Scientific Program

Day 1 :

Keynote Forum

Doron Lavee

Pareto Group Ltd, Israel

Keynote: Are economic tools preferable to direct regulatory measures in achieving environmental goals?

Time : 09:30 - 10:10 AM

Biography:

Doron Lavee holds a PhD in Public Economics from the Tel Hai College; an MA in Economics and an MBA in Business Administration and Economics from the Hebrew University. He is a Member of the Department of Economics and Management at Tel-Hai Academic College. He also serves as a Partner and General Manager of Pareto Group Ltd. He is a well-known expert with over 22 years of experience in economic and environmental consulting, financial advisory and strategic consulting in various fields, including issues related to economic efficiency and the periphery. He has extensive experience in managing complex projects and large-scale environmental economic consulting and conducting projects for the public and government sectors, including government ministries, local authorities, government corporations and public agencies.

Abstract:

Regulators around the world are dealing with a fundamental dilemma. On the one hand, modern economic activity raises the standard of living, but on the other hand, it creates many environmental hazards that harm our quality of life. To balance these controlling effects, they are interested in bringing about social equilibrium and for the value of marginal damage to be equal to the cost of reducing it. The excessive investment will result in too much damage to the standard of living, and on the other hand, an under-investment that leaves us with excessive risks. The way to deal can be through direct command and control (CAC) or market-based economic tools. There are, of course, other essential tools, such as education and information that will not be covered in this article. Over the years, the use of economic tools in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries increased at the expense of direct regulation, but in Israel, there is still a tendency to use direct regulation. However, since the beginning of the 21st century, there has been an increase in the use of economic tools in Israel as well. The article examines whether it is better to increase the use of economic tools at the expense of direct regulation. The examination is based on six case studies from various environmental fields in Israel. The results of the research reinforce the argument that economic tools can achieve policy objectives more effectively while driving the market to environmental improvement. However, it is almost impossible to make a clean comparison from other influences, such as the development of environmental awareness over the years, the strengthening of environmental regulation and the government's determination to achieve advanced environmental goals, especially given the international commitment to Israel's entry into the OECD. Therefore, the results should be seen as supporting evidence and not as absolute proof of the priority of the economic instruments.

Keynote Forum

Giovanna Antonella Dino

University of Torino, Italy

Keynote: Exploitation of mineral waste fine fraction to produce cultivable substrates to use for land rehabilitation

Time : 11:10 - 11:50 AM

Biography:

Giovanna Antonella Dino, environmental engineer and PhD in environmental geo-engineering, research assistant at the Earth Sciences Department- University of Torino. Currently she is also a member of the Board of Director at CIDIU S.P.A. (Public enterprise dealing with waste management and recycling). Her research activity focuses mainly on issues related to the circular economy, landfill mining, sustainable mining and promotion and dissemination of heritage stones and. Involved, also as Project Manager, in several national and international projects concerning the aforementioned research themes. From January to May 2019 involved as external technical expert (for issues related to sustainable mining and the circular economy) for the TEG dealing with the implementation of the European Commission's Sustainable Finance Action Plan. Since 2001 she has been publishing more than 100 scientific papers and abstracts. She has been involved, as a speaker and/or chair, in more than 30 national and international conferences.

Abstract:

Waste coming from mining and quarry industry and the ones coming from construction and demolition waste (C&DW) and rock and soil from excavation works (RSE) represent the 2nd and the 1st source of waste production at EU level (25 and 36% respectively, Eurostat 2019 – data 2016). They can cause serious environmental and economic problems in view of the difficulties related to its disposal, especially of the finest fraction. At present little is known about their potential as components of a cultivation substrate; indeed, they are characterized by low physical and chemical fertility, which require the mixing with organic materials to improve their general properties. The aim of this study is to test the agronomic characteristics of the produced mixes in order to evaluate their potentiality to be used for land rehabilitation. The investigated mineral waste (fine fraction) were residual sludge from ornamental stones working activity, sludge coming from aggregates production, tailings and waste rock fine fraction from mining activity (Zn-Pb and Ni closed mines), fine fraction connected to C&DW and RSE recycling activities. These waste materials were collected and mixed with compost, shredded green compounds, wastewater sludge and soil material. The original materials and the mixtures were analyzed for metals and hydrocarbons (TPH, where present) and for their phytotoxicity (seed germination and plants growing). The results show that mixing with organic compounds can improve the overall quality and fertility of the mineral waste fine fraction and that the mixture is not phytotoxic. This indicates that the mineral waste fine fraction could be employed, when properly managed and treated, for land rehabilitation after improvement of its fertility and of its environmental quality.

