Charisios Achillas

The use of multi-criteria decision analysis to tackle waste management problems: a literature review.

Problems in waste management have become more and more complex during recent decades. The increasing volumes of waste produced and social environmental consciousness present prominent drivers for environmental managers towards the achievement of a sustainable waste management scheme. However, in practice, there are many factors and influences – often mutually conflicting – criteria for finding solutions in real-life applications. This paper presents a review of the literature on multi-criteria decision aiding in waste management problems for all reported waste streams. Despite limitations, which are clearly stated, most of the work published in this field is reviewed. The present review aims to provide environmental managers and decision-makers with a thorough list of practical applications of the multi-criteria decision analysis techniques that are used to solve real-life waste management problems, as well as the criteria that are mostly employed in such applications according to the nature of the problem under study. Moreover, the paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of using multi-criteria decision analysis techniques in waste management problems in comparison to other available alternatives.

Alternative production strategies based on the comparison of additive and traditional manufacturing technologies

Additive manufacturing technology has been evolving for several years. New material options, better processing speeds and greater autonomy are some of the characteristics of this technology that are still under research. However, in its current state, many commercially available 3D printers are competing with traditional manufacturing techniques in the fabrication of end-use products. In this paper, different additive manufacturing technologies are compared with injection moulding in a real-world case study. The comparison is conducted in terms of lead time and total production cost. From the case under study, it becomes obvious that none of the additive manufacturing technologies examined is yet able to practically replace injection moulding for medium- and high production volumes. However, when considering low-volume production, both rapid tooling and additive manufacturing may offer an alternative that could result into shorter lead times and decreased total production costs. In addition, the introduction of Additive Manufacturing in a producer’s production portfolio can increase flexibility, reduce warehousing costs and assist the company towards the adoption of a mass customisation business strategy.

Willingness to pay for reducing the risk of premature mortality attributed to air pollution: a contingent valuation study for Greece

Development of strategies to control urban air pollution is a complex and multi–disciplinary process. In most real life cases, relevant policy making is characterised by the lack of information related to the economic value of the health consequences attributed to air pollution. This information is important to possess reliable economic estimates for the benefit arising from the application of the proposed strategies. This paper presents a contingent valuation approach in order to elicit the willingness–to–pay (WTP) for reducing the risk of premature mortality attributed to air pollution based on an easy–to–comprehend questionnaire. The economic value of increasing life expectancy by saving one year of life loss through improving air quality is estimated for Thessaloniki, Greece, which is considered one of the most polluted –if not the most polluted– cities within Europe, especially with respect to airborne particles. A sample of approximately 800 residents was chosen and a face–to–face interview was conducted using a hypothetical open–ended question designed to elicit the respondents WTP. Change in life expectancy was well understood and the results showed that 78.2% of respondents were able to express their WTP. The mean WTP to save one Year of Life Loss (YOLL) is approximately 920 € per person per year, which corresponds to a Value of a Life Year (VOLY) that is approximately 41 000 €.

Willingness to pay for more sustainable e-waste management: a contingent valuation study in greece

Management of Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE also called e-waste) has become an issue of critical importance recently also in the frame of industrial ecology besides waste management per se, mostly due to their content in hazardous materials and the extensive implications of any intervention in a broad industrial spectrum. The effectiveness of any landfill diversion scheme depends on its acceptance by the local community and the industry, as well as adequate funding. This paper presents a contingent valuation approach in order to examine public environmental awareness and to assess the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the environmentally sound management of WEEE in Greece, based on a suitable, customized and easy-to-comprehend questionnaire. The survey revealed a still relative public ignorance on the subject and a reluctantly limited WTP. The latter is mostly triggered by the fact that respondents believed that associated expenses should be covered either by authorities or manufacturers (protest votes). However, based on the responses of those declaring a positive WTP, the average fee respondents are willing to pay exceeds the current recycling fee. Thus, existing recycling fees could be potentially increased in order to cover additional expenses for the development of infrastructure in areas not currently included in the national WEEE recycling program, as well as to provide the public with a dense network of disposal sites/bins in an effort to boost participation and WEEE recycling rates.

Re-designing industrial products on a multi-objective basis: a case study

Environmentally conscious product design has received significant attention recently. Apart from new products’ development, environmental considerations may also apply for products that manufacturers have already launched in the market. In this case, manufacturers can also make use of their considerable experience gained over the phases following product design (eg production, use, end-of-life, etc) in order to promote substantial improvements as regards their re-designed products’ performance. This paper presents a methodological framework for manufacturers based on Multiple Objective Integer Programming in order to re-design industrial products. The proposed approach includes re-designed products cost, environmental impact, weight and ease of disassembly. The methodology is applied to a real-world case study, that of netMod network terminal.

Computer aided design and 3D printing for STEAM education: a technical reference guide for teachers

The paper will present the MAKEITREAL Technical Reference Guide, an open educational resource (OER) which provides technical information on Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing for STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). The reference guide presents in an easy to grasp way all the technical issues and the practicalities that should be considered by the teachers regarding the digital fabrication tools, 3D modelling, 3D printing technologies in the classroom. The guide elaborates on key technical decisions at a high level helping teachers overcome any obstacles or problems regarding technical aspects. The MAKEITREAL Technical Reference Guide offers an insight into CAD technologies, and current software developments and offers a comprehensive workflow from design to production.

A Humanitarian Logistics Case Study for the Intermediary Phase Accommodation Center for Refugees and Other Humanitarian Disaster Victims

The growing and uncontrollable stream of refugees from Middle East and North Africa has created considerable pressure to governments and societies all over Europe. To establish the theoretical framework, the concept of humanitarian logistics is briefly examined in this paper. Historical data from the nineteenth century onwards illuminates the fact that this influx is not a novelty in the European continent and the interpretation of statistical data highlights the characteristics and particularities of the current refugee wave, as well as the possible repercussions these could inflict both to hosting societies and to displaced populations. Finally, a review of European and national legislation and policies shows that measures taken so far are disjointed and that no complete but at the same time fair and humanitarian management strategy exists.

Consumers’ Perception of Wastewater Usage in Agriculture: Evidence from Greece

The need for wastewater usage is increasing, especially in coastal regions with limited freshwater supply. In Greece, the only applications of water reuse projects concern irrigation purposes in the agricultural sector. One of the key issues concerning the adaptation of such projects and further expansion of such initiatives is consumer perceptions. To that end, the aim of this chapter is to explore consumer awareness about the reuse of wastewater for agricultural purposes in order to accept such policies. The study reveals a positive attitude of the public towards recycled water reuse in agriculture. Education is positively correlated with higher awareness regarding agricultural and landscape irrigation. However, the study reveals several obstacles for a wider acceptance of similar practices, especially for older people.