This study presents the development of an AI-based real-time on-device segmentation system designed to support recyclable waste sorting. A lightweight semantic segmentation model was implemented by combining the MobileViT-x-small backbone with the DeepLabV3 architecture, enabling pixel-level classification of recyclable items and intuitive visualization on a smartphone screen. A total of 200 real-world images were collected, with 150 used for training and 50 for testing. To enhance generalization under limited data conditions, the training set was expanded to 750 images through geometric and color-based augmentation techniques. The trained model was subsequently converted into ONNX format and deployed within a Flutter-based mobile application, allowing real-time inference directly on the device without reliance on external servers. The proposed system overlays semi-transparent masks and class labels onto the live camera feed, thereby reducing sorting errors and promoting active user participation in everyday recycling practices.

The potential release of toxic metals such as Li, Ni, and Co into aquatic environments is increasing due to the growth of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry and the expansion of recycling processes. In this study, the 24-h acute toxicity of Li, Ni, and Co was evaluated in both single-metal exposures and binary mixture using Daphnia magna. Single-metal toxicity showed the highest toxicity for Co, followed by Li and Ni. Mixture toxicity results indicated antagonistic interactions in the Li-Ni and Li-Co combinations, whereas a strong toxicity enhancement was observed for the Ni-Co combination. Nonlinear interaction patterns dependent on fixed concentrations and concentration ratios were also identified. These findings highlight the limitations of simple additivity assumptions and provide fundamental data for mixture-based ecological risk assessment related to LIB recycling activities.

Double-layer supercapacitors ( SCs) based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a novel and highly potential electrical energy storage technology. They have a high-power density (Pd) and a long span life, which are desirable for electric automobiles, however, their specific capacitance (Csp) needs to be improved. Here, we introduce an affordable and environmentally sustainable method to enhance the capacitance of Boron-Sulphur doped carbon quantum dots (B,S-CQDs) from Oloptum miliaceum (Grass) via the hydrothermal method. The findings show that heteroatom-doping might greatly enhance the Csp and energy density (Ed) when compared to undoped CQDs. As a consequence, the B,S-CQDs demonstrate a high Csp of 390 F g− 1 at 0.1 A g− 1 and 152 F g− 1 at 1.0 A g− 1, revealing excellent rate performance. Along with the electrode demonstrates superb coulombic efficiency with only 2% efficiency loss after 3000 cycles. Furthermore, the B,S-CQDs with a wide voltage range of 0.8 V yields a remarkable Ed of 48.0 Wh kg− 1 and Pd of 524 W kg− 1. These promising findings demonstrate an economical and environmentally friendly electrode material for high-performance SCs. This study offers ideas for the design and preparation of SCs electrode materials and represents a major endeavour to turn waste biomass (smilograss) into a useful electrode material.

The rapid expansion of the fast fashion industry has led to a dramatic increase in textile waste, posing significant environmental and systemic challenges. Although approximately 95% of discarded clothing is technically recyclable, current recycling system remains inefficient due to fragmented collection, manual sorting, limited recycling capabilities, and a lack of integrated data management. This study investigates the structural limitations of Korea’s waste clothing recycling system and proposes optimization strategies grounded in circular economy principles. These strategies, if implemented, have the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Korea’s textile waste recycling system. Through a comparative analysis of international models― including government-led Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, digital platform-based collection services, and brand-driven recycling initiatives―the study identifies key bottlenecks in Korea’s current system. The findings highlight the need for a unified and monitored collection infrastructure, the deployment of AI-based automated sorting technologies, and the development of fiber-to-fiber (F2F) recycling processes supported by standardized classification codes and centralized databases. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of real-time data integration across all stages of the recycling chain to enable transparent tracking and performance evaluation. Drawing on successful PET bottle recycling cases, the research outlines a roadmap for transitioning Korea’s textile waste management to a scalable, sustainable circular economy. The study concludes by calling for robust institutional support, legal clarity, and most importantly, cross-sector collaboration. This collaboration is crucial to ensure effective implementation of EPR and long-term resource circulation, and it will require the collective efforts of environmental policymakers, waste management professionals, industry stakeholders, and researchers.

