Multivariate Geostatistical Modeling and Risk Analysis of Beach Litter: A Case Study of Playa Blanca Beach, Chile.

Beach litter is a worldwide problem that has several negative effects. A first step in preventing an environmental hazard is to determine and model the level of contamination. In this paper, geostatistical simulation is used to model two main forms of beach litter (cigarette butts and sharp items) in one of the most contaminated beaches in Antofagasta, Chile. A hundred realizations of cigarette butts and broken glass are generated to emulate their joint spatial distribution. The simulation results are used to classify the beach into different areas with respect to the risk of injury by broken glass and the level of contamination by cigarette butts. The models obtained can be used by local authorities in beach clean-up programs and by visitors to beaches in choosing the safest and cleanest areas. The results demonstrate the capability of geostatistical simulation algorithms to model different types of beach litter.

Cancer chemotherapy drug wastage in a tertiary care hospital in India-A 3-month prospective and 1-year retrospective study.

This study prospectively quantified wastage of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs in an oncology unit to find the associated cost in 3 months. Retrospective analysis of drug usage for 12 months was also conducted to determine the expected drug loss in 1 year. The effect of vial sharing was evaluated under the assumption of sharing. A significant drug wastage of 19.72% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.52-24.93%) in 3 months and 17.14% (95% CI 14.69-19.59%) in 1 year occurred in our oncology unit. Number of vials purchased (r = 0.362, p < 0.01), weight (r = -0.146, P < .01) and body surface area (r = -0.26, P < .01) correlated with the drug wasted. Vial sharing assumption showed a 9% (95% CI, 2.5-15.5%) reduction in cost in 1 year.

A systematic review on cigarette butt management as a hazardous waste and prevalent litter: control and recycling.

Annually, over 5.5 trillion cigarettes are produced worldwide, and it is estimated that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts (CBs) are still being littered in the world. The dispersal of the CBs has caused this hazardous waste to be considered as one of the most important litters and environmental risks all over the world. This systematic study with the search protocol definition and keyword identification was developed to find the CBs control and recycling methods by searching in five scientific databases. Founded articles were monitored and finally, 35 related articles were selected and studied by the authors. The results of this study showed that CBs recycling methods have been tested in 10 specific categories all over the world. The CBs have been applied without any pre-processing methods in the bricks and asphalt production. However, other applications of the CBs such as the absorbent material production, vector control, and use as a biofilm carrier in wastewater treatment need various processing methods. The researchers also presented models and suggestions such as taxes, penalties, and public education for the control of CBs littering. Despite the innovative methods applied for the CBs recycling in previous studies, CBs have not received much attention in terms of pollutant control and environmental issues in recycling processes.

Influence of intervention on the menu's nutritional and sensory qualities and on the food waste of children's education center.

The aim was to evaluate the influence of an intervention on the nutritional and sensory quality of the menus and on the food waste of a Children's Educational Center. It is a quasi-experimental study that used the Qualitative Assessment of the Menu Preparations method and performed the waste-ingestion quantities and clean leftovers. The intervention was characterized by the inclusion of new recipes and adequacy of portions according to recommendations for the children's age group. Data were analyzed using the Mann Whitney test with a significance level of p < 0.05. The intervention resulted in a reduction in the occurrence of the side dish supply, color monotony, presence of sweets, presence of fried foods, sweets associated with fried foods, and repetition of the main dish cooking technique. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the average quantities of waste-ingestion/child (from 69.02 ± 11.87g to 37.06 ± 15.57g), clean leftovers /child (from 161.47 ± 44.12g to 35.23 ± 33.73 g) and clean leftovers percentage (from 39.56 ± 7.96 to 21.01 ± 17.15). The positive influence of intervention reinforces the importance of adjustments in recipes and portioning of preparations to meet the nutritional recommendations and to control food waste.

A critical review of the issue of cigarette butt pollution in coastal environments.

