Humanity's activities increasingly threaten Earth's richness of life, of which mankind is a part. As part of the response, the environmentally conscious attempt to engineer products, processes and systems that interact harmoniously with the living world. Current environmental design guidance draws upon a wealth of experiences with the products of engineering that damaged humanity's environment. Efforts to create such guidelines inductively attempt to tease right action from examination of past mistakes. Unfortunately, avoidance of past errors cannot guarantee environmentally sustainable designs in the future. One needs to examine and understand an example of an environmentally sustainable, complex, multi-scale system to engineer designs with similar characteristics. This dissertation benchmarks and evaluates the efficacy of guidance from one such environmentally sustainable system resting at humanity's doorstep - the biosphere. Taking a holistic view of biomimicry, emulation of and inspiration by life, this work extracts overarching principles of life from academic life science literature using a sociological technique known as constant comparative method. It translates these principles into bio-inspired sustainable engineering guidelines. During this process, it identifies physically rooted measures and metrics that link guidelines to engineering applications. Qualitative validation for principles and guidelines takes the form of review by biology experts and comparison with existing environmentally benign design and manufacturing guidelines. Three select bio-inspired guidelines at three different organizational scales of engineering interest are quantitatively validated. Physical experiments with self-cleaning surfaces quantify the potential environmental benefits generated by applying the first, sub-product scale guideline. An interpretation of a metabolically rooted guideline applied at the product / organism organizational scale is shown to correlate with existing environmental metrics and predict a sustainability threshold. Finally, design of a carpet recycling network illustrates the quantitative environmental benefits one reaps by applying the third, multi-facility scale bio-inspired sustainability guideline. Taken as a whole, this work contributes (1) a set of biologically inspired sustainability principles for engineering, (2) a translation of these principles into measures applicable to design, (3) examples demonstrating a new, holistic form of biomimicry and (4) a deductive, novel approach to environmentally benign engineering. Life, the collection of processes that tamed and maintained themselves on planet Earth's once hostile surface, long ago confronted and solved the fundamental problems facing all organisms. Through this work, it is hoped that humanity has taken one small step toward self-mastery, thus drawing closer to a solution to the latest problem facing all organisms.

Humans are at a critical juncture in terms of how to evolve to deal with increasingly urgent global ecological and social trends. Questions of ecological sustainability are inextricably linked to patterns of human production and consumption. The current economic system operates without regard for unbending ecological laws. Industrial Ecology is an alternative theory for planning, designing and managing production and consumption activities to operate within biophysical limits by applying ecological principles to industrial operations. This thesis explores implementing Industrial Ecology with eco-industrial parks - sites with a redundant and diverse set of businesses co-located to operate as ecologically compatible and economically viable systems. Projects underway are using different concepts, strategies and organizational forms, but all seek to apply Industrial Ecology principles. My literature review discusses the benefits, challenges and risks associated with eco-industrial parks and summarizes key design elements from existing cases. The City of Richmond is used to analyze the capacity of a municipality and its policy and regulatory framework for eco-industrial parks based on key design elements. Structured interviews informed the evaluation of capacity. I found Richmond's Official Community Plan, Industrial Strategy and zoning bylaw conceptually support and would not prevent eco-industrial park development; however, policy lacks economy-environment linkages and does not further Industrial Ecology. Regulatory barriers to implementation of physical design features of eco-industrial parks involve zoning, land use patterns, permitting, ownership and water concerns, but the barriers are flexible in terms of presenting obstacles rather than being prohibitive. Municipal capacity gaps exist for non-physical design features relating to information systems and organization and management. I make recommendations for Richmond to increase eco-industrial development capacity based on Industrial Ecology theory, other eco-industrial park cases and a personal interpretation of what is required for sustainable development. Richmond has significant potential to become a leader in industrial innovation at the level of local systems to which horizontal and vertical links can be established for achieving long-term sustainability.

