In South Africa thousands of unemployed people earn a living by recovering recyclable materials from the municipal stream, garbage bins and garbage dumps. In so doing their activities are also beneficial to the environment because raw materials and energy are saved and pollution is reduced. However, waste reclamation in South Africa seems not to be adequately regulated, supported nor formally recognised by authorities. This study aims to investigate the extent to which South African Environmental law enables and regulates waste reclamation, whether directly and/or indirectly, with a view to improving the regulatory policy and legislative framework pertaining to waste reclamation. In this regard the study considers key policy and legislation pertaining to waste management in South Africa. To this end the Minimum Requirementsfor Waste Disposal by Landfill as published by the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry serve as a guideline for the formalisation and control of waste reclamation at landfills. However, there is a need to formulate regulations under NEM: WA to regulate waste reclamation inside and even outside landfills. Moreover, the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs also needs to formulate standard model waste reclamation by-laws which would be adapted by municipalities to suit local circumstances. The long term view of government is to phase out waste reclamation at landfills in favour of waste separation at source. In order to realise this objective it is important for government, especially at local level, to integrate waste reclaimers in the formal waste management programmes by virtue of their experience in recovery of recyclables from the waste stream, and these programmesmust be included in municipal IWMPs and IDPs for implementation. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

During the past few decades the focus of waste management in South Africa has been emphasised, especially in view of the increase in economic development which has resulted in an increase in commercial, industrial, hazardous, mining, power generation as well as radioactive waste. The iron and steel making industry in South Africa provides for a vast amount of recycling opportunities of various materials resulting from the iron and steelmaking process. The regulation of waste management in South Africa may have some significant implications on this particular industry. In this dissertation the history of waste management legislation in South Africa is researched. It is found that initially only waste disposal was regulated, but over time, in addition to disposal, other aspects were also regulated in terms of other pieces of environmental legislation, such as the recycling, recovery and storage of waste. In an attempt to provide for uniform waste management regulation in South Africa, and in order to achieve sustainable development by the provision of a new waste hierarchy, the National Environmental Management: Waste Act was introduced. As part of this legislation, a new definition of waste was also introduced. It is indicated as part of this dissertation that various interpretations of the definition of ‘waste’ are possible. It is also indicated that these various interpretations may not only have some significant implications for the iron and steelmaking industry in South Africa, but may also have significant implications for the implementation of the waste hierarchy, as envisaged in terms of current waste management legislation. In the light of the above, and after taking comments by the members of the South African Iron and Steel Institute into consideration, recommendations are made for an improved legislative framework for waste management in South Africa. It is recommended that there should be a trade–off between the protection of the environment and the re–use, recovery and recycling opportunities of materials available to industry in the short–term as well as the long–term. In order to achieve such a trade–off, it is suggested that the ‘End–of Waste’ criteria in South Africa be reconsidered and re–evaluated to ensure more legal certainty with regard as to exactly constitutes waste and to provide for a definition of ‘waste’ which is clearly defined. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

During the past few decades the focus of waste management in South Africa has been emphasised, especially in view of the increase in economic development which has resulted in an increase in commercial, industrial, hazardous, mining, power generation as well as radioactive waste. The iron and steel making industry in South Africa provides for a vast amount of recycling opportunities of various materials resulting from the iron and steelmaking process. The regulation of waste management in South Africa may have some significant implications on this particular industry. In this dissertation the history of waste management legislation in South Africa is researched. It is found that initially only waste disposal was regulated, but over time, in addition to disposal, other aspects were also regulated in terms of other pieces of environmental legislation, such as the recycling, recovery and storage of waste. In an attempt to provide for uniform waste management regulation in South Africa, and in order to achieve sustainable development by the provision of a new waste hierarchy, the National Environmental Management: Waste Act was introduced. As part of this legislation, a new definition of waste was also introduced. It is indicated as part of this dissertation that various interpretations of the definition of ‘waste’ are possible. It is also indicated that these various interpretations may not only have some significant implications for the iron and steelmaking industry in South Africa, but may also have significant implications for the implementation of the waste hierarchy, as envisaged in terms of current waste management legislation. In the light of the above, and after taking comments by the members of the South African Iron and Steel Institute into consideration, recommendations are made for an improved legislative framework for waste management in South Africa. It is recommended that there should be a trade–off between the protection of the environment and the re–use, recovery and recycling opportunities of materials available to industry in the short–term as well as the long–term. In order to achieve such a trade–off, it is suggested that the ‘End–of Waste’ criteria in South Africa be reconsidered and re–evaluated to ensure more legal certainty with regard as to exactly constitutes waste and to provide for a definition of ‘waste’ which is clearly defined. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

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.

