The natural environment is often contaminated with hydrophobic pollutants such as long-chain hydrocarbons, petrochemicals, oil spills, pesticides, and heavy metals. Hydrophobic pollutants with a toxic nature, slow degradation rates, and low solubility pose serious threats to the environment and human health. Decontamination based on conventional chemical surfactants has been found to be toxic, thereby limiting its application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In contrast, biosurfactants synthesized by various microbial species have been considered superior to chemical counterparts due to their non-toxic and economical nature. Some biosurfactants can withstand a wide range of fluctuations in temperature and pH. Recently, biosurfactants have emerged as innovative biomolecules not only for solubilization but also for the biodegradation of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, and oil spills. Biosurfactants have been well documented to function as emulsifiers, dispersion stabilizers, and wetting agents. The amphiphilic nature of biosurfactants has the potential to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons and oil spills by reducing interfacial surface tension after distribution in two immiscible surfaces. However, the remediation of contaminants using biosurfactants is affected considerably by temperature, pH, media composition, stirring rate, and microorganisms selected for biosurfactant production. The present review has briefly discussed the current advancements in microbially synthesized biosurfactants, factors affecting production, and their application in the remediation of environmental contaminants of a hydrophobic nature. In addition, the latest aspect of the circular bioeconomy is discussed in terms of generating biosurfactants from waste and the global economic aspects of biosurfactant production.

The world faces an alarming plastic waste problem. The volume of plastic waste is rapidly and continuously increasing, mainly due to the single-use plastics overconsumption, whereas its recycling and utilization leave much to be desired. Despite the negative effects of plastic on the environment and public health, the COVID-19 outbreak shifted the public attention away from the environmental issues, potentially giving space for extended lobbyism by interest groups and industry to delay or even prevent legislation to combat plastic pollution. Our study aims to understand how the media discourse on single-use plastic (SUP) in particular, evolves in the course of the pandemic. How it vary across EU Member States? For this purpose, we specifically analyse plastic-related articles in major prestigious daily newspapers published between June 2019 and June 2021 in four EU Member States: Germany, France, Italy, and Poland, as countries with different levels of sustainable transition to form a representative model of an European context. Additionally, between November 2022 and January 2023, we conducted a series of interviews via Google Meet, with journalists who agreed to be asked on the plastic issues they upraised. Our analysis initially covered 1076 articles, out of which 198 articles were rejected due to non-compliance with the subject or repetition, leaving 878 articles forming the database for eventual analysis. Specifically, we outline a key impact of the COVID-19 pandemic followed by a clear evolution on the number of plastic-related articles, on related stakeholder engagement, and the focus on specific SUP items. Moreover, we address a research gap - presenting a media portrait of different types of SUP in more details and highlighting the significance based on several culturally and linguistically very different countries within a single supranational state (EU). A clear trend reversal towards an informed knowledge circulation across the circular economy model of single-use plastics is ultimately essential to develop sustainable solutions to reject the disposable culture, stop the waste of natural resources, and reduce the consumption of oil or gas for plastic production and thus protect the climate.

Paddy straw is a versatile and valuable resource with multifaceted benefits for nutrient cycling, soil health, and climate mitigation. Its role as a rich nutrient source and organic matter significantly enhances soil vitality while improving soil structure and moisture retention. The impact of paddy straw extends beyond traditional agricultural benefits, encompassing the promotion of microbial activity, erosion control, and carbon sequestration, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Furthermore, the potential of paddy straw in bioenergy is explored, encompassing its conversion into biogas, biofuels, and thermal energy. The inherent characteristics of paddy straw, including its high cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin content, position it as a viable candidate for bioenergy production through innovative processes like pyrolysis, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and combustion. Recent research has uncovered state-of-the-art techniques and innovative technologies capable of converting paddy straw into valuable products, including sugar, ethanol, paper, and fiber, broadening its potential applications. This paper aims to underscore the possibilities for value creation through paddy straw, emphasizing its potential use in bioenergy, bio-products, and other environmental applications. Therefore, by recognizing and harnessing the value of paddy straw, we can advocate for sustainable farming practices, reduce waste, and pave the way for a resource-efficient circular economy. Incorporating paddy straw utilization into agricultural systems can pave the way for enhanced resource efficiency and a more sustainable circular economy.

