1. The environmental and biodiversity impacts of a new cableway system : a comprehensive life cycle assessmentAnnamaria Vujanović, Andrea Mio, Rok Pučnik, Nicola Blasuttigh, Damjan Krajnc, Maurizio Fermeglia, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Cars are still used as the primary mode of transportation for daily commuting, with their emissions significantly affecting urban air quality, contributing to overall greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts to reduce car dependency have led to exploration of alternative transportation options such as cableway systems in urban areas. However, limited information exists regarding the environmental impacts and biodiversity implications of such systems. This study conducted a comparative life cycle assessment between a proposed cableway system for the city of Trieste, Italy and its current car transportation mode. The analysis considered both daily operational profiles and passenger occupancy rates of the cableway system. Drawing from similar cableway systems worldwide, it was calculated that the proposed Trieste cableway would accommodate 2007 daily passengers, on average. Results from the environmental assessment revealed that the cableway's operational phase had by far the greatest impact on all environmental categories, followed by its construction and by land clearance. Additionally, the use phase was found to be the major cause for most biodiversity loss, particularly towards terrestrial ecosystems. Comparisons of life cycle GHG emissions between the cableway and car transportation indicated that the cableway system would be a preferable option if the daily average passengers would reach at least 3,908, which is almost double than the expected ones. Furthermore, the cableway system exhibited larger environmental impacts across most categories compared to current car transportation. Thus, this study challenges the perception that the cableway system is a more sustainable option compared to conventional modes of transport, as additional factors need to be considered for a broader overview of the environmental performances.
Keywords: life cycle assessment, cableway, ropeway, urban, biodiversity, carbon footprint
Published in DKUM: 23.04.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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2. Youth awareness and attitudes towards a circular economy to achieve the green deal goalsDamjan Krajnc, Darko Kovačič, Eva Žunec, Kristijan Brglez, Rebeka Kovačič Lukman, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: In order to approach a system change towards a circular economy model (CE) in Europe,
the entrepreneurial activities of young people need to be encouraged to achieve the Green Deal (GD)
goals. This article presents the evaluation results of young people’s awareness and attitudes towards
the CE and the GD. The data used in this study was collected by surveying 286 young people from five
European countries. The questionnaire covered four areas: (1) belief, (2) knowledge, (3) competence,
and (4) young people’s ability to deal with the CE. Descriptive and exploratory factor analysis (EFA)
was conducted to analyse the questionnaire on the basic factors that motivate young people to the CE
and GD. A literature review was conducted to identify the main research concepts and connections.
A review included two phases, the first encompassing a search through the Web of Science (WoS)
Core Collection for research papers meaningful for further research, followed by Leximancer analysis.
The analysis showed that young people believe in the principles and priorities of CE but do not
receive enough support to participate and implement the priorities actively. Formal education does
not provide enough knowledge to work in this field actively. They are primarily undecided about
their understanding of the principles of CE. Responses to whether they can implement the project,
business, or entrepreneurial ideas are also uninspiring. Young people do not see themselves as
creators of change towards the CE. However, it is encouraging that they approach the CE from
different angles and show responsible behaviour in everyday life. Young people’s ability to reason,
think, evaluate, connect, and create new solutions for the CE is not enviable. Most respondents did
not comment on their competence in concepts of the GD and CE. It is encouraging to know that they
have already heard about the CE’s goals and action plan. Young people do not show significant skills
in the practical implementation of CE principles. The analysis has shown that young people are
particularly unable to reason, think, and evaluate in an entrepreneurial way when linking the CE
to business opportunities. Relating them to business models and entrepreneurship also seems to be
problematic. As a result, the majority of them are unable to design, develop, and create new business
solutions.
