Resource efficiency improvement: zero waste discharge planning in a pulp-and-paper firm under uncertainties

Abstract

Purpose

This study develops an integrated zero waste discharge planning approach for improving resource efficiency in a pulp-and-paper manufacturing firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives of this study are to (1) identify the environmental, technical and social metrics in resource efficiency; (2) utilize fuzzy multi-objective programming and the hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the fuzzy problem; and (3) develop an assessment for resource efficiency improvement in an industrial case study.

Findings

The findings demonstrate the superiority of hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm in generating optimal results for a pulp-and-paper manufacturing firm.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate the superiority of hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm in generating optimal results for a pulp-and-paper manufacturing firm.

Originality/value

Resource efficiency is a multi-objective problem in an uncertain environment. In particular, zero waste discharge planning involves minimizing the total cost and maximizing the waste material recovery rate, wastewater reuse, and waste heat recovery.

Citation

Jeng, S.-Y., Lin, C.-W., Tseng, M.-L., Jantarakolica, K. and Tan, R. (2021), "Resource efficiency improvement: zero waste discharge planning in a pulp-and-paper firm under uncertainties", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 646-664. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-10-2020-0217