• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.11-18
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• 2019

It is widely known that agricultural plastic waste incineration by farmers may cause big forest fire or fine dust in rural areas. Hence, how to increase the rate of collection and recycling of the agricultural plastic waste is of concern to policy makers especially for rural environment. The purpose of this study is to find the determinants of the collection rate of agricultural plastic waste. This study used the data from 'Research on Agricultural Waste' by the Korea Environment Corporation from year 2012 to 2015 for 163 regions. This study found that the compensation rate for collection, the frequency of collecting services, and the quality of waste are important to increase the collection rate. And the regions with more elderly and low income people are more likely to have higher collection rate. Finally, the chief producing regions that are specialized in a certain crop shows higher collection rate.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2012

Gasification is a therm-chemical conversion process to convert various solid fuels into gaseous fuels under limited supply of oxygen in high temperature environment. Considering current availability of biomass resources in this country, the gasification is more attractive than any other technologies in that the process can accept various combustible solid fuels including plastic wastes. Mixed fuels of biomass and polyethylene pellets were used in gasification experiments in this study in order to assess their potential for synthesis gas production. The results showed that higher reaction temperatures were observed in mixed fuel compared to woodchip experiments. In addition, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane concentrations were increased in the synthesis gas. Heating values of the synthesis gas were also higher than those from woodchip gasification. There are hundred thousand tons of agricultural plastic wastes generated in Korea every year. Co-gasification of biomass and agricultural plastic waste would provide affordable gaseous fuels in rural society.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.195-207
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• 2021

Background and objective: While response measures to particulate matters in rural areas are limited due to poor inventory record keeping in the agricultural sector, it is necessary to control agricultural waste vinyl and the emission of precursors released from open burning and the secondary generation of particulate matters. Currently, the open burning emission calculation method uses the definition prescribed in CAPSS by the National Institute of Environmental Research. Methods: This study presented an open burning emission calculation formula for agricultural waste vinyl, which is included as agricultural waste. As for activity data, the open burning ratio of agricultural waste vinyl, and the annual incineration volume provided in the Status Survey by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs were applied. The emission factor was generated through incineration tests on three agricultural plastic film samples collected by the Korea Environment Corporation. Results: Among precursors, SOx and NOx were selected and their emission features were monitored with incineration experiment infrastructure based on the EPA 5G method. The highest emission concentration by agricultural waste type was concentrated in the first and second quarters. As for emission factor of SO₂, it was calculated at 98.25 g/kg for mulching-use LDPE, 52.31 g/kg for greenhouse-use LDPE, and 14.40 g/kg for HDPE. As for NOx, it was calculated at 18.21 g/kg for mulching-use LDPE, 16.49 g/kg for greenhouse-use LDPE, and 10.67 g/kg for HDPE. Conclusion: This test confirmed the incineration features of PE-based plastics, ascertained the SOx emission factor that had not been included in open burning in the past, and established that low NOx emission concentration is interfered by soil mixed with livestock excretions. The findings from this study are expected to contribute to improving the system for controlling air pollutants in rural environments.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1561-1572
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• 2022

Plastic pollution has been recognized as a serious environmental problem, and microbial degradation of plastics is a potential, environmentally friendly solution to this. Here, we analyzed and compared microbial communities on waste plastic films (WPFs) buried for long periods at four landfill sites with those in nearby soils to identify microbes with the potential to degrade plastics. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of these WPFs showed that most were polyethylene and had signs of oxidation, such as carbon-carbon double bonds, carbon-oxygen single bonds, or hydrogen-oxygen single bonds, but the presence of carbonyl groups was rare. The species richness and diversity of the bacterial and fungal communities on the films were generally lower than those in nearby soils. Principal coordinate analysis of the bacterial and fungal communities showed that their overall structures were determined by their geographical locations; however, the microbial communities on the films were generally different from those in the soils. For the pulled data from the four landfill sites, the relative abundances of Bradyrhizobiaceae, Pseudarthrobacter, Myxococcales, Sphingomonas, and Spartobacteria were higher on films than in soils at the bacterial genus level. At the species level, operational taxonomic units classified as Bradyrhizobiaceae and Pseudarthrobacter in bacteria and Mortierella in fungi were enriched on the films. PICRUSt analysis showed that the predicted functions related to amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism and xenobiotic degradation were more abundant on films than in soils. These results suggest that specific microbial groups were enriched on the WPFs and may be involved in plastic degradation.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.106-115
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• 1996

This study was carried out to provide fundamental data for reuse of resources and prevention of environmental pollution Actual states of environmental pollution by biological production facilities were investigated. Various pollution loads and quantity of wastes from greenhouse and animal housings estimated. In greenhouse contents of investigation were wastes of plastic cover, noise of heater and fan, air pollutant of heater, and wastes of soilless culture system, etc. In animal housings, those were actual state of livestock waste treatment and reuse, pollutant mass unit discharge, noise pollution, and malodorant, etc. The main pollutants discharged from greenhouses were wastes of plastic cover, rockwool, and waste fluid of nutrient solution. Developments of waste disposal methods for plastic cover and rockwool are required. And recycle technique of nutrient solution for soilless culture should be developed and propagated. With the buildup of legal control, pollutant mass discharged from livestock wastes are, on the decrease. The other side, reuse of livestock excreta increased. Most animal housings are located near the dwelling house. Malodorant and noise from animal housings have bad effects on the rural living conditions. So developments of integrated complex for small scale livestock farms are required.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.19-24
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• 2007

