Course Overview

One of the biggest challenges societies face is decoupling economic
growth from environmental pressure within the limits of the earth’s
carrying capacity. The highly inefficient use of natural resources from
extraction to final disposal produces wastes and releases to air, water
and soil. This course introduces the mechanisms and tools necessary to
overcome this challenge through Industrial Ecology (IE). IE focuses on
promoting industrial activities similar to processes in nature. This is
achieved by optimizing energy and material resource use while minimizing
and/or avoiding waste and pollution release. The course outlines the
tools to achieve this goal including resource use optimization through
the 3R Initiative, Life Cycle Assessment, and Material Flow Analysis.
The course will also address the technical and management aspects
including Environmental Management Systems, Cleaner Production and
Design for Environment. At the end of the course the student will
develop analytical skills and learn the tools necessary to design and
implement solutions to the current production and consumption patterns.

Learning Achievement

The course will outline the tools to achieve this goal including resource use optimization through the 3R Initiative proposed by Japan, Life Cycle Assessment, and Material Flow Analysis. The course will also address the technical and management aspects of the concept including Environmental Management Systems, Cleaner Production and Design for Environment. At the end of the course the student will develop analytical skills and learn the tools necessary to design and implement solutions to the current production and consumption patterns.

Competence

Subject-specific Competences:Systematic ecpertise

Course prerequisites

Grading Philosophy

Class attitude

Course schedule

Course Outline: Guidance
Recycling Initiatives focused on Industrial Ecology Concept
Containers and Packaging recycling:
Material Recovery Facilities
Plastic recycling: Mechanical, Feedstock, Energy Recovery
Al and Fe Can Recycling
Recycling Initiatives focused on Industrial Ecology:
Home Appliances Recycling Law: TV, Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Air Conditioners
End Of Life Vehicles Recycling Law: Automobile Shredder Residue (ASR)
Energy Recovery: Incineration
Organic Waste Recovery: Composting and Biogasification
Final Disposal: Landfill
Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment: Applications in waste recycling
Waste Flow Analysis Practice: Life Cycle Inventory Analysis (I)
Waste Flow Analysis Practice: Life Cycle Inventory Analysis (II)
Examples of Industrial Symbiosis: Kalundborg, Eco Towns in Japan, Eco Industrial Parks.
Scenario Modeling: Applications in waste recycling and recovery (I)
Scenario Modeling: Applications in waste recycling and recovery (II)
Scenario Modeling: Applications in waste recycling and recovery (III)

Course type

Lectures

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Yabar Helmut Friedrich

Other information

Site for Inquiry

Link to the syllabus provided by the university