Specifications for an internet based clean technology information support system for SMEs

To address the increasingly pressing issue of environmental degradation, much effort have been dedicated to promote the use of cleaner technologies in the European Union (EU) Member States. Thus, efforts to produce information systems designed to attend companies with their technology acquisition process have been made. However, due to their restricted resources, the existing Technology Intelligence (TI) systems do not correspond to SME-specific needs. To fill this gap, the objective of this paper is to identify Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises' (SMEs) information needs in the field of clean technologies with the aim of making recommendations for the conception of an Internet based clean technology database destined for the use of European SMEs. Also, in order to evaluate to what extent these type of information systems are useful to SMEs when it comes to their technology acquisition process, four clean technology-related databases available on the Internet in English corresponding to one or more of the specifications previously identified in the first section have been selected and analysed. In conclusion, it was established that these information systems were found to be a sound first step for SMEs wishing to obtain concise first-hand knowledge on clean technologies. On the other hand, the time constraints of SMEs and the extent of the information available in such databases make them unfitting to serve as a suitable decision making tool. Incidentally, it might be interesting to consider the development of specialized information systems designed to help SME support actors attend SMEs with their clean technology acquisition process.     

Diffusion and adoption of environmentally sound technology in China cement industry

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基于堆肥技术的城市生活垃圾综合处理研究

对城市生活垃圾的处理进行了探讨.以垃圾的资源化为方向,提出了基于堆肥技术的城市生活垃圾综合处理技术.并对堆肥技术和堆肥产品作了探讨.     

城市生活垃圾气化熔融焚烧技术

近年来,新开发的气化熔融焚烧技术实现了垃圾处理能源化目标和与环境的协调发展,该技术被认为是解决垃圾处理和能源问题最有效的方法。文章结合传统焚烧+灰渣熔融技术、阐述了两步法气化熔融和直接气化熔融两种气化熔融焚烧技术工艺流程的特点。气化熔融焚烧技术能遏制二英的产生和排放,降低焚烧过程产生酸性气体(SOx,HCl,HF,NOx等)、挥发性有机物尤其是芳香烃类、多氯化联苯类和二英、呋喃类、以及重金属和危害性灰渣的排放。叶恶叶恶     

化学品环境管理全球治理格局与中国管理体制的完善

全球化的今天,以欧盟化学品注册、评估、许可制度(REACH)为代表的化学品环境管理政策和制度日益显示出广泛的国际影响;POPs公约等国际公约的签署、全球统一的化学品分类和标识系统(GHS)的推广及国际化学品管理战略步骤(SAICM)的提出愈发表明,化学品环境管理正呈现出各国联动、彼此影响的全球治理格局.但作为世界化学品生产和使用大国,我国化学品产业发展和管理水平落后,化学品环境污染及健康风险问题日渐突出,主要表现在:以职业安全管理为主体的化学品管理体制相对落后,化学品环境管理立法薄弱,制度不健全.研究认为,推行GHS系统,建立专门化学品环境管理行政法规或综合法律,建立行政协调机制及现有化学品风险评价、优先风险管理以及污染排放、转移和登记(PRTR)制度,完善有毒污染物环境监测制度和重大危险源管理制度,加强新化学品申报登记管理相关制度间的协调,将是中国化学品环境管理发展完善的重要方面.      

废弃电器电子产品POPs/PTS减排环境管理实践研究

全球环境基金(GEF)"通过环境无害化管理减少电器电子产品的生命周期内持久性有机污染物和持久性有毒化学品(POPs/PTS)的排放全额示范项目"湖北省作为项目示范省之一.三家废弃电器电子产品拆解企业,分别开展了废弃电器电子产品拆解技术示范、湿法废弃印刷电路板处置BAT/BEP技术示范、利用再生铅连续熔炼炉协同处置阴极射线管含铅锥玻璃项目技术示范.电子废弃物全自动化分类与拆解生产线,为电子废弃物绿色循环与资源化提供了示范模式.     

Development of clean technology in wafer drying processes

In the aqueous processing of silicon wafers, drying of wafers must take place after each processing step. However, the drying processes currently used are not environmentally sound, i.e., great amounts of solvents and energy are consumed. To fulfill environmental and economic requirements, a new wafer drying system based on concepts of clean technology was investigated. To reduce isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and energy consumption and to improve drying performance, a new dryer consisting of two separate chambers (IPA-chamber and drying-chamber) was developed. On-site operation with this new configuration was performed to compare its characteristics with those of other widely used dryers. It showed that IPA and energy consumption were smaller than those of the conventional dryers. Drying performance of the new dryer was also better than that of the conventional dryer. Consequently, the new dryer provides an environmentally friendly alternative to wafer drying.     