김기림은 엘리엇의 􋺷황무지􋺸가 제1차 세계대전 이후의 시대를 상징주의적 방법으로 보여주며, 시대의 병적 징후를 정신분석적으로 진단을 내렸지만, 처방 전은 제시하지 못했다고 평가하였다. 이를 근거로 이 논문은 엘리엇의 􋺷황무지􋺸 와 김기림의 􋺷기상도􋺸의 무의식의 수사학을 비교 연구 하는 것을 목적으로 하 였다. II부에서는 무의식의 암호기록법적 수사학으로 두 작품의 개괄적 특징을 밝혔으며, III부에서는 무의식의 환유 수사학으로 작품의 전개 양상을, IV부에서 는 무의식의 은유 수사학으로 작품의 주제의식을 밝혔다. 이로써, 본고는 􋺷황무 지􋺸와 􋺷기상도􋺸의 작품 전개상의 공통적 특성인 환유 수사학을 상징계가 붕괴 되어 대타자의 기능이 상실되고 의미화가 불가능해진 주체의 욕망이 분열 증식 하며 만들어내는 언어로 해석하였다. 한편, 대단원에서 􋺷황무지􋺸는 보편종교의 가르침, 즉, 이타주의와 평화주의의 회복을 주제 의식으로 제시하는 데서, 그리 고 􋺷기상도􋺸는 니체적인 초인사상의 가르침, 즉, 지상의 삶의 긍정과 영원회귀 를 주제 의식으로 제시하는 데서 본질적 의미를 생산하는 은유 수사학이 회복된 것으로 보았다.

In this study, the aim was to establish a pre-treatment process to utilize citrus pomace (CP) as a high-value-added material. Frozen CP was thawed under various conditions, including at room temperature, using ultrasound, and immersion at 25℃ and 70℃, and samples from each thawing group were assigned to a non-washed (NW) or a washed (W) group. The samples in the W-CP groups were drained, and all samples were powdered after hot air drying. The samples in the NW-CP groups had a two-fold higher drying yield of CP powder, a significantly lower pH (4.20–4.26), and a higher soluble solids content (1.1–1.3°Brix) than the samples in the W-CP groups. Interestingly, the samples in the W-CP groups had significantly higher swelling capacity (8.18–8.53 mL/g), water absorption index (7.61–7.85 g/g), water holding capacity (8.92–10.30 g/g), and oil holding capacity (2.09–2.30 g/g) than samples in the NW-CP groups (p<0.05). Conversely, the thawing method only significantly affected the thawing rate of the CP, but it did not significantly affect the properties of the CP powder. The results of this study provide basic data for the industrialization and resource utilization of CP, and they suggest that various pre-treatment processes can influence CP standardization.

A considerable amount of the food is wasted each year, creating an urgent global problem with negative economic and environmental effects. Livestock manure, a by-product of intensive animal farming, can contribute to environmental issues if not properly managed. While biochar, a product of pyrolysis, can speed up the composting process and improve compost quality, sawdust is frequently used in composting to balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar on compost quality in co-composting food waste and swine manure and the influence of raw materials in obtaining good quality ecofriendly compost. Experimental manipulations were conducted both with feedstock materials present and absent. The findings revealed that a biochar concentration of 6% had a positive impact on the composting process. Furthermore, the presence or absence of feedstocks influenced the composting rate and the quality of the compost. Through the addition of biochar, moisture balance and porosity were improved, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Organic waste can be managed more sustainably and agricultural systems may be improved by keeping it out of landfills and composting it with biochar. According to this study, a proper balance of feedstock composition is equally important to the addition of biochar. The study contributes to the understanding of the composting process and the role of balancing feedstock components for the production of good quality compost.

Rapid accumulation of waste tires from automobile industries across the globe poses significant environmental challenges due to their non-biodegradability, complex chemical composition and current disposal techniques. Thus, there is an urgent need to consider recycling and transformation of these waste tires into functional materials while promoting the circular economy and environmental sustainability. Recent advancements in material science research have highlighted the potential of converting waste tires into valuable porous carbon materials based on their rich carbon polymeric composition. Among the various conversion techniques, carbonization and activation have been shown to yield microporous, mesoporous and macroporous carbon with a large specific surface area up to 2450 m2g− 1 with doped heteroatoms (P, B, N and O) that enhances its surface chemistry in diverse applications. Thus, this review looks to investigate various processes involved in converting waste tires into high-performance porous carbon for electrocatalysis, adsorbents, catalyst support, and electrodes for energy storage devices. It also highlights the recent trend of tire compositions, tire chemistry in terms of vulcanization and devulcanization towards a greener economy. Additionally, it proposes future research directions to enhance the viability of waste tire-derived porous carbon materials.