Environmental costs of products are closely related to their environmental impacts incurred at all life cycle stages of a product. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methods are often used to estimate these environmental costs and impacts. However, LCA analysis is known to be a costly and time-consuming method, whereas LCC analysis often neglects the social cost which is currently paid by society as a whole. Therefore, this research proposes a new methodology to assess the environmental impact and social cost for the entire life cycle of a product, which can be used as a simple and transparent tool for the early conceptual design stage. The methodology delivers the Environmental Impact Drivers and the associated Social Cost Drivers for all product life cycle stages via spreadsheets, and it provides the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) method in the SimaPro software as a user interface. Furthermore, the drivers provide the values for four different geographical regions and damage categories. The conceptual model is based on the impact pathway approach which integrates the Simplified LCA (SLCA) model and the social cost databases. The SLCA model is derived from an extension of previous research whereas the social costs are based on the most suitable Economic Valuation (EV) studies such as the EPS2000d, EXMOD, Ecosense and Asian EV studies. The data collection for the SLCA database was accomplished by using the LCA analysis of the Eco Indicator 99 H/A method and the Hierarchical clustering technique. The data for the social cost database was collected using the Benefit Transfer Method which obtains the EV studies mainly from the Environmental Valuation Reference Inventory (EVRI) data source. Several case studies utilising existing products, including a product redesign case study were used to prove the concept and demonstrate the efficiency of this proposed methodology.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxiii, 306 p.; also includes graphics (some col.) Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-306). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Simultaneamente, eleva-se o interesse pelo desenvolvimento sustentável e os inerentes desafios a ele vinculados. Por outro lado, como uma possibilidade de alcançá-lo entrou em evidência o conceito de Ecologia Industrial (EI). Sua perspectiva fundamental tem a natureza como modelo visando a integração entre os sistemas ecológico e industriais. Caracteriza-se por três escalas de atuação e a Simbiose Industrial (SI) é a mais difundida, envolvendo o intercâmbio de materiais, produtos, água, energia, resíduos, informações, experiências e conhecimentos entre organizações (POSCH, 2010; GIURCO et al., 2011). Entretanto, Deutz (2009) destaca que a EI possui questões emergentes e que necessitam de mais aprofundamentos com as ciências sociais. Em geral, suas pesquisas partem do campo técnico e encontram dificuldades de serem implementadas e aceitas porque não foram confrontadas com os sistemas sociais e de poder que envolvem as organizações. Existindo espaços para estudos que considerem aspectos como cultura, valores, elementos políticos e de poder nas relações interorganizacionais. Dedicando-se uma atenção mínima a esses aspectos reduz-se o potencial contributivo da EI. O desafio é aprofundar, ampliar e integrar as análises em uma concepção sistêmica e transdisciplinar orientada para o desenvolvimento sustentável. Resultados satisfatórios diante dessas imposições abrangem investimentos em P&D, em produtos ecoinovadores e alterações nas práticas de negócios (LOMBARDI; LAYBOURN, 2012). Assim, esta tese objetivou analisar as percepções dos atores de um parque tecnológico diante das interações da Ecologia Industrial com as convergências entre as teorias de Sistemas, Institucional e da Dependência de Recursos. A construção do referencial teórico pautado nas referidas teorias possibilitou estabelecer conexões com a EI e promover a elaboração das categorias de análise que serviram de base para a construção das proposições. A partir da abordagem qualitativa, de uma perspectiva multidisciplinar e do estudo de caso, definiu-se como objeto de estudo a Associação Parque Tecnológico de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil. Utilizou-se dados primários e secundários compostos por fontes como documentos, acompanhamento de reuniões e observações. Contudo, o principal instrumento de coleta foram entrevistas realizadas com 28 integrantes do parque tecnológico. Para a análise dos dados empregou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados evidenciaram que os atores reconhecem a necessidade de ações integradas entre organizações, todavia ainda não consideram que a preservação ambiental seja um valor socialmente aceito e reconhecido com impactos significativos nos resultados empresariais que garantam a sobrevivência da organização. Em geral, as relações não são pautadas por um contexto institucional que incentiva objetivos compartilhados visando suprir recursos críticos. Decisões oriundas do hábito e a ausência de clareza sobre os pressupostos da EI dificultam a sua operacionalização. Embora seja afirmado que exista disposição para abdicar do controle de recursos para obtenção de melhores resultados coletivos, empiricamente a intenção foi pouco observada. Os atores percebem falta de discernimento quanto às responsabilidades