Resumo: Foram realizados dois experimentos, objetivando-se avaliar quantitativamente diferentes metodologias propostas em análises de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), visando à precisão dos resultados analíticos, a redução nos custos e no tempo das análises, bem como a minimização no descarte de resíduos químicos. Foram utilizados seis alimentos de uso corrente na alimentação animal: feno de Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.), cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.), silagem de milho (Zea mays L.), capim-xaraés (Brachiaria brizanta cv. Xaraés), capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizanta cv. Marandu) e um concentrado protéico, o farelo de babaçu (Orbignya phalerata). No primeiro experimento foram comparados os teores de FDN e FDA obtidos pelo método convencional com três métodos alternativos que utilizam a autoclave como sistema digestor e no segundo experimento foi avaliada a possibilidade de reutilizar, por uma vez, as soluções detergentes e a acetona recuperada, utilizadas no desenvolvimento das primeiras análises. O delineamento experimental utilizado na análise de cada alimento foi o inteiramente casualizado, em um esquema fatorial 4x2 (4 metodologias e 2 formas de análises), no primeiro experimento e 2x4x2 (2 utilizações, 4 metodologias e 2 formas de análises), no segundo experimento. Observou-se que a implantação das metodologias alternativas permitiu ganhos significativos com a redução dos custos operacionais e do tempo da análise, minimizando os impactos ambientais. A precisão analítica dos métodos alternativos variou entre os alimentos estudados, tendo sido recomendados nas determinações dos teores de FDN no feno de Tifton 85, farelo de babaçu e cana-de-açúcar e nas determinações dos teores de FDA apenas no farelo de babaçu pelo método alternativo que utiliza a autoclave e saquinhos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Two experiments were conducted, aiming to quantitatively evaluate different methods proposed for the analysis of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). This evaluation included the precision of analytical results, the reduces costs and time analysis and minimizes waste generation. Six typical foods in animal nutrition were used: Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), corn silage (Zea mays L.), grass xaraés (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés) grass marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) and a proteic concentrated, the babassu meal (Orbignya phalerata). The first experiment compared the NDF and ADF results of the conventional method with three alternative methods that use autoclave as system digester and on the second experiment the possibility of reuse, for once, of detergent solutions and recovered acetone applied on the first experiment, were studied.The experimental design used in the analysis of each food was completely randomized in a 4x2 factorial scheme (four methods and two forms of analysis) in the first experiment and 2x4x2 (2 uses, four methods and two forms of analysis) in the second experiment .It was observed that alternative methodologies has allowed significant gains by reducing operating costs, time of analysis, minimizing environmental impacts. The analytical precision of alternative methods varied among studied foods. NDF alternative methods were recommended for Tifton 85, babassu meal and sugarcane samples. ADF determinations by alternative methods are not recommended for samples studied; except for babassu meal that can be analyzed by the alternative method using an autoclave and bags of ANKOM. All analytical results of the determinations of NDF and ADF showed the same behavior in both forms of analysis used (non-sequential and sequential), except the determination of ADF in corn silage... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientadora: Telma Teresinha Berchielli / Coorientadora: Ana Paula de Oliveira Sader / Banca: Ricardo Andrade Reis / Banca: Euclides Braga Malheiros / Banca: José Ricardo Soares Telles de Souza / Banca: Paulo Henrique Moura Dian / Doutor