Beach anthropogenic litter is a worldwide problem and has been discussed in the specialized literature for decades. Cigarette butts (CB) are the most frequent form of personal item found on beaches. Yearly, 6 trillion cigarettes are smoked worldwide, and 4.5 trillion cigarettes are littered in the environment. The objective of our review was to assess the relevant literature on the issue of CB in costal environments, including urban areas. We compile and discuss studies (1998-2018) of CB sources for coastal environments, composition/degradability, quantification on beaches, toxicity to aquatic organisms and existing strategies to abate the problem. The literature shows that despite the growing interest in marine litter, this specific issue remains little studied and information is limited in time and space. Studies have been undertaken on islands, continental coasts, estuaries and coastal cities. There area wide variety of approaches to classification; for example, CB are considered plastic in 19% of studies and placed in an isolated category in another 16%. It was possible to identify the main sources of CB in coastal environments and access to the marine biota. In conclusion, we list and discuss proposals for reducing smoking, littering and marine pollution as a contribution to reduce the problems caused by CB in coastal and marine environments. CAPSULE: Cigarette butts are a pervasive, toxic and recalcitrant type of marine litter that requires urgent attention from manufacturers, users, authorities and the public to prevent the ingestion of cigarette butts by biota and water pollution from its leachate.

Influence of intervention on the menu's nutritional and sensory qualities and on the food waste of children's education center / Influência da intervenção na qualidade nutricional e sensorial de cardápios e resto-ingestão de centro de educação infantil

Abstract The aim was to evaluate the influence of an intervention on the nutritional and sensory quality of the menus and on the food waste of a Children's Educational Center. It is a quasi-experimental study that used the Qualitative Assessment of the Menu Preparations method and performed the waste-ingestion quantities and clean leftovers. The intervention was characterized by the inclusion of new recipes and adequacy of portions according to recommendations for the children's age group. Data were analyzed using the Mann Whitney test with a significance level of p < 0.05. The intervention resulted in a reduction in the occurrence of the side dish supply, color monotony, presence of sweets, presence of fried foods, sweets associated with fried foods, and repetition of the main dish cooking technique. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the average quantities of waste-ingestion/child (from 69.02 ± 11.87g to 37.06 ± 15.57g), clean leftovers /child (from 161.47 ± 44.12g to 35.23 ± 33.73 g) and clean leftovers percentage (from 39.56 ± 7.96 to 21.01 ± 17.15). The positive influence of intervention reinforces the importance of adjustments in recipes and portioning of preparations to meet the nutritional recommendations and to control food waste.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a influência de uma intervenção na qualidade dos cardápios e no desperdício de alimentos em um Centro de Educação Infantil. Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental que utilizou o método de Avaliação Qualitativa de Preparações de Cardápios e avaliou quantidades de resto-ingestão e sobra limpa. A intervenção foi caracterizada pela inclusão de receituários e adequação do porcionamento das preparações segundo recomendações para a faixa etária. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste de Mann Whitney, nível de significância de p < 0,05. A intervenção proporcionou redução na ocorrência de oferta de guarnição, monotonia de cores, presença de doce, presença de frituras e de doce associado a fritura e repetição da técnica de cocção do prato principal. Além disso, observou-se redução significativa nas quantidades médias de resto-ingestão/criança (de 69,02 ± 11,87g para 37,06 ± 15,57g), de sobra limpa/criança (de 161,47 ± 44,12g para 35,23 ± 33,73 g) e do percentual de sobra limpa (de 39,55 ± 7,96 para 21,01 ± 17,15). A influência positiva da intervenção reforça a importância de adequações nos receituários e no porcionamento, para o atendimento das recomendações nutricionais e controle do desperdício de alimentos no ambiente escolar.

[Nutritional adequacy and food waste in Early Childhood Education Centers]. / Adequação nutricional e desperdício de alimentos em Centros de Educação Infantil.

