Much of the research on buildings and the environment is of a technical-economic nature. But so far, this has not led to any great changes in practice. This article brings organising into the research agenda: Does organising matter for the environmental performance of buildings? If so, how? This question is investigated by a comparative analysis based on an empirical approach. Two housing management practices and their buildings' energy and water performances are analysed relative to each other. It is possible to trace energy and water consumption levels to characteristic management styles (e.g., metaphors of 'caring' and 'emergency-driven'). The analysis shows that organising concepts, more specifically, characteristic management styles, matter for the environment.
Keywords: environmental performance, social industrial ecology, residential buildings, housing management, field study, environmental assessment, housing estates, energy consumption, water consumption, environmental impact, organisation
Wheat cultivars of diverse origin including approved varieties of different provinces of Pakistan i.e. Punjab, NWFP and Sindh were tested against different salinity levels in laboratory as well as in naturally saline fields in different ecological zones. Initially, 16 genotypes were studied for germination test at 6 different salinity levels ranging from 0-25 dS/m (2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, EC= dS/m). Then, out of 16 cultivars, 11 were studied for the relative growth rate at different levels of salinity and after...
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has been applied to determine the elemental composition of the surface layer, as well as of the first interior layer, of quartz grains from the mine tailings from Kristineberg (northern Sweden) in order to determine concentration gradients between these two layers. The quartz grains were collected from the oxidized and unoxidized zones within the tailings. The aim of this study is to assess the role of quartz surfaces as sites for the attenuati...
This paper considers the institutional arrangements that are needed and that being developed to enable
communities to depart from sectoral and isolated water management in order to reach a higher level of integration. Key aspects are described that should be properly handled to manage river basins as a whole and in an integrated way.
The justification for various countries to opt for systems of integrated river basin management is explored.
Triggers for change are identified: the need for integrated water...
Introduction
Severn Trent is one of the world`s largest water and waste services companies. It is an environmental contractor, providing water, sewerage and waste management services to communities around the world. The company safeguards public health by providing safe drinking water and effective sanitation services, while it protects the environment and serves the community by disposing safely of other peoples` polluting waste.
On the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, water service was poor; water was...
1.1 Scope and Objectives
A small number of viable options are presently available for the bleaching of wood pulp (delignification and brightening) during the manufacture of pulp and paper. The use of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in the bleaching process has largely superceded the earlier use of Cl2, or elemental chlorine, in the majority of North American pulp mills: It was discovered over a decade ago that the previous widespread use of Cl2 contributed to the production and subsequent release to the environment of...
A wave of privatization is rolling through the water industry – at the environment‘s expense? In order to provide an answer to this question, the Environmental-Rating agency oekom research AG, Munich, put a number of water supply companies and manufacturers of water appliances to the environmental test. In results published today, oekom identifies the British water supplier Severn Trent as the environmental leader of the water supply group with a B grade in the overall Environmental-Rating. The Austrian water...
Abstract
Buildings constructed in Sweden in the 1960s and 1970`s, which are now gradually being demolished, have been investigated in respect of their potential for recycling of polymeric materials. The earliest building contained very little polymeric products apart from flooring, which was heavily degraded. In other buildings, window profiles, door frames, pipes, cables and conduits seemed to be the most suitable items for recycling. Plastic floorings constituted the largest part, but cleanliness of the...
To assist industry in Taiwan to implement the ISO 14001 EMS standard, the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) of Ministry of Economic Affair has launched a program to encourage industries that are willing to implement an environmental management system (EMS) this year. For the last 3 years, Taiwan`s federal government has been carrying out a similar pilot plan. Starting from this year, the government will extend the scope of the program to let over 50 companies of 20 different industries participate. It is...
Abstract
This report presents the results of a study to examine and evaluate the economic, environmental and social benefits of plant protection products (PPPs) in agriculture with the main emphasis on the economic aspects. The approach followed was to carry out four case studies - each covering a single crop in a specific region of major production-comparing standard, integrated and organic production systems. The four crop/region case studies selected were: apples (Trentino-Adige, Italy), ware potatoes (Flevolan...
`The oceans are in trouble and so are we,` oceanographer Sylvia Earle, National Geographic explorer in residence and researcher for the Smithsonian, was quoted as saying in an article on the web by Seth Borenstein writing for the Philadelphia Inquirer and San Jose Mercury News Washington Bureaus. Citing a study by the Harvard Medical School`s Center for Health and the Global Environment covering 1976 to 1996, Borenstein reports a greater than fourfold increase in harmful algal blooms (74 to 329). `stranding of...
