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Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy
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Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 29574

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
UniSA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Interests: soil/geotechnical engineering; bio-cementation; permeable/pavements; sustainable construction material; resource recovery and recycling; energy efficiency/recovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Asif Iqbal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Interests: spatio-temporal impact assessment; developing eco-efficient and sustainable strategies for urban development; construction and geotechnical practices; utilizing life cycle impact assessment; emissions modelling, and remote sensing and spatial data analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Each year, about 90 billion tonnes of primary materials are extracted and used globally, with only nine per cent being recycled. The huge quantity of materials wasted due to this is unrecoverable, leading to the depletion of non-renewable natural resources. Again, often the design flaws or non-considerations of reducing the wastes at the beginning imposes a cost of recycling at the end of a process. A circular economy model considers preventing waste (material, pollution, energy, water, etc.) being generated at the beginning of the process by adopting responsible manufacturing/production options, along with the reuse and recycling of the wastes to be incorporated into the system. The lower wastage of materials, thus, leads to more commercially and environmentally sustainable system.

This Special Issue focuses on the recycling phase of the circular economy, at any phase of a system, aiming to reduce the amount of waste generated at the end. It aims to cover optimized design solutions that can ensure economic and environmental efficiency, which is in-line with the aims of the journal Sustainability.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • Resource recovery and recycling;
  • Sustainable construction materials;
  • Water use efficiency;
  • Energy efficiency/recovery;
  • Carbon-neutral processes and carbon offset;
  • Zero waste;
  • Emission reduction; Life cycle assessment.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman
Dr. Asif Iqbal
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable construction
  • sustainable materials
  • zero waste
  • carbon offset

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 6609 KiB  
Article
Spatial Analysis of the Water Harvesting Potential of Permeable Pavements in Australia
by Asif Iqbal, Md Mizanur Rahman and Simon Beecham
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 16282; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316282 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1760
Abstract
An increase in impermeable surface areas with urban development contributes to the rapid and large amount of surface runoff during rainfall. This often requires higher capacity stormwater collection systems, which can cause stress on the existing drainage system and this subsequently contributes to [...] Read more.
An increase in impermeable surface areas with urban development contributes to the rapid and large amount of surface runoff during rainfall. This often requires higher capacity stormwater collection systems, which can cause stress on the existing drainage system and this subsequently contributes to urban flooding. However, urban runoff can be reduced and managed for flood control and converted into a useful resource by harvesting and reusing the water. This can be achieved by switching from impermeable to permeable pavements. However, the amount of stormwater that can be harvested in a permeable pavement system depends on many factors, including rainfall, the water reuse demand and the materials used. This research aims to assess the requirements for permeable pavement design across Australia to balance demand, runoff reduction and construction requirements. A design approach employing the hydrological effects of the infiltration system was adopted for the analysis, along with a spatial analysis for a probabilistic prediction. A relationship was also established to predict a probable design thickness of pavement for various parameters. The research showed that in most Australian cities, for a 120 mm permeable pavement thickness, 40–80% of rainfall-runoff could be harvested, meeting about 10–15% of domestic water demand. The approach developed in this study can be useful for screening the potential of permeable pavements for water harvesting and for predicting spatially where a circular economic approach can be more efficient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy)
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16 pages, 4621 KiB  
Article
Investigation on Civil Engineering Application of Tyre Encased Soil Element: Laboratory Direct Shear Test and Supply Chain Analysis
by Yachong Xu, Yan Zhuge, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Md. Rajibul Karim, Reza Hassanli, Li Luo and Martin Freney
Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14852; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214852 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1691
Abstract
The reuse of end-of-life (EOL) tyres as earth reinforcement materials in civil engineering projects have been studied for decades. Entire EOL tyres infilled with compacted soil can form segmental tyre encased soil elements (TESEs) with considerable load-bearing capacity. The TESEs can be used [...] Read more.
