased bacterial cellulose amounts. Considering the mechanical and physical properties of the reinforced paper, bacterial cellulose represents a promising alternative for the reinforcement of office wastepaper.