Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os sistemas de gestão ambiental em cinco indústrias petroquímicas no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, com foco no gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos e líquidos, gerados no processo produtivo, considerando-se a legislação brasileira aplicada ao meio ambiente. Acompanhando a evolução do sistema de gestão ambiental adotado pelos diferentes segmentos produtivos, observa-se cada vez mais a importância da adequação do processo a condições que permitam a sustentabilidade ambiental. As indústrias em questão são consideradas como referência no setror petroquímico de transformação, com atividades altamente impactantes ao meio ambiente. O objetivo geral deste estudo é conhecer a metodologia empregada por cada uma destas indústrias, na busca da melhoria contínua de gestão, face aos desafios de utilização de recursos renováveis e não renováveis, tratamentos de seus resíduos sólidos e líquidos, em compatibilidade com melhores e mais eficientes resultados de produção, bem como, a sustentabilidade do negócio. Para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho procedeu-se à Pesquisa Aplicada e em seguida ao Estudo de Caso. Primeiramente foram realizadas visitas às indústrias, utilizando-se um questionário para avaliar questões relativas ao gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos e líquidos do processo produtivo. Como Estudo de Caso selecionou-se uma das indústrias, que não possui todas as certificações relativas às normas ambientais e também não apresenta estação de tratamento de água e de efluentes na sua unidade industrial. Esta empresa foi comparada ás demais como referência para a identificação das iniciativas que as indústrias petroquímicas vem adotando, relacionadas com a preservação dos recursos naturais e minimização da geração de resíduos. Esta análise comparativa permitiu incluir neste estudo recomendações para implementação ou melhoria em aspectos do processo considerados impactantes ao meio ambiente e que, porventura, ainda não se encontravam em conformidade com atendimento às leis ambientais, e/ou, que não tenham atingido um nível de minimização de resíduos de forma a promover sua sustentabilidade ambiental. / This research has the aim of evaluating environmental management systems of five petrochemical industries in the State of Rio de Janeiro. This studys main focus is on the management of solid and liquid wastes which are generated during producing processes and the commitment with Brazilian laws applied to environmental protection. Following the development on environmental management systems used by different producing market segments, it is noticed that more and more importance is given to adapt a production process to limits and conditions that allows its environmental sustainability. The five above-mentioned studied industries are reference in the transformation sector, with productive activities which may cause critical impacts on the environment. The general target of this study is to give a closer look on the methodology used by each of those industries on their efforts for continuous management improvement, facing the challenges of the use of renewable and not renewable resources, solid and liquid waste treatment, in agreement with more efficient production results, as well as the business sustainability. For the development of this study it was divided in two parts: Applied Research and Case Study. First, the industries were visited and the questionnaire was applied to evaluate issues concerning management of solid and liquid waste generated during the process. One of the five industries was selected as Case Sudy, once it does not have all the certifications complying environmental norms and also it does not have wastewater treatment at its facility. This industry was compared to the others as a reference to identify the efforts that are being followed by petrochemical industries, concerning natural resources preservation and residues minimization. This comparative analysis allowed recommendations to improve process steps considered highly harmful to the environment, and, by the way are not still accomplishing to Brazilian environmental laws, and/or that have not yet achieved an accepted waste minimization level in order to assure its environmental sustainability.

South Africa is confronted by waste management challenges and the need to redress environmentally acceptable waste management practices. In seeking to address this challenge, the South African government has introduced waste management legislation, policies and strategies. Despite the legislation, policies and strategies on waste management, illegal waste dumping continues to exist as a major challenge in particular for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. This study focuses on illegal waste dumping in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality which negatively impacts on development. The study seeks to make recommendations which will assist the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to improve its waste management services. This study involved a community participatory approach by communities in Motherwell, New Brighton and Gelvandale. The research follows a mixed method approach, employing both qualitative and quantitative approach. A Public Perception Survey is used as a method of data collection aimed at determining the present public opinions regarding the waste management services currently offered by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). The study found that despite interventions by the NMBM to address illegal dumping, the problem continues to exist. Poor service provision by the NMBM in terms of waste collection services combined with the lack of awareness of the community‟s responsibility towards the cleanliness of its communities leads to littering and illegal dumping of waste by communities. The NMBM is not effective in the planning, coordination and implementation of its waste management services. Recommendations have been presented with regard to how effective waste management services in NMBM can be enhanced.

