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This study applies bootstrap analysis to historic transportation project item cost data to develop improved estimates of item costconfidence bounds for use in transportation project cost uncertainty analysis (a component of lifecycle analysis). Bootstrap regression results of confidence bounds will then be integrated into AASHTOWare Project Cost Estimator so that Monte Carlo procedures can estimate project-level confidence intervals for use in lifecycle project cost analysis and transportation capital planning. Data and functions contained within AASHTOWare (a cost estimation software licensed to the Departments of Transportation for over 40 states and the District of Columbia) are employed in the analyses. Coordinating with the Georgia Department of Transportation to obtain a research license for AASHTOWare took longer than expected, resulting in projectdelays. This report summarizes the work completed to date and describes the remaining steps required to finish the study and for the primary author to publish a final dissertation.View the NCST Project Webpage

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the enabling technology for modern electric vehicles (EVs), allowing them to reach driving ranges and costs comparable to internal combustion engine vehicles, an important development with EVs being integral to greenhouse gas mitigation efforts. However, LIB advancements include the use of rapidly evolving and chemically diverse batteries as well as larger battery packs, raising concerns about battery production sustainability as well as battery end-of-life (EoL). This study seeks to respond to these concerns by analyzing potential pathways for EoL EV batteries, quantifies flows of retiring EV battery materials, proposes economically and environmentally preferable LIB EoL strategies, and recommends pertinent policies with an emphasis on environmental justice. The researchers used a loosely coupled dynamic systems model that utilized life cycle assessment and material flow analysis and a mixed methods research approach. They find that the U.S. can make significant gains in securing supply chains for critical materials and decrease life cycle environmental impacts through the adoption of Recycled Content Standard policies similar to those found in the European Union. In addition, they examine the currently understood waste hierarchy in the context of LIB technology. Comparing immediate recycling to repurposing and reusing, they find that repurposing and reusing reduces life cycle environmental impacts relative to recycling. This project also includes an investigation of EoL battery collection and transportation and the vehicle afterlife ecosystem, as well as general stakeholders in the LiB life cycle, informed by expert interviews and a case study of a developing lithium industry in Imperial, California.View the NCST Project Webpage

Biofuel production from waste materials offers an effective solution for generating renewable energy in biohydrogen, biogas, and biohythane while reducing waste and recycling valuable nutrients. This review examines recent advances in biohydrogen and biogas production from renewable resources, focusing on the environmental impacts of different production techniques. It emphasizes life cycle analysis (LCA) as an important tool for assessing these impacts and discusses key production pathways and processes. The variability in LCA methodologies – including differences in software, impact categories, system boundaries, functional units, and analytical approaches – poses challenges for direct comparisons of studies. Despite these challenges, fermentation‐based production methods show substantial environmental advantages, such as reduced CO2 emissions, diminished ozone depletion potential, improved human health outcomes, lower ecotoxicity, and reduced fossil fuel use. Combining biohydrogen production with anaerobic digestion for biohythane generation demonstrates even greater energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction. Adopting waste‐to‐energy strategies grounded in life cycle principles could advance renewable energy system implementation and sustainability significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid solar–biomass organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems represent a promising avenue for sustainable energy production by combining abundant but intermittent solar energy with the reliable biomass energy. This study conducts a detailed thermodynamic and economic assessment of these hybrid systems, focusing on their potential to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study also evaluates the performance of various working fluids, identifying optimal configurations for different operating conditions. A key finding is that the hybrid system, with an optimized solar–biomass ratio, achieves up to a 21 to 31% improvement in efficiency and a 33% reduction in levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) compared to solar-only systems. Additionally, the study examines case studies of real-world applications, offering insights into the scalability and cost-effectiveness of these systems in regions with high solar irradiation and biomass availability. These results underline the need for continued technological innovation and policy support to promote widespread adoption of hybrid ORC systems, particularly in the context of global decarbonization efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and the continuous increase of greenhouse gas concentration have a great impact on the human economy and society. Dozens of countries and regions have proposed the climate goal of "zero carbon" or "carbon neutrality." Therefore, how to make products low carbon has become a trend in product design. This study proposes a low-carbon optimization method based on carbon footprint allocation for products, which can be used to solve the problem of overall product low-carbon optimization and selection of key parts. The first contribution is to build a product carbon footprint analysis model and propose an element-based carbon footprint allocation method. The second contribution is to propose a low-carbon material selection method based on comprehensive carbon emissions, economic cost, and material density and to propose a structural topology optimization method on force condition and carbon emission reduction timeliness. The third contribution is to use force analysis and