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This study presents an important long-term historical analysis of water quality in an internationally crucial waterway (the Solent, Hampshire, UK), in the context of increasing adoption of open-loop Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems by shipping. The pollutants studied were acidification (pH), zinc, and benzo [a] pyrene, alongside temperature. We compared baseline sites to locations likely to be impacted by pollution. The Solent's average water temperature is slightly increasing, with temperatures at wastewater sites significantly higher. Acidification suggests a complex story, with a highly significant small overall increase in pH during the study period but significantly different values at wastewater and port sites. Zn concentrations have significantly reduced but increased in enclosed waters such as marinas. BaP showed no long-term trend with values at marinas significantly and consistently higher. The findings provide valuable long-term background data and insights that can feed into the upcoming review of the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive and ongoing discussions about the regulation of, and future monitoring and management strategies for coastal/marine waterways. • Long-term historical analysis of water quality in internationally crucial waterway • Solent's av. water temp. increasing; temps at wastewater sites significantly higher • Significant increase in Solent's pH; significantly difft at wastewater/port sites • Solent [Zn] significantly reduced; signift effects for marinas/ports/shipping lanes • [BaP] showed no long-term trend in Solent; values at marinas significantly higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long-term historical analysis of the impacts of recreational boating on marine surface water quality during a regatta (Cowes Week) in an internationally crucial waterway, the Solent Strait (Hampshire, UK) is presented. Water quality indicators studied included nitrogen concentration, bacterial indicators, and oxygen saturation, at three sampling sites at/near Cowes during 2001–2019. Findings include that sewage discharge from recreational boats is the key contributor to localised faecal contamination of marine surface waters, putting bathers and shellfisheries at risk. Bathing water quality monitoring and pollution warning systems should be strengthened prior to and during this type of regatta and access to bathing water areas may need to be restricted. These findings have implications for the regulation, future monitoring and management strategies for discharges from recreational boats during extended regattas. Adequate and affordable local facilities for recovering sewage wastewater from recreational boats should be provided alongside appropriate mechanisms for communication to sailors. • Historical analysis of impacts of recreational boating on marine water quality • Water quality indicators studied: N concentration, bacteria, O 2 saturation • Recreational boat discharge key contributor to faecal contamination during regattas • Bathing water quality monitoring & pollution warning systems should be strengthened • During regattas access to bathing water areas may need to be restricted [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a performance evaluation framework for streetscape vegetation. A performance index (PI) is conceived using the following seven traits, specific to the street environments – Pollution Flux Potential (PFP), Carbon Sequestration Potential (CSP), Thermal Comfort Potential (TCP), Noise Attenuation Potential (NAP), Biomass Energy Potential (BEP), Environmental Stress Tolerance (EST) and Crown Projection Factor (CPF). Its application is demonstrated through a case study using fifteen street vegetation species from the UK, utilising a combination of direct field measurements and inventoried literature data. Our results indicate greater preference to small-to-medium size trees and evergreen shrubs over larger trees for streetscaping. The proposed PI approach can be potentially applied two-fold: one, for evaluation of the performance of the existing street vegetation, facilitating the prospects for further improving them through management strategies and better species selection; two, for planning new streetscapes and multi-functional biomass as part of extending the green urban infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of putrescible urban waste for energy recovery has seen rapid growth over recent years. In order to ascertain its systems scale sustainability, however, determination of the environmental fate of the large volume of digestate generated during the process is indispensable. This paper evaluates the environmental burdens to air associated with land applied food-based digestate in terms of primary pollutants (ammonia, nitrogen dioxide) and greenhouse gases (methane and nitrous oxide). The assessments have been made in two stages – first, the emissions from surface application of food-based digestate are quantified for the business as usual (BAU). In the next step, environmental burden minimisation potentials for the following three mitigation measures are estimated – mixed waste digestate (MWD), soil-incorporated digestate (SID), and post-methanated digestate (PMD). Overall, the mitigation scenarios demonstrated considerable NH 3 , CH 4 and N 2 O burden minimisation potentials, with positive implications for both climate change and urban pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There have been approximately 400 third sector organisations set up across the UK since the 1970s with the primary function of collecting used furniture and electrical appliances and re-distributing them for the relief of hardship. In addition to the resulting socio-economic outputs of these organisations, their role in diverting waste from landfill and increasing re-use and recycling rates raises their standing in the current