Keywords: circular economy, Green Deal, youth, awarenes, competecies
Published in DKUM: 14.02.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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3. Global projections of plastic use, end-of-life fate and potential changes in consumption, reduction, recycling and replacement with bioplastics to 2050Monika Dokl, Anja Copot, Damjan Krajnc, Yee Van Fan, Annamaria Vujanović, Kathleen B. Aviso, Raymond R. Tan, Zdravko Kravanja, Lidija Čuček, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Excessive production, indiscriminate consumption, and improper disposal of plastics have led to plastic pollution and its hazardous environmental effects. Various approaches to tackle the challenges of reducing the plastic footprint have been developed and applied, such as the production of alternative materials (design for recycling), the production and use of biodegradable plastic and plastics from power-to-X, and the development of recycling approaches. This study proposes an optimisation strategy based on regression to evaluate and predict plastic use and end-of-life fate in the future based on historical trends. The mathematical model is formulated and correlations based on functions of time are developed and optimised by minimising the sum of squared residuals. The plastic quantities up to the year 2050 are projected based on historical trends analysis, and for improved sustainability, projections are additionally based on intervention analyses. The results show that the global use of plastics is expected to increase from 464 Mt in 2020 up to 884 Mt in 2050, with up to 4725 Mt of plastics accumulated in stock in 2050 (from the year 2000). Compared to other available forecasts, a slightly lower level of plastic use and stock are obtained. The intervention analysis estimates a range of global plastics' consumption between 594 Mt and 1018 Mt in 2050 by taking into account its different increment rates (between −1 % and 2.65 %). In the packaging sector, the implementation of reduction targets (15 % reduction in 2040 compared to 2018) could lead to a 27.3 % decrease in plastic use in 2050 as compared to 2018, while achieving recycling targets (55 % in 2030) would recycle >75 % of plastic packaging in 2050. The partial substitution of fossil-based plastics with bioplastics (polyethylene) will require significant land area, between 0.2 × 106 km2 for obtaining switchgrass and up to around 1.0 × 106 km2 for obtaining forest residue (annual yields of 58.15 t/ha and 3.5 t/ha) in 2050. The intervention analysis shows that proactive policies can mitigate sustainability challenges, however achieving broader sustainability goals also requires reduction of footprints related to energy production and virgin plastic production, the production of bio-based plastics, and the full implementation of recycling initiatives.
Keywords: plastic use, plastic waste, end-of-life fate, forecasting, hostorical trends, regression analysis, least square method, intervention analysis
Published in DKUM: 31.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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4. Life cycle assessment (LCA) of the impact on the environment of a cosmetic cream with gold nanoparticles and hydroxylated fullerene ingredientsRebeka Rudolf, Peter Majerič, Zorka Novak-Pintarič, Andrej Horvat, Damjan Krajnc, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This review provides a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a cosmetic cream to assess the environmental impacts throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal, using the methodology according to international standards. The LCA was performed using the OpenLCA 2.0.1 software, with data from the Ecoinvent 3.8 database and relevant literature. The assessment focused on multiple impact categories, including climate change, acidification, eutrophication (freshwater, marine and terrestrial), ecotoxicity (freshwater), human toxicity (cancer and non-cancer), ionizing radiation, land use, ozone depletion, photochemical ozone formation, resource use (fossils, minerals and metals), and water use. The LCA of a cosmetic cream containing gold nanoparticles revealed significant environmental impacts across critical categories. The total climate change potential was 2596.95 kg CO2 eq., driven primarily by nanoparticle synthesis (60.7%) and electricity use (31.9%). Eutrophication of freshwater had the highest normalized result (3.000), with nanoparticle synthesis contributing heavily, indicating the need for improved wastewater treatment. The resource use (minerals and metals) scored 1.856, while the freshwater ecotoxicity reached 80,317.23 CTUe, both driven by the nanoparticle production. The human toxicity potentials were 1.39 × 10−6 CTUh (cancer) and 7.45 × 10−5 CTUh (non-cancer), linked to emissions from synthesis and energy use. The LCA of the cosmetic cream revealed several critical areas of environmental impact. The most significant impacts are associated with gold nanoparticle synthesis and electricity use. Addressing these impacts through optimized synthesis processes, improved energy efficiency, and alternative materials can enhance the product’s sustainability profile significantly.
Keywords: life cycle assessment, cosmetic cream, environmental impacts, gold nanoparticles
Published in DKUM: 17.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 15
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5. A conceptual model for measuring a circular economy of seaports: a case study on Antwerp and Koper portsRebeka Kovačič Lukman, Kristijan Brglez, Damjan Krajnc, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: This paper introduces a conceptual model for evaluating seaports’ acceleration towards the circular economy. The model is based on the identification and definition of circular economy indicators, weighted according to the 9 R-strategy transitions towards the circular economy. We have employed the analytical hierarchy process for weight detection and further calculations of the final seaport circularity value. Our results suggest conceptual validity and provide a detailed insight into the circular activities of the seaports from the indicators, as well as 9 Rs and sustainability perspectives.
