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Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Kim Hiller Connell / With apparel production finding itself a leading cause of harm to the environment, the call to action to influence purchase intention for environmentally sustainable apparel (ESA) is pertinent for the current and future well-being of both the environment and humankind. Supplying a base of knowledge to consumers is crucial to enable them to understand the consequences the AT industry has on the environment. This knowledge can potentially lead to a change of attitude and change in purchase intention. However, reaching the populous and changing consumer knowledge of and attitudes towards environmentally sustainable apparel is challenging. This study considers social networking sites (SNS) a feasible strategy regarding this issue because they not only rapidly communicate to consumers but SNS also convey the attitudes and opinions of users’ online referent groups. This study better understands the variances among consumer characteristics and their knowledge of environmental issues in the apparel and textile industry. The purpose of this exploratory study is to initiate the investigation as to whether or not SNS may be a potential mechanism for increasing purchase intention for environmentally sustainable apparel. This exploration focuses on identifying consumer characteristics of social networking site users and investigating whether differences in consumer knowledge about environmental issues in apparel production leads to differences in attitudes about and ultimately purchase intentions of ESA. This study also examines whether or not the presence of social influence on SNS may serve as a mechanism to overcome the barriers (knowledge and attitudes) limiting purchase intention for ESA. An online national survey of 783 participants was conducted utilizing six scales. Simple bivariate correlations, ANOVA, and a hierarchial regression was conducted to understand if adding social influence of SNS as an additional component to Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) provides greater predictive power for ESA behavior intentions. Findings from the study indicate that SNS influence and subjective norm are not stronger predictors of ESA purchase intention above knowledge and attitudes but they do contribute to the TRA and increasing the probability of purchase intention.

Doctor of Philosophy / Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Kim Hiller / This study examined the effects of knowledge of apparel and textile (AT) manufacturing’s impacts on the environment, environmental concern, attitudes toward environmentally sustainable apparel (ESA), and the cultural characteristics of adult, female Kuwaiti nationals on purchasing behaviors of ESA. This study was conducted because Kuwait is a large consumer market for apparel goods and there was a gap in the existing literature on sustainable apparel with regards to Kuwait. To measure the independent variables of knowledge related to the environmental impacts of AT manufacturing, environmental concern, attitudes towards ESA, and the cultural characteristics of Kuwaiti women on the dependent variable of ESA purchase behavior intentions, a mixed methods approach was used. This mixed method approach included a survey instrument featuring five different scales to acquire data through quantitative methods on a population of Kuwaitis acquired through snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were then utilized to acquire further data for a qualitative data analysis. The results were then analyzed through descriptive statistics, regressions, and coding. The data analysis of the quantitative survey responses of the female Kuwaiti nationals showed that their level of knowledge on the environmental impacts of the AT industry was low, their level of environmental concern was neutral, their ESA attitudes were neutral, and their ESA purchase intentions were slightly positive. Regression results found that environmental concern had no relationship with ESA attitudes, knowledge about AT related environmental issues positively influenced ESA attitudes, and both knowledge about AT related environmental issues and ESA attitudes had a positive influence on ESA purchase intentions. Additionally, the cultural dimensions of the surveyed population showed high power distance and collectivism, low long-term orientation and uncertainty avoidance, and intermediate levels of masculinity and indulgence. The qualitative interview revealed that Kuwaiti culture is strongly influenced by the Islamic religion, and the culture supports high levels of consumerism and ostentatious consumption. A majority of qualitative participants did not express any attitudes toward ESA, and none of the participants had purchased ESA products previously. This could be because female Kuwaiti nationals are limited in their knowledge related to AT environmental risks and are generally unaware of ESA and its purpose. The study’s data could be used to provide educators with information through which to tailor curricula towards the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of Kuwaiti nationals. Additionally, this information could be essential for manufacturers and retailers of ESA products, so that they can produce and sell ESA affectively in Kuwait.

