5 Tips For Making Your Business Operations Sustainable

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The Earth’s condition is getting much worse than in previous decades; weather patterns are changing, temperatures are rising, the ozone layer is depleting, and polar ice caps are melting. Thus, the call for sustainable operations has become a high-level priority for many businesses.

Implementing sustainability in business operations offers many benefits. Aside from having a good conscience from observing environmentally-friendly practices, many people may also appreciate the goodness you’re spreading by producing long-lasting, eco-friendly, and recyclable goods. They’ll support your business, purchase your products, and help your brand grow.

How to Make Your Business Operations Sustainable

On top of that, going sustainable also helps you minimize your carbon footprint, electricity consumption, and water usage. And with this, you’ll be able to save a significant amount of money that you can use for more essential business processes to reach your goals in no time.

To help you get started in transforming and making your business operations more sustainable and eco-friendlier, below are some tips and tricks you can consider:

1. Use Environmental Health Software

In today’s digital landscape, there’s a software application for almost everything you need, including an app that can help you grow your business sustainably.

An environmental health safety software, for instance. It’s an application designed to help organizations comply effectively with different rules and regulations for a sustainable operation. It’s cost-efficient, generally easy to set up, and has 24/7 customer support in case there are problems while using it.

Here are some important features you can use:

  • Measuring Sustainability: This feature allows you to check how sustainable your business is based on different key performance indicators. It provides insight that allows you to track your progress and identify unsustainable potholes in your system.
  • Industrial Hygiene Management: This feature focuses on preventing potential hazards that can put your employees at risk and mitigating them for a safe and healthy workplace.
  • Environmental Management: This feature can help you monitor water usage and waste production. Also, it can keep you on track with your sustainability metrics and ensure that you comply with different requirements.

Furthermore, the software is mobile-friendly. You can check the status of your program to see if you’re on top of your goals wherever you are.

2. Check Your HVAC Units

Are you having problems with your energy consumption? Does your bill increase constantly every month? If this is the case, you might want to checkup your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units. They might be the reason for your overwhelming electrical charges.

The first thing to do is evaluate the age of your HVAC system. If it’s been there with you for more than 15 years, it’d be best to replace it with a new one. Old HVAC units are known to consume more energy than new ones. Higher energy consumption means less sustainable operations.

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Also, new HVAC models require less energy to operate. On top of that, they’re more efficient and quieter than the older models. So, don’t hesitate to replace your decade-old HVAC systems to achieve a more sustainable business environment.

3. Improve Your Lighting

Another simple trick to help reduce your energy consumption is to replace your light bulbs with newer and energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) types. Compared to traditional incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, these light sources may help you significantly save energy.

While LED light bulbs are generally more expensive than non-LED types, they can help you save more in the long run. And with that, they’re still the better option when it comes to lighting fixtures.

On top of that, LED light bulbs also have a longer shelf life of up to ten years, based on normal usage. Therefore, switching to LED light bulbs may not only save you from costly energy consumption but also on maintenance fees.

4. Reduce Water Consumption

Water is an important resource for everyday use. However, the water supply across the world continues to become scarce. That’s why it’s crucial to do your part in saving water and reducing water waste in all aspects of your business operations.

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Also, don’t forget to conduct different audits and routine checkups to determine any leakages under your pipelines. Check all the facilities where water runs, including toilet rooms and faucets. This can help you prevent wasting water unnecessarily and the drastic increase in your water bills.

Furthermore, if you have extra funds, you may build a small water treatment facility to treat and reuse wastewater and help the world preserve its natural water resources.

5. Go Paperless

Perhaps, this tip is one of the simplest and easiest ways to make your business operations sustainable. By implementing a paperless approach in the workplace, you can significantly help trim down paper usage and the need to purchase additional stacks of papers for business needs.

This tip is relatively easy, considering how most businesses are now shifting to digital platforms such as using email for faxing in the cloud when conducting transactions and sharing documents. You can also encourage your team members to skip printing documents for signatures, especially since there are various e-signature applications available today.

Final Words

Sustainable business operations are a top priority for most businesses. These allow them to save more on expenses and billings and help preserve the environment.

As a good starting point, you may embrace and implement the tips discussed above- conduct regular audits and check to identify potential problems in your HVAC system, upgrade your light bulbs into LEDs, reduce water consumption, and switch to paperless business transactions. Furthermore, use the environmental health safety software to help you keep track of your status regarding your sustainable practices and improve what needs to be improved.

Understanding Carbon Footprint

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With rising awareness of global warming and effects of emissions on the environment, corporates and individuals alike are rising to tackle environmental issues. Carbon footprinting, the first step to reduce carbon emissions, is the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product. The main reason for calculating a carbon footprint is to inform decisions on how to reduce the climate change impact of a company, service or product. Carbon footprints are measured by undertaking a greenhouse gas assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it.

Why Carbon Footprint?

Growing public awareness about climate change and global warming has resulted in an increasing interest in ‘carbon footprinting’. The global community now recognizes the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. The most popular methods to reduce carbon footprint include use of alternative energy, reforestation, waste reduction and energy efficiency. Population, economic output, primary energy mix and carbon intensity are the major parameters in determining the carbon footprint of a particular country.

Carbon footprint is the foremost indicator of environmental responsibility and helps to identify climate impacts and lower them cost-effectively by strategic and operative planning, constructing a climate policy, environmental reporting etc. In addition, carbon footprint promotes positive, environmentally conscious company image and can boost the marketing of an organization and its products.

Types of Carbon Footprint

There are different types of carbon footprint, e.g. for organisations, individuals, products, services, and events.  Different types of carbon footprint have different methods and boundaries. The various approaches and types of greenhouse gas assessment are discussed below.

