E-waste issues and measures in the Philippines

The continuous dependence on electronic equipment at home and in the workplace has given rise to a new environmental challenge: electronic waste. Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to electronic products that no longer satisfy the needs of the initial purchaser. These can include a wide variety of goods, such as computers, cellular phones, TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and video cameras. These pieces of equipment contain hazardous materials such as lead, beryllium, mercury, cadmium, and chromium that pose both an occupational and environmental health threat. Although electronic equipment is considered safe during use, the potential for release of the toxic constituents increases during storage or disposal. Because of the growing number of discarded electronic devices resulting from rapid product obsolescence, this type of waste is an emerging concern among developing countries. This study estimates the current and future quantity of e-waste in the Philippines, with a focus on televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and radios. Data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) serve as the input to a simple end-of-life model for each type of electronic device. Mathematical equations are derived incorporating other factors, such as the number of electronic devices in use, current end-of-life management practices, serviceable years of the product, and disposal behavior of consumers. An accurate estimation of e-waste generation would be useful in policy making as well as in designing an effective management scheme to avoid the potential threats of health impacts or environmental pollution. Preliminary estimates show that at the end of 2005, approximately 2.7 million units became obsolete and about 1.8 million units required landfilling. Over a 10-year period from 1995 to 2005, approximately 25 million units became obsolete. An additional 14 million units are projected to become obsolete in the next 5 years.     

E-waste assessment methodology and validation in India

An attempt has been made to establish an approach and a methodology to quantify electronic waste (e-waste) in India. The study was limited to personal computers (PCs) and televisions (TVs) within the state boundaries of Delhi and in selected areas in the National Capital Region (NCR). Material flow analysis was used to establish an e-waste trade value chain, where cathode ray tubes (CRTs) were tracked in the e-waste dismantling stream of the CRT regunning process. The market supply method was used to estimate the theoretical amount of e-waste for each item. Sensitivity analysis was carried out for PCs, using 5 years and 7 years as the average life, and for TVs, using 10 years and 12 years as the average life. Externalities such as e-waste entering the study area from outside were factored into the final e-waste analysis. Sensitivity analysis on the average life also factored in elements of active usage, reuse, and storage of electronic items and consumer behavior into assumptions about the obsolescence rate in market supply method. A primary survey indicated an output of 1800–2100 CRTs per day from all regunning units in the study area. This range validated the theoretical output for an average life of 7 years for a PC and 12 years for a TV. Using this approach, e-waste was estimated to reach 2 million units from the domestic market by 2010.     

Evaluation method of automobile recycling systems for Asia considering international material cycles: application to Japan and Thailand

To examine an appropriate recycling system for end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) from Japan in the context of Asia, an Asian international automobile recycling input-output (AI-ARIO) analysis is presented. The AI-ARIO analysis spatially expands the existing ARIO analysis within the framework of the waste input-output (WIO) analysis developed by Nakamura et al., which considers the interdependence between the flow of goods and wastes in a country. This analysis focuses on the local and global cycles for ELVs in Asia and can evaluate the environmental and economic effects of alternative recycling systems. We estimated the AI-ARIO table for Japan and Thailand and applied it to scenario analyses covering the restriction of ELV trade between the two countries, the introduction of new recycling techniques in Thailand, and centralized treatment in Japan. We verified the applicability and effectiveness of the AI-ARIO analysis through the scenario analyses.     

Material cycles in Asia: especially the recycling loop between Japan and China

In this article, we clarify the current status of Japanese exports and Chinese imports of secondary resources. A total of around 10 million metric tons (t) of secondary resources are exported annually from Japan to China, Hong Kong, and Korea. Hong Kong plays the role of a transshipment point, especially regarding the trade in plastic waste, and China imports much from the USA and Japan, often through Hong Kong. The secondary resources exported from Japan include both byproducts from manufacturing processes and end-of-life products or materials. The great demand in China, and the difference in prices between countries, drive this transboundary shipment, although Japan has enacted various recycling laws that were implicitly intended to promote domestic recycling. In China, the imported secondary resources are recycled, usually by means of primitive and low-cost hand labor. The greatest concern is whether there are still improper (illegal or polluting) recycling activities in China. International material cycles should prevent environmental pollution and ensure efficient resource utilization. To that end, the following measures are needed: cooperative control of the trade of secondary resources between countries, the alignment of domestic laws with the regulations in other countries based on the actual trade activities, and the realization of sound practices for global resources management.     

