Circular Economy Concepts
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What is a potential outcome of renting products to multiple users instead of selling them?

  • Reduced overall product functionality
  • Increased ownership of products
  • Maintaining value for material suppliers
  • Consumers willing to pay more for renting (correct)

    • What does the micro-level strategy in circular economy focus on?

  • Global decision-making processes
  • Individual products or business innovations (correct)
  • Supply chain management
  • Activities across businesses

    • Which of the following is a limitation to achieving circularity?

  • Low demand for new technologies
  • Global population increase (correct)
  • Availability of materials to recycle (correct)
  • High energy requirements for recycling (correct)

    • What does the term 'rebound effect' refer to?

    <p>Increased consumption due to lower product prices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main limitations of Material Flow Analysis (MFA)?

    <p>It only shows material stocks and flows.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At the meso-level, which strategy is prioritized within the circular economy?

    <p>Improving supply chains and industrial symbiosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of changing fashion and technology in relation to product desirability?

    <p>Functional products may lose desirability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of uncertainty can be introduced when defining the system scope in MFA?

    <p>Model uncertainty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following strategies could help mitigate the constraints of circularity?

    <p>Investing in biotic materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the fridge scenario described, what is the total amount of groceries Martha, Stuart, and John buy in four weeks?

    <p>36 kg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach is not typically involved in achieving circularity?

    <p>Focusing solely on recycling efforts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does MFA deal with missing data when conducting an assessment?

    <p>By using assumptions that must be justified.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately reflects a common stock-and-flow issue?

    <p>Stock losses require compensation through additional purchases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of leftover food in the fridge goes bad each week according to the scenario?

    <p>10%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way Martha, Stuart, and John could potentially reduce food waste?

    <p>Only buy food that lasts longer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is NOT a part of uncertainty in MFA?

    <p>Technological advancements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of energy recovery from municipal solid waste (MSW)?

    <p>It replaces some energy from fossil fuels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which property of a waste fuel is most relevant for energy recovery processes?

    <p>Lower heating value (LHV)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the boiler in the MSW incineration process?

    <p>To boil water for steam generation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following methods yields fuels that are combusted to release heat?

    <p>Anaerobic digestion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the heat of vaporization of water typically considered in energy calculations?

    <p>2.3 MJ/kg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the destruction of organic content in MSW significant in waste management?

    <p>It minimizes waste volume.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What additional information is necessary to calculate the higher heating value (HHV) of a fuel?

    <p>The moisture content of the fuel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant feature of gasification compared to combustion?

    <p>It produces biogas as the main product.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'flow' represent in the context of material flow analysis?

    <p>The amount of materials produced or processed in a specific period</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes a 'stock' in material flow analysis?

    <p>The mass of materials stored and accumulated over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a transfer coefficient?

    <p>The fraction of mixed waste that is converted into separate waste streams</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor that influences the relationship between stocks and flows?

    <p>The product lifetimes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a generic process diagram in material flow analysis?

    <p>To serve as an initial framework for data collection processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can the number of scrapped cars be inferred?

    <p>By analyzing sales data and the average car lifetime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential use for air pollution control residue (APCR)?

    <p>To encapsulate APCR in concrete structures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact do contaminants in APCR have on cement production?

    <p>They can negatively affect both the process and the quality of cement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the induced-draft fan in the flue gas system?

    <p>To draw cooled flue gas through air pollution control systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which components are primarily contained in flue gas from municipal waste incineration?

    <p>Unreacted nitrogen and excess oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of scrubbers are commonly used to react with acid gases in the flue gas stream?

    <p>Semi-dry scrubbers with hydrated lime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following technologies is used for reducing NOx in flue gas emissions?

    <p>Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary environmental concern associated with the emissions from incinerators?

    <p>Toxicity from dioxins and furans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What technology combination does the European Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for Waste Incineration refer to?

    <p>408 technology combinations for emissions control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of filtration system is commonly used in modern incinerators for particulate removal?

