scholarly journals Improvement of Packaging Circularity through the Application of Reusable Beverage Cup Reuse Models at Outdoor Festivals and Events

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
Valdonė Šuškevičė ◽  
Jolita Kruopienė
Keyword(s):  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Mixed System ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Return Rates ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Aid Decision

Festivals generate huge amounts of waste during a short period of time, usually in three to four days. Single-use packaging is one of the dominant waste streams at the festivals. In order to minimize single-use plastic packaging waste generation and negative impacts on the environment, outdoor festivals apply alternative reusable cup systems and strategies. However, little studies have been made on how different reusable beverage cup reuse models can affect material circularity within certain festivals, and how it contributes to cup damage and loss. This article presents the results of a pilot study of different reusable cup reuse models within seven Lithuanian summer outdoor festivals. Three different models were applied and tested: A—only reusable cups, non-refundable model; B—only reusable cups, with deposit-refund; C—a mixed system of reusable cups with deposit-refund and of single-use cups. Material flow analysis (MFA) was performed, and the Materials Circularity Indicator (MCI), developed by Ellen MacArthur Foundation, was calculated to study the applied models. According to the findings, refund models (B, C models) have lower rates of damaged and lost cups compared to non-refundable reusable cup reuse model (A model). This paper shows that different reuse models provide different damage, loss and return rates of reusable cups. The data presented can aid decision-makers who need to choose a reuse model for a certain event.

scholarly journals Material Flow Analysis and Resource Recovery Potential Analysis of Selected Fruit, Vegetable and Nut Waste in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven De Meester ◽  
Benson Dulo ◽  
John Githaiga ◽  
Katleen Raes
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Management Problem ◽  
Waste Collection ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Total Potential ◽  
Recovery Potential ◽  
Current Usage

Abstract In Kenya, agriculture is an important economic activity, which implies that a significant amount of bio-waste is generated. This is on one hand a waste management problem, but on the other hand, it is an opportunity for creating a sustainable bioeconomy. Therefore, this study investigates the potential recovery of bioresources from Kenyan bio-waste. The study first quantifies occurrence, current usage and disposal of three selected biomass types, being banana, potato and coconut waste. Next, material flow analysis (MFA) is used to systematically track the mass flow of these wastes. Finally, the potential of biomolecules, biomaterials and bioenergy from the waste streams is evaluated. The study revealed that 6007, 426 and 49.5 kt of banana, potato and coconut biomass is wasted. All these wastes can be biorefined, offering potential towards recovery of; flavonoids (88.3 kt), starch (377 kt), cellulose (2000.7 kt) and biogas (1757.0 GWh), being the total potential of the main bioresources from the three waste streams. The study therefore, concluded that, with proper waste collection, sorting and valorisation, there is a huge potential for bioeconomy in Kenya, at the same time reducing waste management problems.

Spatiotemporal variations of water resources metabolism efficiency in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1178-1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihong Meng ◽  
Dewei Yang ◽  
Zhiyong Ding ◽  
Yuandong Wang ◽  
Weijing Ma
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Metabolic Efficiency ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variations ◽  
Driving Mechanisms ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Bth Region

Abstract Intensive and extensive water consumption and its potential negative impacts are increasingly challenging regional development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (BTH). It is necessary to enhance the metabolic efficiency of both physical and virtual water, and the latter is often neglected in research and practical fields. The material flow analysis method was employed in evaluating spatiotemporal variations of the Water Resources Metabolism Efficiency (WME) for exploring the inherent driving mechanisms in the BTH region. Results indicate that the WME increased obviously and differently in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, as well as in the whole BTH region from 1990 to 2015. The changes in WME depend significantly on the improvement in society and economics. Water production and water consumption are crucial for the integrated metabolic efficiency of physical and virtual water, followed by other influencing factors, i.e., freshwater recycling use ratio (Rfw), total retail amount of commodities of unit water use (Cw), and industrial output value per cubic metre of water resources (Uio). The results could provide alternative references for efficient and effective utilization of water resources within and beyond similar cities.

scholarly journals The impact and effectiveness of the general public wearing masks to reduce the spread of pandemics in the UK: a multidisciplinary comparison of single-use masks versus reusable face masks.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayse Lisa Allison ◽  
Esther Ambrose-Dempster ◽  
Teresa Domenech Aparsi ◽  
Maria Bawn ◽  
Miguel Casas Arredondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Cost Comparison ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Behavioural Research ◽  
Single Use ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government has mandated the use of face masks in various public settings and recommends the use of reusable masks to combat shortages of medically graded single-use masks in healthcare. To assist decision-making on the choice of masks for future pandemics, where shortages may not be a contributing factor, the UCL Plastic Waste Innovation Hub has carried out a multidisciplinary comparison between single-use and reusable masks based on their anatomy, standalone effectiveness, behavioural considerations, environmental impacts and costs. Although current single-use masks have a higher standalone effectiveness against bacteria and viruses, studies show that reusable masks have adequate performance in slowing infection rates of respiratory viruses. Material Flow Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment and cost comparison show that reusable masks have a lower environmental and economic impact than single-use masks. If every person in the UK uses one single-use mask each day for a year, it will create a total of 124,000 tonnes of waste, 66,000 tonnes of which would be unrecyclable contaminated plastic waste (the masks), with the rest being the recyclable packaging typically used for transportation and distribution of masks.Using reusable masks creates >85% less waste, generates 3.5 times lower impact on climate change and incurs 3.7 times lower costs. Further behavioural research is necessary to understand the extent and current practices of mask use; and how these practices affect mask effectiveness in reducing infection rates. Wearing single-use masks may be preferred over reusable masks due to perceptions of increased hygiene and convenience. Understanding behaviour towards the regular machine-washing of reusable masks for their effective reuse is key to maximise their public health benefits and minimise environmental and economic costs.

