Handmade solar dryer: an environmentally and economically viable alternative for small and medium producers

The solar dryer can reduce production costs, energy consumption, waste (use fruits outside the quality standard for fresh consumption) and is an alternative for small and medium producers. The solar dryer can reduce costs and is an alternative for small and medium producers worldwide. The consumption of fresh and processed tomatoes is high in the world, but post-harvest losses is also and drying is an alternative to reduce these losses. The temperature maintenance and drying time corresponds 30% of the costs. The objective was evaluated the tomato physicochemical characteristics after drying in handmade solar dryer. ‘Carmen’ tomato fruits were bleached in water, 2.5% NaCl solution, 2.5% NaCl + 0.5% CaCl2 solution and unbleached. Tomato slices were placed in a handmade solar dryer from 7:00 to 17:00. The solar dryer prototype was wood made, comprising a collector and a drying chamber. The average cost of the camera was US$ 13.08 (1 Brazilian Real = 0.26 United States Dollar). Water loss, drying kinetics, mathematical models and physicochemical characteristics of fresh and dried tomatoes were evaluated. The average length of solar drying for the four treatments was 30 h and the Midilli and Kucuk mathematical model was the most adjusted. The acidity, reducing sugars and soluble solids were concentrated by drying, while ascorbic acid was reduced. The pH did not change. Tomatoes 'Carmen' can be dried in a handmade solar dryer for 30 h while maintaining product quality.

Valorization of Agri-Food Wastes as Sustainable Eco-Materials for Wastewater Treatment: Current State and New Perspectives

The paper addresses environmental protection by valorizing an important agri-food waste category, namely fruit and vegetables with focusing on the main characteristics regarding consumption, waste quantities, and ways for valorizing these materials. Thus, vast research was undertaken in order to emphasize the main commodities and their potential application as adsorbents for organic and inorganic pollutants. The main methods or treatment techniques applied for the valorization of eco-materials as adsorbents were presented and the principal efficiency results were indicated. The advantages and disadvantages of using these eco-materials as adsorbents in wastewater treatment were revealed and future recommendations were established. According to the international statistics, the most purchased and consumed five commodities were studied regarding waste generations as potential conversion into eco-materials with an adsorbent role for water pollutants. Thus, the performances for adsorbents based on fruit wastes (such as citrus, banana, apples, grapes, mango) and vegetable wastes (such as potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, and/or broccoli) were studied and highlighted in this research.

A cyclical model of production and consumption waste management: Organizational and financial aspects at the regional level

Subject. We focus on activation of activities at the regional economy level to transform the linear model of production and consumption waste management into the most rational and environmentally sustainable cyclical model. Objectives. The aim is to develop a cyclical model for the rational organization of activities in the field of production and consumption waste management to reduce the volume of disposal to zero in the foreseeable future. Methods. The study employs methods of economic and statistical analysis and methods of project management theory. Results. The study presents a methodological approach to the organization and financing of rational and environmentally sustainable activities at the level of the Federal subject in the field of waste management, based on a cyclical model. To build the model, the following principles are used: consistency, complexity of basic elements, cyclical actions of progressive and recurrent nature, industry characteristics, constructive interaction of the State, business, banks and the population to reduce the impact on the environment. Conclusions. The implementation of the "Management of Production and Consumption Waste Based on the Principles of a Cyclical Model" regional project will enable to solve the problem of environmental pollution of territories, including the solid municipal waste. The project success is determined by the extent, to which the waste management sector of the regional economy is knowledge-intensive, technologically advanced, and financially secure to reduce the environmental impact in terms of adherence to the carbon neutrality policy.

PROSPECTS FOR CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROCESSING OF SUBSOIL WASTE USE

The need to decide the problem of growing accumulation of waste for the purposes of sustainable development and the creation of a closed-loop economy, improving the rational use of natural resources stimulate the creation of conditions for improving the efficiency of the use of waste generated during subsoil use – the main and separate group of production and consumption waste. The Considered legislative initiatives of the Government of the Russian Federation on improving the state regulation of the use of subsoil waste are considered. Technological and environmental limitations of involvement in the development of subsoil use waste are considered. The article provides an overview of modern technologies and equipment for processing mineral raw materials that are promising for involving in the processing of subsoil use waste. Examples of the development and commercial implementation of technologies for extracting valuable components from subsoil use waste are presented. Improving the processes of processing mineral raw materials and the experience of processing man-made raw materials in Russia and the world provide prerequisites for the creation of new non-waste (or) low-waste methods for processing subsoil use waste ensuring high extraction of valuable components and the use of non-metallic components.