das universidades e dos setores público e privado locais no desenvolvimento das interações. / At the same time the interest in sustainable development grows, so does the interest in the challenges it brings. As a possible tool to solve these challenges came the idea of Industrial Ecology (IE), which has as its main perspective nature as a model in the integration of the ecological and industrial systems. It is characterized by scales of action and the most well know of them is Industrial Symbioses (IS), which involves the exchange of materials, products, water, energy, residue, information, experiences and knowledge among organizations (POSCH, 2010; GIURCO et al., 2011). Deutz (2009), however, notes that IE brings about new questions in need of a bigger connection with social sciences. Usually researches start in a more technical field and face difficulties to be implemented and accepted because they weren‟t confronted beforehand with the social and power systems that organizations revolve around. Opening spaces for studies that take into consideration aspects such as culture, values, organizational politics and power structures and pays attention to these details can reduce the impacts of IE. The challenge is to examine carefully, broaden and integrate this analysis in a transdisciplinary and systemic view directed towards sustainable development. Satisfactory results in face of these impositions involve investments in R&D (research and development), in eco-innovative products and changes in business practices. (LOMBARDI; LAYBOURN, 2012). Thus, this thesis aimed to analyze the perception of subjects of a technological park on the interactions of Industrial Ecology with the coming together of the Systems, Institutional and Resource Dependency theories. The theoretical reference based on the aforementioned theories made it possible to establish connections with IE and create the categories of analysis that served as a basis to the prepositions. Based on the qualitative approach, on a multidisciplinary perspective and a case study, the Associação Parque Tecnológico of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil was chosen as study subject. Primary and secondary data from documents, meeting notes and observations were used. However, the main data were interviews of 28 members of the technological park. To analyze the data the method of content analysis was used. The results showed that the subjects recognize the need for integrated actions among organizations, yet do not consider that environmental conservation is a socially accepted and well know concept with high impact on business results that can guarantee a company‟s survival. Generally, relationships are not guided by an institutional context that motivates shared goals aiming to supply critical resources. Decisions made out of habit and in the absence of clarity surrounding the purpose of IE can hinder its performance. Although it is said that there is disposition to abdicate resource control to achieve better and shared results, in practice this was rarely observed. The subjects found that universities and the private and public sector lack insight regarding their responsibilities for developing interactions.

O aumento do consumo mundial de carnes, em função do crescimento da renda, principalmente nos países em desenvolvimento, alerta para o crescente uso de recursos naturais e geração de resíduos resultante destes processos. A carne de frango surge como a principal opção para suprir esta demanda, e o Brasil apresenta-se como um dos maiores players mundiais deste mercado. O Sul do Brasil, principal região produtora de frangos, enfrenta hoje questões ambientais relacionadas ao tratamento e destinação dos dejetos e a consequente contaminação do solo e dos lençóis freáticos, o que vem limitando a expansão do setor. Atualmente, a principal fonte proteica para nutrição animal é o farelo de soja, que por ser uma fonte nobre de alimento e energia (biocombustíveis), tem apresentado preços elevados no mercado mundial. O uso de insetos como fonte proteica alternativa à dieta de frangos de corte vem sendo estudado, a fim de suprir, pelo menos em parte, esta demanda. As larvas da mosca Black Soldier Fly (BSF) possuem capacidade para digerir grandes quantidades de matéria orgânica, tanto de substratos com origem vegetal como animal. Deste bioprocessamento resulta o farelo de insetos, rico em proteína e lipídios; a quitina, composto para uso farmacêutico; e o composto orgânico, com potencial para ser utilizado como biofertilizante. Apesar das limitações de ordem cultural, sanitárias e de escala de produção, para implantação desta tecnologia no curto prazo, seu potencial vem sendo confirmado Visando aproximar o uso de insetos à realidade brasileira, primeiramente, identificaram-se as espécies que mais se adaptam as condições edafoclimáticas, e aquelas com maior potencial para processar substratos menos nobres como resíduos de grãos e dejeto animal. De acordo com as 5 características desejáveis na escolha das espécies de insetos, proposta pela Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), identificaram-se as larvas de BSF e de mosca doméstica, conforme discutido no Capítulo 3 da presente tese. A fim de identificar o status quo da avicultura brasileira do Sul do país, realizou-se a análise emergética de uma típica propriedade em sistema convencional de produção, com