본 연구는 해양오염의 주요 원인이면서도 관리의 사각지대에 놓여있는 어선 폐유 문제에 주목하였다. 어선 발생 해양오염 사 고는 전체의 43%를 차지하고 있으나, 해양환경관리법에 따른 오염방지설비 설치 등의 의무가 면제되고, 사후 단속 위주의 단편적 관리만 이루어지는 한계가 있다. 이에 우리나라의 어선 폐유 관리 실태를 분석하고, 미국, 일본, 유럽연합(EU)의 관리체계를 ‘불법배출 상시 감 시’, ‘기관간 협업’ 및 ‘인센티브 관점’에서 비교하여, 국내 실정에 맞는 소형어선의 효율적인 관리 방안을 검토한다. 이것을 통해 해양환 경 범죄로서 불법배출 예방에 관한 형사정책적 관점에서 ‘첨단 기술 기반의 과학적 단속’, ‘경제적 인센티브 중심의 제도 지원’, ‘협업을 통한 DB 공유’을 검토하여 불법배출의 상시 감시와 적법처리의 인센티브 방안을 도출한다. 그리고 이러한 방안을 국내 실정에 적합한 구 체적 이행방안으로 ▲인공위성 및 AI 기반의 첨단 감시 시스템 구축, ▲해양오염물질 보증금 제도 및 수거ㆍ처리 인프라 스마트화, ▲현 장접점에 있는 수협과 해양경찰 간 폐유관리 DB 공유 등 협업체계 마련을 제언한다. 이러한 정책들이 실효성을 가지기 위해서는 첨단 기 술 기반 증거의 법적 실효성이 중요하며, 이를 위한 형사법적 정당성에 관한 연구가 필요하다. 또한, 제안된 제도의 수용성을 높이기 위해 서 어민들의 현실적 어려움을 반영한 지속 가능하고 현장에서 작동가능한 정책연구가 병행되어야 한다.

본 연구는 학교운동장 굴취 토양(WSSPG)을 모래와 혼합 후 토양개량효과를 조사하여 잔디재배토양으로서 적합성을 조사 함으로써 천연잔디 운동장 조성 시 활용가능성을 평가하기 위해 수행되었다. 처리구는 대조구(모래 100%), WSSPG 5% 처리구 (WSSPG 5% + 모래 95%), WSSPG 10% 처리구(WSSPG 10% + 모래 90%), WSSPG 15% 처리구(WSSPG 15% + 모래 85%), WSSPG 20% 처리구(WSSPG 20% + 모래 80%), WSSPG 30% 처리구(WSSPG 30% + 모래 70%), WSSPG 40% 처리구 (WSSPG 40% + 모래 60%)로 설정하였다. WSSPG 처리 후 pH, EC, CEC등은 증대되었고, 모세관 공극, 비모세관 공극, 총공극 및 포화수리전도도는 감소하였다. WSSPG의 처리량과 토양인자간 조사에서 pH, EC, CEC 및 용적밀도는 정의 상관성 을 나타냈고, 모세관 공극, 비모세관 공극, 총공극 및 포화수리 전도도는 부의 상관성을 나타냈다. 상기 결과를 종합할 때, WSSPG는 토양 화학성을 개선하나 물리성 개선은 미미하였고, WSSPG 처리 후 토양의 물리화학성을 고려할 때, WSSPG의 최대 처리량은 약 5% 정도로 판단되었다.

The global e-waste problem is becoming increasingly serious. China, as one of the largest producers and consumers of electronic products, still has a low formal recycling rate. Consumers, as the owners of waste electronics, are the key to successful reverse logistics. However, many choose to store or dispose of e-waste at home rather than use official recycling channels. While many previous studies focus on factors that encourage recycling, fewer examine what stops people from taking part. This study applies Valence Theory to identify the factors that increase consumers’ psychological resistance to recycling small e-waste in China’s first-tier cities. It also examines how these factors influence social value and resistance behavior. The research model includes perceived price unfairness, perceived inconvenience, perceived benefits, and information publicity, with social value as a mediator. Data were collected through an online survey of 303 residents in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for analysis. The results show that perceived inconvenience and perceived benefits significantly influence social value. Perceived price unfairness, perceived inconvenience, and social value significantly affect consumer resistance. These findings expand the application of Valence Theory in e-waste research and address gaps in the Theory of Planned Behavior by considering both perceived risks and benefits. Practically, this study suggests that manufacturers, recyclers, and policymakers should improve recycling facilities, make the process more convenient, ensure fair and transparent pricing, and create targeted measures to reduce consumer resistance and encourage participation in formal recycling systems.

