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Recent studies have focused on the development of bio-based products from sustainable resources using green extraction approaches, especially nanocellulose, an emerging nanoparticle with impressive properties and multiple applications. Despite the various sources of cellulose nanofibers, the search for alternative resources that replace wood, such as Lygeum spartum, a fast-growing Mediterranean plant, is crucial. It has not been previously investigated as a potential source of nanocellulose. This study investigates the extraction of novel cellulose micro/nanofibers from Lygeum spartum using a two-step method, including both alkali and mechanical treatment as post-treatment with ultrasound, as well as homogenization using water and dilute alkali solution as a solvent. To determine the structural properties of CNFs, a series of characterization techniques was applied. A significant correlation was observed between the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results. The FTIR results revealed the elimination of amorphous regions and an increase in the energy of the H-bonding modes, while the XRD results showed that the crystal structure of micro/nanofibers was preserved during the process. In addition, they indicated an increase in the crystallinity index obtained with both methods (deconvolution and Segal). Thermal analysis based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed improvement in the thermal properties of the isolated micro/nanofibers. The temperatures of maximum degradation were 335 °C and 347 °C. Morphological analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) showed the formation of fibers along the axis, with rough and porous surfaces. The findings indicate the potential of Lygeum spartum as a source for producing high-quality micro/nanofibers. A future direction of study is to use the cellulose micro/nanofibers as additives in recycled paper and to evaluate the mechanical properties of the paper sheets, as well as investigate their use in smart paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of long-term information on the use of industry forest residues in Pinus taeda L plantations for purposes of enhancing sustainability. The study goal was to evaluate tree growth and nutrition, soil chemical properties, litter accumulation, and weed occurrence in a Pinus taeda L. system amended with alkaline residues from recycled paper. The residues were broadcasted at planting using different rates (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 t ha−1) on a sandy soil with low fertility. Tree diameter and height along with soil chemical properties were monitored for 15 years. At 15 years samples of litter, weeds, and soil were collected for evaluation. Over 15 years of monitoring, no changes in tree growth or final yield were observed despite increased Ca and reduced Mn foliar tissue concentrations. Low Mg concentration in needles combined with symptoms resembling Mg deficiency and a high increase in Ca levels, suggest that this nutrient could be a limiting factor in tree response. At the same time, a reduction in weed mass with residue application was verified. Residue amendment increased soil Ca and attenuated acidity down to 60 cm after 15 years with the maximum effect on soil properties at ~ 13 years. Litter decreased from 36.2 (control) to 26.9 Mg ha−1 (highest rate) but increased Ca and diminished Al concentrations. The alkaline residue (rich in Ca) improved soil chemical properties at the surface and subsurface, decreased weed growth, increased Ca and reduced Mn in needles, but probably failed to increase tree yield due to an Mg deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While cationic cellulose has yet to find a place in the paper industry, manufacturers show certain interest in a more recent material: cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), generally with negative surface charge. This work suggests both to be combined to increase the mechanical properties of recycled paper while preventing the use of synthetic polyelectrolytes as retention agents. On one hand, a bleached pulp was cationized by etherification, both as-is and following mechanical refining (15,000 PFI revolutions) and submitted to high-pressure homogenization, generating two different kinds of cationic CNFs. On the other, the same pulp was submitted to an enzymatic pretreatment and high-pressure homogenization, producing a negatively charged cellulose micro/nanofiber (CMNF). Two different cellulose-based systems consisting of each type of cationic CNF and the enzymatic CMNF were applied in the papermaking of both virgin and recycled paper. This study demonstrates the effective use of the cationic CNFs as retention agents during sheet formation, which together with the enzymatic CMNFs significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of both types of paper. The study found that refining before cationization favored the retention effect, primarily due to increased surface area and charge of the cationic CNFs, where remarkable increases in the breaking length of virgin (125.1%) and recycled paper (46.5%) were reached. The synergy between cationic CNFs and enzymatic CMNFs outperformed the use of commercial polyacrylamide, a non-biodegradable polyelectrolyte. This research highlights the potential of tailored CNFs in producing high-performance papers, while promoting sustainability and offering a plausible strategy to increase paper recycling rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flotation deinking is one of the most widely used techniques for the separation of ink particles from cellulose fibers during the process of paper recycling. It is a complex process influenced by a variety of factors, and is difficult to represent and usually results in models that are inconvenient to implement and/or interpret. In this paper, a comprehensive study of several machine learning methods for the prediction of flotation deinking performance is carried out, including support vector regression, regression tree ensembles (random forests and boosting) and Gaussian process regression. The prediction relies on the development of a limited dataset that assumes representative data samples obtained under a variety of laboratory conditions, including different reagents, pH values and flotation residence times. The results obtained in this paper confirm that the machine learning methods enable the accurate prediction of flotation deinking performance even when the dataset used for training the model is limited, thus enabling the determination of optimal conditions for the paper recycling process, with only minimal costs and effort. Considering the low complexity of the Gaussian process regression compared to the aforementioned ensemble models, it should be emphasized that the Gaussian process regression gave the best performance in estimating fiber recovery (R2 = 97.77%) and a reasonable performance in estimating the toner recovery (R2 = 86.31%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper is the largest renewable industrial substrate produced for various applications and can be recycled by disintegrating the fibers and reforming the paper. Paper and its fiber constituents lack functions such as electrical conductivity and papermaking itself has not been used for producing electronic devices. In this work, we show a potential industrially viable route for introducing cationic charges on the cellulose fibers and subsequently show how the adsorption of negatively charged ionically and electrically conductive materials onto these fibers from aqueous media can be applied at time scales relevant to industrial papermaking. This results in electroactive fibers, that can subsequently be used to prepare