Challenges and Emerging Trends in Toner Waste Recycling: A Review

Measurement, 2009

This paper reports a feasibility study for the development of a toner-Reference Material (RM). A test batch has been prepared from a unique lot of a commercial laser printer toner and has been submitted to morphological and chemical characterization. In addition the protocols to perform the bioassay tests have been developed. Morphological characterization has been performed by SEM analysis and chemical characterization by INAA, GC and ICP-AES. The genotoxic effect was evaluated by using the Ames test and the toner powder effects on cellular viability has been evaluated by measuring the metabolic conversion of a tetrazolium salt (WST-1) into formazan by mitochondrial dehydrogenases. Preliminary results show the possibility to prepare a toner-RM to be certified for chemical composition, also providing reference and information values for the genotoxicity and cell viability effects. Also the preparation of toner-RM in pellet form to be employed as Single Use-RM turned out to be really feasible.

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2017

This paper describes the development of a thermal transformation process to recycle waste toner powder in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The process leverages hightemperature reactions and the morphology and chemical composition of waste toner powder, mainly the iron oxide and carbon content, by utilizing the gases evolved during the thermal transformation as an in situ source of carbon to convert the waste toner powder into 98% pure iron. A temperature of 1550°C was employed in the present study to ensure the complete transformation of waste toner powder to iron and also because of its practical relevance to operating conditions encountered in metal manufacturing and processing industries. The process delivers an iron recovery of 81.6%. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy−energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy analyses were employed to confirm the composition of the metallic product. GC−MS analysis was utilized to monitor gaseous aromatic compounds during the thermal degradation studies of the waste toner powder, and none were detected above 1200°C. In addition, this paper presents a comprehensive characterization of the waste toner powder and resultant products using various analytical techniques, a kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of waste toner powder, and a pelletization technique to overcome its material handling hazards.

Journal of applied biomaterials & functional materials, 2017

In our contemporary world, while part of the fibers used in the paper industry is obtained from primary fibers such as wood and agricultural plants, the rest is obtained from secondary fibers from waste papers. To manufacture paper with high optical quality from fibers of recycled waste papers, these papers require deinking and bleaching of fibers at desired levels. High efficiency in removal of ink from paper mass during recycling, and hence deinkability, are especially crucial for the optical and printability quality of the ultimate manufactured paper. In the present study, deinkability and printability performance of digitally printed paper with toner or inkjet ink were compared for the postrecycling product. To that end, opaque 80 g/m2 office paper was digitally printed under standard printing conditions with laser toner or inkjet ink; then these sheets of paper were deinked by a deinking process based on the INGEDE method 11 p. After the deinking operation, the optical properti...

Sustainability

Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest-growing class of waste because of the remarkable demand for various electronic gadgets such as mobiles and laptops. Moreover, its improper disposal is life-threatening because it includes hundreds of different substances, many of which are toxic elements and pollutants that can leach to soil and surface and groundwater or be emitted into the air, causing a major negative impact on the environment and public health. As a result, studies on the sustainable management of e-waste have gained increasing attention from researchers globally in the last decade to explore practical strategies to reduce or utilize this special waste. This review aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the major aspects of e-waste, including its definition, composition, and the impact of its end-of-life disposal on human health and the environment, while also focusing on some practical sustainable solutions and strategies toward effective e-waste management. It wi...

Journal of Oleo Science, 2021

system. USA and Japan are recycling several tens of million tons of recovered papers (generally refers to the used paper re-covered for use as raw material) to manufacture the new paper and paperboard 4) . Recycling involves collecting and separating waste materials and remanufacturing or converting them into new reusable materials. Almost everything around us can be recycled or necessary functional materials can be prepared from waste. For example, nanoporous activated carbon materials have been successfully fabricated from agricultural lignocellulosic wastes and explored in high energystorage supercapacitor as well as water purification applications . Cellulose, which is mostly used in the paper industry, is one of the essential components of the lignocellulosic agro-wastes suggesting that used or waste papers would be the valuable reusable source that can be recycled Abstract: Recycling technology contributes to sustainability and has received considerable interest in fulfilling consumable products' social demands, including papers. Recycled fibers are the primary source of the papermaking industry. Papers, valuable daily used materials, can be further recycled for further implementation. Here, we report a simple method for recycling waste papers for further use. Our method includes re-pulping, deinking, bleaching, and papermaking. The sample and the recycled papers were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). XRD data shows the presence of cellulose and filler minerals in the sample and the recycled papers. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and methyl functional groups in the recycled papers suggesting that the deinking and bleaching did not cause any structural changes. The fibrous structures were also sustained after recycling, as confirmed by SEM studies demonstrating that the recycling was successful and the papers can be further used and recycled. EDS analysis further confirmed the filler minerals in the sample paper with a trace amount of lead, which decreased upon bleaching the paper. The structure and properties of the sample and the recycled papers were quite similar, inferring that waste papers can be recycled again and different products from low to higher grade papers can be fabricated.

