Food wastage is becoming a serious problem in Hong Kong. At present, Hong Kong relies simply on landfills to dispose of its waste. Nevertheless, such reliance is not sustainable. It may also lead to different social and environmental problems. With the primary aim to lessen environmental damage and achieve environmental sustainability, food waste recycling can save energy, conserve resources and prolong lifespan of landfills. Therefore, it is important to educate youngsters in order to develop their responsibility and habits in protecting the environment. It has been reported that recycling awareness should be instilled into people’s mind from their childhood. Through food waste recycling programmes held in schools, students can increase their awareness and knowledge in that aspect and develop skills for the solutions of environmental problems. On the other hand, such programmes would help reduce food waste at source and draw public attention to the food waste problem. The aims of this study focus on the introduction of a food waste management programme in a Hong Kong secondary school campus and exploring the feasibility and viability of extending it to other secondary schools in Hong Kong in order to minimize waste disposed to landfills. The study shows that the students may gain knowledge about food waste recycling through practical field experience by joining both of the Food Waste Recycling Programme and the Organic Farming Programme under the food waste management policies developed in the school. They allow students to engage more in recycling behavior and increase their awareness of food waste avoidance, reduction and recycling in their daily life. With the tripartite cooperation the Government, the participating schools and the secondary school students, the food waste management held in the school campus is feasible and viable to extend to other secondary schools in Hong Kong in order to lessen the pressure of local landfills. / published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

There has been considerable interest in finding and explaining the basic elements that can drive product quality up. In the literature this is largely done by modelling the effects of investing in learning and process improvement, and of cost reduction. In the first essay, demand is modelled as a function of price and quality. With this demand function, the firm should produce output of higher quality, the increase in quality being dependent on consumers’ sensitivity to quality and to price, and the effect of technological improvement on product price and quality are very different from those when the demand is a function of price alone. Some twenty states in the U.S. have passed recycling laws which mandate consumption of old newspaper by the newsprint industry. To study the effect of regulation, a model is used in which two firms compete under the regulatory constraint—one firm producing the recycled product, the other the virgin product. Assuming the regulatory constraint is binding, and the demand for the recycled product is derived solely from the legislation, interesting results such as the two firms share equal profits, and consumers pay higher average price in competitive equilibrium than the cartel price, are obtained in the second essay. The two firm model is generalized to include n firms which compete under the same kind of regulatory constraint in the third essay. Results similar to the two firm case are obtained. When the recycled product and the virgin product are partially substitutable, regulation that mandates consumption of the recycled product results in infinitely many equilibria. A dominating equilibrium exists if the demand parameters satisfy a certain condition, otherwise it is not clear how to select an equilibrium. On the other hand, a suitable tax on the virgin product, or its producer, serves to induce compliance with the recycling policy and equilibrium selection. The equilibrium prices and profits of the two firms under the schemes of production tax, excessive consumption tax and progressive profit tax are examined and compared in the fourth essay. It is interesting to find that the tax rate for excessive consumption is comparatively low and, in equilibrium, this tax scheme collects no tax payment.