manufacturing process simulation to ensure the feasibility of the optimization scheme. Finally, a product life cycle carbon emission reduction scheme for high-carbon parts is formed, which takes into account the emission reduction time constraint, comprehensive carbon emissions, economy, mechanical properties, and manufacturability. For illustration, taking a dishwasher product as an example, the results show that the proposed method can effectively identify parts with high-carbon footprint and reduce the carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The research findings on the environmental impact of innovative malted and decorticated yellow lentils emphasize the need for sustainable production practices in regions facing water scarcity. By focusing on breeding drought-resistant lentil varieties and optimizing agricultural practices, stakeholders can directly contribute to minimizing the environmental footprint of lentil production while maintaining or improving yields. This knowledge can be leveraged to inform policy development, breeding programs, consumer education, and industry innovation, ultimately promoting sustainable and resilient lentil farming systems. This study evaluated the environmental impact of malted, decorticated, and split yellow lentils, specifically Moroccan (ML) and Onano (OL) varieties, cultivated in Morocco and Italy, using a cradle-to-retailer Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. An analysis through SimaPro 9.5.0.0 software and the Product Environmental Footprint method revealed carbon footprints of approximately 4.5 and 3.3 kg CO2e per kg for malted, dehulled, and split MLs and OLs, respectively, representing increases of 50% and 52% compared to their untreated dry seed counterparts. The Product Environmental Footprints also rose significantly, by 50% for MLs and 55% for OLs, reflecting the higher water and energy demands, as well as additional waste generation, associated with the malting process. This study emphasizes the importance of focusing mitigation efforts on improving the agricultural phase, particularly in land and water use efficiency. While supplemental irrigation can boost yields, especially in water-limited regions, it significantly increases the environmental footprint, underscoring a trade-off between yield gains and sustainability. Consequently, the optimal environmental strategy may not involve increasing irrigation, but rather developing drought-resistant lentil varieties, which could reduce the overall environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the decarbonization of India's electricity grid using ammonia in power plants. It focuses on ammonia produced in Western Australia and transported to India, co-fired with high rank coal, and compared with power plants utilizing carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). The study assesses the overall costs and the life cycle greenhouse gas (LC GHG) emissions for both new plants and retrofits. For 20% gray, blue, and green ammonia, the levelized cost of electricity is 86, 89, 125 $/MWh, with corresponding LC GHG emissions of 1,234, 1,079, and 1,062 kg CO2e/MWh. Co-firing with green ammonia, though more expensive than blue ammonia, yields lower CO2 emissions. Conversely, reducing the same amount of direct CO2 emission via CCS costs $84/MWh and a LC GHG emission of 1,227 kg CO2e/MWh. While CCS is cheaper, it results in higher LC GHG. There is a trade-off between cost and emissions across the strategies. Under scenarios with low capacity factors or reduced ammonia production costs, coal-ammonia co-firing could become more economical and greener than the CCS. This study provides quantitative insights for policymakers and project developers. However, it is crucial for decision-makers to consider several factors: (1) the potential impact of social resistance to CCS; (2) the time required for large-scale commercialization of CCS technology, which is expected to be significantly longer than the implementation time for a coal-ammonia co-firing decarbonization strategy; (3) the potential of either CCS or ammonia-coal co-firing strategy to enhance India's electricity mix, thus contributing to energy security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biohydrogen has gained several advantages due to its high–energy content, pollution–free byproduct emission, ambient operating conditions, and ability to use various substrates for production. Further, the use of organic waste can be considered as a promising source for the production of biohydrogen while overcoming the possible environmental issues upon its disposal. However, the routes of biohydrogen production i.e. photo and dark fermentation encounter several challenges for commercialization due to lower yields. To make the process more expedient, nanomaterials such as metal, metal oxides, carbon–based, and inorganic are used to improve the hydrogen production owing to their unique physical and physical properties. In view of this, the current review highlights the role of these nanomaterials in the biological conversion of organic waste to biohydrogen. Further, emphasis is given on the mechanisms of nanomaterials' interaction with microorganisms, life cycle, and techno–economic analyses along with its major challenges and future prospects. • Photo/dark fermentative biohydrogen production from organic wastes. • Application of nanoparticles in pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation process. • Mechanism of interaction of nanoparticles with microorganisms during fermentation. • Techno-economic and life cycle analysis of biohydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed a 2 (calorie and carbon emission) × 2 (numeric and reference) experimental design to assess the impact of displaying nutritional and environmental information on menus in hotel's Chinese restaurant. Unlike previous studies primarily focused on simulated intention, it captured consumer actual behavior and perception. While such information did not significantly affect dietary choices, the inclusion of carbon emission information had a positive influence on perceived social responsibility. The reference format proved effective in enhancing transparency, especially when the information was complex. This research offers practical insights for restaurants to effectively communicate their commitment to health and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: Sustainable building design relies heavily on building parts, with crucial