Helmut Yabar

Eco‐Efficiency of Advanced Loop‐Closing Systems for Vehicles and Household Appliances in Hyogo Eco‐Town

The closing of material loops is a critical challenge in industrial ecology. It relies mainly on the utilization of recovered materials/parts/products in the original and principal production system while their original function is retained at the highest level possible. In this study, advanced loop‐closing systems for the recycling of end‐of‐life vehicles and electric household appliances are first designed in “Hyogo Eco‐town.” Second, a methodology for evaluating the eco‐efficiency of these systems is developed. Finally, the eco‐efficiency of the designed advanced loop‐closing strategies for the two products is evaluated, based on the results of materials flow analysis and life‐cycle assessment. The results show that, compared with conventional recycling systems, when an industrial complex and an advanced loop‐closing system for end‐of‐life vehicles are established, the total economic value increases by 114% and the eco‐efficiency in terms of the amount of direct material input is improved by 57%. This system permits the utilization of the by‐products, wastes, and recovered materials that originate from other industrial sectors as input to production activities. In the case of end‐of‐life electric household appliances, an advanced loop‐closing strategy to lengthen the product life with parts reuse improves the eco‐efficiency in terms of carbon dioxide (CO) emissions by 4% compared with the conventional replacement of the appliance with a new product along with the material recycling option.

Perspective assessment of algae-based biofuel production using recycled nutrient sources: The case of Japan

In this study, an upper limit in the solar energy conversion efficiency which can be translated to a maximum potential algal yield of a large-scale culture is calculated based on the algal productivity model in which light and nutrient are made the growth rate limiting factors, and taking the design characteristics of the cultivation system into account. Our results indicate that for the production of low-cost biodiesel within the limits of the wastewater quality standards, that the culturing of high lipid content algae within a raceway pond would provide an appropriate solution for manufacturing biodiesel from algae. However, due to inefficient sunlight utilization and due to the large amount of fertilizer required in raceway ponds, a greater effluent recycle rate would have to be implemented to reduce the amount of fertilizer discharge to meet the wastewater quality standards and to maximize the attainable productivity of algal biomass.

Integrated resource management towards a sustainable Asia: policy and strategy evolution in Japan and China

One of the biggest challenges Asian nations face is how to increase their economic growth while minimising the impact on the environment and reducing their dependence on imported resources. Japan paid great attention to its condition as a resource-dependent country after the oil crisis in the mid 1970s and now has one of the most eco-efficient economies in the world. The rapid economic growth of China in the last two decades has also pushed the government to focus on improving efficiency as it is shown in its 11th five year plan. This article addresses the evolution of environmental policies in Japan and China and proposes viable measures towards a sustainable Asia. These measures take into account the experience of Japan in addressing its environmental issues and is based on the reduce, reuse, recycle (3R) initiative.

Analysis of Land use Changes and Environmental Loads during Urbanization in China

abstract Urban expansion in China has led to rapid urbanization occupying a huge amount of cultivated land, and in turn, to adverse effects on city environments. By collecting data from 30 big cities in China, including the 4 biggest municipalities and 26 provincial government cities, this paper analyzes the current status of urbanization and identifies the land use changes as determined by a geographic information system (GIS) analysis. It also examines the relationships between urbanization level, the economy and environmental status, by applying a regression model. Finally, the paper proposes a perspective for promoting sound urbanization under the Circular Economy (CE) in China. The authors determined that 14,996 km2 of cultivated land have been converted into urban built-up areas in China between 1990 and 2000. Above all, the changes in the three megalopolises of the Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Pearl River Delta were substantial and the land use efficiencies of these areas are higher than in the other areas. The authors also found that urbanization is positively associated with per capita GDP. The regression analysis for per capita solid waste indicated an inverted-U shape relationship with urbanization.

Scenario analysis of cement production in China: the role of policy and technology in the pathway to sustainable society

China’s annual cement production is by far the largest in the world. Although it is a necessity for economic development, its production requires huge amount of energy inputs, adversely affecting sustainable development. In this paper, we identify the determination of cement demand in China and demonstrate scenario analysis toward 2015. We demonstrate that while technological development in the cement industry in China is important in terms of reducing energy input, the most critical factor is to achieve balanced economic growth. In particular, our results suggest the importance of the achievement of the economic growth target in the 12th Five-Years-Initiative of China, addressing the effective urban planning and financial mechanism for technological development and diffusion.

Land Use Change Patterns and Sustainable Urban Development in China

Abstract This paper examined the land use change (LUC) and sustainability index of major Chinese cities to develop a model for implementing more efficient land use and sustainable urban development (SUD) practices in China. The authors show that substantial LUC occurred across 29 Chinese cities during the 1990-2000 period. In particular, cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Area, and the Pearl River Delta underwent considerable LUC while achieving efficient land use. Characterization of the different LUC patterns of these cities revealed that land use efficiency differed between cities. The components of sustainability, including socio-economic, environmental and resource use indexes, were also clarified. Factors such as socio-economic development had the effect of increasing the sustainability scores of coastal cities relative to the scores of northern and industrial cities further inland. Regression analysis revealed which factors had the greatest effect on the level of environmental index. The results showed that industrial activities, population trends, and the pattern of land use all significantly affect the environmental component and SUD of cities. Finally, the network of cities in the YRD and a land use model in which cities undertake resource endowments, including land for improving SUD, was discussed.