Keywords: circular economy, ports, methodology, circular economy indicators, Koper, Antwerp
Published in DKUM: 19.06.2024; Views: 174; Downloads: 184
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6. Hydrogen production, storage and transport for renewable energy and chemicals : An environmental footprint assessmentRobert Hren, Annamaria Vujanović, Yee Van Fan, Damjan Krajnc, Jiri Klemeš, Lidija Čuček, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: hydrogen producing technologies, hydrogen storage, hydrogen transport, life cycle assessment, different electricity sources, energy and environmental footprints, eco-benefit and eco-cost, comparative impact assessment
Published in DKUM: 10.05.2024; Views: 240; Downloads: 82
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7. Celostno vrednotenje življenjskega cikla embalaže za paradižnik iz vidika vplivov na okolje : diplomsko delo univerzitetnega študijskega programaNika Purešević, 2022, undergraduate thesis Abstract: Ta naloga predstavlja celovito oceno življenjskega cikla embalaže za paradižnik iz vidika vplivov na okolje. V nalogi so analizirane štiri različne plastične embalaže za paradižnik – polipropilenska folija, polipropilenska vrečka kombinirana s kartonsko škatlo iz valovitega recikliranega papirja, navadna plastična vrečka iz polietilena nizke gostote in škatla iz recikliranega polietilena tereftalata. Analizo vrednotenja življenjskega cikla smo izvedli z uporabo programskega orodja Open LCA in CML Centrum voor Milieukunde Leiden, metodo za vrednotenje vplivov. Rezultati so pokazali, da imata procesa proizvodnje plastične embalaže in kartonske škatle največji vpliv na okolje. Gledano skozi celoten življenjski cikel, predstavlja R PET škatla najslabšo možnost za izbiro embalaže, saj ima vpliv na večino okoljskih kazalcev izrazitejši, v primerjavi z drugimi embalažami. LDPE in PP vrečka nista tako sporni za okolje, kot pa R PET škatla ali celo sestavljena embalaža iz PP folije in kartonske škatle. Vse embalaže pa dosegajo največje vplive na okolje v kategoriji globalnega segrevanja ozračja.
Keywords: življenjski cikel, plastična embalaža, polipropilen, reciklirani polietilen tereftalat, polietilen nizke gostote, vpliv na okolje
Published in DKUM: 16.01.2023; Views: 693; Downloads: 73
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8. Pregled tehnologij proizvodnje vodika in ocena njihovih vplivov na okolje : magistrsko deloRobert Hren, 2022, master's thesis Abstract: Izčrpavanje fosilnih virov ter emisije toplogrednih plinov sta najpomembnejša motivacijska dejavnika za prehod iz tradicionalnih energetskih sistemov na inovativne in bolj trajnostne alternative. Vodik predstavlja eno izmed teh možnosti, saj ima visok izkoristek pretvorbe energije, proizvaja se lahko iz vode, ki je v izobilju, omogoča več načinov shranjevanja, lahko se pretvarja v druge oblike energije in ima višjo energijsko vrednost v primerjavi s fosilnimi gorivi. Vodik ima široko možnost uporabe, pri čemer se ga večina uporablja za proizvodnjo kemikalij kot so amonijak, dušikova (V) kislina, metanol, klorovodikova kislina, vodikov peroksid in številnih drugih. Uporablja se tudi kot vir energije za transport, kot raketno gorivo, za redukcijo, za gretje in hlajenje in druge namene. Kot surovina je prisoten v raznih industrijskih procesih, kot je proizvodnja goriv v rafinerijah, redukcija kovinskih rud, proizvodnja nasičenih maščob in druge.
V sklopu magistrske naloge smo pregledali različne načine proizvodnje vodika in jih primerjali iz vidika vplivov na okolje. Analizirali smo sledeče načine proizvodnje vodika: klasična proizvodnja vodika iz zemeljskega plina, proizvodnja vodika z uporabo elektrolize vode, pridobivanje vodika iz bioplina in biomase, proizvodnja iz odpadnega aluminija, proizvodnja vodika iz alkohola, proizvodnja iz glicerola kot stranskega produkta proizvodnje biodizla ter proizvodnja vodika iz kislih plinov. Z uporabo programskega orodja OpenLCA in podatkovnih baz Ecoinvent ter Gabi smo analizirali njihov vpliv na okolje iz vidika odtisa toplogrednih plinov, energijskega odtisa, zakisljevanja, evtrofikacije in strupenosti za ljudi. Dobljene rezultate smo med seboj dodatno primerjali z upoštevanjem različnih virov električne energije.
Z analizo življenjskega cikla smo ugotovili, da sta na podlagi ocenjenih okoljskih kazalcev najboljši tehnologiji parno reformiranje glicerola in odpadnega alkohola. Prav tako uporaba obnovljivih virov za pridobivanje električne energije drastično zmanjša okoljske vplive, še posebej pri tehnologiji elektrolize vode.
