Environmental Aspects Of Product Research Articles

전과정 단계를 고려한 환경표지의 환경성 평가체계 연구

The environmental labeling system, as defined by ISO 14020, aims to provide verifiable and accurate information on the environmental aspects of products and services as a means to stimulate the demand and supply of products and services with lower environmental impacts and ultimately to promote continuous environmental improvement. The Korea eco-label is a type I environmental label following ISO standards that sets multiple criteria based on a life-cycle thinking approach to assess the environmental performance of products and services through third-party verification. Currently, the Korea eco-label program incorporates 19 environmental improvement effects under seven major environmental impact categories, such as resources and energy. However, the analysis performed in this study revealed that the program lacks sufficiently quantified certification criteria, which indicates limitations in setting measurable environmental improvement goals and evaluating certification effectiveness. Strengthening certification criteria based on life cycle assessment will help provide more accurate environmental information and promote sustainable development.

Energy, economic, and environmental (3E) assessment of the major greenhouse crops: MFCA-LCA approach.

In order to develop sustainable production of greenhouse crops, the economic, energy, and environmental aspects of production should be considered. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic, energy, and environmental (3E) sustainability of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper production in greenhouses by performing material flow cost accounting (MFCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) material and methods. Calculating the economic and energy value of losses in agricultural sustainability assessment studies is not common. Using the LCA method alone does not allow us to calculate the monetary and energy value of waste. If this method is used simultaneously with MFCA, this gap will be filled. The system boundary for LCA was from cradle to farm, and for MFCA, foreground processes were considered. The production of each crop was compared at the level of 1000 m2 during 1year. Data were collected through questionnaire-based interviews. The gross value of production for cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were 8982, 16387, and 17610 $/1000 m2, respectively. The negative production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were 702, 718, and 449 $/1000 m2, respectively. The benefit-to-cost ratio in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated as 2.8, 5.17, and 5.8, respectively. The economic productivity in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated at 10.25, 7, and 4.4kg/$. Labor cost was the main cost in the production of all three crops. The total input energy for the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was estimated to be 99.4, 123.1, and 164.6 GJ/1000 m2, respectively. Negative products in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were obtained at - 24.2, - 23.9, and - 13.5 GJ/1000 m2, respectively. The energy productivity of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated as 0.23, 0.26, and 0.08kg/MJ, respectively. The specific energy indices were 4.32, 3.79, and 12.20MJ/kg for cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper, respectively. The energy ratio in the production of tomato (0.02) was higher than bell pepper (- 0.02) and cucumber (- 0.06). From the perspective of energy, electricity was recognized as the hotspot for the production of three crops. Global warming (GWP100a), ozone layer depletion (ODP), acidification (AC), and eutrophication (EP) indices were calculated for all three crops. Tomato production was ranked first in all impact categories. On-farm emissions and electricity consumption were identified as environmental hotspots. The subsidized price of electricity, natural gas, and chemical fertilizers has led to their excessive use in the production of greenhouse plants. It can be concluded that bell pepper has the best performance from an economic point of view. However, its production is not justified in terms of energy. Tomato was ranked first in terms of energy, and cucumber was ranked first in terms of low environmental impacts. The production of these plants with energy and chemical fertilizer subsidies is currently cost-effective. If the prices are corrected, the production of these plants will face serious challenges. Producing electricity from sunlight and mechanizing production processes can be a solution to these challenges.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CASTINGS FROM ALUMINUM ALLOYS

The article is devoted to the topical problem of development and creation of environmentally friendly materials and technologies for foundry production. In recent years, priorities have changed in the development of materials and technological processes towards their compatibility with the environment. The environmental aspects of production come to the fore, which are determined by harmful emissions into the atmosphere, which is strictly regulated by the Kyoto Protocol. In the foundry industry to obtain castings in disposable forms, various technologies have been developed and used, which can be separated based on the type of mold used and the method of its manufacture. The main content of the study is the analysis of traditional foundry technologies and the most promising technology of casting in low-temperature forms (NTF). The peculiarity of casting in NTF is a significant increase in the strength of molds, compared with casting in sand-clay molds, as well as the possibility of using water as the main binder. This method of mold making improves the structure, increases the accuracy and geometry of castings, saves molding materials, and, most importantly, improves the environment by eliminating harmful emissions into the atmosphere of foundries. However, the method of casting in NTF has a number of disadvantages associated with the formation on the surface of castings of shells, pores, as well as increased burns. To eliminate these shortcomings, it is proposed to apply non-stick coatings on the surface of NTF and rods. Considerable attention is paid to the development and research of non-stick coatings, which allow the use of environmentally friendly casting technology in NTF for the production of castings from various alloys of high quality. Coating compositions and methods for determining the optimal composition of non-stick coating, which could be recommended for the production of aluminum castings in low-temperature molds, are identified and described. The obtained results indicate a high potential for the use of this technology as a means of improving the environmental safety of foundry production.