alto nível tecnológico. A discussão dos índices emergéticos e possibilidades de incremento em sustentabilidade foi apresentada no quarto capítulo da tese. Já o Capítulo 5, apresenta os resultados da análise emergética realizada num projeto piloto de criação e processamento de larvas de BSF no Brasil. A partir da análise bromatológica do substrato (resíduo de grãos), farelo de insetos e composto orgânico, provenientes deste projeto, determinou-se a transformidade do farelo de insetos. Esta contribuição inédita alimentará o banco de dados do International Society for the Advancement of Emergy Research (ISAER) Os demais índices emergéticos do processo foram calculados e, por meio de uma análise comparativa com o farelo de soja, também foram discutidos no terceiro artigo. Demonstrou-se os ganhos em sustentabilidade que esta inovação tecnológica pode provocar, tendo o farelo de insetos apresentado os melhores índices. Visando responder ao problema de pesquisa da presente tese: o uso de farelo de inseto pode aumentar a sustentabilidade da avicultura brasileira?; realizou-se a análise emergética comparativa de uma típica propriedade avícola em Chapecó, Santa Catarina, no ano de 2015, modificando somente a fonte proteica da dieta das aves. Foram identificados ganhos em transformidade (emergia por joule do produto), renovabilidade e nos demais índices emergéticos, demonstrando, que a inserção desta tecnologia, mesmo que no longo prazo, tem potencial para melhorar a sustentabilidade da produção de carne de frango. O apelo mundial por sustentabilidade na produção de carne é um constante desafio para os agronegócios. Mesmo com as limitações identificadas, que ainda requerem investigações e regulamentações, a tecnologia de produção de farelo de insetos apresenta-se como uma oportunidade para melhorar aspectos sociais e ambientais, além dos econômicos, voltados à sustentabilidade. / The worldwide increase of meat consumption due to growing income, especially in developing countries, alerts us to the escalating use of natural resources and waste generation from these processes. Poultry meat appears as the main option to meet this demand and Brazil represents the biggest world player in this market. The main Brazilian poultry production region, in the South, faces environmental concerns related to destination and treatment of this organic waste which is contaminating soil and groundwater. These issues are limiting the expansion of the poultry sector. Currently, soybean meal, the main protein source for animal nutrition and a noble source of energy (biofuels), is facing increasing prices in the world market. The use of insects as an alternative protein source for poultry diet has being studied, aiming to supply, at least in part, this demand. Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae have the capacity to digest huge volumes of organic material from both animal and vegetal origin. The products from this bioprocessing are insect meal, rich in protein and lipids; chitin, a pharmaceutical compound; and the organic compound that can be used as biofertilizer. Despite cultural, sanitary and scale production limitations to insert this technology in the short term, its potential is already confirmed. In Brazil, the species most adaptable to edaphoclimatic conditions and those with the greatest potential to bioprocess ‘poorer’ substrates such as grain residues and animal waste were identified as BSF and domestic fly larvae These species show the five desirable characteristics proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as discussed in Chapter Three of the thesis. An emergetic analysis of a typical farm in a conventional production system with an advanced technological level was conducted to identify the status quo of Brazilian poultry production in the Southern region. Emergetic index and the possibilities to increase sustainability of the sector are presented in Chapter Four. Chapter Five presents results from an emergy assessment of a pilot project of rearing and processing BSF larvae in Brazil. Through bromatological analysis of the substrate (grain residue), insect meal and organic compound from this project, the transformity of insect meal was determined. This unpublished contribution can feed into the database of the International Society for the Advancement of Emergy Research (ISAER). Remaining emergetic index from the process was calculated and discussed in the third article. Gains in sustainability and better index was demonstrated in favor of insect meal The research study was designed to answer the question: Can use of insect meal increase sustainability in Brazilian poultry production? A comparative emergy assessment was carried out on a typical poultry farm in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, in 2015, in which only the protein source of the poultry diet was modified. Transformity (emergy per joule of product), renewability and remaining index was calculated. It demonstrated that, even over a longer period of time, this technology has the potential to improve sustainability in poultry production. The worldwide appeal for sustainability in meat production is a constant challenge to agribusiness. Even with some limitations that still require research, the technology of insect meal is an opportunity to improve social and environmental aspects, as well as economic, while directed at sustainability.