political climate of high emphasis on improving waste management practices. This paper reports on the current size of the furniture and appliance re-use sector, how re-use organisations operate, and the level of re-use and recycling associated with their activities. It was found that significant improvements in the re-use rate of local authority bulky waste collection services may be obtained if a third sector re-use organisation takes over the service; where re-use organisations collect household bulky waste on behalf of the LA, a 40% re-use rate was achieved, compared to the 2–3% average of waste collection departments. In most areas of the UK, these two sectors are not well integrated at present and this results in potentially re-usable items being disposed of to landfill or incinerated. Establishing partnerships between the two sectors has the potential to benefit both but this will probably require system and culture changes. A significant current barrier is that LA waste management departments are hampered by the current (well-intended) quantitative waste management system coming into conflict with the unquantified, positive social value generated by the distribution of previously used bulky household items to disadvantaged groups by re-use organisations. If added to the environmental improvements and high quality of service provided by third sector-run services, the effort involved in setting up such partnerships may be regarded more favourably. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This research paper explores the role of transience in kerbside recycling performance in Portsmouth, a Southern English city and one of the most densely populated in Europe. Recycling in an urban environment is difficult; UK authorities failing to meet their recycling targets are predominantly cities where medium and high density housing causes problems for collections that rely on householder segregation of waste. Since urban areas are likely to become more densely populated, the waste management issues arising in Portsmouth may be illustrative of those likely to be faced by authorities with high rates of population flux and high population densities in future, especially university towns and cities. A recycling participation survey of 62,299 households was carried out in June–July 2005 and repeated in June–July 2007. Householder participation in the kerbside scheme was recorded over three consecutive collections (6 weeks). There was very little change in overall participation between the two surveys, with 78.4% of households participating in recycling in 2005 and 78.2% in 2007. Although this shows recycling to be the “normal” activity, conducted by most households in both surveys, 10% of households were found to be “new recyclers” and 10% seemed to stop recycling (i.e. they were found to be recycling in 2005 but not in 2007), with the more densely populated areas being “hot spots” of change. As a consequence, 3 months after the 2007 participation survey, approximately 1300 “stopped recycling” households were surveyed by a team of doorsteppers to discuss why they apparently stopped recycling during the survey period. A key issue was population transience, which was found to be greater in urban areas. It seems that once the recycling habit is established it is very difficult to break. Changes in “physical” circumstances were the drivers behind those properties that stopped recycling: a change of address, a change in occupants, a bin going missing. A four-group recycling behaviour typology (sustained recycler, non-recycler, stopped recycler, and new recycler) emerges, which will be useful for many urban waste authorities in monitoring and analysing their own recycling performance. It is clear from this study that policies to concentrate population and to increase recycling rates in urban areas could potentially conflict. Actions for increasing recycling rates appropriate for authorities with high rates of population flux and high population densities are suggested, including targeted and carefully timed communications campaigns, especially for university students, and guidelines for new build properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Improving the quality and capture of materials collected for recycling is at the top of the waste agenda for many English local authorities. In recent years, the focus has shifted away from general awareness raising techniques in favour of methods that can bring about behaviour change. This paper reports on three projects each using a different behaviour change based approach, which all aimed to increase participation in the recycling collection scheme and to reduce inclusion of non-targeted materials (“contamination”). The three projects—one doorstepping-based, one incentives-based and one delivering personalised feedback to residents were carried out in Portsmouth between 2005 and 2006 during a period where there were no major changes to the collection infrastructure. The findings show that personalised incentives and feedback were highly effective at reducing contamination. Both methods resulted in a halving of the number of households setting out contaminants on collection day. The feedback approach was considerably more cost-effective than the other two approaches, costing ∼£0.50 per household to implement the campaign and averaging ∼£3.00 for every household which subsequently displayed behaviour change. There was little improvement in the quality of collected materials attributed to doorstepping alone. None of the projects resulted in significant changes in recycling scheme participation; however, this may be because participation was initially high. These findings suggest that behaviour change is most effectively brought about using simple, low-cost methods to engage with residents at the point of service delivery, i.e. by the collection crews whilst emptying bins. The challenge now is to integrate this into service delivery as standard. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is widely agreed that public support is vital to the success of most recycling schemes; the actions of householders are paramount to the success of sustainable waste policies. However, the success of recycling schemes is not just dependent on public participation; it is also dependent on careful planning, effective design and tailoring to local needs. This study has evaluated a kerbside recycling scheme in the north-west of England by comparing the recycling performance of those on alternate collections of residual waste and recyclates with those on weekly residual collections and fortnightly recyclate collections. Three data collection methodologies were adopted: postal questionnaires, set-out rate monitoring, and personal interviews with policy writers. The results demonstrated that alternate collections produce higher recycling set-out rates, suggesting that alternate collections will also generate higher recycling rates. The research showed that if designed and complemented by other services, then an alternate collection system is a realistic waste management approach. However, the local authority and the public appear to use different indicators of success for the scheme. The local authority uses governmental performance indicators (such as best value performance indicators—BVPIs) to measure success, whereas the public''s indicators of success tend to focus more on issues such as required changes to established behaviours, convenience and personal preferences. A key recommendation from this study is that all local authorities should carry out local opinion surveys on an annual basis to supplement the BVPIs required by statute. This should help them to fill the information gaps in order to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date and user-responsive waste management service to the public. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although ethnic minorities currently make up a significant proportion of the UK population, little is known about their recycling traditions, attitudes and behaviours. This paper presents the results of a study into the participation of ethnic minorities in recycling in Preston, Lancashire, as well as exploring in some detail the recycling views and behaviours of first and second/third generation ethnic minorities. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In order to compare participation and waste minimisation behaviours of different ethnic groups, a postal questionnaire was administered to households in the Broadgate area of Preston, which generated a response rate of 46%. A number of respondents from ethnic minorities were personally interviewed in order to identify and compare any inter-generational differences. The results highlight that it is essential to understand the recycling profile of ethnic minorities and to ensure that their participation in recycling schemes is encouraged. This can be achieved by providing written information in ethnic minority languages and conducting presentations and focus-groups at religious or cultural centres in ethnic minority languages. The study indicates that there are differences in the waste management behaviours of different ethnic groups, with British Indians being more likely to participate than their White British counterparts. The personal interviews reveal significant differences between the attitudes and participation levels of first and second/third generation ethnic minorities, with the latter group likely to have greater concern and awareness about environmental issues, but to reuse and minimise less than their parents and grandparents. Further research is needed to determine participation levels of other ethnic minorities such as those of Chinese, Afro-Caribbean and Bangladeshi decent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The household-recycling rate in the Borough of Burnley, England in 2001/2002 was only half the national average of 12%. This research employed both quantitative and qualitative surveys in order to ascertain whether householders’ attitudes to recycling were contributory factors to the generally poor recycling performance and to investigate other social, cultural and structural influences. The Borough has a large Asian–British population concentrated in two deprived wards where recycling rates are particularly low, so special attention was given to ascertaining their attitudes towards recycling. The quantitative survey comprised a postal questionnaire sent to a random sample of 360 households drawn from the electoral register. The qualitative survey consisted of group interviews with the Asian–British population at local community centres and focus groups attended by volunteers from the quantitative study. The findings suggest that householders are very willing to participate in recycling, as shown by the almost 80% claiming to recycle paper, but that local recycling services are too unreliable and inconvenient to allow them to do so comprehensively. Asian–British attitudes to recycling were found to be no different to those of the wider population, with their low participation being linked to the higher priorities imposed upon them by economic deprivation. The findings are broadly in line with those of the literature in that recycling participation tends to be higher among more affluent and older people, but lower among less affluent and younger households, probably due in part to the availability of both storage space and time, with the implication that the Borough''s preponderance of terraced housing militates against a high recycling rate. Policy recommendations to local authorities include the provision of bespoke recycling services to suit the variety of residential conditions across the UK, and the provision of regular feedback to householders regarding recycling services and performance. Further research is needed to identify non-recyclers and to explore how householders’ underlying