electroactive papers using standard papermaking procedures. Since fibers in the paper can selectively be coated with different active materials, various functions can be added into the paper. To demonstrate applications, we prepared electroactive papers using fibers with adsorbed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and conducting polymers. We achieved conductivity of 21 S/m with only 1wt% CNT. We also prepared papers with CNTs and black phosphorus, used as paper-based lithium, and sodium ion battery (free-standing) anodes. They delivered a specific capacity of 642 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 3500 cycles with 99.5% columbic efficiency. Furthermore, we recycled the papers, and as the disintegration of the fibers did not lead to removal of the ionic or electroactive materials from the fiber surface, the recycled papers showed similar electrical and mechanical properties to the original papers. This opens the path for recyclable paper-based electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of pulp and paper from recycled paper generates significant quantities of deinking paper sludge (DPS). This sludge contains a significant amount of organic matter (36%) as well as heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, and Cr. In this work, the incorporation of DPS (0%, 8%, 10%, and 12%) in the manufacture of clay bricks leads to valorization of this waste by showing that two of its contents considered problematic (organic matter and heavy metals) have several positive effects. It was found that the organic parts were transformed into pores after brick firing (850°C), which improved thermal insulation while keeping mechanical resistance in conformity with usual standards. For the heavy metals, which make DPS a hazardous waste, a leaching test was employed. The results show that these metals were trapped in the ceramic matrix after the firing of bricks at a high temperature, resulting in a final product that was not dangerous. Other tests were carried out on bricks with DPS to evaluate density, water absorption, shrinkage, loss on ignition, porosity, and microstructure in order to characterize this new product. It was concluded that DPS can be used in clay bricks as an asset for the formation of pores to enhance thermal insulation. The addition of DPS can be optimized at 10% to comply with the standard and not exceed the required values for shrinkage, water absorption, and loss on ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Our country has been importing various kinds of wallpaper from different countries for many years. With the increase of foreign exchange problems, the local production of wallpaper and its self-sufficiency has been proposed as a suitable solution. On the other hand, currently, domestic companies are producing paper from white waste paper, which is not justified for use as printing and writing grades due to many problems. However, many companies in the country are producing white grades from white waste paper, the use of which as a base paper in the production of decorative paper or wall paper has not been scientifically investigated. The purpose of this research is to study and investigate the possibility of producing wall paper from recycled white paper produced in the country. Methodology: The stages of this project were carried out in 6 separate and consecutive phases, which include: 1) determining the quality characteristics of the papers; 2) preparation of coating material formulation with starch as binder; 3) preparation of coating material formulation with latex and starch as binder; 4) coating of papers with the prepared coating formulations ; 5) Coating papers and non-woven fabric (Non-Woven) with polyvinyl chloride (PVC); 6) Application of four-color printing on the selected samples of coated papers. For this purpose, first, samples of papers produced by several Iranian companies were acquired and they were transferred to the laboratory of Biosystems and Bioproducts of Shahid Beheshti University for coating and performing the necessary treatments. In order to perform the mentioned treatment on the paper samples, various chemical substances were used, including calcium carbonate powder, kaolin, titanium oxide, corn starch, latex and PVC powder. With this aim, coating solutions with different percentage of solids were prepared steadily and with trial and error using various combinations of these materials (with a total of 110 and 124 parts). Then, these coated solutions were added on various domestic base papers (mostly recycled). Finally, the image of a flower was printed in four colors on the most desirable coated papers. Results: In determining the quality characteristics of base papers, including measurements of water absorption, ash content, thickness, permeability to air, tensile strength, tear resistance index and burst resistance index, two paper samples produced by two companies of Pardis Paper and Tabriz paper were selected as the best and considering the amount of ash, Tabriz paper was introduced as the base paper more suitable than other local papers. Further, after applying the coating material, coated papers with a relatively favorable appearance and whiteness percentages of about 60 to 85 were obtained, and finally, based on the results, a significant relationship was found between the increase in the solids percentage of the coated solutions and the whiteness percentage of the coated paper. Also, after the printing operation on the selected samples, Rasha Superkraft and Tabriz Kraft papers were introduced as the best samples. Also, the highest quality of printing was reached with PVC on Pars white paper with 16% PVC, on whitetop Rasha with 28% PVC and on non-woven fabric (non-woven fabric) with 28% PVC compared to the weight of the paper. Conclusion: The conclusion of the results of this research are listed below: A) The best solid percentage of coating solution (concentration of the mixture) was 41-46%. b) The best combination of binder and pigment, equal to 100 + 12 + 12 = 124 parts and the ratio of the dry weight of the coating mixture added to the dry weight of the base paper is equal to 12%. c) The highest whiteness obtained by adding calcium carbonate + titanium oxide + starch. t) The most suitable concentration of starch that can be used in the coating solution is 15%. c) The best coating and uniform and good coating appearance was obtained on Rasha Superkraft paper with the formula: kaolin + titanium oxide + latex with a whiteness of 77.7% and on Tabriz kraft paper with the formula: kaolin + titanium oxide + latex, with a whiteness of 71.8%. If higher whiteness is desired, using calcium carbonate instead of kaolin would give a better result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Chemical profiling of different paper grades was performed along the recycling chain. • Untargeted analysis of semi-volatiles and non-volatiles using GC- and LC-MS. • Chemometrics application to identify specific features by paper grade and site. • Exploration of the possible sources of detected compounds in the paper recycling chain. • Numerous chemical compounds associated with plastics have been detected. Paper packaging made with recycled paperboard is used to pack various consumer goods that can include amongst others, electronics, toys, food, cosmetics, and stationery. Chemical profiling of the various paper recycling grades used in the manufacture of recycled paperboard was undertaken to investigate possible sources of contaminants and their propagation in the paper recycling chain. Pre-consumer, retail and post-consumer paper-based materials were collected at papermills, corrugators, grocery stores, household waste, solid waste disposal sites and recycling facilities. In the GC-MS analysis, phthalates, long-chain