The study investigated the involvement of primary and secondary schools in waste management through recycling and composting, and the perceptions of teachers and pupils with regard to waste management. It also investigated the local municipality's attitude towards using schools to inculcate the culture of own waste management. It further investigated some of KwaZulu Natal's recycling industries/agents' attitudes toward using schools as "mini" depots for collection of recyclable materials. It was found that according to teachers perceptions most of the primary schools are engaged in waste management practices through recycling and composting, while secondary schools are less involved in waste management practices through recycling and composting. The results revealed that 53% of primary schools are involved in recycling projects, while only 10% of secondary schools are involved. It was also found that both primary and secondary school teachers are willing for their schools to be involved in waste management practices. Primary school pupils are more enthusiastic in collection of recyclable materials and composting projects as means of waste management as compared to secondary school pupils who are less interested. The results further revealed that there are no educational programmes that are initiated by the Pietermaritzburg-Msunduzi Municipality to inculcate the culture of waste management among the school pupils. There are a few industries that collect recyclable materials from schools in Greater Edendale by putting paper banks in some of the schools. It was also found that the Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Association has an educational programme for waste management with some of the schools in Greater Edendale. This programme is called Environmental Award System for Youth (EASY), whereby schools receive awards for activities that they are involved in to manage waste. It is recommended that organisations such as the Greater Edendale Environmental Network be encouraged to establish educational programmes to help motivate and make pupils aware of the value of waste management. Recycling industries should also target primary and secondary schools for collection of recyclable materials, rather than only focusing on tertiary institutions. If this is done children will gradually become aware of the concept and value of recycling. Through the involvement of schools in waste management the public can be educated more to the role of responsible waste disposal and management. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Municipal Solid Waste generation has become an inevitable consequence of lifestyles and daily living. However, the nature (quantity and quality) of this waste stream can vary and is largely dependent upon the manner in which waste production is managed, by both government and the public. The increasing practices of littering, dumping and burning of solid waste by households (and industries though not extensively dealt with in this study) in South Africa has led to the finding that municipal solid waste is being irresponsibly managed. In this regard, it becomes necessary to investigate the attitudes and behaviour of individuals and households toward solid waste practices, which further include mitigating measures such as reduction, reuse and recycling for the generation of solid waste. The role of the South African government in providing a refuse removal and safe disposal service to all citizens is suggestive of the responsible role of government to ensure that solid waste is being effectively managed by all sectors of society. The aims of this study in light of the above were to review the municipal solid waste policies and strategies of local government authorities in South Africa, highlighting the shortcomings and discrepancies that exist between legislative policies and actual management practices; which is also reflective of the attitudes and approaches to solid waste management by households. This was achieved by focusing on the case study of the Msunduzi Municipality and included investigations into socio-economic and cultural influences on solid waste disposal practices. The objectives of the study were achieved by means of a questionnaire survey that elicited specific responses from 650 sampled households in five suburbs of differing socio-economic status. A further analysis to identify the nature of household municipal solid waste for landfilling from three suburbs of differing socio-economic status was conducted by categorizing 25 tons of garbage at the New England Road Landfill Site, leading to inferences about consumer purchasing power and disposal practices. Further, key personnel in the Msunduzi Municipality’s waste management division were interviewed to ascertain the solid waste challenges faced at local municipal and national levels of government. The study revealed several significant findings of which the most important is that the implementation of South Africa’s national municipal solid waste legislation policies and strategies are inconsistent with local government practices and procedures; thus compromising equity, efficiency, effectiveness and the sustainability of municipal solid waste disposal. Factors contributing to this are shown to be inadequate management and service delivery. The research has shown that monitoring and control systems which purported to ensure environmental sustainability are lacking and inadequately address issues where the implementation of municipal solid waste regulations are in contravention with national solid waste policies. The outcomes of the questionnaire survey and the assessment of household municipal solid waste for landfilling reveal that socio-economic status and culture do in fact influence the nature of solid waste and the disposal methods used by residents. The receptiveness of households towards adopting suggested municipal solid waste disposal practices was also investigated. The non-compliance of residents with municipal solid waste legislation and policies points towards a lack of monitoring and control measures, thereby not providing for a sustained and adequate service delivery which is environmentally sound. The research further suggests that all sectors of the South African public and the government are inadequately informed in terms of aspects of municipal solid waste. This has led the researcher to recommend that further education and awareness campaigns and its role in environmental sustainability are needed so that a sharing of responsibility between government and the public can be effected to aid municipal solid waste management in the country. It is argued that the insight into the roles of socio-economic status and cultural influences over solid waste practices provide a platform from which municipal authorities can work to specifically address the problems associated with municipal solid waste at a community level. It is the task of the national government to ensure that South Africa’s municipal solid waste is being responsibly managed at the local municipal levels so that the health and safety of the environment and its citizens are suitably addressed, hence the focusing on solid waste legislation and national policies (which have been recognized internationally as being environmentally sound and sustainable) must be translated in terms that local municipalities can adopt, assuming that they have been sufficiently empowered in terms of both knowledge and adequate budgeting. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