  • Product Carbon Footprint is suited for organizations which have distinct products and services. It delivers a view of GHG emissions specific to a single product or service. This can then be scaled up to the entire organization. Product Carbon Footprint can be assessed to capture either business-to-business view (cradle-to-gate) or business-to-consumer view (cradle-to-grave).
  • Corporate Carbon Footprint is suited for organisations wishing to take an overview of the carbon footprint of the entire organization. The process starts off by identifying the business goals for the GHG inventory, setting up suitable organizational boundaries, selecting an appropriate baseline period; data collection and finally preparing plan for data quality management.
  • Value-Chain Carbon Footprint includes activities associated with the product or services of an organization over entire value chain.  This accounts for emissions arising from raw material procurement to the end of product life. Value-chain carbon footprint provides an aggregate view of all the products and services of the company.

Carbon Footprint in the Middle East

The world’s dependence on Middle East energy resources has caused the region to have some of the largest carbon footprints per capita worldwide. Oil and gas industry, electricity production, transportation, industrial heating and air-conditioning are responsible for most of the carbon emissions from the region. Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia figure among the world’s top-10 per capita carbon emitters. Infact, carbon emissions from Qatar are approximately 50 tons per capita, which is more than double the US per capita footprint of 19 tons per year. 

القيم الرمضانية – السلوك البيئي محوراً

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القيمة الأخلاقية للقيم الرمضانية في العلاقة مع النظم البيئية المحور الذي جرى تسليط الضوء على بعده في بناء الثقافة الرشيدة في المفاهيم البيئية للمجتمع، في المحاضرة التي قدمناها في مجلس سعيد تقي الرمضاني بتاريخ الثلاثاء 14 مايو 2019 ضمن برنامج المجالس الرمضانية البيئية الذي تنظمه بلدية المنطقة الشمالية.

ramadan-environmental-spiritual-benefits

السلوك كقيمة أخلاقية في منظومة القيم الرمضانية، من المحاور المهمة في المحاضرة، ويمثل موضوع حيوي يشير الى ثوابت الاخلاق كقيمة وضرورة في بناء مسؤولية الفرد والمجتمع في الالتزام بالممارسات السديدة والرشيدة مع ما يحيط بهما من معالم طبيعية ومع من يتقاسمون معهم خصوصية ذلك المحيط، ويدخل في هذا السياق الأحياء بمختلف انواعها، والمجتمع الذي يعيش في وسط ذلك المحيط، ويمثل الانسان العنصر الرئيس في هذه المنظومة الى جانب التنوع الاحيائي والنباتي المصدر الحيوي لمعيشة وحياة الانسان، هنا يمكن القول ان القيمة الاخلاقية للسلوك في جوهر القيم الرمضانية تنطلق من المقومات التي تؤكد ضرورة تجنب الممارسات المسيئة بمختلف اشكالها، والابتعاد عن الممارسات المؤذية وذات الأثر السلبي على المصالح في بعدها الشامل ،‏وتبني الثقافة المسؤولة في صون حقوق ومصالح الفئات التي تعيش في محيطك البيئي.

ان المرتكزات والمؤشرات المشار اليها تنقلنا الى واقع آخر وتؤكد على ضرورة مقاربة ذلك مع محددات مهمة لتبين واقعية القيم الرمضانية في الممارسة العملية للسلوك الفردي والاجتماعي وتتمثل في السلوك غير الرشيد في العلاقة مع النظم البيئية المتمثلة في الاسراف والتبذير في شراء الموارد، والبهرجة في تنظيم الولائم الرمضانية، والاستغلال غير الرشيد للموارد البيئية، وتدمير الموائل والثروات البحرية، ورمي المخلفات المنزلية في الطرقات وعلى السواحل وفي الامكان العامة، والتعدي على الحق البيئي للمجتمع، والتسبب في زيادة مستوى المخلفات العضوية الناجمة من المخلفات الغذائية الفائضة عن الحاجة، واطلاق الانبعاثات الضارة بالبيئة وصحة الانسان، وزيادة الاعباء المالية في عملية التخلص من المخلفات.

الآثار السلبية للسلوك غير الرشيد على الوقع البيئي والمعيشي والصحي للمجتمع ظاهرة ملموسة وتتمثل في تلويث المحيط البيئي للانسان، وتدهور الموارد البيئية المصدر الحيوي لمعيشة الانسان، و‏الاخلال بالتوازن البيئي والتسبب في الاخلال بالامن البيئي للانسان، والتسبب في الاضرار بالمصالح الصحية والمعيشية للمجتمع، وذلك في حاجة الى تبين القيمة الأخلاقية للسلوك الرشيد في معادلة صون معالم النظم البيئية، وتتمثل تلك القيمة في الالتزام بالقيم الرمضانية المرتكز على ثوابت المسؤولية التي تمثل جوهر القيم الاخلاقية وهي الضمانة الاكيدة في صون معالم النظم البيئية ويبرز ذلك في الجهود الموجهة لتحسين الممارسات البشرية في استغلال الموارد البيئية، و‏الانشطة الموجهة لتعديل المفاهيم غير الرشيد في العلاقة مع المعالم البيئية، و‏اعداد الدراسات المؤسسة علمياً المرتكزة على المعايير البيئية في تنفيد المشاريع التي تراعي وتصون المصالح البيئية للانسان.

ان معالجة الخلل في مفاهيم السلوك البيئي للمجتمع يتطلب بناء ثقافة السلوك الاخلاقي في العلاقة معالم النظام البيئي، ‏والانسان بطببعته يميل الى تبني المنهج الذي يوفر له الظروف الملائمة للمعيشة الآمنة، لذلك ينبذ الممارسات التي تتسبب في الاخلال بأمنه البيئي والحياتي، هنا يمكن الاشارة الى عنصران رئيسان مختلفان في مضمونهما وطبيعتهما ويمثلان مدخلاً لبناء ثقافة السلوك الاخلاقي في العلاقة مع معالم النظام البيئي وتتمثل تلك العناصر في المخاطر وحالات القلق التي يعيشها الانسان بفعل التدهور البيئي، ‏والمنافع التي يجنيها الانسان الصحية والمعيشية نتيجة الالتزام بقيم العلاقة الرشيدة مع معالم النظام البيئي.

