A dynamic optimization model for solid waste recycling

Recycling is an important part of waste management (that includes different kinds of issues: environmental, technological, economic, legislative, social, etc.). Differently from many works in literature, this paper is focused on recycling management and on the dynamic optimization of materials collection. The developed dynamic decision model is characterized by state variables, corresponding to the quantity of waste in each bin per each day, and control variables determining the quantity of material that is collected in the area each day and the routes for collecting vehicles. The objective function minimizes the sum of costs minus benefits. The developed decision model is integrated in a GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS). A case study related to the Cogoleto municipality is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed model. From optimal results, it has been found that the net benefits of the optimized collection are about 2.5 times greater than the estimated current policy.     

A simple model for complex waste recycling scenarios in developing economies

Future uncertainties involved in the current waste management activities in the developing nations have been addressed through determining plastic waste recovery, recycling and landfilling scenarios in two case study countries — Bangladesh and India. In order to discern and comprehend the material in-flow and out-flow of such complex successive plastics recoveries and recyclings, within the closed-loop recycling systems present in these two countries, a simple mathematical model is developed. The model is based on limited published information, on extensive fieldwork in Dhaka, Calcutta and Delhi, and on experimental data. An environmental legislative factor has been included in the model which will allow balancing of the quality of recycled products and the amount of landfilling non-recyclable plastics. The model has the potential to create and predict a sound waste database for these countries. Bangladesh has been chosen as a model developing country for this study. The mathematical model can be used in future decision making processes within the plastics recycling arena of the countries concerned to achieve an environmentally sound and cost effective waste management option.     

再生资源产业回收模式比较

回收网络与回收模式的选择对再生资源企业非常关键。在实践中,存在分散型、层级管理、柔性管理、点对点及承包协议等多种不同的回收模式,而且各自具备不同的特点。基于对不同回收模式的比较分析,针对每种模式分别提出以下建议:以政策规范分散回收行为、以宣传推广柔性管理模式、以共生提高层级网络效率、以信息平台扩大点对点模式、以市场运行承包协议模式。     

Cost effectiveness of recycling: A systems model

Financial analytical models of waste management systems have often found that recycling costs exceed direct benefits, and in order to economically justify recycling activities, externalities such as household expenses or environmental impacts must be invoked. Certain more empirically based studies have also found that recycling is more expensive than disposal. Other work, both through models and surveys, have found differently. Here we present an empirical systems model, largely drawn from a suburban Long Island municipality. The model accounts for changes in distribution of effort as recycling tonnages displace disposal tonnages, and the seven different cases examined all show that curbside collection programs that manage up to between 31% and 37% of the waste stream should result in overall system savings. These savings accrue partially because of assumed cost differences in tip fees for recyclables and disposed wastes, and also because recycling can result in a more efficient, cost-effective collection program. These results imply that increases in recycling are justifiable due to cost-savings alone, not on more difficult to measure factors that may not impact program budgets.     

WEEE recycling: Pyrolysis of fire retardant model polymers

Pyrolysis treatments of model polymers were made with the aim of studying the recycling of wastes from electronic, electric equipment containing brominated flame retardants. Pyrolysis of flame retarded high impact polystyrene and epoxy resins were made both in flow and closed systems. Products of pyrolysis were analysed with FT-IR spectroscopy and GC-MS and the evolution of bromine was followed with a bromine ion specific electrode. The effect of alkali on pyrolysis was also studied demonstrating, as far epoxy resin is concerned, to be effective on decreasing bromine content in oil and volatile products leading to the recovery of bromine from the residue by washing. The alkali treatment was shown to be less effective in styrenic polymers containing brominated flame retardants.     

建筑废弃物循环利用的GD-AHP模型研究

通过分析国内外建筑废弃物循环利用的现状,找出制约我国建筑废弃物循环利用的因素,并借鉴国外的成功经验,提出促进我国建筑废弃物循环利用的可行方案;运用群组层次分析法（GD-AHP）分析获取的专家问卷数据,得出了可行方案的重要性排序.     