Analyzing quantitative and qualitative aspects of school meals represents the initial stage to ensure that the National School Food Program (PNAE) is an effective space for the promotion of healthy eating habits and establishing individual rights. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of meals served and consumed, as well as quantifying food waste in Child Daycare Centers in Maceió, in the state of Alagoas. All meals served and consumed by 359 children (aged 17 to 63 months) were analyzed by the direct weighing method for three non-consecutive days in all institutions. Food waste was determined by the leftover factor and the nutritional value of meals served and consumed was compared to the PNAE reference values regarding energy, carbohydrates, protein, lipids, vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium and fiber. Of the 85 meals/preparations featured on the menu, 58 (68%) revealed a high leftover percentage; in excess of 10%. The meals served and consumed met approximately 50% of the recommended energy and macronutrient values. The difference between the averages of the nutrients offered and consumed was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron and zinc.

Analisar aspectos quantitativos e qualitativos da alimentação escolar constitui-se de etapa primordial para fazer do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) um espaço efetivo para a promoção da alimentação saudável e formação de sujeitos de direitos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a adequação nutricional das refeições servidas e consumidas e quantificar o desperdício de alimentos em Centros de Educação Infantil de Maceió/AL. Foram analisadas por três dias não consecutivos, pelo método de pesagem direta, as refeições de 359 crianças (17 e 63 meses). O desperdício de alimentos foi determinado pelo índice de resto-ingestão e o valor nutricional das refeições servidas e consumidas foram comparadas com os valores de referência do PNAE para energia, carboidrato, proteína, lipídio, vitaminas A e C, ferro, cálcio, zinco, magnésio e fibra. Dos 85 alimentos/preparações presentes no cardápio, 58 (68%) apresentaram percentual de resto-ingestão, superior a 10%. As refeições servidas e consumidas atenderam aproximadamente 50% do recomendado para energia e macronutrientes. A diferença entre as médias dos nutrientes ofertados e consumidos foi estatisticamente significante (p < 0,05) para fibra, vitamina A, vitamina C, cálcio, ferro e zinco.

Adequação nutricional e desperdício de alimentos em Centros de Educação Infantil / Nutritional adequacy and food waste in Early Childhood Education Centers

Resumo Analisar aspectos quantitativos e qualitativos da alimentação escolar constitui-se de etapa primordial para fazer do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) um espaço efetivo para a promoção da alimentação saudável e formação de sujeitos de direitos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a adequação nutricional das refeições servidas e consumidas e quantificar o desperdício de alimentos em Centros de Educação Infantil de Maceió/AL. Foram analisadas por três dias não consecutivos, pelo método de pesagem direta, as refeições de 359 crianças (17 e 63 meses). O desperdício de alimentos foi determinado pelo índice de resto-ingestão e o valor nutricional das refeições servidas e consumidas foram comparadas com os valores de referência do PNAE para energia, carboidrato, proteína, lipídio, vitaminas A e C, ferro, cálcio, zinco, magnésio e fibra. Dos 85 alimentos/preparações presentes no cardápio, 58 (68%) apresentaram percentual de resto-ingestão, superior a 10%. As refeições servidas e consumidas atenderam aproximadamente 50% do recomendado para energia e macronutrientes. A diferença entre as médias dos nutrientes ofertados e consumidos foi estatisticamente significante (p < 0,05) para fibra, vitamina A, vitamina C, cálcio, ferro e zinco.

Abstract Analyzing quantitative and qualitative aspects of school meals represents the initial stage to ensure that the National School Food Program (PNAE) is an effective space for the promotion of healthy eating habits and establishing individual rights. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of meals served and consumed, as well as quantifying food waste in Child Daycare Centers in Maceió, in the state of Alagoas. All meals served and consumed by 359 children (aged 17 to 63 months) were analyzed by the direct weighing method for three non-consecutive days in all institutions. Food waste was determined by the leftover factor and the nutritional value of meals served and consumed was compared to the PNAE reference values regarding energy, carbohydrates, protein, lipids, vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium and fiber. Of the 85 meals/preparations featured on the menu, 58 (68%) revealed a high leftover percentage; in excess of 10%. The meals served and consumed met approximately 50% of the recommended energy and macronutrient values. The difference between the averages of the nutrients offered and consumed was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron and zinc.