Keynote Forum

Padma Singh

Gurukul Kangri University, India

Keynote: Biodegradation of low and high-density polyethylene by selected microorganism

Time :

Biography:

Padma Singh PhD, FBS, FAPSI is professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Girl’s Campus, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, (Uttarakhand) India. She has obtained her degrees of M.Sc(gold medal) and PhD from Jiwaji University, Gwalior (MP). She has published more than 80 research papers and review articles in various national and international journals.

Abstract:

Plastic is one of the harmful and inert waste which cause serious threat to the environment especially polythene products. So, in this suggested study an effort was prepared to develop effective consortium that polythene. Consortium was a mixture of three fungus (Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium sp. and Aspergillus oryzae) and two bacteria (Pseudomonas stutzeri and Bacillus sp.) which can mutually grow with each other. The biodegradation was calculated on the basis of dry weight of polythene and CO2 evolution test by shake flak method. The dry weight of polythene is major parameter to check the biodegradation. Consortium found maximum degradation in the 60 days (18.22%) in treated High-density polyethylene HDPE and (9.15%) non treated HDPE. On the other hand % degradation for treated Low-density polyethylene LDPE
(52.26%) and non-treated LDPE (21.51%) were higher in 90 days which is more than other single strain degradation. The mixture of bacteria and fungi evolve high CO2 in non-treated HDPE (92.69%) in 25 days and treated HDPE (53.33%) in 20 days. Consortium also evolved maximum CO2 in the case of non-treated LDPE (92.48%) in 15 days and for 89.42% for treated LDPE in 20 days.

Keynote Forum

Busarin, Chongcharoenyanon

Kasetsart University, Thailand

Keynote: Migration of Biobased Plastic from Biodegradable Polyester and Thermoplastic Starch

Time :

Biography:

Busarin Chongcharoenyanon has background on food science and technology. She interested in food safety especially in microbiological and chemical aspect. The safety of food contact materials and food packaging is her main research of interest. She believes that, in order to improve the safety of the consumer, we can not only focus on the food quality but also the food packaging and the related materials.

Abstract:

Biobased plastic (BP) was reputed to the environmentally friendly properties. Many researches have focus on improving the physical and mechanical properties. However, as food contact materials and food packages, the migration test of BP should be conducted to ensure the safety of consumers. In this research, overall migration of 4 formulas of BP has been tested. Biodegradable polyester (polylactic acid: PLA) was formulated with thermoplastic starch (TPS) to form BP sheet samples. They were formulated at the ratio of PLA:TPS as 60:40 and 80:20 with additional of zeolite at 1% as a compatibilizer. The overall migration tests were conducted follow the Regulation EU 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. The chemical migrants from BP samples were extracted in food simulants. Four food simulants which were represented each kind of foods were 10% ethanol (Simulant A) for aqueous foods, 3% acetic acid (Simulant B) for acidic foods, 20% ethanol (Simulant C) for alcoholic foods, 50% ethanol (Simulant D) for dairy fatty foods. The extractions were conducted at the specific conditions, range from 2 h to 10 days at 10 to 70 °C which resemble to the intended usage condition. After the extraction, the BP samples were tested for the mechanical properties compared with the samples before the extraction. The simulants were proceeded to determine the amount of migrants then compare with the overall migration limit (10 mg/dm2). The overall migration results showed that the BP samples still have some limitations in application under severe condition of overall migration testing. The mechanical test show significantly reduction of properties after contact with food simulants. Further investigations are needed to clarify the proper condition for commercial usage such as the sensory evaluation to clarify the consumer acceptability level of the reduce mechanical properties. 

  • Plastic Recycling, Reduce Reuse and Recycle, Rubber Recycling
Location: Rome, Italy

Session Introduction

Lamia Ben Amor

University of Sfax, Tunisia

Title: Exploring the determinants factors of recycling rate: An analysis for the plastic waste in Tunisia
Speaker
Biography:

Lamia Ben Amor has her expertise in evaluation and passion in improving the environment and during of sustainable development. Her open and contextual evaluation model based on responsive constructivists creates new pathways for improving the sector of recycling. She has built this model after years of experience in research, evaluation, visiting environmental institutions and exploring several places of reusing and recycling waste. The foundation is based on fourth generation evaluation (Kinamman and Fullerton,1996) which is a methodology that utilizes the previous generations of evaluation: measurement, description and judgment. It allows for value-pluralism.  This approach is responsive to all stakeholders and has a different way of focusing.

 

Abstract:

This research paper aims to examine the influence of financial (Price of Waste Disposal), institutional (Collection of waste, Drop- off recycling centers, Ordinance) and demographic determinants (Population Density) on recycling rate of plastic as a domestic waste on a Panel of 24 governorates from Tunisia Country using a static model estimated by the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) over the 2001- 2018 period. We also implement this empirical model for 24 governorates from only country selected on the base data availability. They include Ariana, Beja, Ben Arous, Bizerte, Gabes, Gafsa, Jendouba, Kairouan, Kasserine, Kebili, Kef, Mahdia, Manouba, Medenine, Monastir, Nabeul, Sfax, Sidi-Bouzid, Siliana, Sousse, Tataouine, Tozeur, Tunis, and Zaghouan.  It is concluded from empirical findings that all exogenous variables expect population density have significant effect on recycling rate. Consequently, this is a great improvement in the Tunisia environmental system of waste management.

