Carbon-neutral pathways of recycling marine plastic waste - CUPOLA
Lead Research Organisation:
Aston University
Department Name: College of Engineering and Physical Sci
Abstract
Plastic pollution in the ocean causes severe damage to marine life and raises growing global environmental concerns. The harm to marine life and pollution to the ecosystem is devastating our oceans and is causing negative connections to human health. According to EU Legislation Research, an estimated 9 to 23 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year, and the associated cost is between 485 million Euro and 1,259 million Euro. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in demand for single-use plastic, aggravating the long-lasting marine waste problem with an estimated 1.56 billion face masks have entered oceans in 2020 and even more in 2021. This project aims to develop sustainable, scalable, and profitable waste management processes for marine plastics. The automated plastic waste management and product innovation processes aim for environmental sustainability. Extensive training and knowledge exchange activities will be carried out among the world-leading scientist group through a total of 160
person-months of structured staff exchanges between 15 research institutes.
The scientists in this group share the common objective to develop the CUPOLA processes for marine plastic waste recycling. Thermal and thermochemical conversion technologies will be applied to produce high-value marketable products. Full process modelling, techno-economic and life cycle analysis will be carried out to provide vital information about the feasibility of the novel process.
CUPOLA will create a multi-disciplinary consortium consisting of process engineers, chemists, environmental scientists, and process modellers, and develop the innovative and economic waste-to-product process, closing the gap in the circular economy. It will produce multiple avenues for career development, cross-sectorial experience, and academic training in a multi-cultural, interdisciplinary and intersectoral environment, and lead to achieving SDGs 3, 12 and 14.
person-months of structured staff exchanges between 15 research institutes.
The scientists in this group share the common objective to develop the CUPOLA processes for marine plastic waste recycling. Thermal and thermochemical conversion technologies will be applied to produce high-value marketable products. Full process modelling, techno-economic and life cycle analysis will be carried out to provide vital information about the feasibility of the novel process.
CUPOLA will create a multi-disciplinary consortium consisting of process engineers, chemists, environmental scientists, and process modellers, and develop the innovative and economic waste-to-product process, closing the gap in the circular economy. It will produce multiple avenues for career development, cross-sectorial experience, and academic training in a multi-cultural, interdisciplinary and intersectoral environment, and lead to achieving SDGs 3, 12 and 14.
Organisations
Publications
Cheng Y
(2024)
Machine learning facilitated the modeling of plastics hydrothermal pretreatment toward constructing an on-ship marine litter-to-methanol plant
in Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering
Gao N
(2024)
Research on the characteristics of pressured pyrolysis products of marine plastics
in Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
| Description | Several marine litter samples were collected by Aston University, Taylor's University and the University of Nottingham Ningbo China from the UK, Malaysia and China, respectively. - The sample collection was carried out with the Marine Conservation Society on two locations, one on Swansea Bay (central library) and one on Cod Knap Beach in Barry. The most frequently collected materials were plastic and polystyrene. - The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) conducted waste collection activities at two coastal locations: Zhanqi Zhen in Yinzhou District and Qiangtou Zhen in Xiangshan District, Ningbo. A variety of representative plastic waste materials were collected, including polyethylene (PE) foam, PE pipes, PS helmets, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, polypropylene (PP) caps, and PP bags. Additionally, PP bucket parts, PE bubble paper, and PE fishnets were also retrieved. - To gain a better understanding of the current situation of Derelict fishing nets (DFN) in Malaysia, a survey was conducted. The first batch of survey targets organizations or individuals who have been involved in collecting DFN in Malaysia. In 2022, the DFN collection increased to more than 9000 kg as some restrictions were lifted. A survey is ongoing with Malaysian fishermen to understand how they dispose of old fishing nets, the materials, and types of nets they use daily, and their encounters with abandoned fishing nets. This survey is still in progress. |
| Exploitation Route | The data on the samples collected are published on the CUPOLA website. |
| Sectors | Chemicals |
| Description | Dr. Jiawei Wang's findings on plastic waste recycling and the circular economy were shared at the Perminda Symposium 2023 in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, a public event focused on waste-to-energy, circular economy, and measurable outcomes. The presentation contributed to raising awareness and fostering mindfulness in communities about sustainable waste management practices. By engaging with the audience, Dr. Wang helped disseminate research insights, potentially influencing local waste policies, industry practices, and community initiatives toward circular economy principles. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Education |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Perminda 2023 Mindful Circular Energy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Jiawei Wang presented his work at a public event in Malaysia organised by Taylor's University on 20-21 Nov 2021 to the general public, undergraduate and postgraduate students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |