A biodegradable composite includes an organic matter and a porous material, wherein the organic matter has viable bacteria, and a total plate count of the organic matter is greater than or equal to 10.sup.4 CFU/g. The organic matter accounts for 40% to 80% of a weight of the biodegradable composite. The porous material accounts for 20% to 60% of the weight of the biodegradable composite. The biodegradable composite could instantly remove unpleasant odor and accelerate a decomposition process to form compost. A product containing the biodegradable composite is provided as well.

Provided is a method for treating an alloy by which nickel and/or cobalt can be selectively isolated from an alloy that contains copper as well as nickel and/or cobalt, in a waste lithium ion battery. The present invention is a method for treating an alloy, by which a solution that contains nickel and/or cobalt is obtained from an alloy that contains copper as well as nickel and/or cobalt, the method including: a leaching step in which a leachate is obtained by subjecting an alloy to an acid-based leaching treatment under conditions in which a sulfurizing agent is also present; a reduction step in which a reduced solution is obtained by subjecting the leachate to a reduction treatment using a reducing agent; and an oxidation/neutralization step in which a solution that contains nickel and/or cobalt is obtained by adding an oxidizing agent and also a neutralizing agent to the reduced solution.

Induction heating from an induction coil (108) is used to separate a metal medical sharp (144) from its holder (142) by applying a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field that excites eddy currents and resistance heating in the sharp. The heated metal sharp melts the adhesive or plastic securing the sharp to its holder. The use of induction heating is advantageous in that it does not require direct contact between the electrical circuit and the sharp or its holder. The heating can also act to sterilize the sharp and thereby render it less hazardous at the same time that it separates the sharp from its holder. The induction coil can have a stepped or conical shape to concentrate the RF energy at the interface between the metal sharp and its holder.

Induction heating from an induction coil (108) is used to separate a metal medical sharp (144) from its holder (142) by applying a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field that excites eddy currents and resistance heating in the sharp. The heated metal sharp melts the adhesive or plastic securing the sharp to its holder. The use of induction heating is advantageous in that it does not require direct contact between the electrical circuit and the sharp or its holder. The heating can also act to sterilize the sharp and thereby render it less hazardous at the same time that it separates the sharp from its holder. The induction coil can have a stepped or conical shape to concentrate the RF energy at the interface between the metal sharp and its holder.

The present invention relates to a method and a plant for treating carbon-containing waste that may comprise mineral fillers and/or potential contaminants. This method comprises: preparing a molten glass bath at a temperature between 1100° C. and 1600° C.; loading the waste to be treated into said molten glass bath; injecting an oxidizer and optionally a fuel under pressure into said molten glass bath by means of at least one hose, one end of which is immersed in said bath, said oxidizer being introduced in a molar amount less than the molar amount of the carbon-containing compounds, thus causing combustion of said waste and generation of hot synthesis gases; implementing heat exchange between a heat-transfer fluid and the hot synthesis gases in conditions allowing simultaneous recovery of at least part of their heat energy and at least part of the heat energy released by their combustion, air being injected sequentially into said gases during said heat exchange to cause self-ignition of the mixture of said gases and air, each injection increasing the degree of combustion.

The present invention relates to a method and a plant for treating carbon-containing waste that may comprise mineral fillers and/or potential contaminants. This method comprises: preparing a molten glass bath at a temperature between 1100° C. and 1600° C.; loading the waste to be treated into said molten glass bath; injecting an oxidizer and optionally a fuel under pressure into said molten glass bath by means of at least one hose, one end of which is immersed in said bath, said oxidizer being introduced in a molar amount less than the molar amount of the carbon-containing compounds, thus causing combustion of said waste and generation of hot synthesis gases; implementing heat exchange between a heat-transfer fluid and the hot synthesis gases in conditions allowing simultaneous recovery of at least part of their heat energy and at least part of the heat energy released by their combustion, air being injected sequentially into said gases during said heat exchange to cause self-ignition of the mixture of said gases and air, each injection increasing the degree of combustion.

A DNA complex includes a carrier and DNA immobilized on the carrier. 80% or more by mass of the DNA is single-stranded DNA, the DNA has an average molecular weight of 500,000 or less, and the DNA content is more than 15% by mass and 50% or less by mass of the DNA complex. The carrier contains an inorganic material. The DNA complex has an average particle size of 10 μm or more.

Systems and methods are provided for making aggregate from comingled waste plastics. For example, there is provided a method of making a preconditioned absorptive resin aggregate, the method including: obtaining a supply of granulated mixed plastic waste treated with a preconditioning agent that comprises at least one of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide; mixing the supply of granulated mixed plastic waste treated with the calcium oxide preconditioning agent with one or more additives to form a plastic waste mixture, the one or more additives comprising pozzolans; hot extruding the plastic waste mixture to form an extruded product comprising waste plastic material; cooling the extruded product; and processing the extruded product to form an aggregate. Products incorporating such aggregates, such as, for example, lightweight construction blocks, are also provided. Also provided are methods of forming a waste plastics feedstock.

A method is for recycling a roll of artificial turf. The method includes the steps of processing the roll of artificial turf to yield a mixture of a quantity of infill and a quantity of synthetic fibers, the quantity of infill having rubber, sand, and debris, passing the mixture through one or more screens to extract a percentage of the quantity of synthetic fibers from the mixture and yield a first remaining mixture, and substantially separating the first remaining mixture into pieces of rubber of a first volume, pieces of rubber of a second volume greater than the first volume, sand, debris, and the remaining percentage of the quantity of synthetic fibers.

A method is for recycling a roll of artificial turf. The method includes the steps of processing the roll of artificial turf to yield a mixture of a quantity of infill and a quantity of synthetic fibers, the quantity of infill having rubber, sand, and debris, passing the mixture through one or more screens to extract a percentage of the quantity of synthetic fibers from the mixture and yield a first remaining mixture, and substantially separating the first remaining mixture into pieces of rubber of a first volume, pieces of rubber of a second volume greater than the first volume, sand, debris, and the remaining percentage of the quantity of synthetic fibers.