Supply chain collaboration to achieve toxics use reduction

The use of lead poses significant hazardous occupational exposure to workers in the electronics industry, and also causes environmental challenges at the end of product life. For the past decade, there has been a global effort in the electronics industry to initiate a move towards using lead-free materials for the production of printed circuit boards. However, there are technical and economic challenges, such as long term reliability and rework capability, that remain to hinder the universal implementation of lead-free materials. As a result, many electronics products are still currently manufactured and assembled using materials containing lead.The costs for investigating and evaluating the various lead-free electronics materials and manufacturing processes can be cost prohibitive for an individual company to undertake alone. Consequently, the New England Lead-free Electronics Consortium was formed as a collaborative effort of New England companies spanning the electronics supply chain to help move the industry towards lead-free electronics. The Consortium is a working collaboration of industry, government, and academia. For the past several years, the Consortium has conducted research and testing for using various lead-free materials for the manufacture of printed circuit boards. The Consortium has been successful in identifying lead-free materials and processes to address the challenges of assembly and rework. The Consortium is currently conducting research to address the long-term reliability challenge of lead-free electronics.     

Integrating carbon footprint into supply chain management: the case of Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) in the automobile industry

The purpose of this paper is to improve our understanding of carbon footprint within the context of automobile supply chain management. The case study approach is employed as a research method. Primary data were collected through site visits and extensive interviews with HMC’s corporate and plant management. First, identification and measurement of direct and indirect carbon footprint is critical for mitigating supply chain risks. Second, setting the system boundary of measurement is another important issue to integrate the issue of carbon footprint into supply chain management. Third, developing a map of product carbon footprint facilitates identification and measurement of carbon emissions across the supply chain. Companies today operate in a carbon-constrained world. In particular, the automobile industry is under pressure to take a close look at its product carbon footprint. Managing the downstream consequences of the use of its products and inputs from upstream suppliers is critical for developing carbon risk-mitigated supply chain management. This paper is of benefit to academics and managers by providing a new way to integrate carbon emissions in supply chain management. Since climate change and carbon footprint present challenges to many industries, increasing our understanding of how to integrate carbon footprint in supply chain management is necessary, but has seen little research in the automobile industry.     

Environmentally conscious long-range planning and design of supply chain networks

In this paper, a mathematical programming-based methodology is presented for the explicit inclusion of life cycle assessment (LCA) criteria as part of the strategic investment decisions related to the design and planning of supply chain networks. By considering the multiple environmental concerns together with the traditional economic criteria, the planning task is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem. Over a long-range planning horizon, the methodology utilizes mixed integer modelling techniques to address strategic decisions involving the selection, allocation and capacity expansion of processing technologies and assignment of transportation links required to satisfy the demands at the markets. At the operational level, optimal production profiles and flows of material between various components within the supply chain are determined. As such, the formulation presented here combines the elements of the classical plant location and capacity expansion problems with the principles of LCA to develop a quantitative decision-support tool for environmentally conscious strategic investment planning.     

Economic and other implications of integrated chain management: a case study

In this article, the concept of Integrated (Substance) Chain Management (ISCM) is discussed. The definition of ISCM, motives for ISCM, conditions for implementation, different points of view and a five-step model are dealt with. In addition, a number of possible barriers on the road to ISCM are discussed. The model is applied to a stonewool-producing company in the Netherlands. This company set up a recycling project in the form of a briquetting factory. The substance-flow sheets show that after implementing the briquetting factory, almost all process wastes are used in the factory and that fewer virgin materials have to be used. From an economic point of view, production in a more sustainable fashion is very unattractive: production costs per ton of stonewool product rose as a consequence of the use of the briquettes as an input. The barriers connected to ISCM are mainly economic and regulatory. Solutions for the Rockwool company may include engaging in environmental product stewardship and a realignment of the government policy towards dumping re-usable and non-separated building and construction waste.     

Implementing service-based chemical procurement: lessons and results

Chemical use reduction is strongly desirable for environmental and public welfare reasons, and is a critical element of moving towards more sustainable consumption in the business-to-business economy. However, the fundamental economic relationship between chemical supplier and chemical customer creates supply side incentives for increased chemical use. Chemical management services (CMS) is a business model that aligns economic incentives in the chemical supplier–customer relationship towards reduced chemical use by making chemical services rather than chemical volume the basis of supplier compensation. CMS thus ‘servicizes’ the chemical supply chain and is a Product Service System with significant potential environmental benefits. CMS enjoys high penetration in the US auto and semiconductor sectors, and is emergent in other sectors. The paper synthesizes lessons learned from hands-on work with 15 chemical-using firms over 5 years in all aspects of CMS program implementation. Key points are that poor cost accounting and chemical information management form significant barriers to making, understanding and evaluating the CMS business case. The details of contractual compensation mechanisms are critical to achieving in practice the potential environmental benefits of the CMS model.     

