[ Log In | Register]
! Skip Navigation Links
Skip Navigation Links
Image of Journal of Applied Nonlinear Dynamics
ISSN:2325-6192 (print)
ISSN:2325-6206 (online)
Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management
António Mendes Lopes (editor), Jiazhong Zhang(editor)
António Mendes Lopes (editor)

University of Porto, Portugal

Email: aml@fe.up.pt

Jiazhong Zhang (editor)

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710049, China

Fax: +86 29 82668723 Email: jzzhang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn

A Long-Term Challenge – Enabling the Uptake of Advanced MBT Technologies in Eastern European Countries

Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management 4(1) (2016) 59--71 | DOI:10.5890/JEAM.2016.03.006

K. Hornsby$^{1}$; L. Benesova$^{2}$; M. Zimová$^{2}$

$^{1}$ Institut für Aufbereitung und Recycling, Department of Processing and Recycling, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, 52062, Germany

$^{2}$ Institute for Env. Studies, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Benátská 2, 128 43 Praha

Download Full Text PDF

 

Abstract

This study considers the case of Czech Republic (CR), as a relatively new EU member state, looking at opportunities and challenges enabling this country to make the step-wise transition from the current dependence on fossil fuels (for energy production), incineration (for a fast way to deal with waste), and landfilling (as a cheap option for disposal) to one which reflects current concerns about climate change and moves towards a more circular resource saving economy. Part of the facilitation towards improvements in structures and processes in CR is to consider innovative developments especially in the area of treatment and recycling of municipal solid waste (MSW) based on mechanical biological treatment (MBT) technologies, as well as lessons learnt from other more advanced EU countries in waste management structures. An appropriate response to the climate change concerns has been the revised targets in reducing landfilling and increasing renewable energy sources towards a more sustainable energy use and waste management. In spite of the fact that the EU has issued key pieces of waste management and renewable energy Directives, compliance with diversion targets away from landfilling and renewable energy quotas are still considered too ambitious and far out of the reach of many Eastern European countries. This research holistically focuses on the MARSS 1 technology and its potential application and stakeholder acceptance in CR. MARSS is one-of-a-kind proven technology to remove and stabilise the biogenic fraction of MSW, to prevent landfilling and yield a refined biomass fuel for combined heat and power (CHP) production. Results from this study indicate that the MARSS technology has a higher potential in helping CR’s obligations to reduce the landfilling of organic material reduce CO2 emissions so complying with Annual Emission Agreements (AEA), as well as with adopted EU legislation in waste management, renewable energy and the circular economy. Based on the interviews carried out with key stakeholder groups, there are some positive indications that MBT plus MARSS could be an option, but it needs more time for development and implementation of new national legislation and an improvement in the markets to encourage confidence in the investment communities.

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support received from the EU Project LIFE11 ENV/DE/343, MARSS “Material Advanced Recovery Sustainable Systems”, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance.