CAPES / O objetivo central desta pesquisa foi desenvolver uma ferramenta para avaliação da presença de práticas de Simbiose Industrial em rede de empresas, a partir dos conceitos de simbiose industrial encontrados na literatura. Para isto, foi definida uma série de etapas para a construção do referencial teórico da presente pesquisa, e para o desenvolvimento da proposta de metodologia. As etapas iniciais foram baseadas no instrumento ProKnow-C (Knowledge Development Process–Constructivist), com o intuito de formar o portfólio bibliográfico. Este procedimento ocorreu com apoio do portal ISI Web of Knowledge, sendo realizado em duas categorias de classificação: Engineering, Environmental e Engineering, Industrial. Em seguida, as variáveis da Simbiose Industrial foram identificadas através da revisão sistemática diferenciada. Os resultados obtidos por meio deste procedimento possibilitou o desenvolvimento da ferramenta teórica. Após a identificação das variáveis, uma metodologia baseada na lógica fuzzy foi aplicada e direcionada à pesquisadores do tema para atribuição dos pesos das variáveis de Simbiose Industrial. Desta forma, foi possível extraír os indicadores de intensidade das inter-relações necessários na análise do nível de desenvolvimento de cada uma das correlações entre as variáveis. Em posse das variáveis e de seus pesos, obteve-se como resultado inicial a estrutura da teórica de Avaliação de Simbiose Industrial. No sentido de identificar pontualmente as lacunas ou níveis de desenvolvimento em cada esfera, gerou-se então os gráficos de manobra para análise dos dados. Após estes procedimentos, construiu-se um instrumento para a aplicação da ferramenta, acompanhado de um método de cálculo matemático para tratamento dos dados, tornando-o passível de aplicação, compilação e resultados. Assim, uma ferramenta de aplicação da metodologia, capaz de obter os dados para análise nos gráficos de manobra e para a geração da Avaliação de Simbiose Industrial, foi desenvolvido. Por fim, um teste piloto foi realizado em uma rede de empresas fabricantes de móveis e esquadrias de madeira, identificando se há práticas da Simbiose Industrial na rede, bem como o potencial de desenvolvimento das esferas de análise. Os resultados do teste piloto da ferramenta de Avaliação de Simbiose Industrial forneceram uma série de perspectivas relacionadas à sua aplicabilidade, flexibilidade, particularidades, e, ao direcionamento nos aspectos de amadurecimento da ferramenta. / The main objective of this research was to develop a tool for assessing the presence of Industrial Symbiosis practices in na industrial cluster, based on the concepts of Industrial Symbiosis found in the literature. For this, were conceived a variety of steps to form theoretical framework of this research, and, for the development of the proposed methodology. In order to form the bibliographic portfolio, this research initial steps were based on the instrument ProKnow-C (Knowledge Development Process–Constructivist). This procedure was performed with support of ISI Web of Knowledge portal and carried out in two categories of classification: Engineering, Environmental and Engineering, Industrial. Based on this differentiated systematic review, the variables of Industrial Symbiosis were identified. The results obtained by this procedure allowed the development of the theoretical model. After identificatifying the variables, a methodology based on fuzzy logic was applied and directed to the researchers of the subject for assigning weights of the variables of Industrial Symbiosis. Thus, it was possible to extract indicators of intensity of the interrelationships, these, needed in the analysis of the level of development of each of the correlations between the variables. In possession of the variables and their indicators, it was obtained an structure of the theoretical model for Assessing of Industrial Symbiosis, as initial result. In order to promptly identify gaps or development levels within each sphere, graphs of maneuver for data analysis were generated. After these procedures, it was built a tool to the model application, accompanied by a mathematical calculation method for processing data, making it reliable for implementation, compilation and results. Therefore, a model able to implementing the methodology, able to obtain the data for analysis on the graphs of maneuver and to generate the Assessing Industrial Symbiosis, was developed. Finally, a pilot test was conducted in a Industrial Cluster of manufacturer of furniture and wooden frames, identifying whether there are Industrial Symbiosis practices in the cluster, as well as the potential of development in the spheres of analysis. The results of the pilot test of the model for Assessing Industrial Symbiosis provided a range of perspectives related to its applicability, flexibility, features and guidance on aspects of ripening the tool. / 2017-09-01

Global multiregional input-output databases (GMRIOs) became the standard tool for track ing environmental impacts through global supply chains. To date, several GMRIOs are available, but the numerical results differ. This paper considers how GMRIOs can be made more robust and authoritative. We show that GMRIOs need detail in environmentally relevant sectors. On the basis of a review of earlier work, we conclude that the highest uncertainty in footprint analyses is caused by the environmental data used in a GMRIO, followed by the size of country measured in gross domestic product (GDP) as fraction of the global total, the structure of the national table, and only at the end the structure of trade. We suggest the following to enhance robustness of results. In the short term, we recommend using the Single country National Accounts Consistent footprint approach, that uses official data for extensions and the national table for the country in question, combined with embodiments in imports calculated using a GMRIO. In a time period of 2 to 3 years, we propose work on harmonized environmental data for water, carbon, materials, and land, and use the aggregated Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Inter-Country Input-Output GMRIO as default in combination with detailing procedures developed in, for example, the EXIOBASE and Eora projects. In the long term, solutions should be coordinated by the international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) Statistical Division, OECD, and Eurostat. This could ensure that when input-output tables and trade data of individual countries are combined, that the global totals are consistent and that bilateral trade asymmetries are resolved.