CSR codes and the principal-agent problem in supply chains: four case studies

The benefits of corporate social responsibility (CSR) affect the entire supply chains a firm participates in. However, not every firm is in a position to force the implementation of CSR in its supply chains as some, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), lack the necessary power. Chain directors can implement it acting as a principal, whereas the other chain members can act as agents.In the principal-agent framework, two main problems occur due to information asymmetry: adverse selection and moral hazard. This paper examines how a code of conduct (i.e. Social Accountability 8000) can help address the principal-agent problem, for SMEs, between chain directors and partners. The research method involves four case studies on CSR practices as implemented by Italian and Dutch SMEs within their supply chains.     

济南泉域地下水补给区保护分级及核心保护区承载力分析

近年来由于地下水补给区的盲目开发和市区地下水超采，素以“泉城”闻名的济南市泉水持续断流，加强泉域地下水补给区的生态环境保护是解决这一问题的关键，在详细研究区域地质水文条件的基础上借助地理信息系统，将补给区划分为三级保护区，即核心保护区，直接补给区和间接补给区，并应用环境承载力分析的理论方法，确定出保护区23个汇水区的环境承载人口，本文对泉域地下水补给区总体发展战略和具体保护规划的制定具有重要的意义。     

民航机场绿色供应链构建策略与实施路径研究

民航机场是航空运输服务的重要载体,也是民航领域推进生态文明建设的主战场.文章以深圳机场为例,探讨以服务供应链为依托构建机场绿色供应链的策略,并提出了四大板块任务,即完善绿色采购,推行绿色建设,实施绿色地勤,加强绿色经营,从而将生态文明贯穿到机场生产、经营、管理的各个环节,提升机场经济、社会和环境效益,进一步强化机场生态文明建设的窗口效应.     

金桐石化公司烷基苯厂给排水设计

着重阐述了该厂系统划分的情况，系统划分的经济比较，主体单元的设计特点，得出一个利用老厂的给排水公用工程设计必须根据各老厂的具体情况，优化给排水系统划分。     

EPC模式下的分包商及劳务用工的HSE管理

结合EPC模式下分包商及劳务用工HSE管理方面存在的问题,对工程分包管理中的HSE控制进行了探讨.     

DNA polymorphism and globin chain analysis in the prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassaemia major in Taiwan

Thirty-six pregnancies in 25 families at risk of β-thalassaemia major received prenatal diagnosis. Chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis was done in 35 pregnancies to obtain fetal cells for DNA linkage study, for which Southern blotting and DNA hybridization were used to detect seven restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) within the β-globin gene cluster: ϵ-HincII, ^Gγ-HindIII, ^Aγ-HindIII, Φβ-HincII, 3′Φβ-HincII, β-AvaII, and 3′β BarnHI. β-Thalassaemia major was diagnosed in seven and excluded in 22 pregnancies. In the remaining six cases, β-thalassaemia major could not be excluded. In these six pregnancies and another one with late booking, ultrasound-guided cordocentesis was performed at the 22nd to 27th week of gestation. Globin chain composition was determined with urea-acetic acid-Triton X-100-12 per cent polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. β-Thalassaemia major was diagnosed in two fetuses and excluded in the other five. Eleven fetuses (in which β-thalassaemia major was excluded) have been delivered and are healthy at more than 5 months old DNA linkage analysis coupled with globin chain electrophoresis provides an effective way for prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassaemia major, although these methods are being replaced by more direct detection techniques using oligonucleotide probes.     

中山市金属回收企业绿色供应链绩效评价研究

废旧金属资源的回收是循环经济的重要组成部分,进一步加强废旧金属回收行业的管理,对于保证资源永续、减少环境污染、节省能源、提高经济效益具有重要的意义。当前的竞争环境使金属回收企业和政府主管部门急需通过金属回收企业绿色供应链绩效评价,了解企业的绿色供应链管理状况,以适应越来越激烈的市场竞争。因而建立一个金属回收企业绿色供应链绩效评价模型不仅对绿色供应链的实践具有指导意义,而且还能对金属回收企业绿色供应链的绩效作出评价,改善其绿色供应链管理。     

Participatory modelling for sustainable development: Key issues derived from five cases of natural resource and disaster risk management

Stakeholder participation is considered a key principle for sustainable development in the context of natural resource and disaster risk management. Participatory modelling (PM) is an interactive and iterative process in which stakeholder involvement is supported by modelling and communication tools. Planning and decision-making for sustainable development (SD)integrate three substantive dimensions − social, ecological and economic. The procedural dimension of SD, however, is equally important, and here we see great potential for PM. In this study, we evaluate five PM research projects against criteria for the procedural dimension of SD. This provides a basis for identifying key issues and needs for further research into PM for SD. While the cases show great potential, especially for supporting knowledge integration, learning and transparent handling of values and perspectives, they indicate a particular need to develop PM in respect of organizational integration. This issue is closely connected to the possibility of effectively implementing PM in practice.     

