Reverse Logistics and Solid Waste Management

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

Reverse logistics is a process whereby companies can become more environmentally efficient through recycling, reusing, and reducing the amount of materials used. A more holistic view of reverse log…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

A well-managed reverse logistics program can result in significant cost savings in procurement, disposal, inventory holding and transportation. This may be carried out by the original product manufacturers or by third-party reverse logistics providers. With increased industrialization and globalization, reverse logistics is bound to gain momentum in coming years in the developing countries which will not only lead to economic gains but also protect the environment.

See on www.ecomena.org

Biomass Resources from Palm Industry

See on Scoop.it – Energy Blog

The Palm Oil industry generates large quantity of wastes whose disposal is a challenging task. In the Palm Oil mill, fresh fruit bunches are sterilized after which the oil fruits can be removed from the branches.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

In a typical Palm Oil plantation, almost 70% of the fresh fruit bunches are turned into wastes in the form of empty fruit bunches, fibers and shells, as well as liquid effluent. These by-products can be converted to value-added products or energy to generate additional profit for the Palm Oil Industry.

See on www.bioenergyconsult.com

Green Business Prospects

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

With growing awareness among consumers for eco-friendly products, it is becoming highly important for businesses to adopt and implement green strategies. It is not only the requirement of customers…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Seeing companies in Europe and US take a green lead, many businesses in the Middle East are now trying to catch up. New commercial thinking in the development of better ways to make things is being driven by the green agenda of sustainability and environment. 

See on www.cleantechloops.com

Green Project Management

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

Sustainability is a buzzword that people associate to in many ways. For some it is a state of self-actualisation, a fashion statement for few, some do it for regulatory purposes; whereas very few u…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Taking a lead in this area, out of the 60+ Project Management associations around the world, Green Project Management (GPM®) committed itself to integrate Sustainability with Project Management and define a robust process of managing Projects integrating Sustainable Methods (PRiSMTM). The methodology provides a definitive standard process of integrating sustainability into projects by blending best practices

See on www.cleantechloops.com

Flawed Carbon pricing and the cost of global warming

Reblogged from ahilan007:

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The climate is changing with increasing global warming caused by man-made Carbon emission. The economic impact of global warming can no longer be ignored by Governments around the world because it is impacting their budget bottom lines. Weather is becoming unpredictable. Even if Meteorological department predicts a disaster 24 hrs in advance, there is nothing Governments can do to prevent human and economic losses within a short span of time but evacuate people to safety leaving behind all their properties.

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Developed countries have emitted bulk of the carbon since industrial revolution while developing countries such as India and China were emitting less carbon in spite of their vast population due to their lowest per capita consumption. But that trend has now changed with rapid industrialization and economic growth of India and China and other developing economies.

Benefits of Recycled uPVC

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

Eco-conscious consumers have a new environmentally friendly option for replacing the windows in their home. Recycled uPVC (or unplasticized PVC) is durable, energy efficient a…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Recycled uPVC windows are themselves recyclable. If you ever need to replace your windows, for example during a remodel of your home, you can dispose of them in an environmentally responsible way by sending them to be recycled.

See on www.cleantechloops.com

Plastic Waste Management Scenario in UAE

See on Scoop.it – Waste Waste Everywhere

Plastics are an inseparable part of modern society. However, their safe disposal is a big and highly challenging issue. A typical UAE resident uses 450 plastic water bottles on an average…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Dubai Municipality have launched a “Say No to Plastic Bags” campaign starting May 2013 targeting a 20 per cent reduction in the estimated 2.9 billion plastic bags used annually in the emirate, by the end of this year. This is to be done by means of creating consumer-awareness and offering reusable and recyclable alternatives like jute and paper bags in major supermarkets

See on www.ecomena.org

The Bitter Sweet Reality of Chocolate

Reblogged from Discover Food:

In the blazing tropical heat, cocoa trees typically grow among the shade of the rainforest. Early in the mornings, native cocoa farmers venture into the maize of intertwining cocoa trees and forest brush with machete knives to cut ripe pods off the tree, letting them fall to the blanketed forest floor. The women follow and collect the pods that will be broken and later cleaned out to gather their cocoa beans.

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As the condition of the land decreases due to attempts to increase cocoa yield, the only hope to ensure a safe supply of cocoa for the future may be to plant hybrid trees that have been bred to resist local diseases and produce more pods per tree. The relationship between private enterprises such as the world’s leading chocolate companies and the cocoa farmers needs to strengthen by implementing programs that will first benefit the lives of the farmers and therefore the profits of the companies as well.