aliphatic compounds, and fatty acids were the most commonly detected compounds whilst phthalates and bisphenols featured most prevalently in the LC-MS analysis. The factors that were identified as likely contributors to the detection of the different chemical compounds included the presence of wood derivatives, the use of certain chemical additives during manufacturing, and exposure of paper to contaminants from consumers, other goods and the environment. Waste mingling, recovery, sorting and reprocessing into recycled paper were also shown to influence the chemical profile of paper materials. Sparse partial least squares-discriminate analysis indicated that newspaper and office paper had unique chemical constituents, whilst cartons were shown to have higher variability. By looking at key stages of paper recycling, this study showed that the possible persistence and transformation of chemical compounds in additives must be evaluated when considering the recyclability of paper-based materials. Further, it highlighted that different separation approaches may be required to reduce contaminant exposure opportunities in post-consumer paper materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pre-treatment process was evaluated in this work for wastewater from paper recycling using microwave technology followed by rapid precipitation of contaminants through centrifugation. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to analyze and optimize the turbidity values. Thirty experimental runs were utilized including microwave (MW) power, duration, centrifuge time, and centrifuge speed as input variables, generated by the Central Composite Full Design (CCFD) approach. The experimental turbidity ranged from 8.1 to 19.7 NTU, while predicted values ranged from 8.4 to 19.7 NTU by ANN. The ANN model showed a robust prediction performance with low mean squared error values during training and testing. Moreover, high R2 values showed a remarkable agreement between the experimental observations and ANN predictions. The results obtained from the input values (A:150.00, B:60.00, C:15.00, D:30.00) of sample 2, which gave the lowest turbidity value, showed the most removal of pollution. The results obtained from the input values (A:250.00, B:60.00, C:7.00, D:20.00) of sample 30, which gave the highest turbidity value, showed the least removal of pollution. The results showed that increasing RPM and time of the centrifugation process significantly affected the removal of pollution in wastewater.

In the realm of food waste recycling, industrial suberoligneous by‐products like cork and peels, pose a challenge for value‐added conversion, primarily due to their intricate structures. This study introduces an innovative approach by utilizing recycled cork as a prime example of repurposing food waste to create a reusable and durable packaging paper. Notably, the manufacturing process of this cork‐based paper avoids the generation of waste liquids from lignin removal, effectively alleviating concerns related to liquid waste pollution. The resulting packaging paper demonstrates remarkable printability, readability, and erasability while offering reusability. Its performance can be fine‐tuned through pH value adjustments. Moreover, this packaging paper exhibits outstanding antioxidative properties and barrier properties, seamlessly integrating superb UV‐blocking proficiency and heightened visible transparency, rendering it highly appealing for sustainable food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pre-treatment process was evaluated in this work for wastewater from paper recycling using microwave technology followed by rapid precipitation of contaminants through centrifugation. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to analyze and optimize the turbidity values. Thirty experimental runs were utilized including microwave (MW) power, duration, centrifuge time, and centrifuge speed as input variables, generated by the Central Composite Full Design (CCFD) approach. The experimental turbidity ranged from 8.1 to 19.7 NTU, while predicted values ranged from 8.4 to 19.7 NTU by ANN. The ANN model showed a robust prediction performance with low mean squared error values during training and testing. Moreover, high R² values showed a remarkable agreement between the experimental observations and ANN predictions. The results obtained from the input values (A:150.00, B:60.00, C:15.00, D:30.00) of sample 2, which gave the lowest turbidity value, showed the most removal of pollution. The results obtained from the input values (A:250.00, B:60.00, C:7.00, D:20.00) of sample 30, which gave the highest turbidity value, showed the least removal of pollution. The results showed that increasing RPM and time of the centrifugation process significantly affected the removal of pollution in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to determine the ink removal efficiency of papers with different recycling numbers and to examine some electrophotographic printing properties. Design/methodology/approach: The base papers prepared according to the INGEDE 11p standard are subjected to six recycling stages (RS) under equal conditions. The physical-optical properties of the papers obtained at the end of each RS are measured and CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, key) color measurement scales are printed on each paper with electrophotographic printing. Color measurements of the printed papers are measured using the X-Rite eXact spectrophotometer, adhering to the ISO 13655:2017 standard. According to the measurement results of the optical properties, the ink removal efficiency of each recycling step is determined as a percentage (%) using some formulas. Findings: As general, according to DEMLab and IERIC data, it is determined that the ink removal efficiency increased as the recycling repetition increased. In DEMf factor values, the highest deinking efficiency is obtained after the fourth RS. There is no significant difference between the printing properties of the samples. Originality/value: It has been a matter of curiosity that papers lose their properties after how many RS. Many studies have been carried out on this subject and it has been presented by experimental methods that the printability properties of papers increase or decrease after which RS. This study can be a pioneer for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites are pivotal in Europe's evolving packaging sector, which is undergoing changes due to circular and bioeconomy initiatives, which prioritize eco‐friendly packaging. Despite paper's high recycling rates, dynamic markets challenge recycling and circularity. Innovative paper‐based composites demand flexible recyclability assessments, which impacts product development. Recyclability methods are evolving as they struggle to match the dynamic changes occurring in the packaging sector. This article outlines paper recycling and compares global lab recyclability evaluation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text describes a study that investigates the mechanics, environmental benefits, and potential challenges of paper recycling machines. It highlights the importance of these machines in promoting a more sustainable future, and how they align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs aim to address issues such as climate change, land use, responsible consumption and production, and poverty alleviation by promoting sustainable economies. This study explores the transformative potential of the recycling industry and its impact on the economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developers of electronics for the Internet of Things are considering nonstandard substrate materials like recyclable, low-cost, and eco-friendly cardboard