STEP RI - Science and Technology Park of the University of Rijeka’s Post

Here’s how electronics are recycled Less than 20% of electronics are recycled globally, with the rest ending up in landfills or informal sectors. Electronics contain a significant amount of polymers and plastics like ABS, polycarbonate, and PVC, used in casings, connectors, and cables. Their recycling is limited due to complex material compositions, including additives and bonding with metals, making separation costly and challenging. Current recycling processes prioritize metal recovery over plastics, often leading to downcycling, where recovered plastics are reused in lower-quality applications. This highlights the need for improved recycling technologies and more sustainable material design.

Sustainability in Manufacturing 🏭 How the Industry Is Going Green 🌱 Manufacturing is moving toward a more sustainable future with companies embracing green practices that… ⬇️ reduce waste ⬇️ lower emissions ⬇️ use resources more efficiently. Here’s how… 1️⃣ Eco-Friendly Materials: From biodegradable plastics to recycled metals, manufacturers are choosing renewable materials to reduce their environmental footprint 👣 2️⃣ Energy Efficiency: Solar power, wind energy, and energy-efficient technologies are powering factories, helping companies lower costs while going green 💚 3️⃣ Waste Reduction: The shift to a circular ♻️economy means recycling, reusing, and designing products with their end-of-life in mind to minimise waste. 4️⃣ Sustainable Packaging: Companies are trying to move away from single-use plastics and opting for recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable packaging materials instead. 5️⃣ Greener Manufacturing Processes: Automation and 3D printing reduce material waste, while lean practices improve efficiency and lower emissions. As we (consumers) demand more sustainable products, manufacturers are trying to rise to the challenge. What do you think Rob Elliott Stoyan Stoynov Lloyd Munyaviri FIoL EMCC EIA Les Mott Shailesh Bisht Jasbir Singh Am I missing something ⁉️ #Sustainability #GreenManufacturing #CircularEconomy #EcoFriendly #Innovation #Manufacturing

An Improved Process for <b>Recycling</b> Polyurethane Foam - AZoCleantech Moreover, they aim to use the recycled materials to create new products, demonstrating that this technology can support a circular economy. The ... https://vist.ly/3fj2c

An Improved Process for <b>Recycling</b> Polyurethane Foam - AZoCleantech Moreover, they aim to use the recycled materials to create new products, demonstrating that this technology can support a circular economy. The ... https://vist.ly/3fjz2

The more I learn about plastics, the more I realise it is a design flaw Most plastics have been designed over 50 years ago not with recycling, circularity or the environment in mind but with performance And yes, for many applications plastics is a very cheap and high performing material The combination of low cost and high performance has led to a boom in plastic production increasing from 2 million tonnes in 1950 to over 450 million tonnes. A doubling is expected in the next 25 years. As a resulted we are addicted AND drowning in plastics As plastics have not been designed with circularity in mind, recycling is only part of the solution and only works well with specific plastics and relatively clean uniform waste streams (e.g. PET) So with any design flaw, we need to rethink starting from the design phase and create attractive economics to support this 🎥 credit: Sungai Watch #regeneration #circulareconomy #plasticwaste

𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 #Recycling #technology is evolving rapidly to address the complexities of modern waste streams and improve the efficiency of material recovery. Here are some of the most promising innovations in recycling technology, along with practical examples of their application: 📌 Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Waste Sorting #AI and #robotics are significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of sorting recyclable materials. Traditional sorting processes rely heavily on manual labor, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. AI-driven robotic systems can quickly identify and separate different types of recyclables, reducing contamination and increasing the volume of recovered materials. For instance, AMP Robotics uses AI-powered robots equipped with computer vision to sort materials like plastics, metals, and paper at a speed far greater than human sorters. 📌 Chemical Recycling for Plastics Chemical recycling offers a solution for plastics that are difficult to process through traditional mechanical recycling. This method breaks down plastics at the molecular level, turning them back into their original components, which can then be used to produce new plastic products. Eastman Chemical Company, for example, has developed a process that can recycle complex, contaminated plastics that are typically not recyclable through conventional methods. 📌 Biodegradable Polymers and Advanced Composting Technologies Biodegradable polymers present a promising alternative to conventional plastics, as they decompose more easily under specific conditions. BASF has created Ecovio, a biodegradable polymer made from renewable raw materials like corn starch, which is used in applications ranging from food packaging to agricultural films. This material can be composted in industrial facilities, breaking down completely without leaving toxic residues. 📌 Innovative Use of Recycled Materials in Construction Using recycled materials in #construction can reduce the demand for virgin resources and lower the carbon footprint of building projects. ByFusion, for example, transforms mixed #plastic waste into durable construction blocks that can be used for various building projects, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. These technological innovations are and will transform the #recycling industry, making it more efficient and capable of handling complex waste streams. As these technologies continue to evolve and become more widely adopted, they will play a crucial role in building a more sustainable future by reducing #waste, conserving resources, and creating new economic opportunities. #EcoFriendly #womenownedbusiness #savetheplanet #Sustainability #womenempowerment #WasteManagement

Sustainability has become a new, permanent and important part of composites manufacturing operations. In this article we discover 4 things to consider for sustainable composites manufacturing at your facility. https://lnkd.in/eVbNA38p #sustainablemanufacturing #composites #manufacturingsustainability

Fascinating article, as always Grace Nehls. Interesting insight around current and future trends on #biocomposite #sustainability. We have some tough challenges in the future which will require all aspects of our composites community to focus on - from fibres to matrix, optimised functional interfaces, efficient manufacturing to novel product design for end of life... looking forward to the follow up article 👍

7 Major Trends Driving Plastics Innovation in 2024 The plastics sector is evolving faster than ever, driven by sustainability and smart innovations. Let’s explore the top trends: Bioplastics Expansion: Moving towards renewable resources to reduce dependence on traditional plastics. Advanced Recycling: Innovations transforming plastic waste into reusable materials. Regulatory Adaptations: Adapting to stricter environmental policies. AI and Machine Learning: Enhancing efficiency in production and material design. Smart Materials: Incorporating intelligence into plastic products. Circular Economy Initiatives: Designing products for reuse and recyclability. Energy-efficient Production: Reducing carbon footprints through new manufacturing technologies. These shifts promise to reshape industries relying on polymers. Which trend do you think will have the greatest impact?

🌎 Steel for the Future: Embracing a Circular Economy in Tech The tech industry is notorious for e-waste, but what if we could change that? Steel is a key material in many tech products, and the good news is it's highly recyclable. By adopting a circular economy approach, we can keep steel in use for longer, reducing environmental impact and creating a more sustainable future. ♻️ Here's our approach: Design for Longevity and Disassembly: By designing tech products for easy repair, upgrade, and disassembly, we can efficiently reuse and recycle components. 🔧 Embrace Remanufacturing: Refurbishing and reusing existing components extends the life of tech products and reduces the demand for new materials. 🔄 Track and Trace Materials: Leveraging digital solutions to track steel used in products ensures transparency, responsible recycling, and efficient reintegration into the supply chain. 💻 The benefits are significant: Reduced environmental impact 🌱 More efficient use of resources ⚙️ Cost savings for businesses 💼 What are your thoughts on embracing a circular economy in tech? Let's create a world where industry and sustainability go hand in hand. 🌱 #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #SteelIndustry #Recycling #Innovation #GreenTech