Creating a circular economy in construction and agriculture
Creating a circular economy in construction and agriculture Times of Malta
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Researchers Explore the Use of Biopolymer Fibres in Concrete to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
Researchers on a global scale have been interested in using biopolymer fibres in concrete to improve specific properties of the material. The exploitation of the biopolymer fibres, feathers, can be beneficial to the environment by lowering the amount of waste produced and disposed by the poultry production industry.
The Impact of Poultry Waste on the Environment
On an international level, the poultry industry produces a large amount of waste, with about a third of each chicken being discarded and only two-thirds being sold for food consumption. In addition to being wasteful, this production has a negative carbon impact on the environment because incineration is the most popular method for disposing of such materials.
- Data gathered from producers in Malta shows that approximately 70,000 tonnes of waste is incinerated per month. This is the resultant amount of waste from slaughtering approximately 6,500 chickens per day, amounting to 1.2 million chickens per year.
Promoting a Circular Economy through Waste Minimization
By minimizing waste in the chicken production industry and reducing costs with the replacement of synthetic reinforcing fibres in the concrete matrix, a circular economy can be created by attempting to employ these by-products in construction materials, another industry with a very high carbon footprint.
The poultry industry produces a large amount of waste, with about a third of each chicken being discarded
Research Study on Biopolymer Feather Fibres in Cement-based Materials
A study, authored by Prof. Ruben Paul Borg and Elisabete Spiteri Cornish from the University of Malta’s Faculty for the Built Environment and Prof. Everaldo Attard from the Institute of Earth Systems, and supported by the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST), investigated the potential use of waste biopolymer feather fibres in cement-based materials and biochar as fertilizer.
Experimental Investigation and Results
Waste biopolymer feather fibres were assessed, with different fibre lengths and with varying fibre volume percentages. The researchers developed an operating procedure, including washing and shredding, to transform the feathers into a product ready for inclusion in concrete and mortar.
An advanced experimental investigation was conducted to assess the performance at the different stages of the concrete production cycle from the fresh state when it is cast, to the hardened and long-term durability properties.
Its fresh properties were determined with respect to different tests, whilst the early stage crack behaviour was also assessed together with the mechanical properties, durability and environmental life cycle impact.
The results showed that bio-polymer feather fibres significantly improved the properties of concrete. The concrete had better plastic shrinkage, compressive strength, and improved ductility. Insulating panels with bio-polymer feather fibres were also produced, to be used in a wide variety of building products.
Utilizing Meat and Bone Meal Waste as a Soil Amendment
The study also investigated the potential of converting meat and bone meal waste into a soil amendment. Results show that this type of biochar helps in improving plant growth and performance.
Sound Bites
- Concrete is the second most consumed material in the world, after water. Concrete is necessary and increasingly used. Its large environment impact is due to the large carbon footprint of the binder: cement. It also uses massive natural resources. More sustainable concrete can be produced by using industrial by-products and recycled waste.
- Meat and bone waste is not fit for human consumption but it is rich in protein (40-50%), fat (10-15%), calcium (8-12%), phosphorus (4-6%) and other minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium and iron. Some companies convert this into pet food, but this raised safety concerns. Biochar production is a way to incinerate the waste and turn into a useful, safe product.
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DID YOU KNOW?
- The global poultry production industry creates a total of 68 billion tonnes of waste per year. Poultry waste is taken to the incinerator to be disposed of safely.
- Feathers are mostly made of keratin, similar to the protein found in human hair and nails.
- Concrete is brittle and cracks. Therefore different types of fibres are introduced to mitigate this and improve its tensile properties, including ductility.
- When organic material is burnt in the presence of oxygen, only minerals remain in the ash. In the absence of oxygen, carbon and other minerals remain in the char.
For more trivia, see: www.um.edu.mt/think.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the use of biopolymer fibres from poultry waste in concrete production, which relates to responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). It also highlights the negative carbon impact of the poultry industry and the potential for reducing waste and carbon emissions by utilizing these by-products, which is connected to climate action (SDG 13). Additionally, the article mentions the potential use of meat and bone meal waste as a soil amendment, which relates to preserving life on land (SDG 15).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are SDG 12.4, which aims to achieve environmentally sound management of wastes, SDG 13.2, which focuses on integrating climate change measures into policies and planning, and SDG 15.9, which aims to integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning and development processes.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement.
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production.
- Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but the identified targets can be measured using the indicators mentioned above. These indicators assess the commitment and implementation of international agreements on waste management, the establishment of integrated policies for climate change adaptation, and progress towards national biodiversity targets.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts. | Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: timesofmalta.com
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