Growing municipal waste mismanagement and associated environmental impacts is an enormous environmental concern in developing countries such as South Africa. Hence, this study explored current waste management and minimisation patterns and practices in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), located east of the Gauteng province. The study was undertaken using a mixed method design, particularly the concurrent triangulated design where the quantitative and qualitative data were collected at the same time. The methods employed were desktop surveys, interviews with the participants and use of questionnaires which were designed based on the objectives of the study. The questionnaires were designed for different types of participants (namely, households, informal reclaimers, municipal officials and landfill officials). All the data collected were stored in Microsoft Excel (2010) spread sheet for statistical analyses. The study has revealed some patterns, practices as well as trends regarding waste management and minimisation within the EMM municipality. At household level, there was some environmental awareness on waste management practices provided by the municipality as well as local recycling options although there are numerous challenges to be resolved before these functions can become effective. With informal recycling, a number of waste materials are being reclaimed at various landfill sites. However, current informal waste picking activities by the so-called scavengers are not sustainable as waste is not separated prior to disposal at various point sources. In addition, informal reclaimers have to travel long distances to reach waste sources. Another concerning constraint hampering the effectiveness of informal waste recovery, has to do with their daily exposure to several environmental and health risks. Furthermore, the study has found out that the EMM is predominantly focused on providing better waste management services rather than balancing this activity with waste minimisation through reclaiming and recycling operations. Thus, the municipality lacks adequate infrastructure to undertake waste minimisation effectively. Also, waste minimisation and awareness campaigns were found to be inadequate and at an infant stage, unlike those carried out by private companies. In view of these findings, a number of recommendations have been made. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Johannesburg generates in excess of 1 500 000 tonnes of general waste annually and has on average 10 years’ lifespan remaining on its four landfill sites. As a signatory to the Polokwane Declaration, the City of Johannesburg has recognised the need for new interventions to divert waste from landfills by various methods, such as separation at source; alternative treatment methods and the conversion of waste to energy. Progress has, however, been slow and this research aims to investigate alternative waste management techniques that can be applied in the City of Johannesburg to fast track the realisation of these targets. Using scenario planning techniques, the research considers implications for policy and management decisions in realising the best possible future in the area of waste management in Johannesburg. The scenario process was used to develop the following scenarios for waste management in Johannesburg: Long walk to freedom. Waste collection coverage includes pockets of the community where waste collections services are less than optimal. The residents of the city, particularly in these underserviced areas, are also not very knowledgeable of the impact that the waste generated within their communities can have on the environment and what alternatives there are to manage this. Pick it up. The City provides full services to a society that functions in relative oblivion of the implications of their behaviour on the environment. It is assumed to be the role of government to “pick up” after communities and dispose of waste. This scenario is oblivious of the waste hierarchy and the role communities could play in minimising waste. Wishing on a star. The city continues to have under-serviced areas, public awareness is high and this fuels correct behaviour and a mind-set shift with regard to waste management. Working together we can do more. The City optimises its service provision to cover all areas while also ensuring maximum public awareness and behaviour change with regard to waste management.

The basic objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental performance of two abrasives Copper Slag and Barshot in terms of productivity (in terms of area cleaned- ft2/hr), consumption and or used-abrasive generation rate (of the abrasive- ton/2000ft2; lb/ft2) and particulate emissions (mg/ft2; mg/lb; lb/lb; lb/kg; lb/ton). This would help in evaluating the clean technologies for dry abrasive blasting and would help shipyards to optimize the productivity and minimize the emissions by choosing the best combinations reported in this study to their conditions appropriately. This project is a joint effort between the Gulf Coast Region Maritime technology Center (GCRMTC) and USEPA. It was undertaken to simulate actual blasting operations conducted at shipyards under enclosed, un-controlled conditions on plates similar to steel plates commonly blasted at shipyards.

A indústria da construção civil é considerada como uma das grandes causadoras de impactos negativos ao meio ambiente, desde a extração de matéria prima, até o fim de vida de seus empreendimentos. Dentre os principais impactos ambientais ocasionados pelo setor, destacase a geração de resíduos de construção civil (RCC), a qual é intensificada em função do desenvolvimento de grandes centros urbanos e a consequente necessidade de implantação de empreendimentos de infraestrutura. Nesse contexto, uma das estratégias mais eficientes para redução de RCC está associada à realização de escolhas adequadas na fase de projeto, com enfoque de prevenção na fonte geradora. No entanto, é complexa a inclusão de fatores de sustentabilidade, tais como os de minimização de RCC, em projetos da construção civil. Logo, torna-se relevante a adoção de métodos e ferramentas de suporte ao processo decisório. Contudo, os métodos existentes são direcionados, em sua maioria, a projetos de edificações, havendo uma importante lacuna associada a projetos de infraestrutura urbana. Assim sendo, esta pesquisa objetiva a proposição de mecanismos de apoio à tomada de decisão, para a minimização de RCC, em projetos de infraestrutura urbana, com dois diferentes enfoques: controle e avaliação; e estrutura de orientação. Para a composição dos mecanismos de controle e avaliação, foram identificadas boas práticas para redução da geração de RCC na fase de projeto, a partir de pesquisa bibliográfica, análise documental de projetos, e pesquisa quali-quantitativa junto a especialistas. Essas boas práticas deram origem a demandas ambientais a serem atendidas pelos projetos de infraestrutura urbana, motivando a elaboração de um método estruturado para gerenciamento de requisitos ambientais e de trade-offs, como apoio à tomada de decisão projetual. O método teve como base a ferramenta Quality Function Deployment (QFD), no qual foi desdobrada a Matriz da Qualidade, a partir da opinião de especialistas atuantes em diferentes etapas do desenvolvimento de projetos de infraestrutura urbana. Como principais contribuições da pesquisa, focada na minimização de RCC, podem ser consideradas: (i) a obtenção de um checklist, como instrumento de controle e avaliação da qualidade dos projetos a serem desenvolvidos; (ii) a identificação de requisitos e de indicadores ambientais prioritários associados a esses projetos; e (iii) a elaboração de uma sistemática para gerenciamento de trade-offs existentes em projetos de infraestrutura urbana menos impactantes ambientalmente. / The construction industry is considered as one of the great causes of negative impacts to the environment, from the extraction of raw material, until the end-of-life of its projects. Among the main environmental impacts caused by the sector, can be highlighted the generation of construction waste (CW), which is intensified due to the development of large urban centers and the consequent need to implement infrastructure projects. In that context, one of the most efficient strategies to reduce CW is associated with making adequate choices in the design phase, with a focus on prevention at the source. However, it is complex to include sustainability factors, such as CW minimization, in construction designs. Therefore, it is relevant to adopt methods and tools to support the decision-making process. However, the existing methods are mostly directed to building designs, with an important gap associated with urban infrastructure designs. Thus, this research aims at proposing mechanisms to support decision making for the CW minimization in urban infrastructure projects, with two different approaches: control and evaluation; and guidance structure. For the composition of the control and the evaluation mechanisms, best practices were identified to reduce the CW generation in the design phase, based on literature review, documentary analysis of projects, and qualitative and quantitative surveys with specialists. Those best practices have given rise to environmental demands to be met by urban infrastructure projects, motivating the elaboration of a structured method for managing environmental requirements and trade-offs, as a support for the decision making design. The method was based on the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) tool, in which the quality matrix deployment, based on the opinion of specialists working in different stages of the development of urban designs. The main contributions of the research, focused on the CW minimization, can be considered: (i) obtaining a checklist, as an instrument to control and evaluate the quality of the designs to be developed; (ii) identification of requirements and of priority environmental indicators associated with those projects; and (iii) the development of a systematic for managing tradeoffs in urban infrastructure projects that are less environmentally impacting.

