Country-specific net-zero strategies of the pulp and paper industry.

The pulp and paper industry is an important contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions1,2. Country-specific strategies are essential for the industry to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, given its vast heterogeneities across countries3,4. Here we develop a comprehensive bottom-up assessment of net greenhouse gas emissions of the domestic paper-related sectors for 30 major countries from 1961 to 2019-about 3.2% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions from the same period5-and explore mitigation strategies through 2,160 scenarios covering key factors. Our results show substantial differences across countries in terms of historical emissions evolution trends and structure. All countries can achieve net-zero emissions for their pulp and paper industry by 2050, with a single measure for most developed countries and several measures for most developing countries. Except for energy-efficiency improvement and energy-system decarbonization, tropical developing countries with abundant forest resources should give priority to sustainable forest management, whereas other developing countries should pay more attention to enhancing methane capture rate and reducing recycling. These insights are crucial for developing net-zero strategies tailored to each country and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 for the pulp and paper industry.

Do social capital and the quality of institutions affect waste recycling?

In a social capital framework, the quality of institutions and generalised social trust enhance attitudes towards disposal practices that are less environmentally invasive for the. This study aims to improve our empirical knowledge of this relationship through panel data models to show that waste recycling is affected by social capital and government effectiveness. The study uses Italian annual provincial data (NUTS-3 level) for 2004-2016 period to show that social capital and the quality of institutions are extremely important in determining waste recycling behavior. We find that both social capital and the quality of institutions, which act as 'substitutes for goods', increase waste recycling, although with different effects at the territorial level. In the southern and central areas, waste recycling needs to be spurred through policy interventions aimed at improving the quality of institutions, education and trust among citizens, whereas in northern Italy, social capital on its own is sufficient to enhance waste recycling. Hence, our results suggest that policies for waste recycling cannot be uncoupled from the promotion of social cohesion and institutional quality.

Viability of a circular economy for space debris.

The orbital debris population is rapidly growing, increasing the chance of a Kessler-style collision event. We report a novel method for the production of estimates for the total monetary value of all debris objects and total mass of all objects currently in orbit. The method was devised using debris object data from the European Space Agency's DISCOS dataset, classified via a decision tree. 'Reuse' and 'scrap material' scenarios were developed. A high-end estimate for reuse shows a net value of $1.2 trillion. Median and low-end net value estimates of $600 billion and $570 billion, respectively, are probably judicious. A scrap material scenario produced a high mass estimate of 19,124 tonnes, a median of 6,978 tonnes and a low estimate of 5,312 tonnes. Development of in-orbit services will be crucial to solve the orbital debris problem. A future circular economy for space may be financially viable, with potentially beneficial consequences for risk reduction; resource efficiency; additional high-value employment; and climate-change knowledge, science, monitoring and early warning data.

Social vulnerabilities of female waste pickers in Brasília, Brazil.

Worldwide, waste pickers are exposed to adverse health effects resulting from hazards at work. This study aimed to identify possible gender disparities among waste pickers. A quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study, using semi-structured data was conducted in Estrutural's dumpsite, Brasília, Brazil. It included 1,025 waste pickers, with 67% being female. Most of them lived without partners (73.7%), have 3 to 4 children (47.8%), and have a lower monthly income (62.6%

Use of Tyre-Derived Aggregate as Backfill Material for Wave Barriers to Mitigate Railway-Induced Ground Vibrations.

The use of piles as barriers to mitigate vibrations from rail traffic has been increasing in theoretical and practical engineering during the last years. Tyre-derived aggregate (TDA) is a recycled material with some interesting applications in civil engineering, including those related to railway engineering. As a novelty, this paper combines the concept of pile wave barriers and TDA material and investigates the mitigation effect of pile barriers made of TDA on the vibrations transmitted by rail traffic. This solution has a dual purpose: the reduction of railway vibrations and the recycling of a highly polluting material. The mitigation potential of this material when used as backfill for piles is analysed using a numerical scheme based on a 3D finite-difference numerical model formulated in the space/time domain, which is also experimentally validated in this paper in a real case without pile barriers. The numerical results show insertion loss (IL) values of up to 11 dB for a depth closed to the wavelength of Rayleigh wave. Finally, this solution is compared with more common backfills, such as concrete and steel tubular piles, showing that the TDA pile is a less effective measure although from an environmental and engineering point of view it is a very competitive solution.