Organic olive farming in Andalusia, Spain. A review

Olive is a key crop in the Mediterranean basin, socially, economically, and environmentally, being a major source of rural employment. Organic products such as olive oil have attracted many types of consumers in recent years. In this context, the Mediterranean basin represents 5 Mha of the 10 Mha of olive farming worldwide, with Spain being the leading producer. Also, during the recent decades, olive farmers met the challenges of sustainability by implementing principles of agroecological production. Therefore, the focal point is no longer exclusively on yields but also on the quality, health, and environmental aspects of products and systems. In this work, we review and analyse the global situation of organic farming, focusing on the development, current status, perspectives, and opportunities of organic olive farming in Andalusia (S Spain). In addition, we assess the environmental benefits and consequences of the shift from conventional to organic management of olive orchards, focusing on the improvement of soil quality and biodiversity. Also, the general factors affecting the decision making for acquiring organic olive oil are discussed. Our main findings show the following: (1) It is necessary to encourage educational and research programmes to promote the demand for these products, positively affecting consumer health, protecting the environment, and improving rural economies. (2) The future of organic agriculture will depend on its economic viability and on the determination shown by governments to protect these practices. (3) Further support for funding research is needed to continue studying the effect of olive cultivation on soil biological quality, changes in soil properties, and biodiversity. More importantly, these beneficial extra outputs produced for society must be interiorised in economic value to compensate organic oil producers. (4) Finally, a clear understanding of attitudes and preferences, as well as the motivations of consumer when making the choice for organic olive products, is essential in responding to this specific demand. However, as stated above, major institutional and educational actions are also needed in order to boost sustainable organic olive farming and thus the preference for organic olive oil.

Life cycle energy use, costs, and greenhouse gas emission of broiler farms in different production systems in Iran-a case study of Alborz province.

In order to achieve sustainable development in agriculture, it is necessary to quantify and compare the energy, economic, and environmental aspects of products. This paper studied the energy, economic, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission patterns in broiler chicken farms in the Alborz province of Iran. We studied the effect of the broiler farm size as different production systems on the energy, economic, and environmental indices. Energy use efficiency (EUE) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) were 0.16 and 1.11, respectively. Diesel fuel and feed contributed the most in total energy inputs, while feed and chicks were the most important inputs in economic analysis. GHG emission calculations showed that production of 1000 birds produces 19.13t CO2-eq and feed had the highest share in total GHG emission. Total GHG emissions based on different functional units were 8.5t CO2-eq per t of carcass and 6.83kg CO2-eq per kg live weight. Results of farm size effect on EUE revealed that large farms had better energy management. For BCR, there was no significant difference between farms. Lower total GHG emissions were reported for large farms, caused by better management of inputs and fewer bird losses. Large farms with more investment had more efficient equipment, resulting in a decrease of the input consumption. In view of our study, it is recommended to support the small-scale broiler industry by providing subsidies to promote the use of high-efficiency equipment. To decrease the amount of energy usage and GHG emissions, replacing heaters (which use diesel fuel) with natural gas heaters can be considered. In addition to the above recommendations, the use of energy saving light bulbs may reduce broiler farm electricity consumption.

Publications Section

Partnerships between businesses and nongovernmental organizations in the global North that address production of agricultural commodities in the global South have been used as a basis to improve the social and environmental aspects of production, while maintaining or improving the economic prospects of trade. These collaborative agreements have become commonplace since the mid-1990s and have been delivered through private sustainability standards, including for agricultural commodities like palm oil, coffee, and cocoa.Despite these initiatives, the current state of research indicates disagreement and intellectual tensions concerning the impact of these partnerships on the stakeholders they seek to benefit. For instance, while some studies have found positive effects on the establishment and functioning of producer organizations and on health and education of smallholder farmers, other studies have found that certification is unable to guarantee premium prices and that the bargaining power of farmers remains weak following certification. It is therefore unclear how and to what extent certification schemes contribute to the welfare of producers in Southern countries.