The pollution problems resulting from industrial production activities result in the deterioration of our natural environment. That is why something needs to be done in order to preserve our environment. Conservation alone is not enough. Development is needed. Waste minimisation through applying Cleaner Technologies can help the country in the reduction of waste production and improve industry's environmental management processes. This study was based on an investigation into the adoption of Cleaner Technology. The study argues that elements of Cleaner Technology and the application of tools and strategies to practice Cleaner Technology are very useful for any industry. The costs of Cleaner Technology to companies cannot be compared with the benefits they can get from adopting Cleaner Technology. Mondi Limited concentrates on the product element of Cleaner Technology. It applies the recycling and re-use strategies in or~er to achieve product modification and input substitution. The organisation and knowledge elements are very strong and supportive to the technique element that is used at the Mondi Paper Mill. These three elements contribute to the increased efficiency, improved quality of intended products and waste minimisation through re-use and recycling. The question emerges about what government can or should do in return to companies like Mondi since they contribute towards the sustainability of our natural resources. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

In recent decades, advances in low NOₓ coal combustion and increasingly strict CO₂ reduction mandates have changed power plant boiler operations quite significantly. As a result of these necessary efforts, the characteristics of fly ash generated at many power plants have also changed. In particular, increases in unburned carbon content have been observed with detrimental implications on the utility of these fly ashes in concrete applications. Over the same time period, the combustion of biomass for energy generation has received increased attention due to the potential benefits of reducing CO₂ emissions and improved sustainability when compared to fossil fuel combustion. Biomass is directly burned, gasified, or co-fired with coal to achieve this goal. Currently, close to 120 million metric tons of coal combustion by products are produced in the U.S. annually. As with coal combustion, production of energy from biomass combustion/gasification results in significant by-product generation that must either be productively reused or geologically disposed. While much research effort has been devoted to understanding the properties and potential productive reuse alternatives for coal combustion residuals, relatively little work has been done on the by-products of biomass combustion. This study investigated the properties and engineering behavior of sixteen ash samples that were produced in eleven different power plants. Specifically, three high carbon content Class F fly ashes, eight coal and biomass co-fired ashes, three pure biomass ash samples, and two high quality, low carbon content ash samples, one of which is commercially marketed (for reference) were chosen. The various ash samples were characterized by means of: electron microscopy; laser diffraction and dry sieve particle size analysis; loss on ignition and total organic carbon analysis; specific surface area analysis; as well as x-ray fluorescence and x-ray diffraction. The ash samples were also investigated for their potential engineering application in the fired clay brick industry, as low-cost adsorptive agents, and in alkali activated geopolymer synthesis for geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications. Results from physical and chemical characterization of the ash samples show no significant differences between pure coal ash and coal co-fired with biomass ash samples from the same power plant. However, there are significant morphological, chemical, and mineralogical differences between coal ash and pure biomass ash. Unlike pure coal ash, biomass ash is not composed primarily of aluminosilicate glass cenospheres but rather consists mainly of charred, fibrous woody remnants with elevated calcite content as compared to coal ash. Bench scale fired bricks produced by partial replacement of clay material with high carbon coal ash, co-fired ash, and pure biomass ash, respectively, was successful. Physical properties of a number of the mix designs exceeded the highest ASTM weathering grade requirements. As sorptive agents, high carbon concentrates from coal and co-fired ash samples, along with all the biomass ash samples, showed significant uptake of lead. The unaltered as- received ash samples (i.e. no acid or steam activation) showed only moderate arsenic (V) and selenium (VI) sorption capacity. Finally, solidification/stabilization by geopolymerization of high carbon content, co-fired ash with as little as 3 molar NaOH in the activator solution was successful, possibly paving the way for various geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications in ground improvement and soil/ash-pond stabilization.

A Reverse Production System (RPS) is a network of transportation logistics and processing functions that collects, refurbishes, and demanufactures for reuse/recycle used or end-of-life products. In this thesis, I focus on the RPS strategic decisions of a processor and collectors when the collection network and contracts for materials can be co-designed. The research problem is motivated by the need of material processors to ensure a consistent flow of material from collectors at a cost that will enable them to be competitive with virgin raw materials. The failure to develop a cost-effective collection network can lead to poor overall economics where expensive processing assets are not fully utilized. The three key problems from the processor s point of view are: 1) how to design a strategic collection network; 2) how to be competitive in the collected materials market place when significant investment is at risk; and 3) how to avoid overpaying for materials when collectors are in regions with different volumes and costs. The multiple goals of this research are: 1) to integrate the contract and strategic network design in RPS; 2) to develop contract mechanism designs to improve the performance under incomplete information and study the value of information (complete vs. incomplete); and 3) to introduce and analyze new strategic network models for effectiveness in solution quality and time. Concepts of mathematical optimization, contract theory, and game theory are utilized in proposing models that couple contract and network problems, including lump sum and variable volume contracts.

