The aim of this research line is to study and optimize the production of biofuels through the anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic waste (biohydrogen and biomethane) and the exploitation of lipid-rich biomasses and waste matrices (biodiesel). The research on anaerobic digestion has the following goals: a) the study of the biomethanization of unconventional waste matrices, such as algae, municipa...

The process of vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida has been regarded as a viable solution to the frequent disposal and waste of used coffee grounds. The effects of coffee grounds on earthworms have yet to be fully understood. In a manipulative experiment with varying ratios of coffee grounds and earthworms, we investigate how the amount of coffee grounds affect total earthworm biomass and also ...

This paper seeks to examine the provisions for extended producer responsibility (EPR) within the Malaysian environmental and waste management policies and to determine its existing practice and future prospects in Malaysia. Malaysian waste generation has been increasing drastically where solid waste generation was estimated to increase from about 9.0 million tonnes in 2000 to about 10.9 million...

a r t i c l e i n f o At present, there are insufficient design decision making tools to support effective construction waste minimisation evaluation and implementation throughout all design stages. A limited but growing body of recent literature suggests that building information modelling has the potential to assist architects to minimise design waste on their projects. The research reported ...

BACKGROUND Electronic waste workers are prone to various illnesses and injuries from numerous hazards thus the need for them to seek health care. The aim of this study was to describe health-seeking behavior, and social and other factors affecting this behavior, among electronic waste workers at Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted and analyzed qualitatively ...

Near to two decade after the Basel Convention (BC) under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), most of the nations are still working for Waste Electrical and JIBC December 2011, Vol. 16, No.3 2 Electronic Equipment (WEEE) or E-waste disposal programme. The Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is the most comprehensive global environm...

Evaluation of metal leaching using a single leach test such as the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) is often questionable. The pH, redox potential (E(h)), particle size and contact time are critical variables in controlling metal stability, not accounted for in the TCLP. This paper compares the leaching behavior of metals in mineral processing waste via short-term extraction te...

BACKGROUND Large amounts of expired and unused medications accumulate in households. This potentially exposes the public to hazards due to uncontrolled use of medications. Most of the expired or unused medications that accumulate in households (household medical waste) is thrown to the garbage or flushed down to the sewage, potentially contaminating waste-water, water resources and even drinkin...

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are currently being dumped in landfills or incinerated which is causing a serious environmental harm in the form of toxic gases or leached hazardous compounds. PCBs contain high amounts of precious metals; about 20 wt% copper, 0.04 wt% gold, 0.15 wt% silver, and 0.01 wt% palladium. The extraction of these metals from PCBs is both profitable and environmentally wort...