In 2015, 96.7 million tonnes of textile fibres were produced world-wide. Our high consumption of textiles leads to an increased amount of textile waste. In Sweden, the majority of used clothing and textiles are incinerated due to the lack of recycling techniques. A large amount of post-consumer textile waste is made from blended materials. One of the most common blends, used in as near as all workwear and service textiles, is cotton/polyester. To enable chemical recycling of such textiles, cotton and polyester must first be separated. The aim of this thesis was to separate the materials by depolymerizing the polyester using alkaline hydrolysis. The focus of the work was on how such a process should be performed without a catalyst, in order to result in both a high yield and a high purity of the cotton residue. In order to recycle the residue as a raw material for manufacturing of man-made cellulosic fibres, the cellulose chains in the cotton must also be maintained as unaffected as possible. The polyester in new sheets was completely depolymerized after 390 min at a temperature of 90ºC using a 10% sodium hydroxide concentration and a 1% material-to-liquor concentration. The separation using these conditions gave high yields (above 96%) of the cotton residue regardless of the material fineness used in the process. Furthermore, the separation performed on old sheets show that a pure cotton residue could be produced using higher material concentrations. It was shown that the cotton residue from old sheets, laundered around 50 times, had an intrinsic viscosity comparable to dissolving pulps used for viscose fibre spinning. This study concludes that alkaline hydrolysis without the use of a catalyst could be used to separate cotton and polyester in blended textiles. Furthermore, the findings show that cotton percentage in old sheets only decreased slightly after 50 launderings. Characterization of the materials using ATR FTIR spectroscopy indicate that an integrated textile recycling of hospital bed sheets could be performed since the sheets only contain cotton and polyester in all parts of the sheets.

The interest in this study was initiated by the rapid global transition of paper usage to digital systems in teaching and learning at tertiary institutions, particularly those that are signatories to the Talloires Declaration, which include Rhodes University (RU). It was discovered that there are two earlier studies (Leslie et al. 2009; Amutenya et al. 2009) that investigated and proposed recommendations towards sustainable paper usage at Rhodes University (RU). This study then investigated the response of RU to the proposed recommendations of the above mentioned studies and evaluated the conditions that promote and constrain sustainable paper usage in teaching and learning, and the attitudes of users thereof.

This report presents the findings of a research project whereby the initiatives and opportunities for municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling were investigated in the town of Simunye, in Swaziland with a view to establish how recycling, in particular household waste recycling, can be improved through stakeholder involvement and community participation during the planning and implementation of a sustainable system for household waste recycling in Simunye. The reason for focusing on household waste was because source separation of household waste was identified as a potential area for improving efficiencies and cutting costs by the local authority. It was deemed necessary to conduct research because there was a history of failure in respect of household recycling. In 2006 an initiative, by the local authority, for separating household waste at source had ended up in failure. The participation rates of the households turned out to be very low even though they had been issued, free of charge, some plastic bags for sorting the waste. Some of the households were found using the bags for other purposes rather than recycling. As a result, the initiative had to be suspended (White, 2010). There is a new move to revive the project in order to cut costs and minimize wastages. This time around the local authority is determined for the new project to be a success story. Since the underlying causes for the failure of the previous initiative were never investigated formally (Khumalo, 2010), the starting point would be to identify and try to eliminate all the potential barriers to recycling through a consultative process to start with.