paper. From this perspective, this article reviews the design and experimental results of a 2D-rectenna for scavenging radio-frequency energy at 2.45 GHz on various cardboard paper substrates for both the antenna and rectifier. Four types of recycled cardboard material, each with different thicknesses, air gaps, and surface roughness, are selected for characterization. A linearly polarized rectangular microstrip patch antenna with microstrip transmission feeding is adopted for ease of fabrication. At 2.45 GHz, the antenna has a simulated and measured global gain of 2.98 dB and 2.53 dB, respectively, on a 2.2 mm thick cardboard material. The rectifying element consists of a voltage-doubler configuration connected through a T-matching network to the antenna. At low RF input power (−10 dBm), the maximum available DC output power is experimentally evaluated at 1.73 μW, 7.5 μW, and 8.5 μW for HSMS-2860, HSMS-2850, and SMS7306-079L diodes, respectively. The respective rectifiers with diodes SMS7306-079L, HSMS-2850, and HSMS-2860 exhibit optimal load values of 2 kΩ, 2.6 kΩ, and 8 kΩ. The rectifier designed using the SMS7306-079L diode experimentally reaches a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.2% at −5 dBm input power when the optimal load value is 1.5 kΩ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Businesses that run in recycling industries are one of the trends that are now in demand by many parties and supported by both national and international governments, but in the practice of these business activities there are many components that must be considered, especially if an entity is in the business to business sector. PT Recycled Paper Hub came as an competitive alternative that offers products in the form of recycled paper materials with low impurity levels which will later be used by companies to be processed again into many forms including packaging. By analyzing and implementing a marketing mix approach in accordance with the vision and mission, analysis data obtained from research on internal and external strengths that are quantitative and qualitative, the data obtained reflects business activities in order to achieve business excellence. In this study, the marketing mix carried by PT Recycled Paper Hub is Direct Marketing NICE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to a shortage of resources, exploring new biomass fillers has become critical for paper making. In this study, we reported an eco-friendly strategy for fabricating low-cost and efficient recycled paper with high mechanical properties using corrugated cardboard waste paper and harmless municipal sludge (HMS). First, the characteristics of HMS, including the particle size, pH, specific surface area, organic functional groups and organic component content, were analyzed. Then, the influence of the amount of HMS on the properties of the recycled paper was studied. Finally, the strengthening mechanism of biomass filling recycled paper was discussed. The results showed that HMS, a biomass filler for recycled paper preparation, exhibited excellent physical and chemical properties, with a median particle size of 6.395 μm, a surface area of 39.974 m2 g−1 and organic functional groups. The tensile index of the recycled paper with 30 % HMS was 13.10 Nm/g, which was 16.4 % greater than that of the unfilled paper and showed better thermal stability. This excellent performance could be attributed to the uniform distribution of HMS on the fiber surface, which improved the accessibility of hydrogen bond formation between fibers. Thus, this study proved that HMS was an excellent biomass filler for producing recycled paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Recycled Paper Hub is a business unit mainly focus in processing recycled paper sorted from local collector who also act as supplier such as waste paper collected from traditional market, ex-packaging collected from home industry and household waste, etc. Recycled Paper Hub primary goal is to participate in the sustainable business by contributing to the economy of the surrounding community along with a commitment to maintaining a green environment. In order to achieve this goals, Recycled Paper Hub conduct business development strategy which include financial planning and projection. This study uses quantitative research methotds. Data collection technique used literature studies, interviews, and observations. Strategic planning was carried out until the long-term stage, according to the business strategy and lean business canvas model. Human capital planning was carried out with the stages of goals and objectives, corporate culture and values, organizational structure, human capital planning, and human capital cost projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using paper made from eco-friendly recycled and non-woody plants in graphic technology, particularly in offset printing. Instead of changing the composition or modifying the surface properties of the paper, the focus was on enhancing the print quality by modifying the printing ink. By modifying the printing inks, the quality of the prints on recycled and non-woody paper can be optimized, which in turn reduces the need for paper made from primary fibers. This approach can expand the use of alternative materials in graphic technology and design. The objective was to optimize the print quality on these sustainable materials. Five types of uncoated paper were used, with high-quality uncoated offset paper based on virgin fibers serving as a reference. Laboratory tests of the basic and surface properties were carried out to measure the paper quality parameters that are important for offset printing. The influence of the paper composition on its optical and colorimetric properties was also investigated. The interaction between the selected papers and offset inks was examined through measurements of adhesion parameters and ink transfer, i.e., the paper's ability to accept the ink. To enhance the applicability of the investigated papers as printing substrates in the graphic industry, SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles were added to the offset inks. The influence of the paper composition on the colorimetric properties of the prints was also investigated. The print uniformity, as an important quality characteristic, was determined by measuring the mottling index. The research findings indicate that incorporating SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles into offset inks can enhance the interaction between the paper and ink, leading to improved print quality. This study provides new perspectives on the possibilities of using recycled and non-woody plant paper in offset printing without significantly compromising the quality of the print. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US and the EU have adopted contrasting pathways in their pursuit of increased sustainability. This editorial highlights such contrasts with respect to paper and nonwovens products. The American way, at least at the federal level, depends on consumer input, which can have an impact on corporate decisions and practices. Progress with respect to sustainability in the European Union has a higher reliance upon regulations. Each approach has merits as well as deficiencies. A regulation-dependent approach sometimes just moves problems to other parts of the world. A consumer-driven approach does not have a good way to deal with a need for systematic change, such as systems to recycle textile and nonwoven materials. It follows that a combined approach, involving both consumer demand and regulations, can be recommended as a most effective path forward. In addition, applications of artificial intelligence have potential to reconcile societal needs with future industrial practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study the application of high-tolerance and flexible indigenous bacteria and fungi, along with the co-metabolism in recycled paper and cardboard mill (RPCM) wastewater treatment (WWT). Design/methodology/approach: The molecular characterization of isolated indigenous bacteria and fungi was performed by 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively. Glucose was used as a cometabolic substrate to enhance the bioremediation process. Findings: The highest removal efficiency was achieved for both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color [78% COD and 45% color removal by Pseudomonas aeruginosa RW-2 (MZ603673), as well as approximately 70% COD and 48% color removal by Geotrichum candidum RW-4 (ON024394)]. The corresponding percentages were higher in comparison with the efficiency obtained from the oxidation ditch unit in the full-scale RPCM WWT plant. Originality/value: Indigenous P. aeruginosa RW-2 and G. candidum RW-4 demonstrated effective capability in RPCM WWT despite the highly toxic and low biodegradable nature, especially with the assistance of glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore PT. Recycled Paper Hub's response to the increasing demand for recycled paper within the context of sustainable production management and supply chain management, with a focus on the B2B industry. The study encompasses an analysis of the company's practices in managing relationships with suppliers of recycled paper, enhancing operational efficiency, and mitigating environmental impacts from its operations. PT. Recycled Paper Hub, a B2B company specializing in processing recycled paper into bales, faces rising demand for its products. This article presents research findings on how the company addresses the growing market demand through the utilization of advanced production technology and the application of lean manufacturing methods to minimize waste. Furthermore, the research evaluates how PT. Recycled Paper Hub manages relationships with suppliers of recycled paper to ensure stable and high-quality supply. Strategic partnerships with suppliers of recycled paper are identified as key success factors in meeting increasing demand. The research findings indicate that the increased demand for bales of recycled paper not only reduces waste and emissions but also reinforces PT. Recycled Paper Hub's commitment to sustainability. These findings offer valuable insights for the paper industry and other companies seeking to adopt more sustainable business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)–related research on paper products has focused on food packaging with less consideration on the presence of PFAS at different stages of the paper recycling chain. This study analysed the prevalence of PFAS in paper grades used for the manufacture of recycled paperboard. The presence of PFAS was attributed to the use of PFAS-containing additives, consumer usage, exposure to packed goods as well as contamination during mingling, sorting, collection, and recovery of paper recycling material. Q Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used to analyse the paper samples after accelerated solvent extraction and solid phase extraction. The distribution and possible propagation of 22 PFAS were determined in pre-consumer, retail and post-consumer paper products. Post-consumer samples had the highest combined average concentration (ΣPFAS) at 213 ng/g, while the ΣPFAS in retail (159 ng/g) and pre-consumer samples (121 ng/g) was detected at lower concentrations. This study showed that waste collection and recycling protocols may influence PFAS propagation and that measures must be developed to minimise and possibly eliminate exposure opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-enzymatic electrochemical blood glucose sensors often suffer from issues such as requiring an alkaline environment, limited monitoring range, and poor anti-interference properties. Carbon substrates have been demonstrated to improve the performance of non-enzymatic sensors, but complex and energy-consuming manufacturing processes restrict their use. Herein, a simple and green approach for the preparation of 3D porous Au/Au-Pt networks (PAAPNs) is proposed using tissue paper for recycling as the nanomaterial substrate to deposit Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles. The unique structure of the PAAPNs sensor allows for low-potential operation (-1.0 V) with a wide monitoring range (-0.25 to 36 mM) in a neutral environment. Moreover, the sensor exhibited excellent selectivity (<10% response of interference) even without the use of an anti-interference outer membrane. Further investigation using density functional theory (DFT) simulation revealed the synergistic effect between Au and Pt in promoting glucose oxidation. Overall, this work provides a simple and low-carbon footprint method for creating carbon substrates from tissue paper for recycling, offering new opportunities for fabricating novel value-added nanomaterials for medical sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitizers are used to prepare photosensitive materials for ink-printing and thermal-recording media. Typical sensitizers contain an aromatic ring and exhibit aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated activity. They can accumulate in aquatic biota, leading to the disruption of ecosystems. Effluent from paper recycling plants has been identified as a source of contamination, and the presence of sensitizers in toilet paper may represent a new source of contamination in aquatic environments. To examine possible sources of contamination by sensitizers, this study investigated the levels of sensitizers in recycled toilet paper. We also studied the prevalence of sensitizers in rivers receiving effluents from sewage treatment plants in Japan, from 2020 to 2022. We detected eight sensitizers and related compounds in both toilet paper and river water samples; their total concentrations ranged from 0.78 to 34 µg/g (mean: 12 µg/g) in toilet paper and 58–1167 µg/L (median: 77 µg/L) in water. In the water samples, sensitizers were partitioned between liquid and suspended solid phases, and in suspended solids, sensitizers accounted for an average of 42% of the total. Correlation analysis showed a high correlation between sensitizer composition in the water from a river receiving sewage treatment plant effluents and toilet paper. Since these compounds were also detected in the river water analyzed in this study, toilet paper should be considered a novel source of sensitizers contamination in sewage treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of paper recycling, certain amounts of metals can be found in the cellulose suspension, the source of which is mainly printing inks. The paper industry often uses different technologies to reduce heavy metal emissions. The recycling of laminated packaging contributes to the formation of sticky particles, which affects the concentration of heavy metals. This study aimed to determine the mass fraction of metals in the different phases of the deinking process to optimize the cellulose pulp's quality and design healthy correct packaging products. In this research, the deinking flotation of laminated and non-laminated samples was carried out by the Ingede 11 method. As a result of the study, the mass fractions of metals in cellulose pulp were divided into four groups according to the mass fraction's increasing value and the metals' increasing electronegativity. The quantities of metals were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The separation of metals from cellulose pulp is influenced by the presence of adhesives and the electronegativity of the metal. The results of the study show that the