Comparison of biomass production and biological nitrogen fixation of multi-species pastures (mixed herb leys) with perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture with and without irrigation in Canterbury, New Zealand

Legume-based pastures in Australasia are predominantly perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). These pastures have disadvantages such as limitations in the production and persistence of white clover and ryegrass in drought prone regions. With the increasing interest in organic agriculture, more complex pasture mixtures are seen as an alternative to the standard ryegrass-white clover (RWC) pasture. Although anecdotal evidence exists to support the benefits of alternative pastures, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support or refute these claims. The present study was conducted to compare three different alternative multi-species (mixed herb leys) (MSP) pastures with the standard RWC pasture with and without irrigation, in terms of biomass and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) over a period of 1 year under field conditions in Canterbury, New Zealand. Isotopic dilution technique involving field ¹⁵N-microplots were used to measure BNF. Irrigation doubled dry matter yields (DMY) of all pastures compared with those under dryland. There was no significant difference between DMY of all pastures under dryland. However, under irrigation, MSP pastures out-yield RWC pasture in total and legume DMY. Red clover MSP produced significantly lower DMY than the comprehensive or lucerne MSP treatment, probably due to the ability of lucerne in extracting water from deeper soil depth. Seasonal changes in plant composition varied according to the species sown, soil moisture status and temperature. Total and seasonal amounts of N₂ fixed followed the same trend as the DMY and were related to the DMY of legumes. On average, about 26–34 kg N was fixed per tonne of legume DMY, showing a uniformity across all pastures. Overall, based on the present results of 1-year study, the MSP pastures tend to result in higher DMY, BNF and legume growth compared with that of the RWC pasture, provided irrigation is available. With increased BNF, these irrigated MSP pastures may provide high quality feed to grazing animals.     

Prenatal diagnosis of Hb H disease due to compound heterozygosity for South-East Asian deletion and Hb constant spring by polymerase chain reaction

A pregnant woman has two children affected by moderately severe Hb H disease due to compound heterozygosity of South-east Asian deletion and Constant Spring mutation. In her third pregnancy, transabdominal chorionic villus sampling was performed at the tenth gestational week to obtain fetal DNA. The polymerase chain reaction was used for detection of both the South-east Asian deletion and the Constant Spring mutation. Hb H disease was diagnosed in the fetus. After genetic counselling, the couple elected to have the pregnancy terminated.     

Review of greenhouse gas emissions from crop production systems and fertilizer management effects

Fertilizer nitrogen (N) use is expanding globally to satisfy food, fiber, and fuel demands of a growing world population. Fertilizer consumers are being asked to improve N use efficiency through better management in their fields, to protect water resources and to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while sustaining soil resources and providing a healthy economy. A review of the available science on the effects of N source, rate, timing, and placement, in combination with other cropping and tillage practices, on GHG emissions was conducted. Implementation of intensive crop management practices, using principles of ecological intensification to enhance efficient and effective nutrient uptake while achieving high yields, was identified as a principal way to achieve reductions in GHG emissions while meeting production demands. Many studies identified through the review involved measurements of GHG emissions over several weeks to a few months, which greatly limit the ability to accurately determine system-level management effects on net global warming potential. The current science indicates: (1) appropriate fertilizer N use helps increase biomass production necessary to help restore and maintain soil organic carbon (SOC) levels; (2) best management practices (BMPs) for fertilizer N play a large role in minimizing residual soil nitrate, which helps lower the risk of increased nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions; (3) tillage practices that reduce soil disturbance and maintain crop residue on the soil surface can increase SOC levels, but usually only if crop productivity is maintained or increased; (4) differences among fertilizer N sources in N₂O emissions depend on site- and weather-specific conditions; and (5) intensive crop management systems do not necessarily increase GHG emissions per unit of crop or food production; they can help spare natural areas from conversion to cropland and allow conversion of selected lands to forests for GHG mitigation, while supplying the world's need for food, fiber, and biofuel. Transfer of the information to fertilizer dealers, crop advisers, farmers, and agricultural and environmental authorities should lead to increased implementation of fertilizer BMPs, and help to reduce confusion over the role of fertilizer N on cropping system emissions of GHGs. Gaps in scientific understanding were identified and will require the collaborative attention of agronomists, soil scientists, ecologists, and environmental authorities in serving the immediate and long-term interests of the human population.