1. Method review for assessing damage to human health in LCA : implementation in the production of selected food productsMatjaž Denac, Tinkara Ošlovnik, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Agriculture and food production can cause a variety of adverse environmental impacts. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the only standardised method so far that provides a comprehensive assessment of the environmental burden of products. LCA results can be expressed as environmental impacts (midpoint level) or environmental damage (endpoint level). Communication on environmental impact is mostly carried out as a part of the Carbon Footprint (CF) or Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), while reporting on environmental damage is rarely used. Due to the growing interest of consumers in ‘healthy’ food, it is important that food producers address the environmental damage. Therefore, an overview of existing Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods that provide insight into endpoint indicators describing damage to human health has been performed and presented in this paper. The application of the selected LCIA methods is demonstrated for the case of food products, highlighting the fact that the results obtained by different LCIA methods are not directly comparable due to a variety of methodological limitations, such as the existence of different environmental indicators and their structure. Finally, the usage of the LCA method for designing food products is presented, with the aim of enabling consumers to choose diets with lower environment and human health impacts.
Ključne besede: sustainable food consumption, eco-conscious choices, life cycle assessment, environmental impact, human health
Objavljeno v DKUM: 23.09.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 4
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2. A comprehensive review of the advances, manufacturing, properties, innovations, environmental impact and applications of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)Gregor Kravanja, Ahmad Rizwan Mumtaz, Stojan Kravanja, 2024, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: The article presents the progress and applications of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), a revolutionary material in modern construction that offers unparalleled strength, durability, and sustainability. The overview includes the historical development of UHPC, covering its production and design aspects, including composition and design methodology. It describes the mechanical properties and durability of UHPC and highlights recent innovations and research breakthroughs. The potential integration of multifunctional properties such as self-heating, self-sensing, self-luminescence and superhydrophobicity, is explored. In addition, advances in nanotechnology related to UHPC are addressed. Beyond the actual material properties, the article presents an environmental impact assessment and a life-cycle cost analysis, providing an insight into the wider implications of using UHPC. To illustrate the environmental aspects, the determination of CO2 emissions is explained using three numerical examples. Finally, various applications of UHPC are presented, focusing on the construction of buildings and bridges. By synthesizing the above-mentioned aspects, this review paper captures the dynamic landscape of UHPC and serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers in the field of construction materials.
Ključne besede: ultra-high-performance concrete, UHPC, manufacturing, mechanical properties, durability, multifunctionality, environmental impact assessment, life-cycle costs
Objavljeno v DKUM: 02.07.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 28
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3. Sustainability aspects of food and drinks offered in vending machines at Slovenian universitiesUrška Rozman, Mateja Lorber, Anja Bolha, Jasmina Bevc Bahar, Miha Lavrič, Sonja Šostar-Turk, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Introduction: Vending machines offer a convenient way for food distribution, particularly favored by employees, students, and individuals seeking a quick snack. Food vending machines typically offer unhealthy, calorie-dense, and nutrient-poor options, which contribute to the rise of non-communicable diseases. Creating a healthier food environment is crucial, particularly in universities where students are developing their eating habits and becoming more independent. Key considerations for vending machines include the quality, nutritional value, and price of the products with a recent and growing attention toward sustainability. Methods: The present study thoroughly examined 30 vending machines across 30 faculties in Slovenia. The analysis focused on assessing the variety and sustainability of the available products. The following was evaluated through three primary criteria, based on the information available on the product label: nutritional quality, environmental impact (palm oil content, packaging materials, and sustainability certificates), and socioeconomic indicators (suitability for people with special dietary needs). Results: The results revealed a low proportion of products met the proposed sustainability criteria, highlighting the need to promote sustainability in the vending machine industry. Although food categories like dairy products, fruits, and nuts have better nutritional profiles, they are underrepresented. In contrast, items like biscuits, crisps, snacks, and pre-prepared sandwiches often exceed recommended fat, salt, and sugar levels. More than one-quarter of products contained palm oil, only two were labeled as palm oil-free, and a limited proportion of products were suitable for individuals with special dietary requirements such as gluten sensitivity and lactose intolerance. Discussion: Improving the food selection in vending machines, guided by suggested sustainability criteria, presents a promising strategy for reshaping the food environment and promoting sustainable healthy diets, taking into account nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic indicators.