Application of the regulatory framework to minimize negative impacts the impact on the environment for the development of biotechnological approaches to its improvement

The scope of application of the modern regulatory framework in the field of assessing the negative impact on the environment for food industry enterprises has been investigated. The issues of biotechnological protection of environmental objects are considered, taking into account the effective use of natural resources, production and consumption waste. An assessment of modern methods and approaches to environmental health improvement, including minimization of negative impacts, is given. An expert assessment of the environmental component of the business was carried out. It is shown that an effective environmental policy in all areas of business should be accompanied by the disclosure of environmental initiatives in information and communication networks through marketing campaigns. The main approaches to biotechnological protection of environmental objects, aimed at the efficient use of natural resources, production and consumption waste, are analyzed. Modern methods and approaches to environmental health improvement, including minimization of negative impact, are evaluated. The necessity of extraction of toxic heavy metals from waste before their disposal for storage and disposal in order to prevent damage to the environment is shown. The advantages of biochemical soil remediation for leaching metals with selection and specialized adaptation of working strains of microorganisms are noted. The need for large-scale incentives for manufacturers to introduce technological processes that minimally pollutes the environment has been established.

Material selection in design for deconstruction using Kano model, fuzzy-AHP and TOPSIS methodology

During last decade, design for deconstruction (DfD) has attracted the attention of researchers and project managers as an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional demolition of buildings. Yet, the intensity of raw materials consumption, waste generation and greenhouse gas (GhG) emission in the construction industry proves that current methods of selecting building components have failed to make the deconstruction effectively feasible. Specifically, in the material selection process, most research studies concentrate on assessing environmental and economic aspects while in selecting material for DfD various factors must be considered. To overcome this gap, this study aims to propose a DfD-based material selection model which enables designers to choose materials that make the recyclability and reusability of building components feasible. To this end, the Kano model is first applied to categorize selection criteria identified via a questionnaire. After extracting the weights of criteria by using Fuzzy-Analytical Hierarchy Process, a Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution-based multi-criteria decision-making framework is proposed for choosing the best possible alternatives. Based on the research results, the framework enables designers to find decent materials in terms of DfD requirements. A numerical example is also provided to examine the proposed framework for selecting the most appropriate materials for walls.

MEASURING THE PROGRESS TOWARDS CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES

This paper aims to create an image of progress towards circular economy registered by European Union countries through specific indicators. In this way, this paper is based on the study and analysis of the 13 indicators, grouped on 4 pillars: Production and consumption, Waste management, Secondary raw materials, Competitiveness and innovation. After the presentation of the methodology, the paper develops an analysis in time and space of the selected indicators, then an analysis of the countries with their grouping on clusters, creating a map of them and highlighting the current situation of circular economy in the European Union. Moreover, the paper also presents the evolution of the countries regarding circular economy, which has a big importance taking into account that in the European Union the preoccupations for this concept is higher from one period to another. Among the most interesting results are: (1) a massive concentration of countries with problems for Waste management pillar; (2) Europe is one of the regions with the largest contribution in terms of circular economy, but the concept is developing differently from one country to another; (3) The scoreboard evolution is particularly useful in revealing the continuous actions adopted by countries in order to facilitate the conversion to circular economy. Finally, the paper presents possible limits of the research, but also future directions of its development.

Using secondary raw materials in construction of buildings with account taken of environmental standards

Introduction. The article addresses the problem of irrational treatment of solid municipal, production and consumption waste in Russia, as well as the prospects of using secondary raw materials in the construction of buildings. The research is focused on environmental standards, environmental certification systems in the construction industry, as well as recycled materials. The study encompasses the construction of buildings using recycled materials, taking into account the requirements set in environmental standards. Materials and methods. The article presents several types of secondary raw materials and an overview of sustainable approaches to the construction of buildings using recycled materials in Russia and abroad. Most widely spread construction technologies, used to build houses using secondary raw materials, are described. An environmentally friendly facility constructed in Russia using secondary raw materials is described as an illustration. Results. The state of the Russian legislative framework governing the treatment of solid municipal, construction, and consumption waste and the requirements of international and Russian environmental standards applicable to buildings are analyzed. The percent ratio of waste management actions is determined in relation to other requirements set by environmental certification systems applicable to real estate items. Conclusions. A new classification of construction products made of secondary raw materials is presented. Conclusions are made about the feasibility of reusing solid household, industrial and consumption waste in the construction industry. The need to revise environmental standards in Russia is identified. The Russian environmental standards should have a larger number of criteria determining the rational treatment of solid municipal, construction, and consumption waste as well as the use of products made of secondary raw materials.