The analysis of the potential of material and energy recovery of municipal waste in Canada

scientific master's theses

• Author: Patrick Fowler; VIAF: 121099131
• Mentor: Slaven Dobrović (mentor)
• Committee member: Daniel Rolph Schneider (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Slaven Dobrović (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Igor Sutlović (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2011-07-14, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Mechanical Engineering
• Universal decimal classification (UDC): 628 - Public health engineering. Water. Sanitation. Illuminating engineering

Abstract

Waste-related management is a complex topic which has evolved significantly over time. In a modern context, with the environment at the forefront, traditional methods alone cannot satisfy the needs. Even our current definition and use of the word waste needs to change. Sustainable and integrated waste-related management (SIWRM) is a holistic approach to traditional waste management, with clearly defined principles and focus on prevention and reduction. The role of waste-related products to energy (WRPtE) in this SIWRM hierarchy is very important. Also known as energy recycling, these technologies can produce some tangible quantities of energy from products otherwise considered waste. Modern technologies are designed to meet the most stringent environmental standards and in most cases are preferable to landfills as a disposal alternative. Canada’s policy towards WRPtE and SIWRM is unfocused and unclear. Provinces are left to set their own targets and the regions are supposed to develop and implement their own plans. There are benefits to a structure which allows strategies to be region specific however the environmental impact of this activity should be addressed at the national level, with policies to guide the regional activities. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a global issue and the waste-related industry is a large net producer of GHGs. With proper choices made within a SIWRM context, this industry can actually become a sink rather than a source. Each component present in our waste and recoverable products (WandRP) has its own characteristics which, if managed correctly, can be re-used for other purposes or recycled to generate new products or even energy. In Canada we generate more WandRP per capita than most developed nations, we divert a fraction of it from landfill, and we export some to the USA. The industry is a net producer of GHG emissions and current policies promote landfills over WRPtE facilities, with no clear national targets for waste reduction, diversion or conversion. Ultimately, this paper will demonstrate how Canada compares to other countries in this field, what their potential for diversion is and the associated GHG emissions for various scenarios. Recommendations are made to help Canada establish targets and development programs towards a sustainable future.

Abstract (croatian)

Gospodarenje otpadom složena je problematika koja se značajno razvila tijekom vremena. U suvremenom kontekstu, s okolišem u prvom planu, tradicionalne metode samostalno ne mogu zadovoljiti potrebe. čak se i naša postojeća definicija i upotreba riječi otpad mora promijeniti. Održivo i integrirano gospodarenje otpadom (Sustainable and integrated wasterelated management (SIWRM)) je holistički pristup tradicionalnom gospodarenju otpadom, s jasno definiranim načelima i naglaskom na prevenciju i redukciju. Uloga otpadnih proizvoda prema energiji (waste-related products to energy (WRPtE)) u toj hijerarhiji održivog i integriranog gospodarenja otpadom je vrlo važna. Također poznate kao recikliranje energije, te tehnologije mogu proizvesti neke opipljive količine energije iz proizvoda koji se inače smatraju otpadom. Moderne tehnologije su projektirane da zadovolje najstrože ekološke standarde te se u većini slučajeva preferiraju kao alternativa samom odlaganju otpada. Politika Kanade prema WRPtE i SIWRM je neusmjerena i nejasna. Pokrajine su prepuštene same određivati ciljeve, a regije bi trebale razvijati i provoditi svoje planove. Postoji pogodnost u strukturi koja dopušta da strategije budu specifične za regije, međutim utjecaj na okoliš tih aktivnosti mora biti postavljen na nacionalnoj razini, s politikom koja rukovodi regionalnim aktivnostima. Emisije stakleničkih plinova su globalni problem i industrija povezana s otpadom je veliki neto proizvođač stakleničkih plinova. S pravilnim izborima napravljenim u kontekstu SIWRM-a, ta industrija zapravo može postati korisna. Svaka komponenta prisutna u našim otpadnim/obnovljivim proizvodima (WandRP) ima svoje karakteristike koje se, ako se ispravno iskorištavaju, mogu ponovno koristiti za druge namjene ili reciklirati za dobivanje novih proizvoda ili čak energije. U Kanadi proizvodimo više otpadnih/obnovljivih proizvoda po stanovniku od većine razvijenih zemalja, dio njih odvajamo s odlagališta, i neke izvozimo u SAD. Industrija je neto proizvođač emisija stakleničkih plinova i trenutne politike promiču odlagališta naspram WRPtE postrojenja, s nejasnim nacionalnim ciljevima za smanjenje otpada, odvajanje ili pretvorbu. Konačno, ovaj će rad pokazati usporedbu Kanade i drugih zemalja u ovom području, koji je njihov potencijal za odvajanje i emisije stakleničkih plinova za razne scenarije. Preporuke su načinjene kako bi pomogle Kanadi utvrditi ciljeve i razvojne programe u pogledu održive budućnosti.

• Keywords: sustainable and integrated waste-related management; material recycling; energy recycling; greenhouse gasses emissions; waste management; waste related policy
• Keywords (croatian): održivo i integrirano gospodarenje otpadom; recikliranje materije; recikliranje energije; emisije stakleničkih plinova; gospodarenje otpadom; politika upravljanja otpadom
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:235:593445
• Study programme: Title: Mechanical Engineering - mr.sc.; Study programme type: university; Study level: postgraduate; Academic / professional title: magistar znanosti (magistar znanosti)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2021-02-03 12:39:16