    <p>Fabric filters in a baghouse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are modern incinerators designed to avoid the formation of dioxins and furans?

    <p>They are highly toxic and carcinogenic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the four impact categories examined in the study?

    <p>Climate change, human health, ecosystem quality, resource depletion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which climate was the impact of building types NOT tested according to the study?

    <p>Boston</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason supporting the sustainability of building renovation over new construction?

    <p>It can take many years for new energy-efficient buildings to offset their construction's negative environmental impacts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which UN Sustainable Development Goal is NOT directly supported by LCA in the construction sector?

    <p>No poverty (SDG 1)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long can it take for a new energy-efficient building to overcome the environmental impacts of its construction?

    <p>10 to 80 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the importance of examining multiple building types in different climates in this study?

    <p>To evaluate how different conditions affect environmental impact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What common misconception about new energy-efficient buildings is highlighted in the study?

    <p>They are immediately better for the environment than renovated buildings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about building renovation versus new construction is accurate based on the findings of the study?

    <p>Renovating old buildings often has less overall environmental impact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Circular Economy

    • A circular economy is an economic system that aims to achieve sustainability goals through more efficient and circular use of materials.
    • It's defined as a model of production and consumption, involving sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials & products for as long as possible.
    • A circular economy replaces the linear take-make-dispose model with one where materials and products are used more intensively, for longer, and repeatedly.

    Learning Objectives (Circular Economy)

    • Explain the idea, concepts, and principles of a circular economy.
    • Describe the main types and purposes of material loops.
    • Explain the major strategies for achieving a circular economy.
    • Explain how a transition to circularity may take place.
    • Reflect on challenges and limitations regarding circularity.

    The Environment

    • Sustainable yield; the rate at which materials are extracted should not exceed the rate at which they regrow.
    • Stocks of non-renewable materials should be substituted with renewable materials in the long run.
    • Respect limits to the environmental pressures that ecosystems can endure.
    • Circular economy (CE) is tailored to addressing environmental pressures directly related to material use; it is not a comprehensive strategy for all manners of environmental protection.

    Economy

    • In the long term, the economy should gain from the protection of the natural environment, because it critically depends on it for the provision of natural resources.
    • Cost savings may result from extended and repeated use of materials, reducing virgin material demand and input costs for businesses.
    • Price volatility of raw materials can be reduced.
    • Recycling and other circular activities reduce dependence on raw materials.
    • Businesses expect increasing demand for circular products and services (marketing advantages).

    Society

    • A circular economy has the potential to address profound social impacts of production and consumption, although it is often promoted for its environmental and economic benefits.
    • The circular economy is relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Material Circularity

    • CE often distinguishes between two types of materials or 'nutrients': biotic and abiotic.
    • Narrower loops are generally preferred to wider loops because they tend to be more environmentally friendly and require less effort per unit of time.

    Value Creation

    • The circular economy is driven by the observation that many common activities destroy material value.
    • Maintaining value in a circular economy can be achieved by maximizing added value.

    Circular Strategies

    • Micro-level: Strategies that relate to individual products or businesses include product design and business model innovation.
    • Meso-level: Strategies that relate to cross-business activities, focus on improving supply chains and industrial symbiosis.
    • Macro-level: Strategies focused on decision-making at the city, region, national or global level to monitor and support micro- and meso-level activity.

    Limits to Circularity

    • All circular-economy activity requires energy (for transport, cleaning, and disassembly).
    • Many materials are not available to be circled back into the economy and 100% efficient circulation of materials is rarely possible.
    • Global growth in consumption, and changing fashion and technology pose challenges.
    • The rebound effect exists: when waste prevention reduces the cost of a product, people often buy more, leading to further environmental impact.

    Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

    • LCA is a powerful tool used to assess the environmental impact of products, processes, and services throughout their entire life cycle.
    • The course focuses on LCA of products and processes related to buildings, infrastructure, and the built environment in general.
    • Environmental impact includes a wide range of negative effects (stressors).
    • Life cycle thinking is a crucial approach for LCA, based on three key principles: Systems perspective, Long-term view, and Interdisciplinary approach.
    • A YouTube video explains how to map out the life cycle of a product.

