Recycling in Brazil: Challenges and prospects

This article presents a comparative analysis of the performance in formal and informal areas that deal with solid waste in Brazil. The article demonstrates that there has been significant progress in areas related to recycling and that this progress has been based mainly on informality and on the precarious labour conditions for the pickers of recyclable materials. The article also focuses on the problems found in the model for waste recovery that is being implemented in Brazil and that is based on allocation of precarious waste recovery facilities; this model has mostly small operational capabilities even in large municipalities. These problems are discussed in contrast to the great challenges imposed by the new legal framework of the country. Finally, the article proposes a categorisation of the technological models of material recovery facilities (MRFs) based on their degree of automation and nominal capacities in a manner similar to that used worldwide for incineration plants.     

Evaluating the impacts of packaging policy in The Netherlands

Packaging materials are one of the largest contributors to municipal solid waste production. This paper evaluates the material impacts packaging policy in The Netherlands in the period 1986-2007. Five different voluntary agreements were implemented over this period to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. The analysis shows that among the investigated indicators, population statistically is the most robust indicator to estimate the packaging demand. A baseline is developed on the basis of population growth in The Netherlands, and is used as reference to evaluate policy impacts. The policy periods are evaluated on the basis of overall effectiveness compared to the baseline and target achievement. Dutch packaging policies have been effective to reduce the total packaging volume until 1999. After 2000, packaging consumption increased more rapidly than the baseline, suggesting that policy measures have not been effective. The largest increase in packaging recycling rates was achieved during the first policy period. More clear and consistent packaging policy measures and targets could improve the effectiveness of policies.     

Risk informed optimization of a hazardous material multi-periodic transportation model

This paper presents a systematic framework toward the development of a Transportation Model for Hazardous Materials (HazMat). In practice, the proposed modeling framework is realized through an appropriate generalization of the traditional transportation network problem in the presence of safety constraints that need to be satisfied. The objective is to minimize transportation cost while reducing risks at the desired levels.In particular, the present research study identifies and evaluates different risk factors that influence the HazMat transportation network. Next, the transportation model is depicted graphically using nodes and arcs and optimal conditions are identified by solving the associated minimum cost flow network problem. The results show safety levels that help making informed decisions on choosing the optimal transportation configuration for hazardous material shipments.Within the proposed methodological context, appropriately parameterized simulation studies elucidate the effects of occurrence probabilities of the different risk events on transportation cost. Furthermore, as the appropriate management decisions must consider the effect of actions in one time period on future periods, the proposed model is structured as a multi-periodic model.Finally, the proposed methodological approach is employed to demonstrate the utility of proper analytical tools in decision making and particularly in ensuring that scientifically informed safety procedures are in place while transporting goods that can be potentially proven dangerous to the public and the surroundings.     

物料衡算法计算燃煤SO_2排放总量的探讨

分析了现行燃煤ＳＯ_２排放总量计算方法的优缺点，提出了一种适合基层环保部门准确计征燃煤ＳＯ_２排污费使用的新方法。     

试论以物质流分析方法为基础建立我国循环经济指标体系

为了更好地推动我国循环经济建设的发展。本文介绍了当前国际上用来分析资源问题的物质流分析（MFA．Material Flow Analysis）方法：描述了日本以MFA方法表述国家资源投入、废弃物产生和废弃物再生利用．并在此基础上提出国家循环经济社会发展目标的经验：指出MFA方法将是我国分析评价社会经济活动中资源使用状况的重要方法；并以此为依据．结合我国国情进一步提出我国的循环经济指标体系应包括的主要指标。这些指标将为我国制定循环经济发展目标、推进循环经济发展提供理论依据。也会成为循环经济社会建设中我国与国际比较，找出差距，调整战略的重要技术指标。     

Long-term global availability of steel scrap

Primary steelmaking involves CO₂-intensive processes, but the expansion of secondary steel production is limited by the global availability of steel scrap. The present work examines global scrap consumption in the past (1870–2012) and future scrap availability (2013–2050) based on the historical trend. The results reveal that (i) historically, the consumption of old scrap has been insufficient compared with the amounts of discarded steel, and (ii) based on historical scrap consumption, the future availability of scrap will not be sufficient to satisfy the two assumed cases of steel demand. Primary steelmaking is expected to remain the dominant process, at least up until 2050. Under the reference-demand case of 2.19 billion tons in crude steel production by 2050, the total production of pig iron and direct reduced iron could reach 1.35 billion tons. Consumption of old scrap could reach 0.76 billion tons. Because the availability of scrap will be limited in the context of the global total, it is important to research and develop innovative low-carbon technologies for primary steelmaking and to explore their economic viability if we are to aim for achieving large reductions in CO₂ emissions from the iron and steel industry.     

经济—环境系统物质流分析——以四川某地区为例

本文运用物质流计算理论与方法,以四川省某市的一个行政区为例,计算并分析了其2004年至2007年具体物质代谢过程。结果表明:随着城市化水平提高和国民经济的发展,其对外资源的依赖程度不断增加,物质消耗强度趋向全国平均水平,资源利用效率同全国其他地方一样有所提高,但经济发展模式还没有实现根本转变。     

Improvement actions in waste management systems at the provincial scale based on a life cycle assessment evaluation

This paper reports some of the findings of the ‘GERLA’ project: GEstione Rifiuti in Lombardia – Analisi del ciclo di vita (Waste management in Lombardia – Life cycle assessment). The project was devoted to support Lombardia Region in the drafting of the new waste management plan by applying a life cycle thinking perspective. The present paper mainly focuses on four Provinces in the Region, which were selected based on their peculiarities. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was adopted as the methodology to assess the current performance of the integrated waste management systems, to discuss strengths and weaknesses of each of them and to design their perspective evolution as of year 2020.Results show that despite a usual business approach that is beneficial to all the provinces, the introduction of technological and management improvements to the system provides in general additional energy and environmental benefits for all four provinces. The same improvements can be easily extended to the whole Region, leading to increased environmental benefits from the waste management sector, in line with the targets set by the European Union for 2020.     

如何提高产品的三防能力

文章介绍了提高产品三防能力的思维方法和一些理念及事例，有助于人们在工作中避免出现大的三防问题。     

生态工业园区建设理论探讨

资源和环境问题是我国面临的严重的生态安全和环境安全问题 ,也是制约我国经济可持续发展的问题。生态工业是与环境协调发展的环境友好的工业体系。生态工业园是实现生态工业的理想的生态系统 ,通过工业园区内物质流、能量流、信息流和正确设计来模拟自然生态系统 ,形成企业间的共生网络 ,从而解决工业发展与资源和环境保护之间的相互制约的关系。随着我国工业化进程的推进 ,生态工业园区的建设步伐也在加快。笔者对生态工业园区建设的总体思路、建设指标以及建设过程中存在的主要问题等内容进行了理论探讨。以期抛砖引玉 ,促进生态工业园区的理论研究 ,推动生态工业园区在我国的实践。