In connection to the increasing awareness of vehicles and its impact on the environment, the interest in the electric vehicle market has shown a significant growth in the recent years. According to forecasts, it is also projected to increase further in the future. These electric vehicles are driven by lithium-ion batteries with an expected service life of 5-15 years depending on different technology generations and design concepts. After the given service life, the battery has lost approximately 20 percent of its capacity and is no longer permitted to be used in its original application area again, out of safety reasons. Although the retired battery pack is not suitable for vehicles, its remaining capacity can still be utilized in other applications. Hence, the term second life has become a common subject in the automotive industry, where companies are trying to find new application areas for the retired electric vehicle battery packs. Common methods regarding second life of electric vehicle batteries are processes such as remanufacturing, repurposing and re-use. These presented second life methods are from a reverse logistics perspective. Second life alternatives enable a better sustainability and reduces the environmental impact by re-using and recycling existing materials.   In this thesis, the authors examined different second life concepts with the same prerequisite, an electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack with an energy capacity of 20 kWh. The project has been conducted in a company that is one of the leading manufacturers in the heavy-duty industrial vehicle industry, which currently is developing their electric vehicle machines. Several different concepts have been generated and analysed to find the most applicable business model concepts from a second life perspective. The purpose has been to investigate and calculate which of these business model concepts are most feasible from an economic and a reverse logistics perspective. In order to fulfil the purpose, the following research questions have been formulated:   RQ1: Which secondary use business model concepts are feasible for battery packs of electrified machines? RQ2: Out of the above identified concepts, which business model concept is economically feasible and how can its reverse logistic be composed?   In order to answer the research questions, the authors have analysed different cost aspects and forecasts based on existing research and case company data. This is performed to develop the most profitable concepts based on the collected data, where the generated ideas concluded in three final concepts. For these concepts, individual business model canvases were created to illustrate all important parts of the concepts. The thesis resulted in an economic analysis of the three concepts, visualizing function diagrams and comparing them to each other, to identify the most applicable concept for the case company. The remanufacturing concept proved to be the most applicable one, where its associated reverse logistics and recycling process were investigated and determined. In conclusion the thesis can firstly contribute to future research by the created process map that companies can use and apply in their second life process, correlated to the managerial implications. Secondly, the remanufacturing concept can be a potential future investment for the case company, considering all valuable factors that have been analysed throughout the thesis.     Keywords: Battery pack, Battery secondary use, Business model, Reverse logistic, ESS, Remanufacturing, Battery repurposing, re-use, Battery second life economic analysis.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-12-02Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:06:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lourenco_msn_dr_jabo.pdf: 595650 bytes, checksum: 1a674a74c6c121235358d42b7a1a4db4 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Foram realizados dois experimentos, objetivando-se avaliar quantitativamente diferentes metodologias propostas em análises de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), visando à precisão dos resultados analíticos, a redução nos custos e no tempo das análises, bem como a minimização no descarte de resíduos químicos. Foram utilizados seis alimentos de uso corrente na alimentação animal: feno de Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.), cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.), silagem de milho (Zea mays L.), capim-xaraés (Brachiaria brizanta cv. Xaraés), capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizanta cv. Marandu) e um concentrado protéico, o farelo de babaçu (Orbignya phalerata). No primeiro experimento foram comparados os teores de FDN e FDA obtidos pelo método convencional com três métodos alternativos que utilizam a autoclave como sistema digestor e no segundo experimento foi avaliada a possibilidade de reutilizar, por uma vez, as soluções detergentes e a acetona recuperada, utilizadas no desenvolvimento das primeiras análises. O delineamento experimental utilizado na análise de cada alimento foi o inteiramente casualizado, em um esquema fatorial 4x2 (4 metodologias e 2 formas de análises), no primeiro experimento e 2x4x2 (2 utilizações, 4 metodologias e 2 formas de análises), no segundo experimento. Observou-se que a implantação das metodologias alternativas permitiu ganhos significativos com a redução dos custos operacionais e do tempo da análise, minimizando os impactos ambientais. A precisão analítica dos métodos alternativos variou entre os alimentos estudados, tendo sido recomendados nas determinações dos teores de FDN no feno de Tifton 85, farelo de babaçu e cana-de-açúcar e nas determinações dos teores de FDA apenas no farelo de babaçu pelo método alternativo que utiliza a autoclave e saquinhos... / Two experiments were conducted, aiming to quantitatively evaluate different methods proposed for the analysis of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). This evaluation included the precision of analytical results, the reduces costs and time analysis and minimizes waste generation. Six typical foods in animal nutrition were used: Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), corn silage (Zea mays L.), grass xaraés (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés) grass marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) and a proteic concentrated, the babassu meal (Orbignya phalerata). The first experiment compared the NDF and ADF results of the conventional method with three alternative methods that use autoclave as system