Sustainable Irrigation in UAE

See on Scoop.it – Water Board

Water in the UAE is in very short supply. The United Arab Emirates is one of the top 10 most water-scarce countries in the world, and has one of the highest per capita water usages globally. With 550 liters per person per day, a UAE resident consumes more than double the global national average of 250 liters per person per day.  

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

When using spray irrigation (sprinkler systems) in a country as arid as the UAE, 60% of the water evaporates before it is absorbed by the plants. As a result, only 40% of the water intended for irrigation is used, which itself is not evenly distributed. This lack of uneven distribution coupled with the decrease in the amount of water used is detrimental to the plants’ health.

See on www.ecomena.org

Biomass Gasfication Power Systems

See on Scoop.it – Energy Blog

Biomass power systems using biomass gasification has followed two divergent pathways, which are a function of the scale of operations.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

The most attractive means of utilising a biomass gasifier for power generation is to integrate the gasification process into a gas turbine combined cycle power plant. This will normally require a gasifier capable of producing a gas with heat content close to 19 MJ/Nm3.

See on www.bioenergyconsult.com

Recycling of Fluorescent Lamps

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

An analysis of the lighting industry shows a trend shifting from the usage of incandescent bulbs to fluorescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs use more fossil fuel energy, are more costly and are less e…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

The proper disposal of mercury-contained fluorescent lamps is essential to prevent release of toxic materials into the environment. The manufacturers of fluorescent tubes are responsible for the proper labeling of mercury-containing lamps to alert customers to their hazards. With the labeling of the symbol “Hg” on each lamp, individuals should recognize these products contain mercury.

See on www.cleantechloops.com

Transforming Trash Into Art

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

Art and recycling goes hand-in-hand. Eco-artists are, nowadays, transforming old, recycled and resued object into amazing pieces of contemporary art. The trend started gaining prominence in 19…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Nowadays eco-artists are turning recyclables into creative pieces of art and thereby contributing to the Green Movement taking place in different spheres of life. Artists are finding innovative ways to show their concern for the environment and thus encouraging the masses to reuse, reduce and recycle for a better future. With waste disposal posing a serious environmental challenge in the Middle East,

See on www.ecomena.org

Delivering Green: Three Case Studies in Low-Carbon Logistics

Reblogged from Supply Chain @ MIT:

Supply chain sustainability projects are often sold on the argument that going green makes good business sense. Here are three case studies that offer clear, irrefutable evidence that sustainability and profitability can be compatible in the supply chain domain.

Logistics is a leading source of carbon. Nearly 6 percent of the greenhouse gases generated by humans come from the flow of products to consumers.

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Logistics is a leading source of carbon. Nearly 6 percent of the greenhouse gases generated by humans come from the flow of products to consumers. Reducing these emissions takes more than setting goals: it requires clear, measurable initiatives that hit sustainability targets while delivering lower costs and higher service levels.

Energy Efficiency As Climate Change Mitigation Tool for Middle East

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

The Middle East is the largest oil-exporting region in the world. Around 85 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions come from energy production, electricity generation, industrial sector and domestic energy consumption. Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia figure among the world’s top-10 per capita carbon emitters. Without a change in energy policies and energy consumption behavior, Middle East’s energy-related GHG emissions will continue to grow.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

The Middle East region has the highest per capita carbon footprint in the world which can be offset by mass deployment of energy-efficient systems. An improved energy efficiency plan for MENA region (in both supply and use) will help in mitigating the domestic and global environmental impact of energy by reducing both atmospheric particulate matter and GHG emissions.

See on www.ecomena.org

Biomass Energy Scenario in ASEAN Countries

See on Scoop.it – Energy Blog

There is immense potential of biomass energy in ASEAN countries due to plentiful supply of diverse forms of wastes such as agricultural residues, woody biomass, animal wastes, municipal solid waste, etc. ASEAN region is a big producer of wood and agricultural products which, when processed in industries, produces large amounts of biomass residues.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

According to conservative estimates, the amount of biomass residues generated from sugar, rice and palm oil mills is more than 200-230 million tons per year which corresponds to cogeneration potential of 16-19 GW. Woody biomass is a good energy resource due to presence of large number of forests and wood processing industries in the region.

