| 1. |
- Berglund, Christer, et al.
(författare)
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A note on inter-country differences in waste paper recovery and utilization
- 2002
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 34:3, s. 175-191
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Countries worldwide express waste paper recycling targets in terms of recovery and utilization rates. The main purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the most important determinants of inter-country differences in these waste paper rates. By employing two regression models and using data for 89 and 81 countries, respectively, the paper concludes that relative waste paper recovery and use are largely market-determined, and depend thus on long-standing economic factors such as population intensity and competitiveness in the world market for paper and board products. We also find evidence that supports the conjecture that rich countries tend to recover relatively more waste paper than is the case in low-income countries, reflecting the higher demand for waste management and environmental policies in more developed economies. As recovery and utilization rates are determined largely by long-standing economic and demographic characteristics the degree of policy flexibility in affecting these rates may be limited. In particular, an ambitious utilization rate target may be very costly to enforce as it can conflict with existing trade patterns of paper and board products as well as with other environmental goals. Additional policy targets may, therefore, be desirable, especially since paper recycling is motivated primarily by environmental concerns and seldom is a benign activity in itself.
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| 2. |
- Eriksson, Ola, et al.
(författare)
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ORWARE : a simulation tool for waste management
- 2002
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 36:4, s. 287-307
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A simulation model, ORWARE (ORganic WAste REsearch) is described. The model is mainly used as a tool for researchers in environmental systems analysis of waste management. It is a computer-based model for calculation of substance flows, environmental impacts, and costs of waste management. The model covers, despite the name, both organic and inorganic fractions in municipal waste. The model consists of a number of separate submodels, which describes a process in a real waste management system. The submodels may be combined to design a complete waste management system. Based on principles from life cycle assessment the model also comprises compensatory processes for conventional production of e.g. electricity, district heating and fertiliser. The compensatory system is included in order to fulfil the functional units, i.e. benefits from the waste management that are kept constant in the evaluation of different scenarios. ORWARE generates data on emissions, which are aggregated into different environmental impact categories, e.g. the greenhouse effect, acidification and eutrophication. Throughout the model all physical flows are described by the same variable vector, consisting of up to 50 substances. The extensive vector facilitates a thorough analysis of the results, but involves some difficulties in acquiring relevant data. Scientists have used ORWARE for 8 years in different case studies for model testing and practical application in the society. The aims have e.g. been to evaluate waste management plans and to optimise energy recovery from waste.
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| 3. |
- Klang, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainable management of demolition waste : an integrated model for the evaluation of environmental, economic and social aspect
- 2003
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 38:4, s. 317-334
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A model is presented for evaluating waste management systems for their contribution to a sustainable development, including environmental, economic and social aspects. The model was tested in a case-study, where groups of long term unemployed people were offered both education on environmental issues and practical work with the recovery and recycling of building and demolition waste as a form of vocational development. Application of the suggested model revealed the overall effects on sustainability of different methods of waste management. In addition, negative aspects of the systems analysed were identified, which led to discussions about possible improved practices within the waste management systems. Two of the waste management systems investigated (the recycling of steel and re-use of sanitary porcelain) showed a potential contribution to sustainable development in all of the aspects studied. Preparing bricks for re-use showed the largest potential for eco-efficiency, but had negative effects on sustainability from the social perspective of health and the working environment. The possibility of further use of the model and the remaining obstacles to such analyses are discussed. One observation is that the data collection needed to perform this kind of sustainability analysis is resource-demanding, and that it would therefore be better to identify a smaller number of key indicators.
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| 4. |
- Lundmark, Robert
(författare)
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Choice of location for investments in the European paper industry: the impact of wastepaper
- 2001
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 33:3, s. 167-180
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper identifies and estimates the relative impact that factor input prices, output market size and agglomeration effects have on the choice of location for investment projects in the European pulp and paper industry, with special focus on the price of waste paper A conditional logit model was developed to fit investment projects across 16 European countries for the period 1985-95. The results suggest that factor input prices, in general, and the price for waste paper in particular, are neither a statistical nor an economic significant location determinant for a paper manufacturer. Furthermore, the results suggest that market size and agglomeration effects are considered more important than the price of raw material when an investment site is chosen.
