Analysis of the Impact of Changes in the Size of the Waste Stream on the Process of Manual Sorting of Waste

As electronic waste (e-waste) becomes one of the fastest growing environmental concerns, remanufacturing is considered as a promising solution. However, the profitability of take back systems is hampered by several factors including the lack of information on the quantity and timing of to-be-returned used products to a remanufacturing facility. Product design features, consumers’ awareness of recycling opportunities, socio-demographic information, peer pressure, and the tendency of customer to keep used items in storage are among contributing factors in increasing uncertainties in the waste stream. Predicting customer choice decisions on returning back used products, including both the time in which the customer will stop using the product and the end-of-use decisions (e.g. storage, resell, through away, and return to the waste stream) could help manufacturers have a better estimation of the return trend. The objective of this paper is to develop an Agent Based Simulation (ABS) model integrated with Discrete Choice Analysis (DCA) technique to predict consumer decisions on the End-of-Use (EOU) products. The proposed simulation tool aims at investigating the impact of design features, interaction among individual consumers and socio-demographic characteristics of end users on the number of returns. A numerical example of cellphone take-back system has been provided to show the application of the model.

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The impact on global warming potential of converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers in a large US hospital geographically distant from polymer and container manufacturer

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26517v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Brett McPherson ◽

Mihray Sharip ◽

Terry Grimmond

Keyword(s):

Global Warming ◽

Health System ◽

Global Warming Potential ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Medical Waste ◽

University Hospital ◽

Waste Stream ◽

Unit Process ◽

Ghg Reduction ◽

The Impact

Background. Sustainable purchasing can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at healthcare facilities (HCF). A previous study found that converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers (DSC, RSC) reduced sharps waste stream GHG by 84% but, in finding transport distances impacted significantly on GHG outcomes, recommended further studies where transport distances are large. This case-study examines the impact on GHG of nation-wide transport distances when a large US health system converted from DSC to RSC. Methods. The study examined the alternate use of DSC and RSC at a large US university hospital where: the source of polymer was distant from the RSC manufacturing plant; both manufacturing plants were over 3,000 km from the HCF; and the RSC disposal plant was considerably further from the HCF than was the DSC disposal plant. Using a “cradle to grave” life cycle assessment (LCA) tool we calculated annual GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2eq) to assess the impact on global warming potential (GWP) of each container system. Primary energy input data was used wherever possible and region-specific impact conversions used to calculate GWP of each activity over a 12-month period. Unit process GHG were collated into Manufacture, Transport, Washing, and Treatment & disposal. Emission totals were workload-normalized and analysed using CHI2 test with P ≤0.05 and rate ratios at 95% CL. Results. The hospital reduced its annual GWP by 168 MTCO2eq (-64.5%; p < 0.001), and annually eliminated 50.2 tonnes of plastic DSC and 8.1 tonnes of cardboard from the sharps waste stream. Of the plastic eliminated, 31.8 tonnes were diverted from landfill and 18.4 from incineration. Discussion. Unlike GHG reduction strategies dependent on changes in staff behaviour (waste segregation, recycling, turning off lights, car-pooling, etc), purchasing strategies can enable immediate, sustainable and institution-wide GHG reductions to be achieved. Medical waste containers contribute significantly to the supply chain carbon footprint and, although non-sharp medical waste volumes have decreased significantly with avid segregation, sharps wastes have increased, and can account for 50% of total medical waste volume. Thus converting from DSC to RSC can assist reduce the GWP footprint of the medical waste stream. This study confirmed that large transport distances between polymer manufacturer and container manufacturer; container manufacturer and user; and/or between user and processing facilities, can significantly impact the GWP of sharps containment systems. However, even with large transport distances, we found that a large university health system significantly reduced the GWP of their sharps waste stream by converting from DSC to RSC.

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The impact on global warming potential of converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers in a large US hospital geographically distant from polymer and container manufacturer

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26517v2 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Brett McPherson ◽

Mihray Sharip ◽

Terry Grimmond

Keyword(s):

Global Warming ◽

Health System ◽

Global Warming Potential ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Medical Waste ◽