The catalytic depolymerization/pyrolysis of nylon 6 and 66 were investigated with the prospect of helping to curb the amount of carpet landfilled. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine which catalysts (and their nylon/catalyst ratio) were most suited for the depolymerization. By adding bases, the onset of degradation for some bases was 100 aC lower than that of the pure nylons. Potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide were found to be the most effective catalysts at a catalyst ratio of 100:1 of nylon 6 and nylon 66 to catalyst, respectively. After determining the most efficient catalyst, kinetic models/parameters from the TGA data were determined. These parameters were used in a reactive extrusion model for depolymerizing nylon 6 in carpet. Data from the model was then used to do cost analysis for the process. It was found that to get a Present Value Ratio greater than 1, the flow rate has to be greater than or equal to 500 lb/hr. At even higher flow rates up to the model¡¦s limit (1500 lb/hr), the Net Present Value shows that this process is economically viable. Extrusion of a 100:1 ratio of pure N6 and KOH was done in a 30 mm counter-rotating non-intermeshing twin screw extruder. The material collected from the vents of the extruder was tested with a gas chromatograph- mass spectrum (GC-MS) in tandem. There was only one significant peak from the GC and the primary molecular weight on the MS was 113, the molecular weight of caprolactam. This shows that the process could be profitable and require little purification if done industrially.

In the past few decades, globalization has led to a world economy with unbounded consumption. In addition to the consequential impoverishment of natural resources, this large consumption produces copious amounts of waste and requires high energy use. Proper end-of-life strategies can help to reduce the global impact of these inefficiencies. The objective of this thesis is to demonstrate, through life-cycles analyses of an automotive transfer case and a gear, the positive environmental impact of remanufacturing strategies compared to recycling and disposal end-of-life strategies. In this study, the energy consumption, the air emissions and the wastes resulting from the entire supply chain s engineering processes will be quantitatively evaluated through calculations and also industrial or governmental data. In disposal end-of-life strategies, the analysis will begin with the ore mining phase, will go through material refining and processing; and eventually end with the final parts machining. In recycling scenarios and remanufacturing scenarios, the analysis will begin with the used material collection, will go through material s reprocessing or refurbishing and will finally end with the new or renewed parts machining. This study will show the significant impact of high energy consumption processes such as electrolysis of aluminum and metal melting. It will also show how shipping and collection phases can dramatically change or annihilate the advantage of sustainable reuse scenarios depending on the sorting strategies adopted in the supply chain. To conclude, the goal of this research is to demonstrate how remanufacturing strategies can reduce the energy consumption, air emissions and waste. This thesis will also show how inappropriate supply chain management can negate the impact of these savings.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the developing organizational and management paradigms in the aluminum packaging and container industry, where reverse channels of distribution offer an excellent vehicle for studying organizations which are "closing the distribution circle." Based on the analysis, several conclusions are offered. 1. The extent to which primary manufacturers have entered aluminum packaging and container recycling and subsequently developed effective reverse channels of distribution is contingent upon needs for resources. 2. The most successful recycling programs are those which have decentralized organizations. 3. Central to beverage producers' decisions to develop extensive reverse channels of distribution is the belief that recycling is (1) a deterrent to container legislation, (2) a source of favorable publicity, (3) a source of company profits, and (4) can improve supply relationships with primary aluminum suppliers. 4. Regional beverage companies in the environmentally conscious Far West have the most successful and comprehensive recycling operations. 5. Loose organizational federations such as those of the soft drink franchise do not seem amenable to the development of reverse channels of distribution. 6. Where i t serves the needs of the enterprise, firms are developing sophisticated and efficient reverse channels of distribution. The institution of reverse channel intermediary functions reflects a new management and organizational paradigm based on environmental considerations. 7. A major stumbling block to further reverse channel development is the uncertainty caused by proposed container legislation.