Towards zero waste production in the paint industry wastewater using an agro-based material in the treatment train.

An attempt has been made to evaluate the use of natural, agro-based material, Moringa oleifera as a coagulant in the treatment of recreated water-based paint effluent. The treatment train sequence comprising coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, sand filtration, and membrane filtration was used. The efficiency was evaluated in terms of color and turbidity. The influence of experimental parameters such as eluent type, eluent concentration, coagulant dose, coagulant-eluate volume, initial effluent pH, and initial effluent concentration was examined. The recommended conditions to yield maximum removal efficiency are 80 mL of eluate prepared using 3 g of M. oleifera seed powder and 1 N NaCl, under actual pH, to treat a liter of effluent. The treated supernatant from coagulation unit was passed through a sand filtration setup and a membrane filtration, with a maximum removal of color above 95%. The results affirmed the positive coagulation properties of M. oleifera, which could serve as a better alternative for chemical coagulant. The optimized treatment conditions derived for the recreated paint effluent were applied in the real paint effluent treatment. An opportunity was identified for re-using treated wastewater, as a cooling fluid and a diluting agent for lower quality paints.The results affirmed the positive coagulation properties of M. oleifera, which could serve as a better alternative for chemical coagulant. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Marine debris on beaches of Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil: An important coastal tourist destination.

Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil, is known as the diving capital due to its clear waters and great biodiversity, a consequence of the upwelling phenomenon. This feature attracts tourists tripling their population during holidays, causing increase in the amount of debris on beaches and waters endangering marine biodiversity. To evaluate the amount of solid waste found on beaches in two different holiday period, eight people in each beach collected macrodebris (≥2 cm) in a transect covering an 20 m wide area, during 20 min, in winter/2015 and summer/2017. The materials were weighed, quantified and characterized. In the summer, when the number of tourists is greater, a larger total amount of waste in units were found. Plastic and cigarette butts were the most abundant. The results show that the city does not have adequate planning to receive a large amount of tourists, being vulnerable to socioeconomic and environmental damages.

Cigarette Waste in Popular Beaches in Thailand: High Densities that Demand Environmental Action.

Thailand, like all nations, has a responsibility to initiate environmental actions to preserve marine environments. Low- and middle-income countries face difficulties implementing feasible strategies to fulfill this ambitious goal. To contribute to the revitalization of Thailand's marine ecosystems, we investigated the level of tobacco product waste (TPW) on Thailand's public beaches. We conducted a cross-sectional observational survey at two popular public beaches. Research staff collected cigarette butts over two eight-hour days walking over a one-kilometer stretch of beach. We also compiled and analyzed data on butts collected from sieved sand at 11 popular beaches throughout Thailand's coast, with 10 samples of sieved sand collected per beach. Our survey at two beaches yielded 3067 butts in lounge areas, resulting in a mean butt density of 0.44/m². At the 11 beaches, sieved sand samples yielded butt densities ranging from 0.25 to 13.3/m², with a mean butt density of 2.26/m² (SD = 3.78). These densities show that TPW has become a serious problem along Thailand's coastline. Our findings are comparable with those in other countries. We report on government and civil society initiatives in Thailand that are beginning to address marine TPW. The solution will only happen when responsible parties, especially and primarily tobacco companies, undertake actions to eliminate TPW.

Macroplastic and microplastic contamination assessment of a tropical river (Saigon River, Vietnam) transversed by a developing megacity.