Screening method for locating groundwater monitoring wells

The traditional approach to characterizing the extent of groundwater contamination is often phased over a period of several years. A screening method has been developed that allows the investigation process to be reduced to a single phase. Existing data are used to develop a preliminary estimate of the extent of contamination, which is refined by the screening method using groundwater data collected and analyzed in the field. The screening method is applicable at sites with volatile organic compound contamination. Groundwater samples are collected using direct push or drill rig assisted methods, and the groundwater headspace gas is analyzed for the contaminant of interest. The refined estimate is used to locate all of the groundwater monitoring wells necessary to finalize the estimate of the extent of contamination. Therefore, only one investigation phase is required, and time and cost savings are realized with respect to the traditional multiphase approach. The screening method was successfully applied at a CERCLA site in Nebraska with two distinct plumes of TCE-contaminated groundwater. The Nebraska remedial investigation was completed approximately 18 months earlier than the estimated completion of a comparable phased investigation, with a corresponding cost reduction estimated at approximately 10 percent. If data from the screening method were used instead of data from monitoring wells, the estimated cost savings would be over 50 percent. Additional applications and evaluations may lead to industry and regulatory acceptance of the method as a primary characterization tool.     

Commentary: A paradigm for plastics recycling

Possibilities abound for organizing an effective plastics recycling industry. Whatever is done to waste plastic requires some knowledge of what the materials are and an understanding that any mixing, inadvertent or deliberate, will not destroy the material's usefulness. If all polymers could be changed back to monomers, the net result would be that polymers of a thousand different types could be reduced to less than a dozen types of monomer for well over 95 percent of plastic waste. If the cost of depolymerization is less than the current monomer price, the economics of depolymerization is an obvious advantage. Polymerization and depolymerization are both controlled by thermodynamics and kinetics. The paradigm is to discriminate one plastic formulation from another. If the properties are close and selection assured, then direct reuse may be possible. In all other cases, we must use a chemical process where the choices are few and the selection is easy.     

One-pot wet ball-milling for waste wire-harness recycling

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - In this study, we developed a one-pot wet ball-milling method for the recovery of highly pure copper wire, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) coating, and...     

适合我国的电子废物回收模式

随着经济发展,我国电子废物产生量已开始步入高峰期。电子废物含有重金属、有毒有机物等有害物质,如不妥善回收处理,将会严重危害环境和人体健康。国内外对于回收电子废物的处理技术方法研究比较广泛,形成比较成熟的工艺方法,可以达到资源化和无害化。而电子废弃物如何有效地回收至电子废物处理厂,避免不正规处理带来的环境污染,成为电子废物污染防治工作的瓶颈。在借鉴国外电子废物回收经验的基础上,结合我国国情,提出适合我国的电子废物回收模式。     

Vermicomposting of source-separated human faeces for nutrient recycling

The present study examined the suitability of vermicomposting technology for processing source-separated human faeces. Since the earthworm species Eisenia fetida could not survive in fresh faeces, modification in the physical characteristics of faeces was necessary before earthworms could be introduced to faeces. A preliminary study with six different combinations of faeces, soil and bulking material (vermicompost) in different layers was conducted to find out the best condition for biomass growth and reproduction of earthworms. The results indicated that SVFV combination (soil, vermicompost, faeces and vermicompost – bottom to top layers) was the best for earthworm biomass growth indicating the positive role of soil layer in earthworm biomass growth. Further studies with SVFV and VFV combinations, however, showed that soil layer did not enhance vermicompost production rate. Year-long study conducted with VFV combination to assess the quality and quantity of vermicompost produced showed an average vermicompost production rate of 0.30 kg-cast/kg-worm/day. The vermicompost produced was mature as indicated by low dissolved organic carbon (2.4 ± 0.43 mg/g) and low oxygen uptake rate (0.15 ± 0.09 mg O₂/g VS/h). Complete inactivation of total coliforms was noted during the study, which is one of the important objectives of human faeces processing. Results of the study thus indicated the potential of vermicomposting for processing of source-separated human faeces.     