consideration for climate and environmental impact. Due to numerous criteria and diverse alternatives, employing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) to choose the best alternative is essential. Yet, relevant criteria and suitable MCDM methods for life cycle-based building planning still need to be determined. This study highlights prevalent environmental criteria and offers guidance on MCDM approaches for sustainable building parts. Methods: This study introduces an innovative approach by integrating life cycle assessment and MCDM. This provides comprehensive decision support for planners. A systematic literature review identifies environmental criteria for building parts and is validated in expert workshops. Thus, the relevance of criteria across the building life cycle is established. Furthermore, the study analyzes MCDM approaches in the built environment. From this, the study employs and evaluates the Analytical Network Process (ANP) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in a case study. Thereby, it offers insights into effective decision-making methodologies for sustainable building practices. Results: This research categorizes environmental criteria for building parts and buildings into emissions, energy, resources, and circularity. Among 26 building part-related criteria, the global warming potential is highlighted. While the AHP is widely used in MCDM, a standardized method in planning processes is yet to emerge. Applying the ANP and AHP reveals similar rankings for the best and worst alternatives in a case study focused on selecting the optimal ceiling structure. Ribbed or box slab ceiling constructions are favored over reinforced concrete and composite timber-concrete constructions. Conclusions: This study presents a novel method for life cycle-based MCDM challenges, identifying key environmental criteria. While material correlations exist, evaluating building parts demands simultaneous consideration of multiple criteria. Future research aims to compare further MCDM methods regarding their applicability, transparency, and ranking to enhance decision-making in sustainable construction. These investigations are essential for refining decision-making processes in the built environment, ensuring effective and transparent sustainability planning approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the environment and its natural resources face many issues related to the depletion of natural resources, in addition to the increase in environmental pollution resulting from uncontrolled waste disposal. Therefore, it is crucial to identify practical and effective ways to utilize these wastes, such as transforming them into environmentally friendly concrete. Artificial lightweight aggregates (ALWAs) are gaining interest because of their shift in focus from natural aggregates. Researchers have developed numerous ALWAs to eliminate the need for natural aggregates. This article explores the diverse applications of ALWAs across different industries. ALWAs are currently in the research phase due to various limitations compared to the availability of the various natural aggregates that form more durable solutions. However, researchers have discovered that certain artificial aggregates prioritize weight over strength, allowing for the effective use of ALWAs in applications like pavements. We thoroughly studied the various ALWAs discussed in this article and found that fly ash and construction waste are the most diverse sources of primary material for ALWAs. However, the production of these aggregates also presents challenges in terms of processing and optimization. This article's case study reveals that ALWAs, consisting of 80% fly ash, 5% blast-furnace slag, and only 15% cement, can yield a sustainable solution. In the single- and double-step palletization, the aggregate proved to be less environmentally harmful. Additionally, the production of ALWAs has a reduced carbon footprint due to the recycling of various waste materials, including aggregates derived from fly ash, marble sludge, and ground granulated blast-furnace slag. Despite their limited mechanical strength, the aggregates exhibit superior performance, making them suitable for use in high-rise buildings and landscapes. Researchers have found that composition plays a key role in determining the application-based properties of aggregates. This article also discusses environmental and sustainability considerations, as well as future trends in the LWA field. Simultaneously, recycling ALWAs can reduce waste and promote sustainable construction. However, this article discusses and researches the challenges associated with the production and processing of ALWAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato processing waste (TPW), a byproduct of the tomato processing industry, is generated in significant quantities globally, presenting a challenge for sustainable waste management. While traditionally used as animal feed or fertilizer, TPW is increasingly recognized for its potential as a valuable raw material due to its high content of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, polyphenols and pectin. These compounds have significant health benefits and are in growing demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Despite this potential, the broader industrial utilization of TPW remains limited. This review explores the influence of various processing, pretreatment and extraction methods on the concentration and stability of the bioactive compounds found in TPW. By analyzing the effects of these methodologies, we provide insights into optimizing processes for maximum recovery and sustainable utilization of TPW. Additionally, we address the major challenges in scaling up these processes for industrial application, including the assessment of their ecological footprint through life cycle analysis (LCA). This comprehensive approach aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial implementation, facilitating the valorization of TPW in line with circular economy principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PRACTITIONER TAKEAWAYS: Honeywell's sustainability-oriented offerings improve safety, environmental impact, and societal resilience for our customers and the communities they serve. Honeywell's approach to innovation involves collaborating with partners, life-cycle analyses of products, and navigating the regulatory landscape with science-based evidence and research. Artificial intelligence (AI) can do phenomenal things for sustainability, particularly in applications that involve image analytics or complex data patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food supply chains hold significant embodied carbon emissions that need to be mitigated and neutralized. This study aimed to explore the historical Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions associated with household food consumption at a local scale i.e. across the eight English regions and the four nations that comprise the United Kingdom (UK). UK EatWell guidelines were used to explore the potential change in emissions and food costs in a scenario of transitions to healthier diets across the study areas. These emissions were calculated based on food consumption data before the advent of the Covid-pandemic i.e. between the years 2001 and 2018. Spatial data analysis was used to explore if the study areas had any significant correlations with respect to the emissions during the study period. The results displayed a potential reduction in GHG emissions for all study areas in the explored scenario. Further impacts include a reduction in household food costs across a majority of the areas during the study period. However, a consistent trend of significant correlations among the study areas was absent. This study concludes that local or regional policymaking should take precedence over national regulations to achieve healthier diets that are both carbon-neutral and affordable for the households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's interconnected world, traditional approaches to managing resources and analyzing product life cycles are often inefficient and lack precision. Digital technologies offer a suite of tools and methodologies that can revolutionize these practices. Through a systematic literature review on the Scopus database, this study examines the (i) various ways in which digital technologies contribute to various aspects of circular economy initiatives, viz., promoting resource optimization, resource efficiency, waste reduction, and overall sustainability and (ii) life cycle analysis of the organizational value chain within the circular economy framework. Intersections of digital technologies with the circular economy and life cycle analysis can drive significant advancements in sustainability practices by optimizing resource efficiency and improving environmental impact assessments across industries. Key topics covered include digital technologies, data collection and management, resource optimization, product design optimization, lifecycle monitoring and assessment, predictive analytics and modeling, circular design and product lifecycle management, supply chain transparency and traceability, virtual reality (VR) platforms, etc. The study also highlights the potential benefits and challenges associated with the adoption of digital technologies in the context of circular economy initiatives and offers insights for practical implications and future research directions. By leveraging digital technologies strategically, organizations can drive innovation, overcome challenges, and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable and circular economy.

The transition towards sustainable construction is crucial, and demountable building elements are frequently advocated for achieving this goal. While these elements offer relocatability during refurbishments, their adoption may increase initial environmental impact due to higher material use and steel connections. To address this, a quantitative assessment of demountable building elements in refurbishment scenarios at the building level is needed, filling a gap in the existing literature. This study bridges the gap by comparing the total environmental impact of demountable and traditional space-dividing walls in refurbishment scenarios for a semi-detached dwelling. Using a life cycle assessment, seven space-dividing wall types, including metal studs, wood structures, and masonry walls, are evaluated under four refurbishment scenarios spanning a 60-year building lifespan. The results reveal that traditional metal stud walls have a lower environmental impact in scenarios with limited refurbishments. In contrast, demountable walls become more environmentally beneficial only when refurbishing at least 60% of the wall area with three or more refurbishments. This conclusion was further validated through sensitivity analysis on the refurbishment rate, refurbished area, and impact assessment method. In this study, the assumed environmental benefits of demountable walls are challenged, providing a robust evaluation in a specific building typology and offering insights for policymakers and industry professionals on the environmental implications of incorporating demountable building elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lasting impact of ancestral energy production operations and global manufacturing has not only generated substantial CO2 emissions, but it has also led to the release of metal-based pollutants into Earth's water bodies. As we continue to engineer, mine (coal and metals), and now bore into geothermal wells/fracking sites for alternative energy sources, we continue to contaminate drinking water supplies with heavy metals through infiltration and diffusion, limiting progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good health and well-being), 6 (Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation), 14 (Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below water), and 15 (Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on land). This review shows how the research community has designed and developed mesoporous biochars with customizable pore systems, as well as functionalized biochars, to extract various heavy metals from water sources. This article investigates how biochar materials (non-activated, activated, functionalized, or hybrid structures) can be adapted to suit their purpose, highlighting their recyclability/regeneration and performance when remediating metal-based pollution in place of conventional activated carbons. By utilizing the wider circular economy, "waste-derived" carbonaceous materials will play a pivotal role in water purification for both the developed/developing world, where mining and heavy manufacturing generate the most substantial contribution to water pollution. This review encompasses a wide range of global activities that generate increased heavy metal contamination to water supplies, as