scholarly journals Decision Support Model for Evaluating Alternative Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management Schemes—A Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Aidonis ◽  
Charisios Achillas ◽  
Dimitrios Folinas ◽  
Christos Keramydas ◽  
Naoum Tsolakis
Keyword(s):  
Programming Model ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
National Level ◽  
Electronic Equipment ◽  
Decision Support Model ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Management Scheme ◽  
Of Greece

Waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a constantly increasing component of the total volume of municipal solid waste. E-waste streams are expected to continue escalating in the near future. The underlining paradox lies in the fact that end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment constitute a critical waste stream owing to the contained hazardous and toxic elements, but they also present an important source of valuable raw materials. Therefore, identification of alternative scenarios for integrated WEEE management is imperative. To that end, this research develops a methodological approach that focuses on determining the optimal WEEE management scheme, among available alternatives, applicable to the specific case of Greece. In particular, a binary linear programming model is formulated that maximizes the performance of 9 alternative WEEE management scenarios. The mathematical model considers 12 performance assessment criteria identified across financial, technical, social, and environmental dimensions. Priority levels are assigned to each criterion based on the input of 19 involved experts. A range of “what-if” analyses indicate that mechanical recycling of WEEE, in tandem with exporting of residues, is the most efficient e-waste management strategy in the case of Greece. The research findings indicate that the joint cooperation of all stakeholders, together with political will and effectiveness, is required for the integrated WEEE management at a national level.

European experience in transition to circular economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Ratner
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Level ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
European Experience ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
The Eu

Subject. The article considers the concept of circular economy, which has originated relatively recently in the academic literature, and is now increasingly recognized in many countries at the national level. In the European Union, the transition to circular economy is viewed as an opportunity to improve competitiveness of the European Union, protect businesses from resource shortages and fluctuating prices for raw materials and supplies, and a way to increase employment and innovation. Objectives. The aim of the study is to analyze the incentives developed by the European Commission for moving to circular economy, and to assess their effectiveness on the basis of statistical analysis. Methods. I employ general scientific methods of research. Results. The analysis of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy enabled to conclude that the results of the recent research in circular economy barriers, eco-innovation, technology and infrastructure were successfully integrated into the framework of this document. Understanding the root causes holding back the circular economy development and the balanced combination of economic and administrative incentives strengthened the Action Plan, and it contributed to the circular economy development in the EU. Conclusions. The measures to stimulate the development of the circular economy proposed in the European Action Plan can be viewed as a prototype for designing similar strategies in other countries, including Russia. Meanwhile, a more detailed analysis of barriers to the circular economy at the level of individual countries and regions is needed.

Das nachhaltig verfügbare Holznutzungspotenzial im Schweizer Wald

2016 ◽  
Vol 167 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruedi Taverna ◽  
Michael Gautschi ◽  
Peter Hofer
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Basic Scenario ◽  
Economic Framework ◽  
Forest Growth Model ◽  
New Findings

The sustainably available wood use potential in Swiss forests Based on the most recent simulations created using the Massimo forest growth model, the sustainably available wood use potential in Swiss forests was calculated for five management scenarios for the next three decades as well as for two additional time periods in the future (to monitor the long-term effects). The term “sustainably available wood use potential” covers those wood quantities that could be put on the market, taking into account socio-ecological and economic restrictions on use. The sustainably available wood use potential is provided for production regions, priority functions as well as the assortment and qualities of timber. The previously used factors of the applied “onion” model were checked and modified, if necessary, in order to take new findings and current cost developments into consideration. The calculations for all scenarios come up with a sustainably available wood use potential that is much lower than in earlier investigations. Depending on the scenario and decade, sustainably available wood use potential accounts for less than 50% of the total use potential. The biggest decrease in total use potential was due to economic framework conditions. Turning to Switzerland as a whole, towards the end of the investigation period (2106) those scenarios including a sharp increase in use in the first three decades result in a sustainably available wood use potential that is clearly lower than the reference value used at the beginning of the simulation. In the basic scenario (constant stock) and in the scenario in which the form of management used to date (increasing stock) was simulated, the sustainably available wood use potential at national level remained more or less the same throughout the simulation period, ranging from 5 to 6 million m3 per year.

scholarly journals Estimating Recycling Return of Integrated Circuits Using Computer Vision on Printed Circuit Boards

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2808
Author(s):  
Leandro H. de S. Silva ◽  
Agostinho A. F. Júnior ◽  
George O. A. Azevedo ◽  
Sergio C. Oliveira ◽  
Bruno J. T. Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuits ◽  
Printed Circuit Boards ◽  
Printed Circuit Board ◽  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Decision Criterion ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Electronic Equipment ◽  
Circuit Board ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Printed Circuit

The technological growth of the last decades has brought many improvements in daily life, but also concerns on how to deal with electronic waste. Electrical and electronic equipment waste is the fastest-growing rate in the industrialized world. One of the elements of electronic equipment is the printed circuit board (PCB) and almost every electronic equipment has a PCB inside it. While waste PCB (WPCB) recycling may result in the recovery of potentially precious materials and the reuse of some components, it is a challenging task because its composition diversity requires a cautious pre-processing stage to achieve optimal recycling outcomes. Our research focused on proposing a method to evaluate the economic feasibility of recycling integrated circuits (ICs) from WPCB. The proposed method can help decide whether to dismantle a separate WPCB before the physical or mechanical recycling process and consists of estimating the IC area from a WPCB, calculating the IC’s weight using surface density, and estimating how much metal can be recovered by recycling those ICs. To estimate the IC area in a WPCB, we used a state-of-the-art object detection deep learning model (YOLO) and the PCB DSLR image dataset to detect the WPCB’s ICs. Regarding IC detection, the best result was obtained with the partitioned analysis of each image through a sliding window, thus creating new images of smaller dimensions, reaching 86.77% mAP. As a final result, we estimate that the Deep PCB Dataset has a total of 1079.18 g of ICs, from which it would be possible to recover at least 909.94 g of metals and silicon elements from all WPCBs’ ICs. Since there is a high variability in the compositions of WPCBs, it is possible to calculate the gross income for each WPCB and use it as a decision criterion for the type of pre-processing.

