Demolition vs. Deconstruction: How Shifting to Reuse Impacts the Environment and Economy
Construction and demolition waste accounts for upwards of 40% of the US waste stream. In 2018 alone, the US generated 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris. Of that, 90% was from demolition with the remaining 10% coming from construction. This has become a major problem globally, particularly as the “take, make, waste” economy […]
International Council of Chemical Associations Position on Circular Economy
As the global voice of the chemical industry, the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) is committed to playing a key role in the systemic transition to a circular economy as a key component of sustainability, whereby resources and materials are continuously cycled to eliminate waste while creating value for all. As chemistry provides the […]
Transitioning To A Circular Economy Through Chemical and Waste Management
Chemicals are an essential part of modern society with positive impacts on employment, economic growth, health, environment and the climate. However, if they are not managed properly, they can adversely affect human health and the environment. Nearly 140,000 industrial chemicals are marketed worldwide, meaning that hazardous chemicals, products containing them, their hazardous wastes and related […]
Could Chemical Recycling Help Solve Plastic Trash Problem?
“We consider chemical recycling to be of utmost importance for us to be able to achieve our 2030 goal of using only recycled or other sustainably-sourced materials,” he said. “We also know that it makes very good business sense. It’s the only way forward.” Read the full article on Bloomberg Law
Chemical waste risk reduction and environmental impact
Generated by laboratory activities – According to EPA definition, pollution prevention is a reduction of waste, at source and environmentally correct recycling, thus any plan to tackle this problem must consider the 3 Rs, of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle; Recycle which uses filtration and distillation systems, among others, that allow the reuse of solvents. […]
A Review of Global Issues: Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries
The volume of waste dumped in landfills should be reduced, imposing safe operating practices. In particular, 4Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle and recover) policies should be implemented, with hazardous or toxic materials that should be the primary targets [104]. As example, in 2015, a landslide in one of China’s most advanced cities, Shenzhen, killed 73 people […]
Applying the three R’s: Reduce, reuse, and recycle in the chemical industry
ABSTRACT Pollution prevention (P2) assessment was conducted by applying the three R’s, reduce, reuse, and recycle, in a chemical industry for the purpose of reducing the amount of wastewater generated, reusing paint wastewater in the manufacture of cement bricks, recycling cooling water, and improving water usage efficiency. The results of this study showed that the […]
The massive emissions-cutting and cost-saving potential of chemical reuse
Chemicals used in products such as plastics and fertilizers are scrutinized for their negative impact on the environment and human health. Surprisingly, chemicals used for acids and lubricants receive much less attention, yet when managed improperly, the detrimental effects of these processes are no better. Most industrial sectors use chemicals at some stage in their […]
Editorial: Chemistry, a Sustainable Bridge From Waste to Materials
The recent acceleration of climate changes and associated catastrophic phenomena worldwide is calling for unprecedented efforts for protecting our environment. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are now playing a major role in the policies of many governments. One of the main tools for reaching sustainability is adopting the concept of circular economy. We […]
