Innovative Recycling Practices for Sustainability

🌱♻️ Excited to share our latest publication in #Nature, where we introduce a holistic aqueous-based recycling strategy for perovskite photovoltaics, reducing environmental impact while preserving high efficiency. This green-solvent-based recycling approach that restores nearly all essential materials—including perovskite layers, charge-transport layers, metal electrodes, and glass substrates—achieving an impressive 99% recycling efficiency. Our findings show a 96.6% reduction in resource depletion and a 68.8% reduction in human toxicity (cancer effects) compared to landfill disposal. ⚡ Beyond sustainability, this strategy lowers the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for residential and utility-scale perovskite PV systems, helping to build a circular solar economy. This work highlights the power of international collaboration in tackling sustainability challenges at the intersection of materials science, energy, and AI. Huge thanks to Xueyu Tian and 王秉政 in our interdisciplinary team for making this possible! Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gWCX-8SQ #Sustainability #SolarEnergy #PerovskitePV #Recycling #CircularEconomy #AIforSustainability

What Can We Do with Brick Waste? A Circular Approach Brick waste isn’t just debris—it’s a valuable resource waiting to be repurposed. Instead of sending millions of tons of bricks to landfills, we can reintegrate them into the construction cycle, reducing environmental impact and improving material efficiency. 1. Reuse in Facade Restoration & Construction • Deconstruction, Not Demolition – Salvage intact bricks for historic facade restorations or adaptive reuse projects. • Lime Mortar Separation – Traditional cement mortar reduces reuse potential, but lime-based mortars allow for easier brick recovery. • Architectural Feature Integration – Reclaimed bricks can be used for accent walls, decorative facades, and paving elements. 2. Recycle into Secondary Materials • Crushed Brick Aggregates – Used as a sub-base for roads, drainage layers, or lightweight concrete mixes. • Pozzolanic Additives – Finely ground brick dust enhances cementitious properties, reducing the need for Portland cement. • Clay-Based Insulation Panels – Processed brick fines can be reengineered into high-performance, breathable insulation materials. 3. Innovative New Uses • 3D-Printed Brick Components – Crushed brick powder can be reprocessed and printed into modular bricks for new facades. • Bio-Reinforced Bricks – Mixed with mycelium or hemp fibers, recycled brick can form sustainable, self-healing construction materials. • Carbon-Sequestering Geopolymers – Combining brick waste with alkali-activated binders creates cement-free, low-carbon masonry units. 4. Urban Mining & Circular Supply Chains • Material Passporting – Implement digital tracking of recovered bricks to facilitate reuse. • Citywide Material Hubs – Establish brick reclamation centers where contractors can source reusable masonry. • Deconstruction Incentives – Promote financial and policy-driven initiatives to encourage selective material recovery. Why This Matters • Reduces embodied carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to new brick production. • Cuts landfill waste, addressing the 25+ million tons of annual brick waste globally. • Lowers resource extraction, conserving clay and reducing mining-related deforestation. Brick isn’t just a past material—it’s a future-proof one. Let’s stop seeing waste and start seeing opportunity. #circulareconomy #brickreuse #sustainableconstruction #urbanmining #zerowastebuilding #adaptivereuse #facaderestoration #historicpreservation #brickrecycling #deconstruction #materialreuse #lowcarbonmaterials #greenbuilding #carbonfootprintreduction #sustainabledesign #buildingconservation #reclaimedmaterials #constructionwaste #embodiedcarbon #brickfacades #historicfacades #materialpassporting #geopolymer #crushedbrick #bioreinforcedbricks #netzeroarchitecture #sustainablearchitecture #greeninfrastructure #claybricks #futureofconstruction #lowembodiedcarbon #modularbricks #constructioninnovation #carbonsequestration

