70040 - Resources and Recycling

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to develop cultural, scientific and technical aspects for the enhancement and sustainable use and recycling of both raw materials and primary-secondary resources. Moreover, they will be developed the design aspects and feasibility of Appropriate Technologies for the developing countries, particularly with regard to water supply, wastewater treatment and solid waste management. The course is deeped on principles of Circular Economy (dry waste for recycling and organic waste for composting), on the circularity as tool for saving raw material, water and natural resources and to reduce waste production.

Course contents

Principles of Circular Economy and Sustainability.

UN Agenda 2030 purposes and content. SDGs 11, 12, 13 related with Circular Economy, Sustainable Cities and Climate Action. Urban mining and industrial symbiosis.
Circularity as a tool for saving raw materials and natural resources and for reducing waste production. The "zero waste" goal.
Technical waste recycling and organic waste composting.

Climate change and transition engineering.
Urban resilience and application of site-specific technologies. Green Technologies and nature-based solutions for urban resilience to mitigate climate change risks.

Sustainable development and sustainable use of resources. Natural and recycled resources. Renewable and non-renewable resources.
Water as a resource. Water cycle and technologies to preserve water resources.
Wastewater treatment and recycling.

Definition and recovery of recycled materials.
Main recycling processes and plants.

Integrated management of municipal waste collection and treatment.
Pre-treatment and selection plants, mechanical biological treatment, energy recovery and disposal in landfills.
Organic fraction treatment and composting process. Applications for biomass.
Recycling of post-consumer plastic and aluminum. Other examples for recycling from municipal and special waste: glass, paper, steel, end-of-life vehicles and tires, waste electrical electronic equipment (WEEE).

Recovery and recycling of aggregates materials from construction and demolition waste (CDW). Characterization of inert waste, types of recycling facilities and different stages of treatment. Applications for recycled aggregates.

Ecodesign, Life cycle assessment (LCA), Ecological Footprint, Water Footprint, Multicriteria Analysys: definitions and application examples.

Appropriate Technologies: definitions, examples of applications in developing countries with particular attention to wastewater management and recycling for potable use, waste management and recovery.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes, teaching materials and presentations made available by the teacher.

Other suggestions may include videos, learning materials, scientific papers available on the web.

Teaching methods

The course is structured in lectures related to all the course contents.

In addition, seminars and workshops will be organized with the support of experts to promote knowledge on specific topics.
Word cafes and teaching laboratories can complete the preparation of the students.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a preliminary multiple choice test and some open questions.

Further, to evaluate the acquired critical and methodological skills, the student will develop some assignments during the course followed by an oral interview, to demonstrate the knowledge of all the course contents. Particularly, the student ability to master the cultural themes of the course will be evaluated.

The achievement by the student of an organic overview of the subjects and their critical use, the demonstration of possessing an expressive and specific language will be evaluated with excellent grades.

Teaching tools

ppt presentations

Videos and films

Moments of student engagement

Office hours

See the website of Floriana La Marca