Process based approaches to environmentally sustainable logistics performancemanagement are lacking within organizations that buy logistics services (buyers) and thatsell logistics services (LSPs), which puts a damper on environmentally sustainablelogistics performance. Organizations understand the potential of environmentallysustainable logistics performance management, but they seems unable to developeffective management processes and accurate environmentally sustainable logisticsmetrics. An environmentally sustainable logistics performance management process(ESLPM process) is one way for an organization to manage its performance in line withits environmental strategy and overall environmental targets.The purpose of this thesis is to adapt the logistics performance management process toinclude environmental sustainability. The first research question is about thecharacteristics for including environmentally sustainable logistics in the logisticsperformance management process. Characteristics that need to be included in the logisticsperformance management process must be identified in order to illustrate the process, inorder to improve the environmental performance. Moreover, by identifying thecharacteristics of the process activities, it is possible to compare how the characteristicsof the process are similar and/or different between organizations. The performancemanagement process can only be used successfully if the strategy is closely aligned tosome process activities being implemented; this motivates the second research question,which is how the ESLPM process can be expanded to measure alignment.The method used to collect empirical data is primarily interviews in eight multiple-casestudies of four organizations buying logistics services and four organizations sellinglogistics services. The frame of reference is based on the inclusion of environmentalsustainability characteristics in the logistics performance management process and thealignment between process and strategy as well as within processes. The results include a description of an ESLPM process that contains five activities withseventeen characteristics for managing environmentally sustainable logistics. Specificcontexts of eight organizations, like type (private, public, or private/public) and size(small, medium, or large) and their influence and implications concerning the ESLPMprocess are discussed and presented. The matching between the theoretical ESLPMprocess (based on the frame of reference) and the empirical ESLPM process is presentedand then compared within the eight organizations, resulting in a modified ESLPM processwith twenty characteristics. The results shows that the use of an ESLPM process is stillin beginning stages and is not done in a structured manner; in particular, the organizationsfind it difficult to establish appropriate ESLP metrics, to define the ESLP metrics, to setaccurate ESLP targets, and to collect and measure the ESLP metrics.Results from measuring level of alignment include theoretical measurement models fortwo types of alignment, a model for measuring alignment between process and strategy,as well as a model for measuring alignment within a process. The two theoretical modelscontain different aspects that measure alignment on three different levels (high, medium,low). These models are tested within each organization, and the results from measuringlevel of alignment per organization is used to evaluate the two theoretical models,resulting in modified models for measuring alignment.The results lead to increased understanding of how type and size influence thecharacteristics of the ESLPM process and the level of alignment. The results also contribute to the literature on environmentally sustainable logistics performancemanagement and the alignment both between process and strategy as well as within theESLPM process. The result can be used by organizations selling and buying logisticsservices to improve their environmentally sustainable logistics performance.

O cromo hexavalente – Cr(VI) – presente nos efluentes das indústrias galvânicas, entre outras, é tóxico para maioria dos micro-organismos e potencialmente danoso para a saúde humana. No presente trabalho se estuda a redução de Cr(VI) pelos processos fotoquímicos com álcoois e fotocatálise heterogênea, primeiramente em um reator batelada, com objetivo de obter o melhor processo para aplicação industrial. Na sequência, foram realizados experimentos com efluente industrial, contendo Cr(VI), proveniente de uma indústria galvânica. Após, foram projetados e construídos dois reatores contínuos, o reator em forma de espiral e o reator tubular (radiação artificial e luz solar), com intuito de viabilizar a aplicação industrial do melhor processo de redução de Cr(VI). As reações de redução fotocatalítica de Cr(VI), sob radiação UV, alcançaram reduções totais de Cr(VI) de 66,5% e 56,7% para os catalisadores TiO2 e ZnO, respectivamente, indicando que o catalisador TiO2 foi mais eficiente que o catalisador ZnO. As reações de redução fotoquímica de Cr(VI) com etanol apresentaram altos valores de redução total de Cr(VI), sendo que as reações sob radiação UV (96,1%) foram mais eficientes que as reações sob radiação visível (48,1%). Na redução fotocatalítica de Cr(VI) com TiO2, na presença de etanol, sob radiação UV, foi observada uma redução de Cr(VI) de 92,9% maior