The reuse of end-of-life (EOL) tyres as earth reinforcement materials in civil engineering projects have been studied for decades. Entire EOL tyres infilled with compacted soil can form segmental tyre encased soil elements (TESEs) with considerable load-bearing capacity. The TESEs can be used to construct structures like low-rise buildings, railway foundations and geotechnical structures. One of the most important aspects of TESE systems, i.e., the shearing interaction between neighbouring units is not yet well understood. In this study, thirty-six laboratory tests have been conducted to investigate the response of TESEs under intercourse shear actions. This was followed by a supply chain environment and economic analysis to investigate the acceptability of the system. The results revealed that the type of encased soil had more effect on the interface interactions between courses of TESEs compared to the TESEs’ construction pattern. It was also found that the frictional coefficient could be increased by either using coarse and angular aggregates as the encased soil or reducing the amount of the encased soil to form a high portion of rubber-to-rubber contact at the composite interface. Supply chain environment and economic analysis revealed that using entire tyres as construction materials has low CO2 emission and considerable economic benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy)
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13 pages, 3216 KiB  
Article
A Sustainable Approach to Cleaning Porous and Permeable Pavements
by Qiuxia Yang, Ziqi Gao and Simon Beecham
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14583; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114583 - 6 Nov 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1915
Abstract
The clogging of porous and permeable pavements is a problem that faces many municipalities and, because of the high associated costs, it has become a major impediment to the uptake of such water sensitive and sustainable technologies. This study has experimentally examined the [...] Read more.
The clogging of porous and permeable pavements is a problem that faces many municipalities and, because of the high associated costs, it has become a major impediment to the uptake of such water sensitive and sustainable technologies. This study has experimentally examined the performance of seven cleaning methods that were shown to be able to restore higher infiltration rates in partially clogged pavement systems. It was found that high-pressure water injection was the most effective cleaning method, particularly when combined with vacuuming. The highest restoration of infiltration rate was achieved using high-pressure water injection combined with the highest-pressure vacuum, which produced an average increase in infiltration rate of 20.9%. Cleaning a porous pavement involves removing the sediment that has caused clogging in the first place. In normal circumstances, this collected sediment would have to be dried before disposal to a landfill, which is another costly process. Through a sustainability analysis, the potential reuse of collected sediment was investigated and it was found that the resulting economic and environmental benefit-cost ratios were high. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy)
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17 pages, 1375 KiB  
Article
From Waste to Luxury Fashion at Elvis & Kresse: A Business Model for Sustainable and Social Innovation in the Circular Economy
by Maria Fernanda Ortiz Dominguez and Yasser Ahmad Bhatti
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11805; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911805 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5179
Abstract
Managing landfill waste is essential to sustainable resource utilization. With a focus on the luxury fashion industry, this paper highlights the role that sustainable and social innovations can play in reducing environmental waste and improving social outcomes. Elvis & Kresse is a purpose-driven [...] Read more.
Managing landfill waste is essential to sustainable resource utilization. With a focus on the luxury fashion industry, this paper highlights the role that sustainable and social innovations can play in reducing environmental waste and improving social outcomes. Elvis & Kresse is a purpose-driven case study, because it was founded to eradicate a problem that had thus far received little attention, namely the problem of disposing of end-of-life fire-hoses. From a business model and circular economy perspective, this article explains how the company’s rescue–transform–donate model has helped to build a sustainable and socially oriented yet profitable luxury brand. The analysis of the case suggests that for scholars, the typical business model canvas merits some revision beyond the current business focus on the financial bottom line to account for the social and ethical dimensions. For practitioners, this case demonstrates how the circular economy can be compatible with luxury fashion by turning waste into durable, fashionable products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy)
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15 pages, 6489 KiB  
Article
Permeable Pavements for Flood Control in Australia: Spatial Analysis of Pavement Design Considering Rainfall and Soil Data
by Asif Iqbal, Md Mizanur Rahman and Simon Beecham
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 4970; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14094970 - 21 Apr 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 8593
Abstract
Permeable pavements allow rainfall and surface runoff to infiltrate through their surface, and this reduces urban flooding by increasing water management efficiency. The design of permeable pavements depends heavily on rainfall and soil conditions for a particular area. This study investigates the required [...] Read more.