A new gasification and melting incineration process of MSW with co-current shaft furnace

In all the municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal technology, incineration with gasification and melting has been taken as a environmentally sound and zero emission technology owing to avoiding second-pollution of heavy metals and dioxin. In this background, a new direct gasification and melting incineration process with co-current shaft furnace is put forward. In this process, MSW and combustion-supporting air are co-current from top to bottom in a shaft furnace. Fuel gas from pyrolysis and gasification burns completely in the bottom in order to offer energy for slag melting. The simulation experiment of the co-current shaft furnace has been done. The results of simulation experiment show that the temperature on the condition of co-current is much higher than on the condition of countercurrent at the bottom of reaction tube and so is the CO₂ quantity discharged from reaction tube. It can be concluded that the co-current shaft furnace is more suitable for direct gasification and melting incineration process.     

餐厨垃圾综合资源化处理技术实例研究

在目前餐厨垃圾处理现状基础上,介绍了一种餐厨垃圾处理工艺,采用机械生物处理技术,包括收运系统、粉碎分选预处理、厌氧发酵生物处理、沼气热电联供、有机堆肥、废水处理、除臭系统多个环节,分离出油脂进行回收,垃圾厌氧发酵产生沼气发电,沼渣进行堆肥,以期实现餐厨垃圾减量化、无害化、资源化,解决"垃圾猪"、"地沟油"问题。     

Commercial development of energy—environmentally sound technologies for the auto-industry: the case of fuel cells

The economic importance of energy and environmental issues is continuously increasing, affecting both process and product design in business. The energy crisis in California in 2001 made this basic issue universal. New technologies are expected to reduce pollution derived both from production processes and products, with costs that are still unknown and in competition with more mature technologies high. Nevertheless, until now there is still little, but growing knowledge concerning the process of technological innovation in the fields of energy and environment.In this paper we analyze the development of zinc air fuel cell (ZAFC) and its transfer from a research laboratory to potential mass production. ZAFC are a new ‘environmentally sound technology’, proven to have commercial value, that can be used for substituting internal combustion engines (ICEs) and meeting zero emission vehicles (ZEV) regulations. Although ZAFC performances are higher than traditional electric batteries ones, commercial costs are still high. Hence the pathway to mass production may come from stationary application of fuel cells for power.In contrast to the conventional ‘paradigmatic’ approach, we argue that the existing economic and organizational literature concerning technological innovation is not able to fully explain steps followed in commercializing energy—environmentally sound technologies. Existing models mainly consider adopting problems, which are due to market uncertainty, weak application, lack of a dominant design, and problems in reconfiguring existing organizational routines. Above all ‘market power’ exists in terms of control over technological innovation and its commercial application. Barriers are erected that prevent new technologies such as fuel cells from becoming adapted. Through pro-active government intervention, such as the case in California, new advanced technologies can move rapidly into the marketplace.From this discussion we draw some conclusions and issues for further research concerning policy making for sustaining the process of technological transfer and firms’ strategies in technological innovation.     

Certification and integration of management systems: the experience of Portuguese small and medium enterprises

The purpose of this study was to characterize the situation of Portuguese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) concerning the certification of their Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), in their individually form, to identify benefits, drawbacks and difficulties associated with the certification process and to characterize the level of integration that has been achieved. This research was based on a survey carried out by the research team; it was administered to 46 Portuguese SMEs. Our sample comprised 20 firms (43%) from the Trade/Services activity sector, 17 (37%) from the Industrial sector, 5 (11%) from the Electricity/Telecommunications sector and 4 (9%) from the Construction area. All SMEs surveyed were certified according to the ISO 9001 (100%), a quarter of firms were certified according to the ISO 14001 (26.1%) and a few certified by OHSAS 18001 (15.2%). We undertook a multivariate cluster analysis, which enabled grouping variables into homogeneous groups or one or more common characteristics of the SMEs participating in the study. Results show that the main benefits that Portuguese SMEs have gained from the referred certifications have been, among others, an improvement of both their internal organization and external image. We also present the main difficulties in achieving certification. Overall, 7 of the Portuguese SMEs examined indicated that the main benefits of the IMS implementation management included costs reduction, increased employee training and easier compliance of legislation. The respective drawbacks and difficulties are also presented. Finally, we presented the main integrated items in the certified Portuguese SMEs we examined.     