do que a redução obtida nas reações fotocatalíticas com TiO2 sob radiação UV (66,5%), evidenciando o efeito sinérgico entre a oxidação do etanol e a redução do Cr(VI). Quando usados com efluente industrial, estes processos mostraram-se eficientes e obtiveram altos valores de redução total de Cr(VI), possibilitando o uso destes tratamentos para remoção de Cr(VI) presente em efluentes de indústrias galvânicas. Entretanto, dentre estes processos estudados, o mais indicado para aplicação industrial foi a fotoquímica com etanol sob radiação UV, pois dispensa o uso de processos de separação do catalisador e apresenta menores custos com reagentes, sendo o etanol de baixo custo, não tóxico e de fácil aquisição. O reator contínuo espiral, projetado e construído, mostrou-se mais eficiente do que o reator batelada, apresentando uma eficiência fotônica de 2,5% comparada a 1,4% para o reator batelada. Ainda, este reator mostrou-se eficiente quando usado com efluente industrial, apresentando uma redução total de Cr(VI) de 51,8%, em 6 horas de reação, sendo sua configuração considerada suscetível para um scale-up. Assim, um reator tubular (radiação artificial e luz solar) foi projetado e construído em escala semi-piloto. Este reator apresentou uma remediação de Cr(VI), presente no efluente industrial, de 86,7% em 6 horas de reação sob luz solar e mostrou uma eficiência fotônica maior do que o reator contínuo espiral. Ainda, o reator tubular apresentou eficiência fotônica similar quando usado com lâmpadas (5,6%) ou luz solar (5,5%), porém as reações sob luz solar mostraram uma maior redução total de Cr(VI) quando comparadas com as reações sob radiação artificial. Assim, o reator tubular, projetado e construído, mostrou-se eficiente quando aplicado para o tratamento de efluente industrial contendo Cr(VI), pelo processo de redução fotoquímica. Além disso, o uso do reator tubular solar minimiza a quantidade de energia elétrica necessária para a reação, reduzindo não somente os custos do processo, como também se tornando uma tecnologia ambientalmente sustentável. / Hexavalent chromium – Cr(VI) – present in wastewater discharge of galvanic industries is toxic to most microorganisms and potentially harmful to human health. In this work were studied Cr(VI) reduction by heterogeneous photocatalysis and photochemistry with alcohols processes, firstly in a batch reactor, in order to obtain the best process for industrial application. Subsequently, experiments were conducted using real wastewater from an electroplating plant. In order to feasible the industrial application of best Cr(VI) reduction process were designed and built two continuous reactors, the spiral shaped reactor and the tubular reactor (artificial radiation and sunlight). The photocatalytic reduction reaction of Cr(VI) under UV radiation achieved total Cr(VI) reduction of 66.5% and 56.7% for TiO2 and ZnO catalysts, respectively, indicating that the TiO2 catalyst was more efficient than ZnO catalyst. The photochemical reduction reaction of Cr(VI) with ethanol presented high values of total Cr(VI) reduction, and the reactions under UV radiation (96.10%) were more efficient than the reactions under visible radiation (48.1%). In the photocatalytic reduction reaction of Cr(VI) with TiO2 in the presence of ethanol under UV radiation was observed a Cr(VI) reduction of 92.9% greater than the reduction obtained in the photocatalytic reactions with TiO2 under UV radiation (66.5%), demonstrating the synergistic effect between ethanol oxidation and Cr(VI) reduction. When used with real wastewater these processes proved to be efficient and showed high values of total Cr(VI) reduction, enabling the use of these treatments for removal of Cr(VI) present in wastewater discharge of galvanic industries. However, among these processes studied, the most suitable for industrial application appears to be photochemistry with ethanol under UV radiation, because it does not require catalyst separation processes and presents lower reagent costs, since ethanol is inexpensive, non-toxic and easy to purchase. The spiral shaped reactor, which was designed and built, showed more efficient than the batch reactor, presenting a photonic efficiency of 2.5% compared to 1.4% for the batch reactor. Additionally, this reactor was effective when applied to real wastewater, presenting a total Cr(VI) reduction of 51.8% in 6 hours of reaction, and its configuration is suitable for scale up. Thus, a tubular reactor (artificial radiation and sunlight) was designed and built in semi-pilot scale. This reactor presented a Cr(VI) remediation of 86.7% in 6 hours of reaction under sunlight and showed a photonic efficiency higher than spiral shaped reactor. Additionally, the tubular reactor presented similar photonic efficiency when used with either lamps (5.6%) or sunlight (5.5%), however the reactions under sunlight showed a greater total Cr(VI) reduction when compared to the reactions under artificial radiation. Therefore, the tubular reactor, which was designed and built, proved to be efficient when applied to treatment of real wastewater containing Cr(VI) by photochemical reduction process. Furthermore, the use of a solar tubular reactor minimizes the amount of electricity required for the reaction, which not only reduces process costs, but also makes the technology more environmentally sustainable.