This study analyzed the emission characteristics of major air pollutants from 97 domestic municipal solid waste incineration facilities using tele-monitoring system (TMS) data collected from 2015 to 2023. Focusing on the effects of the enforcement of enhanced national emission standards in 2019, this research examined changes in emission factors (EFs) of dust and nitrogen oxides (NOX) by facility capacity and aging level. The results showed that the average EFs for dust and NOX significantly decreased by up to 30% after enforcement (p<0.01~0.001), indicating the practical effectiveness of the strengthened standard. This trend was observed consistently across all facility sizes and aging levels, including large-scale and older facilities. In contrast, hydrogen chloride (HCl) and carbon monoxide (CO) did not show clear reductions and remained highly variable, suggesting that emission standards alone may not be sufficient for stable control. These findings demonstrate the need for optimized combustion conditions and improved post-treatment systems for pollutants such as HCl and CO. This study provides empirical evidence highlighting the importance of appropriate facility scale and systematic refurbishment cycles for stable emission reduction in municipal waste incinerators.

In order to optimize the manufacturing of polypropylene-derived few-layer graphene, an innovative utilization of nonsupported iron oxide nanoparticles generated under various fuel environment conditions was studied. Three distinct fuel combustion environment circumstances (fusion, fuel shortage, and fuel excess) produced a variety of Fe2O3 nanoparticles for cost-effective and green graphene deposition. XRD, H2- TPR, Raman, and TGA measurements were used to characterize both new and spent catalysts. Remarkably, the microstructure of the generated Fe2O3 nanoparticles could be controlled by the citric acid/iron nitrate ratio, ranging from spheroids ( Fe2O3(0)) to sheets ( Fe2O3(0.5-0.75)) and a hybrid microstructure that consists of sheets, spheroids, and interconnected strips ( Fe2O3(1-2)). According to fuel situation (citric acid/iron nitrate ratio, Fe2O3( 0-2)), various graphitization level and yields of graphene derivatives including sheets, ribbons, and onions have been developed. With the ideal fuel/oxidant ratio (ɸ = 1), the Fe2O3( 0.75) catalyst demonstrated the best catalytic activity to deposit the largest yield of highly graphitized few graphene layers (280%). Lean and rich fuel conditions (1 > ɸ > 1) have detrimental effects on the amount and quality of graphene deposition. It is interesting to note that in addition to graphene sheets, an excess of citric acid caused the production of metallic cores, hollow, and merged carbon nano-onions, and graphene nano-ribbons. It was suggested that carbon nano-onions be converted into graphene nano-ribbons and semi-onion shell-like graphene layers.

Polypropylene waste significantly contributes to environmental pollution due to its low biodegradability. Numerous experiments have shown that laser irradiation of polymers can lead to the conversion of laser-induced graphene (LIG). In this paper, the LIG formation process in polypropylene (PP), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and polypropylene/polydimethylsiloxane (PP/PDMS) systems in a vacuum environment was simulated using molecular dynamics. The LIG yields and carbon network sizes of the systems in oxygen and vacuum environments at different temperatures were analyzed to determine the optimal temperature for upgrading PP to LIG. It was observed in all three systems that the LIG structure was formed. The structure was composed not only of six-membered carbon rings, but also of five-membered and seven-membered rings, resulting in out-of-plane fluctuations and bending. A vacuum environment and high temperature promote LIG formation with high yield, large size, and minimal defects. The current study provides theoretical guidance for optimizing the laser graphene process for PP assisted with PDMS in a vacuum environment and helps to understand the mechanism underlying the conversion from polyolefins to graphene under CO2 laser at the atomic level.

The purpose of this study is to fabricate a multi-stage, variable-section and high-speed of the cutting device for recycling carbon fiber from waste hydrogen storage tanks. In this study, a high precision cutting device is fabricated utilizes (i.e., multi-stage, variable-section, high-speed cutting function and a diamond wire tool) to cut various waste hydrogen storage tank carbon fibers into scrap in a short period of time. The fabricated items include the development of diamond wire tools and wheels, cutting feed systems, structural frames, cooling system applications, and hydrogen tank fixing systems. The rotational speed of multi-stage wheel is in range of 0~600 rpm, and feed speed of diamond wire cutting tools is in range of 10–80 mm/min. The results showed that a new precision cutting device is able to cut the waste hydrogen storage tanks more than 400 pieces of performance indicator scrap (200×200 mm) within 8 hours of the cutting time. This confirmed that a new fabricated cutting device is a high speed cutting machine that is feasible for application in waste hydrogen storage tanks recycling in stead of conventional cutting device.