University Hospital ◽

Waste Stream ◽

Unit Process ◽

Ghg Reduction ◽

The Impact

Background. Sustainable purchasing can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at healthcare facilities (HCF). A previous study found that converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers (DSC, RSC) reduced sharps waste stream GHG by 84% but, in finding transport distances impacted significantly on GHG outcomes, recommended further studies where transport distances are large. This case-study examines the impact on GHG of nation-wide transport distances when a large US health system converted from DSC to RSC. Methods. The study examined the alternate use of DSC and RSC at a large US university hospital where: the source of polymer was distant from the RSC manufacturing plant; both manufacturing plants were over 3,000 km from the HCF; and the RSC disposal plant was considerably further from the HCF than was the DSC disposal plant. Using a “cradle to grave” life cycle assessment (LCA) tool we calculated annual GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2eq) to assess the impact on global warming potential (GWP) of each container system. Primary energy input data was used wherever possible and region-specific impact conversions used to calculate GWP of each activity over a 12-month period. Unit process GHG were collated into Manufacture, Transport, Washing, and Treatment & disposal. Emission totals were workload-normalized and analysed using CHI2 test with P ≤0.05 and rate ratios at 95% CL. Results. The hospital reduced its annual GWP by 168 MTCO2eq (-64.5%; p < 0.001), and annually eliminated 50.2 tonnes of plastic DSC and 8.1 tonnes of cardboard from the sharps waste stream. Of the plastic eliminated, 31.8 tonnes were diverted from landfill and 18.4 from incineration. Discussion. Unlike GHG reduction strategies dependent on changes in staff behaviour (waste segregation, recycling, turning off lights, car-pooling, etc), purchasing strategies can enable immediate, sustainable and institution-wide GHG reductions to be achieved. Medical waste containers contribute significantly to the supply chain carbon footprint and, although non-sharp medical waste volumes have decreased significantly with avid segregation, sharps wastes have increased, and can account for 50% of total medical waste volume. Thus converting from DSC to RSC can assist reduce the GWP footprint of the medical waste stream. This study confirmed that large transport distances between polymer manufacturer and container manufacturer; container manufacturer and user; and/or between user and processing facilities, can significantly impact the GWP of sharps containment systems. However, even with large transport distances, we found that a large university health system significantly reduced the GWP of their sharps waste stream by converting from DSC to RSC.

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Effect of Different Agroecosystem on Earthworm Diversity in Azaguié Locality (Côte d'Ivoire)

Journal of Biology and Life Science ◽

10.5296/jbls.v12i1.17936 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 327

Author(s):

N’guetta Moïse Ehouman ◽

Mamadou Touré ◽

Pkan Pkan Kouakou Gains ◽

Hervé Kouya Bi ◽

Seydou Tiho

Keyword(s):

Physicochemical Parameters ◽

Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽

The Other ◽

Substantial Part ◽

Rubber Plantation ◽

Soil Biology ◽

Manual Sorting ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

In most terrestrial ecosystems, earthworms are considered to be excellent bioindicators of biodiversity and soil quality. However, their diversity and abundance encountered depend on the systems considered and on the anthropic pressure exerted. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a land use on the earthworm community. Earthworms were collected in TSBF (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility) type monoliths by the direct manual sorting method in three types of farms (fallow, rubber plantation and mangosteen plantation) in the locality of Azaguié. Measurements of the physicochemical parameters of the soil, in particular, the total organic carbon level, the organic matter rate, the nitrogen rate, the conductivity, the hydrogen potential (pH) and the total phosphorus were carried out at the Laboratory Central of Agrochemistry and Ecotoxicology (LCAE) from 200 g of clod of soil sampled in different monoliths. These studies showed that in all the plots analyzed, the endogeic polyhumic worms presented the highest densities while the epigeic detritivorous worms presented the lowest densities. The distribution of earthworms in the mangosteen plot was homogeneous, unlike that of the other plots. However, the physico-chemical parameters of the soils were higher in the fallow. The canonical correspondence analysis carried out to assess the relationship between the variability of the earthworm density of the plots and the physicochemical parameters measured showed that the physicochemical parameters measured explained only a substantial part of this distribution of earthworms while the other part is possibly linked to other environmental factors.

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The impact on global warming potential of converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers in a large US hospital geographically distant from polymer and container manufacturer

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26517 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Brett McPherson ◽

Mihray Sharip ◽

Terry Grimmond

Keyword(s):

Global Warming ◽

Health System ◽

Global Warming Potential ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Medical Waste ◽