Imagine a world where our old clothes help build our homes. That's the vision of one pioneering company that's transforming discarded textiles into viable building materials. Here’s a look at their innovative process and its profound implications for sustainability in construction. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: >> Shredding: The journey begins by breaking down old clothes into small pieces, ensuring every fiber is utilized. >> Mixing: These pieces are then combined with a specially developed binder that ensures durability and strength for building purposes. >> Molding: Finally, the mixture is pressed into molds, forming tiles or bricks ready for construction use. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: >> Eco-Friendly Impact: This method drastically cuts down textile waste, channeling tons of fabric away from landfills, reducing both the fashion and construction sectors' environmental impacts. >> Improved Building Efficiency: Structures built with these materials benefit from insulation, which translates to energy savings and a smaller carbon footprint. >> Aesthetic Innovation: Beyond their practicality, these materials offer a unique aesthetic appeal, adding a contemporary flair to buildings. This approach is about integrating the principles of a circular economy into construction. By reimagining waste as a resource, this company is not only addressing environmental issues but also pioneering new possibilities for building materials. 🌿 Such innovations highlight the potential for industries to adopt circular economic models, enhancing sustainability across sectors. 💬 What other waste materials could be transformed into valuable resources? How can different industries leverage similar innovations to contribute to a more sustainable future? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

How Butterflies help us to transform Sewage Sludge into Next-Gen 3D Printing Materials Every year, millions of dry metric tons of sewage sludge, an organic-rich byproduct of wastewater treatment, pose a huge disposal challenge and environmental burden. Traditionally destined for incineration, landfills, or limited agricultural use, this overlooked resource is now getting a second life through innovative material science! We developed a method to harness hydrothermal processing (HTP) to convert wet sewage sludge into hydrochar, carbonaceous solid that can be further activated. Unlike typical biomass, sewage sludge contains unique metallic and metalloid dopants. These impurities lead to surprising outcomes during thermal activation: instead of the expected boost in carbon content and improved graphitic ordering, the process actually decreases carbon ordering, creating a distinct material structure with its own set of properties. When incorporated into 3D printing resins, this hydrochar acts as a sustainable filler. Initially, it may compromise stiffness and hardness due to limited resin-filler adhesion. However, by adopting nature-inspired gyroid geometries, designs reminiscent of butterfly wings and bird feathers, the composite’s toughness and elongation can not only be recovered but enhanced! This integration of bio-inspired architecture overcomes inherent material weaknesses and paves the way for eco-friendly prototypes, packaging, and beyond. 1️⃣ Diverting millions of tons of sludge from landfills and incineration reduces greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant dispersion. 2️⃣ Incorporating waste-derived hydrochar in 3D printing reduces reliance on raw synthetic materials, promoting a circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. 3️⃣ The synergy between material science and bio-inspired design opens new horizons for advanced composites with tailored properties through innovative design. This fusion of waste valorization, unconventional chemistry, and cutting-edge design showcases a transformative path toward sustainable manufacturing. Read more details in the paper (open access): Sabrina Shen, Branden Spitzer, Damian Stefaniuk, Shengfei Zhou, Admir Masic, Markus J. Buehler, Communications Engineering, Vol. 4, 52 (2025), https://lnkd.in/eBeESHJY

Recycling Multi-Material 3D Prints via Computational Design & Disassembly by Dissolution Multi-material 3D printing combines the functional properties of different materials (e.g., mechanical, electrical, color) within a single object that is fabricated without manual assembly. PDF: https://lnkd.in/eqQijHHz However, this presents sustainability challenges as multi-material objects cannot be easily recycled. Because each material has a different processing temperature, considerable effort must be used to separate them for recycling. This paper presents a computational fabrication technique to generate dissolvable interfaces between different materials in a 3D printed object without affecting the object’s intended use. When the interfaces are dissolved, the object is disassembled to enable recycling of the individual materials. We describe the computational design of these interfaces alongside experimental evaluations of their strength and water solubility. Finally, we demonstrate our technique across 9 multi-material 3D printed objects of varying structural and functional complexity. Our technique enables us to recycle 89.97% of the total mass of these objects, promoting greater sustainability in 3D printing. Full Paper Reference: Xin Wen, S. Sandra Bae, and Michael L. Rivera. 2025. Enabling Recycling of Multi-Material 3D Printed Objects through Computational Design and Disassembly by Dissolution. In CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’25), April 26–May 01, 2025, Yokohama, Japan. ACM, New York, NY, USA, 21 pages. https://lnkd.in/eAdueCsm 🔗 https://lnkd.in/er_NzFPE • https://lnkd.in/dJ5X-Zbj • #3Dprinting • #AdditiveManufacturing • tuan@anisoprint.com • https://anisoprint.com • Like 👍 what you see ► Hit the Bell 🔔 to follow me. P.S. Repost ♻️ if you find it valuable. Thanks! 🙏

