This article discusses different types of pollution from the paving process and the influence of using hot mix asphalt without and including end-of-life tyre rubber. This new composition type is one of the possible solutions to reduce the amount of used transport tyres and a new way to use less valuable raw materials. The research carried out involved analyzers applied under conditions of a mobile laboratory and handheld particle counters. Odour samples were taken using a vacuum chamber in Tedlar containers, and the level of odours was analyzed adopting the olfactometric method. Exposure to gaseous carbon, nitrogen and sulphur oxides and particulate matter up to 10 µm, fractions from 0.3 µm to 10 µm, as well as the odours emitted that cover the soil surface with the hot-mix asphalt-rubber mixture was examined. The average decrease in pollution using the asphalt-rubber mixture is about 3.8-4 % of nitrogen oxides, 10 % of particulate matter of 1.5-10, and an increase is approximately 9 % for particulate matter of 0.8-1 µm and 15 % for sulphur dioxide. The level of odour of compacted asphalt is around 2.8times lower than that in the case of level asphalt.

Sewage sludge was treated with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) to enhance biogas and methane (CH₄) production, and the influence of key parameters on the material’s anaerobic digestion (AD) efficiency was analyzed using sigmoidal mathematical models. In this study, three dosages of nZVI (0.5%, 1.5% and 3%) were added to the anaerobic sludge digestion system to enhance and accelerate the sludge decomposition process. The results showed that cumulative biogas yield after 41 days of digestion increased by 23.9% in the reactor with a nZVI dosage of 1.5%. Correspondingly, the highest CH₄ production enhancement by 21.5% was achieved with a nZVI dosage of 1.5% compared to the control. The results indicated that this nZVI dosage was optimal for the AD system, as it governed the highest biogas and CH₄ yields and maximum removal of total and volatile solids. Additionally, to predict biogas and CH₄ yields and evaluate kinetic parameters, eight kinetic models were applied. According to the results of the modified Gompertz, Richards and logistic models, the nZVI dosage of 1.5% shortened the biogas lag phase from 11 to 5 days compared to the control. The Schnute model provided the best fit to the experimental biogas and CH₄ data due to highest coefficients of determination (R²: 0.9997–0.9999 at 1.5% and 3% nZVI dosages), as well as the lowest Akaike’s Information Criterion values and errors. This demonstrated its superior performance compared to other models.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of sewage sludge-derived biochar to remove PO₄-P from real biologically treated wastewater. Biochar was produced via the pyrolysis of anaerobically digested sewage sludge pretreated with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) at concentrations of 3%, 1.5%, and 0.5% (w/w, based on total solids). A sample without nZVI addition was used as a control. The properties of biochar samples were analyzed, including elemental composition, specific surface area, and pore size. PO₄-P removal was evaluated using both batch adsorption and column experiments. The highest adsorption capacity determined in the batch experiment was 2.5 mg/g. When wastewater was passed through columns packed with 0.3–0.6 mm biochar particles at a hydraulic loading rate of 1 m/h, a 3-fold-higher phosphorus retention capacity was obtained in the range of 7.26–7.82 mg/g. The column containing biochar derived from sewage sludge with 3% nZVI accumulated 7% more PO₄-P than the biochar without nZVI. All columns effectively removed phosphates from wastewater (efficiency > 80%) due to the chemical composition of biochar, which mainly contained Fe and Ca elements. In contrast to the batch experiment, the columns were subject to the biological sorption of phosphates via microorganisms, physical retention between particles, and the formation of precipitates on the surface of a column.

Waste management is one of the most important environmental areas for protecting the environment and human health. Biowaste decomposes and releases pollutants into the environment if left unmanaged or improperly managed. With the increasing demand for pet (especially dog) hairdressing all over the world, it is natural that the amount of discarded waste from animal fur care is also increasing. Dog hair waste can be used for the production of yarns and insulation materials, for the production of filters, and for co-posting. Composting of dog hair was chosen for the study because of its high nitrogen content and because it is one of the simplest ways to use dog hair waste. The main parameters of the composting process are analysed in the paper: C, N, ratio, pH, temperature, moisture content and electrical conductivity measurements.

Food waste management is an important challenge for environmental protection, especially due to the unpleasant odors emitted. This study analyzes the effects of probiotics and baking soda on food waste odor reduction. The research was conducted using the dynamic olfactometry method, assessing odor concentration in different types of food waste: fish waste, dairy product waste, meat waste, and plant-based waste, i.e., fruit and vegetable waste. The experiment is carried out by placing 1 kilogram of food waste in 5-liter containers. The duration of the study is 7 days. The results showed that probiotics are more effective in reducing odors than baking soda, especially in fish and fruit and vegetable waste.