La littérature théorique portant sur le phosphore considère que le marché de la ressource est parfaitement concurrentiel, alors que son fonctionnement montre, en réalité, qu'il en est autrement. En effet, plusieurs interactions stratégiques existent sur ce marché. L'objectif principal de cette thèse est de reconsidérer ce marché dans un cadre de concurrence imparfaite. Il s'agit, particulièrement, d'analyser l'effet du recyclage sur l'extraction d'une ressource épuisable, sur la dynamique du prix de la ressource, sur sa date d'épuisement et sur la réduction de la pollution aquatique. Cette thèse est organisée autour d'une introduction générale et de cinq chapitres théoriques qui s'intéressent tous à l'économie du phosphore ou des ressources épuisables. Le premier considère un modèle à deux périodes où un pays extracteur et un pays recycleur se concurrencent en quantités. Nous supposons que le phosphore extrait et le phosphore recyclé sont des substituts stratégiques. Nous montrons que l'effet du recyclage sur les quantités extraites par le monopole est très sensible au niveau des réserves qui sont détenues par ce dernier. Le deuxième chapitre est une extension en temps continu du premier à horizon infini. Il analyse l'effet du recyclage du phosphore sur l'extraction du monopole et sur la dynamique du prix de la ressource. Nous utilisons un modèle de contrôle optimal et montrons que le prix de la ressource n'augmente toujours pas au fil du temps. Le troisième chapitre considère que l'extraction et le recyclage peuvent être soit des substituts stratégiques, soit des compléments stratégiques. Il considère un modèle à deux périodes et montre que l'effet du recyclage sur la recette marginale de deuxième période du monopole et sur ses quantités extraites dépend de si les quantités extraites et recyclées sont des substituts ou des compléments stratégiques. Le quatrième chapitre montre que le détenteur de la ressource arbitre entre accepter l'entrée du secteur de recyclage et l'empêcher. La dernière stratégie prend deux formes: soit l'extracteur dissuade l'entrée, soit il la bloque. Nous utilisons un modèle à deux périodes et montrons que la stratégie adoptée par le détenteur de la ressource dépend de la taille des coûts fixes du recycleur et du niveau de rareté de la ressource. Le cinquième chapitre s'intéresse aux problèmes d'épuisement du phosphore et de la pollution aquatique. Nous considérons une firme qui extrait et recycle le phosphore. Nous analysons le rôle de la combinaison d'une taxe et d'une subvention. Nous montrons que la combinaison de ces deux instruments permet de réduire la pollution et de prolonger la durée de vie du phosphore. / The theoretical literature that deals with phosphorus considers the market of the resource as being perfectly competitive, whereas the reality of this market suggests otherwise. Indeed, several interactions occur in this market. The main aim of this thesis is to rethink this market in an imperfectly framework. More specifically, we analyze the effect of recycling on the extraction of an exhaustible resource, on the dynamic of the resource price, on its date of depletion and on the reduction of water pollution. This thesis consists in a general introduction and five theoretical chapters all dealing with the economics of phosphorus or of exhaustible resources. Chapter 1 considers a two-period model where an extractor and a recycler compete with quantities. We assume that extracted and recycled phosphorus are strategic substitutes. We show that the effect of recycling on the extracted quantities strongly depends on the level of the stock of phosphorus. Chapter 2 extends the previous chapter in a continuous time framework over an infinite horizon. It investigates the effect of phosphorus recycling on the monopolist's extraction and on the dynamic of its price. We postulate an optimal control model and show that the price of the resource does not necessarily increase through time. Chapter 3 considers that extraction and recycling can be either strategic substitutes or strategic complements. In a two-period model, we show that the effect of recycling on the monopolist's second-period marginal revenue and on its extracted quantities depends on whether extracted and recycled products are strategic substitutes or strategic complements. Chapter 4 considers that the extracting sector chooses between accommodating or preventing the recycler's entry. The entry prevention can take two forms: either deterring or blockading. In a two-period model, we show that the strategy of the extractor depends on the level of the fixed costs incurred by the recycler and on whether the resource is scarce or not. Chapter 5 addresses the problems of phosphorus exhaustion and water pollution. We consider one firm that extracts and recycles phosphorus. We investigate the influence of a tax-subsidy scheme. We show that a combination of these two instruments enables to reduce water pollution and to prolong the lifetime of phosphorus.

This dissertation aims to use a system thinking approach to describe and evaluate the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Program in British Columbia, compare it with other provincial regulated recycling programs and identify strategies on how it can be improved. The research is presented in the manuscript based format, comprised of four interrelated chapters. Following the introduction, chapter 2 describes a multiple regression analysis to assess how various factors identified by informed stakeholders have contributed to recycling rate in 14 transportation zones from 1995 to 2005. This study demonstrates that the existing recycling scheme ineffectively promotes recycling as it has achieved an average of 75% over the past 13 years with large fluctuations among transportation zones. The regression also shows that recycling rate of transportation zones are not highly influenced by LME lead prices and Transportation Incentive (which can be explained by the strong market power of the recycling plants responsible for setting up the price of scrap lead to which the collectors respond). Chapter 3 identifies key components that influence the performance of varied recycling systems based on a comparative analysis of provincial recycling systems informed by expert interviews. In chapter 4, comprehensive evaluation criteria for the lead-acid battery recycling program is developed based on objectives and performance measures elicited through an extensive stakeholder consultation process with various individuals and organizations. Fundamental objectives identified by stakeholders include: reduce environmental impacts, reduce occupational health impacts, reduce net costs, increase equity in resource consumption patterns and increase systematic learning. In chapter 5, we use multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to design and assess effective recycling strategies to meet societal objectives previously identified in the chapter 4. Recycling strategies were compiled using the results of chapter 3. The results reveals that the optimal policy for the lead-acid battery recycling system combines a return to retailer program financed through an advanced disposal fee included in the battery price in combination with increased plant or recycling capacity domestically. This research also provides relevant contributions to the refining and application of value-focused thinking and decision analysis methodologies. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of / Graduate