The urgent need for reform of USA and global food systems is evident in the pervasiveness of both food waste and food insecurity. Such an inefficient system strains the environmental, social, and economic systems on which it relies. Although policy and infrastructure changes are essential, consumers can play a significant role by decreasing their food waste, given that consumer waste represents 60% of the waste along the food cycle in developed countries. Incorporation of food literacy and food waste education in school curricula may provide a meaningful entry point for promoting food waste reduction skills. This dissertation presents context on the suitability of food systems for science and climate change education. Practical implementation of this concept is then explored through a survey of 495 students at Portland State University that presents the reported knowledge, attitudes, emotions, and beliefs related to food waste. The underlying factors that influence student food waste behavior and intent to change such behavior are likewise explored. I also provide a description and assessment of a food waste diversion program, No Scrap Left Behind, that was developed and piloted at PSU. I found that knowledge, attitudes, emotions, beliefs, and reported food-related behaviors were generally positive. Students were also interested in taking action and perceived that their food-related actions could make a difference. Intent to change food waste behaviors was influenced by: 1) sustainability actions, 2) food waste diversion actions, 3) attitudes about composting, 4) composting, 5) reported household food waste, 6) material reuse attitudes. Reported food waste diversion behaviors were related to: 1) intent to reduce food waste, 2) knowledge and attitudes towards composting, and 3) attitudes about reuse. The measures of reported knowledge, attitudes, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors were not significantly influenced by No Scrap Left Behind programming, but actual measured food waste was decreased by one-fourth both over an academic year and within an academic term of programming. This indicates that students are amenable to food waste behavior change when given the encouragement and infrastructure to make that change. Further research may consider opportunities for food waste education beyond the cafeteria setting, particularly as an entry into more complex discussions around environmental, social, and economic systems and concepts.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs) that integrate the activities for reclaiming residual values in postconsumer products with the traditional forward supply chain activities are important from financial and environmental perspectives. This thesis develops models and analyses on three topics novel to the field of CLSC research with a goal of advancing knowledge about effective decision-makings in CLSCs. In the first part of the thesis, we study joint control of stochastic forward and stochastic reverse material flows in CLSCs. With an application to a CLSC where postconsumer products are collected for warranty service purposes, we demonstrate that the benefit of coordinating two production activities could be significant. We develop a model that can be used to obtain an effective inventory control policy for coordinating forward and reverse material flows. Through Monte Carlo simulation and global sensitivity analysis, we identify major influential factors that affect system's warranty cost savings performance. The results indicate that joint control of forward and reverse material flows greatly improves warranty cost savings performance as well as system's robustness to uncertainties. The second part of the thesis develops a differential game model for characterizing decentralized time-varying competitive decision-making in a CLSC. The differential game model is particularly useful for studying time-varying interactive decision-making in CLSCs that involve many stakeholders who pursue different objectives in forward and reverse production activities. We identify optimal prices and production strategies that evolve over time under fluctuating market demand. Also, the model provides a quantitative scheme that can be used to obtain an efficient apportionment of product recovery processes. The third part of the thesis describes the relationship among consumers' risk-aversion, product cannibalization of new products by remanufactured products, and growth of CLSCs through price optimization models. Whereas price is one of the most effective variables for managing market demand, previous CLSC research has mainly focused on operational problems without paying much attention on the interface between CLSCs and markets. We develop models that jointly determine optimal prices in forward and reverse channels considering consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for remanufactured products, consumers' willingness-to-accept (WTA) for a buyback price, and consumers' risk aversion to uncertain quality perceptions. The results show that consumers' active participation in CLSC is an important factor for the viability and growth of a CLSC. Also, we show that companies can benefit from product remanufacturing although it may be accompanied by production cannibalization.

The Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping was enforced in July 2009. The Levy aimed to create a direct fiscal disincentive to reduce the indiscriminate use of Plastic Shopping Bags and encourage consumers to switch to reusable shopping bags. In theory, fiscal instruments are more efficient and effective to change people’s behaviour, but its impacts towards attitude are still in question. Also, the level of green citizenship, which emphasising that people have the responsibility to protect and sustain the environment, is a good indicator to know people’s attitudes towards the environment, but the Hong Kong government tends to rely on fiscal disincentives to change people’s behaviour, Green Citizenship had never been addressed. Green citizenship is a personal commitment to learn more about the environment and to take responsible environmental action. Environmental citizenship encourages individuals, communities and organizations to think about the environmental rights and responsibilities we all have as residents of the planet Earth (Environmental Canada, 2006). This study carried out a questionnaire research to identify the policy effect that the Levy in Hong Kong have on environmental attitudes and behaviours, as well as to identify the relative impact of economic incentive versus Green Citizenship on green attitudes and behaviours. The survey was conducted from 25th April to 9th May 2012 for two weeks in the form of internet survey. The research found that the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags affected citizens’ behaviour and attitude to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags, and also changed people’s behavioural intention to act pro-environmentally, if their beliefs are strong enough to override the disadvantages brought by pro-environmentally actions. However, the level of green citizenship in Hong Kong is still in a private level, the sense of green citizenship of the society is still weak, thus, a comprehensive education programme should be carried out by both the society (bottom-up) and the government (top-bottom) to raise the level of green citizenship of the society. / published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management