O cromo hexavalente – Cr(VI) – presente nos efluentes das indústrias galvânicas, entre outras, é tóxico para maioria dos micro-organismos e potencialmente danoso para a saúde humana. No presente trabalho se estuda a redução de Cr(VI) pelos processos fotoquímicos com álcoois e fotocatálise heterogênea, primeiramente em um reator batelada, com objetivo de obter o melhor processo para aplicação industrial. Na sequência, foram realizados experimentos com efluente industrial, contendo Cr(VI), proveniente de uma indústria galvânica. Após, foram projetados e construídos dois reatores contínuos, o reator em forma de espiral e o reator tubular (radiação artificial e luz solar), com intuito de viabilizar a aplicação industrial do melhor processo de redução de Cr(VI). As reações de redução fotocatalítica de Cr(VI), sob radiação UV, alcançaram reduções totais de Cr(VI) de 66,5% e 56,7% para os catalisadores TiO2 e ZnO, respectivamente, indicando que o catalisador TiO2 foi mais eficiente que o catalisador ZnO. As reações de redução fotoquímica de Cr(VI) com etanol apresentaram altos valores de redução total de Cr(VI), sendo que as reações sob radiação UV (96,1%) foram mais eficientes que as reações sob radiação visível (48,1%). Na redução fotocatalítica de Cr(VI) com TiO2, na presença de etanol, sob radiação UV, foi observada uma redução de Cr(VI) de 92,9% maior do que a redução obtida nas reações fotocatalíticas com TiO2 sob radiação UV (66,5%), evidenciando o efeito sinérgico entre a oxidação do etanol e a redução do Cr(VI). Quando usados com efluente industrial, estes processos mostraram-se eficientes e obtiveram altos valores de redução total de Cr(VI), possibilitando o uso destes tratamentos para remoção de Cr(VI) presente em efluentes de indústrias galvânicas. Entretanto, dentre estes processos estudados, o mais indicado para aplicação industrial foi a fotoquímica com etanol sob radiação UV, pois dispensa o uso de processos de separação do catalisador e apresenta menores custos com reagentes, sendo o etanol de baixo custo, não tóxico e de fácil aquisição. O reator contínuo espiral, projetado e construído, mostrou-se mais eficiente do que o reator batelada, apresentando uma eficiência fotônica de 2,5% comparada a 1,4% para o reator batelada. Ainda, este reator mostrou-se eficiente quando usado com efluente industrial, apresentando uma redução total de Cr(VI) de 51,8%, em 6 horas de reação, sendo sua configuração considerada suscetível para um scale-up. Assim, um reator tubular (radiação artificial e luz solar) foi projetado e construído em escala semi-piloto. Este reator apresentou uma remediação de Cr(VI), presente no efluente industrial, de 86,7% em 6 horas de reação sob luz solar e mostrou uma eficiência fotônica maior do que o reator contínuo espiral. Ainda, o reator tubular apresentou eficiência fotônica similar quando usado com lâmpadas (5,6%) ou luz solar (5,5%), porém as reações sob luz solar mostraram uma maior redução total de Cr(VI) quando comparadas com as reações sob radiação artificial. Assim, o reator tubular, projetado e construído, mostrou-se eficiente quando aplicado para o tratamento de efluente industrial contendo Cr(VI), pelo processo de redução fotoquímica. Além disso, o uso do reator tubular solar minimiza a quantidade de energia elétrica necessária para a reação, reduzindo não somente os custos do processo, como também se tornando uma tecnologia ambientalmente sustentável. / Hexavalent chromium – Cr(VI) – present in wastewater discharge of galvanic industries is toxic to most microorganisms and potentially harmful to human health. In this work were studied Cr(VI) reduction by heterogeneous photocatalysis and photochemistry with alcohols processes, firstly in a batch reactor, in order to obtain the best process for industrial application. Subsequently, experiments were conducted using real wastewater from an electroplating plant. In order to feasible the industrial application of best Cr(VI) reduction process were designed and built two continuous reactors, the spiral shaped reactor and the tubular reactor (artificial radiation and sunlight). The photocatalytic reduction reaction of Cr(VI) under UV radiation achieved total Cr(VI) reduction of 66.5% and 56.7% for TiO2 and ZnO catalysts, respectively, indicating that the TiO2 catalyst was more efficient than ZnO catalyst. The photochemical reduction reaction of Cr(VI) with ethanol presented high values of total Cr(VI) reduction, and the reactions under UV radiation (96.10%) were more efficient than the reactions under visible radiation (48.1%). In the photocatalytic reduction reaction of Cr(VI) with TiO2 in the presence of ethanol under UV radiation was observed a Cr(VI) reduction of 92.9% greater than the reduction obtained in the photocatalytic reactions with TiO2 under UV radiation (66.5%), demonstrating the synergistic effect between ethanol oxidation and Cr(VI) reduction. When used with real wastewater these processes proved to be efficient and showed high values of total Cr(VI) reduction, enabling the use of these treatments for removal of Cr(VI) present in wastewater discharge of galvanic industries. However, among these processes studied, the most suitable for industrial application appears to be photochemistry with ethanol under UV radiation, because it does not require catalyst separation processes and presents lower reagent costs, since ethanol is inexpensive, non-toxic and easy to purchase. The spiral shaped reactor, which was designed and built, showed more efficient than the batch reactor, presenting a photonic efficiency of 2.5% compared to 1.4% for the batch reactor. Additionally, this reactor was effective when applied to real wastewater, presenting a total Cr(VI) reduction of 51.8% in 6 hours of reaction, and its configuration is suitable for scale up. Thus, a tubular reactor (artificial radiation and sunlight) was designed and built in semi-pilot scale. This reactor presented a Cr(VI) remediation of 86.7% in 6 hours of reaction under sunlight and showed a photonic efficiency higher than spiral shaped reactor. Additionally, the tubular reactor presented similar photonic efficiency when used with either lamps (5.6%) or sunlight (5.5%), however the reactions under sunlight showed a greater total Cr(VI) reduction when compared to the reactions under artificial radiation. Therefore, the tubular reactor, which was designed and built, proved to be efficient when applied to treatment of real wastewater containing Cr(VI) by photochemical reduction process. Furthermore, the use of a solar tubular reactor minimizes the amount of electricity required for the reaction, which not only reduces process costs, but also makes the technology more environmentally sustainable.

