Noise pollution has become an increasingly discussed environmental problem in recent years. Developing a traffic infrastructure and recent sustainability goals require new solutions to mitigate noise pollution. This paper investigates the efficiency of the noise barrier made entirely of recycled materials. This solution would help achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). The proposed barrier target SDGs are: Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3); Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9); Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11); Climate Action (SDG 13). The changed barrier parameters were the parameters of the perforated panel and the air gap behind the porous material. To solve the optimisation problem, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method was used. The results showed that the proposed barrier configuration was the following: perforation shape—round, perforation diameter—5 mm, increment angle perforation—30°, thickness of the perforated panel—10 mm, porous absorbing material (composite rubber granule and hemp shive panel (RGHS))—50 mm thick, 20% of hemp shive content, air gap between absorbing material and the rigid backing—100 mm. The total thickness of the noise barrier was 180 mm. The acoustic parameters of the noise barrier structure were: α_avg. = 0.24, peaking at 0.51 (1250 Hz) and R_W = 39.7 ± 1.0 dB. These results indicate that the proposed barrier made of recycled materials could be a sustainable alternative for noise pollution mitigation and improving people’s quality of life.

The surface water quality analysis is very important in order to identify potential sources of contamination. The pollution of surface water can occur because of unauthorized discharge of a variety of materials or pollutants, and cultivated fields from which migratory pollutants are carried into the water bodies by melting snow. The current paper presents the results of quality indicators’ analysis (oxygen saturation (dissolved oxygen) (mg O2/l); an active water reaction, pH; suspended solids (mg/l); biochemical oxygen demand BOD7 (mg O2/l); phosphate (mgP/l); nitrite (mgN/l); nitrate (mgN/l); ammonium (mgN/l); total phosphorus (mgP/l); total nitrogen (mgN/l); colour (mg/l Pt)) of some surface water bodies (the Dubysa, Reizgupis, Vilkupis, Kriokle Rivers and Prabaudos pond) in the Nemunas River basin. The research demonstrated that the majority of non-compliances and exceedances with values and the maximum allowable concentrations stated in the hygiene norms can be found in the Reizgupis River. According to the analyzed surface water quality indicators, the ecological conditions of the surface water bodies were determined.

Air quality monitoring, as well as physical pollution, in particular noise, is an important component for assessing the quality of life in cities and their regions. Detailed and accurate studies require an analysis of the results obtained with at least an average time interval, which was carried out in this study of the environmental situation in the area of the city of the Baltic region. The results obtained can identify the main areas of greater pollution, enabling new planning of communication systems in small towns, as well as avoiding negative effects on the body of residents, thereby improving overall health. The data was obtained using a mobile laboratory and high-precision equipment, based on international standards for parameter measurement techniques. According to the results of the research, trends were found to reduce particulate matter up to 10 microns, depending on the seasons, by more than 10%. The noise level in most of the area remains unchanged, or gradually increases due to large traffic flows. In contrast to the recreational area, the greatest increase in pollution in the residential area found PM10, NO2 and benzene, by 30%, 39% and 72% respectively. In the area adjacent to the road infrastructure, concentrations of benzene, ethylbenzene and toluene were 37–54% higher than in the recreational area. The average concentrations of other pollutants were lower.