Simultaneamente, eleva-se o interesse pelo desenvolvimento sustentável e os inerentes desafios a ele vinculados. Por outro lado, como uma possibilidade de alcançá-lo entrou em evidência o conceito de Ecologia Industrial (EI). Sua perspectiva fundamental tem a natureza como modelo visando a integração entre os sistemas ecológico e industriais. Caracteriza-se por três escalas de atuação e a Simbiose Industrial (SI) é a mais difundida, envolvendo o intercâmbio de materiais, produtos, água, energia, resíduos, informações, experiências e conhecimentos entre organizações (POSCH, 2010; GIURCO et al., 2011). Entretanto, Deutz (2009) destaca que a EI possui questões emergentes e que necessitam de mais aprofundamentos com as ciências sociais. Em geral, suas pesquisas partem do campo técnico e encontram dificuldades de serem implementadas e aceitas porque não foram confrontadas com os sistemas sociais e de poder que envolvem as organizações. Existindo espaços para estudos que considerem aspectos como cultura, valores, elementos políticos e de poder nas relações interorganizacionais. Dedicando-se uma atenção mínima a esses aspectos reduz-se o potencial contributivo da EI. O desafio é aprofundar, ampliar e integrar as análises em uma concepção sistêmica e transdisciplinar orientada para o desenvolvimento sustentável. Resultados satisfatórios diante dessas imposições abrangem investimentos em P&D, em produtos ecoinovadores e alterações nas práticas de negócios (LOMBARDI; LAYBOURN, 2012). Assim, esta tese objetivou analisar as percepções dos atores de um parque tecnológico diante das interações da Ecologia Industrial com as convergências entre as teorias de Sistemas, Institucional e da Dependência de Recursos. A construção do referencial teórico pautado nas referidas teorias possibilitou estabelecer conexões com a EI e promover a elaboração das categorias de análise que serviram de base para a construção das proposições. A partir da abordagem qualitativa, de uma perspectiva multidisciplinar e do estudo de caso, definiu-se como objeto de estudo a Associação Parque Tecnológico de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil. Utilizou-se dados primários e secundários compostos por fontes como documentos, acompanhamento de reuniões e observações. Contudo, o principal instrumento de coleta foram entrevistas realizadas com 28 integrantes do parque tecnológico. Para a análise dos dados empregou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados evidenciaram que os atores reconhecem a necessidade de ações integradas entre organizações, todavia ainda não consideram que a preservação ambiental seja um valor socialmente aceito e reconhecido com impactos significativos nos resultados empresariais que garantam a sobrevivência da organização. Em geral, as relações não são pautadas por um contexto institucional que incentiva objetivos compartilhados visando suprir recursos críticos. Decisões oriundas do hábito e a ausência de clareza sobre os pressupostos da EI dificultam a sua operacionalização. Embora seja afirmado que exista disposição para abdicar do controle de recursos para obtenção de melhores resultados coletivos, empiricamente a intenção foi pouco observada. Os atores percebem falta de discernimento quanto às responsabilidades das universidades e dos setores público e privado locais no desenvolvimento das interações. / At the same time the interest in sustainable development grows, so does the interest in the challenges it brings. As a possible tool to solve these challenges came the idea of Industrial Ecology (IE), which has as its main perspective nature as a model in the integration of the ecological and industrial systems. It is characterized by scales of action and the most well know of them is Industrial Symbioses (IS), which involves the exchange of materials, products, water, energy, residue, information, experiences and knowledge among organizations (POSCH, 2010; GIURCO et al., 2011). Deutz (2009), however, notes that IE brings about new questions in need of a bigger connection with social sciences. Usually researches start in a more technical field and face difficulties to be implemented and accepted because they weren‟t confronted beforehand with the social and power systems that organizations revolve around. Opening spaces for studies that take into consideration aspects such as culture, values, organizational politics and power structures and pays attention to these details can reduce the impacts of IE. The challenge is to examine carefully, broaden and integrate this analysis in a transdisciplinary and systemic view directed towards sustainable development. Satisfactory results in face of these impositions involve