زبدة القول تقويم السلوك الاجتماعي في العلاقة مع معالم النظام البيئي تشير الى ضرورة توفر الأدوات التي يمكن ان تساهم في تغيير مفاهيم العلاقة مع النظم البيئية ونرى انها تتمثل في المنبر الديني، والمنبر الاعلامي، والتربية المدرسية بالتوافق مع التربية الاسرية،     والمؤسسات الاهلية، والمسؤولية الادارية والقانونية، والرقابة وفرض المخالفات، وتلك الادوات تمثل منظومة متداخلة المهام والوظائف، وفي حالة إعتمادها والأخذ بها يمكن إحداث تحول نوعي في المفاهيم البيئية للمجتمع وتحسين السلوك الاجتماعي في العلاقة مع النظام البيئي.

Waste-to-Energy Potential in Saudi Arabia

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WastetoEnergy-SaudiArabiaThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been grappling with the problem of solid waste in recent years. Around 15 million tons of municipal solid waste is generated in the country each year with per capita average of 1.4 kg per day. Depending on the population density and urban activities of that area, the major ingredients of Saudi Arabian MSW are food waste (40-51 %), paper (12-28 %), cardboard (7 %), plastics (5-17 %), glass (3-5 %), wood (2-8 %), textile (2-6 %), metals (2-8 %) etc.

Due to high population growth rate, (3.4% per annum), rapid urbanization (1.5% per annum) and fast economic development (3.5% yearly GDP rate), the generation rate of MSW is expected to reach 30 million tons per year by 2033. Waste management issues in Saudi Arabia are not only related to water, but also to land, air and the marine resources. The sustainable integrated solid waste management (ISWM) is still at the infancy level in the oil-rich kingdom

In Saudi Arabia, MSW is collected and sent to landfills or dumpsites after partial segregation and recycling. The major portion of collected waste is ends up in landfills untreated. Recycling of metals and cardboard is the main waste management practice in Saudi Arabia, which covers 10-15% of the total waste and usually carried out by the informal sector.

The landfill requirement in KSA is very high, about 28 million m3 per year. The problems of leachate, waste sludge, and methane and odor emissions are occurring in the landfills and its surrounding areas due to mostly non-sanitary or un-engineered landfills. However, in many cities the plans of new sanitary landfills are in place, or even they are being built by municipalities with capturing facilities of methane and leachate.

Waste-to-Energy provides the cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions to both energy demand and MSW disposal problems in Saudi Arabia. The choice of conversion technology depends on the type and quantity of waste (waste characterization), capital and operational cost, labor skill requirements, end-uses of products, geographical location and infrastructure.

Several waste to energy technologies such as pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion (AD), trans-esterification, fermentation, gasification, incineration, etc. have been developed. As per conservative estimates, electricity potential of 3 TWh per year can be generated, if all of the KSA food waste is utilized in biogas plants. Similarly, 1 and 1.6 TWh per year electricity can be generated if all the plastics and other mixed waste (i.e. paper, cardboard, wood, textile, leather, etc.) of KSA are processed in the pyrolysis, and refuse derived fuel (RDF) technologies respectively.

The current SWM activities of KSA require a sustainable and integrated approach with implementation of waste segregation at source, waste recycling, waste-to-energy and value-added product recovery. By 2032, Saudi government is aiming to generate about half of its energy requirements (about 72 GW) from renewable sources such as solar, nuclear, wind, geothermal and waste-to-energy systems.

Diaphragm Valve – Types, Functions and Applications

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A diaphragm valve is a type of valve which uses a diaphragm component to control the flow of fluid. A diaphragm is a pressure-responsive component and it is used to provide forces need to open, close or regulate fluid flow. This valve is designed to use an elastic membrane to separate fluid flow from the closing part. Diaphragm valve manufacturer produce different varieties of diaphragm valves among other types of valves. Diaphragm valves are either automatic or manual valves.

what is a diaphragm valve

How does a diaphragm valve work?

Diaphragm valve employs the pinching method to control the flow of fluid through these valves. The diaphragm is connected to a compressor. The compressor is then connected to the valve stem. To increase fluid flow, the stem is moved upward. As such, the compressor moves further upwards and transmits its motion to the diaphragm. This makes the diaphragm move upwards. When the diaphragm moves up, it results in increased fluid flow. To close or lower fluid flow, the stem is rotated to move downwards. The downward movement of the stem transmits its motion to the compressor which then presses the diaphragm downwards and it then closes or reduces fluid flow as needed.

how does a diaphragm valve work

Types of diaphragm valves

1. Weir diaphragm valve

This is a diaphragm valve suitable for small and zero leakage fluid flow control. Diaphragm valve manufacturers produce this valve with an inclined body to enhance the self-draining feature. This type of valve is recommended for use in hazardous or corrosive fluids because the bonnet is designed to control leakage or diaphragm failure.

2. Straight-way diaphragm valve

This valve is also known as an in-line diaphragm valve. This valve is designed with a straight pathway, unlike the weir type valve. This is one of the main characteristics used to distinguish between straight-way and weir-type valves. The diaphragm used in this type of valve is more flexible. Due to the diaphragm being more flexible, the valve life service is shorter relative to that of weir type valve. This type of valve is used in different applications such as water sludge, viscous fluids, and other applications that are prone to clogging.

Other types of diaphragm valves are:

  • Process diaphragm valve.
  • Automatic diaphragm valve
  • Diaphragm solenoid valve.
  • Sanitary diaphragm valve.
  • Shut-off diaphragm valve.
  • Zero-static diaphragm valve.
  • Manually actuated diaphragm valve among others.

Factors to consider when purchasing or selecting a diaphragm valve

1. Type of media

There are different types of diaphragm valves based on material type, application, and size. Some of these valves are best suited for corrosive and abrasive media while others are best for non-abrasive media depending on the material used to make that valve. As such, it is good to consult valve experts or the diaphragm valve manufacturer to advise on the best type of valve for that application.

2. Actuation method

Diaphragm valves operate using either manual handwheel or actuators. There are different actuators used diaphragm valves. Each of these actuators has unique advantages and disadvantages. These actuators are electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic actuators.