This qualitative study investigates Waste services provided by community-based enterprises in the Ngombe peri-urban settlement area - Lusaka, Zambia. The aim of the study was to identify and analyze the factors that contribute to illegal dumping of solid waste in the said peri-urban settlement area. The research objectives were as follows: To explore the capability of the community-based enterprises to effectively manage their enterprises in relation to the provision of solid waste services to the residents of the said settlement, To identify and evaluate the solid waste services provided by the community-based enterprises, and To make recommendations for the improvement of solid waste service provision and utilisation based on the findings of the study. The method of data collection for the above listed objectives was a literature study and focus group interviews. In order to achieve the said objectives of the study, the researcher opted for a qualitative research design – utilizing the contextual, descriptive, inductive and deductive approaches. The research population comprised the community-based enterprises involved in the provision of solid waste services in the Ngombe settlement area namely Kutwano and Tiyende Pamodzi Waste Enterprises. The purposive sample method was used for the selection of the focus group. The focus group discussions were captured by means of an audiotape and note-taking. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, within 24 hours of data capturing. Data analysis followed the five steps of Powell and Renner (2003, pp,1-6), namely: familiarization, identifying a thematic framework, categorization (coding or indexing) of data, identifying patterns and connections within and between categories (relationships), and interpretation (bringing it all together). The researcher adhered to the relevant ethical considerations and the principles of trustworthiness, namely: credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability throughout the study. In exploring the capability of the two community-based enterprises to effectively manage their enterprises in relation to the provision of solid waste services to the residents of the said settlement it was found that community-based enterprises do not have the capability to provide adequate solid waste services. This is due to inadequate leadership and entrepreneurship skills of the community-based enterprises management committee members, non-payment of solid waste collection fees by the majority of households and inadequate legal enforcement by the Lusaka City Council’s Waste Management Unit. In identifying and evaluating the solid waste services provided by the community-based enterprises it was found that solid waste services provided by community-based enterprises were inadequate. This is due to the type of equipment (push carts) used for primary solid waste collection that does not carter for other forms of solid waste like construction waste; inappropriate solid waste storage containers (25kg maize meal bags) which do not allow storage of solid waste in a sanitary manner (non-leak proof, accessible to rats, flies and cockroaches and rodents); restriction on the type of solid waste that community-based enterprises should collect (in relation to the specified solid waste storage container, 25kg maize meal bags) and the delay of secondary solid waste collection by Lusaka City Council’s Waste Management Unit. On the basis of the findings of the study, a number of recommendations are being made, which, if implemented effectively, should improve the provision and utilisation of solid waste services within the study area. Such an improvement should lead to a higher level of environmental cleanliness, and ultimately to better health standards of the people living within the area.

The application of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate,!MgNH&PO& ∙ 6H+O) precipitation and its recycling use for the purpose of ammonia removal from both synthetic solutions and landfill leachate were investigated in this study. The results demonstrated that chemical precipitation by struvite formation is efficient for ammonia removal from aqueous solutions. In addition, by recycling the thermal residue of struvite, continuously removing ammonia can technically be achieved. In the struvite precipitation, ammonia removal significantly depended on the pH and chemical molar ratios of NH& ,:!Mg+,:!PO& ./. For synthetic solution (TAN=1,000 mg/L), remarkable TAN removal efficiency of over 98% has been reported when the molar ratio of NH& ,:!Mg+,:!PO& ./ equals 1.0:1.2:1.2, 1.0:1.3:1.3, 1.0:1.3:1.4 and 1.0:1.5:1.5 at optimum pH 9. The optimum combinations of reagents applied in landfill leachate (TAN=1,878 mg/L) were!NH& ,:!Mg+,:!PO& ./ =1.0:1.3:1.3, 1.0:1.4:1.3, 1.0:1.5:1.4 and 1.0:1.5:1.5 at optimum pH 9.5, all of which displayed excellent TAN removal efficiencies of over 99%. Response surface method (RSM) helped to analyze the data and optimize the results. The struvite pyrolysate provided best performance of removing ammonia in both simulated wastewater and landfill leachate at a dosage of 60 g/L, when struvite was previously heated at 105 􀀁 by oven for 2.5 h. In the recycling phase, the struvite pyrolysate resulting from NaOH-mediated pyrolysis was more effective at continuously treating ammonia synthetic solution than was direct heating, with an initial mode of 87.4% at the beginning to 75.1% in the fifth round and direct heating of struvite from 80.9% in the first cycle and 60.6% in the final cycle. The struvite pyrolysate formed by NaOH-mediated pyrolysis performed with greater ability to continuously eliminate ammonia from landfill leachate (97.2% removal at the beginning and 72.3% in the fifth round), than did directly heated struvite (98.4% in the first cycle and 81.3% in the final cycle). Additionally, microwave irradiation could also dissociate struvite, which subsequently demonstrated moderate TAN removal in recycling phases.