 

Nadezhda V Vernikovskaya

Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS, Russia

Title: A modelling approach to deal with the particulate matter pollutants: filtration of diesel soot and suspensions
Speaker
Biography:

Nadezhda V Vernikovskaya is senior researcher at Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS (BIC SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia, Associate Professor, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University (NSU) and Associate Professor, Aircraft Faculty, Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU). She has completed her PhD in 1996. She has written approximately 100 peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters and conference papers. Most of her research has focused on modeling and simulation of such heterogeneous catalytic reactors as tubular reactor, fluidized bed reactor, structured catalytic reactor and so on; soot particulates abatement in diesel engine exhaust by their trapping in filters; filtration of the catalysts suspension in hydrogenated oil through the woven cloth.

 

Abstract:

In the modern world, there is always a huge amount of solid waste caused by human life and harmful to nature and people. Solid waste may be small particles in a liquid or gas mixture. Filtration processes can be used to capture these particles from mixture in order to reuse them or simply to reduce their content in the mixture being cleaned. Mathematical modeling of filtering processes can help reduce experimental efforts during filtration processes development. The purpose of the study was to develop an Equation-Oriented approach to modeling filtration processes, the aim of which is to reuse trapped particles and / or reduce the content of particles in the mixture being cleaned.

The approach is to create a model of the necessary and sufficient degree of complexity, to develop an effective algorithm for solving model equations and create a program code. The model takes into account the main necessary features of the system: unsteady-state behavior, geterogeneity of the system, convective mass transfer of particles in mixture along the filter depth, penetration of particles through the filter, accumulation of particles inside the filter pores, deposition of coarse particles and particles due to inertial collision on the outer filter surface, particles size distribution. A sufficient degree of complexity is the use of one-dimensional models, since the transfer of particles occurs only in one direction.

The algorithm is based on the three existing methods and takes advantages of each of them: the method of lines, the running scheme, and the second order Rosenbrock method with stepsize adjustment algorithm. The approach has been applied to the modeling of such filtration processes as soot particulates abatement in diesel engine exhaust and filtration of the catalysts suspension in hydrogenated oil through the woven cloth. Verification of the mathematical model and numerical method is done by means of comparison of the numerical results with the experimental data. Using this approach to modeling various filtering processes it is possible to predict the performance of filters and to select the filtering material with the proper specifications for efficient reducing particle content in the mixture being cleaned. The captured solids can be then reused if necessary. This work was conducted within the framework of budget project No. 0303-2016-0017 for Boreskov Institute of Catalysis.

Sandra Regina Scagliusi Martin

University of São Paulo, Brazil

Title: Effect of gamma-radiation on thermal ageing of butyl rubber compounds
Speaker
Biography:

Sandra Regina Scagliusi:  Great experience with elastomers. Upgraded in recovering of rubbers, in general, specially dealing with butyl and halo-butyl rubbers (chlorine and bromine). She is deeply involved with irradiation, recycling, de- vulcanization, micro-wave. She developed a new process of rubbers recovering via radiation and mechanical shear. She has  been  dedicating  in  research  toward  environmental  area  in  recycling  of  solid  materials  and  elastomers.  Proved experience in research and quality control laboratories.

 

Abstract:

Butyl rubber has a comprehensive use in sealing systems, especially in tires inner tubes, due to their low permeability to gases.  So,  it  is  required  that  butyl rubber  compounds  show  a  better  performance,  more and  more.  Butyl rubber is provided with excellent mechanical    properties    and    oxidation    resistance. Besides showing these properties, radiation exposures impart    modifications    in    physical-chemical    and morphological properties on butyl rubber materials. When  exposed  to  gamma-radiation,  rubbers  suffer changes  in  their  mechanical  and  physical  properties, caused  by material  degradation.  The  major  radiation effect  in  butyl  rubbers  is  chain-  scission;  besides, ageing promotes too the same effect with further build- up  of  free  radicals.  This  work  aims  to  the  study  of gamma-radiation  in  physical-chemical  properties  of butyl rubber subjected to thermal ageing. Doses used herein were: 25 kGy, 50 kGy, 100 kGy, 150 kGy and 200KGy. Samples  were  evaluated  before  and  after ageing   according   to   traditional   essays,   such   as: hardness,  tensile  strength  and  elongation  at  break. From accomplished assessments, it is possible to affirm that at doses higher than 50 kGy it was observed a sharp decreasing in butyl rubber physical-chemical properties, before and after exposure to ageing.