investments in R&D (research and development), in eco-innovative products and changes in business practices. (LOMBARDI; LAYBOURN, 2012). Thus, this thesis aimed to analyze the perception of subjects of a technological park on the interactions of Industrial Ecology with the coming together of the Systems, Institutional and Resource Dependency theories. The theoretical reference based on the aforementioned theories made it possible to establish connections with IE and create the categories of analysis that served as a basis to the prepositions. Based on the qualitative approach, on a multidisciplinary perspective and a case study, the Associação Parque Tecnológico of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil was chosen as study subject. Primary and secondary data from documents, meeting notes and observations were used. However, the main data were interviews of 28 members of the technological park. To analyze the data the method of content analysis was used. The results showed that the subjects recognize the need for integrated actions among organizations, yet do not consider that environmental conservation is a socially accepted and well know concept with high impact on business results that can guarantee a company‟s survival. Generally, relationships are not guided by an institutional context that motivates shared goals aiming to supply critical resources. Decisions made out of habit and in the absence of clarity surrounding the purpose of IE can hinder its performance. Although it is said that there is disposition to abdicate resource control to achieve better and shared results, in practice this was rarely observed. The subjects found that universities and the private and public sector lack insight regarding their responsibilities for developing interactions.

O aumento do consumo mundial de carnes, em função do crescimento da renda, principalmente nos países em desenvolvimento, alerta para o crescente uso de recursos naturais e geração de resíduos resultante destes processos. A carne de frango surge como a principal opção para suprir esta demanda, e o Brasil apresenta-se como um dos maiores players mundiais deste mercado. O Sul do Brasil, principal região produtora de frangos, enfrenta hoje questões ambientais relacionadas ao tratamento e destinação dos dejetos e a consequente contaminação do solo e dos lençóis freáticos, o que vem limitando a expansão do setor. Atualmente, a principal fonte proteica para nutrição animal é o farelo de soja, que por ser uma fonte nobre de alimento e energia (biocombustíveis), tem apresentado preços elevados no mercado mundial. O uso de insetos como fonte proteica alternativa à dieta de frangos de corte vem sendo estudado, a fim de suprir, pelo menos em parte, esta demanda. As larvas da mosca Black Soldier Fly (BSF) possuem capacidade para digerir grandes quantidades de matéria orgânica, tanto de substratos com origem vegetal como animal. Deste bioprocessamento resulta o farelo de insetos, rico em proteína e lipídios; a quitina, composto para uso farmacêutico; e o composto orgânico, com potencial para ser utilizado como biofertilizante. Apesar das limitações de ordem cultural, sanitárias e de escala de produção, para implantação desta tecnologia no curto prazo, seu potencial vem sendo confirmado Visando aproximar o uso de insetos à realidade brasileira, primeiramente, identificaram-se as espécies que mais se adaptam as condições edafoclimáticas, e aquelas com maior potencial para processar substratos menos nobres como resíduos de grãos e dejeto animal. De acordo com as 5 características desejáveis na escolha das espécies de insetos, proposta pela Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), identificaram-se as larvas de BSF e de mosca doméstica, conforme discutido no Capítulo 3 da presente tese. A fim de identificar o status quo da avicultura brasileira do Sul do país, realizou-se a análise emergética de uma típica propriedade em sistema convencional de produção, com alto nível tecnológico. A discussão dos índices emergéticos e possibilidades de incremento em sustentabilidade foi apresentada no quarto capítulo da tese. Já o Capítulo 5, apresenta os resultados da análise emergética realizada num projeto piloto de criação e processamento de larvas de BSF no Brasil. A partir da análise bromatológica do substrato (resíduo de grãos), farelo de insetos e composto orgânico, provenientes deste projeto, determinou-se a transformidade do farelo de insetos. Esta contribuição inédita alimentará o banco de dados do International Society for the Advancement of Emergy Research (ISAER) Os demais índices emergéticos do processo foram calculados e, por meio de uma análise comparativa