Permeable pavements allow rainfall and surface runoff to infiltrate through their surface, and this reduces urban flooding by increasing water management efficiency. The design of permeable pavements depends heavily on rainfall and soil conditions for a particular area. This study investigates the required base course thickness in different areas across Australia that can effectively reduce flood intensities. A detailed hydraulic analysis was conducted, considering the pavement materials, soil characteristics and rainfall intensities across Australia. The research also developed a relationship between base course thickness, rainfall intensity and soil classification, which can facilitate reasonable predictions of required design thickness for any location. The results showed a strong relationship between soil characteristics and pavement thickness, with clay soils requiring increased pavement thickness correlated with rainfall intensity. A spatial analysis was conducted, producing a tool for initial screening on the design requirements, before proceeding with a detailed design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy)
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Review

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26 pages, 3871 KiB  
Review
Development of the Circular Economy Design Guidelines for the Australian Built Environment Sector
by Atiq Zaman, Ana Maria Caceres Ruiz, Salman Shooshtarian, Tim Ryley, Savindi Caldera and Tayyab Maqsood
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2500; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032500 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4764
Abstract
The construction and demolition (C&D) waste stream is the main source of solid waste in Australia. While there is a strong circularity drive in Australia’s and state/territory governments’ waste regulatory framework, clear guidelines for C&D waste management are yet to be developed for [...] Read more.
The construction and demolition (C&D) waste stream is the main source of solid waste in Australia. While there is a strong circularity drive in Australia’s and state/territory governments’ waste regulatory framework, clear guidelines for C&D waste management are yet to be developed for the built environment sector in Australia. This study proposes a suite of construction industry-specific guidelines for achieving circular economy (CE) goals by reviewing issues related to “Design for Zero Waste” (DfZW) and “Design for Recycling” (DfR). To do so, this study explores the current CE practices in construction and infrastructure projects in both global and Australian contexts through a systematic literature review. In addition, barriers and enablers of CE in the built environment were identified. This study provides a list of guidelines that can help industry practitioners achieve CE in the construction sector in Australia. These guidelines draw on the main themes identified through the literature review: circularity practices, resource management, innovation, and optimisation. Thus, this study bridges the gap between theory and practice by offering clear, circular guidelines for designing out C&D waste in Australia. The proposed guidelines enable industry practitioners to keep products and materials in use for a longer period and develop strategies to regenerate natural systems. Future research should focus on several aspects, including measuring emissions reductions linked to the strategies shown in the proposed guidelines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy)
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19 pages, 2017 KiB  
Review
3D Printing as a Disruptive Technology for the Circular Economy of Plastic Components of End-of-Life Vehicles: A Systematic Review
by Luis E. Ruiz, Ana C. Pinho and David N. Resende
Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13256; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013256 - 15 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4104
Abstract
The automotive industry is frequently associated with high polluting manufacturing systems, which raise concern owing to the current environmental frame. For this reason, new alternative manufacturing technologies with lower environmental impact have been proposed and tested, such as additive manufacturing (AM). Since AM [...] Read more.
The automotive industry is frequently associated with high polluting manufacturing systems, which raise concern owing to the current environmental frame. For this reason, new alternative manufacturing technologies with lower environmental impact have been proposed and tested, such as additive manufacturing (AM). Since AM technologies produce almost no waste, they can represent a huge opportunity for the automotive industry to become greener. In this sense, the object of the present review is to explore the challenges and strategies of 3D printing, recycling, and circular economy in the automotive industry. Therefore, to achieve the aim of the study, a systematic review methodology was used in five stages: (1) defining the targets; (2) extraction of papers from Scopus; (3) text mining and corpora text analysis of relevant documents from the platform; (4) identification of the dominant categories of the research topics; and (5) discussion and control of obtained results and provision of recommendations for future studies. The analysis of 14 relevant articles revealed that 3D printing technology represents an opportunity to empower small-scale producers of polymers, recycle ELV materials, and decentralize the supply chains of plastic articles. The possibility to include plastic parts produced by AM technology has been pointed out as an innovative option for car manufacturers. Unfortunately, till the present day, poor information was found in this regard. Findings highlighted the need for strategies to turn polymeric automotive components into more eco-friendly and safer materials, improve the supply chain of polymers, perform sustainability assessments, and reformulate waste policies for ELVs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling Materials for the Circular Economy)
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