O cromo hexavalente – Cr(VI) – presente nos efluentes das indústrias galvânicas, entre outras, é tóxico para maioria dos micro-organismos e potencialmente danoso para a saúde humana. No presente trabalho se estuda a redução de Cr(VI) pelos processos fotoquímicos com álcoois e fotocatálise heterogênea, primeiramente em um reator batelada, com objetivo de obter o melhor processo para aplicação industrial. Na sequência, foram realizados experimentos com efluente industrial, contendo Cr(VI), proveniente de uma indústria galvânica. Após, foram projetados e construídos dois reatores contínuos, o reator em forma de espiral e o reator tubular (radiação artificial e luz solar), com intuito de viabilizar a aplicação industrial do melhor processo de redução de Cr(VI). As reações de redução fotocatalítica de Cr(VI), sob radiação UV, alcançaram reduções totais de Cr(VI) de 66,5% e 56,7% para os catalisadores TiO2 e ZnO, respectivamente, indicando que o catalisador TiO2 foi mais eficiente que o catalisador ZnO. As reações de redução fotoquímica de Cr(VI) com etanol apresentaram altos valores de redução total de Cr(VI), sendo que as reações sob radiação UV (96,1%) foram mais eficientes que as reações sob radiação visível (48,1%). Na redução fotocatalítica de Cr(VI) com TiO2, na presença de etanol, sob radiação UV, foi observada uma redução de Cr(VI) de 92,9% maior do que a redução obtida nas reações fotocatalíticas com TiO2 sob radiação UV (66,5%), evidenciando o efeito sinérgico entre a oxidação do etanol e a redução do Cr(VI). Quando usados com efluente industrial, estes processos mostraram-se eficientes e obtiveram altos valores de redução total de Cr(VI), possibilitando o uso destes tratamentos para remoção de Cr(VI) presente em efluentes de indústrias galvânicas. Entretanto, dentre estes processos estudados, o mais indicado para aplicação industrial foi a fotoquímica com etanol sob radiação UV, pois dispensa o uso de processos de separação do catalisador e apresenta menores custos com reagentes, sendo o etanol de baixo custo, não tóxico e de fácil aquisição. O reator contínuo espiral, projetado e construído, mostrou-se mais eficiente do que o reator batelada, apresentando uma eficiência fotônica de 2,5% comparada a 1,4% para o reator batelada. Ainda, este reator mostrou-se eficiente quando usado com efluente industrial, apresentando uma redução total de Cr(VI) de 51,8%, em 6 horas de reação, sendo sua configuração considerada suscetível para um scale-up. Assim, um reator tubular (radiação artificial e luz solar) foi projetado e construído em escala semi-piloto. Este reator apresentou uma remediação de Cr(VI), presente no efluente industrial, de 86,7% em 6 horas de reação sob luz solar e mostrou uma eficiência fotônica maior do que o reator contínuo espiral. Ainda, o reator tubular apresentou eficiência fotônica similar quando usado com lâmpadas (5,6%) ou luz solar (5,5%), porém as reações sob luz solar mostraram uma maior redução total de Cr(VI) quando comparadas com as reações sob radiação artificial. Assim, o reator tubular, projetado e construído, mostrou-se eficiente quando aplicado para o tratamento de efluente industrial contendo Cr(VI), pelo processo de redução fotoquímica. Além disso, o uso do reator tubular solar minimiza a quantidade de energia elétrica necessária para a reação, reduzindo não somente os custos do processo, como também se tornando uma tecnologia ambientalmente sustentável. / Hexavalent chromium – Cr(VI) – present in wastewater discharge of galvanic industries is toxic to most microorganisms and potentially harmful to human health. In this work were studied Cr(VI) reduction by heterogeneous photocatalysis and photochemistry with alcohols processes, firstly in a batch reactor, in order to obtain the best process for industrial application. Subsequently, experiments were conducted using real wastewater from an electroplating plant. In order to feasible the industrial application of best Cr(VI) reduction process were designed and built two continuous reactors, the spiral shaped reactor and the tubular reactor (artificial radiation and sunlight). The photocatalytic reduction reaction of Cr(VI) under UV radiation achieved total Cr(VI) reduction of 66.5% and 56.7% for TiO2 and ZnO catalysts, respectively, indicating that the TiO2 catalyst was more efficient than ZnO catalyst. The photochemical reduction reaction of Cr(VI) with ethanol presented high values of total Cr(VI) reduction, and the reactions under UV radiation (96.10%) were more efficient than the reactions under visible radiation (48.1%). In the photocatalytic reduction reaction of Cr(VI) with TiO2 in the presence of ethanol under UV radiation was observed a Cr(VI) reduction of 92.9% greater than the reduction obtained in the photocatalytic reactions with TiO2 under UV radiation (66.5%), demonstrating the synergistic effect between ethanol oxidation and Cr(VI) reduction. When used with real wastewater these processes proved to be efficient and showed high values of total Cr(VI) reduction, enabling the use of these treatments for removal of Cr(VI) present in wastewater discharge of galvanic industries. However, among these processes studied, the most suitable for industrial application appears to be photochemistry with ethanol under UV radiation, because it does not require catalyst separation processes and presents lower reagent costs, since ethanol is inexpensive, non-toxic and easy to purchase. The spiral shaped reactor, which was designed and built, showed more efficient than the batch reactor, presenting a photonic efficiency of 2.5% compared to 1.4% for the batch reactor. Additionally, this reactor was effective when applied to real wastewater, presenting a total Cr(VI) reduction of 51.8% in 6 hours of reaction, and its