Organic Waste Management and Circular Bioeconomy: A Literature Review Comparison between Latin America and the European Union

The authors appreciate the support of the research group RNM-197 (Environmental Management and Technology) of the University of Granada. We are grateful to four anonymous referees for their comments and useful discussions.Worldwide, organic waste represents one of the most significant shares in the waste management system. Within the framework of circular bioeconomy, new and cutting-edge infrastructure has been developed at the European level to turn organic waste into valuable resources. The present paper aims to provide an exhaustive comparison between the European Union and Latin America regarding organic waste valorization. To this end, an introductive analysis about the state of the art circular bioeconomy in Latin America and Caribbean countries was developed. Subsequently, a systematic literature review in the context of South and Central America was conducted to detect differences and similarities in technologies and best practices for treating biowaste. The results show that the Latin American region is home to numerous bio-based infrastructures: biogas recovery, composting facilities and bioremediation strategies. Nevertheless, a conclusive remark underlines that some social, economic and political barriers are still encountered in the region, and therefore, new and locally-based studies are of paramount importance.Environmental Management and Technology) of University of Granada RNM-19

Small-Scale Palm Oil Production in Ghana: Practices, Environmental Problems and Potential Mitigating Measures

The environmental impact of small-scale palm oil processing mills in Ghana has come under serious questioning, especially the disposal of wastewater generated from their operations. This chapter describes the small-scale palm oil production operations in Ghana to highlight the associated environmental problems arising from the disposal of wastewater and other waste by-products. The chapter further discusses the effluent discharge permitting arrangements and possible modifications to the production practices and policy interventions that could improve their environmental compliance and encourage resource recovery. The data in this chapter was obtained from a survey of selected small-scale palm oil processing mills in Ghana, laboratory analysis of wastewater samples from processing mills and review of related literature. Wastewater generated from the processing activities is currently disposed of without any form of treatment. The characteristics of wastewater indicate the need for treatment before disposal. Treatment technologies that could achieve resource recovery (such as biogas, compost, earthworm biomass) and fit into the framework of circular economy should be explored

The role of life cycle thinking-based methodologies in the development of waste management plans

The aim of this article is to examine how Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) contributes to the development of Waste Management Plans (WMPs). The case of Italy has been deeply investigated. The article first analyses whether and how the LCT methodologies were applied to the 21 regional WMPs; then, it draws indications for using LCT in the preparation of a WMP. Moreover, it outlines why the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology could be used as a powerful tool for regional planning in the waste field, analysing the indications for preparing a WMP that already exist at the European level and in the Italian National WM Programme. Results reveal that only four of the 21 regional WMPs include comprehensive and site-specific LCA studies. Building on these case study results, insights into the opportunities and benefits associated with incorporating LCT methodologies into WMP development and implementation are provided. This study underscores the critical importance of LCT and LCA in promoting sustainable waste management practices, ensuring compliance with European directives, and offering a foundation for more informed regional planning strategies

A sustainable approach for plastic processing industry: focus on PVC

Il corpo dell'elaborato è lo studio e l'applicazione del 'Life Cycle Assessment' (LCA) per un granulo di PVC. La prima parte del lavoro è una valutazione dell'industria odierna della plastica, in particolar modo del PVC, dall' origine della risorsa, attraverso tutte le fasi industriali fino al prodotto finale. Seguendo viene presentato il carattere poco sostenibile dell'industria in questione e possibili soluzioni tecniche attualmente utilizzate o previste. Mediante l'uso del GaBi software è stato possibile applicare la metodologia dell'LCA, analizzando tecnicamente l'impatto ambientale del prodotto. Infine, l'ultima parte del lavoro comprende una sezione dedicata al 'Cost-Benefit Analysis', utilizzato per quantificare il rapporto tra i costi e i benefici dell'industria