🌍 Transforming E-Waste into Economic Opportunity: A Sustainable Path Forward The mountain of electronic waste (e-waste) grows as our world becomes increasingly digital. In 2022 alone, we produced 62 million metric tons of e-waste. This figure represents not just a challenge but a significant untapped opportunity. E-waste contains precious metals and critical materials worth billions, yet only 22.3% was recycled last year. Imagine the potential if we could recover all these valuable resources! The Environmental and Economic Stakes Discarded electronics are more than just trash. They are a source of hazardous materials like lead and mercury, which contaminate our soil and water. In 2023, over 4,600 cases of soil contamination and 3,300 water contamination incidents were reported. Moreover, 210,000 people living near dumpsites suffered health issues due to toxic exposure. We have a humanitarian imperative to improve recycling practices, but there's also a compelling economic argument. In 2022, e-waste held an estimated $91 billion worth of copper, gold, and iron. Upgrading our recycling capabilities can unlock this economic value, reduce pressure on traditional tech supply chains, and help us meet climate goals by cutting 93 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Global Trends and Innovations Countries around the world are recognizing the importance of e-waste management. The United States is the top exporter, with significant volumes of lead-acid accumulators and components containing precious metals. Meanwhile, Japan is a leading importer with a burgeoning capacity to recover rare and precious metals. South Korea's imports of lead-acid accumulators have surged by 117% year-on-year, driven by policies promoting recycling and reuse. Similarly, India's e-waste recycling industry is booming, supported by stringent environmental laws and innovative companies like Namo eWaste Management. Leading the Charge Several companies are pioneering in this space: - Noveon Magnetics in San Marcos, Texas, specializes in recycling rare earth magnets, significantly reducing environmental impact. - ProAmbi in Monterrey, Mexico, focuses on industrial and commercial e-waste, using advanced technologies to recover valuable materials. - KB Corporation in Seoul, South Korea, excels in recycling automotive and industrial lead-acid batteries. - Namo eWaste Management in Faridabad, India, operates on a circular economy model, processing over 100,000 metric tons of e-waste annually. The Way Forward To fully realize the potential of e-waste, we need enhanced recycling processes and consistent global regulations. By transforming electronic trash into treasure, we can create safe jobs, protect our environment, and build a more resilient global economy. 🌟 Join the Conversation: How can your industry contribute to better e-waste management? What innovative recycling practices have you come across? Share your thoughts below! https://lnkd.in/dR4x8_nn

A house near Hanover, Germany was constructed using almost 100% secondhand materials ♻️ Building with reclaimed materials has three common challenges: 1. Finding materials in good condition and in the right quantity 2. Ensuring those materials meet current building codes 3. Finding an architect/builder that is committed to reuse and pushing conventional design boundaries The architecture firm CITYFÖRSTER addressed all three by designing a house almost entirely from reclaimed, recycled, and upcycled materials. Some examples: 🖼️ The aluminum windows and fiber cement panels were salvaged from a nearby youth center that was renovated into social housing 🏸 The wooden strips framing the entrance once served as sauna benches in a local sports club 🎨 The green and blue facade glass panels were salvaged from an old paint shop that was demolished This project is a great prototype for "design follows availability," or a commitment to using materials that already exist in a nearby city or region. This approach encourages us to rethink how we value materials in the built environment -- before, during, and after their first lifecycle. Photos from the architecture firm's project feature -- link in comments! 👋 I talk about circular economy in the built environment, including cultural heritage, workforce development, and affordable housing. Follow for more case studies! #circulareconomy #greenbuilding #sustainability #sustainableconstruction #decarbonisation #climateheritage #embodiedcarbon