scholarly journals Water Use Efficiency Current Status Assessment in the Context of WATenERgy CYCLE Project

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 602
Author(s):  
Stavroula Tsitsifli ◽  
Anastasia Papadopoulou ◽  
Vasilis Kanakoudis ◽  
Konstantinos Gonelas
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
National Level ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Supply Systems

Water use efficiency is a crucial issue in drinking water utilities as it is connected to environmental and economic consequences. WATenERgy CYCLE project aims at developing a methodological approach towards efficient and effective transnational water and energy resources management in the Balkan–Mediterranean area. The paper presents the results of performance evaluation of the water supply systems of the water utilities involved in the project, both at local and national level. The methodology used in the water balance and performance indicators as well as data on the operational status of the water supply systems. The results showed that Non-Revenue Water is one of the major problems addressed.

scholarly journals Development and validation of a framework to improve neglected tropical diseases surveillance and response at the sub-national level in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Kipkemoi Saitabau Ng'etich ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Clifford Maina Mutero
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
National Level ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
Response System ◽  
Surveillance And Response

Background Assessment of surveillance and response system functions focusing on notifiable diseases has widely been documented in literature. However, there is limited focus on diseases targeted for elimination or eradication, particularly preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs). There are limited strategies to guide strengthening of surveillance and response system functions concerning PC-NTDs. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a framework to improve surveillance and response to PC-NTDs at the sub-national level in Kenya. Methods Framework development adopted a multi-phased approach. The first phase involved a systematic literature review of surveillance assessment studies conducted in Africa to derive generalised recommendations. The second phase utilised primary data surveys to identify disease-specific recommendations to improve PC-NTDs surveillance in Kenya. The third phase utilised a Delphi survey to assess stakeholders consensus on feasible recommendations. The fourth phase drew critical lessons from existing conceptual frameworks. The final validated framework was based on resolutions and inputs from concerned stakeholders. Results Framework components constituted inputs with the first domain combining surveillance tools, equipment and infrastructure while the second domain combined financial, technical and logistical support. Processes were categorised into four sub-domains with activities for strengthening existing surveillance tools, surveillance core, support and attribute functions. The intended results phase comprised of ten distinct outputs with the anticipated outcomes categorised into three sub domains. Lastly, the overall impact alluded to reduced disease burden, halted disease transmission and reduced costs for implementing treatment interventions to achieve PC-NTDs control and elimination. Conclusion In view of the mixed methodological approach used to develop the framework coupled with further inputs and consensus among concerned stakeholders, the validated framework appears to be relevant in guiding decisions by policy makers to strengthen the existing surveillance and response system functions towards achieving PC-NTDs elimination.

Crop Waste to Livestock Feed and Livestock Waste to Soil

2019 ◽  
pp. 131-164
Keyword(s):  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
National Level ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Livestock Waste ◽  
Livestock Feed ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Crop Waste

Significant waste but edible biomass and fuel that can be utilized as raw materials are available locally. With internal efficiencies of recycling of nutrients in an integrated farming system and appropriate technologies, such waste can be optimized for the production of livestock feed and potting soil. These items are pivotal to the productivity and efficiency of sustainable farming. Once the initial set up cost can be laid out, the operation can be self-propelled to larger scales with economic benefits at the farm level as well as at the national level. There has been the argument that livestock feed requires large acreages under grain production which is not feasible in small economies of scale and in the context of small island developing states. The paradox is that there is high cost to produce waste which is not utilized and is a loss to the enterprise.

A Mini-Review on Disposal of WEEE Plastics Containing PBDEs with a Special Focus on China

2014 ◽  
Vol 878 ◽  
pp. 600-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Deng ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Jin Hui Li ◽  
Hua Fen Li
Keyword(s):  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Electronic Equipment ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Electronic Industry ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Weee Recycling ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
The Status

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), especially pentaBDE and decaBDE have been extensively used as flame retardants in plastics of most electronic equipment. However, PBDE congeners have been found in the environment, in wildlife and in human body worldwide with evidences that they pose risks both to human health and to the entire ecosystem. China has become an important pentaBDE and decaBDE production country because of the increasing domestic demand due to rapid development of electronic industry in recent years. Although pentaBDE was phased out in 2004, decaBDE still remains in production and is used in electrical industry. Additionally, large amounts of plastics containing these pollutants from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are generated in China each year and their disposal has been a vital environmental challenge. Machaniclal recycling, fedlock recycling and landfilling are three main means of disposal of WEEE plastics. This article reviews the production of PBDEs, the amounts of WEEE and the disposal of WEEE plastics worldwide, with a special focus on China. The state of the emission of PBDEs and highly toxic polybrominated dibenzo dioxins/furans in the process of disposal is summed up based on previous studies. This article recommends that mechanical recycling should be the main means of disposal of WEEE recycling with regards to the summaries, the current practices and the status in China.

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