Matthew Franchetti

Critical factors for implementing ISO 14001 standard in United States industrial companies

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an empirical study carried out on a sample of certified industrial companies that operate in the United States, with the aim of identifying some of the critical factors for successful implementation of the ISO 14001 registration process. The paper reveals that it takes most of the companies between 8 to 19 months to obtain ISO 14001 certification. In addition, the ISO 14001 elements requiring the greatest effort are: identifying environmental aspects, environmental management system (EMS) documentation, training, EMS audits, operational control, environmental management program, objectives and targets, and document control. The survey also reveals that high certification cost and lack of other available resources are the greatest obstacles for implementing the ISO 14001 standard.

Recycling performance of firms before and after adoption of the ISO 14001 standard

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of ISO 14001 certification on recycling performance. The research is based on a survey conducted on a sample of certified industrial companies that operate in United States. The paper reveals that companies’ recycling performance is significantly positively affected by certification. The paper also reveals that earlier certified companies experience better recycling performance than more recently certified companies. Finally, the paper shows that smaller firms experience greater improvement in recycling performance than larger firms due to ISO 14001 certification.

Economic and environmental analysis of four different configurations of anaerobic digestion for food waste to energy conversion using LCA for: A food service provider case study

The US disposes of more than 34 million tons of food waste in landfills per year. As this food waste decomposes it generates methane gas and negatively contributes to global warming. Diverting theses organic food wastes from landfills and to emerging technologies will prevent these wastes and greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time generating a source renewable energy by collecting the emitted gases. From a waste prevention standpoint, instead of the food waste decomposing at local landfills, it is being converted into an energy source and the by-product may be used as a fertilizer (Fine and Hadas, 2012). The purpose of this study was to compare four different configurations of anaerobic digestion of organic waste to energy technologies from an economic, energy, and emissions standpoint using LCA via a case study at a large food services provider in Northwest Ohio, USA. The technologies studied included two-stage anaerobic digestion system using ultrasound pre-treating, two stage continuous combined thermophilic acidogenic hydrogenesis and mesophilic with recirculation of the digested sludge, long-term anaerobic digestion of food waste stabilized by trace elements, and single stage anaerobic digestion. Using LCA, these scenarios were compared to landfill disposal of the food waste. The findings from the case study indicated that implementing on-site waste to energy systems will result in lower operation costs and lower environmental impacts. In addition, a standardized environmental and economic comparison of competing food waste to energy technologies is provided.

Lean six sigma at a material recovery facility: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the lean six sigma implementation process and its quantified benefits for the recycling industry. Specifically, the goals of the project were to improve the processes and increase capacity for a government operated material recovery facility (MRF) in Toledo, Ohio, USA.Design/methodology/approach – The six sigma DMAIC methodology was utilized for this study. This included aligning and optimizing processes and the removal of process‐generated defects and errors.Findings – After comparison of the current and future states of the MRF, it is found that by reducing non‐value added activities, productivity was increased by 7.3 percent for paper bales, 12.8 percent for commingled bales and 1.6 percent for old corrugated container (OCC) bales. The project generated over

Continuous improvement and value stream analysis through the lean DMAIC Six Sigma approach: a manufacturing case study from Ohio, USA

65,000 in annual savings for the facility.Research limitations/implications – The findings are limited due to the focused nature of the case study and further cost‐benefit analysis can be carried o...

A new optimization model for closed-loop supply chain networks

This study proposes the DMAIC Six Sigma approach with an emphasis on value stream analysis to reduce costs and increase capacity for a local manufacturing company in Northwest Ohio, USA. The DMAIC approach and case study demonstrated a broad application and how an organisation can significantly reduce costs, in this case, by nearly

Concepts, Methods, and Strategies for Zero-Waste in Manufacturing

660,000 per year. The paper identifies each stage of the DMAIC cycle and the Six Sigma tools that were applied, including a rigorous value mapping technique. This paper develops a framework that can be used as a template for cost reduction and capacity enhancement training.

Green Supply Chain, Logistics, and Transportation

Increasing environmental concerns require businesses to become more responsive to products that either have been returned or that are at the end of their useful lives. Organizations responsiveness and their reactions toward life cycles of products are critical to achieve sustained success once fluctuations are recurrent and the business environments are turbulent. Life cycles are getting shorter, and efficient handling can save large amounts of cash since many materials can be extracted, reused, and redistributed. Reverse Logistics (RL) and Closed Loop Supply Chains (CLSC) have garnered growing interest as a way to manage this reverse flow of products in a cost effective way. It is discernible that the degree of complexity in closed loop networks is usually higher than open networks. In a closed loop supply chain network, the attempt is to ensure a smooth flow of materials as well as extracting the maximum value from returning and end-of-life goods. Reduction of waste and generating profit for enterprises are two paramount achievements through integrating forward and reverse logistics. By considering various proposed conceptual models for CLSC, in this study at first we present a comprehensive applicable conceptual model. Then, we specifically focus on a CLSC network, which includes multiple plants, collection centers, demand markets, and products. To this aim, a generalized proposed mixed-integer linear programming model is presented that minimizes the total cost. The objective is to know how many, which production plants and Return Processors (Collection sites) should be open, which products, and in which quantities should have stuck. The goal of this model is to minimize the supply chain waste and reduce supply chain costs. In such a way, the supply chain system can be agile, integrated, robust, and lean. The proposed model can be extended to consider more environmental factors. Moreover, the efficacy and efficiency of that have been validated by case study and numerical example.

Continuous improvement and facility redesign through the lean DMAIC Six Sigma approach: a final assembly work unit case study from Ohio, USA

Zero waste in manufacturing is becoming very prevalent in the United States. An effective way of economically achieving zero waste is through the waste assessment process and systems approach. This approach allows businesses to establish green team and process, complete the assessment, determine waste reduction opportunities and economically and efficiently implement them. The system helps to establish an effective way to continuously work on waste reduction, compare alternatives and periodically validate results to achieve stated goals. There are number of strategies and techniques that businesses may use to achieve a zero waste goal. These strategies include techniques for reduction of paper products, packaging, containers and food, as well as identification of other recyclable products. Strategies for collection stations, source reduction, transportation and delivery, alternative uses of products, “green” purchasing and HR actions are also presented in the chapter. It is author’s hope that readers will find new methods and approaches in this chapter that they will implement at their facilities.

Economic Feasibility of a Municipal Food Waste Collection and Energy Generation Model

This chapter presents the concepts of green supply chain network, green supply chain management, and green logistics. Increasing environmental concerns requires companies to become more responsive to products that either has been returned or that are at the end of their useful lives. Organization’s responsiveness and their reactions toward life cycles of products are critical to achieve sustained success once fluctuations are recurrent and the business environments are turbulent. Life cycles are getting shorter, and effective managing can save large amounts of cash as many materials can be extracted, reused, and redistributed. Alongside this context, this chapter focuses on a general overview toward closed-loop supply chains and offers a generalized optimization model. In addition, incentive approaches for an optimal recovery plan in a closed-loop supply chain are discussed in this chapter.