BACKGROUND: Inefficient supply chain management within the US healthcare industry results in significant financial and environmental impact. Unopened medical supplies may routinely be discarded in the Emergency Department (ED), contributing as a source of unnecessary medical waste.
OBJECTIVE: Quantify the financial and environmental impact of unopened medical supplies that are routinely discarded in two EDs.
METHODS: The study utilized a waste audit of collection bins targeting unopened medical supplies that would have otherwise been discarded. Associated financial cost was calculated using data from the purchasing department and from an online search. End-of-life (EOL) environmental impact was calculated using the M+ Wastecare calculator. A lifecycle analysis was performed on a supplier-packaged intubation kit, which the study identified as a significant source of waste.
RESULTS: High volumes of unused, unopened supplies (143.48 kg) were collected during the study period with a yearly extrapolated value of 1337 kg. Purchasing costs over 44 days at Hospital A and 37 days at Hospital B for these items amounted to $16,159.71 across both sites with a yearly extrapolated value of $150,631.73. Yearly extrapolated EOL impact yielded 5.79 tons per year of CO2eq. Components from supplier-packaged intubation kits were found to contribute to 45.2% of collected items at one site which purchased them. Lifecycle analysis of an intubation kit yields 23.6 kg of CO2eq.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the disposal of unopened medical supplies contributes a significant source of financial and environmental waste in the ED setting. The results continue to support the trend of procedure kits generating significant environmental and financial waste.

The extraction of bioactive compounds from wine lees involves a variety of methods, the selection of which is crucial to ensure optimal yields. This systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines and utilizing the Web of Science database, aimed to examine the current state of this field, providing insights for future investigations. The search employed strategies with truncation techniques and Boolean operators, followed by a three-step screening using well-defined eligibility criteria. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify authors, affiliations, countries/regions, and research trends. Thirty references were selected for analysis, with Spain standing out as the main source of research on the topic. The majority of studies (66%) focused on the extraction of bioactive compounds from alcoholic fermentation lees, while 33% were directed towards malolactic fermentation lees. Binary mixtures (ethanol-water) were the predominant solvents, with ultrasound being the most used extraction method (31.3%), providing the highest average yields (288.6%) for the various evaluated compounds, especially flavonoids. The potential of wine lees as a source of bioactive compounds is highlighted, along with the need for further research exploring alternative extraction technologies and the combination of methods. Additionally, the importance of \"in vitro\" and \"in vivo\" tests to assess the bioactive potential of lees, as well as the use of computational tools to optimize extraction and identify the molecules responsible for bioactive activity, is emphasized.

The validation of a feasible application for the production of sustainable bricks with local materials in humid and hot climates, which would allow the current housing needs of a constantly growing population with scarce economic resources to be met while also reducing energy inputs for climate control, is a current challenge without a definitive solution. Therefore, this research studied the incorporation of local aggregates and two second-generation materials to produce lime-stabilized Compressed Earth Blocks (CSEBs) using a semi-automatic machine for their manufacture. An initial matrix was designed as a baseline, and three more were developed with variations to incorporate second-generation materials individually and as mixtures. The stabilizer was added in concentrations of 5, 10, and 15%, resulting in a total of 12 batches of CSEBs. Eleven of the studied batches exceed the normative limits for simple compressive strength and initial water absorption coefficient. The best result of simple compressive strength was obtained in two batches of the same matrix that used construction demolition waste (CDW), reaching 4.3 MPa (43% above the minimum limit established by the most restrictive regulations and 115% above the least restrictive). It was possible to produce sustainable bricks in situ with average ambient temperatures of 32 °C and relative humidity of 91%.

With the development of the technical trend, concrete using waste alternate material instead of sand material found economic potential for good structural behaviour. Besides, the susceptible crack, low strength-to-weight ratio, and low compressive strength are the reasons for shrinkage. Due to this reason, the investigation aims to limit the shrinkage under live load and increase the compression and flexural strength by the introduction of coconut waste chopped fiber (wCF), waste fly ash (wFA), and carbon nanotube powder (CNT) blended with conventional Portland paste. The developed concrete consists of 5 wt% wCF, 10 wt% wFA, and 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt% of CNT and is subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis, bulk density, compression and flexural strength, and water absorption studies. The X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the wCF, wFA, CNT, and matrix compositions. The concrete developed with 5 wt% wCF, 10 wt% wFA, and 15 wt% CNT cured within 28 days recorded maximum behaviour of compression strength (47 ± 1.8 MPa), flexural strength (4.9 ± 0.19 MPa), and water absorption of (2.8 ± 0.05 %).