digester and on the second experiment the possibility of reuse, for once, of detergent solutions and recovered acetone applied on the first experiment, were studied.The experimental design used in the analysis of each food was completely randomized in a 4x2 factorial scheme (four methods and two forms of analysis) in the first experiment and 2x4x2 (2 uses, four methods and two forms of analysis) in the second experiment .It was observed that alternative methodologies has allowed significant gains by reducing operating costs, time of analysis, minimizing environmental impacts. The analytical precision of alternative methods varied among studied foods. NDF alternative methods were recommended for Tifton 85, babassu meal and sugarcane samples. ADF determinations by alternative methods are not recommended for samples studied; except for babassu meal that can be analyzed by the alternative method using an autoclave and bags of ANKOM. All analytical results of the determinations of NDF and ADF showed the same behavior in both forms of analysis used (non-sequential and sequential), except the determination of ADF in corn silage... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Den växande oron kring textilindustrins påverkan på miljön utmanar klädföretag att ständigt anpassa och förbättra sina sätt att bedriva verksamheterna. Företag idag ser svårigheter i att förbättra sitt vardagliga arbete med hållbarhet, vilket lett till att implementeringen av återförsäljning i verksamheter sett snabb tillväxt under de senaste åren. Till följd av att förändringar i kunders och intressenters krav skiftat mot en mer hållbar praxis, tvingasföretagen upprätthålla konkurrenskraft genom att hitta nya sätt att skapa värde. I takt med att tillvägagångssätt ändras och den totala konsumtionen ökar, har företag börjat samla in och sälja kunders begagnade plagg. Processen banar väg för en ny affärsmodell som skapar nya intäktsströmmar och förespråkar cirkularitet inom företagen. Syftet med studien har varit att definiera vilka tillvägagångssätt företag har använt för att implementera återförsäljning i sina verksamheter. Det har även väckt frågor kring vilka utmaningar företagen står inför vid processen och vilka nya värden som tillförs företaget. För att finna svar har intervjuer med tre klädföretag genomförts, vilka för närvarande arbetar medåterförsäljning. Resultaten visar att integrering av återförsäljning i företagen genererat värden för dem själva, lojala kunder och nya kunder. Skapandet av dessa värden är kopplade till nya inkomstflöden, förvärv av nya kunder och förbättring av både Brand Equity och Green BrandEquity. Olika tillvägagångssätt har förkroppsligats i studien, där värderingar och attityder tillhållbarhet har varit faktorer som haft betydande effekter på utformningen. Företagens storlek och tid på marknaden har också visats vara av betydande karaktär. Utmaningar har hittats i att möta efterfrågan med ett attraktivt utbud och i balanseringen av kvalitet kontra kvantitet. Vidare ser vissa företag i studien sina handlingar som en skyldighet gentemot miljön, varpå andra företag ser sina handlingar mer som en tjänst gentemot sina kunder. Vilka nya värden konceptet skapar beror på företagens kärnvärden; dessa återspeglas i de tillvägagångssätt som tillämpas. / The growing concern for the textile industries’ impact on the environment is challenging companies to constantly adapt and improve their ways of conducting business. As companies face challenges to improve their everyday-business and long-term impact of sustainability, the implementation of second-hand as a business subsidiary has seen a rapid increase in growth in recent years. As changes in customer and stakeholder demands have shifted towards a more sustainable practice, companies are being forced to take on new ways to create value and be competitive. With practices shifting and the overall consumption rising, companies have started to collect and resell their used garments paving way for a new business model that creates new revenue streams and advocates for circularity within the company. The aim with this study has been to define what procedures companies have used to implement resale into their operations. This has also raised questions regarding what challenges the companies face with the process and what new values it brings to the company. To find these answers, interviews with three clothing brands, currently working with resale, have been conducted. The results show that integration of resell in the focal companies has generated values for themselves, loyal customers and new customers. Instances of these values are connected to new income streams, acquisition of new customers and improvement of both Brand- and Green Brand Equity. Different approaches have been embodied in the study, where values and attitudes towards sustainability have been factors that have had significant impacts on the design. The size of the company and the time at the market have also shown influence. Challenges have been found in meeting the demand with the supply and balancing quality versus quantity. As some companies in the study see their actions as a duty towards the environment, others see it more as a service towards their customers. What new values the concept creates, depends upon the core values of the company. Furthermore, this study will be written in Swedish.

This diploma thesis presents the knowledge of wastewater reuse. The theoretical part of the thesis describes types of wastewater (greywater, brownwater, and yellow-water) and their characteristics. Further, the theoretical part describes the possibilities of re-use of wastewater as a source of water in detail, including treatment technology, and the heat recuperation from wastewater. The practical part of the thesis uses gained knowledge for designing a greywater treatment and heat recovery technology of grey water in an apartment complex.

This diploma thesis presents reader with current knowledge in the field of gray wastewater reuse. The theoretical part describes the current state of water in the world, thus characterizes wastewater and describes its treatment. Further, this section describes the possibility of obtaining thermal energy from wastewater. At the end of the theoretical part, the reader is presented with some existing buildings in the Czech Republic that use the wastewater re-use technology system. In the following practical part, all the knowledge from the theoretical part are applied for a concrete project of construction of a graywater re-use technology system in the area of Vlněna in Brno city.