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.

Global annual production of vanadium is approximately 100,000 tonnes; however, it remains a critical metal for steelmaking and modern industry. This study reviews the current status of vanadium smelting and recycling technologies. Approximately 90% of vanadium is produced as ferrovanadium (FeV) for use in steel alloys, although it is also utilized in titanium alloys, battery materials, and other applications. Both mineral ores and secondary waste resources serve as raw materials for vanadium production. These materials are typically subjected to roasting followed by acid or alkaline leaching to extract V₂O₅. Vanadium metal and FeV are produced from V₂O₅ primarily through aluminothermic reduction; alternatively, metallic vanadium can be manufactured via thermal reduction using Ca, Mg, or C, as well as by molten salt electrolysis. Crude vanadium is subsequently refined into high-purity metal through high-temperature vacuum treatment, electron beam melting, or molten salt electrolytic refining. Vanadium contained in steel scrap is recycled through re-melting in an electric arc furnace. Vanadium present in fly ash and spent catalysts is recovered using smelting processes similar to those applied to natural ores.

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.

Global annual production of niobium is only around 100,000 tonnes; however, it is a critical metal for modern industry and is mined in only a limited number of regions. This study reviews the current status of niobium smelting and recycling technologies. Approximately 90% of niobium is produced as ferroniobium (FeNb) for use in steel alloys, although niobium is also utilized in superalloys, superconductors, capacitors, semiconductors, and other applications. Niobium coexists with tantalum in columbite and tantalite ores. These ores are decomposed by hydrofluoric acid digestion or alkali fusion, followed by solvent extraction to separate Nb2O5 and Ta2O5. Niobium metal and FeNb are produced from Nb2O5 primarily via aluminothermic reduction, although metallic niobium can also be manufactured by thermal reduction using Mg, Ca, or C, as well as by molten salt electrolysis. Crude niobium is subsequently refined into high-purity niobium through molten salt electrolytic refining, high-temperature vacuum treatment, and electron beam melting. Because most niobium is used as an alloying element in stainless steel and high-strength low-alloy steel, recycling practices for niobium remain poorly documented.

Integrated crop–livestock farming systems improve the self-sufficient feed ratio, and provide environmental benefits for agro-ecosystems. This study was conducted to evaluate the crop-livestock recycling indicators of Korean Hanwoo farms. 55 Korean beef farms were classified into five types. Organic Hanwoo farms were insufficient the area of forage crop cultivation required for Hanwoo certification in Korea, with forage crop sufficiency index of 49.6%. The forage self sufficiency index of grazing eco-farms was 108.5%, and self-certified (PGS) and conventional livestock farms was only 24.5 and 25.6%, respectively. The forage self sufficiency index was 60.4, 52.9, and 111.9% for Hanwoo + grassland crop, Hanwoo + forage crop + rice, and Hanwoo + grassland combined farms, respectively. Livestock density was 10.3 LSU (livestock units)/ha for organic Korean cattle farms, which was lower than 25.6 LSU/ha for conventional farms. In addition, the livestock density of grassland eco-farms was the lowest at 3.4 LSU/ha. Livestock density was 12.2 LSU/ha in the southern region, which was lower than in the central-northern region. In conclusion, forage crop sufficiency and livestock density are considered valid indicators for assessing the level of crop-livestock integrated agriculture.