Reefs are the marine structure that can give resting, inhabiting, feeding and nursing spaces for a variety of fishes. Usually artificial reefs are made of cement and steels respectively in Japan as well as in Korea. However since resources deficiency has been getting serious, other materials are taken into consideration for the basic bodies of artificial reefs. About 300 thousand tons of waste agricultural plastic films are generated every yew in Korea, but no effective recycling techniques have been developed. In this sense, artificial reefs made of waste agricultural plastic films are the most representative symbol of the recycled products in the Resource Recycling Era. In particular, since these reefs could be made of the semi-cleaned waste agricultural plastic films that still contain high portion of soil, it is very environmentally friendly not only in manufacturing process but also in using under water. Furthermore they have some evident advantages as follows; 1) high fish swarming effect 2) good initial attachment of the marine growths 3) extremely low corrosion to brine 4) easy adjustment of the gravity 5) economical manufacture, transportation and jettison 6) excellent safety to ecosystem caused by lower elution of toxic substances 7) good recyclable property after application and so on.

• World Technopolis Review
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2014

Center for Research of Science and Technology ("PUSPIPTEK") has 460 hectares land area, still maintained as a green area with more than 30% green space. There are 47 centers for research and testing technology, technology-based industries, and as well as public supporting facilities in PUSPIPTEK area. Based on the concepts developed to make this area as an ecological region, PUSPIPTEK can be seen as a model of eco-innovation. The purpose of this research is to develop a model of water, energy and waste management with eco-innovation concept. As a new approach in addressing environmental degradation and maintaining the sustainability of ecosystem, studies related to eco-innovation policy that combines the management of water, energy and waste in the region has not been done. In order to achieve the objectives of the research, a series of techniques for collecting data on PUSPIPTEK existing conditions will be carried out, which includes utilities data (water, electricity, sewage) and master plan of this area. The savings over the implementation of the concept of eco-innovation in water, energy, and waste management were calculated and analyzed using quatitative methods. The amount of cost savings and feasibility were then calculated. Eco innovation in water management among other innovations include the provision of alternative sources of water, overflow of rain water and water environments utilization, and use of gravity to replace the pumping function. Eco-innovation in energy management innovations include the use of LED and solar cell for air conditioning. Eco-innovation in waste management includes methods of composting for organic waste management. The research results: (1) The savings that can be achieved with the implementation of eco innovation in the water management is Rp. 3,032,640 daily, or Rp.1,106,913,600 annually; (2) The savings derived from the implementation of eco innovation through replacement of central AC to AC LiBr Solar Powered will be saved Rp.1,933,992,990 annually and the use of LED lights in the Public street lighting PUSPIPTEK saved Rp.163,454,433 annually; (3) Application of eco innovation in waste management will be able to raise awareness of the environment by sorting organic, inorganic and plastic waste. Composting and plastic waste obtained from the sale revenue of Rp. 44,016,000 per year; (4) Overall, implementation of the eco-innovation system in PUSPIPTEK area can saves Rp. 3,248,377,023 per year, compared to the existing system; and (5)The savings are obtained with implementation of eco-innovation is considered as income. Analysis of the feasibility of the implementation of eco-innovation in water, energy, and waste management in PUSPIPTEK give NPV at a 15% discount factor in Rp. 3,895,228,761; 23.20% of IRR and 4.48 years of PBP. Thus the model of eco-innovation in the area PUSPIPTEK is feasible to implement.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.338-347
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• 2021

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are a family of microbial polyesters that are used as biodegradable plastics in replacement of conventional plastics for various applications. However, the high production cost is the barrier for PHA market expansion. This study aimed to utilize food waste as low-cost feedstock to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) by Haloferax mediterranei. The effects of acetate (Ac), propionate (Pr), butyrate (Bu), and the short-chain carboxylates derived from food waste were examined on the microbial growth and PHBV production. Results showed that a mixture of carboxylates provided a 55% higher PHBV yield than glucose. The food-waste-derived nutrients achieved the yields of 0.41 to 0.54 g PHBV/g Ac from initial loadings of 450 mg/l to 1,800 mg/l Ac of total carboxylates. And the consumption of individual carboxylate varied between different compositions of the carbon source. The present study demonstrates the potential of using food waste as feedstock to produce PHBV by Haloferax mediterranei, which can provide economic benefits to the current PHA industry. Meanwhile, it will also help promote organic waste reduction in landfills and waste management in general.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.34-38
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• 2016

This study was performed to determine most appropriate mixed ratio of brewers dried grain to wheat bran as a nutrient supplement in the plastic vinyl bag cultivation of Grifola frondosa. In the examination of an appropriate nutrient source, the IV substrate formulation (80 : 10 : 10, oak sawdust : wheat bran : brewers dried grain) resulted in 71.6 days to harvest and the highest yield of 142.6 g/bag. On the other hand, the investigation of the optimal mixing ratio of beer waste to wheat bran showed that the III substrate formulation (80 : 5 : 15, oak sawdust : wheat bran : brewers dried grain) resulted in the least days to harvest (61.8 days), with the highest yield of 140.8 g/bag.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.10-20
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• 2008

In order to study the behaviors of inorganic fillers in recycling of the waste agricultural plastic films, the washed PE fluffs from Shihwa and Jungeup Plant belonging to ENVICO were used respectively. First of all, the test pellets were manufactured by adding of inorganic fillers suchlike calcium carbonate and calpet by certain portions to PE fluffs and then the tested sheets were formed. The mechanical and thermal properties of the samples were measured and compared with others. The items measured were tensile, flexural, Izod impact, HDT, MFT, and so on. Morphologies were also investigated for various samples using the SEM. Finally, optimum ratios between recycled PE and inorganic additives were found out for the best products in physical condition as well as in economic point of view.