Implementation of cleaner production in small and medium-sized enterprises

The aim of this article is to analyse whether it is possible for an external group to act as a catalyst when trying to make small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt a cleaner production concept. At Linköping University, Sweden, nine SMEs cooperated in a cleaner production project that uses the University and the County Administration as catalysts. This article is based on a survey that evaluated the project. The survey shows that the SMEs did modify their products and processes after taking part in the project. They were especially successful in changing their products. Why products were changed to a larger extent than processes is not fully understood. Maybe this was done as a part of introducing a preventive environmental care system. Most SMEs did, as a part of introducing an environmental care system, introduce an environmental policy and an educational programme. The SMEs also experienced lower costs and better cooperation with the authorities. A reason for this is the good cooperation between the three participants of the project. In general, the SMEs did not think that they had gained marketing benefits. This attitude could have been different if more SMEs from the same value chain (supplier-producer-wholesalers-customer) had been involved.     

How environmental management driving forces affect environmental and economic performance of SMEs: a study in the Northern China district

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the core of societal and economic development. However, most people query on the implementation and performance of environmental management. In this paper, the manufacturing SMEs in Northern China with different pollution levels are studied to explore the main forces (e.g., government, society, market, and enterprise itself) driving SMEs for promoting environmental management. It focuses on the correlation between environmental management and economic performance for SMEs at different pollution levels. The results show that SMEs of different pollution levels have significant differences in the relationship of driving forces and performance. First, for SMEs with high-pollution levels, social and market driving forces and government incentives are revealed having a significant effect on their environmental performance. Driving forces from within the enterprise itself and the market provide a positive effect on the economic performance, while social forces have a negative effect. Second, for SMEs with light pollution, social and market driving forces, and government assistance play a supporting role on corporate environmental performance improvement. It is also found that the driving force of the enterprise itself does not have a significant effect on the environmental performance for SMEs with different pollution levels. In addition, the environmental performance and economic performance for SMEs with high or light-pollution levels are positively correlated. Further, it shows that the environmental performance is moderately correlated with financial indices, but not significantly with the non-financial indices.     

Waste minimisation in small and medium-sized enterprises—do environmental management systems help?

The main research question of our study was as follows: What opportunities for upgrading material efficiency and waste minimisation can be found in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? The empirical material consisted of 41 theme interviews in Finnish industrial SMEs. In the article, the SMEs are assigned to four different categories according to their attitudes towards environmental protection. This analysis also explains why SMEs build up environmental management systems (EMSs). The EMSs do not appear to provide much impetus for SMEs to implement waste minimisation. The reduction of wastes in SMEs is driven more by the costs of raw materials than by waste costs. From the standpoint of environmental authorities, it is therefore crucial to find procedures to support SMEs in increasing their efficient use of materials.     

Using structural equation modeling to test environmental performance in small and medium-sized manufacturers: can SEM help SMEs?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), defined as manufacturers employing 500 or fewer people, represent an estimated 70–98% of the manufacturing population globally and together have the potential to significantly impact the environment. Many of these small manufacturers throughout the world are not in compliance with environmental regulations, and even fewer see the need to focus on pollution prevention, implement environmental management systems, or to use life-cycle management or other proactive environmental management practices. A validated environmental performance model for SMEs holds the promise of providing a roadmap to more productive environmental results. This paper discusses structural equation modeling as a useful methodology to validate environmental performance models.The paper shares some insights from the use of structural equation modeling, which was used to evaluate the development of an environmental performance model for SMEs. The model was based on the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria. We review SEM methodology and share results from a population of SMEs in the plastics manufacturing sector. Fit statistics confirmed the overall model fit, but not all of the paths in the model were statistically significant. An assessment of the non-significant paths (from leadership and from the system components of the model to environmental results) led the authors to conclude that an improved definition of environmental results is critical. Education of SMEs on the benefits of improved environmental performance is also warranted.     

Strategy development in small and medium sized enterprises for sustainability and increased value creation

Sustainability strategies create many synergistic effects for SMEs working collaboratively, as well as systemic benefits for the commons. After setting forth the business case for sustainable SMEs, and considering SME sustainability advantages in contrast to MNEs, this paper discusses several different incentives for SMEs to optimize sustainability: (1) becoming valuable sustainable investment targets for larger firms; (2) creating highly competitive networks of sustainable SMEs in market spaces where large enterprises are less successful; (3) becoming highly efficient suppliers in global supply chains through sustainable practices.While several successful models of the sustainable SME are evolving, it may be that networks of SMEs will become essential for addressing the systemic problems that underlie industrial ecology, enterprise resilience, and global supply chain sustainability. SMEs represent the majority of all enterprises, and rapidly evolving communication technologies allow for various routes of network formation.     