Revealing the intersectoral material flow of plastic containers and packaging in Japan.

The Japanese government developed a strategy for plastics and laid out ambitious targets including the reduction of 25% for single-use plastic waste and the reuse/recycling of 60% for plastic containers and packaging by 2030. However, the current usage situation of single-use plastics including containers and packaging, which should be a basis of the strategy, is unclear. Here, we identify the nationwide material flow of plastics in Japan based on input-output tables. Of the domestic plastic demand of 8.4 Mt in 2015, 1.6 and 2.5 Mt were estimated to be for containers and packaging comprising household and industry inflows, respectively, through the purchase/procurement of products, services, and raw materials. Considering the current amount of recycling collected from households (1.0 Mt) and industries (0.3 to 0.4 Mt), the reuse/recycling target has already been achieved if the goal is limited to household container and packaging waste, as is the focus of Japan's recycling law. Conversely, the results indicate that it will be extremely difficult to reach the target collectively with industries. Therefore, it is essential that efforts be made throughout the entire supply chain. Food containers and packaging that flowed into the food-processing and food service sectors accounted for 15% of the inflow of containers and packaging into industries. Thus, the key to achieving the reuse/recycling target will comprise the collection of plastic food packaging from not only households but also the food industry. Furthermore, the collection of flexible plastic films used between industry sectors will put the target within reach.

Measuring objective knowledge of potable recycled water.

Reliable clean drinking water is becoming increasingly scarce. One potential additional source of drinking water is recycled water. However, public acceptance of potable recycled drinking water is low. One likely factor involved in the acceptance of recycled drinking water is objective knowledge about recycled water. In three studies (N = 229, 590, and 200), we developed a 34-item measure of objective knowledge of recycled drinking water. The objective knowledge measure was often a strong and unique predictor of intentions to accept and use recycled drinking water compared to other prominent factors including disgust and subjective knowledge of recycled water. Measuring knowledge of recycled drinking water holds the potential to estimate how and whether educational interventions aimed at increasing acceptance of recycled drinking water programs work.

Indirect effects of COVID-19 on the environment.

This research aims to show the positive and negative indirect effects of COVID-19 on the environment, particularly in the most affected countries such as China, USA, Italy, and Spain. Our research shows that there is a significant association between contingency measures and improvement in air quality, clean beaches and environmental noise reduction. On the other hand, there are also negative secondary aspects such as the reduction in recycling and the increase in waste, further endangering the contamination of physical spaces (water and land), in addition to air. Global economic activity is expected to return in the coming months in most countries (even if slowly), so decreasing GHG concentrations during a short period is not a sustainable way to clean up our environment.

Assessing the Burden of Packaging and Recyclability of Single-Use Products in Interventional Radiology.

PURPOSE: With a shift to single-use products in interventional radiology (IR) centres for sterility and cost reasons, it is prudent to consider the burden of packaging and employ efforts to assess and reduce waste, as well as promote recycling wherever possible. This study aimed to quantify the amount of waste in IR packaging and what proportion is recyclable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A range of IR products were weighed using mass scales. Products were assessed for total weight, overall waste, and potentially recyclable waste. Waste was defined as any packaging which was not considered vital to the product to perform its duty and thus was for packaging or shipping purposes. Products were pooled into one of the following categories: catheters and sheaths, wires, needles, devices, coils, and packs/ancillary. RESULTS: Seventy-two different products were collected from 26 manufacturers to represent a range of items. The weight of all products was 12,466 g (median 51, range 2-1600), and weight of waste was 6830.7 g (median 34, range 1.1-732). The weight of recyclable waste was 5202.2 g (median 11.5, range 0-701). There were median 2 waste packages per item (range 1-5). The proportion of waste of the overall weight was 54.8% and of this, 76% of all waste was potentially recyclable. CONCLUSION: There is a significant burden of waste in manufactured IR products, and while a high proportion is recyclable, we encourage manufacturers of IR products and devices to consider alternative means of transport and packaging of products which will reduce the overall waste burden. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