Most visitors to Fiji come for rest and relaxation on the white sand beaches or for diving and snorkeling among the unspoiled coral reefs. Few visitors realize that this tropical island in the South Pacific, north of New Zealand, is on the cutting edge of industrial ecology with a fully functional, zero waste program located near the Fijian capital of Suva. As part of an EPA funded review of international ecoindustrial parks, I conducted a field inspection of the Montfort Boys Town Integrated Biosystem (IBS) last...
Introduction
Increasing concerns about the potential risks of anthropogenic climate change over the past ten years have led to a series of international conferences intended to combat climate change and its adverse effects. However, the Kyoto Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) and, more so, the conference in Buenos Aires revealed the tremendous complexity of the climate change issue, which makes consensus about necessary mitigation measures almost impossible. Not...
Nowadays, the polyurethane`s represent one of the most widespread families polymere families in use. Produced by the polyaddition reaction between polyoles and disocyanates, the polyurethane`s may be used for manufacturing a large range of products, ranging from shoe solesto furniture ornaments, and from steering wheels to roof insulation. The waste resulting during the manufacturing process has the great disadvantage of occupying a big volume at a very low weight. The best modality of reintegration seems to be...
Background
The Printing Office (TPO) is a medium sized print shop employing 15 staff. It specialises in the production of high quality, short run jobs.
In the printing industry, the use of solvents has always been a problem. Whether it is from the point of view of workplace health and safety or from environmental concern, any reduction in the use of solvents is a welcome change. Motivated by these issues, TPO decided to trial a new dampener roller washer system that uses no solvents.
Issue
The offset...
Introduction
Pollution Prevention Guidelines to provide technical advice and guidance to staff and consultants involved in pollution-related projects. The guidelines represent state-of-the-art thinking on how to reduce pollution emissions from the production process. In many cases, the guidelines provide numerical targets for reducing pollution, as well as maximum emissions levels that are normally achievable through a combination of cleaner production and end-of-pipe treatment. The guidelines are designed to...
Introduction
In situ soil flushing is the extraction of contaminants from the soil with water or other suitable aqueous solutions. Soil flushing is accomplished by passing the extraction fluid through in-place soils using an injection or infiltration process. Extraction fluids must be recovered from the underlying aquifer and, when possible, they are recycled.
Cosolvent Enhancement
Cosolvent flushing involves injecting a solvent mixture (e.g., water plus a miscible organic solvent such as alcohol) into either...
Biopile treatment is a full-scale technology in which excavated soils are mixed with soil amendments and placed on a treatment area that includes leachate collection systems and some form of aeration. It is used to reduce concentrations of petroleum constituents in excavated soils through the use of biodegradation. Moisture, heat, nutrients, oxygen, and pH can be controlled to enhance biodegradation.
The treatment area will generally be covered or contained with an impermeable liner to minimize the risk of...
` In order to determine the impacts of a particular discharge on ambient water quality, it is usually necessary to model the diffusion and dispersion of the discharge in the relevant water body. The approach applies both to new discharges and to upgrading of existing sources. This note provides guidance on models that may be applicable in the context of typical Bank projects.`
Introduction
Mathematical models can be used to predict changes in ambient water quality due to changes in discharges of wastewater. In...
` Comparative risk assessment provides a systematic way to compare environmental problems that pose different types and degrees of health risk. It combines information on the inherent hazards of pollutants, exposure levels and population characteristics to predict the resulting health effects. Using data from available sources, rapid, inexpensive comparative risk assessments can identify the most significant health problems. Together with consideration of costs, technical feasibility and other factors, the...
Pressures on the environment may occur through chemical, physical and biological agents. The subject of this study is physical agents, where physical fields are examined.
Physical fields are part of the natural environment. Depending upon their properties and the surrounding conditions, physical fields are transmitted through the spaces in which we live, potentially affecting human health and nature. Human activity can add to, modify, and enhance and reduce the intensity of these fields. Furthermore, changes in...
The U.S. Department of Energy`s (DOE`s) Environmental Restoration Program directs the assessment and cleanup of inactive sites and surplus facilities contaminated from previous defense and non-defense-related programs. All cleanup activities must comply with federal, state, Indian Nation, and local laws and regulations. In completing environmental restoration activities, DOE is committed to working with stakeholders to understand technical issues and evaluate alternatives. Two important program goals include...
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Objectives of the Review Checklist
This Review Checklist has been developed as a method for reviewing environmental information submitted by developers, to the competent authorities, as part of an EIA procedure. Its purpose is to assist reviewers in evaluating the completeness and suitability of this information from a technical and decision making viewpoint. In particular it will assist reviewers in deciding whether all relevant information is available to fulfil two main functions:...
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