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| 5. |
- Shen, Huiting, et al.
(författare)
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Physicochemical and mineralogical properties of stainless steel slags oriented to metal recovery
- 2004
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 40:3, s. 245-271
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the present paper, physicochemical and mineralogical properties of stainless steel slags oriented to metal recovery were studied by using various methods. The tests were conducted on two types of slag, namely EAF slag (Electric Arc Furnace) and AOD slag (Argon Oxygen Decarburisation). The samples were collected from the tailings of a slag processing plant operated by Bergslagens Stålservice AB in Sweden. Chemical analysis showed that the EAF and AOD samples contain 3.22% Cr and 0.075% Ni, and 1.71% Cr and 0.20% Ni respectively. Fe and Cr are mainly (about 70%) in the form of oxide while Ni is in the form of metal. Particle size analysis demonstrated that the EAF and AOD had been finely ground at the plant with 56 and 65% (−75 μm), respectively, containing a large amount of slime. According to X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and other studies, the main phases identified in EAF and AOD include Fe–Cr–Ni alloys, Fe–Cr oxides, Ca–Mg–Al silicates and Ca–Mg oxides (free CaO and periclase) with many mineral species. From SEM, Fe, Cr and Ni exist in the liberated alloy particles, association particles and complex particles. It is possible to recover the former two but the Fe–Cr–Ni in the latter one will not be easy to recover by mechanical separation. Some Cr also exists in the silicate phases and this Cr is impossible to recover by mechanical separation. However, Ni seldom exists in the silicate phases. Dissolution test showed that only a very small amount of EAF or AOD is dissolved in water, but in 1 M HCl solution, as high as 23.68% EAF and 31.04% AOD are dissolved, respectively. In addition, a phenomenon of particle size growth of the ground AOD was found and demonstrated by particle size analysis with a laser particle size analyzer and a Cyclosizer. Particle size growth of the ground EAF is not obvious, indicating that the hydraulic property of AOD is higher than EAF.
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| 6. |
- Shen, H, et al.
(författare)
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Selective flotation separation of plastics by chemical conditioning with methyl cellulose
- 2002
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 35, s. 229-241
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The floatability of seven plastics (POM, PVC, PET, PMMA, PC, PS and ABS) in the presence of methyl cellulose (MC) and separation of plastics mixtures were investigated in this paper. It was found that the seven plastics can be separated into three groups by using the wetting agent MC. Group one includes POM and PVC. They are depressed at very low MC concentrations. Group two, including PET, PMMA and PC, has an intermediate floatability. Group three (ABS and PS) has a high floatability. They are almost not depressed within the given MC concentration range. In order to understand the mechanism of selective flotation of plastics and the chemical conditioning process, surface chemical factors, such as wettability of plastics and surface tension of flotation medium, and gravity factors, such as particle density and shape, were studied. It was found that the depressing effect of MC on plastics is ascribed mainly to its adsorption on the plastics surfaces. The MC molecules absorbed on plastics expose some of their polar groups oriented towards the aqueous phase, hence making the plastics surfaces hydrophilic. In addition, flotation selectivity for the plastics is dominated not only by wettability of plastics, but also by particle size, density and shape
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| 7. |
- Shen, Huiting, et al.
(författare)
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Selective flotation separation of plastics by particle control
- 2001
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 33:1, s. 37-50
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A study on the control of particle size distribution (PSD) of the ground carbonate product in stirred media mills (wet Drais stirred bead mill and dry Sala Agitated Mill) is presented in this paper. The results indicated that the slope of product size distribution can be controlled by altering some operating parameters, such as size of grinding media and tip or peripheral speed. The profile of product size distribution from the stirred media mills was found to follow most closely the Rosin-Rammler-Bennett (RRB) model.
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| 8. |
- Sonesson, U., et al.