University Hospital ◽

Waste Stream ◽

Unit Process ◽

Ghg Reduction ◽

The Impact

Background. Sustainable purchasing can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at healthcare facilities (HCF). A previous study found that converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers (DSC, RSC) reduced sharps waste stream GHG by 84% but, in finding transport distances impacted significantly on GHG outcomes, recommended further studies where transport distances are large. This case-study examines the impact on GHG of nation-wide transport distances when a large US health system converted from DSC to RSC. Methods. The study examined the alternate use of DSC and RSC at a large US university hospital where: the source of polymer was distant from the RSC manufacturing plant; both manufacturing plants were over 3,000 km from the HCF; and the RSC disposal plant was considerably further from the HCF than was the DSC disposal plant. Using a “cradle to grave” life cycle assessment (LCA) tool we calculated annual GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2eq) to assess the impact on global warming potential (GWP) of each container system. Primary energy input data was used wherever possible and region-specific impact conversions used to calculate GWP of each activity over a 12-month period. Unit process GHG were collated into Manufacture, Transport, Washing, and Treatment & disposal. Emission totals were workload-normalized and analysed using CHI2 test with P ≤0.05 and rate ratios at 95% CL. Results. The hospital reduced its annual GWP by 168 MTCO2eq (-64.5%; p < 0.001), and annually eliminated 50.2 tonnes of plastic DSC and 8.1 tonnes of cardboard from the sharps waste stream. Of the plastic eliminated, 31.8 tonnes were diverted from landfill and 18.4 from incineration. Discussion. Unlike GHG reduction strategies dependent on changes in staff behaviour (waste segregation, recycling, turning off lights, car-pooling, etc), purchasing strategies can enable immediate, sustainable and institution-wide GHG reductions to be achieved. Medical waste containers contribute significantly to the supply chain carbon footprint and, although non-sharp medical waste volumes have decreased significantly with avid segregation, sharps wastes have increased, and can account for 50% of total medical waste volume. Thus converting from DSC to RSC can assist reduce the GWP footprint of the medical waste stream. This study confirmed that large transport distances between polymer manufacturer and container manufacturer; container manufacturer and user; and/or between user and processing facilities, can significantly impact the GWP of sharps containment systems. However, even with large transport distances, we found that a large university health system significantly reduced the GWP of their sharps waste stream by converting from DSC to RSC.

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Recycling as a result of “cultural greening”?

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education ◽

10.1108/ijshe-02-2015-0021 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 489-505 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Julia A. Flagg ◽

Diane C. Bates

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Environmental Values ◽

Waste Stream ◽

Ecological Modernization ◽

Student Knowledge ◽

Environmental Orientation ◽

Longitudinal Surveys ◽

Content Type ◽

Green Consumption ◽

The Impact

Purpose This study aims to test whether faculty and students who have developed the most pro-environmental values and concerns are also the most likely to reduce the on-campus waste stream. It does so by using the theory of ecological modernization. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were created and disseminated to a representative sample of 590 undergraduate students and faculty on one college campus. This research took place after widespread efforts were made to increase faculty and student knowledge of the college’s recycling guidelines. Findings Among the measures of environmental orientation (values, concern about pollution and green consumption), only environmental values were associated with claiming to know guidelines and self-reporting higher levels of recycling effort. None was associated with knowledge about local recycling guidelines. Research limitations/implications Research on recycling programs at other campuses would help move beyond this specific case. The use of longitudinal surveys would help establish time-order. Originality/value This research makes an important contribution by measuring the impact well-intentioned people have on the waste stream. Without thorough knowledge of local recycling guidelines, even the most environmentally oriented people with the best of intentions may contribute to the waste stream by throwing away things that can be recycled and contaminating recycling bins with non-recyclable materials. The authors conclude that activist interventions are necessary to teach about campus recycling guidelines to reduce the waste produced on campus.

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Potential Concerns and Impacts of CCA-Treated Wood for the Waste-to-Energy Industry

11th Annual North American Waste-to-Energy Conference ◽

10.1115/nawtec11-1676 ◽

2003 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Timothy Townsend ◽

Helena Solo-Gabriele

Keyword(s):

Solid Waste ◽

Human Health ◽

Treated Wood ◽

The Other ◽

Waste To Energy ◽

Waste Stream ◽

Energy Industry ◽

Copper Chromium ◽

The Impact ◽

The U.S

An issue that has received much attention in the U.S. in recent years, especially in Florida, is the impact of CCA-treated wood on human health and the environment (Decker et al. 2002; Gordon et al. 2002) , including risks faced as a result of discarded CCA-treated wood in the solid waste stream (Townsend et al. 2001; Townsend et al. 2003). CCA-treated wood is preserved with copper, chromium and arsenic. All of the metals have toxic impacts at high exposures; it is arsenic however, which has raised the greatest concern (it is more hazardous at lower concentrations than the other CCA constituents). CCA-treated wood often becomes mixed with other wood from construction and demolition (C&D) debris (Tolaymat et al. 2000). Mixed C&D debris wood is either landfilled along with the rest of the C&D debris stream (e.g. concrete, gypsum drywall) or it is separated and processed for a variety of recycling markets.

