Waste Free ’23 Technical References & Research Articles Directory
This directory page organizes all our research articles into specific categories for easy navigation. Each article title links to a detailed summary, written in simple language to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of the research. These studies form the backbone of Waste Free ’23’s mission to deliver scientifically sound, sustainable waste management solutions. Explore the research to learn more about innovative methods in recycling, waste-to-energy processes, and agricultural advancements.
Jump to: Plastic Waste | Organic Waste | Toilet Waste |
Click the Title to View the Full Summary of an Article.
1. Plastic Processing
- Gas Emissions During Low-Temperature Melting of Recycled Plastic Bags – This study investigates the release of gases when remolding plastic bags made from HDPE. It highlights that ensuring proper ventilation makes the remolding process safe and feasible for recycling operations.
- Innovative Styrofoam Recycling for Sustainable Construction – Warm Heart developed a method to recycle Styrofoam into lightweight, durable cement bricks. This technique provides a sustainable business model and helps reduce Styrofoam waste pollution.
2. Food & Other Organic Waste Processing
Comparing Treatment Strategies for Food and Faecal Waste – This study compared composting, Black Soldier Fly (BSF) treatment, and anaerobic digestion (AD). BSF treatment combined with AD was found to be the most cost-effective option in areas with existing AD plants.
Carbon Footprint of Black Soldier Fly Waste Processing in Uganda – Researchers found that BSFL production in Kampala emits 3.1 kg CO2 per kg of dried larvae but avoids 9.7 kg CO2, offering a significant net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Emissions from Composting – This review shows that composting can reduce landfill waste but may release harmful gases like CH₄ and NH₃ if not properly managed. Improved composting practices are recommended.
Effects of Organic Fertilizers on Cereal Seedling Growth – Insect frass fertilizer improved the growth of cereal seedlings in low-nutrient soils, while biochar showed limited impact on plant growth but potential for long-term soil carbon storage.
Black Soldier Fly Biowaste Treatment and Global Warming Impact – This study found that BSF treatment emits far fewer greenhouse gases than composting and can serve as a sustainable alternative for waste processing and animal feed production.
Participatory On-Farm Biochar Production in Ghana – Farmers in Ghana increased lettuce yields by 93% using biochar from rice husks. The study highlights the importance of farmer involvement and easy access to production materials.
Duckweed for Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Production – Duckweed was found to clean wastewater better than water hyacinth and provide high-quality biomass for animal feed, bioenergy, and medicine production.
Water Hyacinth Biochar for Soil Improvement – Researchers turned invasive water hyacinth into biochar, which improved soil fertility and boosted Teff crop yields. This eco-friendly method helps manage water hyacinth while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Turning Water Hyacinth into Biochar for Better Farming – Scientists converted invasive water hyacinth into biochar, which enriched soil nutrients and improved crop production. This sustainable approach helps control water hyacinth while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, benefiting both farmers and the environment.
- Carbon Footprint of Processing City Market Waste with Black Soldier Flies – This study found that using Black Soldier Fly larvae to process city market waste in Kampala reduces greenhouse gas emissions and provides a sustainable protein source for animal feed.
3. Toilet Waste Processing
Urea Recovery from Stabilized Urine Using Novel Evaporation Process – Researchers developed a method to extract urea from urine at low temperatures, providing a low-cost, eco-friendly fertilizer alternative.
Using Human Urine as Fertilizer for Barley Cultivation – This study found that crops grew well with urine-based fertilizers, and no harmful pharmaceutical residues were found in the soil or grain.
Recycling Nutrients from Dry Toilet Substrates – Biochar made from dry toilet waste combined with urine was shown to improve soil nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus levels.
Comparing Treatment Strategies for Food Waste and Faeces – This study evaluated composting, Black Soldier Fly (BSF) treatment, anaerobic digestion (AD), and a combination of BSF + AD. The BSF + AD method was the most cost-effective where AD infrastructure exists, while BSF treatment alone was the best option in areas without AD plants.
Torrefied Sewage Sludge as Fuel or Fertilizer – Researchers found that sewage sludge heated at high temperatures is not ideal as fuel due to high ash content but works well as a fertilizer, improving soil health with essential nutrients.
6. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Availability from Processed Human Waste – This study examined different ways to treat human waste and found that combining urine with pyrolyzed waste improved nitrogen and phosphorus availability in soil.
7. Enhancing Fertilizer with Urine-Enriched Faecal Biochar – Researchers found that soaking faecal-derived biochar in stored urine boosts nitrogen and phosphorus content, creating a low-cost, eco-friendly fertilizer for sustainable farming.
8. Torrefaction for Waste Management in Space – Scientists developed a low-energy method to process human waste in space, reducing volume, recovering water, and creating useful materials like fertilizer and fuel.
9. Urine-Enriched Biochar for Sustainable Farming – Farmers in Bangladesh tested biochar mixed with urine as a natural fertilizer, boosting vegetable yields by 60% while reducing costs and improving soil health.
Got questions?