Both macroplastic and microplastic contamination levels were assessed for the first time in a tropical river estuary system, i.e. the Saigon River, that traverses a developing South East Asian megacity, i.e. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The analysis of floating debris collected daily on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal by the municipal waste management service shows that the plastic mass percentage represents 11-43%, and the land-based plastic debris entering the river was estimated from 0.96 to 19.91 g inhabitant-1 d-1, namely 350 to 7270 g inhabitant-1 yr-1. Microplastics were assessed in the Saigon River and in four urban canals by sampling bulk water for anthropogenic fiber analysis and 300 µm mesh size plankton net exposition for fragment analysis. Fibers and fragments are highly concentrated in this system, respectively 172,000 to 519,000 items m-3 and 10 to 223 items m-3. They were found in various colors and shapes with smallest size and surface classes being predominant. The macroplastics and fragments were mainly made of polyethylene and polypropylene while the anthropogenic fibers were mainly made of polyester. The relation between macroplastic and microplastic concentrations, waste management, population density and water treatment are further discussed.

Food Waste in the National School Lunch Program 1978-2015: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Food waste studies have been used for more than 40 years to assess nutrient intake, dietary quality, menu performance, food acceptability, cost, and effectiveness of nutrition education in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). OBJECTIVE: Describe methods used to measure food waste and respective results in the NSLP across time. METHODS: A systematic review using PubMed, Science Direct, Informaworld, and Institute of Scientific Information Web of Knowledge was conducted using the following search terms: waste, school lunch, plate waste, food waste, kitchen, half method, quarter method, weight, and photography. Studies published through June 2015 were included. The systematic review followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses recommendations. RESULTS: The final review included 53 articles. Food waste methodologies included in-person visual estimation (n=11), digital photography (n=11), direct weighing (n=23), and a combination of in-person visual estimation, digital photography, and/or direct weighing (n=8). A majority of studies used a pre-post intervention or cross-sectional design. Fruits and vegetables were the most researched dietary component on the lunch tray and yielded the greatest amount of waste across studies. CONCLUSIONS: Food waste is commonly assessed in the NSLP, but the methods are diverse and reporting metrics are variable. Future research should focus on establishing more uniform metrics to measure and report on food waste in the NSLP. Consistent food waste measurement methods will allow for better comparisons between studies. Such measures may facilitate better decision making about NSLP practices, programs, and policies that influence student consumption patterns across settings and interventions.

Insulin therapy waste produced in the households of people with diabetes monitored in Primary Care / Los residuos de la terapia con insulina en las viviendas de personas con diabetes asistidas en atención primaria / Resíduos de insulinoterapia produzidos no domicílio de diabéticos acompanhados na Atenção Primária

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the insulin therapy waste disposal produced in the households of people with diabetes mellitus (DM). Method: Cross-sectional study with 105 Primary Care patients. Socio-demographic and clinical variables and insulin therapy practice were analyzed through the absolute and relative frequencies, Fisher's exact test and prevalence ratio (PR). Results: The association between types of insulin (60.0%), administered with a disposable syringe attached to a needle (80.9%), and a high percentage of reuse and disposal in normal household waste (57.1%) stood out. The professionals who most frequently provided guidance to people with diabetes were the nurses. Patients who had received instructions about disposal were 21 times more likely to dispose of waste properly than those who had not (PR 21.5; P < 0.0001). Age, gender, skin color, education, marital status, occupational status and type of DM did not interfere in the disposal (P > 0.05). Conclusion: People with diabetes served in Primary Health Care require guidance and material resources to carry out the appropriate disposal of insulin therapy waste.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la eliminación de los residuos de la terapia con insulina en las viviendas de personas con diabetes mellitus (DM). Método: Estudio transversal, del cual participaron 105 pacientes asistidos en atención primaria. Se analizaron las variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y la administración de la terapia con insulina a través de las frecuencias absoluta y relativa, la prueba exacta de Fisher y la razón de prevalencias (RP). Resultados: Se destacaron la asociación entre insulinas (60,0%) aplicadas con jeringuillas desechables pegadas a la aguja (80,9%), su elevado porcentaje de reutilización y su eliminación en la basura doméstica común (57,1%). Los enfermeros fueron los profesionales que más orientaron a los pacientes con diabetes. Los pacientes orientados presentaron más de 21 posibilidades de eliminar correctamente los residuos que los que no recibieron orientación (RP 21,5; p<0,0001). La edad, sexo, etnia, nivel de instrucción, estado civil, situación laboral y tipo de DM no influyeron en los resultados para la eliminación de estos residuos (p>0,05). Conclusión: Las personas con diabetes asistidas en atención primaria carecen de recomendaciones y recursos materiales que les informen la correcta eliminación de los residuos de la terapia con insulina.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o descarte de resíduos da insulinoterapia produzidos no domicílio de pessoas com diabetes mellitus (DM). Método: Estudo transversal com amostra de 105 pacientes da Atenção Primária. Variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e prática de insulinoterapia foram analisadas por meio das frequências absoluta e relativa, teste exato de Fisher e razão de prevalência (RP). Resultados: Destacou-se associação entre insulinas (60,0%), administradas com seringa descartável acoplada à agulha (80,9%), alto percentual de reutilização e descarte no lixo doméstico comum (57,1%). Os profissionais que mais orientaram os diabéticos foram os enfermeiros. Pacientes orientados sobre descarte tiveram 21 vezes mais chances de descartarem resíduos adequadamente que os não orientados (RP 21,5; P < 0,0001). Idade, sexo, cor da pele, escolaridade, estado civil, situação ocupacional e tipo de DM não interferiram no descarte (P > 0,05). Conclusão: Diabéticos atendidos na Atenção Primária necessitam de orientações e recursos materiais para realizarem descarte adequado dos resíduos da insulinoterapia.

