Large textile industries are deploying Industry 4.0 Technologies (I4.0T) aiming to develop a micro-level circular economy (CECP), considering cleaner production practices as a strategic tool. However, due to the environmental impact generated by the textile industry, it has not yet achieved Strong Sustainability (SS), denoting an important path to be pursued by managers and shareholders in view of meeting the 2030 agenda. With this, the objective of this study is to evaluate whether the adoption of I4.0T promotes CECP-driving SS actions in large textile industries located in Brazil. A survey was the research method adopted, and for data analysis, structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses and Pearson correlation between variables. It was concluded that the adoption of I4.0T promotes CECP. However, they neglect SS actions. Facilitators for CECP practices were big data, augmented reality, and autonomous robots. In terms of SS, I4.0T has a low impact on increasing resource consumption efficiency, reusing waste as input in other processes, and increasing access to commodities. This research contributes to the linking I4.0T, CECP, and SS theory. Moreover, with the dissemination of knowledge to managers about the I4.0T that generates the CECP, it is possible to develop sustainable strategies in operations. However, to move in this direction, it is essential that there is a collective effort of the government, companies, and society, starting by raising awareness about the importance of SS in the textile sector.

The objective of this study was to apply simulation and genetic algorithms for the economic and environmental optimization of the reverse network (manufacturers, waste managers, and recyclers in Sao Paulo, Brazil) of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to promote the circular economy. For the economic evaluation, the reduction in fuel, drivers, insurance, depreciation, maintenance, and charges was considered. For the environmental evaluation, the impact of abiotic, biotic, water, land, air, and greenhouse gases was measured. It was concluded that the optimized structure of the WEEE reverse chains for Sao Paulo, Brazil provided a reduction in the number of collections, thus making the most of cubage. It also generated economic and environmental gains, contributing to the strategic actions of the circular economy. Therefore, the proposed approach is replicable in organizational practice, which is mainly required to meet the 2030 agenda of reducing the carbon footprint generated by transport in large cities. Thus, this study can guide companies in structuring the reverse WEEE chains in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and other states and countries for economic and environmental optimization, which is an aspect of great relevance considering the exponential generation of WEEE.

The demand for bromelian and pineapple fruit has been increasing substantially in the world because of their benefits for the human health and use in diverse areas. In this context, this work aimed to study the capacity of higher retention (concentration); bromelain activity underwent ultrafiltration from pineapple juice (Ananas comusus L. Merrill). All assays were carried out at pH 7.0 and 7.5, and at 0.05 and 0.40 bar of transmembrane pressures. Results have shown that at the best operating conditions, between 85 and 87% of bromelain activity was recovered using the plain membrane separation process at 0.05 bar. The ultrafiltration has shown the capacity to retain 100% of proteolytic activity of the bromelain extracted. The samples have kept the same physics properties after ultrafiltration, and the result was verified via electrophoresis. The bromelain enzyme obtained was characterized, and pH 7 and between 30 and 40 °C were the best conditions. Therefore, this work shows that the use of both polymeric membranes has shown high efficiency, and can be used in the purification of bromelain enzymes.

Resumo A despoluição de rios representa uma iniciativa de requalificação do ambiente urbano. Córregos revitalizados abrangem ações de saneamento, mas ensejam expectativas de agregar valor à qualidade de vida. A gestão urbana tem o desafio de mensurar o bem-estar proporcionado por políticas públicas. Enquanto os serviços ecossistêmicos culturais representam os benefícios vivenciados no contato com ambientes naturais ou manejados, esse artigo objetiva analisar se esses serviços estão associados a benefícios não tangíveis percebidos pela população em um programa público de despoluição de rios em São Paulo. Os serviços culturais de interações pessoais, lazer, contemplação e espaço para manifestações são os mais percebidos frente àqueles que revelam influência para além do ambiente local e temporal como diversidade cultural e valores religiosos, espirituais e de educação. Recomenda-se que a avaliação de programas dessa natureza possa internalizar a perspectiva desses serviços ecossistêmicos como forma de fortalecer benefícios culturais à população nessa agenda de gestão urbana.

The objective of this study was to apply simulation and computational intelligence techniques using artificial intelligence and genetic algorithm for economic and environmental optimization of the reverse network (manufacturers, waste managers and recyclers in São Paulo, Brazil) of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to promote circular economy. For the economic evaluation, the reduction of: fuel, drivers, insurance, depreciation, maintenance and charges was considered and for the environmental evaluation, the environmental impact was measured in the abiotic, biotic, water, land, air and greenhouse gases compartments. It is concluded that the optimized structure of the WEEE reverse chain for São Paulo, Brazil reduced the number of collections, making the most of the cubage. It also generated economic and environmental gains, contributing to the strategic actions of the circular economy. Thus, the proposed simulation allows replication in organizational practice, mainly to meet the 2030 agenda on reducing the carbon footprint generated in transport in large cities. Thus, this study can guide companies on structuring the reverse WEEE chain in São Paulo, Brazil for economic and environmental optimization, a relevant aspect considering the exponential generation of WEEE, requiring the implementation of the national solid waste policy, and subsequently the signature of the electronics sector agreement in São Paulo.

Objective: This study aimed to conduct an emergy assessment for the depollution of the Charles de Gaulle stream in Brazil. Methodology: A case study approach was employed, utilizing interviews and participant observation for data collection. The emergy assessment was applied to the gathered data, yielding significant results. Originality: This study addresses a critical research gap, as no literature specifically applies emergy assessment to urban stream depollution. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of the stream’s revitalization and monitoring impacts, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on clean water and sanitation. Results: Emergy indicators, analyzed through sensitivity analysis, reveal improvements in ecosystem services, resource optimization, and water quality. A decrease in the stream's total emergy indicates clear environmental restoration and societal reintegration into the ecosystem. Contributions: This research demonstrates the feasibility of applying emergy assessment in urban water revitalization. The reduction in total emergy signifies environmental restoration and supports practical actions toward achieving SDG 6 focused on clean water and sanitation.