이 논문은 선박 해체로 기인하는 작업자의 안전·보건 문제와 환경오염을 극 복하기 위해 2009년 IMO에서 채택한 「선박의 안전하고 환경친화적인 재활용 에 관한 홍콩국제협약」(이하 “「선박재활용협약」”이라 한다)을 국내 이행하 기 위한 법률의 적용범위 설정방안에 관한 것이다. 「선박재활용협약」은 2025년 6월 국제적으로 발효되었다. 우리나라는 협약 이행을 위한 「선박재활용법 안」이 발의되어 심사를 기다리고 있다. 「선박재활용법안」 적용범위는 면밀 한 재검토가 필요한데 주요 내용을 정리하면 다음과 같다. 첫째, 협약은 “평생 한 번이라도 당사국 관할해역 이원으로 항해한 선박”에 대해 협약의무를 강행적으로 적용할 것을 요구하여, 적용대상의 시간적 기준을 “선박의 전 생애”로 정하고 있다. 하지만, 제정안은 “국제항해에 종사하는 선 박”으로 현재 운항구역을 기준으로 범위를 설정하여, 생애 대부분을 국제항해 에 종사하다 해체가 임박하여 국내항해로 전환한 선박을 규제대상에서 제외하 고 있다. 이러한 선박은 결국 「해양환경관리법」 제111조를 적용받게 된다. 해체에 수반되는 선주의 각종 의무가 「선박재활용협약」과 「해양환경관리 법」간에 큰 차이가 있어 법적 공백의 영향이 상당할 것으로 우려된다. 둘째, 제정안은 “수리 등을 목적으로 일시적으로 국제항해에 종사하는 선박” 을 적용제외하고 있는데, 이는 협약요구에 부합한다고 보기 어렵다. EU와 일본 은 여하한 목적으로든 당사국 관할해역 이원으로 항해한 선박에 대해 예외 없 이 협약의무를 적용할 것을 규정하고 있어, 제정안과 상반된다. 셋째, 제정안은 협약에서 당사국에 요구하는 적용제외 선박에 대한 조치의무 를 이행하기 위해 “노력한다”라는 선언적 의무를 둔 것으로 보이지만, 이 또한 협약의 요구에 부합한다고 보기 힘들다. 협약은 당사국에게 적용제외 선박에 대해서도 합리적이고 실행 가능한 범위에서 협약과 일치하는 방식으로 행동하 도록 적절한 조치를 취할 것을 요구하고 있다. 이는 당사국에 대한 실질적인 의무부과 조항이다. 제정안은 협약에서 강행적으로 적용할 것을 요구하는 선박 을 오히려 적용 제외하면서, 단순히 “노력한다”라는 선언적 의무만으로 협약 요구를 이행하려고 하지만 이는 협약의 요구에 부합하지 않는다. 넷째, 제정안은 규제의 강도에 있어 차이가 있더라도 선박해체에 대해 이미 규제하고 있는 「해양환경관리법」제111조와 관계 정리가 되지 않아 수범자에 게 이중규제를 부과할 우려가 있다. 제정안과 「해양환경관리법」 모두의 적용 대상이 되는 “총톤수 500톤 이상의 선박”의 소유자는 제정안에 따른 “선박재활 용계획 승인”과 「해양환경관리법」에 따른 “오염방지작업계획 신고”를 모두 이행하여야 하는 이중규제로 이어진다. 이에 대한 대안으로, 국내이행법률의 적용범위는 원칙적으로 모든 선박에 적 용하되, 선박의 종류·크기·항행구역 등을 고려하여 의무를 합리적으로 차등하는 방안을 제안한다. 국제항해에 종사하는 총톤수 500톤 이상의 선박에 대해서 는 협약의 모든 의무를 엄격히 적용하고, 국내항해만 종사하는 500톤 이상 선 박은 유해물질목록 관리 등 일부 의무를 완화한다. 500톤 미만 선박에 대해서 는 현행 「해양환경관리법」상의 신고의무를 유지하는 방안이다.

최근 시설 재배 면적이 확대되면서 코이어 배지를 포함한 부산물이 대량 발생하고 있다. 코이어 배지는 친환경적 배지 로 널리 사용되지만, 재배 종료 후 발생하는 폐배지는 부처들 간 해석 차이로 재활용이 제한되고 있어, 합리적인 재활용 경 로 설정이 필요하다. 비료화는 가장 경제적인 재활용 방안이 며, 환경부는 코이어 폐배지를 ‘그 밖의 식물성 잔재물 (51-17-29)’로 분류하여 비료화가 가능하나, 농촌진흥청 ｢비 료관리법｣에서는 원료로 설정되어 있지 않아 제도적 한계가 존재한다. 본 연구는 국내 토마토 시설 재배 농가를 대상으로 코이어 폐배지의 발생량을 추정하고, 무기성분 및 중금속 함 량을 분석하였다. 무기성분 분석 결과 평균 칼슘 11.1g·kg-1, 칼륨 3.61g·kg-1, 마그네슘 2.02g·kg-1, 인 1.31g·kg-1, 망간 0.44g·kg-1, 규소 0.188g·kg-1, 붕소 0.037g·kg-1로 나타나 무 기성분이 풍부하게 검출되었으며, 니켈, 구리, 아연, 비소, 카 드뮴, 납, 수은 중금속은 모두 허용 기준치 이하로 확인되었다. 또한 통계자료를 기반으로 국내 토마토 재배에서 연간 약 4만 9천톤의 코이어 폐배지가 발생하는 것으로 추정되었다. 이러 한 결과는 대량으로 발생하는 코이어 폐배지가 환경적 위해성 이 낮고, 다량의 무기성분을 함유하여 비료 원료로 재활용할 수 있음을 시사한다. 본 연구에서 제시한 재활용 경로가 향후 이해관계자 간 의견 수렴을 통해 제도적 보완된다면, 코이어 폐배지의 원활한 재활용 방안이 될 것으로 판단된다.