Ključne besede: vending machines, university, food nutritional quality, sustainability, environmental impact
Objavljeno v DKUM: 02.07.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 3
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4. The neobanks and sustainabilityAleksandra Amon, Timotej Jagrič, Žan Oplotnik, 2024, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: The rise of fintech in the financial sector presents a transformative shift towards digitalisation and sustainability on a global scale, leveraging technologies like AI to minimise environmental footprint. Neobanks not only challenge traditional banking models but also offer innovative solutions that align with sustainable objectives. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of neobanks on global sustainability from economic, environmental, and social points of view. A comprehensive literature review of existing literature and current sustainable practices of neobanks was conducted. Results reveal that neobanks significantly positively contribute towards environmental sustainability with reduced paper use and logistics requirements of banking services. By offering more accessible and affordable banking services they importantly contribute towards higher financial inclusion, and with innovative products towards more competitive and innovative financial markets. AI-based tools they employ are increasing financial literacy and social inclusion. This article also highlights concerns regarding electronic waste management, potential high energy consumption, required digital literacy and cybersecurity risks. In conclusion, despite the mentioned risks, neobanks importantly contribute to global sustainability in many ways and will even more in the future. These findings can help neobanks shape sustainable practices and guide policymaking, as well as spread awareness of the sustainable impact of banking services.
Ključne besede: fintech, banks, neobanks, sustainability, environmental impact, financial inclusion
Objavljeno v DKUM: 01.07.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 20
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5. Navigational regime issues on the Soča river compared to the Douro river in Portugal: Challenges of tourism and environmental protectionMatevž Poklukar, 2025, magistrsko delo Opis: This thesis examines the economic, environmental and governance challenges of river tourism, focusing on the Soča river in Slovenia and the Douro river in Portugal. The study aims to analyse how sustainable tourism management strategies can be optimised to balance environmental conservation and economic benefits in river-based tourism.
To achieve this, we employ a comparative case study approach, combining survey data from local stakeholders in the Soča Valley and extensive literature of tourism policies and environmental regulations. Findings reveal that the Douro river benefits from a structured governance model, effectively integrating tourism with conservation and agriculture. On the other hand, the Soča river faces fragmented policies, environmental degradation, and seasonal overcrowding, leading to economic volatility and stakeholder dissatisfaction.
The study identifies key areas for policy improvement, including the introduction of a unified navigation authority, increased reinvestment in conservation, a tiered permit system differentiating between kayaking and rafting and infrastructure improvements. Additionally, case studies on the Zambezi river and Little Yampa Canyon demonstrate the benefits of controlled permit systems and reinvestment models.
The research concludes that effective governance is crucial for achieving sustainable river tourism. By adopting structured management strategies, the Soča Valley could enhance economic resilience while mitigating environmental risks. The findings offer practical recommendations for tourism operators, local stakeholders and policymakers, providing a framework for balancing long-term sustainability with tourism growth.
Ključne besede: Sustainable tourism, river management, environmental conservation, economic impact, governance strategies
Objavljeno v DKUM: 27.06.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 7
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6. Environmental impact assessment of organic rankine cycle using waste heat from the aluminium industryMonika Dokl, Gaja Strajnar, Annamaria Vujanović, Jan Puhar, Zdravko Kravanja, Lidija Čuček, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Waste heat recovery technologies play an important role in enhancing energy efficiency and supporting sustainable energy production. This study investigates the utilization of waste heat from aluminium production through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system to generate electricity and heat simultaneously. Based on operational data from an aluminium plant, the system is firstly optimized from both the thermodynamic and economic perspectives. To maximize performance and to identify optimal configurations, a mathematical model is developed and solved using GAMS, capturing the complex interdependencies between the operational, economic and thermodynamic parameters. The environmental impact of the optimized scenarios is subsequently evaluated using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), considering a broad range of impact categories. The results indicate a maximum power output of 830.9 kW and a maximum net present value (NPV) of 51.71 M€, confirming the system’s technical and economic viability. The environmental assessment demonstrates the potential of ORC systems as sustainable energy solutions, with significant environmental unburdening under optimized operating conditions (up to -606.0 kg CO2 eq./h). A sensitivity analysis indicates that the greatest environmental benefits occur under the optimal thermodynamic scenario, achieved through the utilization of higher-energy flue gas streams (up to -515.0 kg CO2 eq./h), and under the optimal economic scenario by balancing the electricity and heat prices optimally for simultaneous heat and power production (up to -696.7 kg CO2 eq./h). These findings highlight the importance of the thermal input quality and availability in maximizing ORC performance. With the ability to prioritize electricity, heat, or both, the optimized ORC systems support flexible energy solutions tailored to specific applications and environmental conditions, offering a promising pathway for unburdening the environment through the efficient utilization of industrial waste heat.