References

  1. [1]  Act no. 185/2001 Coll., On waste; Act no. 477/2001 Coll.
  2. [2]  Baláš M., Lisý M. and Skála Z. (2014), Municipal waste incinerators – waste as fuel. TZB- info 43, 1
  3. [3]  ČAOH (2015), Study Comparison of energy recovery in the CR: Výsledky studie porovnání variant energetického využití odpadů a paliv z odpadů v ČR. http://www.caoh.cz/odborne-clanky-a-aktuality/caoh-vysledky-studie-porovnani-variant-energetickehovyuziti- odpadu-a-paliv-z-odpadu-v-cr.html.
  4. [4]  Clausen A., Giani H., Feil A. and Pretz Th. (2013), Processing concept for the production of biomass fuel from mixed municipal solid waste. In: Cossu R., He P., Kjeldsen P., Matsufuji Y., Reinhard D., Stegmann R. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Waste management and Landfill Symposium, Sardinia, Italy, 30.09 - 4.10.2013. Cisa Publisher, Padova, Italy.
  5. [5]  COM. (2010) 2020 final. COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION. EUROPE 2020 A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:2020:FIN:EN:PDF.
  6. [6]  EU – COM (2011) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions, "Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe".http://ec.europa.eu/environment/resource_efficiency/pdf/com2011_571.
  7. [7]  European Commission, Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe {SEC(2011) 1068 final}. http://www.cepi.org/system/files/public/epw-presentations/2011/Roadmap%20to%20a%20resource%20efficient%20Europe.pdf.
  8. [8]  EU Decision (EU) 2015/1814 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 2015 concerning the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the Union greenhouse gas emission trading scheme and amending Directive 2003/87/EC (Text with EEA relevance). http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2015.264.01.0001.01.ENG.
  9. [9]  EU Decision 15/07/2015 - COM (2015) 337 - Proposal amending Directive 2003/87/EC to enhance cost-effective emission reductions and low carbon investments. (COM/2015/0337 final/2 - 2015/0148 (COD). http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets/revision/docs/impact_ assessment_en.pdf.
  10. [10]  EU Decision No 1386/2013/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 November 2013 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020 ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’. 28.12.2013 Official Journal of the European Union L354/171. http://eurlex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013D1386&from=EN.
  11. [11]  EU Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/ EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02003L0087-20140430&from=EN.
  12. [12]  European Environmental Bureau. (2014), Advancing Resource Efficiency in Europe. Indicators and waste policy scenarios to deliver a resource efficient and sustainable Europe. http://www.eeb.org/EEB.
  13. [13]  European Union Circular Economy package. COM/2015/0614. COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Closing the loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy. http://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/document.cfm?action=display&doc_id=12526.
  14. [14]  Fiorentino, G., Ripa, M., Protano, G., Hornsby, C. and Ulgiati, S. (2015), Life Cycle Assessment of Mixed Municipal Solid Waste: multi-input versus multi-output perspective, Waste Management DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.07.048.
  15. [15]  Hornsby, C., Ripa, M., Vassillo, C. and Ulgiati, S. (2015), The importance of appropriate interaction with stakeholders towards environmentally sensitive policies. In: Book of Proceedings of the Global Cleaner Production and Sustainable Consumption Conference, Elsevier, Sitges, Spain. P.98.
  16. [16]  Hornsby, C., Ripa, M., Vassillo, C. and Ulgiati, S. (2014), Conversion of municipal solid waste into biomass fuel, by means of the MARSS concept. An integrated sustainability assessment. In: Book of Proceedings of the “Symbiosis Conference”, Athens, Greece. Elsevier.
  17. [17]  Hornsby, C., Ripa, M., Vassillo, C. and Ulgiati, S. (2015), A Roadmap towards Integrated Assessment and Participatory Strategies in Support of Decision-Making Processes. The Case of Urban Waste Management. Submitted to Journal of Cleaner Production Special Edition - under review.
  18. [18]  Monzel, M.G., Hornsby, K. and Pretz, T. (2015), Mechanical-biological Stabilization Plant in Trier – Biological Drying and Recovery of Recyclable Materials. In: Thomé-Kozmiensky, K. J. (Hrsg.): Waste Management, Volume 5. Neuruppin: TK Verlag Karl Thomé-Kozmiensky, S. 375-386.
  19. [19]  Waste Management Plan of the Czech Republic (2003-2013), http://www.mzp.cz/C125750E003B698B/en/waste/$FILE/waste_management_plan.pdf.
  20. [20]  Waste Management Plan of the Czech Republic (2015-2024), http://www.mzv.cz/file/1122615/Prezentacja_SOSEXPO_MZP.pdf.
  21. [21]  WCI (2007), Coal conversion facts. www.worldcoal.org. World Coal Institute, London, UK.
  22. [22]  Michel, J.H. (2005), Status and Impacts of the German Lignite Industry. Air Pollution and Climate SErios (18). ISBN: 91-973691-9-5 ISSN: 1400-4909 Published in March 2005 by the Swedish NGO Secretariat on Acid Rain.

Copyright © 2011-2024 L & H Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. Wildcard SSL Certificates