Towards safer circular materials: assessing the ecotoxicity of a novel waste-based composite using multilevel biological tests

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Abstract
The growing demand for sustainable materials and the need to reduce environmental impact have sparked interest in composite products made from industrial waste. While these materials offer mechanical durability and resource efficiency in line with the principles of the circular economy, their environmental safety is not well understood. This study provides a preliminary ecotoxicological assessment of a novel composite consisting of glass fibres coated with phenol–formaldehyde resin, paper flakes and viscose fibres. The mobility of organic and inorganic contaminants in aqueous extracts of the material was analysed, and its acute toxicity was tested across multiple trophic levels, including: Skeletonema marinoi, Hordeum vulgare, Eisenia andrei, and Aliivibrio fischeri. Chemical analyses revealed very low leaching of most organic and metallic constituents, with only phenanthrene, naphthalene and the sum of PAHs exceeding quantification limits. Lowering the pH to 3.5 increased the mobility of selected metals (barium, chromium, zinc, copper, lead) and phenolic compounds, indicating potential sensitivity to acidic conditions. Ecotoxicological bioassays demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of S. marinoi, whereas H. vulgare and E. andrei exhibited high tolerance, displaying adverse responses only at the highest extract concentrations. The bioluminescence inhibition test revealed low acute toxicity at lower concentrations, with partial attenuation of toxicity over time. Overall, the composite exhibited low acute ecotoxicity and limited contaminant mobility under neutral conditions. These findings support its potential for environmentally responsible applications. However, further long-term and chronic studies are needed to refine its environmental risk profile and ensure the safe deployment of waste-derived composites.

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