well as elucidates emerging technologies that can augment environmental remediation activities, improving the quality of life and standard of living for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the environmental ramifications in the production and consumption of pizza. The PAS 2050 standard methodology was used to quantify the cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of a typical medium-sized Neapolitan pizzeria offering both table service and takeaway in cardboard boxes. A spectrum of sustainable practices capable of mitigating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of pizzerias was analyzed. By accounting for consistent GHG emissions across specific life cycle phases—such as energy consumption, refrigerant gas leakage, detergent production, and wastewater treatment—it was possible to estimate the cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of different iterations of the True Neapolitan Pizza. For instance, the Marinara pizza had a carbon footprint of approximately 1.7 kg CO2e /kg while the Margherita pizza topped with mozzarella cheese registered roughly twice that figure. Moreover, garnishing the Margherita with buffalo mozzarella increased its carbon footprint to 4.2 kg CO2e /kg. This difference in environmental impact can be chiefly attributed to the condiments of vegetable or animal origin, with variations in protein and fat content significantly influencing the energy value of each pizza variant. These findings emphasized the importance of informed decisions for a greener culinary future, highlighting the critical role of ingredient choices in shaping the sustainability profile of pizza offerings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the implementation of CO2 capture systems has increased. To reduce the costs and the footprint of the processes, different industrial wastes are successfully proposed for CO2 capture, such as gypsum from desulfurization units. This gypsum undergoes an aqueous carbonation process for CO2 capture, producing an added-value solid material that can be valorized. In this work, panels have been manufactured with a replacement of (5 and 20%) commercial gypsum and all the compositions kept the water/solid ratio constant (0.45). The density, surface hardness, resistance to compression, bending, and fire resistance of 2 cm thick panels have been determined. The addition of the waste after the CO2 capture diminishes the density and mechanical strength. However, it fulfills the requirements of the different European regulations and diminishes 56% of the thermal conductivity when 20%wt of waste is used. Although the CO2 waste is decomposed endothermically at 650 °C, the fire resistance decreases by 18% when 20%wt. is added, which allows us to establish that these wastes can be used in fire-resistant panels. An environmental life cycle assessment was conducted by analyzing a recycling case in Spain. The results indicate that the material with CO2 capture waste offers no environmental advantage over gypsum unless the production plant is located within 200 km of the waste source, with transportation being the key factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life cycle assessment of residential buildings – Part 1: Analysis of the achievability of KfW's requirements for climate friendly new buildings Germany is currently discussing whether, when and how requirements for limiting greenhouse gas emissions in the life cycle of buildings should be integrated into regulatory law. Traditionally, in the run‐up to such decisions, possible calculation approaches and requirement levels are tested in the form of a promotional program. The KfW's promotional program for climate‐friendly new buildings (KFN) adopts requirements from the Quality Seal for Sustainable Building (QNG) for calculating and assessing greenhouse gas emissions. The QNG contains limit values for the consumption of non‐renewable primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions in the life cycle. This article presents these requirements and the options for meeting them under the real conditions of current planning and construction practice. The subject of the investigations, which were conducted as of summer 2024, are newly constructed residential buildings of various sizes and construction methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different cattle production interventions have been proposed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase animal productivity, but few studies have identified their real potential under grazing conditions and at the whole system level. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of silvopastoral systems (SPS) with Leucaena leucocephala on total GHG emissions, emission intensity, GHG balance and cattle productivity in a series of production scenarios in northern Colombia. A life cycle analysis (LCA) approach was used to evaluate one baseline system (BL) based on pastures and four SPS intervention scenarios. For this analysis, the emissions from enteric fermentation and manure were determined in situ. Methane emissions from enteric fermentation were 9.7% lower in the SPS with leucaena than in BL systems (p = 0.0369). Emission factors for manure were higher in the BL systems (p < 0.05) as were emission intensities to produce one kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) and one kg of live weight gain (LWG). For animal production and GHG balance, it was found that the inclusion of leucaena increased animal production up to four times compared to the BL system and mitigated GHG emissions per hectare up to 86% due to carbon sequestration. In conclusion, leucaena SPSs are an alternative to mitigate climate change under grazing conditions, as they reduce GHG emissions and increase animal productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical household recyclable bin in Australia contains around 60% of waste cardboard. Given the possibilities of developing a construction material, this study conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing the development of cardboard trusses with © timber trusses, encompassing production to construction. The results show that cardboard trusses offer significant environmental benefits, including a 73% reduction in climate change category, an 83% decrease in ozone-depleting potential, and almost complete avoidance of agricultural land occupation compared to timber trusses, showcasing their sustainability. In both material manufacturing and