configuration is suitable for scale up. Thus, a tubular reactor (artificial radiation and sunlight) was designed and built in semi-pilot scale. This reactor presented a Cr(VI) remediation of 86.7% in 6 hours of reaction under sunlight and showed a photonic efficiency higher than spiral shaped reactor. Additionally, the tubular reactor presented similar photonic efficiency when used with either lamps (5.6%) or sunlight (5.5%), however the reactions under sunlight showed a greater total Cr(VI) reduction when compared to the reactions under artificial radiation. Therefore, the tubular reactor, which was designed and built, proved to be efficient when applied to treatment of real wastewater containing Cr(VI) by photochemical reduction process. Furthermore, the use of a solar tubular reactor minimizes the amount of electricity required for the reaction, which not only reduces process costs, but also makes the technology more environmentally sustainable.

<p>  </p> <p>The transportation sector has emerged as one of the largest contributors to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions within the U.S. economy. As a consequence, transportation sustainability faces great challenges in automobile traffic congestion alleviation, air pollution reduction, and climate change adaptation. Emerging technologies bring new chances to resolve these issues. However, existing literature focusing on the sustainability assessment of emerging technologies often relies on the analysis of isolated systems using historical data. These studies neglected the complex interactions across different systems and failed to consider the potential impacts of future technology adoption. The sustainability performance of emerging transportation technologies is heavily dependent on competing and complementary relationships with existing transportation systems. Furthermore, the dynamics of system interactions can change with the diffusion of future technologies, as user behavior becomes more heterogeneous. Consequently, the future adoption of emerging technologies may lead to an uncertain urban sustainability outlook. Therefore, sustainability assessment and prospective system planning for emerging technologies necessitate a comprehensive examination of their interactions with urban transportation systems and the evolving landscape. </p> <p>The primary objective of this dissertation is to demonstrate the necessity and benefits of incorporating system interactions into sustainability assessments. To achieve this goal, this dissertation conducts four case studies, using various models inspired by machine learning, statistics, econometrics, and agent-based approaches, and applies them to two emerging technologies: shared mobility (including bike-sharing, shared e-scooters, and ride-hailing) and e-commerce. First, the interaction classification analysis shows that the current shared mobility primarily competes with public transit rather than complementing it, resulting in a significant bus ridership decline. Second, to enhance sustainability, it is crucial for shared mobility to substitute private car trips and integrate effectively with public transit. Understanding why current users do not sustainably use the system is the key. Results from the traveler mode choice behavior show that the travel cost and out-of-vehicle travel time (e.g., time spent on walking connection, waiting) of shared mobility are the major barriers for travelers to substitute car trips and use multimodal systems. Third, future system planning should improve the pricing mechanisms and fleet management to encourage travelers to use shared mobility in a sustainable way. Optimal pricing and fleet management strategies are sought through an agent-based simulation. Transit-oriented-development is proven to be the best fleet siting strategy and an optimal combination of fleet size and pricing for each shared mobility system is also solved for minimizing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from urban transportation. Fourth, the penetration of e-commerce also reshapes urban mobility from personal travel demand changes, mode choice shifts, and goods delivery inclusion. We integrated the market segmentation and penetration of e-commerce into transportation simulation to comprehensively estimate its impact on urban mobility and transportation sustainability. </p> <p>Case studies from this dissertation demonstrate that the existing adoption of emerging technologies requires further actions in system design, user guidance, and operation management to obtain sustainability benefits. Knowledge from this dissertation supports decision-makers in their efforts to design and plan future emerging technologies toward a sustainable pathway. The findings and insights presented in the dissertation offer valuable guidance for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders involved in shaping the trajectory of these technologies.</p>