3. Applications conditions

These valves are meant for different fluid flow rates, temperatures, and pressure. It is very important to know the conditions of the application to help the in selecting the most economical and effective diaphragm valve for the intended application.

Applications of NTGD diaphragm valves

  • These valves are used in water supply systems.
  • They are used in pharmaceutical applications.
  • Diaphragm valves are used in clean and dirty applications. Consult experts to know if that particular valve is suitable for the clean or dirty application.
  • They are suitable for use in corrosive media.
  • These valves are used in the food and beverages industries.

التصدي لأثار التغيرات المناخية بالمغرب

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يبدو أن الرجوع إلى فترة ما قبل الثورة الصناعية سيصبح شيئا حتميا لا مناص منه ان نحن أردنا أن ننقذ أنفسنا و أرضنا من عواقب الأزمات البيئية بسبب ما يسمى بالتغيرات المناخية. و لقد فطنت و تيقنت العديد من الدول إلى هذا الخطر الداهم و من بينهم المغرب الذي انخرط في مساعي الحد من التأثيرات المناخية بشكل ملحوظ رسميا و فعليا من خلال عدة مشاريع وطنية كمخططات المغرب الأخضر للنهوض بالقطاع ألفلاحي و سياسات النجاعة الطاقية كمشاريع إنتاج الطاقات المتجددة.

و قد أصبح البلد بهذا رائدا في هذا المجال عربيا و إفريقيا. و تتجسد هذه الريادة كذلك من خلال استضافة مؤتمرات دولية كان آخرها مؤتمر قمة الأطراف كوب 22 . و لا يعتبر عزم المغرب على الخروج من التبعية الطاقية السبب الوحيد لإتباع سياسات النجاعة الطاقية و لكن لان المغرب كذلك مهدد بعواقب التغيرات المناخية السلبية كفترات الجفاف التي تضرب المناطق الجنوبية بالأخص مما يؤثر على محدودية المياه هناك و اجتياح الفيضانات لمناطق أخرى بسبب التساقطات المطرية و الثلجية المركزة في الزمان و المكان وصولا إلى تضرر بعض المناطق الأخرى كذلك من تسوناميات و أعاصير صغيرة كالتي ضربت الواجهة الأطلسية للمغرب في السنوات الأخيرة.

وناهيك عن الأضرار المادية و البشرية التي قد تسببها تأثيرات التغيرات المناخية فان عدم الاستقرار الاجتماعي و الأمني لبلد كالمغرب لا سمح الله به قد تؤدي عدم الاستقرار في مناطق أخرى خاصة أوروبا و كذلك الدول الإفريقية و العربية بتأثير اقل و من هنا إذن تبنى المغرب سياسة استباقية مستقبلية للتصدي للمشاكل التي قد نتعرض لها جميعا.

A solar-powered mosque in Tadmamet, a village south of Marrakesh.

إن ما قد يزيد من التوجه الرسمي للدولة المغربية إزاء محاولة التصدي لتأثيرات التغيرات المناخية و ترسيخ مخططات الطاقة النظيفة و المحافظة على البيئة هو ان ينخرط الأفراد أنفسهم لكي نرى هذه الرؤى و التوجهات مجسدة في الحياة اليومية و الفردية للمواطنين , وهو شيء يظهر انه مازال بعيد المنال لأني أرى اشخصا يتعاملون مع الموارد الطبيعية كالطاقة و الماء و كأنهم من عالم أخر لم يسمعوا فيه أبدا بالمحافظة على البيئة بل و نجد هذا حتى في أماكن المفروط أن تعلم هذه القيم كالمؤسسات التعليمية و المساجد التي لطالما رأيت العديد منها يضيع الكهرباء و الماء دون أي اكتراث لا بالوازع الأخلاقي و لا الديني.

قد تجد عائلة هنا أو هناك تستعمل الآلات الالكترونية طوال اليوم كان يبقى التلفاز مثلا مشغلا اليوم كله دون أن يكون متفرج واحد أمامه ا وان تقتصد عائلة أخرى على استعمال الكهرباء ليس بسبب إحساسها البيئي و إنما فقط لتخفيض الفاتورة. و يبقى إذن التحسيس و التربية البيئيتين أمرا ملحا  و ذو أولوية مهمة للتصدي الفعلي لمخاطر التغيرات المناخية بالمغرب.

How To Enjoy Luxurious Living Without Harming The Environment

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They say that money cannot buy everything. However, it can buy quite a lot. It is suggested that all wealth is vanity; however, there is so much to admire about the lifestyle of the world’s billionaires and millionaires. From flying across the globe in expensive private jets, driving swanky cars, owning mansions all over the world, dining at the most luxurious hotels to wearing luxury brands; the rich people’s lifestyle is simply glamorous. It is the dream of many to afford that kind of lifestyle.

Here is an interesting fact: According to economic research, the eight richest individuals in the world control as much wealth as the bottom half of the world’s population. The amount of resources and assets they have accumulated over their lifetime can finance half of the entire world. So much are we engrossed about being super rich that we forget the impact of the rich luxurious life on the earth. On the flip side of all that glamour, luxurious living has dealt a heavy blow to our environment. The rich lifestyle is basically all about eating life on a big spoon.

However, the carbon footprint that results from extravagant living is extremely large. If everyone in the world was that rich, it means that mother nature would not be in be able to sustain the world’s population. Scientific studies have indicated that in the United States of America, the top 10% people have six times as much impact as the bottom half of the entire country’s population on the environment. That is just an indication of how the rich are enemies of mother nature. But how exactly is this possible?

Let us take a deeper look at it and see how the negative impact can be reduced.

Travel

The rich travel in private jets and own fleets of high fuel consumption vehicles. The amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon (iv) oxide emitted by such vehicles is simply too much. A private jet emits more than one hundred times as much waste carbon gas as one car.

If you come to think about it, it does not make sense for one individual to own hundreds of personal cars. They probably never even use some of them. All this does is increase the carbon footprint since a lot of natural resources are used to satisfy the demand of one individual. The worst part of it is that these resources go to waste since the individual does not fully utilize the manufactured products.

To curb this kind of wastage, the rich should embrace public means of transport. If they have to fly, they can fly first class instead of acquiring their own planes which simply contribute more to environmental degradation. It may not be that luxurious, but it does serve the purpose. There is no point of owning so many cars yet only a few are enough to suffice.

Building

The rich are obsessed about owning mansions. Which is why billionaires own dozens of houses spread across states and counties. You wouldn’t be surprised if I told you that they probably haven’t spent a single night in some of those houses. You must be wondering how building houses is harmful to the environment. Well, construction is responsible for 41% of the total energy consumption in the world today. Almost three quarters of the electricity produced globally is used to run buildings, especially homes.

If you are a rich person who is just building a mansion for prestige, you are simply wasting a lot of energy that could have been put to better use. The process of extraction of building materials from their natural state is not environmental friendly. It involves excavation that destroys scenery and manufacturing processes whose emissions negatively impact the ecosystem. You don’t really have to own house that you barely utilize at your every travel destination.

energy-management-middle-east-businesses

For the love of the environment, sleep in a hotel prestigious enough to carter for your needs. You don’t have to overstretch the major natural resources in the environment. If you have to construct a house, engage environmental experts who will advice you on green construction designs. For example, you may use a wooden gate, instead of a metal gate to protect your residential property.

Also Read: How to Choose Eco-friendly Hotel Lighting

Recreation

Most rich peoples homes are never complete without recreational amenities such as swimming pools, water porches and hot water tubs. Such amenities waste a lot of water and land. For most of them, you need a continuous flow of water in and out of the reservoir. Many rich people have no contingency on how to minimize water wastage by recycling because they simply don’t care.

Temporal water recreation facilities such as inflatable tubs are more economical and environmental friendly. According to Linton’s In The Garden, inflatable tubs are just as effective as the regular ceramic tubs but more eco-friendly. There are a few other rather absurd recreational activities that the rich take part in. A good example is game hunting. The idea of killing animals for the fun of it simply breaks my heart. It leads to decreased population of certain species and hence tipping the scales of ecological balance.

All this is not to turn a blind eye on the efforts some of the rich people put in positively impacting the society. It is worth acknowledging that a number of influential people have channeled funds to sponsor environmental conservation programs all over the world. This is definitely a positive gesture that should be appreciated.

It is, however, a wake up call that such environmental conservation efforts are completely worthless if our way of life is harmful to the environment. This can be likened to robbing with one hand and donating with the other. It would also be in bad faith to insinuate that the poor and the middle class people do not contribute to the degradation of the environment. Those little acts we do whether intentionally or subconsciously such as littering also aid in pollution.

With particular attention to the rich in the society, you should know that living happily does not necessarily include extravagance. By now you probably have a picture of the adverse effects of extravagance to the environment. It is important that billionaires also adopt ways of living; such that if everyone in the world lived in that way, the planet would still sustain us.

Knife Gate Valve – Types, Functions and Applications

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This is a type of gate valve which uses a knife gate. This type of valve is suitable for use in slurries and viscous media since the knife gate can cut through such slurries or highly viscous fluids. The design of this valve helps to reduce contact between valve components. As such, there is minimal wear and tear between various components. Knife gate valve manufacturer design these valves for on and off fluid applications. These valves are not suitable for use in throttling applications. These valves can be automatic or they can be operated manually using the valve handwheel. Knife gate valve are made of different materials. The body is always made of strong metallic materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and ductile iron.

what is knife gate valve

How does a knife gate valve work?

A knife gate valve works by using a component known as gate. The work of the gate is to close and open fluid flow. The gate gets its power to close and open from the valve actuator or handwheel via the stem. The stem is connected to the valve actuator or the valve handwheel.

To open the valve, the handwheel is rotated in the anticlockwise direction. This rotation of the handwheel makes the stem also rotate in the same direction. The stem has threads that are used to enhance the rotary motion. As the stem rotates, it moves linearly upwards which causes the gate to move upwards leaving space for the fluid to flow through the valve. To close the valve, the handwheel is rotated in the clockwise direction.

As such, the stem rotates in the same direction as it moves downwards. This downward movement of the stem makes the gate also move down until it closes the valve completely.

working of knife gate valve

Types of knife gate valves

1. Through conduit knife gate valve

This is a valve that has high fugitive emissions. This type of valve is suitable for use in applications where there are scales that aid in preventing fluid leakage. This type of valve is designed with two seats and top and bottom gland packing.

2. Hopper shape knife gate valve

This is a valve that has a hopper component at the top. This valve is suitable for handling bulk media. Hopper shape knife gate valve manufacturers design this valve for use in applications such as mining, food, and chemical industries. This valve has the seat positioned in the reverse to prevent seat wear, and valve blockage as well as make it easy to close.

3. Rising stem knife gate valve

This is a knife gate valve in which the stem rises above the handwheel when the valve is being opened. When the valve is closed, the stem moves downwards. This type of valve is convenient to the valve operator as it is easy to know when the valve is closed or when it is opened. However, this type of valve occupies a lot of space and it is recommended for use in applications where space is not limited.

4. Non-rising stem knife gate valve

This is a knife gate valve in which the stem does not rise above the handwheel when the valve is opened. This type of valve is designed with an indicator that helps to know when the valve is closed or is opened. This valve is suitable for use where space is limited since it does not occupy a lot of space like the rising stem type.

Applications of knife gate valves

  • Mining applications.
  • Chemical industries.
  • Pharmaceuticals applications.
  • Foods and beverages.
  • Hydrocarbon applications.

Advantages of knife gate valves

  • These valves are versatile.
  • They are durable.
  • They have a low-pressure drop.
  • They are light in weight.
  • They are free from fluid leakage.

Disadvantages of knife gate valves

  • These valves do not close easily like a ball or globe valves.
  • They are not suitable for use in throttling fluid flow.