Dealing with emerging waste streams: Used tyre assessment in Thailand using material flow analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 918-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Jacob ◽  
Prakriti Kashyap ◽  
Tasawan Suparat ◽  
Chettiyappan Visvanathan
Keyword(s):  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Waste Streams

scholarly journals Phosphorus flows on ships: Case study from the Baltic Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 233 (2) ◽  
pp. 528-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Wilewska-Bien ◽  
Lena Granhag ◽  
Jukka-Pekka Jalkanen ◽  
Lasse Johansson ◽  
Karin Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Phosphorus Recovery ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Passenger Ships ◽  
The Baltic

Material flow analysis is used to identify and quantify the flow of phosphorus (P) in ship-generated food waste and wastewater. Passenger, cruise, RoPax and cargo ships in the Baltic Sea were investigated in three scenarios: (1) if all waste is discharged to sea, (2) if all waste is disposed of ashore or (3) if the food waste fraction is disposed of ashore and wastewater is treated on-board. About 107 tonnes of P is generated annually in the waste streams, with highest contribution of approximately 62 tonnes (58%) from wastewater in the ship-category RoPax. Approximately 24 tonnes of P is contained in the food waste generated by the ships in the study. Forthcoming regulations over allowed nutrient concentrations in sewage will lead to 80% reduction in P from passenger ships and can reduce about 31 tonnes of P entering the Baltic Sea environment. If both sewage and grey water instead are offloaded in port reception facilities, about 76 tonnes of P-reduction to the sea can be reached. As most phosphorus recovery practices currently only are available on land it is recommended to direct the waste streams to port reception facilities for further treatment ashore.

scholarly journals Costs and benefits of recycling PVC contaminated with the legacy hazardous plasticizer DEHP

2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2110067
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Brignon
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Economics ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Chemical Additives ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Negative Impacts

Reusing materials is an attractive option for circular economy and can also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants. However, recycling raises questions regarding the potential risks to human health or the environment when hazardous legacy chemical additives of materials are also recycled, instead of the recent and less hazardous additives of virgin materials. To address this trade-off, this study developed a model to calculate the total external cost of material supply, considering the health and environmental impacts of all industrial steps (e.g. virgin material production, incineration, and recycling), and the health effects of recycling chemicals present in the material. The model is coupling material flow analysis, life-cycle analysis, and environmental economics to compare different recycling policies. It is applied for all illustrative purposes to soft PVC and DEHP in France. Results show that recycling of materials is in the long-term positive despite the prolongation of the presence of hazardous additives in materials. The time when the recurring environmental benefits of recycling offset the negative impacts on human health of recycling the additives is very sensitive to the health impact of additives. This approach can improve the harmonization between recycling and circular economy policies, and as a framework to confirm the relevance and size treatments to remove additives from materials during recycling.

Characterisation and material flow analysis of end-of-life portable batteries and lithium-based batteries in different waste streams in Austria

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 649-659
Author(s):  
Thomas Nigl ◽  
Therese Elisabeth Schwarz ◽  
Cornelia Walch ◽  
Mirjam Baldauf ◽  
Bettina Rutrecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Waste Collection ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Packaging Waste ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
The Eu

Although separate collection systems for portable batteries (PBs) have been installed years ago, high amounts of batteries still do not enter the collection systems of the member states of the European Union (EU). In Austria, the collection rate has recently dropped to the EU target value of 45%. For the purposes of this study, a comprehensive survey was conducted to identify the destinations of the other end-of-life batteries. A literature survey and an assessment of different waste streams (WSs) were followed by sampling and sorting campaigns for highly relevant WSs (residual waste, lightweight packaging waste, metal packaging waste, and small waste electrical and electronic equipment). The results underwent material flow analysis, showing that more than 800 metric tonnes of portable batteries are misplaced into non-battery-specific collection systems, 718 metric tonnes of them entering residual waste collection. Considerable amounts of batteries are stockpiled, stored or hoarded in Austrian households. Lithium-based batteries, representing a serious risk of fire to the waste industry and making up for 30% of the marketed amount, are still scarcely arriving in waste management systems.