Microplastic (MP) pollution has been observed in various ecosystems as a result of the rapid increase in plastic production over the past half-century. Nevertheless, the extent of MP pollution in different ecosystems, particularly in freshwater ecosystems, has not been well-studied, and there are limited investigations on this particular topic, specifically in Türkiye. Here, we quantify the occurrence and distribution of MPs in surface water samples collected from Topçu Pond (Türkiye) for the first time. Water samples were collected at five stations and filtered (30 L for each station) through stacked stainless steel sieves (5 mm, 328 µm, and 61 µm mesh size) with a diameter of 30 cm. The abundance, size, color, shape, and type of collected debris samples were analyzed after the wet peroxide oxidation process. MP particles were observed in all samples at an average abundance of 2.4 MPs/L. The most abundant MP size class and type were 0-999 µm and fiber respectively. On the other hand, prevalent colors were black and colorless in general. According to the Raman analysis results, the identified MP derivatives were polypropylene (40%), polyamide (30%), ethylene acrylic acid (20%), and polyvinylchloride (10%). Moreover, the pollution load index (PLI) index was used to determine the pollution status. PLI values were determined as 1.91 at station S1, 1.73 at station S2, 1.31 at station S3, 1 at station S4 and 1.24 at station S5. The PLI value determined for the overall pond was 1.4. The results of this research show that MP pollution is present in Topçu Pond and contributes to the expanding literature on MP pollution in pond ecosystems.

Agricultural soils have been identified as potential reservoirs for plastic pollution, with adverse effects on soil properties. Primary sources of plastic input in agricultural landscapes are associated with the application of sewage sludge or compost. Understanding the sources and anticipated plastic content is crucial in mitigating plastic pollution in agricultural fields. This study presents one of the first investigations into the plastic content and other impurities, e.g. glass, of seven organic fertilizers (biowaste compost, digested pig slurry, sewage sludge compost, dry chicken manure, green waste compost, sewage sludge, and a mixed digestate comprising pig slurry, chicken manure, and 74 % renewable raw materials). Potentially visible foreign substances were assessed on the surface of each fertilizer pile. No impurities could be detected in digested pig slurry, chicken manure, and mixed digestate. For the remaining fertilizers, visible potential foreign substances were collected, cleaned, visually described, weighed, photographed, size measured, and chemically characterized using ATR-FTIR. The quantification revealed that plastic particles are the most abundant and are contained in all other fertilizers, in contrast to glass and metal. An increasing trend in plastic particle number per m2: green waste < biowaste < sewage sludge compost < sewage sludge, which is about 4 times greater in sewage sludge than in green waste compost, could be observed. However, sewage sludge compost has the largest plastic mass and surface area per square meter. This illustrates that sewage sludge compost application can be a significant entry pathway for visual plastics into agricultural soils.

BACKGROUND: Poor clinical waste management and its effect on the environment is an increasingly recognised concern for global healthcare systems. Approximately two thirds of waste produced in healthcare is from the operating theatre. In the Republic of Ireland, an estimated 580,977 tonnes of hazardous waste was produced in 2019. The cost of incineration of this hazardous waste is approximately €2,125 per tonne and €935 per tonne for sterilisation. Pollution from incineration is substantial and harmful.
METHODS: A literature review was performed on the topic of hospital waste management, specifically looking at the Republic of Ireland. A comparison could then be drawn between Ireland, Europe and the United States of America. Observation of our current operating theatre environment and practices were carried out.
CONCLUSIONS: An increased focus towards sustainability and reusable equipment means that there is potentially a decreased amount of waste for disposal, but an increase in the process of sterilisation. Approximately 66% of healthcare related waste is inappropriately contaminated, meaning that significant savings are possible if correct segregation and recycling were to occur. An increase in the amount of bins, identification labels above bins and education of staff results in an increased likelihood of successful segregation of waste. Clear and concise hospital guidelines of what is considered hazardous versus non-hazardous waste will decrease the amount of inappropriately disposed items.