The Implementation of Genetic Algorithm in the Manufacturing Process of a Product for Reduced Environmental Impact: A Case Study of a Pulley Crankshaft

Life Cycle Assessment or LCA method is believed to be a good solution to improve sustainability in a manufacturing process. This method allows designers to identify opportunities to improve the environmental aspects of products at various points in their life cycle. In this paper, the implementation of LCA through the development of an Environmental Impact Assessment Tool (EIAT) is demonstrated via a case study of Volkswagen pulley crankshaft. EIAT is a tool that aids designers to improve the environmental impact in a manufacturing process by designing or producing products with minimal environmental impact and minimal use of resources, such as the material and energy. EIAT also offers the optimization of design solutions to reduce potential environmental impact of a specific product according to its design features. A pulley crankshaft was modelled in a CAD system where the form is fixed to maintain its function. Pulley crankshaft features, such as the type of material, diameter of pocket, stock thickness and diameter are the parameters that were optimized through the Genetic Algorithm encoded in EIAT. EIAT was validated with Eco-It (an established LCA tool) and with actual experiments. Results show a difference of less than 9% error between EIAT with the results produced by Eco-It and the actual experiments.

Current Situation and Perspective of the Type I Environmental Labelling program, Eco Mark

The Japan Environment Association started to undertake the Eco Mark program in 1989. Almost 20 years have passed since the program was founded. The Eco Mark program, which is a type I environmental labelling program, is managed in accordance with ISO 14024. Certification criteria for every product category have taken the environmental burden at each life stage (resource extraction, manufacture, distribution, use, disposal and recycling) of products into consideration. This is to provide an overview of current situation and perspective of Eco Mark program. Firstly the current situation of Eco Mark program was explained and 20 years of history from the start of the program was outlined. Regarding outside assessment of Eco Mark program, questionnaires to consumers and companies who have certified products and the market share survey of Eco Mark certified products conducted by Eco Mark office were introduced. Environmental falsification originated with mislabeled waste paper was also referred to. Lastly, issues for Eco Mark program to be solved were covered. The Eco Mark is popular with public organizations and companies, and they use the Eco Mark as a guide of green procurement. Eco Mark program is expected to be a more significant eco label that “provides information widely on environmental aspects of products and encourages customers to select Eco Mark products” for both purchaser and supplier.

Environmental value chain management of laundry detergents in the use phase

AbstractEnvironmental value chain management is concerned with the environmental aspects of products and services along the whole value chain, from raw material and energy acquisition to waste management. The use phase in the value chain remains an understudied subject, despite considerable consumption‐related environmental impacts. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the use phase of laundry detergents in households. Our empirical data consist of interviews in the laundry rooms of 299 Finnish households. Consumers’ environmental awareness, use of dosage measuring devices and actual doses of laundry detergents are studied in the empirical part of the study. The results show that consumers do not perceive households as significant polluters, the measuring devices they use are diverse and the number of ‘heavy users’ is high in all detergent brands. It is concluded that in the consumption of laundry detergents, consumers do not perceive environmental issues as specific value criteria in relation to the use of laundry detergents. Manufacturers, marketers and other actors in the value chain of laundry detergents could contribute to alleviating the harmful environmental impacts of the use phase by more effective consumer education and better product design. For consumers, it might be beneficial to adopt eco‐efficiency thinking in their daily consumption.

Environmental management inside production systems

This paper deals with management of quality and environment problems of transition countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is true if we say that without acceptable quality our products we can not sale it at EU markets. Many of us insisted on quality management system (QMS) but we must use and calculate with environmental management system (EMS), which means all environmental activities such as environmental audit, assessment of environmental performances, environmental labelling, life cycles of products and the other environmental aspects of products. The consumer in most developed country looks on quality of products trough the life style as they have. Sense of personal responsibility is one of most important elements of structure of mankind behaviour. From that, we can derivate characteristics of quality system (QS) and its efficiency. It is especially applicable for complex science such as ecology. Being that management of factories in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the period of non-finishing transition (it is not separated ownership and managing of factories) has significant influence in specific and general decision processes. That gave special significance in the scope of researching of applicable eco-management. In this paper we will try to show how our factories could make technological acceptance of international standards, so that production factors are in useful function in restriction and transition period in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and implemented of reengineering management of quality and environment.

