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Article
Publication date: 1 July 1994

Peter Brennecke and Ingo Beckmerhagen

In Germany radioactive waste with negligible heat generation, i.e. LLWand ILW, is planned to be disposed of in the Konrad repository. Theconstruction and operation of this…

1223

Abstract

In Germany radioactive waste with negligible heat generation, i.e. LLW and ILW, is planned to be disposed of in the Konrad repository. The construction and operation of this disposal mine necessitates quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) programmes focusing on the above‐ground and underground facilities as well as on the waste packages to be disposed of. The QA organization provides a division of this facility into three areas with different requirements on the measures to be taken. For classification of systems and companies the results of the safety assessment, in particular of the incident analysis, are used. The waste package QC, i.e. the fulfillment of waste acceptance requirements, is either to be performed by checking the waste producer’s documentation and carrying out random tests or by qualifying and subsequently inspecting the waste conditioning process.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 11 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 June 2019

Árni Halldórsson, Ceren Altuntas Vural and Jessica Wehner

The purpose of this paper is to explore the sustainability of waste supply chains regarding the energy efficiency of first-mile waste collection systems and quality of waste

1308

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the sustainability of waste supply chains regarding the energy efficiency of first-mile waste collection systems and quality of waste. Roles of actors in the waste service triad are considered, particularly focusing on households.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data are collected from respondents including municipality officers, waste service providers (WSPs) and households through brainstorming sessions, semi-structured interviews, site visits and a focus group. Secondary data are collected from official reports for validation.

Findings

Findings reveal tension between the energy efficiency of waste collection logistics and the quality of waste collected. Households are co-producers of logistic services providing important inputs in the form of sorting and moving waste and raw materials into new cycles of goods circulating in logistics systems. Other actors in the logistics service triad are the municipality as regulator and the WSP acting as a reverse-logistics service provider.

Practical implications

This study provides principles for policymakers and practitioners to evaluate the energy efficiency of waste management options, considering the quality of waste. Also, “logistics services” and “quality of waste” as concepts might provoke new thoughts on how to involve the consumer in resource recovery.

Originality/value

Few studies have focused on the end-consumer’s role in waste supply chains. By considering waste as a resource and the consumer as the supplier of this input, this study provides a new way to think about logistics services for waste collection.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 49 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 May 2021

Ainur Rosyida, Suranto, Mohammad Masykuri and Margono

This paper aims to select a type of mordant from aluminium salts, namely, aluminium sulphate, aluminium nitrate and polyaluminium chloride (PAC) with the lowest potential for…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to select a type of mordant from aluminium salts, namely, aluminium sulphate, aluminium nitrate and polyaluminium chloride (PAC) with the lowest potential for contamination so that their use will minimise pollution from natural dye waste. It also aims to determine the pollution value of natural dye immersion waste from jackfruit wood extract, secang wood, mangsi fruit and several synthetic dyes, to identify potential environmental pollution.

Design/methodology/approach

Dyeing with natural dyes was performed by exhaust at room temperature by the pre-mordant method, while with synthetic dyes it was performed by exhaust according to the dyeing procedure (reactive, vat and naphthol). The groundwater, mordant solutions, natural dye extract and the waste-water from the natural and synthetic dyes were then tested to determine their biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, Al and heavy metal contents such as chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pb).

Findings

Aluminium sulphate had the lowest pollution load while PAC had the highest, as aluminium sulphate had a higher BOD5/COD ratio (0.62–0.67) than aluminium nitrate (0.56–0.64) or PAC (0.44–0.54). The dyeing waste from the three natural dyes contained an acidic pH of 3.5–4.2, Al of 75.280–621.34 mg/L, Cr of 0.154–0.215 mg/L and Cu of 0.035–0.072 mg/L. The values of TSS, COD and BOD5 are higher than the quality standards of the waste but are environmentally friendly because the ratio of the BOD5/COD values from the waste ranges from 0.44–0.67.

Research limitations/implications

The findings indicate that as a mordant, aluminium sulphate results in lower pollution loads than aluminium nitrate and PAC. However, all three mordants contain Cr and Cu, albeit in negligible concentrations. Therefore, it is recommended that future studies strive to identify a mordant that has lower pollution loads and does not contain metals but can increase dyeing results to satisfy consumer requirements. It is the hope that, with the discovery of a new mordant, natural dyes will be the solution for the heavy metal pollution caused by synthetic dyes.

