Effect of Waste Polyethylene and Wax-Based Additives on Bitumen Performance

Over the last years, the replacement of traditional polymer modifiers with waste plastics has attracted increasing interest. The implementation of such technology would allow a drastic reduction of both production cost and landfill disposal of wastes. Among all, polyethylene-based plastics have been proved suitable for this purpose. The research activities presented in this paper aim to assess the synergistic effect of polyethylene and Fischer–Tropsch waxes on the viscoelastic properties and performance of the bitumen. In order to reduce the blending time, waxes, and polyethylene need to be added simultaneously. In fact, the presence of the waxes reduces the polarity of the bitumen matrix and increases the affinity with the polymer promoting its dispersion. Results demonstrate that the chain length of the waxes, the form of the added waste polyethylene, and the blending protocol have critical effects on the time-evolution of such properties. Short-chain waxes have a detrimental impact on the rutting resistance regardless of the blending protocol. On the contrary, long-chain waxes improve the overall behavior of the polyethylene-modified binders and, in particular, the resistance to permanent deformations.

Landfill in a Sustainable Waste Disposal

Landfill is as old as mankind, and it is the most common and popular waste disposal globally; it is very likely to be the mostly used method for some time to come despite efforts to recycle and re-use waste materials. However, in many respects landfilling has been highly criticised by stakeholders and regarded as the opposite of sustainability because of the health hazard and environmental burden it constitutes. The efficiency of landfilling rests on technical, economic, and legal framework which seems to be inadequate in many countries. The essence of sustainable landfill is to ensure that the environmental parameters e.g., methane, leachate, etc. are reduced to acceptable risk level (inert waste) in order to prevent damage to humans and the environment. Many European countries in compliance with 2008/98/EC along with 94/62/EC Directive have been able to reduce heavy reliance on the landfill; however, this has raised the use of other waste management methods e.g., Sweden share of landfill disposal is 1% (Table I) this increases dependent on other methods of waste disposal e.g., incineration, 49%, waste treated biologically, 14% in 2011. Nevertheless, landfilling will still be required to dispose of waste which cannot be recycled or treated in other ways.

ASBESTOS FROM BUILDING AND HOW TO ADVANCE IN THE REGULATION OF ITS PERMANENT ELIMINATION THROUGH INERTIZATION AND RECYCLING. THE CASE OF ITALY AND SPAIN

Asbestos has been used massively for multiple applications for a long time. However, once the diseases related to this material were discovered, the European Union decided to intervene in the matter through a complex regulation that the member states had to transpose into their national legal system. In this sense, the regulation of the elimination of waste from architectural constructions and their demolition is of special interest. For this reason, the objective of this study focuses on finding out if this regulation could be improved to advance the permanent elimination, and if possible recycling, of these materials. For this, the case of two countries (Italy and Spain) are analyzed comparatively, belonging to the European Union, and however, they present differences. To achieve this objective, the methodology is developed based on the study and comparative analysis of the regulation in both countries. Finally, the procedures and technologies for permanent elimination are analyzed, such as the conversion into inert material of asbestos, its possible regulation, and the need to undertake a regulation regarding the application of techniques based on the definitive elimination of the problem is confirmed, since the eternal deposit in a landfill is not a reasonable solution. Key Words: Asbestos, prohibition, landfill, disposal and recycling, Italy-Spain, inertization.

WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS WITHOUT LANDFILLS

The paper considers the project idea of creating eco-technology parks, which allows creating a fundamentally new system of waste management in the regions, which will lead to the gradual abandonment of landfill disposal of garbage.

A Review on Solid Waste Management Using the DPSIR Framework in a Southern Africa Case Study

This chapter uses the DPSIR framework to examine logistical, infrastructural, and operational challenges in SA's SWM system using Buffalo City Municipality as case study. Findings suggest that SWM is an endemic problem in the municipality characterised by a preference to landfill disposal, minimal recycling tendencies, poor waste services, non-enforcement of existent waste regulation, inadequate funding, and non-involvement of urbanites and informal sector in the process. To counter these challenges, BCM has enhanced its financial resources to facilitate scientific landfilling and transit to perceptions of solid waste as a useful good. The municipality has collaborated with local industries and international organizations to synergize efforts to implement state and local waste management plans. For an integrated model of SWM, this review suggests SA and BCM's need to plan innovatively, adopt landfill-mining, plan strategically on all waste cycle aspects, and modify existing regulations to accommodate urbanites and informal waste pickers in the process.

Reuse of the biomasses generated during candied fruit and table olive industrial processing for dog feed production

Organic waste is derived from production processes, the amount of waste generated from two factories participating in this work reaches approximately 2000t / year, directly impacting the environment, making areas conducive to the development of insects and pests attracted by the discarded residual food. The cost used in the correct disposal of this waste, directing it to the local landfill is approximately R $ 150,000.00 / year. Considering the great nutritional value present in biomass, this work aimed to reuse these residues to produce a dog food. For this, a methodology was created to treat these biomasses, transforming them into co-products for commercialization. With this, a formulation was developed incorporating the by-products of olives, papayas and oranges, plus other essential ingredients for dog food, complying with the current legislation, resulting in a product with high added value. The developed feed used 38% of the residual biomass in its composition, and compromised, through the simulated study, all the material generated by the industries, being able to reduce a large part of the disposal expenses to the sanitary landfill. The generation of revenue from the sale of biomasses has subtracted the expenses with landfill disposal, making the process economically viable in addition to proposing a sustainable solution to the manufacturing process.