THE CONVERSION OF WASTE PAPER INTO BATHROOM TISSUE

Background of Study

Sustainability is considered to be one of the key priorities for supply chains as it helps companies in improving their financial performance and at the same time attract customers who value sustainability. Furthermore, companies implementing waste prevention programs draw the benefits of savings in material and supply cost, improving employee morale and complying with local or state solid waste regulations. An industry that has been adapting to the increased awareness of sustainability is the tissue paper industry. The adoption includes for instance the introduction of products with 100 % recycled fibre, reduction of water used in the production process and the use of environmental labels.

This case study aims to further look into the sustainability work of a tissue paper manufacturer. In specific, the aim is to obtain a deeper understanding for the material efficiency of the production process and also identify and reduce the material waste in order to improve the efficiency.

After conducting quantitative data collection, it was identified that the most significant material waste is found in the preparation stage of the incoming and consumed mother reels, the log rejecter stage and lastly the log saw stage. The three stages amount to about 85 % of the total material waste. The root cause analysis identified inconsistent work by operators to increase the waste at the preparation stage and the log rejecter stage. Furthermore, technical constraints at the material supplier causes loose ends of the mother reels, which results in more waste at the preparation stage. Other causes that indirectly affect the log rejecter stage include the packaging machine’s technical constraints as well as poor pallets provided by the Logistics department. Lastly, technical constrains in the log saw cause waste for itself and indirectly for the log rejecter stage.

In order to tackle the root causes standardized work should be employed alongside with an increased collaboration amongst the different stake holders of tissue paper manufacturer.

Problem Statement

Although it is generally agreed that wastes management services are essential services that must be provided in every society, nonetheless very little is known on what exactly constitute a waste. Knowing that the concept of waste is highly subjective as one man’s wastes is a resource to another. Hence, it is important to have a clear guide as to what could be classed as waste. The present research therefore examines the concept of wastes and wastes management with a view to determining what waste is, how they are classified and managed.

Desert Palm Date Seeds as a Biodiesel Feedstock

 Desert Palm Date Seeds as a Biodiesel Feedstock: Extraction, Characterization, and Engine Testing

Abstract: 

The development of alternative fuels is increasingly important in order to maintain ongoing global economic and technological progress in the face of fossil fuel depletion and increasing environmental damage. Desert palm date seeds have clear potential as feedstock for biodiesel production given their high oil content and availability as food waste that requires no further cultivation. In this study we investigated the optimum production processes and conditions for date seed oil biodiesel, including characterizing the intermediate product and correcting its composition to meet international fuel standards. Four biodiesel blends were prepared (B5, B10, B15, and B20) and tested in a compression ignition engine at engine speeds from 1600 to 3600 rpm (200 rpm increments) and three engine loads (50%, 75%, and 100%). The highest oil yield and biodiesel conversion achieved were 10.74 wt.% and 92%, respectively. The biodiesel properties conformed well with the standards; the values for brake power, brake thermal efficiency, and brake specific fuel consumption were comparable with petrol diesel, though the latter was slightly superior. All blends produced lower levels of CO2, CO, and HC but higher levels of NOx emissions. These results demonstrate the fundamental suitability of date seeds as biodiesel feedstock, deserving of further research.

INTRODUCTION

The rapidly increasing global consumption of liquid fossil fuels suggests that oil reserves may soon be depleted; oil supply shortages may occur by 2020–2030. This presents a dual challenge to humanity: To sustain global economic and technological development without compromising resources for future generations. One specific solution to this challenge is to develop renewable fuels and feedstocks in sufficient amounts to partially or fully supply the needs of industry and transportation.

WASTE TO ENERGY AS A TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

 WASTE TO ENERGY AS A TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The tremendous rise in municipal solid waste (MSW) and indeed other forms of waste in the fast-growing cities of developing and emerging countries have led to increasing public concerns with regards to the resultant health and environmental impacts. Today, the waste of about 3 billion people is still disposed of in an uncontrolled manner . As citizens and decision makers become more sensitive to environmental pollution and its impact on their quality of life, waste management is gaining importance on the local political agenda. 

Current global MSW generation levels are approximately 1.3 billion tonnes per year. In Sub Saharan Africa where we belong, the average solid waste generation per person per day is about 0.65kg. This figure on global generation is expected to increase to approximately 2.2 billion tonnes per year by 2025. This represents a significant increase in per capita waste generation rates, from 1.2 to 1.42 kg per person per day in the next fifteen years. However, global averages are broad estimates only as rates vary considerably by region, country, city, and even within cities. THIS LOOKS SO SCARY, so an urgent attention should be paid to the management of waste.

In view of the above, it is hereby proposed that the project on WASTE TO ENERGY be considered.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of this project include:

to clean up the environment

to generate energy from the wastes thereby contributing to the nation’s  energy mix

 to create jobs