Practical implications

The use of environmentally-friendly mordants and natural dyes in the Indonesian textile and batik industry will give rise to superior quality eco-textile and eco-batik products. Such environmentally-friendly and high-quality products will not only increase competition and consumer interest but increase product sales as well which will, in turn, increase incomes and the economy. Additionally, an increase in the use of natural dyes by the textile and batik industry will serve as additional income to the communities and farmers from which the raw materials for the natural dyes are sourced thereby creating jobs and increasing welfare.

Social implications

As environmentally-friendly mordants and natural dyes replace the hazardous and toxic materials currently used in the textile and batik industry, it guarantees the health and safety of its consumers and workers. Furthermore, as the waste-water produced is biodegradable, it reduces river and groundwater pollution. It is, therefore, expected that this information will not only lead to a shift in attitude within the textile and batik industries but the adoption of environmentally-friendly materials, for the sake of the environment, as well as the development of eco-textile and eco-batik products.

Originality/value

Aluminium sulphate is a mordant type of aluminium salt with a lower potential for contamination than aluminium nitrate and PAC. However, PAC has been discovered to be a mordant for natural dyes, as has the fruit of the mangsi shrub, which has recently been discovered as a naturally occurring blue dye.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 August 2018

Ali Haji Gholam Saryazdi and Mohammad Ghavidel

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamics of waste production in the product structure of a wire and cable manufacturing company that deals with a high-volume waste

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamics of waste production in the product structure of a wire and cable manufacturing company that deals with a high-volume waste and proposes strategies that reduce product costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology for this research is descriptive and expressive modeling in a way that theories of research have been extracted from literature and field studies have been done based on the company specialists’ views. The system dynamics has been used to analyze and model waste in a wire and cable firm.

Findings

Applying SD approach in the paper not only helps to identify the structure of producing the waste, which is complicated and dynamic, but also proposes ways to reduce them and illustrate the applied results. The second outcome shows that in the waste management there should be a digression in a managerial view to the systematic thought. In the other word as in the system dynamic approach, the expansion of the model boundary is one of the objectives to find appropriate solution. The behavior model showed that in the waste management the most effective way to reduce the waste is to buy qualified raw material which is out of the firm.

Originality/value

This paper not only shows that the system dynamic approach is appropriate for the waste management problems which are complicated and dynamic but also proved that in the waste management system the solutions are not always near or within the firm. They should be identified by a systematic approach.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 35 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2000

John Øvretveit

How much time and money should we devote to quality activities? Will the results be worth the resources which we invest? How can we calculate the return on our quality

1913

Abstract

How much time and money should we devote to quality activities? Will the results be worth the resources which we invest? How can we calculate the return on our quality investments? These questions are raised by managers, clinicians and policy‐makers, but they are rarely answered, which may explain the loss of credibility of some quality activities. This paper gives examples of the cost of poor quality, describes and illustrates a simple method for quality costing, and discusses the economics of quality. It considers why there is little research and teaching about the subject, and proposes how managers and clinicians can take a more economically‐informed approach to quality in public healthcare.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1990

Sushil

A systems perspective of waste management allows an integratedapproach not only to the five basic functional elements of wastemanagement itself (generation, reduction, collection…

3849

Abstract

A systems perspective of waste management allows an integrated approach not only to the five basic functional elements of waste management itself (generation, reduction, collection, recycling, disposal), but to the problems arising at the interfaces with the management of energy, nature conservation, environmental protection, economic factors like unemployment and productivity, etc. This monograph separately describes present practices and the problems to be solved in each of the functional areas of waste management and at the important interfaces. Strategies for more efficient control are then proposed from a systems perspective. Systematic and objective means of solving problems become possible leading to optimal management and a positive contribution to economic development, not least through resource conservation. India is the particular context within which waste generation and management are discussed. In considering waste disposal techniques, special attention is given to sewage and radioactive wastes.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 90 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2013

Mohamed Osmani

At present Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) waste recycling is very limited due to its intrinsic thermoset composite nature and non‐availability of viable recovery options. The…

Abstract

Purpose

At present Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) waste recycling is very limited due to its intrinsic thermoset composite nature and non‐availability of viable recovery options. The purpose of this paper is to assess the recycling potential of GRP waste powder and fibre in concrete, cement and rubber composites.

Design/methodology/approach

Extensive laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the suitability of GRP waste in concrete, cement, and rubber composites. GRP waste samples were processed and suitable tests were performed to measure the mechanical properties of the resulting three composites.

Findings

The findings of this experimental investigation confirmed that GRP waste can be used as a partial replacement for virgin and raw materials in composites. Furthermore, the addition of GRP waste powder and fibre to composites has the potential to improve their mechanical properties.