Effects of an Educational Glass Recycling Program against Environmental Pollution in Spain.

In this article, we analyzed the effects of an educational glass recycling program on primary schools and their students in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). A sample of 89 schools, with 20,710 elementary students, was selected by simple random sampling. For the statistical analysis, descriptive techniques (frequencies and statistics), parametric (One Way ANOVA test), and non-parametric (Chi-Square test) inferential techniques were used, with a 5% significance level (p < 0.05). The program's results showed that 153,576.3 kg of glass (with a value of 17,064.03 €) were recycled. Significant determinants of glass recycling were: School category (p = 0.043), previous environmental/recycling education (p = 0.046), geographic location of school (p = 0.030), gender (p = 0.007), and academic year (p < 0.05). With the program, students learned the importance of glass recycling, obtained a greater knowledge of and habits related to the same, acquired favorable attitudes towards the environment, and promoted glass recycling in their social circles. We conclude that environmental education about glass recycling has positive effects on glass recycling attitudes and behaviors in elementary school students and may be used as a measure to combat the problem of environmental pollution.

Assessing young consumers' awareness and participation in sustainable e-waste management practices: a survey study in Northwest China.

The massive generation of electronic waste (e-waste) and the informal recycling of e-waste are serious concerns in China. As a hazardous waste stream, e-waste calls for sustainable management practices to avoid adverse effects on environment and health. However, consumers' awareness and active participation are needed to make e-waste management successful. Therefore, this study is an exploratory attempt to investigate young consumer awareness, knowledge, and participation in sustainable e-waste management practices. Meanwhile, the study reviews the current situation of e-waste recycling, its related legislative framework, and practices in China. The survey revealed that the respondents have keen environmental consciousness, while they have low awareness about e-waste-related rules and regulations, recycling programs, and the formal and informal recycling sector. The findings provide valuable insights for practitioners in order to promote environmental awareness and sustainable e-waste management practices among young consumers in China.

Characterization of food waste from different sources in Hong Kong.

Food waste from different sources or at different generation stages may have different compositional characteristics and is therefore suitable for recycling into different products. To have a better understanding of their chemical composition, five food waste types were collected, namely, household kitchen waste (HH), preconsumption and postconsumption food waste from a hotel (Hpr and Hpo), wet market food waste (WM) and kitchen waste from a Chinese restaurant (CR), and their compositions were assessed monthly for 1 year. They served as suitable feedstock for various conversion technologies according to their chemical profiles. HH and CR had higher crude protein content (26%) and considerable amounts of minerals, making them nutritionally suitable for feeding animals. Preconsumption food wastes Hpr and WM had more favorable C:N ratios (16.5-17.4) and crude fat contents (4.6-6.5%) as feedstock for composting. Postconsumption food wastes were potential feedstock for the production of biogas and biodiesel because of the higher dry matter (>26%) and fat content (>13%). The coefficients of variation (CV) in all nutrients analyzed except Ca for postconsumption food wastes ranged from 5% to 37%, which showed lower temporal variability than preconsumption food wastes (CVs 10-131%). This implies that the composition of postconsumption food waste was relatively less fluctuating and can be considered a more reliable feedstock for food waste conversion. Implications: Characterization of food waste composition from different sources and determination of their temporal variation were performed to understand their characteristics and facilitate sound food waste management. Separating food wastes according to their sources and types helps reduce their composition variability, and thus increases the consistence in food-waste-derived products and recycling success. Study on temporal variation indicates that postconsumption food wastes varied less with time and could serve as reliable feedstocks for food waste conversion.