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.

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.

Co-Cr alloys are widely used in cutting tools and turbine components due to their high strength and resistance against wear and corrosion. However, scrap generated during hardfacing is often discarded due to impurities and oxidation, and research on its recycling remains limited. This study aimed to optimize the recycling process of Stellite 6 scrap to reduce waste and minimize costs while maintaining material quality. Melting, casting, and powdering processes were designed using HSC Chemistry, FactSage, and COMSOL Multiphysics, with optimization of key parameters such as the crucible material and temperature control. The recycled alloy and powder were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry, showing mechanical and chemical properties comparable to commercial Stellite 6. The Co and Cr contents were maintained, with a slight increase in Fe. These findings demonstrate the potential for producing high-quality recycled Stellite 6 materials, contributing to the sustainable utilization of metal resources in high-performance applications.

세계적인 탄소중립 정책 추진과 수소 에너지 수요 증가에 따라 고분자 전해질 수전해 및 연료전지 기술 개발이 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 해당 기술의 핵심 소재인 과불소계 술폰산 이오노머는 우수한 전기화학적 특성과 화학적 안정성을 가지고 있지만, 높은 제조비용, 한정된 공급망, 강화되는 환경 규제와 같은 문제로 인해 효과적인 재활용 및 재제조 기술이 요구되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 초임계 분산 기술을 통해 전해질막 및 막-전극접합체의 제조과정에서 발생하는 고활성을 갖는 전해질막 스크랩을 연료전지 전극바인더로 재제조하는 방법을 제시하고자 한다.

In response to the global interest and efforts towards reducing plastic use and promoting resource recycling, there is a growing need to establish methods for recycling discarded fishing gear. In Korea, various technologies are being developed to recycle discarded fishing gear, but significant technical and policy challenges still remain. In particular, biodegradable gill nets require a pre-treatment process to separate biodegradable materials from other substances and to remove salt before recycling. Therefore, this study aims to develop a pre-treatment device for recycling biodegradable gill nets and to evaluate the feasibility of recycling them.

Because plastics are cheap and light, their use is indispensable in our daily lives. However, the extensive use of plastics causes the disposal issue. Among various disposal processes, plastic recycling is of great attention because of minimizing waste and harmful byproducts. Herein, we recycle the most popular thermoplastic materials, high-density and low-density polyethylene, producing the anode materials for the Li-ion batteries. The electrochemical properties of the as-recycled soft carbon are investigated to study the energy storage capability as the anode of Li-ion batteries. Our work demonstrates the soft carbon recycled from plastic wastes is a promising anode material.

최근 전기차 및 전력저장 시스템과 같은 대형 전지 시장의 성장으로 인해 리튬 이온 배터리에 대한 수요가 급증하 고 있다. 이에 따라 폐전지의 발생이 빠르게 증가할 것 으로 예상되며, 이에 대한 처리가 사회적 문제가 될 것 으로 예상된다. 폐전지 처리의 가장 효과적인 방법은 폐전지의 소재를 재활용하는 방법이다. 이 중 고가의 금속 물질로서, 재활용 시 경제성이 가장 높은 양극 소재 재활용 연구가 가장 활발히 이뤄지고 있다. 하지만 폐전지로부터 회수된 블 랙 파우더에는 도전재 및 바인더가 포함되어 있는데 양극 소재를 재활용하기 위해서는 이를 제거하는 공정이 필요하 다. 본 연구에서는 폐전지에서 추출된 폐양극 소재의 재활용을 위한 소재 전처리 연구를 제시한다. 열처리 및 화학 처리의 두 가지 전처리 공정을 사용하여 불순물을 제거하였고, 이에 따른 제거 정도를 SEM 분석을 통해 확인하였고, 불순물의 정량 분석을 TGA, EA 분석을 통해 확인하였으며, 전기화학 성능을 분석하였다.