Exhausted olive pomace (EOP) represents the principal residue of olive pomace. Several studies have optimized the extraction of specialized metabolites from the EOP of Olea europaea L., but a comparison between different extractive methods has not been made. For this reason, the present investigation aims to compare four different extractive methods by using water and 15% ethanol/water as extractive solvents. Specifically, based on extract antioxidant activity, the methods compared were maceration (MAC), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE). Between these, the UAE and ASE hydroalcoholic EOP extracts were demonstrated to have the highest antioxidant activity. Subsequently, these extracts were investigated for their hypoglycemic and antiradical activity using in vitro cell-free and cell-based assays, respectively. ASE hydroalcoholic EOP extract demonstrated the greatest ability to inhibit the α-amylase enzyme and an in vitro antioxidant activity comparable to N-acetyl cysteine in HepG2 cells. UAE and ASE extracts\' phytochemical characterization was also performed, identifying seven phenolic compounds, including 3-hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and, for the first time, salidroside. The ASE hydroalcoholic EOP extract was the richest from a phytochemical point of view, thus confirming its major biological activity. Therefore, ASE and 15% ethanol/water may represent the best extractive method for EOP nutraceutical valorization.

This paper explores the intricate relations between biomass polymeric composition, thermochemical conversion routes, char yields and features in order to advance the knowledge on biomass conversion processes and customize them to meet specific requirements. An exhaustive characterization has been performed for three types of biomasses: (i) spruce bark, a woody primary and secondary residue from forestry and wood processing; (ii) wheat straws-agricultural waste harvest from arable and permanent cropland; and (iii) vine shoots, a woody biomass resulting from vineyard waste. Chemical (proximate and ultimate analysis), biochemical, trace elements, and thermal analyses were performed. Also, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted to establish the compositional and structural characteristics of feedstock. The main polymeric components influence the amount and quality of char. The high hemicellulose content recommends wheat straws as a good candidate especially for hydrothermal carbonization. Cellulose is a primary contributor to char formation during pyrolysis, suggesting that vine shoots may yield higher-quality char compared to that converted from wheat straws. It was shown that the char yield can be predicted and is strongly dependent on the polymeric composition. While in the case of spruce bark and wheat straws, lignin has a major contribution in the char formation, cellulose and secondary lignin are main contributors for vine shoots char.

The benefits of additive manufacturing (AM) are widely recognised, boosting the AM method\'s use in industry, while it is predicted AM will dominate the global manufacturing industry. Alas, 3D printing\'s growth is hindered by its sustainability. AM methods generate vast amounts of residuals considered as waste, which are disposed of. Additionally, the energy consumed, the materials used, and numerous other factors render AM unsustainable. This paper aims to bring forward all documented solutions in the literature. The spotlight is on potential solutions for the Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) AM, focusing on Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), as these are candidates for mass manufacturing by industry. Solutions are evaluated critically, to identify research gaps regarding the recyclability of residual material. Only then can AM dominate the manufacturing industry, which is extremely important since this is a milestone for our transition into sustainable manufacturing. This transition itself is a complex bottleneck on our quest for becoming a sustainable civilisation. Unlike previous reviews that primarily concentrate on specific AM recycling materials, this paper explores the state of the art in AM recycling processes, incorporating the latest market data and projections. By offering a holistic and forward-looking perspective on the evolution and potential of AM, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals alike.