An evaluation of legislative measures on electrical and electronic waste in the People's Republic of China

With the increasing number of recycling mishaps in connection with waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) in the People's Republic of China, it is imperative that the handling and recycling of WEEE be sufficiently regulated in China. Regulations covering three major issues, namely, take-back issues, controls on hazardous substances in WEEE and the assurance of good environmental management in WEEE plants, were promulgated between 2006 and 2008. The evaluation in this country report shows that few of these regulatory measures have performed satisfactorily in terms of enforcement, of public acceptance and of environmental concerns. In brief, the take-back requirements and the associated financial responsibilities are only vaguely defined; the control on hazardous substances and the so-called "environmental expiry date" requirements cannot be properly enforced, and the resources needed to ensure the satisfactory enforcement of the environmental abatement and pollution control requirements in WEEE plants are overwhelming. In addition, the use of a "multiple enforcement body" approach to the control of hazardous substances in WEEE is an indication that the Chinese government lacks the determination to properly enforce the relevant legal requirements.     

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.     

废旧橡胶胶粉低温粉碎技术研究进展及趋势

介绍了国内外废旧橡胶低温粉碎技术(液氮冷冻粉碎法、空气膨胀制冷法)的研究进展,指出其在我国应用缺乏经济可行性。将液化天然气(LNG)冷能直接用于废旧橡胶低温粉碎可有效降低生产成本,应用前景广阔,是我国未来精细和微细胶粉生产领域的重要研究内容和发展方向之一。     

Current pesticide practices and environmental issues in Vietnam: management challenges for sustainable use of pesticides for tropical crops in (South-East) Asia to avoid environmental pollution

Pesticides are widely used in modern agriculture to minimize financial losses and maintain food supplies. In southeast Asia, where agriculture is the principal economic activity, pesticides are considered essential, particularly in tropical regions seeking to enter the global economy by providing off-season fresh fruits and vegetables. The absence of a strong legal framework for pesticides facilitated a significant increase in the use of low-quality pesticides. Farmers ignore the risks, safety instructions, and protective directives when using pesticides. They are only concerned about the effectiveness of the pesticides for killing pests, without paying attention to the effects on their health and the environment. The improper usage of pesticides and the incorrect disposal of pesticide wastes contributed to the pollution of groundwater, surface water, and soil, and induced health problems in local communities. This paper describes the impact of the exposure of pesticides on human health and water resources in connection with the usage of pesticides and their management. Because of availability, the data are mainly taken for Northern Vietnam, and applied to the water quality in the delta; nevertheless, the problem relates to all countries in the delta, and similar situations may be found in other regions, particularly in Asia.     

天津市餐厨垃圾回收现状与对策

餐厨垃圾是一种具有较高再生利用价值的资源,但是处置不当会给社会造成危害。天津市餐厨垃圾的回收包括规范化的再生资源回收企业回收、以养猪和炼制餐厨再生食用油为目的的非法回收商贩回收、城市普通生活垃圾收集处理系统回收等三种形式。以源头单独集中、清洁化单独收运、无害化处理和资源化利用为指导原则,开展城市餐厨垃圾的规范化回收符合发展循环经济的根本要求。从加强宣传教育、加大食用油监管力度、健全行政监管体系、完善餐厨垃圾规范化收集网络等角度,提出推动天津市餐厨垃圾回收规范化发展的对策。     

Current status and future focus of hazardous waste management in China

 Rapid social and economic development in China has caused the amount of hazardous wastes being generated to increase drastically. The necessary regulations and systems regarding the management of hazardous wastes are currently still not in place. Based on an analysis of the characteristics of hazardous waste pollution and pollution trends in China, this paper reports on China's current status regarding hazardous waste management, and introduces the main difficulties to be faced. The principles and objectives, and the action plan for hazardous waste pollution control in China are also explained in detail. These principles and objectives have been stipulated in the Technological Policies on Hazardous Waste Pollution Control, which is issued by China State EPA, State ETC, and the Science and Technology Ministry. Received: April 30, 2002 / Accepted: October 17, 2002     

我国进口可再生利用废塑料的现状与发展

论述了进口可再生利用废塑料在环保、节能减排等国民经济领域中的重要意义。通过分析统计数据,阐明了我国由于资源匮乏,进口可再生利用废塑料的必要性和迫切性,并简述了我国政府对废塑料进口的监管措施。     

Management of agricultural biomass wastes: Preliminary study on characterization and valorisation in clay matrix bricks