The unbridled increase in the generation of solid waste, especially electronic waste, due to its dangerousness, has been worrying the world. The Judiciary, based on shared responsibility, has already been promoting some sustainable practices to improve the environment and society as a whole. The aim of this study is to contribute, with possible improvements in the Solid Waste Technological Route (Toners) in the Thomaz aquino Forum, an integral unit of the Judiciary of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, located in the central area of the city of Recife. The methodology was carried out through a bibliographic survey, including qualitative and quantitative research, by data collection, through questionnaires, about the management of the Toner Technological Route of 14 offices, located in the Thomaz Aquino Forum, in order to propose more effective adjustments and adjustments, in addition to expanding information on the importance of knowledge and participation of all in sustainable actions. The study is relevant, given the importance of adequate solid waste management, which make it possible to contribute effectively to the protection of the environment in order to avoid or minimize environmental and institutional degradation, to provide subsidies to propose new actions in updating the next Sustainable Logistics Plan (PLS), in order to achieve its goals and objectives. It was concluded that the Court, although it works positively in the realization of sustainable practices, still demonstrates fragility of some measures from the simplest measures such as information and guidance to the effective improvements, especially in the management of electronic waste and its technological routes. I.

Procedia Engineering, 2015

In accordance with environmental sustainability and in order to optimize the recycling process of prints from indirect electrophotography with liquid toner the results of investigating the effects of changes in printing conditions on the characteristics of recycled fibres is presented. Changing of printing machine conditions, respecting of voltage variations, comprises of the reverse rollers and intermediate cylinder. Based on the results it can be concluded that the change in the voltage of the reverse rollers more affect the recycling efficiency with respect to the voltage change of the intermediate cylinder. Brightness gain is higher when the print for recycling is made on uncoated paper compared to coated, and dependent on the voltage changes. Effective residual ink concentration decreases far more on handsheets obtained from recycled samples on uncoated paper in relation to both sides coated paper. Increasing the positive voltage of intermediate cylinder and increasing the negative charge of reverse rollers increases the 3 D gamut CIE L*a*b* color cubic units. Guidelines for the size of the voltage in order to obtain optimal print reproduction are provided. The further research will include the development in area of clean technologies, advanced materials, closed loop systems; therefore the significant terms in the area of environmental sustainability.

Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2015

Needhidasan.S1, Melvin Samuel.S2

Electronic waste (e-waste) management has attracted increasing attention in recent years from government, business, non-governmental organizations, and consumers. Indeed, consumer electronics devices (CEDs) contain many toxic materials that can have detrimental impact on public health and the environment, if improperly disposed. Most importantly disposal of e-waste causes loss of these valuable, non-renewable resources as electronics products contain wide range of valuable materials, many of them becoming scarce in the nature. Depletion of raw material sources together with increasing need for materials in manufacturing of new products together mean that collection and recycling of obsolete products becomes more and more important. Electronics waste recycling processes may also pose a risk to environment if electronic products are not treated in a proper manner at their end of life stage. Substances of concern may lead to the environment or cause health and safety risk at the treatment phase. This review article provides a concise overview of environmental and health hazards, current disposal and recycling operations.

2018

From the use of renewable resources and environmental protection viewpoints, recycling of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) receives wide concern as the amount of scrap PCBs increases. However, treatment for waste PCBs is a challenge due to the fact that PCBs are diverse and complex in terms of materials and components makeup. Disposing electronics waste (E-waste) in landfills, burning in incinerators or exporting abroad for disposal are no longer the options due to the strict environmental regulations. This paper presents the first results of research carried out on industrial scale smelting of exclusively scrap PCBs in an indigenously designed and developed pilot plant of 1 ton scrap PCBs per day capacity for the recovery metals. Initially ‘Black copper’ is produced, then ‘fire refined copper’ using Top Blown Rotary Furnace (TBRF) and finally electro refined Copper. The process also extended to recover silver and gold. Innovative processing of scrap PCBs ensures the savings of w...