Non-Slam Check Valves – Types, Functions and Applications

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Non-slam check valves are check valves used to prevent reverse fluid flow. Also, these valves are meant to eliminate or reduce water hammer and their associated effects. A water hammer is a high-pressure shock wave that happens when the fluid flow stops abruptly because of a pump or valve closing quickly in a piping system. When water hammer happens, the fluid flow reversal causes high stress on the piping system which endangers its structural integrity and may cause damage or rupture. Non-slam check valves are used to prevent water hammers and ensure fluid flows in one direction only. Non slam check valve manufacturer produce this valve without handle or actuator but it works mechanically to stop the fluid flow from reversing.

This type of valve uses pressure difference to close and open fluid flow. When the pressure is low, the valve disc closes automatically. When the inlet pressure is high, the disc opens fluid flow. This type of valve is very important in not only preventing water hammers but also preventing damage to the piping system such as pumps and boilers due to reverse flow. In addition, this valve prevents fluid contamination such as in fresh water applications.

what is non-slam check valve

How does a non-slam check valve work?

A non slam check valve works based on differential pressure. When the upstream pressure is high, it provides enough pressure energy that is used to open the valve disc. The disc is supported by the use of a spring. As such, the pressure energy compresses the disc to open. When the disc opens, fluid flows through the valve from the inlet to the outlet port and finally to the piping system. The valve closes when fluid pressure reduces.

The fluid pressure reduces for example, when the pump is closed. As such, fluid attempts to reverse flow direction because upstream pressure is lower than the downstream pressure. In the instance the fluid attempts to reverse, the valve disc closes immediately due to the low-pressure drop.

Types of non-slam check valve

1. Metallic seated non-slam check valve

This is a non-slam check valve that is meant for use in high-pressure and high-temperature applications. This type of check valve has its seat made of metallic materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, ductile iron, brass, and bronze among other materials. These materials are used to make which makes it suitable for high temperature applications. In addition, metallic seats have high strength which helps to enhance high strength against high pressure. Such valves are resistant to corrosive products.

2. Soft-seated non-slam check valve

This is a check valve in which the seat is made of soft materials such as rubber or plastic. However, the valve body is made of strong metallic materials to ensure the valve is strong against high pressure and impact damage. These materials have low melting temperatures and thus are recommended for use in temperatures below 60oC. These materials have low strength and thus they can work well in medium and low-pressure applications. Also, soft seated non-slam check valves are used in corrosive applications because they are highly resistant to corrosion relative to their metallic seated counterparts.

working of non-slam check valve

Applications of non-slam check valves

  • Non-slam check valves are used in chemical industries.
  • These valves are used in the foods and beverages industries.
  • They are used in pharmaceutical applications.
  • These valves are used to prevent the backflow of water or steam in boiler applications.
  • They are used to prevent water contamination in the freshwater supply.
  • These valves are used in the oil and gas industries.
  • They are used in wastewater treatment.

Advantages of non-slam check valves

  • Non-slam check valves prevent water hammers from occurring.
  • These valves have a low-pressure drop.
  • These valves can maintain the required fluid pressure.
  • They do not allow reverse fluid flow.
  • These valves can be installed in vertical or horizontal orientation.
  • They are automatic valves.
  • These valves are cheaper relative to other valves.
  • They are versatile and durable.

Disadvantages of non-slam check valves

  • Non-slam check valves allow fluid flow in one direction only.
  • These valves cannot be inspected while in operation.

Pump – Types, Functions and Applications

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A pump is a device used to transfer fluid from one point to another. A pump is categorized as a hydraulic mechanical machine used to move fluid from a point of low pressure to point of high-pressure. A pump works adding pressure energy into the fluid. It is the pressure energy of the fluid that makes the fluid move from the interior of the pump to the required destination.

All pumps work by creating a vacuum. This vacuum is responsible for making the pump suck the fluid into the pump so that it can be moved to the required destination. There are various types of pumps used for different types of fluids. Some pumps are meant for use in gaseous applications while others are used for liquids and others for to transfer slurry media.

How does a pump work?

A pump can be a centrifugal or positive displacement pump. All pumps use similar principle of creating a vacuum in their working principle. The pump uses a prime mover which can be an electric motor or internal combustion (IC) engine. The work of the prime mover is to provide the power needed to run the pump. The prime mover is connected to the pump via the pump inlet shaft. This shaft is responsible for transmitting the power from the prime mover to the pump.

When the pump creates a vacuum (state of lower pressure than atmospheric pressure), it makes the high atmospheric pressure force the fluid into the pump at high speed. Inside the pump, the fluid’s kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy. This pressure energy is used to move the fluid from the pump to the required destination.

Working of a pump of a displacement pump and a centrifugal pump

Types of pumps

1. Positive displacement pump

This is a type of pump that uses moving components such as pistons, plungers, lobes, rotors, and gears to drain fluid from the pump and increase fluid pressure simultaneously. This type of pump does not need to be primed since pump manufacturer design it to be self-priming.

There are various types of positive displacement pumps which include diaphragm pumps, gear pumps, progressive cavity pumps, screw pumps, piston pumps, and rotary lobe pumps among others.

piston displacement pump

Advantages of positive displacement pumps 

  • These pumps work at a very high pressure relative to centrifugal pumps.
  • They have a high volumetric efficiency of around 98%.
  • They have high power to their weight ratio.
  • They have smooth and precise motion.
  • They are flexible in performance.
  • They work very well at high fluid head.
  • They are very suitable for use in very viscous fluids.
  • They do not have cavitation problems.

Disadvantages of positive displacement pumps 

  • They make high noise levels.
  • They have low discharge capability.
  • They cannot deliver fluid free from pulsation

2. Centrifugal pumps

This is a pump that works by increasing pressure as the fluid passes through the pump. As the name suggests, this pump works by using centrifugal force. This type of pump uses components known as impellers and diffusers. The impellers rotate at high speed which creates a vacuum in the pump. It is due to this vacuum that the fluid is sucked into the pump at high speed. The diffuser is used to convert the kinetic energy of the fluid into pressure energy.