Towards zero emission pulp and paper production: the BioRegional MiniMill

Growing demand for paper is putting pressure on the World's forests, and although paper made from agricultural residues could meet global demand five times over, today less than 10% is made using these resources. The primary reason for this is the absence of cost effective, small-scale (∼10,000 tonnes per annum), environmentally sound pulping technology. The BioRegional MiniMill was developed in response to this problem. The MiniMill is a modular, regional scale, sustainable pulping process designed for straw and other non-wood feedstocks. The MiniMill innovates in two key areas: (i) preparation, feeding and pulping of straw using a twin screw extruder to reduce energy use, produce pulp in a shorter time and improve pulp quality, and (ii) the inclusion of a small-scale black liquor chemical and energy recovery system, based upon novel fluidised bed technology. The MiniMill is projected to be cost competitive at less than one-tenth the size of the smallest conventional wood-based pulping mill. As with conventional pulp mills, the MiniMill recovers enough renewable energy from the effluent to power the mill and qualifies for carbon emissions credits in accredited countries. In this work we report on some of the key research and development activities, at laboratory, pilot and semi-industrial scale, that have underpinned the design and development of the MiniMill. The ultimate goal of the project is to make available a technically and economically viable process for small-scale cellulose pulp production, that will facilitate the uptake of alternative uses of wheat straw, hemp or flax into the market place.     

Environmental management accounting in Lithuania: exploratory study of current practices,opportunities and strategic intents

There is a growing consensus among the Lithuanian policy makers, practitioners and industrialists that environmental policy must move from a reactive stance to a more proactive, sustainable development approach. As a result, many companies are increasingly interested in the application of economic incentives at least as supplements or reinforcements of environmental standards.The Institute of Environmental Engineering (EU Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Industrial Development (APINI – SID)) in 1992–2003 has been involved in introduction and implementation of preventive environmental strategy in industry in Lithuania and in other countries. In Lithuania, these efforts resulted in the implementation of more than 200 cleaner production innovations in more than 150 Lithuanian companies. It should be stressed that effective plant maintenance is becoming a higher priority to plant managers. It is important to ensure cost-savings, at all levels, that include maximizing productivity and implementing energy-saving approaches. Effective and efficient maintenance are not just desirable, but fundamental to profitable business operations. Therefore, central to the environmental view of sustainable development is the concept that economic and social systems are sub-systems of the global environment.APINI's experience shows that decision-makers at the company level often fail to recognize the economic values of natural resources as assets as well as the business and financial value of good environmental performance. Therefore, there is a need to upgrade the business decision-making process by including information on material flows and related costs to account for efforts of sustainable development [Staniskis JK, Stasiskiene Z. Promotion of cleaner production investments: international experience. Journal of Cleaner Production 2002;11(6):619–28. ISSN: 0959-6526, Elsevier Science]. Decisions are increasingly affected by environmental costs. Application of environmental management accounting (EMA), which integrates two of the main principles of sustainable development – environment and economics, can help to significantly improve corporate decision-making.EMA is becoming increasingly important not only for environmental management decisions and development of environmental management systems (EMS), but also for all types of routine management activities, such as product and process design, cost allocation and control, capital budgeting, purchasing, product pricing and performance evaluation.Companies, which use EMA as a part of integrated management system, are provided with accurate and comprehensive information for the measurement and reporting of environmental performance.This paper investigates the current state of EMA practices in Lithuanian SMEs that have already been or are being implementing EMS and which have implemented CP innovations. In this case, EMA is analysed as an innovative assessment and evaluation method of EMS and CP innovation's environmental impacts and economic benefits. It should be stressed, that there are obvious differences in case studies from different industries. However, review of the results shows that there are many similarities in what improvements can be suggested for environmentally concerned companies both in terms of environmentally sound operation and for reporting of environmental management accounting information.     

中国危险废物集中处置设施建设现状、问题和对策

综合性危险废物集中处置设施的建设是实现危险废物安全处置和环境安全目标最根本的保障。本文对《全国危险废物和医疗废物处置设施建设规划》确定的建设项目目前的建设进展进行了全面分析,指出项目建设和运营中存在着布局、工艺技术、废物收集难、运营企业自身能力有待提高以及研发和产业化支撑能力差等五个方面的问题,反思中国过去五年时间里在危险废物和医疗废物处置和管理上取得的经验和教训,提出进一步推进项目建设和“十二五”期间加强危险废物和医疗废物管理的若干建议。     

木质素拌种对作物生长影响的初步研究

我国每年中小造纸厂作为污染物排放掉排放掉的木质素有３００万ｔ以上,不仅使大量资源成为废物,而且造成严重的环境污染,为了变废为宝,综合利用,在农业上用木质素作为拌种剂,通过砂培,土培和田间小区试验确定了木质素的使用量为种子重量的０．４％,ｐＨ为７．８左右,大田试验条件同小区试验,结果表明木质素拌种可提高小麦种子的发芽率,促进根系发展,增加有效分蘖数,能提高抗旱,抗病虫能力,增加穗粒数,提高千粒重和公