material transportation, cardboard trusses prioritize climate change mitigation, accounting for over half of the environmental impact. Timber trusses, in contrast, heavily impact land occupation and exhibit climate change dominance. A benefit analysis highlights advantages of cardboard trusses, particularly in reducing land occupation, sustainability, circular economy, and particulate matter formation. The life cycle cost analysis demonstrates an impressive 83% cost reduction for cardboard trusses compared to timber trusses, despite higher labor costs during manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there has been a growing interest on the concept of Circular Economy (CE), its correlation with sustainability remains controversial. In this work, the combination of Statistical Entropy Analysis (SEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is proposed as a new methodology to evaluate recycling processes from the perspective of materials circularity and environmental impacts using a Li‐ion battery recycling process as a case study. This work addresses the need of quantitative circularity indicators, as SEA evaluates the concentration of materials at a systems level, while LCA measures the environmental impact of recycling processes in comparison with virgin raw materials production. It was found that process optimization points can be found by simultaneously accounting for materials recovery and the LCA categories of global warming potential, ozone depletion and mineral resource scarcity. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found for the first time between the recovery of critical elements and the environmental impact of raw materials production. The proposed methodology thus offers a robust analysis of a product lifecycle that aids in its design and optimization from the CE perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare systems contribute 5%–10% of the global carbon footprint. Given the detrimental impact of climate change on population health, health systems must seek to address this environmental responsibility. This is especially relevant in the modern era of minimally invasive procedures (MIP) where single‐use instruments are increasingly popular. We compared the environmental footprint of single‐use versus multi‐use instruments in MIP. Methods: We conducted a systematic review across five databases to identify relevant original studies, following the PRISMA guidelines. We extracted environmental impact data and performed a quality assessment of included studies. Results: We included 13 studies published between 2005 and 2024. Eight employed Life Cycle Analysis (LCAs), which is the gold standard methodology for studies evaluating environmental impact. The instruments studied included laparoscopy systems, endoscopes, cystoscopes, bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, and ureteroscopes. Six studies, including three high quality LCAs and one fair quality LCA, showed that single‐use instruments have a significantly higher environmental footprint than their multi‐use counterparts. Six studies suggested a lower environmental footprint for single‐use instruments, and one study presented comparable results. However, these studies were of poor/fair quality. Conclusion: Although our systematic review yielded mixed results, all high quality LCAs suggested multi‐use instruments may be more environmentally friendly than their single‐use counterparts. Our findings are limited by inter‐study heterogeneity and methodological quality. There is an urgent need for additional research employing gold standard methodologies to explore the interplay between environmental impact and operational factors such as workflow efficiency and cost‐benefit ratio to allow health systems to make more informed decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a detailed inventory analysis of the manufacturing process of a cosmetic cream using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and hydroxylated fullerene water complex (3HFWC) as novel nanocomponents for cream. The inventory analysis was focused on the evaluation of the two raw materials of the nanocomponents, the consumption of electricity and water, which enabled an insight into the process flows within the production process. The data obtained from this analysis of the inventory of nanocomponents provide an insight into the potential improvements that can be made in the manufacturing process of nanocomponents, in order to reduce the environmental impact of the production of new cosmetic creams. These results will serve as the basis for the second part of the analysis, where a life cycle analysis will be carried out to assess the environmental impacts of cream production from the acquisition of raw materials to the disposal of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All over the world, sustainability has been given immense attention, thus novel state-of-the-art materials and building systems are emerging as alternatives. With those different alternatives, comparison and the selection of a better-performing material or a building system using diverse perspectives becomes important. Literature shows its complexity in adopting social and cultural dimensions in decision-making that adversely impacted on most desirable material selections in tropical underdeveloped countries as well as indigenous communities. This study proposed an eco-design-based material selection approach that considers the individual and holistic perspective of diverse eco-design indicators such as economic, ecological, social, and cultural. Several subthemes are identified under each theme and are verified through expert surveys. The identified sub-themes are verified and compared Pairwise through expert surveys and using the Analytical Hierarchy Process leads to proposing weights for each theme and sub-theme and developing an eco-design-based material selection framework. Accordingly, saving energy (10.7%), reducing the overexploitation of natural resources (9.1%), reducing energy emissions (7.9%), and reducing construction (7.3%), as well as operational cost (7.6%), are the parameters that create a greater impact on the selection of sustainable material with the aid of eco-design. Overall, the ecological theme creates the highest impact of around 46% and the cultural theme contributes to a lower percentage of around 5% while the economic and social themes impact considerably 30% and 19% respectively. Furthermore, the developed framework