Keywords: Vodik, proizvodne tehnologije, analiza življenjskega cikla, okoljski odtis, vpliv na okolje in zdravje ljudi
Published in DKUM: 04.05.2022; Views: 1363; Downloads: 176
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9. Modeliranje ogljičnega odtisa metilirane melaminske smole : diplomsko delo visokošolskega strokovnega študijskega programa I. stopnjeBorut Solina, 2021, undergraduate thesis Abstract: Podnebne spremembe in globalno segrevanje sodita med glavne probleme na svetu, zato države in podjetja stremijo k temu, da bi preprečila ali vsaj zmanjšala vzroke teh pojavov. Eden izmed načinov za dosego tega cilja je zmanjšanje emisij toplogrednih plinov v industriji, zato smo v diplomskem delu v sodelovanju s podjetjem Melamin iz Kočevja razvili model za ocenjevanje ogljičnega odtisa za produkt metilirano melaminsko smolo heksametoksimetilol melamin. Za osnovo smo uporabili metodologijo ISCC+ in v izračun vključili emisije toplogrednih plinov, ki nastajajo pri transportu kemikalij in proizvodnji produkta in ne za celotni življenjski cikel izdelka. Za to metodologijo smo se odločili zaradi pobude podjetja Melamin. Za transport smo ugotovili, da je iz vidika ogljičnega odtisa najbolj ugodno, da se na kopnem kemikalije prevažajo z železniškim transportom namesto s cestnim in preko morij z ladijskim prevozom namesto letalskim. Pri proizvodnji produkta smo ugotovili, da je za zmanjšanje ogljičnega odtisa potrebno kemikalije, pridobljene iz fosilnih virov, zamenjati s kemikalijami, pridobljenimi iz bioosnovanih virov. Primerjali smo metanol na osnovi fosilnih virov z biometanolom iz podjetij BioMCN in Sodra. Količina nastalih emisij v proizvodnji z uporabo metanola na osnovi fosilnih virov je bila 3,88 tCO2eq/tprod. Če smo uporabili biometanol iz podjetja BioMCN, se je ogljični odtis zmanjša na 3,40 tCO2eq/tprod, medtem ko so z biometanolom podjetja Sodra bile emisije še nižje in sicer 3,05 tCO2eq/tprod. Pomembno je tudi, da se vsaj del porabljene elektrike proizvaja iz nefosilnih virov, kot je denimo lesna biomasa, saj se s tem zelo zmanjša ogljični odtis. Podjetje pridobiva 25 % električne energije iz lesne biomase in s tem zmanjša ogljični odtis zaradi porabe elektrike za 22,14 % v primerjavi s celotnim odjemom iz omrežja.
Keywords: ogljični odtis, ogljikov dioksid, transport, proizvodnja, emisija, metilirana melaminska smola
Published in DKUM: 22.09.2021; Views: 983; Downloads: 101
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10. Trajnostno usmerjen pristop k merljivim in nenehnim izboljšavam v predelovalnih dejavnostihDamjan Krajnc, 2011, original scientific article Abstract: Trajnostni razvoj temelji na tridimenzijskem konceptu, ki vključuje okoljsko delovanje, družbeno odgovornost in ekonomski prispevek. V članku je predlagana metodologija za merjeno doseganje trajnostnega razvoja podjetij, ki temelji na devetih stopnjah. Prednost in posebnost metodologije je v vključitvi matematičnega modela za izračun sestavljenega indeksa trajnostnega razvoja podjetja, ki predstavlja združeno informacijo o delovanju podjetja na vseh treh dimenzijah trajnosti. Uporabnost modela je predstavljena v študiji primera. Predlagana metodologija vključuje tudi stopnjo za ocenitev delovanja podjetja glede na standarde najboljših razpoložljivih tehnik, definiranih v skladu s smernico o celovitem preprečevanju in obvladovanju onesnaževanja. V ta namen je bil razvit model za primerjanje delovanja podjetij z najvišjimi standardi v sektorju, kot jih definirajo referenčni dokumenti o najboljših razpoložljivih tehnikah. Učinkovitost modela je bila preizkušena v študiji primera, v kateri smo primerjalno ocenili vzorčno podjetje.
Keywords: trajnostni razvoj, razvoj, merjenje, kazalniki, indeksi, primerjave, ocenjevanje, smernice, tehnologija
Published in DKUM: 10.07.2015; Views: 896; Downloads: 48
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