recycling process removes certain heavy metals very well, which indicates the good recycling potential of pharmaceutical cardboard samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-use packaging materials, such as those used in food and beverage packaging, have become a significant concern due to their negative impact on the environment. With its eco-friendly attributes, recycled paper (RP) holds great potential as a sustainable replacement for petroleum-based plastics, particularly in the realm of single-use packaging materials. However, to fully realize its potential, it is crucial to enhance the mechanical strength and barrier properties of RP. One particularly promising approach to achieve this enhancement involves the use of starch-citric acid (CA)-crosslinking. While laboratory-scale experiments often result in RP products that fall short of the required specifications, this study aims to explore the feasibility of improving these properties on an industrial-scale. The physical and thermal properties, morphology, and biodegradability of the RP/starch-CA-crosslinking composite sheets (RPSAs) were evaluated and compared to those of a commercial product containing a waterproof agent (CPW). The results indicate that the starch-CA-crosslinking process leads to the formation of a compact and foam-like structure, resulting in improved mechanical strength, thermal insulation, water resistance, and thermal stability. The burst and tensile strengths of RPSA with 50% starch (w/w of RP) were found to be 66.32 and 123.63% higher than those of the control, respectively. Additionally, the thermal-insulation property exhibited a higher R-value, up to 15% higher than the control. Furthermore, the water resistance and thermal stability of RPSAs with an appropriate level of starch-CA-crosslinking were comparable to, or even exceeded, those of CPW. However, it was observed that starch-CA-crosslinking reduced the biodegradability of the RPSAs. This study demonstrates the efficacy of starch-CA-crosslinking techniques in improving RP products and the feasibility of scaling up production. The findings can serve as a valuable reference for future commercial-scale studies, indicating the potential for utilizing starch-CA-crosslinking to enhance the properties of RP-based products and facilitate their widespread adoption as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nowadays, a high percentage (> 50%) of the paper produced in Europe uses recovered paper (secondary fibers) as raw material. In order to improve the mechanical properties of the paper produced, different kinds of additives are usually incorporated into the paper. Emerging renewable materials based on agricultural or forest residues, such as cellulose nanomaterials, have recently proved good capacities as reinforcing agents for different applications. In this work, pulp from wheat straw with a content of cellulose nanomaterial has been produced and tested as a mechanical reinforcing agent for paper production. A soda semi-chemical process was applied for the delignification of straw, to produce pulp with high cellulose content. Posteriorly, pulps with cellulose nanofibers were obtained in a high-pressure homogenizer, applying three different pretreatments to the cellulose pulp (acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis and thermal treatment with glycerol) in order to facilitate the obtention of cellulose nanomaterial. Handsheets of paper were prepared from two sources of secondary fiber (fluting paper and old corrugated containers), adding different percentages of wheat straw derivatives (0, 3.5, 5 and 7%). The fibers' morphology and the papers' mechanical properties were investigated. Noticeable improvement rates (up to 25%) were observed for some mechanical properties of paper containing nanocellulose produced after the enzymatic and acid pretreatments. The quality of the secondary fibers source also affected the improvement rates achieved, with higher percentage changes for the lower-quality recycled paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycled paper has become increasingly used as a raw material in the paper industry. However, hornification limits its application. Herein, the effect of recycling on the mechanical properties and microstructure of khasi pine pulp was systematically studied. The mechanical properties deteriorated and water retention value decreased after recycling. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that cellulose crystallinity increased and partial cocrystallization occurred on cellulose microfibrils. Through the analysis of the morphology of secondary fibers by FQA, the loss of fine fibers caused by each reuse was found. Using the filtration method to prepare the recycled paper reduced the loss of fine fibers and improved the mechanical properties, with the tensile strength of a sample prepared using a sand core filter unit for five cycles (8.37 MPa) being like that of a sample prepared using a paper machine after one cycle. The investigation of the internal structure of the paper showed that the retained fine fibers were bonded between the long fibers, promoting the bonding between the fibers. Fine fibers improve the curling and twisting of fibers to some extent, especially in the first three recycling cycles. The hornification phenomenon of recycled paper was studied from the viewpoint of the fiber components, which is important to promote the development and application prospect of recycled paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The materials to produce concrete blocks (sand, gravel, and cement) are limited resources that are becoming scarce over time due to their increasing demand in construction. On the other hand, the waste of glass and paper is progressively increasing without being fully utilized through recycling. Therefore, the objective of this scientific research is to evaluate the influence on the mechanical properties of masonry concrete blocks made with recycled glass and paper particles. Likewise, the sample was non-probabilistically selected for convenience, consisting of 192 concrete blocks manufactured with additions of 3% (2% glass particles and 1% recycled paper), 6% (4% glass particles and 2% recycled paper), and 9% (6% glass particles and 3% recycled paper), as well as concrete blocks manufactured without additions. According to the results obtained, at 3%, 6%, and 9% addition of glass and paper particles, the absorption decreased by 4.94%, 3.398%, and 3.52% respectively. However, the warping increased between 1.7mm and 1.8mm, while the compressive strength (f'c) increased to 75kg/cm2, 82kg/cm2, and 77kg/cm2, respectively. Similarly, the axial compressive strength (f'm) increased to 91.22kg/cm2, 94.45kg/cm2, and 92.80kg/cm2, and the diagonal compressive strength (V'm) increased by 8.90kg/cm2, 9.70kg/cm2, and 9.70kg/cm2. Nevertheless, the manufacturing cost of masonry units showed a progressive reduction with the amount of glass + paper addition, amounting to 0.57 USD, 0.55 USD, and 0.53 USD. It was also determined that the optimal addition of these materials in the concrete mix in terms of cost and strength is 9% (glass + paper), resulting in compressive strengths of 77kg/cm2, 92.8kg/cm2, and 9.70kg/cm2, with a cost of 0.53 USD per unit. In conclusion, it can be affirmed that adding glass and recycled paper particles in the production of concrete blocks for use in loadbearing masonry walls positively influences the physical and mechanical properties of the blocks. Additionally, it allows for a reduction in manufacturing costs, leading to significant savings for builders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production process of recycled paper generates a significant amount of wastewater. In many cases, the companies do not have a