The aim of the study was to identify limiting factors for reusing wood through the recycling of window frames by conducting research under fully controlled conditions. The research involved manufacturing new window frames, seasoning them, and then shredding them into wood particles to prepare a three-layer particleboard. The proportion of wood particles in recycling was 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 parts by weight of the manufactured particleboard. Mechanical property tests were conducted: modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond (IB), screw withdrawal resistance (SWR), and physical properties: density profile (DP), thickness swelling (TS) after water immersion, water absorption (WA), as well as formaldehyde emission and total volatile organic compound (TVOCs) tests. The research indicates a significant potential for utilizing wood from this sector of the wood industry, particularly considering variants with a higher proportion of recycled wood. MOR and MOE results are most promising for variants above 50 parts by weight of recycled wood. Based on the results obtained, it is clear that the production process should be improved or the raw material modified to enhance the internal bonding of particleboard, as these results were the weakest. Thus, recycled wood from window joinery has the potential to be reincarnated as particleboard, which continues to be widely used in their production.

In recent decades, plastic waste management has become one of the main environmental challenges for today\'s society. The excessive consumption of so-called single-use plastics causes continuous damage to ecosystems, and it is necessary to find alternatives to recycle these products. In this work, a mechanical and hygrothermal characterisation of novel plaster composites incorporating LDPE waste in their interior was carried out. Thus, prefabricated plasterboards have been designed with a partial replacement of the original raw material with recycled LDPE in percentages of 5-10-15% by volume. The results show how these new composites exceeded the 0.18 kN minimum breaking load in panels in all cases, while decreases in density and thermal conductivity of up to 15% and 21%, respectively, were obtained. In addition, an increase of 3.8%in thermal resistance was obtained by incorporating these new gypsum boards in lightweight façade walls through simulations. In this way, a new pathway was explored for the recovery of these wastes and their subsequent application in the construction sector.

Mycoprotein is an alternative protein produced through fungal fermentation. However, it typically relies on refined glucose syrup derived from starch, which can be costly and unsustainable. This study investigates the potential of soybean processing by-products (okara and soy whey) as alternative substrates for producing mycoprotein using Aspergillus oryzae. A. oryzae was cultured for 7 days at 30 °C in diluted okara (1:50) and soy whey (1:1) with or without agitation (100 rpm). Soy whey produced higher biomass yields (369.2-408.8 mg dry biomass/g dry substrate), but had a lower biomass concentration (0.783-0.867 g dry weight/L). Conversely, okara produced a higher biomass concentration (2.02 g dry weight/L) with a yield of 114.7 mg dry biomass/g dry substrate. However, biomass formation in okara was only observed in static conditions, as agitation caused biomass to entangle with soy pulp, hampering its production. Additionally, okara tended to release protein into the media, while soy whey accumulated protein within the biomass, reaching up to 53% w/w protein content. The results of this study provide a promising approach to addressing both soybean processing waste reduction and food security concerns.

The paper aims to enable a comprehensive definition for a Circular Economy (CE) that will support its effective introduction in the building and construction sectors. According to the European Commission (EC), the building sector in 2020 accounted for 40 % of the primary energy demand in the European Union (EU) and 37 % of its greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the sector can play a crucial role in decarbonisation and hence in achieving a zero-emissions future in response to climate change. A CE aims to harmonise economic growth with environmental protection and is based on the concept of closing the loop with minimal practical waste as in a natural ecosystem. The adoption of CE concepts is therefore seen as a feasible response to climate change through the deployment of more sustainable construction processes that significantly reduce the need for natural resources by maximising recycling and reuse. However, and despite the recognition of the potential of a CE in relation to sustainability issues, the adoption of a CE model within building and construction sectors is challenging because of the wide range of aspects and priorities which are reflected in the diversity of definition resulting in a narrow and limited adoption. There are currently many definitions of CEs as related to building and construction in the literature, creating confusion and preventing effective implementation. The study presented here intends, using a comprehensive literature review as its basis, to define the key domains of a CE on which to align a concise and accurate definition that will enable effective application in the building and construction sectors. The research also aims to identify current research gaps and barriers to contribute to the future of CE research in the building sector and thus drive the implementation of CE projects to mitigate the effects of climate change and support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by laying the foundations for a novel and forward-looking approach to circularity based on properly established, defined and understood principles of CEs.