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: When the South African wine industry re-entered the global wine markets in the early 1990’s, it faced a number of profound challenges. The most significant of these has been to gain a foothold in the international markets where both New and Old World wine producers fiercely compete for the consumer’s purse. In the effort to bolster its competitiveness and in response to a growing global trend towards ‘environmentally-friendly’ food production the industry launched the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme in 1998.This voluntary regulatory system provides guidelines for best agricultural practices and a producer must pass either the audit or the annual self-evaluation questionnaire in order to comply. A new Integrity & Sustainability seal has been introduced which advertises this compliance on each bottle of wine. This home-grown regulatory scheme is the first and only of its kind in the world and is now accepted by markets globally. The Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) is a collaboration between the wine industry and conservationists which aims to protect endangered species of the Cape Floral Kingdom, promote sustainable practices and rehabilitate indigenous flora and fauna on wine farms. Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is a marketing organisation which promotes the interests of South African wines in international markets. WOSA’s marketing slogan, ‘Variety is in Our Nature’ seeks to create a ‘common language’ which promotes the environmental aspects of South African wine production and a platform from which producers can establish their own marketing strategies. On the surface it would appear that the industry stands united behind this innovative initiative. But is this really the case? This thesis explores the views and attitudes of key industry informants as well as the responses of 14 different cellars from across the Western Cape. Each respondent was questioned on his/her notion of ‘environmentallyfriendly’, the cellar’s environmental practices, as well as their views IPW, BWI and WOSA’s efforts of promoting the South African wine industry’s new environmental identity. This study has found that the ‘greening’ of the South African wine industry enjoys broad support and compliance at both industry and cellar level. However, the results also show that there is serious criticism against the three-pronged ‘project’ which, if not addressed, could damage the integrity and credibility of industry’s new ‘image’ and undo its innovative edge. At the theoretical level, the study challenges aspects of both Global Value Chain Theory and Conventionalisation Theory. Regarding the former, the ‘home-grown’ way in which the industry has created its own ‘environmentally-friendly’ regulating scheme challenges the role lead firms take in international value chains. Regarding the latter, because IPW works within conventional agricultural practices and is far more cost effective than international ‘environmentally-friendly’ regulations, both large and small farmers can implement IPW regulations with the same effectiveness. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toe die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf in die vroeë 1990s her-toegetree het tot die globale wynmark, het dit ‘n aantal ernstige uitdagings in die gesig gestaar. Die belangrikste hiervan was om’n vastrapplek te bekom in die internasionale markte, waar Nuwe, sowel as Ou Wêreld wynprodusente fel met mekaar kompeteer vir die verbruiker se beursie. In ‘n poging om die bedryf se mededingendheid te verbeter en in respons tot ‘n groeiende tendens na ‘omgewingsvriendelike’ voedselproduksie, het die bedryf in 1998 die sogenoemde Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) skema van stapel gestuur. Hierdie vrywillige regulasie-sisteem verskaf riglyne vir optimale landboukundige praktyke en die produsent moet òf die oudit slaag, òf aan die vereistes van ‘n jaarlikse self-evaluering voldoen. ’n Nuwe Integrity & Sustainability seël is in gebruik geneem wat die nakoming van die IPW reëls op elke bottel wyn adverteer. Hierdie tuis-ontwikkelde reguleringskema is die eerste en enigste van sy soort in die wêreld. Die Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) is ’n samewerkingsooreenkoms tussen die wynbedryf en omgewingsbewaarders wat ten doel het om die bedreigde spesies van die Kaapse Blommeryk te beskerm, volhoubare praktyke te bevorder en inheemse flora en fauna op wynplase te rehabiliteer. Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is ’n bemarkingsorganisasie wat die belange van Suid-Afrikaanse wyne op die internasionale markte bevorder. WOSA se bemarkingsleuse, ‘Variety is in our Nature’, het ten doel om ’n ‘gemeenskaplike taal’ te skep wat die omgewingsaspekte van die Suid-Afrikaanse wynproduksie bevorder en ‘n platvorm daarstel waarop produsente hulle eie bemarkingstrategieë kan lanseer. Op die oog af wil dit voorkom asof die bedryf verenig staan agter hierdie vernuwende inisiatief. Maar is dit werklik so? Hierdie tesis ondersoek die perspektiewe en houdings van sleutel mense in die bedryf, asook die response van 14 verskillende kelders van dwarsoor die Wes-Kaap. Elke respondent is gepols oor sy/haar opvatting oor wat ‘omgewingsvriendelik’ behels, die kelder se omgewingsvriendelike praktyke, hulle siening van IPW en BWI, sowel as WOSA se poging om die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf se nuwe omgewingsidentiteit te bevorder. Die studie het bevind dat die ‘vergroening’ van die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf breë steun geniet en die geïnstitusionaliseerde regulasies grootliks nagekom word. Die resultate wys egter ook dat daar ernstige kritiek is teen die bedryf se driedubbele ‘projek’ – soveel so dat as hierdie kritiek nie aangespreek word nie, dit die integriteit en geloofbarigheid van die bedryf se nuwe ‘beeld’ kan beskadig, en daarmee saam sy innoverende voorsprong ongedaan kan maak. Op ‘n teoretiese vlak bevraagteken die studie aspekte van beide Globale Waardeketting Teorie en Konvensionaliseringsteorie. Wat eg. betref bevraagteken die ‘tuisgemaakte’ manier waarop die bedryf sy eie ‘omgewingsvriendelike’ reguleringssisteem geskep het, die rol wat ‘leiersfirmas’ in internasionale waardekettings speel. M.b.t laasgenoemde: omdat IPW funksioneer binne die raamwerk van konvensionele landboupraktyke en baie meer koste-effektief is as internasionale ‘omgewingsvriendelike’ regulasies, kan klein sowel as groot produsente IPW regulasies met ewe veel effektiwiteit implementeer.