5586730 Fluorescent lamp collection and separation method and apparatus: Mortrud Jon Cottage Grove, WI, United States assigned to Budget Lamp Reclaimers Inc

Companies are beginning to incorporate environmental considerations into their business activities. Focusing on the environmental aspects of product or process, design activities hold a particular promise to generate business success. Progressive companies are developing new ways to teach their engineering communities about the rapidly evolving field of Design for the Environment (DFE). This paper describes an inter-institutional effort to enhance continuing engineering education in a company as well as how one company dealt with a new demand for environmental engineering education. This case study illustrates a working educational model and suggests emerging trends related to the incorporation of environmental criteria into business practice.AMP Incorporated, with the assistance of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, developed a short course to introduce its worldwide engineering community to DFE concepts and tools. The unique aspects of the project included the focus on quality improvement framework, developing business and engineering ownership and the adaptation of the educational program to AMP's facilities worldwide.

Striving to improve business success through increased environmental awareness and design for the environment education. Case study: AMP incorporated

Companies are beginning to incorporate environmental considerations into their business activities. Focusing on the environmental aspects of product or process, design activities hold a particular promise to generate business success. Progressive companies are developing new ways to teach their engineering communities about the rapidly evolving field of Design for the Environment (DFE). This paper describes an inter-institutional effort to enhance continuing engineering education in a company as well as how one company dealt with a new demand for environmental engineering education. This case study illustrates a working educational model and suggests emerging trends related to the incorporation of environmental criteria into business practice. AMP Incorporated, with the assistance of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, developed a short course to introduce its worldwide engineering community to DFE concepts and tools. The unique aspects of the project included the focus on quality improvement framework, developing business and engineering ownership and the adaptation of the educational program to AMP's facilities worldwide.

Environmental impacts of fat blends

Environmental Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) has emerged over the past years as a method to assess environmental impacts of products and processes. In this case study we use LCA to obtain an environmental measure for refined oils, which are inputs for fat blends. As a start, an inventory is drawn up of the environmental effects of the oils. Then we use the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to aggregate the scores of these effects to one environmental index for each oil. This multiple criteria decision tool involves making pairwise comparisons between the environmental effects, resulting in relative weight factors. Multiplying the effect scores with the relative weights yields an environmental index. It is now possible to improve the environmental impact of a fat blend composition using the environmental index in a linear programming (LP) blending model. With this combination of methods, environmental aspects of products can become part of product portfolio management.

Seaweed Extracts in Agriculture and Horticulture: a Review

ABSTRACT In biological agriculture and horticulture diluted extracts of seaweed are applied to promote growth, prevent pests and diseases and improve the quality of the products. The efficacy of the extracts is probably based upon plant hormones (mainly cytokinins) and trace nutrients present in the extracts. A survey of the recent literature is given concerning the properties of seaweed extracts, methods of application, their effects and putative working mechanisms. The significance of seaweed extracts in biological agriculture and horticulture is evaluated, regarding environmental aspects of production and use.

Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters of Lifetime Production Traits in Holstein Cows

Canadian Record of Performance data of 51,599 Holstein cows freshened first between 1958 and 1965 were used to evaluate genetic and environmental aspects of production and longevity traits. Traits were adjusted for age at first calving and for average and last calving intervals by partial regression coefficients derived from these data. Heritabilities and phenotypic and genetic correlations then were estimated from paternal half-sister analyses of 138 sires representing 5 genetic time-trend groups. Within herd-year-season heritabilities (and standard errors) were: first lactation 305 day milk .22 (.03); first lactation 305 day fat yield .25 (.03); first lactation herd-year deviation milk .22 (.02); first lactation herd-year deviation fat yield .24 (.03); last lactation 305 day milk .14 (.02); last lactation 305 day fat yield .16 (.02); last lactation length .06 (.01); lifetime milk .11 (.02); lifetime fat yield .12 (.02); milk per day of productive life .21 (.02); fat per day of productive life .25 (.03); culling age .10 (.01); length of productive life .10 (.01); and number of lactations completed .09 (.01). Genetic correlations of first lactation yield with lifetime production ranged from .34 to .93 and with longevity traits from .41 to .47. Genetic correlations between lifetime production traits ranged from .43 to .96 and between longevity traits were ≥.99. Genetic correlations of first lactation milk with lifetime milk (.56) and milk per day of productive life (.93) indicate that continued selection on first lactation milk is an effective means of maximizing lifetime milk and milk per day of productive life.