In this work the feasibility of using woody agricultural biomass wastes as grapes and cherries seeds, sawdust, as pore forming agent, and sugar cane ash, as silica precursor, in bricks, were reported.Sawdust and grapes and cherries seeds, thanks to their organic substances content, during their combustion, bring an energetic support in the bricks firing phase and act as pore forming agent. Usually the addition of this kind of waste is limited to 10 wt.% in order to reach an equilibrium between positive (weight and shrinkage decrease and porosity increase) and negative (increase of water absorption and mechanical resistance decrease) effects. The results show that grapes and cherries seeds, added in a percentage of 5 wt.% to a brick formulation, have better influence with respect to the sawdust, maintaining the mechanical properties of the fired brick (950 °C), showing modulus of rupture around 21–23 MPa with a weight reduction of 3–10% (respect to the standard one). Regarding the sugar cane ash, the addition of 5 wt.% improves the mechanical properties (modulus of rupture around 27 MPa) and no weight decrease is observed. These results confirmed the role played by this kind of agricultural waste, which thanks to its high silica content (61 wt.%) is capable to demonstrate a filler and plasticity reducing effect on the brick bodies. Tests carried out highlighted that the addition of these by-products (5 wt.%) do not change negatively the main technological properties measured (water absorption, linear shrinkage, flexural resistance, etc.) and permit to hypothesize their use to obtain bricks with both insulating and higher mechanical properties using a pore agent forming or silica carrier alternative raw materials, respectively.     

油基钻屑处理处置研究新进展

油基钻屑是在勘探和开采油气资源的钻井过程中产生的一种典型危险废弃物。本文首先将现有各类繁杂技术划分为处置技术和处理技术,再通过进一步细化分类,系统综述了每项技术的原理、优缺点及应用潜力,总结出了“环保达标、经济可行”的处理处置基本原则,指出高值资源化是未来的研究方向之一。     

氯气泄漏扩散过程及后果评价的研究现状分析

综述了氯气泄漏扩散过程及后果评价的研究成果。从现场试验、实验室模拟和数学模拟三方面分析了氯气泄漏扩散各研究方法的优势和局限性。强调了氯气泄漏扩散后果评价的必要性。指出:必须针对中国特有的一些重气扩散建立专属知识产权的数学模型;不同层次数学模型的精度皆有待于进一步提高;需加强基于特定数学模型的全过程统一界面模拟程序的开发。     

我国再生资源回收体系建设现状、问题及路径选择

再生资源回收体系建设是我国资源综合利用与循环经济重要的组成部分,先进、规范、完整的回收体系是推进再生资源产业发展的关键所在。总结、分析我国再生资源回收体系建设的现状和存在问题,科学地提出建立高效规范回收体系的路径选择,是当前需要研究的一项重要课题。     

华东废钢产业发展概况及2012年废钢行情分析

对华东地区废钢产业的发展进行概述,回顾了2011年华东地区废钢市场的供求行情,并对2012年废钢市场的供求行情进行分析和预测。     

废旧纺织品综合利用现状分析及对策研究

研究提出废旧纺织品回收现状及典型模式,主要有衣物回收箱模式、民间自发回收模式、企业自主回收模式和以衣换物模式等;分析归纳了废旧纺织品综合利用基本情况,涵盖棉、毛、混纺、边角料等类型废旧纺织品的综合利用;总结了废旧纺织品产业技术创新战略联盟的工作进展和成效,突出技术创新在废旧纺织品综合利用中的重要作用;明确了废旧纺织品综合利用的发展方向,未来要从开发先进技术、培育产业集群、强化政策扶持、拓展利用渠道、建设回收体系、建立行业标准、探索二手市场和加强宣传教育等方面开展工作。     

核化危害源项反演技术现状及研究展望

源项反演对缓解和遏制核化危害源、精准预测核化危害时空传输和扩散情况、辅助作战行动和保障决策等具有十分重要的意义.本文从源项反演应用平台和源项反演关键算法(包括欧拉方法、拉格朗日方法、深度学习等)两个方面,对国内外核化危害源项反演技术的现状和二者间的差距进行了总结与分析.研究指出,利用深度学习提高反演精度和速率、从单污染...     

A Multiscale Approach for Assessing the Interactions of Environmental and Biological Systems in a Holistic Health Risk Assessment Framework

Advances in computing processing power and in availability of environmental and biological data have allowed the development and application of comprehensive modeling systems that utilize a holistic, integrated, approach for assessing the interactions of environmental and biological systems across multiple scales of spatiotemporal extent and biological organization. This approach allows mechanism-based environmental health risk assessments in a person-oriented framework, which accounts for simultaneous exposures to contaminants from multiple media, routes, and pathways. The conceptual basis and example applications of the Modeling ENvironment for TOtal Risk (MENTOR), and the DOse–Response Information ANalysis system (DORIAN) are presented.     

飞机拆解与再利用研究进展

随着报废飞机数量的日益增多,废旧飞机处理的环境问题显得尤为迫切.简要评述了空中客车公司飞机使用寿命终结高级管理流程（PAMELA）项目的情况,以及废旧飞机报废过程中的管理体系的建立,并对我国报废飞机拆解与再利用研究进展进行了阐述,以期为废旧飞机的处理找到新的途径.