China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Capitalism
Published in Mark W. McElroy, The Space Industry of the Future, 2023
In addition to reducing environmental impacts, there is also a compelling economic argument for zero-waste. System outputs that are nutrients for another system constitute a commodity with economic value. Maximum economic efficiency of an industrial process entails only system outputs that are financially valuable. Anything less effectively leaves money on the table. Is elimination of waste in a technical industry achievable though? Examples of zero-waste manufacturing companies include the likes of Subaru, Toyota, General Motors, Unilever, and Proctor & Gamble. The zero-waste goal was achieved in these cases simply by removal of the option to use a perceived hidden subsidy in the form of an infinite waste sink. In doing this, the cost of waste disposal is no longer externalized and company processes are forced to be configured accordingly. The remainder of this section continues this theme describing practical means to achieve zero-waste in the space industry.
Solid Waste Infrastructure
Published in Spiro N. Pollalis, Planning Sustainable Cities, 2016
The philosophy of zero waste is also being discussed in a number of countries. The Zero Waste Alliance defines the idea as follows: “Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.”2
Introduction to Zero Waste
Published in Ashok K. Rathoure, Zero Waste, 2019
Zero waste promotes prevention and product design that consider the entire product life cycle. It strongly supports sustainability by protecting the environment, reducing costs and producing additional jobs in handling of waste. It saves money by reducing waste. It improves production processes. A zero-waste strategy would use far fewer new raw materials and send no waste materials to landfill. Any material waste would either return as reusable or recyclable materials or would be suitable for use as compost. Zero waste helps to reduce the need to create landfills. Reduction of landfills leads to reduction of incidences of diseases which are associated with toxins. It also can help to preserve the environment and prevent pollutants from entering the ecosystem.
Oil spill cleanup using industrial and agricultural waste-based magnetic silica sorbent material: a green approach
Published in Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 2021
Narendra Kumar, Sudhir S. Amritphale, John C. Matthews, Joan G. Lynam
Zero waste emphasizes resource management rather than waste management. The existence of waste shows a lack of innovation strategies since waste does not exist in nature, where everything is a resource: in nature today’s wastes are tomorrow’s precious resource materials. The real solution to pollution lies in the total utilization of raw materials, along with a significant shift towards renewable resources, especially biomass. In the present research work, red dust, an industrial waste from steel manufacturing, along with silica from the agricultural wastes rice husk and sugar cane bagasse, has been utilized simultaneously and synergistically to prepare MSS. These composite materials were found to be useful in recovering oil from oil-contaminated water and in enhancing its recovery. Red dust, rice husk ash (35), sugarcane bagasse ash (36), and crude oil (37) have been successfully used in geopolymeric materials. Thus, the MSS used for oil absorption also has potential for use in geopolymeric material. At the end of its useful life for oil recovery, MSS could achieve the objective of zero waste in reality by its incorporation into geopolymers for use in structures. The geopolymer made using recycled MSS showed a compressive strength of 78.60 MPa for rice husk ash-based MSS, and 75.84 MPa for bagasse ash-based MSS in comparison to 88.47 MPa for control geopolymer composition. This end-use could lead to a new sustainable approach for the relevant industries, generating employment, enhancing the overall economy, and safeguarding the environment (37).
Creative exploration: zero-waste fashion design practices with traditional Korean clothing
Published in International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 2023
In the Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) hierarchy, waste prevention and minimisation are the most preferred and effective strategies for achieving sustainability (Bagchi, 2004; Gertsakis & Lewis, 2003; McDougall, White, Franke, & Hindle, 2008). According to Bagchi (2004), ‘The concept of zero-waste looks at the overall picture of consumption and disposal’ (p. 14). Zero-waste practices eliminate resource waste by minimising landfill incineration and by recycling; they are a concrete way to realise humanity's continuous development across generations and borders.
Biofuel production from spent coffee grounds via lipase catalysis
Published in Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2018
Sanjib Kumar Karmee, Wian Swanepoel, Sanette Marx
Novozyme-435 as a catalyst gave 96% conversion of spent coffee oil to biodiesel. The reusability of Novozyme-435 was studied and after the 10th cycle around 26% decrease in biodiesel yield was observed. Wastes generated in the NWU-PC can be valorized to fuels. The university should start a partnership with local municipality and industrial groups to focus on zero-waste goals through education and public awareness.