Hospital waste: can we reduce the environmental impact of a large university hospital?

Introduction: As technology advances, society must reflect on the destination of materials which are no longer needed. Hospital waste requires special attention due to the associated risk of disease transmission and biological accidents. Also, it tends to increase proportionally to the economic development and is associated with increased use of disposable material. The purpose of this study is to analyze the management of hospital waste at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) and to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the measures adopted by the institution to mitigate the impact of its waste on the environment. Methods: Observational study with field research. Hospital waste management is divided into generation, disposal, storage and final destination. Results: Between 2010 and 2015, the HCPA produced 21.4 tons of biological and sharps waste, 23,000 liters of chemical waste and 113,9 tons of solid waste per month. The main improvements include the implementation of a inspection of the hospital's waste bins every 2 months, a reduction from 29.42% to 2.79% in the rate of inappropriate disposal of hazardous waste, a 313% increase in investments in staff training, the expansion and adaptation of external areas for temporary storage of hospital waste and the collection of more than 1 ton of waste generated by the local community (sharps, X-ray films, kitchen oil, batteries), as well as the establishment of contracts which will guarantee the appropriate treatment of all types of health care waste. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that mitigating the impact of hospital waste on the environment is possible and should encourage the adoption of similar measures at other institutions (AU)

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries.

Microplastics (plastic debris smaller than 5mm) represent a growing concern worldwide due to increasing amounts of discarded trash. We investigated microplastic debris on sandy shorelines at seven locations in a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary (Mobile Bay, AL) during the summer of 2014. Microplastics were ubiquitous throughout the area studied at concentrations 66-253× larger than reported for the open ocean. The polymers polypropylene and polyethylene were most abundant, with polystyrene, polyester and aliphatic polyamide also present but in lower quantities. There was a gradient in microplastic abundance, with locations more directly exposed to marine currents and tides having higher microplastic abundance and diversity, as well as a higher contribution by denser polymers (e.g. polyester). These results indicate that microplastic accumulation on shorelines in the northern Gulf of Mexico may be a serious concern, and suggest that exposure to inputs from the Gulf is an important determinant of microplastic abundance.

Life cycle assessment of waste prevention in the delivery of pasta, breakfast cereals, and rice.