    Environmental Footprint

    • Environmental footprint measures the impact of buildings and infrastructure on the environment.
    • Types of environmental footprint include Water Footprint, Carbon Footprint (Climate Change Footprint), Resource Footprint, Atmospheric Footprint, Waste Footprint, and Biodiversity Footprint (Ecological Footprint).

    LCA for Sustainable Construction

    • LCA helps with key decisions about building design, material selection, and construction methods.
    • LCA helps with sustainable infrastructure planning, urban development and impact assessment.
    • LCA can help mitigate climate change, reduce water pollution and reduce resource depletion.

    Benefits of LCA

    • LCA enables the construction sector to contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    • LCA enables life cycle design.
    • LCA practical applications include Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which provide transparent and comparable information about the environmental performance of products over their life cycle, including resource depletion, global warming potential, energy consumption, water consumption, and emissions to air, water, and soil.
    • LEED awards points for using building materials with verified EPDs.

    LCA in Practice

    • Examining impact categories (climate change, human health, ecosystem quality, resource depletion) for different building types and climates; helps determine the environmental impacts of building renovation vs. new construction.
    • Examples of LCA application are the National Trust for Historic Preservation comparing new and renovated building's impact on the environment.

    Hazardous Waste and Risk Management

    • This involves careful handling, specialized containers & transport, and licensed disposal facilities to manage hazardous waste.
    • Specific regulations (e.g., EPA in the US) must be strictly adhered to for liability and risk management purposes.
    • Proper industrial waste management can be expensive.

    Waste Collection and Treatment

    • The purpose and concept of waste treatment (physical, physicochemical, biological & thermal) is covered.
    • The technological basis of widely applied waste treatments include topics like: different treatment processes, the Waste Hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose), global waste statistics, and zero-waste philosophies.
    • Main environmental impacts are discussed for treatment technologies.

    Assessment Methods

    • Main purposes of conducting an impact assessment include material flow analysis (MFA) and lifecycle assessment (LCA).
    • MFA is a systematic assessment of the flows and stocks of materials with a defined system scope/boundary, Input – Output = Stock change.
    • The process diagram is an iterative data-collection process. Methods to address data gaps are presented (e.g., using stock dynamics, stoichiometry, and proxies).
    • Various sources of uncertainty (gaps in data sources) are outlined in MFA, including aspects of data quality. Examples of MFA studies and their importance are provided, e.g., on mapping current flows and recycling potential of paper lifecycle in the EU economy.

    Energy Recovery and Disposal

    • The purpose of energy recovery and controlled disposal, is to understand the process and main aspects of anaerobic digestion, MSW incineration, landfill design, operation, closure and landfill mining and to describe the various final disposal methods.
    • Energy recovery has the additional benefit of replacing some fossil fuels with energy recovered from waste and various waste types as fuel are described in comparison with coal and natural gas
    • Detailed aspects of flue gas cleaning during incineration are provided, covering the common technologies employed for acid gases, NOx and fly ash removal.

    Waste Recycling

    • Purpose, concept, types, process, challenges, limitations and benefits of recycling in material industries, and economic motivations are discussed.
    • The concept of recycling is the reprocessing of waste into a feedstock for making new materials/products.
    • Recycling consists of collection, separation, cleaning/processing into a secondary feedstock.
    • Recycling can reduce impacts from extraction of primary materials, reducing energy, transport and emissions, but may require more water or chemicals, plus some differences in production technology.
    • Recycling and product lifetimes are discussed regarding the completeness of the recycle process.
    • Cases from Jordan and Lebanon regarding waste management efficiency are discussed.

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    The Circular Economy - Final Exam - GJU

    Description

    This quiz explores key concepts and strategies related to the circular economy, including micro and meso-level approaches, limitations to achieving circularity, and the impact of consumer behavior. Test your understanding of terms like rebound effect and material flow analysis.

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