Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ing a waste material. Moreover, once the material
is concentrated, there is a greater likelihood that
the materials in the waste can be recovered. This
allows the potential use of the waste streams as a
raw material for other companies or for the com-
pany itself (Freeman, 1988, p. 5.13). Controlled
disposal is a solution for wastes which can not be
treated by pollution control technologies. Disposal
is the last preferred waste management option.
Nevertheless controlled disposal is an important
part of environmental management; even though
it is the least effective one.
solutions alternatives are made under the title of
the following measures.
Operational Analysis of Alternative Waste
Management Solutions: Each alternative waste
management solution should be analyzed in order
to see if it is operationally feasible. The operational
viability generally consists of measures such as the
applicability of an alternative. In order to see if an
alternative waste management solution is desirable
in an operational sense, it should be proved that
the alternative is practical and efficient. In other
words, it should be demonstrated that the alterna-
tive makes maximum use of available resources
including raw materials, people, and time. Before
evaluating an alternative waste management
solution, it should be verified if the current work
practices and procedures support a new system.
This verification also covers the adaptation of end
users and managers to the change. The flexibility
and expandability of the alternative must also be
taken into account because capacity changes can
take place in the company as a result of future
needs and projected growth.
Technical Analysis of Alternative Waste
Management Solutions: Each alternative waste
management solution should be analyzed in order
to see if it is technically feasible. The technical
viability generally consists of measures such as the
practicality of an alternative and the availability
of technical resources and expertise within the
facility. An important aspect identifying if the
alternative waste management solution is tech-
nically feasible is the availability of the required
technology. Some alternatives may involve solu-
tions that can be applied without the need of a new
technology or equipment. Conversely, there may
be alternative waste management solutions that
need the investigation of the market availability
of the required technology or equipment. If the
required technology is produced or sold within
the country, it is needed to compare the different
sellers and selling prices. On the other hand, if the
required technology is exported, it is needed to
Evaluation of Alternative Waste
Management Solutions
Each investigated alternative waste management
solution in the previous steps of the methodol-
ogy must be analyzed in order to evaluate how
beneficial or practical the implementation of this
alternative will be. It is important to use an inter-
disciplinary point of view while evaluating each
alternative waste management solution since the
entire production system is aimed to be optimized.
By this integrated point of view, it will be possible
detect the positive and negative results of each
alternative waste management solution proposed.
The scope and complexity of an apparently fea-
sible alternative waste management solution can
change after the analysis of the initial problems
or after the design of the system. An alternative
waste management solution is feasible if it works
with available or obtainable resources, produces
better results in both environmental and eco-
nomical point of view and if it does not conflict
with other management functions. For example,
while an alternative waste management solution
may be feasible due to machine schedules, it may
be infeasible due to the demand pattern of the
products. As a result, it may not be possible to
implement this alternative. It is also important for
an alternative waste management solution to have
a reasonable reimbursement time. Evaluations of
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