fully adequate effluent treatment system, due to the high cost of conventional physical or chemical treatment systems, which leads to contaminated wastewater. Due to this problem, this research aims to evaluate a bioremediation system based on a flotation system with Typha domingensis plants, for the recovery of wastewater generated in the paper recycling process. The effluent treatment system was installed in the vegetation house of the Multidisciplinary Center for Technological Research (CEMIT), San Lorenzo, Paraguay. It consisted of Typhas plants arranged in plastic containers, which were classified in relation to the effluent concentration (100 %; 50 %; 30 %), in three replicates. For the evaluation of efficiency, physicochemical determinations of pH, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, BOD5, COD, total phosphorus and total nitrogen were carried out at 7-day intervals over a 4-week period. The results obtained indicate significant differences in the percentage of removal of the different pollutant concentrations, where the COD and BOD5 parameters showed removal values of 99 % and 92 %. In the case of Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus the values were around 92 % and 75 %, respectively, demonstrating the efficiency of the plant in the treatment of the effluent. This kind of wastewater treatment system has the potential to decrease the load of effluent pollutants produced in paper recycling. Therefore, this study concluded that the system composed of T. domingensis is an option as a potential phytoremediation system for the treatment of wastewater from paper recycling.

Due to the high wastepaper recyclability and water-loop system closure, packaging paper mills struggle with increased fines, causing runnability issues. Cellulase enzymes are a preferred treatment choice for the improvement of the pulp refining in stock preparation area but are not widely used or easy to introduce in the production process. Different cellulase enzymes were tested, and those with the highest activity were introduced to the white-water (WW) samples with the aim to reduce fines content as potentially new enzyme applications on the paper machine. The first portion of the study involved the development of an experiment model to find and confirm the optimal enzyme process parameters (40 °C, pH 5.7, reaction time 3 h, and 0.18% v/v enzyme addition) for laboratory made white-water. The second portion of the study included turbidity, colloidal charge, flow cytometry (FCM), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis on industrial and laboratory made white-water samples at optimized process parameters. Obtained results corresponded to reduced fines content in white-water samples, which justified commercial usage of cellulase enzymes on recycled paper machine short loop and potentially increased machine runnability without negative influence on wastewater treatment plant.

Cellulose was isolated from recycled pulp and paper sludge and used to synthesize cellulose nanocrystals. Response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design model were used to predict, improve, and optimize the cellulose isolation process. The optimal conditions were a reaction temperature of 87.5 °C, 180 min with 4% sodium hydroxide. SEM and TEM results revealed that the isolated cellulose had long rod-like structures of different dimensions than CNCs with short rod-like structures. The crystallinity index from XRD significantly increased from 41.33%, 63.7%, and 75.6% for Kimberly mill pulp sludge (KMRPPS), chemically purified cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals, respectively. The TGA/DTG analysis showed that the isolated cellulosic materials possessed higher thermal stability. FTIR analysis suggested that the chemical structures of cellulose and CNCs were modified by chemical treatment. The cellulose surface was highly hydrophilic compared to the CNCs based on the high water holding capacity of 65.31 ± 0.98% and 83.14 ± 1.22%, respectively. The synthesized cellulosic materials portrayed excellent properties for high-end industrial applications like biomedical engineering, advanced materials, nanotechnology, sustainable packaging, personal care products, environmental remediation, additive manufacturing, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and cationic starch (CS) were evaluated as coating components relative to the physical and mechanical properties of fluting papersheets fabricated from recycled corrugated cardboard fibers. Fabricated fluting papers were subjected to size press applications by three different coating blends. Coating suspensions were prepared at various concentrations of CNF (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and 4 wt% CS, and the same amounts of CS/CNF. The paper sheets were fabricated using size press machine as three-time repetitive applications, followed by one-time drying section, and compared to uncoated, CScoated, and CNF-coated papers. The application of CNF suspensions increased tensile indices up to 11.7%. Moreover, CS/CNF suspensions resulted in a 67.2% increase in tensile index values. The coating of CS/CNF suspensions increased the burst index values by 163% at the CS+1%CNF concentration when compared to the control pulp. Surface application of prepared suspensions reduced the porosity of the samples under all conditions. The highest reduction in the air permeability was observed in the CS+4%CNF-coated samples as 91.5%. It can be concluded that the superficial applications of CNF on the physical and mechanical properties of recycled fluting paper was more effective in the presence of CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the high wastepaper recyclability and water-loop system closure, packaging paper mills struggle with increased fines, causing runnability issues. Cellulase enzymes are a preferred treatment choice for the improvement of the pulp refining in stock preparation area but are not widely used or easy to introduce in the production process. Different cellulase enzymes were tested, and those with the highest activity were introduced to the white-water (WW) samples with the aim to reduce fines content as potentially new enzyme applications on the paper machine. The first portion of the study involved the development of an experiment model to find and confirm the optimal enzyme process parameters (40 °C, pH 5.7, reaction time 3 h, and 0.18%v/v enzyme addition) for laboratory made white-water. The second portion of the study included turbidity, colloidal charge, flow cytometry (FCM), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis on industrial and laboratory made white-water samples at optimized process parameters. Obtained results corresponded to reduced fines content in white-water samples, which justified commercial usage of cellulase enzymes on recycled paper machine short loop and potentially increased machine runnability without negative influence on wastewater treatment plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus species have been highlighted in enzyme production looking for industrial applications, notably, amylases are one of the most interesting enzymes. They are capable of hydrolyzing α‐glycosidic linkages of starch and widely used in industrial processes to produce ethanol, glucose, and fructose syrup as well as in the textiles, detergents, and paper industries applications. In this context, this work aimed at the biochemical characterization of the glucoamylase from Aspergillus japonicus and its application in the bio‐bleaching process of recycled paper. The optimum temperature and pH for the glucoamylase assay were standardized as 50°C and 5.5. After 1 h of incubation, glucoamylase retained 90% of its activity at 30–50°C. It also kept 70% of its activity