А. Sholokhova

Lithuanian Energy Institute | LEI

Bio-based and biodegradable polymer composites hold great potential as sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, helping to address the growing issue of plastic waste accumulation. The use of agro-waste in their production adds value to this alternative, offering a promising example of a circular economy and waste valorization. Previous stu...

This study examines calcium extraction from Bottom Ash (BA) and the use of Solid Residue (SR) as a substitute for White Lump Clay (WLC) in brick production. Experimental analyses identified calcium and silicon as the main elements in BA, with 50% of calcium carbonate recovered through leaching. SR was a viable alternative to WLC in ceramic bricks,...

The development of new composite materials with specific properties and reduced environmental pollution can be achieved by the incorporation of agricultural residues, whose morphology is strongly affected by their variety and growing conditions. Herein, the functional properties of a cement-free geopolymer composite reinforced with straw from two w...

Landfills pose global challenges, notably in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, pollution release, and extensive land occupation. The transformative practice of landfill mining has redefined these sites as valuable resource reservoirs. The fine fraction (FF), often constituting the majority of excavated waste, is currently underutilized but h...

Almost a quarter of the plastic produced in Europe still ends up in landfills. In addition to the loss of valuable resources, this leads to the generation and accumulation of microplastics in landfills. The microplastics abundance in the refuse and their spatial distribution in the landfill body have not been practically studied. In the current wor...

Land-based litter and leakages from inadequate waste management are among the primary sources of marine litter. Plastic packaging and small non-packaging plastic items (PPSI) represent the most extensive application of virgin plastics produced and the largest fraction of post-consumer plastic waste. Moreover, PPSI are amongst the top recognizable l...

The International Carpathian School is an educational project aimed at disseminating the Sustainable Development concept among local communities in Ukrainian Carpathians. Currently, the School combines the educational resources of 30 universities, including six foreign ones from the Baltic region and Georgia. The School curricula highlight issues o...

The recycling of bio-waste plays an important role in a circular economy as it transforms bio-waste into a valuable resource (organic fertilizer). However, even separately collected bio-waste can contain some plastic waste, which is usually separated after composting and not before it. Primary studies have confirmed the degradation of plastic durin...

Marine litter is a complex issue that is rooted in our patterns of production and consumption and how we deal with waste. The present ETC report aimed at assessing marine litter from source to sea, emphasizing the causalities between socio-economic drivers, pressures, and the state of pollution in Europe’s coastal and marine environments. This comp...

Mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) is a popular solution for the processing of mixed municipal solid waste (MSW). However, it is assumed that the treatment processes can lead to the generation of microplastics in large quantities and their concentration in the organic output. Organic outputs from MBT as a source of microplastics are still poorly...

The widespread use of plastic without the sustainable management of the plastic waste has led to its accumulation in the environment. The presence of microplastics even in drinking water and food products is of immense concern. This situation is getting even more complicated due to the limited knowledge about the sources of microplastics and their...

Packaging materials can arise from a wide range of sources and are commonly used for food, medicine, household appliances, and items to enclose or protect products during distribution, storage, sale, delivery, and use. The choice of material (paper, plastic, glass, wood, metal, multi-layer or other packaging) to be used depends on the type and prop...

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems facing the world. In recent years, microplastics, polymer particles from 1 µm to 5 mm, have been getting much attention. The presence of microplastics has already been confirmed in aquatic and marine ecosystems, soil, atmosphere, biota, and others. The organic output from mechanical–bio...

Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) is a new and fast-growing business area that is becoming widespread in Ukraine. The fire accident at Lviv city landfill "Hrybovychi" forced the local governments to initiate work on its closure and reclamation. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the planned activity is the first mandatory step in th...

A landfill is a large bioreactor, in the body of which landfill gases are generated due to anaerobic degradation of organic material. According to European legislation, the emission of methane, one of the landfill gases, should be kept to a minimum as methane is a greenhouse gas and has a significant impact on our climate. With large volumes, metha...

A landfill is a large bioreactor, in the body of which landfill gas is generated due to anaerobic degradation of organic material. According to European legislation, the emissions of the landfill gas should be kept to a minimum. With large volumes, gas can be used for energy production, but if the collection is uneconomic, an attractive option woul...