See on www.bioenergyconsult.com

Exploring Solar Power in Morocco

See on Scoop.it – Renewables

The Moroccan Solar Plan is regarded as a milestone on the country’s path towards a secure and sustainable energy supply which is clean, green and affordable. The world’s largest and most ambitious solar energy plan with investment of USD 9billion is meant to generate 2,000 MW of solar power by the year 2020 by building mega-scale solar power projects at five locations

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

The first plant, under the Moroccan Solar Plan, will be commissioned in 2014, and the entire project is expected to be complete in 2019. Once completed, the solar project is expected to provide almost one-fifth of Morocco’s annual electricity generation. Morocco, the only African country to have a power cable link to Europe, is also a key player in Mediterranean Solar Plan and Desertec Industrial Initiative. 

See on www.cleantechloops.com

Cleantech Solutions – Your Knowledge Partner in Sustainability

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

Cleantech Solutions is a popular information hub for renewable energy, waste management, energy efficiency, environment sustainability and other related areas. 

 

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Our website is treasure-trove of information for all sections of the society, including industry professionals, investors, policy-makers, NGOs, entrepreneurs and masses.

See on www.cleantechloops.com

Resource Base for Biogas Production in Middle East

See on Scoop.it – Energy Blog

Anaerobic digestion (or biogas technology) is the natural biological process which stabilizes organic waste in the absence of air and transforms it into biofertilizer and biogas. It is a reliable t…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

A wide range of organic substances are anaerobically easily degradable without major pretreatment. Among these are leachates, slops, sludges, oils, fats or whey. Some wastes can form inhibiting metabolites (e.g.NH3) during anaerobic digestion which require higher dilutions with substrates like manure or sewage sludge.

See on www.ecomena.org

Mbeubeus - Waste Management in Urban Dakar

Reblogged from Honest Impressions:

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There is an overwhelming fog, a heavy, thick smoke that escapes from the cracks and crevasses of the mounds of garbage and rises slowly from the uneven landscape. One’s breathing becomes labored as the smoke thickens and obscures any scenery beyond this endless sea of filth- the terrible by-product of a society ill prepared for massive urbanization and colonially forced into consumerism.

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This is Mbeubeus, a dried up lake bed covering 2 square kms that has served as Dakar’s main trash receptacle for nearly four decades (since 1968). While records concerning the site are estimates at best, studies surmise as much as 250,000 tons of garbage come from the Dakar region every year to this location; a lake bed, now a growing mound of refuse.

Green Economy Potential in Jordan

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

The global financial recession triggered serious debate among many countries in revealing the causes behind failures and in innovating affordable solutions. Seeking “transformational” e…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Jordan has identified clean energy and green investments as new clusters to boost economic development, provide green jobs, and sustain natural resources. As the first country in the MENA region to conduct a national green economy scoping study, Jordan has identified several opportunities to kick off the green clusters including renewable energy and energy efficiency, water and waste-water management, solid waste, green buildings, ecotourism, transportation etc.

See on www.ecomena.org

Solid Waste Management in Kuwait

See on Scoop.it – Waste Waste Everywhere

The prevalent solid waste disposal method in Kuwait is landfill burial. Despite being a small country, Kuwait has astonishingly high number of landfills. There are 18 landfills, of which 14 sites are closed and 4 sites are still in operation. These landfills act as dumpsites, rather than engineered landfills.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Most of the landfill sites have been forced to close, much before achieving their capacities, because of improper disposal methods and concerns related to public health and environment. Due to fast-paced industrial development and urban expansion, some of the landfills are located on the edges of residential, as is the case of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Al-Qurain sites, endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

See on www.bioenergyconsult.com

Harnessing Energy from Biogas

See on Scoop.it – Energy Blog

Biogas is the ideal fuel for generation of electric power or combined heat and power. A number of different technologies are available and applied. The most common technology for power generation is internal combustion. Engines are available in sizes from a few kilowatts up to several megawatts. Gas engines can either be SI-engines (spark ignition) or dual fuel engines.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

The benefit of the anaerobic treatment will depend on the improvement of the process regarding a higher biogas yield per m3 of biomass and an increase in the degree of degradation. Furthermore, the benefit of the process can be multiplied by the conversion of the effluent from the process into a valuable product.

See on www.bioenergyconsult.com

Cogeneration in Sugar Mills

See on Scoop.it – Energy Blog

Cogeneration of bagasse is one of the most attractive and successful energy projects that have already been demonstrated in many sugarcane producing countries such as Mauritius, Reunion Island, India and Brazil.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

A promising alternative to steam turbines are gas turbines fuelled by gas produced by thermochemical conversion of biomass. The exhaust is used to raise steam in heat recovery systems used in any of the following ways: heating process needs in a cogeneration system, for injecting back into gas turbine to raise power output and efficiency in a steam-injected gas turbine cycle or expanding through a steam turbine to boost power output and efficiency in a gas turbine/steam turbine combined cycle.

