Michele John

Purpose: While Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide a standardised Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework, standard end-of-life (Module C & D) interpretations can obscure the critical value of circularity for products with high recycled content. This paper proposes using circularity metrics as complementary measures to bridge this gap and set benchmarks driving competitive progress toward green(er) production. Consequently, the study asks: How can EPD-aligned LCA be methodologically extended with circularity indicators to provide a transparent, reproducible and comparable assessment of recycled resources, thereby establishing a rigorous basis for defining green(er) steel? Methods: To establish a performance baseline (RQ1) and benchmark against industry (RQ2), scrap-based electric-arc-furnace (EAF) steel production was assessed using operational data from the industry partner. Moving beyond static hotspot analysis to optimise material and energy selection, the study identifies the electricity emissions intensity threshold required to substantiate a green(er) performance claim. As an illustrative case for recycled resources, the assessment framework was then methodologically extended (RQ3) by calculating the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) and Circularity Index (CI) using life cycle inventory data. These metrics are integrated alongside standard end-of-life modules to provide a more complete interpretation of the impacts and benefits of resource circularity. Results: Assessing how recycling reduces environmental impacts from resource-intensive industries is essential. Producing one tonne of secondary steel generated under 360 kgCO₂e (cradle-to-gate), satisfying current ‘green’ benchmarks. By providing standalone, reproducible circularity metrics (MCI 0.93; CI 0.60), the proposed methodology confirms a strong inverse relationship between circularity performance and embodied carbon. However, the analysis of these circularity metrics exposes critical end-of-life allocation loopholes and trade-offs where high circularity does not intrinsically guarantee a lower environmental footprint. These results validate the framework, demonstrating that circularity indicators provide a necessary counterbalance to ‘circularity at any cost,’ generating transferable lessons for assessing recycled resources beyond steel. Conclusions: Advancing EPD methodology requires clearer communication of the quality and utility of resource recovery. To operationalise this, the study recommends procurement specifications mandate both an EPD and a concise circularity statement – explicitly disclosing the MCI, CI, and recycled input percentage. This approach establishes a necessary ‘accountability’ guardrail, ensuring that the value of resource recovery is defined by its ability to operate within sustainable ecological limits rather than mass alone. Ultimately, this research suggests that linking EPD-aligned LCA with product-level circularity indicators can play a more strategic role in supporting global carbon reduction strategies by transparently articulating performance improvements across supply chains and between life cycles.

Additive manufacturing is increasingly promoted as a pathway toward sustainable production; however, its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implications remain insufficiently defined at the operational level. This study addresses this gap by developing a governance implications assessment framework to interpret empirically validated life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) evidence for post-consumer recycled polylactic acid (PC-PLA)-based fused filament fabrication (FFF) within the Australian manufacturing context. The central contribution lies in demonstrating how LCSA evidence can be translated into decision-relevant ESG information without reliance on product declaration frameworks or simplified circularity claims. While LCAs and EPDs do not directly optimise production systems, sustainability-oriented governance can guide engineering and operational decisions by managing whole-system trade-offs and future risk. The framework integrates mechanical validation, service-life-normalised LCSA results, circularity metrics, and material flow modelling through a consequences analysis lens. Results indicate that a V50:R50 (vPLA:PC-PLA) blend achieves balanced performance, delivering a 57% reduction in global warming potential while maintaining functional durability. However, these benefits are governance-contingent; managing an 11.7% increase in service-life-normalised costs requires senior-level oversight, formalised material traceability, and structured workforce training. Waste diversion analysis further demonstrates that scalability is constrained primarily by upstream collection and sorting efficiency rather than fabrication performance. The study concludes with a strategic roadmap advocating regional recycling hubs, certified micro-credentials, and adoption of decision-relevant governance metrics aligned with ASRS S1 and S2 disclosure standards. The proposed framework offers a transferable approach for translating engineering-level sustainability evidence into credible governance insights, strengthening accountability and supporting Australia’s transition toward resilient, circular manufacturing.

Plastic gears are primarily used in manufacturing and automotive industries due to their quiet operation, resistance to corrosion, and lightweight characteristics. Traditionally, injection molding (IM) has been the preferred method for producing gears. However, the high cost associated with IM has made additive manufacturing (AM, otherwise known as “3D printing”) an increasingly attractive alternative. This study experimentally compares the performance of three-dimensional (3D)-printed spur gears made from polylactic acid (PLA) in three forms: virgin PLA (vPLA), 100 % recycled PLA (rPLA), and a 50:50 (vPLA: post-consumer household PLA waste [PC-PLA]) blend (blended PLA). These were compared with commercially available IM-PLA and IM-nylon gears. Gears with varying tooth counts were selected to represent different load distribution conditions and were designed based on commercially available models to ensure industrial relevance. All 3D-printed gears were fabricated using optimized printing parameters (layer height, infill density, and nozzle temperature) to ensure consistent print quality and minimize variability in performance testing. Performance was evaluated using a custom-built test rig at rotational speeds of 500, 1,000, and 1,500 revolutions per minute under a torque of 1.5 Nm. Key metrics measured included sound level, operating temperature, wear loss, wear rate, and service life. The results revealed that rPLA gears exhibited the poorest performance across all metrics, whereas blended PLA gears demonstrated wear characteristics similar to vPLA gears but remained below the performance of IM counterparts. These findings highlight the potential of blended PLA as a partial substitute for vPLA in gear applications, offering a balance between sustainability and mechanical performance, while also emphasizing the superior performance of IM gears under identical operating conditions. By diverting PC-PLA from landfill into blended formulations, this study contributes to advancing circular economy practices while providing data to guide sustainable material selection and gear design strategies.