scholarly journals The impact and effectiveness of the general public wearing masks to reduce the spread of pandemics in the UK: a multidisciplinary comparison of single-use masks versus reusable face masks

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayşe Lisa Allison ◽  
Esther Ambrose-Dempster ◽  
Maria Bawn ◽  
Miguel Casas Arredondo ◽  
Charnett Chau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Cost Comparison ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
University College London ◽  
Single Use ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the UK government mandated the use of face masks in various public settings and recommended the use of reusable masks to combat shortages of medically graded single-use masks in healthcare. To assist decision-making on the choice of masks for future pandemics, where shortages may not be a contributing factor, the University College London (UCL) Plastic Waste Innovation Hub has carried out a multidisciplinary comparison between single-use and reusable masks based on their anatomy, standalone effectiveness, behavioural considerations, environmental impact and costs. Although current single-use masks have a higher standalone effectiveness against bacteria and viruses, studies show that reusable masks have adequate performance in slowing infection rates of respiratory viruses. Material flow analysis (MFA), life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost comparison show that reusable masks have a lower environmental and economic impact than single-use masks. If every person in the UK uses one single-use mask each day for a year, it will create a total of 124,000 tonnes of waste, 66,000 tonnes of which would be unrecyclable contaminated plastic waste (the masks), with the rest being the recyclable packaging typically used for transportation and distribution of masks. Using reusable masks creates >85% less waste, generates 3.5 times lower impact on climate change and incurs 3.7 times lower costs. Further behavioural research is necessary to understand the extent and current practices of mask use; and how these practices affect mask effectiveness in reducing infection rates. Wearing single-use masks may be preferred over reusable masks due to perceptions of increased hygiene and convenience. Understanding behaviour towards the regular machine-washing of reusable masks for their effective reuse is key to maximise their public health benefits and minimise environmental and economic costs.

scholarly journals The impact and effectiveness of the general public wearing masks to reduce the spread of pandemics in the UK: a multidisciplinary comparison of single-use masks versus reusable face masks.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayse Lisa Allison ◽  
Esther Ambrose-Dempster ◽  
Teresa Domenech Aparsi ◽  
Maria Bawn ◽  
Miguel Casas Arredondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Material Flow ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Cost Comparison ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Behavioural Research ◽  
Single Use ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government has mandated the use of face masks in various public settings and recommends the use of reusable masks to combat shortages of medically graded single-use masks in healthcare. To assist decision-making on the choice of masks for future pandemics, where shortages may not be a contributing factor, the UCL Plastic Waste Innovation Hub has carried out a multidisciplinary comparison between single-use and reusable masks based on their anatomy, standalone effectiveness, behavioural considerations, environmental impacts and costs. Although current single-use masks have a higher standalone effectiveness against bacteria and viruses, studies show that reusable masks have adequate performance in slowing infection rates of respiratory viruses. Material Flow Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment and cost comparison show that reusable masks have a lower environmental and economic impact than single-use masks. If every person in the UK uses one single-use mask each day for a year, it will create a total waste of 124,000 tonnes, 66,000 tonnes of which would be unrecyclable contaminated plastic waste. Using reusable masks creates >85% less waste, generates 3.5 times lower impact on climate change and incurs 3.7 times lower costs. Further behavioural research is necessary to understand the extent and current practices of mask use, and its effectiveness in reducing infection rates. Wearing single-use masks may be preferred over reusable masks due to perceptions of increased hygiene and convenience. Understanding behaviour towards the regular machine-washing of reusable masks for their effective reuse is key to maximise their public health benefits and minimise environmental and economic costs.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Analysis: Two Under-Utilized Tools for Informing E-Waste Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7939
Author(s):  
Sohani Vihanga Withanage ◽  
Komal Habib
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
The Past ◽  
Depth Analysis

The unprecedented technological development and economic growth over the past two decades has resulted in streams of rapidly growing electronic waste (e-waste) around the world. As the potential source of secondary raw materials including precious and critical materials, e-waste has recently gained significant attention across the board, ranging from governments and industry, to academia and civil society organizations. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the last decade of e-waste literature followed by an in-depth analysis of the application of material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), i.e., two less commonly used strategic tools to guide the relevant stakeholders in efficient management of e-waste. Through a keyword search on two main online search databases, Scopus and Web of Science, 1835 peer-reviewed publications were selected and subjected to a bibliographic network analysis to identify and visualize major research themes across the selected literature. The selected 1835 studies were classified into ten different categories based on research area, such as environmental and human health impacts, recycling and recovery technologies, associated social aspects, etc. With this selected literature in mind, the review process revealed the two least explored research areas over the past decade: MFA and LCA with 33 and 31 studies, respectively. A further in-depth analysis was conducted for these two areas regarding their application to various systems with numerous scopes and different stages of e-waste life cycle. The study provides a detailed discussion regarding their applicability, and highlights challenges and opportunities for further research.

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