Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Annual coffee consumption continues to increase, but at the same time, it generates a large amount of spent coffee grounds from the brewing process that give rise to environmental problems. An appropriate solution to manage these spent coffee grounds (SCGs) becomes crucial. Our project aims at discussing the feasibility of utilizing SCGs to synthesize polylactic acid (PLA) as a recycling application for SCGs. Producing PLA from SCGs offers the opportunity to contribute to the circular economy and sustainability due to the significant volume of coffee consumption. This approach reduces waste, provides environmental benefits, and promotes the use of renewable resources. Through repurposing SCGs into PLA, we can close the loop, minimize environmental impact, and create a more sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel-based plastics. This paper first discusses the properties and potential recycling applications of spent coffee grounds. The production of PLA from lactic acid and the potential processes for converting SCGs to lactic acid are then briefly discussed. From our review, it is feasible to utilize SCGs as the primary source for lactic acid production via bacteria fermentation and, further, to produce PLA via ring-opening polymerization. Possible ways to improve the yield and a corresponding cost analysis are also discussed.

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Annual coffee consumption continues to increase, but at the same time, it generates a large amount of spent coffee grounds from the brewing process, that arises environmental problems. An appropriate solution to manage these spent coffee grounds becomes crucial. Our project aims to discuss the feasibility of utilizing the spent coffee ground to synthesize polylactic acid as a recycling application for spent coffee ground. This paper will discuss the properties and potential recycling applications of spent coffee grounds, the brief production process of polylactic acid, and the potential process for converting spent coffee ground to lactic acid. From our review, it is feasible to utilize spend coffee ground as the primary sources for lactic acid production by bacteria fermentation, and further produce bioplastics, polylactic acids by ring-opening polymerization. Possible ways to improve the yield and corresponding cost analysis are also discussed.

Coffee shop is one of most popular catering restaurants, people would stay there to read the books, browsing the internet and meet their friends. Coffee is the popular beverages around the world because of its stimulating and refreshing properties. More than 400 billion cups of coffee are sold each year. The consumption of coffee bean was around 9.9 billion kilogram in 2018. However, the thousands tones of plastic waste were produced after the customers enjoyed a cup of coffee. During the coffee-brewing process, a lot of spent coffee grounds (SCG) wastes were generated because a small number of compounds were extracted from the coffee bean. The 50% dry mass of SCG mainly consists of polysaccharides, cellulose and hemi-cellulose. As SCG contains several organic compounds that are detrimental to the environment, it will cause pollution to the soil if we use it as compost and thus disposed of in landfills. As over thousand tons of SCG were generated every day, it can be used as a cheap and reliable source of renewable and recycled materials. Many researchers considered to convert the different compositions of SCG into useable materials. The consumption rate of coffee has been increasing and many spent coffee grounds (SCG) waste has been generated. As SCG contain many different organic compounds, it may cause negative impact to the environment when disposed of in landfill. Several recycling strategies were developed for converting SCG into different materials, including agriculture fertilizers, construction materials, adsorbent materials and fuels. During the recycling processes, chemical extraction method is used to remove the oil from SCG. The SCG is then mixed with polymeric materials to extrude to three-dimensional (3D) printing filaments. Some researchers found that the tensile strength of composite materials is improved. The domestic users of additive manufacturing technologies such as primary and secondary schools users are encouraged to the SCG-recycled 3D printing filaments. The development of these biodegradable 3D printing filaments is beneficial both economically and environmentally. In the chapter, the global consumption rate of coffee will firstly be discussed and how it polluted the environment. Secondly, the different coffee oil extraction methods and their yield rate will be compared. Thirdly, the pre-treatment and mixing processes of green composite 3D printing materials filaments will be explained. Finally the testing result will be showed. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->

In 2016, China imported two-thirds of the world’s plastic waste. In 2017, Chinese government banned to import plastic waste. Much of the waste plastic will be disposed to the local landfill. Jenna Jambeck (University of Georgia) estimated that China’s new policy could displace as much as 111 million metric tons of plastic waste by 2030. Over 5.2 million plastic bottles were thrown away in Hong Kong every day. Most of plastic bottles were made of PE, PP and PET materials. Facilities lack recollection and recycling of the waste plastic bottles to create useful materials for other manufacturing purpose. The material extrusion was applied to develop Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), which is now available to domestic users. The polymeric material such as polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is widely used to make the filaments for making the product. Due to low cost of FDM machine and PLA filament material, the waste materials has rapidly increased. Three-dimensional printing filaments were made by the extrusion process. The current extrusion machine uses a single screw to apply the high temperature and pressure to melt the material and push the material through the die to make the filaments. This chapter firstly describes the feasibility study of using PET materials for 3D printing. Then both physical and chemical properties of PET materials and two different recycling PET materials methods will be discussed. The recycled PET filaments are used for making the testing pieces and carrying out different tests. Finally, the testing result will be presented. In the long term, recycling PET filaments have significant implication for local, mainland China and even the international recycle plastic filaments manufacturing industry and help in reducing the quantity of polymeric materials. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->

China is one of largest and most rapid developing country. Due to the rapid economic development, the education system was also changed to cope the economic and political needs. Firstly, the current education system in China is described. Then the recent conceptual education changes and its potential impacts on legislators requirements are analyzed. The influencing factors contributed to the education changes and education equality will be discussed. Continuous Improvement and Theories of Quality Management in education are further explained. Finally the conclusion mentioned that the conceptual shifts in educational practice, policy and model and their impact on legislators requirements are addressed and suggestion is made. The school administrators are a key party and the China government shall work hand in hand with them to ensure education reforms work for the benefits of the students, teachers and parents.

Dogs population increased exponentially in the past decade while the birth rate decreased gradually, especially in the developed countries. Due to dogs’ characteristics of loyalty and obedience, most pet owners treated their dogs as their family members or companions, therefore they are willing to select and purchase safe, high quality and nutrition dog food to their dogs. However, there is lack of regulation or standard to reinforce the production or distribution of dog food in Hong Kong. Consequently, this paper will first review the relationship between high dog population and declining birth rate, types of dog food and typical ingredients. Secondly, the potential health implications of various “toxic” food ingredients for dog, hazard analysis of dog food and its testing methods will be investigated. Lastly, this paper will summarize worldwide existing standards and regulations, quality and hygiene management system related to dog food safety to provide insights and suggestions to Hong Kong government about the importance and urgency of implementing regulations and policies to oversee the imported and local manufactured dog food.