Research Publications

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Subject: search.filters.subject.circular economy

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Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Fast Fashion’s Waste Crisis: A Systematic and Bibliometric Review of Global Evidence (2015–2025)
    (University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication, 2026-06-01) Dayapathirana, N; Siriwardhane, D; Galdolage, S; Ranasinghe, A
    Background: The rising prominence of the fast fashion business model has generated significant concerns regarding textile industry waste and the availability of mitigation strategies. Analysing the consumption patterns driven by fast fashion is essential to determining their long-term environmental impacts. Objective: This study aims to synthesise existing research on fast fashion, textile waste, and sustainability to identify the principal areas of academic inquiry and research trends over the last decade. Methodology: The research analysed 124 articles indexed in Scopus between 2015 and 2025. Following the PRISMA protocol, a bibliometric analysis was conducted to determine publication trends, key authors, and dominant thematic clusters within the identified literature. Results: Three primary research domains were identified: 1) consumer behaviours, motivations, and psychological drivers; 2) environmental impacts of fast fashion; and 3) circular economy principles and sustainable consumption strategies, including industrial interventions. Unique Contribution: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the fast fashion and textile waste literature, filling an existing gap by establishing a wide-ranging research agenda that bridges the divide between consumer psychology and waste management. Conclusion: While sustainable fashion is an accelerating research field, a significant gap remains between theoretical research and the practical application of sustainable consumption and waste disposal models in the fast fashion sector. Key Recommendation: Future research should explore the interconnectedness of consumer purchasing habits, textile disposal behaviours, and the efficiency of existing waste management infrastructures to foster a truly circular economy.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Circular Valorization of Post-Industrial Textile Waste in Thermal-Insulating Cementitious Ceiling Sheets
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2026-02-27) Fernando, K. V; Dodangodage, C.A; Seneviratne, V.M; Jayasinghe, S.M; Dharmaratne, D.D; Gamage, G.N; Halwatura, R. H; Gunasekera U.S.W; Halwatura, R.U
    The construction sector faces increasing pressure to reduce the embodied energy of building materials while valorizing industrial waste streams. This study evaluates the direct incorporation of post-industrial textile waste (100% cotton and cotton–polyester blends) in its native form to develop high-performance cementitious ceiling sheets. Composites were fabricated under a controlled hydraulic compaction pressure of 2.0 MPa, optimized to achieve matrix densification while preserving the integrity of the fibrous network. Viscoelastic recovery of the compressed fibers induced a hierarchical double-porosity architecture characterized by macro-voids and hollow fiber lumens. This microstructural evolution reduced thermal conductivity to 0.091 W/m·K, approximately 50% lower than commercial cement–fiber benchmarks—without compromising mechanical compliance. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed a mechanistic decoupling between water absorption and dimensional stability. Although the CP15 formulation (15 wt.% cotton–polyester) exhibited high moisture uptake (~21%), thickness swelling remained limited to 1.35%. This dimensional stability is attributed to the hydrophobic polyester framework, which bridges microcracks and constrains hygroscopic expansion within the cellulosic phase. The optimized CP15 composite achieved a Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of 8.75 MPa, exceeding ISO 8336 Category C, Class 2 requirements. Despite increased thickness, the areal density (10.84 kg/m2) remains compatible with standard gypsum-grade suspension systems, eliminating the need for structural modification. These findings establish a scalable, direct-valorization strategy for circular construction materials delivering enhanced thermal insulation and robust performance under tropical climatic conditions.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Integrated Microalgal–Aquaponic Systems for Enhanced Water Treatment and Food Security: A Critical Review of Recent Advances in Process Integration and Resource Recovery
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2026-01-12) Dodangodage, C.A; Kasturiarachchi, J. C; Wijesekara, I. A; Perera, T.A; Rajapakshe, D; Halwatura, R
    The convergence of food insecurity, water scarcity, and environmental degradation has intensified the global search for sustainable agricultural models. Integrated Microalgal– Aquaponic Systems (IAMS) have emerged as a novel multi-trophic platform that unites aquaculture, hydroponics, and microalgal cultivation into a closed-loop framework for resource-efficient food production and water recovery. This critical review synthesizes empirical findings and engineering advancements published between 2008 and 2024, evaluating IAMS performance relative to traditional agriculture and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Reported under controlled laboratory and pilot-scale conditions, IAMS have achieved nitrogen and phosphorus recovery efficiencies exceeding 95% while potentially reducing water consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional farming. The integration of microalgal photobioreactors enhances nutrient retention, may contribute to internal carbon capture, and enables the generation of diversified co-products, including biofertilizers and protein-rich aquafeeds. Nevertheless, significant barriers to commercial scalability persist, including the biological complexity of maintaining multi-trophic synchrony, high initial capital expenditure (CAPEX), and regulatory ambiguity regarding the safety of waste-derived algal biomass. Technical challenges such as photobioreactor upscaling, biofouling control, and energy optimization are critically discussed. Finally, the review evaluates the alignment of IAMS with UN Sustainable Development Goals 2, 6, and 13, and outlines future research priorities in techno-economic modeling, automation, and policy development to facilitate the transition of IAMS from pilot-scale innovations to viable industrial solutions.