psychological, cultural and social attitudes to recycling impinge upon recycling and participation rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is clear that achieving the statutory targets for recycling will be a considerable challenge for local authorities, who are increasingly involved in schemes to collect and recycle biodegradable municipal waste. However, there has been little published evaluation of the perceived effectiveness and public attitudes towards such schemes, and this is significantly given that recycling schemes are currently heavily dependent upon the voluntary behaviour of the public. This research has begun the task of evaluating the public''s perception of a local authority recycling scheme by performing a social survey (using a postal questionnaire) to provide a snapshot of the public''s views of a newly developed Green Waste Collection Scheme in Wyre, England, and other recycling activities. The social survey results demonstrate that the scheme has been very successful in terms of generating participation and public satisfaction with its operation, but that considerably more could still be done to improve the public''s involvement and consequently, the Borough''s recycling rate. Further research is required to identify more clearly the public''s reasons for non-participation in local authority recycling schemes and to identify mechanisms for the maintenance and improvement of participation rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Meso-level DUM survey of small EEE hibernation in the UK. • Frequently hibernated devices include mobile phones, lamp, kettles and hair dryers. • Stockpiling of reusable EEE more common than hoarding of non-functional devices. • Estimated stockpile value across the UK is >£500 million. • Significant reuse (and subsequent recycling) potential evident in all types of DUM. The generation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) continues to escalate yearly because of high demand for state-of-the-art and affordable devices. This demand is particularly strong for small consumer electrical and electronic equipment whose usage cycle is waning due to fashion and technological obsolescence. As a result, there is potentially a large 'pool' of unused, reusable devices within urban spaces (anthroposphere). This study aimed to assess the magnitude of the reusable stock of EEE with the view to recovery and release into the circular economy. An online questionnaire survey was conducted within a regional group of universities in the United Kingdom to assess the prospects of reusable small EEE within this distinct urban mine (DUM) cluster. The study provides new, distinct definitions for types of DUM, hoarding and stockpiling, and new data for a 'meso‑level' DUM on ownership levels and hibernating stocks of reusable EEE. Results show that ownership levels were high, with multiple ownership of devices common and a high degree of product stockpiling and hoarding. Estimates show a stockpile of ∼400,000 small EEE within the survey zone and over 17 million devices across the UK with reuse values of >£13 million and >£571 million, respectively. The frequency of device stockpiling is likely due to perceived residual value. The study suggests that exploitation of reuse value requires prompt recovery of stockpiled items as extended periods in hibernation will result in technical obsolescence, particularly with information and communication technology (ICT) devices. Such recovery requires tailored protocols that considers DUM scale, product reusability, recyclability and redistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A circular economy approach to valorize spent coffee grounds (SCG) is investigated. • SCG chemical properties/combustion characteristics evaluated vs fossil fuels. • SCG more energetic than conventional biomass but lower than fossil fuels. • SCG utilisation achieved saving of 5.83 kg CO 2 e/kg−1 fuel per-batch cf fossil fuels. • Recovering value from SCG as part of coffee supply chain shows significant promise. The Coffee industry faces a range of sustainability issues including energy demand, waste management and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study develops and analyses an experimental WTE proposal using an independent Coffee Company's integrated energy-waste management strategy, to achieve a circular economy (CE) system: treatment and reuse of spent coffee grounds (SCG) to fuel the roasting-phase. The SCG's chemical properties and combustion characteristics were determined using international standard methods and evaluated against conventional fuels to establish their energetic-potential; this included elemental composition, thermochemical behaviour, higher heating value (HHV) and carbon dioxide emissions (CO 2 e). A Life Cycle Analysis approach was utilised to calculate the CO 2 emissions for each fuel sample and roasting scenario, demonstrative of the roasting-phase and representative of Scope 1 emissions. The SCG were more energetic than conventional-biomass, however, less than fossil fuels. SCG utilisation achieved carbon savings of 5.06 kg CO 2 e / kg−1 fuel for each batch roasted compared to a conventional approach, and a further 0.77 kg CO 2 e / kg−1fuel for each batch roasted resulting from integrated subsystems (total 5.83 kg CO 2 e / kg−1 fuel). SCG high nitrogen concentration may still cause concerns about GHG emissions. The integrated energy-waste management strategy facilitates industrial symbiosis, clearly achieving waste reduction by exercising CE characteristics, namely 'resource-sharing' and 'increased cooperation' between coffee roasteries and shops, enabled by zero-waste principles and Coffee Company's reverse-logistic Product Service Model. Recovering value from SCG as part of the coffee supply chain shows significant promise towards achieving a CE system, indicated by reduced raw material extraction, waste generation and CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]