Global concern over the sustainability impacts of food products has grown considerably in recent years, driven by heightened awareness of environmental issues and the rising demand for sustainably produced foods. In response, industries are increasingly offering sustainable product options and utilizing ecolabels to communicate environmental and social impacts. While product labelling has become one of the most widely adopted tools for conveying sustainability information, existing ecolabeling approaches often face challenges of trust, transparency, and consistency. Current ecolabels are typically issued by supply-chain stakeholders or independent third-party certifiers; however, limitations in accountability and verification hinder consumer confidence. To address these challenges, this study proposes a Blockchain-based Sustainability Information Management and Reporting (BSIMR) model that integrates blockchain technology with sustainability indicators. The framework is designed to provide a standardized, transparent, and reliable approach for managing and verifying sustainability claims across food supply chains. By enhancing traceability, accountability, and consistency in sustainability auditing, the BSIMR model aims to empower consumers with trustworthy information and support industries in meeting sustainability commitments. The feasibility and applicability of the proposed framework are demonstrated through a proof-of-concept case study on sustainability information management in the rice supply chain.

Sustainability within the rice and wheat supply chain is integral to attaining the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they are the two most consumed grains as food. Rice and wheat cultivation significantly impacts the environment, with the agricultural sector employing 27% of the global workforce and contributing 4% to the world’s GDP, thereby affecting social and economic sustainability. Developing a sustainability index for the wheat and rice supply chain is a complex endeavor, as it depends on various factors such as the location of growers, farming methods, the target audience, and the stakeholders involved. This index must be derived from an optimal selection of indicators to avoid information overload while covering all essential sustainability aspects. There are different methods, such as life cycle assessment, energy analysis, ecological footprint, and carbon footprint, being used to assess sustainability, with indicator-based assessment emerging as a comprehensive approach. This study utilised the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) to identify optimal sustainability indicators in the wheat and rice supply chain. A systematic literature review was initially conducted, followed by an expert opinion survey to determine the required indicators. The literature review unveiled a wide array of indicators used across studies, often contingent on each study’s specific objectives. While some consistency existed in environmental indicators, discussions on social and economic dimensions within the wheat and rice supply chain were limited. Analysis of the expert opinion survey revealed a consensus on most selected indicators, albeit with variations based on experts’ geographical locations. The final set of optimal indicators identified can serve as a foundation for developing a sustainability index, implementing a sustainability information management system, and formulating policy initiatives in the rice and wheat supply chain.

The linear “take–make–dispose” model of plastic consumption has led to significant environmental challenges and unplanned waste legacies, emphasising the need for more sustainable recycling practices. This study explored the integration of post-consumer recycled polylactic acid (rPLA) into 3D printing filaments as a step towards sustainable manufacturing. Using 100% virgin PLA (vPLA) as the baseline, filaments were produced with rPLA-to-vPLA ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% and evaluated for surface roughness, tensile strength, flexural properties, and hardness. The results revealed that increasing the rPLA content negatively affects the mechanical properties and surface quality. Surface roughness increased from 7.06 µm for pure vPLA to 10.50 µm for 100% rPLA, whilst the tensile and flexural strengths of 100% rPLA decreased by 48.4% and 49%, respectively, compared to vPLA. Hardness also declined, with 100% rPLA showing a 7.5% reduction relative to vPLA. Despite these reductions, the blends with up to 50% rPLA retained over 90% of the mechanical performance of pure vPLA, demonstrating a viable compromise between performance and sustainability. Morphological analysis highlighted poor interlayer adhesion and void formation as the primary causes of performance degradation in higher rPLA blends. Despite these challenges, this study demonstrated that rPLA-vPLA blends can extend the life cycle of PLA and promote sustainable manufacturing practices. By addressing polymer degradation challenges, this research supports the integration of recycled materials in 3D printing, contributing to the circular economy goals of recycling, resource efficiency, and sustainable manufacturing production outcomes.

This chapter discusses the origins and development of education for sustainable development in China over the past two or more decades. Initially, education for sustainable development (ESD) was initiated and accelerated by a number of international organizations. During this time the importance of localization, policy planning and education practice in sustainability education became evident. The vacuum between internationalization and localization became evident, as did the need for an education plan for sustainable development at state level.

Indonesia is one of the world’s fastest-growing developing economies. It is also one of the most populous countries in the world. Indonesia’s education sector is facing a number of challenges related to this growth including Industry 4.0, increasing globalization, the increasing demand for quality education, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a broad range of other sustainability issues including climate change, resource depletion, deforestation, and environmental pollution. This chapter discusses the current state and implementation of sustainability education practices in higher education institutions in Indonesia and reviews the important role of government education programs in supporting sustainability education development.

Forests are critical ecosystems that are essential for human health and for mitigating the effects of climate change through the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere and their sequestration of carbon. However, increased global deforestation and exploitation of this vital resource have diminished these benefits. Sustainable forest management offers a number of values, principles and practices that can inform and enhance sustainability education. This chapter examines a number of important sustainability concepts that are applied in sustainable forest management, including carbon mitigation, an awareness of the challenges associated with the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ and the important role of natural resource management, policy and regulation. These values and principles are applicable to a broad range of global natural resource issues and can provide valuable knowledge and understanding in the development and presentation of sustainability education.