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The impact on life cycle carbon footprint of converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers in a large US hospital geographically distant from manufacturing and processing facilities

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.6204 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e6204

Author(s):

Brett McPherson ◽

Mihray Sharip ◽

Terry Grimmond

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Health System ◽

Carbon Footprint ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Waste Stream ◽

Processing Plant ◽

Hospital System ◽

Unit Process ◽

Ghg Reduction ◽

The Impact

Background Sustainable purchasing can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at healthcare facilities (HCF). A previous study found that converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers (DSC, RSC) reduced sharps waste stream GHG by 84% but found transport distances impacted significantly on GHG outcomes and recommended further studies where transport distances are large. This case-study examines the impact on GHG of nation-wide transport distances when a large US health system converted from DSC to RSC. Methods The study’s scope was to examine life cycle GHG emissions during 12 months of facility-wide use of DSC and RSC at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH). The facility is an 1100-bed US, 5-hospital system where: the source of polymer was distant from the RSC manufacturing plant; both manufacturing plants were over 3,000 km from the HCF; and the RSC processing plant was considerably further from the HCF than was the DSC disposal plant. Using a “cradle to grave” life cycle GHG tool we calculated the annual GHG emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O expressed in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2eq) for each container system. Primary energy input data was used wherever possible and region-specific energy-impact conversions were used to calculate GHG of each unit process over a 12-month period. The scope included Manufacture, Transport, Washing, and Treatment & disposal. GHG emissions from all unit process within these four life cycle stages were summed to estimate each container-system’s carbon footprint. Emission totals were workload-normalized and analysed using CHI2test with P ≤ 0.05 and rate ratios at 95% CL. Results Converting to RSC, LLUH reduced its annual GHG by 162.4 MTCO2eq (−65.3%; p < 0.001; RR 2.27–3.71), and annually eliminated 50.2 tonnes of plastic DSC and 8.1 tonnes of cardboard from the sharps waste stream. Of the plastic eliminated, 31.8 tonnes were diverted from landfill and 18.4 from incineration. Discussion Unlike GHG reduction strategies dependent on changes in staff behavior (waste segregation, recycling, turning off lights, car-pooling, etc), purchasing strategies can enable immediate, sustainable and institution-wide GHG reductions to be achieved. This study confirmed that large transport distances between polymer manufacturer, container manufacturer, user and processing facilities, can significantly impact the carbon footprint of sharps containment systems. However, even with large transport distances, we found that a large university health system significantly reduced the carbon footprint of their sharps waste stream by converting from DSC to RSC.

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Formation of Lunar Craters and Bright Rays as a Result of Meteorite Impacts

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900178404 ◽

1962 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 415-418

Author(s):

K. P. Stanyukovich ◽

V. A. Bronshten

Keyword(s):

Explosive Charge ◽

The Moon ◽

Meteorite Impacts ◽

The Earth ◽

Lunar Craters ◽

The Impact

The phenomena accompanying the impact of large meteorites on the surface of the Moon or of the Earth can be examined on the basis of the theory of explosive phenomena if we assume that, instead of an exploding meteorite moving inside the rock, we have an explosive charge (equivalent in energy), situated at a certain distance under the surface.

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The Geosciences Applied to Lunar Exploration

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900178222 ◽

1962 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 169-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

J. Green

Keyword(s):

Lunar Surface ◽

Probable Mechanism ◽

Point Of View ◽

Lunar Exploration ◽

Geological Model ◽

Apply Geophysics ◽

Surface Features ◽

The Impact

The term geo-sciences has been used here to include the disciplines geology, geophysics and geochemistry. However, in order to apply geophysics and geochemistry effectively one must begin with a geological model. Therefore, the science of geology should be used as the basis for lunar exploration. From an astronomical point of view, a lunar terrain heavily impacted with meteors appears the more reasonable; although from a geological standpoint, volcanism seems the more probable mechanism. A surface liberally marked with volcanic features has been advocated by such geologists as Bülow, Dana, Suess, von Wolff, Shaler, Spurr, and Kuno. In this paper, both the impact and volcanic hypotheses are considered in the application of the geo-sciences to manned lunar exploration. However, more emphasis is placed on the volcanic, or more correctly the defluidization, hypothesis to account for lunar surface features.

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