Waste prevention is the top priority of the European waste management strategy. In fact, as indicated in the latest Waste Framework Directive, the best option to deal with waste is not to generate it at all. In this framework, the distribution of loose dry food products through self-dispensing systems (so-called "loose distribution") is being considered worldwide as a practice to reduce the generation of packaging waste. This life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental convenience of the loose distribution of dry pasta, breakfast cereals, and rice, in comparison with the traditional method of distribution. For each product, several baseline scenarios based on single-use packaging were compared with different waste prevention scenarios in which the product is distributed loose. The comparison addressed waste generation, 13 impact categories on the environment and human health, and the Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) indicator. The results are significantly different for the 3 products. The loose distribution of pasta allows a 50% waste reduction and a decrease in the potential impacts only when compared with single-use cartonboard boxes. Conversely, when the comparison is made with single-use polypropylene bags, the loose distribution can even cause an increase in waste generation (up to 15%) and in the potential life cycle impacts. For breakfast cereals, the loose distribution allows a significant reduction in both the amount of waste (up to 84%) and the potential impacts, compared to the sale of traditional single-use bag-in-box packages. Finally, the loose distribution of rice permits a reduction in both waste generation (up to 86%) and most of the potential impacts. In particular, the impact reduction is higher when the reference single-use packaging that is replaced includes a cartonboard box. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:445-458. © 2016 SETAC.

A review on risk assessment techniques for hydraulic fracturing water and produced water management implemented in onshore unconventional oil and gas production.

The objective of this paper is to review different risk assessment techniques applicable to onshore unconventional oil and gas production to determine the risks to water quantity and quality associated with hydraulic fracturing and produced water management. Water resources could be at risk without proper management of water, chemicals, and produced water. Previous risk assessments in the oil and gas industry were performed from an engineering perspective leaving aside important social factors. Different risk assessment methods and techniques are reviewed and summarized to select the most appropriate one to perform a holistic and integrated analysis of risks at every stage of the water life cycle. Constraints to performing risk assessment are identified including gaps in databases, which require more advanced techniques such as modeling. Discussions on each risk associated with water and produced water management, mitigation strategies, and future research direction are presented. Further research on risks in onshore unconventional oil and gas will benefit not only the U.S. but also other countries with shale oil and gas resources.

Assessment of floating plastic debris in surface water along the Seine River.

This study is intended to examine the quality and quantity of floating plastic debris in the River Seine through use of an extensive regional network of floating debris-retention booms; it is one of the first attempts to provide reliable information on such debris at a large regional scale. Plastic debris represented between 0.8% and 5.1% of total debris collected by weight. A significant proportion consisted of food wrappers/containers and plastic cutlery, probably originating from voluntary or involuntary dumping, urban discharges and surface runoff. Most plastic items are made of polypropylene, polyethylene and, to a lesser extent, polyethylene terephthalate. By extrapolation, some 27 tons of floating plastic debris are intercepted annually by this network; corresponding to 2.3 g per Parisian inhabitant per year. Such data could serve to provide a first evaluation of floating plastic inputs conveyed by rivers.

Valorization of solid waste products from olive oil industry as potential adsorbents for water pollution control--a review.

The global olive oil production for 2010 is estimated to be 2,881,500 metric tons. The European Union countries produce 78.5% of the total olive oil, which stands for an average production of 2,136,000 tons. The worldwide consumption of olive oil increased of 78% between 1990 and 2010. The increase in olive oil production implies a proportional increase in olive mill wastes. As a consequence of such increasing trend, olive mills are facing severe environmental problems due to lack of feasible and/or cost-effective solutions to olive-mill waste management. Therefore, immediate attention is required to find a proper way of management to deal with olive mill waste materials in order to minimize environmental pollution and associated health risks. One of the interesting uses of solid wastes generated from olive mills is to convert them as inexpensive adsorbents for water pollution control. In this review paper, an extensive list of adsorbents (prepared by utilizing different types of olive mill solid waste materials) from vast literature has been compiled, and their adsorption capacities for various aquatic pollutants removal are presented. Different physicochemical methods that have been used to convert olive mill solid wastes into efficient adsorbents have also been discussed. Characterization of olive-based adsorbents and adsorption mechanisms of various aquatic pollutants on these developed olive-based adsorbents have also been discussed in detail. Conclusions have been drawn from the literature reviewed, and suggestions for future research are proposed.