com o farelo de soja, também foram discutidos no terceiro artigo. Demonstrou-se os ganhos em sustentabilidade que esta inovação tecnológica pode provocar, tendo o farelo de insetos apresentado os melhores índices. Visando responder ao problema de pesquisa da presente tese: o uso de farelo de inseto pode aumentar a sustentabilidade da avicultura brasileira?; realizou-se a análise emergética comparativa de uma típica propriedade avícola em Chapecó, Santa Catarina, no ano de 2015, modificando somente a fonte proteica da dieta das aves. Foram identificados ganhos em transformidade (emergia por joule do produto), renovabilidade e nos demais índices emergéticos, demonstrando, que a inserção desta tecnologia, mesmo que no longo prazo, tem potencial para melhorar a sustentabilidade da produção de carne de frango. O apelo mundial por sustentabilidade na produção de carne é um constante desafio para os agronegócios. Mesmo com as limitações identificadas, que ainda requerem investigações e regulamentações, a tecnologia de produção de farelo de insetos apresenta-se como uma oportunidade para melhorar aspectos sociais e ambientais, além dos econômicos, voltados à sustentabilidade. / The worldwide increase of meat consumption due to growing income, especially in developing countries, alerts us to the escalating use of natural resources and waste generation from these processes. Poultry meat appears as the main option to meet this demand and Brazil represents the biggest world player in this market. The main Brazilian poultry production region, in the South, faces environmental concerns related to destination and treatment of this organic waste which is contaminating soil and groundwater. These issues are limiting the expansion of the poultry sector. Currently, soybean meal, the main protein source for animal nutrition and a noble source of energy (biofuels), is facing increasing prices in the world market. The use of insects as an alternative protein source for poultry diet has being studied, aiming to supply, at least in part, this demand. Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae have the capacity to digest huge volumes of organic material from both animal and vegetal origin. The products from this bioprocessing are insect meal, rich in protein and lipids; chitin, a pharmaceutical compound; and the organic compound that can be used as biofertilizer. Despite cultural, sanitary and scale production limitations to insert this technology in the short term, its potential is already confirmed. In Brazil, the species most adaptable to edaphoclimatic conditions and those with the greatest potential to bioprocess ‘poorer’ substrates such as grain residues and animal waste were identified as BSF and domestic fly larvae These species show the five desirable characteristics proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as discussed in Chapter Three of the thesis. An emergetic analysis of a typical farm in a conventional production system with an advanced technological level was conducted to identify the status quo of Brazilian poultry production in the Southern region. Emergetic index and the possibilities to increase sustainability of the sector are presented in Chapter Four. Chapter Five presents results from an emergy assessment of a pilot project of rearing and processing BSF larvae in Brazil. Through bromatological analysis of the substrate (grain residue), insect meal and organic compound from this project, the transformity of insect meal was determined. This unpublished contribution can feed into the database of the International Society for the Advancement of Emergy Research (ISAER). Remaining emergetic index from the process was calculated and discussed in the third article. Gains in sustainability and better index was demonstrated in favor of insect meal The research study was designed to answer the question: Can use of insect meal increase sustainability in Brazilian poultry production? A comparative emergy assessment was carried out on a typical poultry farm in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, in 2015, in which only the protein source of the poultry diet was modified. Transformity (emergy per joule of product), renewability and remaining index was calculated. It demonstrated that, even over a longer period of time, this technology has the potential to improve sustainability in poultry production. The worldwide appeal for sustainability in meat production is a constant challenge to agribusiness. Even with some limitations that still require research, the technology of insect meal is an opportunity to improve social and environmental aspects, as well as economic, while directed at sustainability.