关于再生资源产业软环境建设的思考

区域性再生资源产业跨越式发展的首要条件是鼓励项目招商、引资、引智的政策措施必须切实可行。硬环境主要是指该地区的地理位置以及可能提供给外商所需要的物质条件,如自然资源、基础设施等;软环境建设包括5个方面:营造安全文明的法制环境,诚实守信的人文环境,相对稳定的政策环境,高效快捷的办事环境,安逸舒适的人居环境。     

废旧冰箱无害化再生处理的关键技术

分析了废旧冰箱的结构特点和材料组成,介绍了其整体回收处理工艺及特殊部件再生处理的关键性技术。     

再生资源产业发展的市场化路径探讨

再生资源产业面对金融危机与税制改革的叠加影响,不能依赖于政策扶持 来摆脱困境,而是要迎合世界再生资源产业的发展趋势,走市场化、产业化、现代化的道路。     

Analysis of recycling structures for e-waste in Vietnam

E-waste management in Vietnam poses real challenges such as the lack of specific e-waste legislation, the strong involvement of “craft villages” and the missing of monitoring data. Many issues (e.g., pollution level, generated waste, health of workers and resident living at recycling sites) lead to the limited access to these craft villages. Thus, there is no comprehensive picture on e-waste management in Vietnam available today. This research focuses on the current situation of e-waste management. Sources of e-waste, collection and treatment in Vietnam are investigated by utilizing most available sources of information (published journals, unpublished works from projects and reports from institutes, ministry) together with the interviewed data from experts, collectors, workers and especially, biggest traders in the field. Based on this information, the processes applied in Vietnam, both in the formal and informal sector, have been analyzed systematically in terms of inputs, outputs, potential emissions and related risks for workers. From these aspects, a comparison in terms of legal frameworks, collection and treatment at both formal and informal sector between Vietnam and other countries in Asian region was undertaken. Thus, major challenges of e-waste management and relatively comprehensive image of e-waste management and treatment in Vietnam have been identified.     

Innovative process routes for a high-quality concrete recycling

This study presents alternative methods for the processing of concrete waste. The mechanical stresses needed for the embrittlement of the mortar matrix and further selective crushing of concrete were generated by either electric impulses or microwaves heating. Tests were carried out on lab-made concrete samples representative of concrete waste from concrete mixer trucks and on concrete waste collected on a French demolition site. The results obtained so far show that both techniques can be used to weaken concrete samples and to enhance aggregate selective liberation (that is the production of cement paste-free aggregates) during crushing and grinding. Electric pulses treatment seems to appear more efficient, more robust and less energy consuming (1–3 kW h t^?1) than microwave treatment (10–40 kW h t^?1) but it can only be applied on samples in water leading to a major drawback for recycling aggregates or cement paste in the cement production process.     

关于扶持再生资源回收产业发展的若干建议

受全球金融危机的影响及我国新税政的实施,我国再生资源回收产业陷入前所未有的困境.针对当前我国再生资源回收产业所面临的突出问题和实际困难,提出扶持再生资源回收产业发展的若干建议.     

An interval-parameter stochastic robust optimization model for supporting municipal solid waste management under uncertainty

A stochastic robust interval linear programming model (IPRO) was developed for supporting municipal solid waste management under uncertainty. The model improves upon the existing stochastic robust optimization (SRO) and interval linear programming (ILP) methods by allowing evaluations of trade-offs among expected costs, cost variability, and risk of violating relax constraints simultaneously, as well as reflections of complex uncertainties through both interval and stochastic theories. A long-term waste management problem was used to demonstrate the applicability of IPRO model. The results indicated that IPRO normally led to interval solutions, where waste-management alternatives could be generated by adjusting the decision-variable values within their intervals. The model could also help waste managers to identify desired policies that under various environmental, economic, system-feasibility and system-reliability constraints.     

资源循环科学与工程专业课程体系优化与教学内容创新实践的探索

针对资源循环科学与工程本科专业课程教学,以西安建筑科技大学该专业课程体系为案例,通过对毕业生和专业研讨会调研,分析了课程体系建设的现状和存在的问题。借鉴其他高校资源专业的课程体系和教学内容,通过梳理各门专业课程的教学内容和相互联系,构建了资源专业课程体系课程群,探索了课程体系优化的方法和增加创新实践环节的具体措施。     

Evaluation of material recycling for plastics: environmental aspects

“Zero emissions” is a concept envisaging the creation of a sustainable society with minimal disposal of resources. In order to realize zero emissions for plastics, it is important to establish a method for quantitatively evaluating candidate recycling processes. In this study, the principle of the substitution factor (SF) is introduced. A quantitative evaluation of the recycling process for plastics was then carried out. The production process for monofilament plastics was examined. The recycling of plastics discarded during the production process could be substituted in small amounts for virgin materials, giving reduced CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, production using recycled material mixed with virgin material was more effective in reducing CO₂ emissions than when recycled materials only were used. Received: November 19, 1999 / Accepted: November 28, 2000