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Towards a Framework for Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management: The Case of Swakopmund Municipality, Namibia
2022
Timoteus Kadhila | Martin P. de Wit
If municipal solid waste (MSW) is not properly managed, harmful environmental consequences are imminent. MSW materials are rarely wasted in many affluent countries, but rather are kept in the economic cycle through circular economy models. While in many developing countries, MSW materials are discarded with little to no effort of repairing or recycling. Moving to a circular economy will drastically reduce the amount of waste currently disposed of. This study examines how the Swakopmund Municipality in Namibia’s present municipal solid waste management techniques could be adjusted toward sustainability to reap environmental and socioeconomic benefits from the trash. Source reduction, separation at source, and recycling are some of the most effective strategies in the circular economy models that will help achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Swakopmund Municipality should invest in infrastructure, techniques, and programs that are within the circular economy model as an emerging system for sustainability.
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Circular Economy as an Important Lever to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Case of an Electricity Distribution Company in Morocco
2024
Salma El Majaty, Abdellatif Touzani and Youssef Kasseh
This article discusses the major challenges related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the electricity sector and their impact on global climate change. The electricity sector is responsible for about a quarter of total global GHG emissions. To address these challenges, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to measure the environmental impact of different energy sources and electricity generation and distribution processes. The circular economy is presented as a promising approach to reducing the carbon footprint of the electricity sector. By optimizing the use and value of materials throughout their life cycle, this approach contributes to waste minimization and resource efficiency. Morocco is committed to reducing its GHG emissions and has adopted policies and regulatory frameworks to combat climate change. This study aims to calculate the climate change impacts of electricity distribution phases by applying a life-cycle approach to the case of an electricity distribution company in Morocco. This assessment makes it possible to identify significant contributors from each area. In the context of this company, it is a question of demonstrating how the application of the principles of the circular economy concepts contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, in particular, that of scope 3. This study may be useful for other similar companies.
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]An Overview of the Need for Circular Economy on Electric Vehicle Batteries
2024
S. Padmanabhan, C. Joel, S. Mahalingam, J. R. Deepak, T. Vinod Kumar and Deborah Raj
Batteries are a widely utilized and simple method for powering electronic devices, particularly given the prevalence of individuals traveling to all gadgets. The escalating adoption of electric vehicles and portable electronic devices has led to a surge in the demand for lithium-ion batteries. Consequently, this has given rise to supply uncertainties in acquiring essential minerals such as lithium and cobalt, along with concerns about the proper disposal of dead batteries. The existing methods for battery recycling exhibit variations based on the individual chemistries of the batteries, hence influencing both cost factors and greenhouse gas emissions. Simultaneously, there exists a possibility for repurposing depleted batteries for low-tier energy storage applications. The absence of legislation pertaining to the secure storage and handling of waste streams contributes to the accumulation of refuse in exposed environments and the release of hazardous substances from landfills. In addition, contemporary battery manufacturing methods necessitate the utilization of innovative substances, such as ionic liquids for electrolytes and nanostructures for cathodes, to enhance the energy characteristics and longevity of batteries. The presence of uncertainties regarding the accurate assessment of the environmental consequences associated with novel battery chemicals has the potential to impede efforts aimed at recycling and containment. The objective of this analysis is to consolidate the existing knowledge regarding battery pollutants, both those that are recognized and those that remain uncertain, and to assess their potential environmental impacts. Additionally, this research aims to examine the current strategies and methods employed for the recycling of batteries in the circular economy.
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