Ključne besede: waste heat recovery, aluminium production, organic rankine cycle, environmental impact, life cycle assessment, sustainable energy solutions
Objavljeno v DKUM: 13.06.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 19
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7. Assessing the effects of a hydropower plant basin on fish spawning in an upstream river tributaryGorazd Hren, Andrej Predin, Matej Fike, Marko Pezdevšek, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This paper presents a combined modeling approach to evaluate the ecological effects on the habitat of an upstream tributary of a river with a series of hydropower plants. The influence is investigated of the last planned hydropower plant to be built, which has a large impact on the river ecosystem. The new hydropower plant basin will affect the tributary with hydropeaking in the upstream basin. A simulation was conducted of spawning conditions for two protected fish species. The analysis combined a hydro-morphological model with a fish module that considers the water depth and velocity necessary for fish reproduction. The different river discharge scenarios were simulated, incorporating the hydropeaking effects of the new hydropower plant basin on the upstream tributary. With the new hydropower plant, sustainable measures are planned to prevent the damaging negative impacts that could lead to the degradation of the river ecosystem and the destruction of the existing ecosystem at the river’s confluence. The results indicate that, after the hydropower plant begins operation, the habitat`s suitability will decrease, and the planned sustainable measures will not provide a fully satisfactory solution.
Ključne besede: environmental impact, habitat sustainability, hydro-dynamic model
Objavljeno v DKUM: 11.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 39
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8. Durability and degradation of PVC-P roofing membrane—example of dynamic fatigue testingAndrej Ivanič, Samo Lubej, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This paper presents a study of PVC-P waterproofing membrane Specimens. The Specimens
were taken from different segments of a flat roof after a service life of 11 years. The reason for
analysing the condition of the Specimens was the apparent degradation of the waterproofing, which
no longer guaranteed the watertightness of the roof. The analysis of the performance of the Specimens
was based on the control of the mechanical properties, which were compared with the declared
values. The mechanical properties of the degraded PVC-P waterproofing membranes with a polyester
mesh backing, which are prescribed by the standards, do not usually deviate from the declared
properties. This often poses a problem for liability and warranty claims due to the poor quality
of the waterproofing membrane. There may be several causes of degradation of PVC-P. For this
reason, in this paper, we present the possibility of controlling the properties of PVC-P waterproofing
membranes using cyclic dynamic fatigue, microstructure analysis using scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the cause of the deterioration
of the PVC-P waterproofing membranes is often related to dehydrochlorination of the polymer.
However, the deterioration of the mechanical properties of the PVC-P waterproofing membranes can
be successfully demonstrated by cyclic dynamic fatigue.
Ključne besede: environmental impact of polymers, durability, polymer degradation
Objavljeno v DKUM: 13.03.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 11
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9. Fuel conservation for launch vehicles: Falcon Heavy case studyPrimož Jozič, Aleksander Zidanšek, Robert Repnik, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Space exploration has recently been growing at an increasing pace and has caused a significant burden to the environment, in particular, during the launch of rockets, when a large amount of fuel is burned and the exhaust gases are released in the air. For this case study, we selected the SpaceX Falcon Heavy reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle, which is one of the most promising rockets for the low-cost lifting of heavy payloads into orbit and beyond. We evaluated several strategies for optimisation of fuel consumption and for minimisation of environmental impact during launch through the atmosphere for the case of its first launch on February 6, 2018, when the rocket carried a red Tesla Roadster with a "Starman" in the direction toward Mars. In addition to the flight plan and Newtonian equations of motion, we have taken into account the thermodynamic properties of the rocket engines. Results are similar but slightly different if one minimises the total fuel consumption for the desired flight plan or if one minimises the environmental pollution during the initial stage of the launch through the atmosphere. The same methodology can be extended for launches in other directions including the Earth orbit and the Moon.
Ključne besede: fuel conservation, heavy-lift launch vehicles, environmental impact
Objavljeno v DKUM: 24.01.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 9
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10. The perception of sustainability competences in logistics and supply chainsMateja Čuček, Sonja Mlaker Kač, Matevž Obrecht, Lazar Pavić, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The European Union (EU) has adopted a huge number of guidelines and policies to promote sustainability in different sectors. The study focuses on the twin green and digital transformation, which is particularly highlighted in the context of the European Green Deal, a comprehensive strategy to tackle climate change and environmental degradation while embracing digital innovation for economic growth and societal progress. These guidelines and policies show the EU's commitment to promoting sustainability in different sectors and to achieving the objectives of climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development. One of the areas that plays an important role for the individuals as well as for the economy is logistics and supply chain management. The main research question of this study is to investigate the relationship between the basic sociodemographic characteristics and their perception of the importance of sustainability competences in logistics and supply chains in the future. The study was carried using survey questionnaire on employees in the field of logistics and supply chains in Slovenia. The results show the main statistically significant differences in these perceptions are primary based on differences in employees demographic characteristics, such as gender, age and level of education of the employees.
Ključne besede: sustainable competences, sustainability, environmental impact, corporate social responsibility
Objavljeno v DKUM: 29.11.2024; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 23
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