A New approach for municipal solid waste governance aiming to become green city bases on a sound material – cycle society initiative in Hanoi, Vietnam

This study aims to analyze the Japanese Sound materialcycle society (SMCS) model in compatible condition with current municipal solid waste (MSW) in Hanoi, Vietnam at the first step: waste classification. About household waste, author cooperated with some workers, officers and experts in Hanoi Urban Environment Company (URENCO) in 3Rs (ReduceReuseRecyle) project in 4 main wards of Hanoi: Phan Chu Trinh, Lang Ha, Nguyen Du and Thanh Cong. This project supplies collection containers for households and public places for separate waste at source with 3 categories: Organic waste, Inorganic waste and Recyclables. In comparison with old state, household waste at these places are classified properly with higher value for recyclable and organic waste. About waste from commercial activities, author conducted a sitestudy in some big and media size super markets, shopping malls, open markets and restaurants about waste classification at source. Author interviewed collectors and directly classified and measured the composition of waste in 2 weeks with collectors. The author also went to Nam Son sanitary landfill site, the biggest MSW treatment facility of the North in Soc son (Hanoi) to survey the real situation of MSW when it is buried. The capacity and environmental impacts from landfill activities are also quantified. The output of this study is to identify MSW composition and material cycle aim to increase composting and recyclable material amount, quantify the reduction in landfill load and propose some policies to improve local people awareness for better MSW governance. Basing on collected data from these activities, author expects to propose a new scenario for MSW treatment by using Integrated Waste Management Model (IWM2) to improve the current situation aiming to build a cleangreenbeautiful Hanoi as local government target

Guidelines for Siting Community-based Solid Waste Facilities in Beijing, China

Beijing, the capital of China, has a land area of approximately 1368.32km2 with an urban population of about 19.61 million in 2010. Over the past three decades, MSW generation in Beijing City has increased tremendously from 1.04 million tons in 1978 to 4.134 million tons in 2006. (BMAC2010)The average generation rate of MSW in 2006 was 0.85kg/capita/day. Currently, more than 80% of MSW generated in Beijing is land filled, 10%is incinerated and 10% is composted. (WANG, 2010) If these trends continue the amount of waste will surpass the capacity of transfer stations, treatment plants and final disposal sites. In addition due to environmental and health problems occurring in the vicinity of current waste treatment and final disposal plants, residents show strong rejection to the construction of such facilities. Solid waste management facilities represent long-term commitments of public resources that can dramatically alter the quality of life in a community. In order to address this urgent challenges this research proposes the introduction of an integral waste management system that includes not only technological and logistics aspects associated with waste collection, treatment and disposal but will also incorporate the local community and stakeholder participation, in the process of decision-making. Using integrated evaluation and assessment methodology including Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costs, as well as social assessment tools, we will introduce guidelines that will help design not only environmentally friendly and economically affordable but also socially acceptable waste management practice.

Historical evolution and development of waste management and recycling systems—analysis of Japan's experiences

This paper comprehensively analyzes the historical evolution of waste treatment and recycling practices in Japan since 1950s when the rapid economic development started, particularly looking into societal background conditions, policy responses, and technological aspects in an integrated manner. Based on statistical data related to waste management and relevant documents, we discuss that Japanese waste management and policies evolved from reactive and end-of-pipe approaches that primarily focused on safe disposal and incineration to more integral and proactive policies with recycling practices. The most recent trend after the year 2000 is best characterized in the integration of two different governmental policies: i.e., realizing a sound material-cycle and low-carbon society. From the overall analyses, three key characteristics associated with waste management system are particularly highlighted: (1) reliance on incineration as a means to reduce waste volume, (2) material recycling with ambitious recycling targets for specific wastes, and (3) an integral resource management approach that stresses not only improvement in energy and material recovery but also an increase in resource productivity. We also discuss technological and system innovations related to waste management by exploring two specific cases of incineration system and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle recycling. Regulations and incentives by governmental policies are found to have been effective in that they triggered the technological and system innovations necessary to achieve recycling targets. Japans experiences on historical waste management and policy designs for technology and system innovations shall provide important lessons for other rapidly developing countries just facing increasing wastes volumes and a critical challenge of building sustainable waste management systems. It is indispensable to enhance international cooperation to share essential knowledge about waste management and recycling schemes.

Eco-efficiency analysis of the plastic recovery systems in Hyogo eco-town project

Japan started the promotion and development of eco-towns in 1997, with the aim of reducing the environmental pressure through a symbiosis of industries and cities. Hyogo prefecture (located in the west of Japan) has been promoting a recycling-oriented society with the cooperation of industries, citizens and businesses.