🎉 Thrilled to share our latest publication on advancing the circular plastic economy in One Earth by Cell Press! 🌎♻️ This work was led by Taylor Uekert and Jason DesVeaux. We conducted a techno-economic analysis (#TEA) and life-cycle assessment (#LCA) of three recycling processes—methanolysis, glycolysis, and acid hydrolysis—for a mixed polyester feedstock of PET, PLA, and PBAT. The results are exciting and show that fossil and bio-based plastics can be recycled in a mixed feedstock and a circular economy for plastics is possible with the right technologies like EsterCycle, offering a sustainable path to reduce waste and create value from mixed plastic streams. Check out the full paper to dive deeper into our findings and the potential of chemical recycling to reshape the future of plastics! https://lnkd.in/g4iJ8Jvk #CircularEconomy #PlasticRecycling #Sustainability #ChemicalRecycling #Polyesters #TechnoEconomicAnalysis #LifeCycleAssessment #Innovation

Continuing to dig deeper into the Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2024 annual report and there is such a great story related to the improvement in Mono-material structures which are "designed for recycling". If you were to ask someone to simply use the submitted data to chart the historic progress these organizations have made over the past 5 years towards "recyclable" packaging, you would get the chart on the left. Most would look at that chart and make the assumption that in 5 years (with the exception of a few stand outs like Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. and Starbucks) the industry had stalled in its desire to make packaging which was "recyclable". Thankfully, that isn't the case. The definition of "recyclable" is really complicated and, no joke, over a page long. It tends to refer to the products which are accepted in your Curbside recycling bin - which has not seen any new materials adopted in 5 years, rather, maybe some retraction. Instead, we charted the "Designed for Recycling" data - Graph on the Right - and this is where you start to see some great improvement. This is a great reflection of the packaging innovation that has taken place to transition packaging away from multi-material towards mono-material designed for recycling. Charted with the Design for Recycling data is the current year Recyclable data - you can see that Design for Recycling captures on average an additional 15-20% of packaging that wouldn't be recognized if you simply looked at Recyclable data. McCain Foods and Mondelēz International saw a whopping 70% increase. Kellanova and Mars saw a 25-35% increase. These are companies that have shown significant desire to innovate their packaging towards mono-material solutions. Designed for Recycling has its own challenges, these are products that need some extra care to find appropriate end of life solutions, such as the Store Drop Off programs. But, with EPR programs the hope is that investment in MRF's will allow for these products to find their way into the curbside programs in the near future. LinkedIn Message me if you would like a copy of the report.

♻️ New Preprint Alert! ♻️ As global plastic waste levels continue to rise, the need for innovative chemical recycling strategies grows more urgent. In our latest study, we explore how catalytic pyrolysis can convert mixed plastic waste into valuable products, supporting the shift toward a circular economy. 🔬 We focus on a realistic feedstock—a mixture of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—commonly found in multilayer packaging, a notoriously difficult-to-recycle waste stream. 📌 Key contributions: Investigated catalyst:feedstock ratio, polymer composition, and heating rate effects using TGA. Developed a kinetic modeling framework to predict degradation behavior under varying conditions. Evaluated catalyst deactivation through shifts in thermal profiles and quantified acidity loss using pyridine and collidine adsorption. To our best knowledge, we provided the first kinetic and deactivation study on co-pyrolysis of PP and PET—a major step forward in understanding mixed plastic waste behavior during catalytic recycling. 📉 Our findings show that PET’s high coking tendency significantly accelerates catalyst deactivation, underscoring the need for tailored strategies in mixed waste pyrolysis. 🔗 Read the full preprint here: https://lnkd.in/eBcU_6Az We hope this work sparks discussion and collaboration in the field of sustainable plastic recycling and catalytic process engineering. #Catalysis #PlasticsRecycling #CircularEconomy #ChemicalEngineering #Kinetics #HZSM5 #Pyrolysis #Sustainability #PlasticWaste