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Aqualectra: inventory of waste streams as a start to a companywide waste management policy

Louwes, A.C. (2012) Aqualectra: inventory of waste streams as a start to a companywide waste management policy.

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Abstract:This research study was carried out to give Aqualectra an insight into their waste streams, as well as to analyze how these waste streams can be treated by applying Lansink’s ladder, and to give recommendations on waste management policy. The study looks at all the waste Aqualectra produces at its own locations, both office waste and waste from production and distribution units, as well as the Aqualectra Bottling Plant. Waste from external projects is disregarded. Desk study and interviews with Aqualectra employees, Selikor employees and the employee of Green Force were used as methods to acquire data. The resulting table 3.1 in Chapter 3 shows an inventory of the waste streams of Aqualectra. The most important ones are:  General unsorted waste from the various Aqualectra offices.  The waste streams identified by the Van Gansewinkel report: waste that Aqualectra cannot easily dispose of, mainly due to environmental considerations.  Scrap waste, soot and sludge.  Old batteries, old transformers, wooden and iron pylons, and cable reels / spools. The analysis by applying Lansink’s ladder to Aqualectra’s waste streams yielded the following results:  Prevention of waste could be reached by lessening consumption of employees, or by using less material for products. Minimization can also be reached by buying products with longer-than-average lifespans.  Product reuse is already applied at Aqualectra, but sales to consumers are currently unsuccessful due to recent price changes.  Product recycling is also already applied, mainly for scrap and soot; it could also be applied to the general unsorted office waste by recycling paper, glass, PET, LDPE and aluminum cans, which would lessen the amount of unsorted waste to be collected by Selikor.  Some streams that cannot be reused or recycled could be used as fuel to produce energy. Aqualectra is looking at a waste-to-energy project, but nothing has been realized yet. Based on the data acquired during the research project, the following main recommendations are given:  Appoint one waste coordinator, who has the final responsibility on all waste-related concerns.  Establish a central, companywide documentation on Aqualectra policy concerning waste.  Find a way to dispose of the “Van Gansewinkel waste”, and draw up a policy for future reference.  Launch an educational / awareness campaign at Aqualectra concerning waste, so the people will cooperate more willingly with waste projects.  Place separate containers for appear, glass, aluminum cans and PET bottles at the various Aqualectra locations in cooperation with Selikor, and do the same at the Aqualectra warehouses for cardboard and LDPE in cooperation with Green Force. Monitor these waste streams if either company requires a more precise insight into the amounts of waste.
Item Type:Internship Report (Master)
Clients:
Aqualectra
Faculty:ET: Engineering Technology
Subject:56 civil engineering
Programme:Civil Engineering and Management MSc (60026)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/63874
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