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This comprehensive review explores the integration of circular economy principles into the concrete industry, emphasizing their role in enhancing sustainability and resource efficiency. It covers the fundamental concepts of circular economy and examines the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in evaluating the environmental impacts of concrete production. The review highlights innovative strategies for recycling, reuse, waste reduction, and resource optimisation, showcasing how these approaches can transform concrete production practices. It also addresses the policy considerations, economic implications, and societal impacts associated with adopting circular economy practices. Furthermore, the review investigates recent technological advancements in circular concrete production, including self-healing concrete and 3D printing. By summarizing these findings and offering practical recommendations, the review aims to support the industry in transitioning towards more sustainable practices. This detailed analysis provides valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of circular economy adoption, helping stakeholders make informed decisions for a greener concrete sector.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122702 | DOI Listing |
Small
September 2025
School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
Plastic waste continues to be a major environmental challenge, worsened by energy-intensive conventional recycling methods that require highly pure feedstocks. In this review, emerging electrochemical upcycling technologies are critically examined, focusing on the electro-oxidation transformation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into valuable chemical products. Key reaction pathways and target products are outlined to clarify the selective electrochemical reforming of PET.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Microbiol
August 2025
Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China.
Polyurethane (PU), a segmented block copolymer with chemically resistant urethane linkages and tunable architecture, presents persistent biological recycling challenges. This study presents a Bacterial Laccase-Mediated System (BLMS) derived from for efficient degradation of polyester- and polyether-PU. Utilizing the laccase CotA and mediator 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), the BLMS demonstrated effective de polymerization of both commercial and self-synthesized PU foams, including polyester- and polyether-types.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChem Sci
August 2025
State Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun 130022 China
Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) is one of the most widely used biodegradable polyesters, but its efficient valorization presents a long-standing challenge. Herein, we report the first facile PGA valorization strategy by utilizing epoxides to upcycle PGA into fused lactones under mild conditions (<100 °C), and subsequent copolymerization to produce copolyesters with wide potential tunability and enhanced performance. In the presence of epoxides and a chromium-based catalyst, PGA was efficiently transformed into fused lactones with a wide range of potential structural adjustability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFEBS Open Bio
September 2025
Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
The global accumulation of plastic waste, exceeding 360 million tonnes annually, represents a critical environmental challenge due to their widespread use and extreme recalcitrance in natural environments. Furthermore, the end-of-life processing of bioplastics, which are often marketed as eco-friendly, remains problematic, with biodegradation often requiring industrial conditions. Enzyme-based depolymerization of polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and bioplastics (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnal Bioanal Chem
September 2025
Department of Analytical Chemistry and Reference Materials, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large group of emerging organic pollutants that contaminate the environment, food, and consumer products. Textiles and other outdoor products are a major source of PFAS exposure due to their water-repellent impregnations. Determination of PFASs in textiles is increasingly important for enhancing their contribution to the circular economy.
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