A escassez de sistemas consolidados de reciclagem de veículos no Brasil e o grande volume de veículos em final de vida (VFVs) junto aos pátios do Departamento Estadual de Trânsito do Rio Grande do Sul - DETRAN/RS serviram de base para o desenvolvimento desta dissertação. Em face disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema de reciclagem de VFVs ambientalmente mais sustentável, a partir de exemplos globais de melhores práticas adotadas, atendendo à legislação vigente do país. Para tanto, a presente dissertação é composta por dois estudos fundamentados em revisões sistemáticas e em estudos de caso. Inicialmente, como resultado da primeira revisão sistemática, foi realizada a comparação de sistemas de gestão de reciclagem de veículos, identificados em 25 países. Essa comparação possibilitou ampliar o conhecimento de tecnologias e de procedimentos adotados em diferentes realidades, permitindo a proposição de oito políticas a serem adotadas em âmbito nacional, bem como três ações de melhoria ao atual sistema do DETRAN/RS. Em seguida, a segunda revisão sistemática permitiu a proposição de um sistema ambientalmente adequado para reciclagem de VFVs, que sirva de base para a futura padronização de processos de reciclagem, visando a potencial criação de centros especializados em reciclagem de veículos (CERVs). Diante do exposto, os resultados da pesquisa demonstraram que o tema da reciclagem de veículos está inserido num cenário mais amplo, necessitando da participação de todos os stakeholders envolvidos no processo, a exemplo: (i) das montadoras e fabricantes de peças, no desenvolvimento de tecnologias automotivas; (ii) dos entes federados, na criação de legislações mais rígidas e específicas, com foco na economia circular; e (iii) da sociedade na busca de produtos eco-amigáveis. Por fim, conclui-se que, associado às políticas e ações de melhoria sugeridas, a adoção do sistema ambientalmente adequado para reciclagem de VFVs proposto, poderá acelerar a criação de um ambiente favorável para o desenvolvimento e a consolidação da reciclagem no país. / The scarcity of consolidated vehicle recycling systems in Brazil and the huge amounts of endof- life vehicles (ELVs) at the Transit State Department of Rio Grande do Sul - DETRAN/RS courtyards served as the basis for the development of this Masters dissertation. Therefore, the objective of the work was to develop an environmentally more sustainable ELVs recycling system, based on global adopted best practices, without disregarding the country's current legislation. So, this dissertation is composed of two studies based on systematic reviews and on case studies. Initially, as a result of the first systematic review, a comparison of vehicle recycling management systems was carried out, identified in 25 countries. This comparison allowed the increasing of the knowledge about technologies and procedures adopted in different realities, making possible a proposal of educational policies to be adopted at national level, as well as three improvement actions for the current system of the DETRAN/RS. Subsequently, a second systematic review allowed a proposal for a suitable environmentally recycling system for the ELVs, which serves as the basis for a standardization of recycling processes, aiming the potential creation of specialized centers for such processes (CERVs). Considering this, the research results showed that the theme of product recycling is inserted in a broader scenario, requiring participation of all stakeholders involved in the process, such as: (i) the automakers and parts manufacturers, in the automotive technologies development; (ii) the federal entities, in the creation of more rigid and specific legislation, focusing on the circular economy; and (iii) the society in the search for eco-friendly products. Finally, it is concluded that, associated with the suggested policies and improvement actions, the adoption of the proposed environmentally appropriate system for the recycling of the ELVs, may accelerate the creation of a favorable way to the develop and consolidate the recycling in our country.