My diploma paper is concerned with problems of consumer's relationship to the communal waste. The aim of my work is to identify which factors influence the consumer's decision making about how to dispose of the communal waste. I focus on both economic and noneconomic incentives like social norms, altruism, motivation or information. Which role does the state play? I follow with legislative problems and different ways of waste disposal in the Czech republic with the comperison with the European Union. I focus more on recycling both the positive and negative view. In the second, practical part of my work I use the questionnaire. The results will be used for analysis of factors which influence the consumer's decision making.

The recycling rate of post-consumer apparel waste is low. This is compounded by our limited understanding of the fibre recovered from apparel waste and a lack of development in novel applications. Motivated by the growing rate of accumulation in unwanted clothing, this study focused on a number of integrated research themes aimed at understanding the nature of reclaimed cotton fibre, its use in paper-based materials and its utilisation in apparel related applications. Initially, the investigation characterised reclaimed cotton fibres from two different recovery machines (pinned air-layer and cutting mill). The results showed that neither process was capable of producing adequate fibre quality for fine yarn manufacture. The fibres exhibited extensive surface damage, length shortening and an increase in length distribution. After the initial characterisation, studies were undertaken to investigate the use of paper technology to increase the possibility of using reclaimed fibre in apparel. Strength is an important property in apparel related applications, therefore, the strength of reclaimed cotton-based paper was enhanced. The effects of a 4% sodium hydroxide pre-treatment on the beating performance and resultant sheet properties of reclaimed fibre pulp were investigated. At low beating levels, the results showed a significant 35% and 39% increase in tensile strength and energy absorption, respectively. With the treatment it is, therefore, possible to obtain a strong paper with high bulk, which can be further utilised to improve surface softness. Optimum dry and wet strength enhancement of the resultant paper was obtained with the combined addition of 1% carboxymethyl cellulose and 2% polyamideamine-epichlorhydrin. The development of wet strength was vital in order to facilitate uniform twist insertion in subsequent paper yarn manufacture. This study was one of the first to test the viability of using reclaimed cotton fibre in the production of paper yarns suitable for apparel manufacture. The wet-strengthened reclaimed-fibre paper was slit into 3 mm width ribbons, dampened, then twisted into yarns. The resultant yarns (46–193 tex) were uniform but lacked sufficient strength for use in weaving and knitting processes. Analysis of a commercial paper yarn, OJO+ , suggested that strength could be improved if fibre orientation was increased in the machine direction. A further application, in the form of a jacket, was trialled. The focus here was to test sewability using a variety of seam and stitch formations to sew together denim-derived cotton paper. A simple design using lap seams with straight stitching was established as the most effective construction. The final jacket satisfied industry requirements on seam strength and efficiency, however, further investigation into improving comfort and wear-ability will be essential.

The Diploma thesis analyzes the attitude of small and medium Czech enterprises towards the Green IT and sustainability concept. Several practices such as consolidation and virtualization of servers, desktop virtualization, cloud computing, energy management, dematerialization and recycling are discussed with regards to their contribution to global sustainability. The common denominator of most of the Green IT practices is the energy consumption reduction. The increasing information technology's demand for energy is viewed as a major contributor to the global carbon footprint and Green IT practices are assessed in terms of how much energy can be saved by incorporating them in a company policy. Besides energy consumption material aspects are another significant part of Green IT. Both the toxicity of certain materials used in the manufacturing process and the increased need for proper recycling of electronic waste are discussed in respective chapters. Information technology does not only add to the global carbon footprint, but it can also provide means to reduce the emissions of other sectors. Companies can reduce their energy consumption by improving logistics (smart logistics) or buildings (smart buildings) efficiency. Teleworking is another practice which enables millions of people work outside their office and contributes to global sustainability. The analytical part presents a survey of Czech small and medium enterprises and their attitude to Green IT. The main objective of the survey is to find out how many companies have implemented Green IT into their company policy. Company representatives report on which Green IT practices they have adopted and why. Responses are analyzed and findings and conclusions are presented.