Solid waste resulting from bauxite ore (red mud) was converted into useful products consisting in hydrogarnet together with zeolite. Red mud (RM) transformation from disposal material into new source was carried out using potassium hydroxide as an activator and hydrothermal process (HY) or vapor phase crystallization (VPC) approach. HY process was performed at 60, 90, and 130 °C whereas during the VPC method, red mud was contacted only with vapor from the distilled water heated at 60 and 90 °C. The results indicate the formation of katoite and zeolite L (LTL topology) with both approaches. All the synthetic products display magnetic properties. In addition, a preliminary investigation on arsenic removal from drinking water (from 59 to 86%), makes the synthetic materials appealing for environmental applications. Finally, the synthesis of a large amount of very useful newly-formed phases using vapor molecules confirms the efficiency of the innovative and green VPC process in waste material transformation.

Traditional plastics reshaped the society thanks to their brilliant properties and cut-price manufacturing costs. However, their protracted durability and limited recycling threaten the environment. Worthy alternatives seem to be polyhydroxyalkanoates, compostable biopolymers produced by several microbes. The most common 3-hydroxybutyrate homopolymer has limited applications calling for copolymers biosynthesis to enhance material properties. As a growing number of researches assess the discovery of novel comonomers, great endeavors are dedicated as well to copolymers production scale-up, where the choice of the microbial carbon source significantly affects the overall economic feasibility. Diving into novel metabolic pathways, engineered strains, and cutting-edge bioprocess strategies, this review aims to survey up-to-date publications about copolymers production, focusing primarily on precursors origins. Specifically, in the core of the review, copolymers precursors have been divided into three categories based on their economic value: the costliest structurally related ones, the structurally unrelated ones, and finally various low-cost waste streams. The combination of cheap biomasses, efficient pretreatment strategies, and robust microorganisms paths the way towards the development of versatile and circular polymers. Conceived to researchers and industries interested in tackling polyhydroxyalkanoates production, this review explores an angle often underestimated yet of prime importance: if PHAs copolymers offer advanced properties and sustainable end-of-life, the feedstock choice for their upstream becomes a major factor in the development of plastic substitutes.

The Cerrado is one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world, characterized by a wealth of native fruits with unique nutritional characteristics. In this sense, the social, economic, and environmental importance of fully utilizing food is widely recognized. Therefore, generally considered waste, fruit shells can be transformed into a coproduct with high added value. The objective of this work was to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the physicochemical properties, carbohydrate and fatty acid profile, phytochemical compounds, phenolic profile, and antioxidant potential of the recovered extracts of buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) shells in natura and dehydrated at 55 °C (flour). In addition, the functional properties were verified by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) from buriti shell flour. The results indicated high fiber content and energy value for the sample processed at 55 °C (58.95 g/100 g and 378.91 kcal/100 g, respectively) and low lipid and protein content (1.03 g/100 g and 1.39 g/100 g, respectively). Regardless of the sample analyzed, maltose was the majority sugar (37.33 - 281.01 g/100 g). The main fatty acids detected were oleic acid (61.33 - 62.08 %) followed by palmitic acid (33.91 - 34.40 %). The analysis of the mineral profile demonstrated that the samples did not differ significantly from each other, showing that the drying process did not interfere with the results obtained (p ≤ 0.05). The analysis of individual phenolics allowed the identification of six phenolic compounds in buriti shells. However, it is possible to observe that the drying method had a positive and significant influence on the phenolic profile (p ≤ 0.05), with chlorogenic acid (2.63 - 8.27 mg/100 g) and trigonelline (1.06 - 41.52 mg/100 g), the majority compounds. On the other hand, it is important to highlight that buriti shells have a high content of carotenoids, mainly β-carotene (27.18 - 62.94 µg/100 g) and α-carotene (18.23 - 60.28 µg/100 g), also being positively influenced by the drying process at 55 °C (p ≤ 0.05). The dried shells showed a high content of phytochemical compounds and high antioxidant activity based on the different methods tested. The results show that buriti shell flour can be fully utilized and has nutritional and chemical aspects that can be applied to develop new sustainable, nutritious, and functional food formulations.