There are several types of centrifugal pumps which include radial flow pumps, horizontal centrifugal pumps, vertical centrifugal pumps, submersible centrifugal pumps, axial flow pumps, and mixed flow pumps among others.

centrifugal pump

Advantages of centrifugal pumps 

  • These pumps are versatile since they can be used in different applications.
  • These pumps are efficient in terms of energy usage.
  • They need low maintenance.
  • They are of different sizes from small, and medium to large sized pumps.
  • They are resistant to corrosion.
  • They have smooth fluid flow.
  • Centrifugal pumps need smaller space for installation relative to displacement pumps.

Disadvantages of centrifugal pumps 

  • These pumps require priming.
  • They do not work well at high fluid heads.
  • They are not suitable for use in very viscous fluids.
  • They are prone to cavitation.

التخلص من عبوات المبيدات الكيماوية الفارغة وسلامة الصحة والبيئة

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تعرف مبيدات الآفات بالإنجليزية )(Pesticides) وهي عبارة عن مواد كيماوية تستخدم لمكافحة الآفات الزراعية أو أي نوع من الكائنات الحية التي يمكن أن تشكل آفة على المحاصيل الزراعية، ويضعها العلماء في مجموعات وهي المبيدات الحشرية ، المبيدات الفطرية ومبيدات الأعشاب، بالإضافة إلى مبيدات القوارض، مبيدات الديدان الإسطوانية والرخويات ومبيدات العناكب. والمبيدات الزراعية بصورة عامة مركبات سامة وخطرة ويجب إستعمالها بحذر وعند الضرورة فقط بعد استنفاذ كافة أساليب الوقاية وطرق المكافحة الزراعية. وعلى الرغم من وجود فوائدٍ لاستخدام مبيدات الآفات، إلا أنه توجد لها آثارها الضارة الخطيرة، مثل احتمالية التسمم البشري أو تسمم الحيوانات (ووفقاً لبنود اتفاقية استكهولم بشأن الملوثات العضوية الثابتة (Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants)، فإن كل عشرة من أصل إثني عشر مركبٍ كيميائيٍ ثابت وشديد الخطورة تمثل مبيدات آفات.

empty pesticide containers

إن معظم المبيدات الكيميائية سامة اذا تم استخداها بطريقة خاطئة ومن الممكن أن تسبب أمراض ضارة بجسم الانسان والحيوان وتحدث تلوث في البيئة ويتم وضع أهم هذه المعلومات  خاصة المعلومات الخاصة بالسمية، الأعراض الضارة، الإسعافات الأولية ،الخ .. على البطاقة الإستدلالية(الملصقة) الخاصة بالمنتج لتأثيرها السلبي الشديد في حالة عدم الالتزام. كما إن تزايد استخدام المبيدات الزراعية بمختلف أنواعها لمكافحة الافات الزراعية وآفات الصحة العامة في الدول النامية أصبح مقلقاً ويشكّل خطورة على البيئة وتلك المخاطر لا تقتصر فقط على الاستخدام العشوائي للمبيدات الكيماوية,وانما بعدم وجود آلية صحيحة وتعليمات ناظمة للتخلص من العبوات الفارغة وحيث أن استخدام عبوات البلاستيك المقوى (Polyethylene)هو الاكثر شيوعاً وبالتالي فإن تكدس كميات كبيرة من هذه العبوات في المناطق الزراعية المختلفة على مستوى العالم بشكل عام وعلى مستوى المملكة الاردنية الهاشمية بشكل خاص في ظل وجود مصانع محلية مما يؤدي إلى تلوث بيئي عالي جداً ويساعد باستخدام هذه العبوات بشكل خاطئ من قبل الانسان مثل حفظ الماء والعصير والزيت ، وهناك بعض الوافدين يقومون باستخدامها لصنع الشيشة (الارجيلة ) مما يستدعي ضرورة اتباع برامج توعية وارشاد مستدامة وإيجاد سبل آمنة بيئياً للتخلص من هذه العبوات للحفاظ على صحة الانسان والحيوان والبيئة.

وتشكل عبوات المبيدات الفارغة خطراً عند اعادة استعمالها قد تؤدى الى تسمم الجسم، كما أن العبوات التى يتم التخلص منها في الحقول والأراضى تؤدى الى تلوث فى التربة والمياه الجوفية.أوضحت الدراسات المختلفة على مر السنين ومنها التى قُدمت في المؤتمر الوطني للمبيدات الكيماوية المنعقد بداية عام 2016  ان الإستخدام العشوائي والمتكرر للمبيدات من أهم المشاكل البيئية والصحية في الدول النامية ، اضافة الى مشاكل الآثار السمية الباقية للمبيدات في العبوات الفارغة والتى قدرتها منظمة الأغذية والزراعة للامم المتحدة (FAO) بأكثر من 350 ألف ميكروجرام من الآثار السامة الباقية في العبوة الواحدة بعد غسلها.وافادت الدراسة ان الدول النامية تستخدم أكثر من  25 %من المبيدات العالمية وأن 50 % من اجمالي المبيدات المستخدمة سام أو شديد السمية ، وأن أكثر من 70 % من هذه المبيدات لها علاقة بالموت ومعظم المبيدات المستخدمة في الدول النامية هي من النوع الأكثر سمية مقارنة بالدول المتقدمة والتى في الأغلب تتجه نحو الزراعة العضوية الخالية من سموم المبيدات. وحسب الدراسة فإن اليمن تخلصت خلال الفترة 1996 – 2005 م من حوالي 13 طن من العبوات الفارغة للمبيدات (المعدنية والبلاستيكية) خلال مشاريع التخلص من المبيدات المهجورة والتالفة في حين قدرت (FAO) عدد العبوات الفارغة للمبيدات في اليمن في العام 2004م فقط قرابة مليون و500 ألف عبوة فارغة مختلفة وفي العام 2005م مليون و866 ألف عبوة..