is tested in a case study by comparing an emerging walling material, Cement Stabilized Earth Blocks with conventional materials such as Burnt Clay Bricks and Cement Sand Blocks. Technique for Order Preference by Similarities to Ideal Solution was carried out to compare and rank the respective walling materials under different scenarios. Accordingly, Cement Stabilized Earth Blocks is concluded to be the best alternative when analyzed in the eco-design concept. The proposed framework could be highly beneficial for industry practitioners in tropical underdeveloped countries and indigenous communities in choosing community-preferred, affordable, and environmentally-friendly construction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is essential in software systems in today's eco-conscious atmosphere. However, companies often overlook this, resulting in energy waste and e-waste. We implemented an automated software sustainability assessment solution to address this by fusing Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and ISO quality model implementation capabilities. Our tool reduces environmental impact, promotes economic, technical, environmental, and social sustainability, improves resource labor efficiency and usage time (hardware life), and enables user autonomy. Developed in Python, it is a tool for assessing and evaluating software sustainability (such as performance or maintainability) that has been validated in real-world scenarios. We provide a method for assessing software maintainability and energy efficiency by combining LCA with the ISO 25010 standard. Case studies confirm that the new tool offers a comprehensive sustainability assessment method consistent with sustainable development goals. The study results show that maintainability and energy efficiency were thoroughly assessed. The accuracy and precision of the test assessment results were further confirmed, indicating that the tool is consistent across different software projects and reliable, proving its practical application. This advancement is essential for sustainable software development and provides concrete metrics and operational insights for developers and their companies. In future research, we plan to extend the tool's metric scope and improve data visualization/information customization suitable for more diverse software environments and sustainability goals. Our tool promotes eco-responsibility while raising quality and sustainability standards for all software systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgency of addressing climate change, energy security, and ecological concerns has driven the global shift towards renewable energy systems. In this transformative era, green hydrogen emerges as a pivotal energy resource, promising substantial reductions in global emissions. Methods like water electrolysis, biomass gasification, and methane reforming with carbon capture and storage offer pathways to synthesize hydrogen without greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, hydrogen accounts for approximately 4% of global energy generation, with projections suggesting this could increase to 10% by 2030 and 20% by 2050. Integrating nuclear energy into hydrogen production presents a low-carbon option, promoting reliability and meeting growing demand across sectors. For instance, incorporating nuclear energy could reduce emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional methods. Categorizing hydrogen production into colors based on emissions provides a framework for understanding their environmental and socio-economic profiles. For example, green hydrogen can reduce lifecycle emissions by 60–90% compared to gray hydrogen. Life cycle analysis aids in evaluating overall impacts, guiding policy formulation and industrial decisions towards sustainability. This review examines various production pathways, highlighting their potential contributions to a carbon-neutral economy and discussing the hydrogen spectrum's role in characterizing production processes based on carbon emissions. [Display omitted] • H 2 spectrum characterizes manufacturing processes based on carbon emissions. • Renewable hydrogen reduces emissions more effectively than gray hydrogen. • Nuclear hydrogen has a low impact using Cu–Cl thermochemical cycles. • Multifaceted approaches needed to overcome hydrogen production challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative energy sources have significantly impacted the global electrical sector by providing continuous power to consumers. The deployment of renewable energy sources in order to serve the charging requirements of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) has become a crucial area of research in emerging nations. This research work explores the techno-economic and environmental viability of on-grid charging of PEVs integrated with renewable energy sources in the Surat region of India. The system is designed to facilitate power exchange between the grid network and various energy system components. The chosen location has contrasting wind and solar potential, ensuring diverse renewable energy prospects. PEV charging hours vary depending on the location. A novel metaheuristic-based optimization algorithm, the Pufferfish Optimization Algorithm (POA), was employed to optimize system component sizing by minimizing the system objectives including Cost of Energy (COE) and the total net present cost (TNPC), ensuring a lack of power supply probability (LPSP) within a permissible range. Our findings revealed that the optimal PEV charging station configuration is a grid-tied system combining solar photovoltaic (SPV) panels and wind turbines (WT). This setup achieves a COE of USD 0.022/kWh, a TNPC of USD 222,762.80, and a life cycle emission of 16,683.74 kg CO2-equivalent per year. The system also reached a 99.5% renewable energy penetration rate, with 3902 kWh/year of electricity purchased from the grid and 741,494 kWh/year of energy sold back to the grid. This approach could reduce reliance on overburdened grids, particularly in developing nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing presents promising potential as a sustainable processing technology, notably through integrating post-consumer recycled polymers into production. This study investigated the recycling of high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) into 3D printing filament, achieved by the following optimal extrusion parameters: 180 °C temperature, 7 rpm speed, and 10% glass