A circular prospective for a secondary life of plastic banners

Plastic banners are largely used for advertising and communication of cultural and academic events. In both applications, they quickly turn into waste because of their short lifespan. In Bologna, for instance, it was calculated that an average of 15 plastic banners for about 2 weeks festival or temporary exhibi-tion was used. In that way, their end of life management has become more concerned for municipality and other public banner owners. The considered plastic banners consist in multicomponent materials composed by a polyester film coated by polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Due to the double compositions, plastic banners are difficult to be recycled and in most of the case they are incinerated or landfilled according to regional policies. The paper shows a case study conducted by the Students’ “Green Office” of the University of Bolo-gna, within a European project aiming to promote common sustainable solutions for city and Universi-ty together. One of the purposes of the Green Office initiative was to engage students in developing new sustainable activities and programmes in collaboration with the Municipality of Bologna. The project aimed at investigating a secondary use of the banners and at finding new alternative solutions. The specific plastic banners considered have a very short usage, from one to maximum two months, therefore alternative uses are of paramount importance to extend their lifespan. More specifically, three end of life management options were examined within a circular economy perspective. Some physical-mechanical characterization tests were developed to analyse materials properties in order to explore a secondary use by reprocessing plastic banners into new products (e. g. pencil case or bicycle accessories) or to evaluate recycling alternatives. Finally, an eco-design approach has been considered to explore different solution in materials and components of banners, in their polymers’ composition or assembling, in order to facilitate recycling or reuse options

Plastic impurities in biowaste treatment: environmental and economic life cycle assessment of a composting plant

The study focuses on an Italian composting plant and aims to investigate the impact of the presence of plastic impurities in the collected biowaste on the environmental and economic performance of the plant. The study is divided into two main steps: firstly, a material flow analysis was conducted to quantify the number of impurities (e.g., conventional plastics and compostable plastics) before and after the composting process. Secondly, a life cycle assessment (LCA) and a complementary life cycle costing (LCC) of the composting process were conducted. The results of the material flow analysis confirmed the initial assumption that conventional plastic remains almost constant before and after the composting treatment, while compostable plastic almost disappears. As far as the life cycle analyses are concerned, the most environmentally damaging phases of the process were the shredding and mixing phases, while the operating costs (OPEX) contributed the most to the total annual costs of the company. Finally, a further scenario analysis was performed, assuming that the plastic contaminants in the treated biowaste consisted exclusively of compostable plastics. The comparison with this ideal scenario can support decision-makers to understand the potential improvements achievable by addressing the presence of plastic impurities in the biowaste. The results show that the treatment of plastic impurities causes relevant environmental and economic impacts, being responsible for 46% of the total waste to treat at the end of the process, almost 7% of the total annual costs covered by the plant owners, and about 30% of all negative externalities

Small-Scale Palm Oil Production in Ghana: Practices, Environmental Problems and Potential Mitigating Measures

The environmental impact of small-scale palm oil processing mills in Ghana has come under serious questioning, especially the disposal of wastewater generated from their operations. This chapter describes the small-scale palm oil production operations in Ghana to highlight the associated environmental problems arising from the disposal of wastewater and other waste by-products. The chapter further discusses the effluent discharge permitting arrangements and possible modifications to the production practices and policy interventions that could improve their environmental compliance and encourage resource recovery. The data in this chapter was obtained from a survey of selected small-scale palm oil processing mills in Ghana, laboratory analysis of wastewater samples from processing mills and review of related literature. Wastewater generated from the processing activities is currently disposed of without any form of treatment. The characteristics of wastewater indicate the need for treatment before disposal. Treatment technologies that could achieve resource recovery (such as biogas, compost, earthworm biomass) and fit into the framework of circular economy should be explored

Il ruolo della metodologia LCA nei piani regionali di gestione dei rifiuti in Italia

Se l’utilizzo della metodologia Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) è particolarmente efficace in fase di progettazione di un sistema-prodotto, in ambito di gestione dei rifiuti essa dovrebbe guidarne la pianificazione strategica territoriale. La domanda di ricerca “In Italia, gli studi di LCA sono effettivamente a supporto dei Piani Regionali di Gestione dei Rifiuti (PRGR)?” ha guidato il lavoro qui presentato, realizzato da un sottogruppo del Gruppo di Lavoro Gestione e Trattamento dei Rifiuti dell’Associazione Rete Italiana LCA. Il sottogruppo ha analizzato i PRGR di tutte le regioni italiane seguendo criteri condivisi definiti all’inizio dell’analisi. Il risultato è una mappa del territorio nazionale che testimonia livelli diversi di utilizzo dell’LCA come strumento strategico di pianificazione territoriale nel campo della gestione dei rifiuti