See on www.bioenergyconsult.com

Car Engine Fuel Types and their Environmental Impacts

Reblogged from Everything You Need to Know about Electric Vehicles:

Before, motorists were only left with the option of choosing between petrol or diesel for their cars. Recent risks in the environment, however, have pushed the creation of a variety of units that are far friendly for the surroundings. This article will briefly discuss some of the fuel types for cars to help you determine their differences, disadvantages, and benefits.

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Petrol is the most common type of fuel and also the cheapest. However, it is also the worse when it comes to polluting the environment. They emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and also burn energy sources that are non-renewable. There are green options for this kind of fuel which create lower carbon dioxide emissions. However, these are mostly only limited to small cars only.

Climate Change – Myth or Reality

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

For decades, the oil and coal industries and some of their largest industrial customers have conducted a sophisticated and wildly successful multimillion dollar campaign to convince the public that…

See on www.ecomena.org

Waste Management Scenario in Jordan

See on Scoop.it – Waste Waste Everywhere

Municipal solid waste in the country has steadily increased from 1.5 million tons in 2000 to about 2 million tons in 2012 which is posing a serious challenge to municipalities in big cities like Amman and Aqaba. Being a relatively modest Middle Eastern country, the per capita waste generation In Jordan is 0.9 kg per day.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Currently there is no specific legal framework or national strategy for solid waste management in Jordan which is seriously hampering efforts to resolve waste management situation. Municipalities do not have enough funds to setup modern waste collection infrastructure, recycling facilities and waste disposal systems.

See on www.ecomena.org

Energy from Palm Oil Biomass

See on Scoop.it – Energy Blog

A palm oil plantation yields huge amount of biomass wastes in the form of empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm oil mill effluent (POME) and palm kernel shell (PKS). In a typical palm oil mill, empty fruit bunches are available in abundance as fibrous…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

There is a large potential of transforming EFB into renewable energy resource that could meet the existing energy demand of palm oil mills or other industries. Pre-treatment steps such as shredding/chipping and dewatering (screw pressing or drying) are necessary in order to improve the fuel property of EFB. Pre-processing of EFB will greatly improve its handling properties and reduce the transportation cost to the end user i.e. power plant.

See on www.bioenergyconsult.com

Renewable Energy Prospects in GCC

See on Scoop.it – Renewables

The clamor for renewable energy has increased significantly in the GCC in recent years due to concerns regarding global warming and depletion of fossil fuels. Regional countries whose environments are extremely intensive in terms of the carbon emissions and energy usage, like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, have taken concrete steps and developed strategies to produce clean energy on large-scale to lower carbon footprint and foster sustainable development.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Large-scale investments and new sustainable development projects are expected to transform GCC  into the ultimate destination for clean energy technologies which will not only lower carbon footprint of the region but also reduce the cost of solar, wind and other renewable energy systems. 

See on www.cleantechloops.com

Slumdog Entrepreneur

Reblogged from Explore, Discover, Blog:

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As I stand on the bridge over the thundering railway, a maze of corrugated shacks, blue tarpaulin and dark alleyways lies beneath me, stretching out as far as the eye can see. A multicoloured sign fabricated from various pieces of scrap corrugated metal reads 'Welcome'. Welcome to Dharavi.

Mumbai is a true megalopolis; one of the most populous cities in the world, with over 20 million people.

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Despite the dirty conditions, hardship and the dire smell of most of Dharavi the one thing that remained constant were the smiling faces of the children and the coy but kind looks from the women. Even the men at work in disgusting and dangerous conditions looked happier than the average English McDonald’s employee.

Salinity gradient power rising as a realistic renewable energy source

Reblogged from Energy, Technology, & Policy:

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Estuaries are the locations where river water mixes with seawater. They are found along coastlines throughout the world, but what most people don’t realize is the significant potential to produce clean energy from these mixing water streams. The salinity gradient between the two streams of water contains a large amount of osmotic power, which can be thought of as the available energy (or chemical potential) from the differences in salt concentration between the fresh water and seawater.

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This method utilizes a membrane, permeable to water, to draw fresh water into the concentrated salt water, thus increasing the pressure in the salt water chamber. The resulting pressure can then be used to drive a turbine to produce electricity.