A national survey on attitudes and barriers on recycling and environmental sustainability efforts among Canadian anesthesiologists: an opportunity for knowledge translation.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia-related activities produce 25% of all operating room (OR) waste and contribute to environmental pollution and climate change. The aim of this study was to document Canadian anesthesiologists' current practice, attitudes towards, and perceived barriers regarding recycling of OR waste and environmental sustainability efforts. METHODS: With Research Ethics Board approval, members of the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society (CAS) completed an online survey consisting of 25 questions assessing current environmentally sustainable practices in anesthesiology and gaps, barriers, and interest in gaining further knowledge on this topic. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-six of 2,695 (16%) CAS members responded to the questionnaire. Despite a willingness to recycle at work among most anesthesiologists (393/403, 97.5%), only 122/403 (30.2%) did so. Other sustainability efforts in Canadian ORs included donating unused medical equipment and supplies to medical missions (198/400, 49.5%) and evening shut-off of anesthesia machines and other OR equipment (185/400, 46.3%). Reported barriers to recycling in the OR included a lack of support from hospital/OR leadership (254/400, 63.5%) and inadequate information/education (251/400, 62.8%). Only 122/389 (31.4%) of respondents were aware of any efforts to expand sustainability programs at their institutions but 273/395 (69.1%) of respondents indicated an interest in obtaining further education on the topic. CONCLUSION: Canadian anesthesiologists appear ready to incorporate environmental sustainability in their practice but indicate that significant barriers exist. Our study highlights the need for further educational programs and implementation strategies.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Les activités liées à l'anesthésie produisent 25 % de tous les déchets en salle d'opération et contribuent à la pollution de l'environnement et au changement climatique. Le but de cette étude était de documenter les pratiques actuelles des anesthésiologistes canadiens, leurs attitudes envers le recyclage des déchets de salle d'opération et les efforts pour la protection de l'environnement, ainsi que les obstacles perçus comme s'y opposant. MéTHODES: Après approbation d'un Comité d'éthique de la recherche, les membres de la Société canadienne des anesthésiologistes (SCA) ont pu remplir une enquête en ligne comportant 25 questions évaluant les pratiques actuelles en anesthésiologie pour un environnement durable ses obstacles, ses lacunes, ainsi que l'intérêt à en savoir plus sur ce sujet. RéSULTATS: Quatre cent vingt-six des 2695 membres (16 %) de la SCA ont répondu au questionnaire. Malgré un désir de recyclage dans le cadre du travail chez la plupart des anesthésiologistes (393/403, 97,5 %), seulement 122/403 (30,2 %) le faisaient. D'autres efforts des salles d'opération canadiennes en faveur de la durabilité incluaient le don de l'équipement médical et des fournitures non utilisés à des missions médicales (198/400, 49,5 %) et la fermeture des appareils d'anesthésie et des autres équipements de la salle d'opération le soir (185/400, 46,3 %). Les obstacles au recyclage en salle d'opération qui ont été mentionnés incluaient une absence de soutien de la part du leadership de l'hôpital/de la salle d'opération (254/400, 63,5 %) et une information/éducation insuffisante sur le sujet (251/400, 62,8 %). Seulement 122 des 389 répondants (31,4 %) étaient au courant d'efforts d'extension des programmes en faveur de l'environnement, mais 273/395 (69,1 %) répondants ont manifesté de l'intérêt à obtenir plus de formation sur le sujet. CONCLUSION: Les anesthésiologistes canadiens semblent prêts à incorporer la protection de l'environnement dans leurs pratiques, mais indiquent qu'il existe des obstacles significatifs. Notre étude souligne le besoin de poursuivre les programmes éducatifs et les stratégies de mise en œuvre.