powder addition. The properties of the developed rHDPE filament were compared with those of commonly used FDM filaments such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) to benchmark the performance of rHDPE against well-established materials in the 3D printing industry, providing a practical perspective for potential users. The resulting filament boasted an average tensile strength of 25.52 MPa, slightly exceeding ABS (25.41 MPa) and comparable to PLA (28.55 MPa). Despite diameter fluctuations, the filament proved usable in 3D printing. Mechanical tests compared the rHPDE filament 3D printed objects with ABS and PLA, showing lower strength but exceptional ductility and flexibility, along with superior sound absorption. A life cycle analysis underscored the sustainability advantages of rHDPE, reducing environmental impact compared to conventional disposal methods. While rHDPE falls behind in mechanical strength against virgin filaments, its unique attributes and sustainability position it as a valuable option for 3D printing, showcasing recycled materials' potential in sustainable innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports, for the first time, on the assessment of a multistage sequential system composed of coagulation–flocculation with different electro-Fenton-based configurations, followed by neutralization (N), for the treatment of raw textile wastewater heavily contaminated with acid black 194 dye and other pollutants. Electrochemical peroxidation (ECP-N), electro-Fenton (EF-N) and peroxi-coagulation (PC-N) were tested at laboratory scale and compared in terms of their efficiency for the removal of organic matter and color, current efficiency and energetic parameter, operating cost and environmental sustainability using life cycle analysis conducted in large-scale virtual reactors. The three electro-Fenton-based systems complied with current environmental standards (color removal > 87%, COD < 400 mg/L, among others) requiring different electrolysis times: ECP-N (52 min) < PC-N (120 min) < EF-N (160 min); energy consumptions: ECP-N (2.27 kWh/m3) < PC-N (4.28 kWh/m3) < EF-N (33.2 kWh/m3); operational costs: ECP-N (2.63 USD/m3) < EF-N (6.65 USD/m3) < PC-N (6.98 USD/m3); among others. Electricity (for ECP-N and EF-N) and reagents (for ECP-N and PC-N) were found as main environmental hotspots. ECP-N presented the lowest carbon footprint of 10.3 kg CO2-Eq/FU (2-Eq/FU) < EF-N (38.0 kg CO2-Eq/FU), had lower incidence in all the impact categories analyzed (ReCiPe-2016 at midpoint level) and can be considered technically, economically and environmentally sustainable for large-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empty and partially filled grain (EPFG) from rice milling factories is usually discarded to landfill. Converting EPFG to valuable products could increase the waste value, improve Malaysia's rice milling waste management, and prevent environmental problems. Utilising the existing and accessible technology in rice mills factories, the optimal waste management practices involving EPFG were investigated. The options were option 1 as biochar, option 2 as compost, and option 3 as bioethanol. Data was obtained from a previous study based on the current Malaysian scenario. A methodology integrating MFA and LCA was applied to observe the environmental performance of these options, which was performed using STAN2 and SimaPro 9.0 software. The best environmental performance was found for the conversion of EPFG to compost (option 2) since less input was used and fewer emissions were released. A total of 3,550 kg CO2 eq. per ton of EPFG used was obtained while avoiding fertiliser products. Therefore, converting EPFG to compost as an easily applied technology can be suggested to rice mill factories to improve their waste management. When deployed in agricultural waste management systems, the integration MFA-LCA model could be referred to as a useful source when implementing policies and industrial uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the development of a circular economy of plastic products in the automotive industry has been pursued by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) not only due to strategic premises by the European Commission but also due to an increasing demand by customers. To achieve a circular economy, high-quality recyclates are needed. However, in the current situation, there is a discrepancy between the low-quality recyclate that is available on the market and the high-quality recyclate that is demanded by manufacturers. To increase the quality of recyclate on the market, a standardized process to reward a 'design-for-recycling' approach at the product development stage is needed. This paper proposes an allocation method that takes into account material compositions and common recycling processes and incentivizes the preservation of high-quality grades of recyclate based on grade purity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

California must operate and maintain an effective and efficient transportation infrastructure while ensuring that the health of communities and the planet are not compromised. By assessing transportation projects using a life-cycle perspective, all relevant emission sources and activities from the construction, operation, maintenance, and end-of-life phases can be analyzed and mitigated. This report presents a framework to assess the life-cycle human health and climate change impacts from six types of transportation projects: (1) Roadways; (2) Marine ports; (3) Logistical distribution centers; (4) Railyards; (5) Bridges and overpasses; and (6) Airports. The framework was applied using an integrated model to assess fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noise impacts, and monetized damages (Value of Statistical Life, Social Cost of Carbon) from two case studies: routine resurfacing and vehicle operations on road segments within the San Francisco Bay Area using 2019 data, and annual marine, cargo, rail, trucking, and infrastructure maintenance operations at the Port of Oakland in 2020. The results suggest that emission sources in a project’s supply chain and construction (material production and deliveries, construction activities, fuel refining) can significantly contribute to the full scope of impacts from transportation systems. Equitable mitigation policies (e.g., electrification, pollution control technologies) need to be tailored to address the sources that impact communities the most.