(författare)
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Environmental and economic analysis of management systems for biodegradable waste
- 2000
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 28:02-jan, s. 29-53
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The management system for solid and liquid organic waste affects the environment and surrounding technical systems in several ways. In order to decrease the environmental impact and resource use, biological waste treatment and alternative solutions for sewage treatment are often advocated. These alternatives include increased agricultural use of waste residuals. To analyse whether such proposed systems indicate improvements for the environment and its sustainability, systems analysis is a useful method The changes in environmental impact and resource use is not only a result of changes in waste treatment methods, but also largely a result of changes in surrounding systems (energy and agriculture) caused by changes in waste management practices. In order to perform a systems analysis, a substance-flow simulation model, the organic waste research model (ORWARE), has been used. The results are evaluated by using methodology from life cycle assessment (LCA). An economic analysis was also performed on three of the studied scenarios. The management system for solid organic waste and sewage in the municipality of Uppsala, Sweden, was studied. Three scenarios for different treatments of solid waste were analysed: incineration with heat recovery, composting, and anaerobic digestion. These three scenarios included conventional sewage treatment. A fourth scenario reviewed was anaerobic digestion of solid waste, using urine-separating toilets and separate handling of the urine fraction. The results are only valid for the case study and under the assumptions made. In this case study anaerobic digestion result in the lowest environmental impact of all the solid waste management systems, but is costly. Economically, incineration with heat recovery is the cheapest way to treat solid waste. Composting gives environmental advantages compared to incineration methods, without significantly increased costs. Urine separation, which may be implemented together with any solid waste treatment, has great advantages, particularly in its low impact on the environment. However, there is a large increase in acidification.
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| 9. |
- Bengtsson, Magnus, 1967, et al.
(författare)
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Actors and interpretations in an environmental controversy: the Swedish debate on sewage sludge use in agriculture
- 2004
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - : Elsevier BV. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 42:1, s. 65-82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study examines the Swedish debate on the sustainability of using sewage sludge as fertiliser in agriculture. Although the use of sludge as fertiliser presents potential resource and environmental advantages, it can have negative effects on people and soil productivity. Both proponents and opponents of agricultural application of sludge use environmental arguments to support their positions. By 1990, the Swedish parliament stressed the importance of recycling nutrients from wastewater; however, despite low levels of contamination, compared to other countries, little sludge is used in agriculture today. During the last few decades, a large amount of research has addressed the risks and benefits of using sludge as fertiliser, but the central actors have not been able to reach lasting agreements. This study, which is based on document analysis, direct observations, and interviews, analyses the beliefs, preferences, and arguments of major actors in the national debate on sludge. The study investigates how actors define problems and interpret the risks and benefits of sludge use. Specifically, the study concentrates on the role of science in the sludge controversy. Two distinct ways of thinking - a precautionary frame and a proof-first frame - are identified. These frames are shown almost immune to factual claims and arguments from opponents. It is concluded that actors in the controversy need to address explicitly value judgements and beliefs that go beyond scientific information. In addition, the study concludes that there is a need for policy makers to further develop process leadership skills. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 10. |
- Berglund, Christer
(författare)
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Spatial cost efficiency in waste paper handling: the case of corrugated board in Sweden
- 2004
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Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - : Elsevier BV. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 42:4, s. 367-387
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper analyzes the spatial cost efficiency of the Swedish legislation regarding waste disposal handling. We focus on the case of corrugated board and recognize that the different counties in Sweden possess different economic prerequisites in terms of waste paper recovery and utilization potential. We employ data for six corrugated board mills and 20 counties and a non-linear programming model to identify the least cost strategy for reaching the politically specified recycling target of a 65% recovery rate for corrugated board. That is, the total costs of recovering a minimum of 65% in each county are calculated and compared with the case when the country as a whole recovers 65% of all old corrugated board is collected but there exist no uniform target for each county. The conclusion is that from an efficiency point of view the recovery efforts should be concentrated to the highly populated and urbanized counties, and not be uniformly divided throughout the country. In the base case, the results suggest that the cost efficient county-specific recovery rates should range from 51 to 72%.
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