Research limitations/implications

Results show that the use of GRP waste powder in concrete and rubber composites and GRP waste fibre in architectural cladding panels has technical, economic and environmental benefits. As such, the findings of this research pave the way for viable technological options for substituting quality raw materials by GRP waste in pan‐industry composites and improving their mechanical properties. However, resulting recycled composites depend upon the consistency and quality of GRP waste powder and fibre, and the access to specialised composite material manufacturing facilities. Furthermore, full compliance tests including durability studies and requirements, which may depend upon specific applications, are recommended.

Practical implications

The adopted methodological approach of this research and subsequent experimental results pave the way for viable technological options for substituting quality raw materials by GRP waste in pan‐industry composites. It is anticipated that the results of this research would help diverting GRP waste from landfill to more useful industrial applications.

Originality/value

Growing technological innovations, ample market value and demand for GRP composites all over the world has trigged interest in optimising GRP waste recovery. However, few solutions for GRP waste recycling into value‐added industrial products are being explored. The work reported so far is very limited and did not show viable applications for GRP waste composites. Hence, this research sets out to examine the suitability of GRP waste powder and fibre in concrete, cement, and rubber composites.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 24 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 May 2020

Tuan Trong Luu

Food waste behavior in the workplace or work-related gatherings has been less researched compared to that in household context. This study aims to bridge this gap through…

2393

Abstract

Purpose

Food waste behavior in the workplace or work-related gatherings has been less researched compared to that in household context. This study aims to bridge this gap through unfolding how and when quality of food waste prevention communication mitigates food waste behavior among frontline employees in the hospitality workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants in this research comprised employees from four- and five-star hotels operating in Vietnam.

Findings

The results lent credence to the dual mediation channels of moral attitudes toward food wasting and meaningfulness of food waste reduction for the impact of quality of food waste prevention communication on employees’ food waste reduction intention and their reduced food waste behavior. The contingency role of employees’ green role identity was marginally confirmed for the nexus between employees’ food waste reduction intention and their food waste behavior.

Originality/value

This inquiry advances the understanding of mechanisms underlying work-related food waste behavior among hospitality employees.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 32 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2018

Tsz Yan Cheung, Lincoln Fok, Chi-Chiu Cheang, Chi Ho Yeung, Wing-Mui Winnie So and Cheuk-Fai Chow

The problem of plastic wastes is serious nowadays worldwide, although plastic wastes recycling is already in practice. To promote sustainability in plastic waste recycling, the…

2478

Abstract

Purpose

The problem of plastic wastes is serious nowadays worldwide, although plastic wastes recycling is already in practice. To promote sustainability in plastic waste recycling, the quality of wastes collected should be maintained well, resulted from a good recycling practice. This paper aims to study a new plastic recycling bin (PRB) and poster interventions on the enhancement of university hall residential students’ proenvironmental knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviours (KAB) and actual recycling behaviours; informative and feedback posters were used as interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quasi-experimental setting to examine the effects of the new PRB on students’ KAB and actual behaviours in recycling, whereas the quality of the recycled plastic was measured according to the extent of cleanliness (CLE), separation (SEP), compression (COM) and sortedness (SOR).

Findings

Results showed that significant positive enhancements in KAB only happened with the use of blended interventions, which included promotion through the PRB and posters, suggesting that the use of the PRB and posters was useful in achieving better recycling behaviour.

Originality/value

Blended intervention study by using new design plastic recycling bin and poster on the effect of students’ proenvironmental and recycling KAB.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2023

Bruce McAdams, Emily Robinson and Rebecca Gordon

This research aims to investigate the sources of food waste generation at two long-term care (LTC) homes located in Canada. Given the distinctive regulatory and operational…

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the sources of food waste generation at two long-term care (LTC) homes located in Canada. Given the distinctive regulatory and operational context LTC's work within there is an opportunity that unique causes of food waste exist.

Design/methodology/approach

An initial audit using the Food Delivery System Framework determined the most appropriate method to measure food waste for this study was a quantitative approach supported by field observations.

Findings

Results of the study show a significant food waste of over 55% at both facilities. Investigation into the generation of this waste isolated the major cause being government policy ensuring patients at these facilities are offered choices throughout the meal selection process. Plate waste was generated because of additional policies guaranteeing pre-determined nutritional and caloric intakes for each patient.

Practical implications

These findings put into question the operating practices involved with adhering to policies on the choice of food. Ethical questions are raised pitting a patient's “quality of life” versus the environmental impact of the waste generated because of policies. Field observations note a “throw away culture” and an absence of established foodservice management practices that create a lack of awareness and attention to the issue of food waste.

Originality/value

Most studies of food waste in healthcare facilities have looked at caloric and nutritional loss from a patient's point of view. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to look at the causes of food waste generation in these operations.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

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