in the pH range of 4.0–6.5 after an hour of incubation. The enzyme led to an increase of 30% in the relative whiteness of 10 dry grams of sulfite paper and magazine paper when applied along with commercial cellulase and 10 mM MnCl2. In addition, after the treatments, the glucoamylase recovered activity was 30%–32%, which indicates a prolonged availability of the enzyme and can considerably curtail the redundant downstream process of the recycled paper bio‐bleaching. Thus, the glucoamylase from A. japonicus has a significant role in bio‐bleaching recycled paper, reducing the necessity of hard chemicals, and improving the industrial process in an interesting economic and ecological mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, due to environmental awareness regarding the harmfulness of polymeric materials, there has been a growing interest in using papers, especially those from alternative raw materials. The importance of using all available raw materials is imperative today. Raw materials that were once viewed as waste are now of great importance because they have the ability to replace raw materials that are used irrationally or are lacking. Cereal straw is a lignocellulosic material that could be used in the paper industry and in the production of increasingly prevalent paper packaging. The aim of this research was to analyze the relationships between the qualitative parameters of straw-based printed papers containing 30% agricultural residues (wheat, barley, or triticale). The influence of two qualitative parameters (ink penetration depth and optical ink density) on the print-through was observed using multiple regression analysis on straw-based papers produced at the laboratory level. Throughout the research, 100% recycled wood paper was used as a reference sample. The results of the regression analysis showed that none of the variables individually make a statistically significant contribution to the prediction of the dependent variable in a linear context, that is, they indicate a non-linear interaction between the variables and the specific conditions under which the dependent variable reaches local extremes and changes in the gradient. Considering the results of the regression analysis and the visualization of the relationship, the model was additionally tested with other independent variables (paper type). From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the alternative straw-based paper with 30% barley pulp has the best interaction between ink and paper, which is the most similar to the reference sample in terms of printability, while the alternative straw-based paper with 30% wheat generally differs significantly from the reference paper when all three prints are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry stands out as an example of a technology based on a renewable resource, cellulose. The sludge, however, poses major environmental and public health problems. To effectively manage the sludge wastes, it is critical to fully evaluate its composition, possible environmental impacts, and the total amount of exploitable renewable resources. The study established the pH of the sludge to be 7.32 ± 0.98, an electrical conductivity (1.84 mS/cm), nitrogen concentration (2.65 ± 0.21%), and total organic matter (41.23 ± 3.11%). The cellulosic content was established to be 74.07 ± 2.71% which contributes to 53.07 ± 1.23% water holding capacity (WHC). The most abundant elements were C and O, followed by Cl, Si, Al, and Mg, with lower concentrations of S, Si, K, and iron. The polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) levels ranged from 0.29 to 322.56 ng.g-1 with 1-methyl pyrene posting the highest concentration (322.56 ng.g-1. XRD peaks at 17.10°, 23.86°, 30.14°, and 36.57°, which imply the existence of CaCO3. SEM indicated that the sludge was majorly comprised of fibers materials with average particle sizes of 280 micrometers. TGA/DTG analysis showed that the sludge had the greatest cellulose and hemicellulose (64.7 wt. %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the challenges and limitations faced at the basic level for the recycling of paper in an academic institute. It focuses on encouraging recycled paper use rather than bringing traditional virgin paper to prevent the rate of deforestation for reducing global warming. Data was collected from the academic institute via questionnaire and on-site observation and found that the institute was producing approximately 16 tons of wastepaper in a year. Besides that, another purpose of this research is to estimate the energy and assess the environmental effect by using the life cycle assessment as a tool. The results of this study revealed that traditional virgin paper derived from wood proves to be costly and less environmentally friendly than recycled paper. It also revealed that Traditional virgin paper has greater global warming, human toxicity, smog, acidification, and eutrophication potential than recycled paper. This study concludes that recycled paper does not only prove economically beneficent for any institution, but also beneficial for environment as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry plays an important role in the global economy and is inextricably linked to human life. Due to its large scale, the production process generates a large amount of wastewater, which poses a major threat to the environment. The sustainable utilization and safe treatment of pulp and paper wastewater can effectively reduce environmental pollution, improve resource utilization efficiency, protect water resources, provide economic benefits for pulp and paper enterprises, and thus promote the green and sustainable development of the pulp and paper industry. Therefore, this study discusses the pollution components of pulp and paper wastewater and their impact on the environment and human health. In this review, we aim to explore the sustainable development of pulp and paper wastewater by summarizing the characteristics of current pulp and paper wastewater, the commonly used treatment methods for pulp and paper wastewater, the application of pulp and paper wastewater recycling, and the future development direction of pulp and paper wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, and there is starting to be a shift in consciousness that is putting pressure on both individuals and organisations to share responsibilities and intervene. This paper will explore how the Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB) and its partner Stein IAS found the most successful strategies to educate as many consumers as possible on the best ways to recycle paper and paper-based packaging. They realised that in order to communicate with consumers effectively and economically, a traditional business-to-consumer framework would not suffice. Instead, P+PB and Stein IAS embarked on a mission to follow a B2B2C framework, focusing on engaging packaging manufacturers and their e-commerce clients to reach a broader consumer audience. They understood that they had to convince box manufacturers and e-commerce brands to join the programme, known as 'Box to Nature', which aimed to inspire consumers to recycle boxes correctly, emphasising the exponential effect of proper recycling. The strategy involved showing up where the majority of the target audience was engaged, creating a relevant and bold experience. The launch of the initiative at PACK EXPO, one of the industry's largest trade shows, was a significant step in this direction. The team found a unique, powerful and relevant way to connect with the desired audience in unexpected ways, resulting in a big success that has led to a significant increase in the number of organisations wanting to join the programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]