Study on the Product Lifecycles, Waste Recycling and the Circular Economy for Nanomaterials

This study updates and expands on the document “Nanomaterials in Waste Streams – Current Knowledge on Risks and Impacts" published by OECD in 2016. It covers ten topics: • Waste streams containing nanomaterials. • Behaviour and fate of nanomaterials in waste processes. • Exposure of waste management workers to nanomaterials. • Benefits and challenges of nanomaterials posed to the circular economy. • Impact of nanomaterials on recycling. • Main streams of nanomaterial recyclates. • Recycling abatement systems residues. • Potential for substitution of hazardous substances by nanomaterials in the recyclate streams. • Emission of nanomaterials. • Emission control and best available techniques. The review covered 276 publications, including books, research reports, research and review papers, databases, and other web resources. These publications were reviewed irrespective of the nanomaterial terminology used. However, the study specifically focuses on manufactured nanomaterials and incidental nanomaterials. This report refers to the definitions provided in CEN ISO/TS 80004-2:2017, where manufactured nanomaterial is "intentionally produced to have selected properties or composition", and incidental nanomaterial is "generated as an unintentional by-product of a process". The study focuses on the European Union situation and developments in nanomaterials, although relevant studies from other countries were reviewed where appropriate. To complement and validate the findings, twenty interviews were conducted with experts from academia, industry, international associations, national authorities, and non-profit organisations. The research topics have been addressed in three thematic sections of the study – "Nanomaterials in Waste", "Nanomaterials in Waste Management Processes", and "Nanomaterials in the circular economy".