على الجانب الاخر فان عدم توفر التعليمات الناظمة لكيفية التخلص من العبوات الفارغة بالطريقة السليمة بيئياً او عدم تحديث المتوفر منها ، تتيح للمزارعيين اتلافها بطرق عشوائية كإلقائها في الحاويات المنزلية أو طرحها في مصارف المياه ( الصرف الصحي او المكبات المكشوفة ) مما يجعلها عرضة لتكون في متناول الاشخاص الذين يجمعون العبوات البلاستيكية والتي تدخل في الصناعات التدويرية او التحويلية دون ادراك منهم بخطورة تلك العبوات.

أما مسؤولية المصنعين للمبيدات فلا تقتصر على طرح أكثر المبيدات أمانا وإنما تكون المسؤولية المشتركة لإدارة المبيدات بين القطاعين العام والخاص بدءاً بالصناعة ، الاستيراد وإنتهاءاً بمرحلة التخلص من المبيدات منتهية الصلاحية والعبوات الفارغة حتى تكون ادارة سليمة بيئياً وتقليل المخاطر على التنوع البيئي والبيئة بشكل عام.

آلية التعامل مع مخلفات المبيدات

يطبق  الاجراءات التالية محلياً ولكن بشكل محدود وبحاجة الى لزيادة الوعي والحد من التلوث البيئي :

  • العبـوات الفارغة للمبيدات: تنص الأنظمة المعمول بها بالمملكة الاردنية الهاشمية بعدم إعادة استخدام العبوات الفارغة للمبيدات والأسمدة في أي نشاط، ويتم التخلص منها بالطرق الآتية:
  • العبوات التى يمكن حرقها:
  • أن يتم حرق وإتلاف العبوات الفارغة بالحرق والدفن بعيدا عن المناطق السكنية وعلى أعماق بعيدا عن مستوى الماء الأرضي. عدم تلويث التربة مصادر المياه والبرك والمستنقعات بقاياه المبيد.
  • يجب الحذر من حرق العبوات التى لا تنصح الشركة المنتجة بحرقها نظرا لتصاعد أبخرة سامة للإنسان أو الحيوان أو النبات. كما يجب الحذر من حرق عبوات المبيدات التى تحتوى على كلورات لأنها قد تنفجر. فإذا لم توجد هذه التحذيرات على العبوات يمكن حرقها فى مكان بعيد مع مراعاة اتجاه الرياح لعدم حملها باتجاه أماكن تواجد الإنسان أو الحيوان أو النبات
  • العبوات التى لا يمكن حرقها:

يراعى أن تفرغ محتويات العبوة وتصفى،  والقيام بالغسل الجيد للعبوات (ثلاث مرات على الأقل) واستخدام ماء الغسيل في محاليل الرش. ولا تستخدم العبوات لأي غرض آخر ولو بعد الغسيل، بل يجب التخلص منها بإحدى الطرق الآتية:

  1. إرجاعها إذا كانت عبوات كبيرة للبائع أو تسليمها لشركات خاصة يمكنها معالجتها وإزالة الرواسب من السموم أو إبطال مفعولها.
  2. رفع غطاء العبوة وتثقب عدة ثقوب في قعرها وجوانبها ثم يجرى تخفيض حجمها بوضعها تحت عجلات الجرار أو أي وسيلة أخرى ثم وضعها فى حفر ردم مخصصة للتخلص من المبيدات.
  3. إعادة تدويرها بالتعاون مع إحدى المصانع او الشركات المتخصصة إن وجدت
  • فائض وبقايا المبيدات:

         هناك عدة طرق للتخلص من مخلفات المبيد والكميات الفائضة عن الحاجة بعد الخلط والاستعمال نلخصها فى الاتى:

  • أستعمال أفران حرق خاصة:

         تصل درجة حرارة هذه الأفران إلى ما يزيد عن 1000 درجة مئوية وهى الطريقة المعتمدة والمصرح بها عالميا.

  • حفر للردم:

         هذه الطريقة تصلح للتخلص من كميات قليلة لانها سريعة وقليلة التكاليف ولا تتطلب استخدام آلات خاصة. وتعتمد هذه الطريقة على حجز المبيد فى مساحة صغيرة. يجب اختيار المكان المناسب لحفر الردم (حسب توصيات منظمة الأغذية والزراعية الدولية FAO) بحيث يراعى ما يلى:

  • أن تكون الحفر فى مكان مسطح وغير منخفض، يبعد ما لا يقل عن 50-60متر عن اى مصدر للمياه (مجرى، سد، بئر، ….).
  • ان يكون المكان لا يمتلئ بالماء ولا تجرفه مياه السيول.
  • تجنب الموقع الذي توجد فيه مياه سطحية.
  • يجب أن تكون الحفرة بعيدة عن المنازل أو المزروعات أو حظائر الحيوانات.
  • يجب أن تكون تربة الموقع جيدة الصرف وعميقة بما لا يقل عن 2-3 أمتار، كما يفضل وجود طبقة طينية قبل الوصول إلى الطبقة الصخرية.
  • مكان الردم يجب أن يكون معرض لأشعة الشمس، ولا تستعمل لأي غرض آخر.
  • يجب وضع سياج حول الحفرة لمنع اقتراب الأطفال والحيوانات، ووضع علامات تحذيرية.
  • المبيدات المنتهة الصلاحية:

نسبة لظروف المملكة الاردنية الهاشمية الجوية، وبناء على التوصيات العالمية، تعطى المبيدات فترة صلاحية سنتين من تاريخ الإنتاج قابلة للتمديد بناء على تحليل عينة عشوائية بالمختبر الوطني. وفى حالة تدهور المبيد وعدم صلاحيته يوصى بإعدام المبيد بالطرق السليمة والموصى بها.

ووفقا لقانون (نظام) المبيدات لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربى المادة (5) التى تنص على شروط اجراءات اتلاف المبيدات بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة، واللائحة التنفيذية الصادرة تطبيقا لهذا القانون (النظام).

من الهام جداً  العمل على ما يلي 

  1. ايجاد آلية سليمة بيئياً للتخلص من العبوات الفارغة للمبيدات وخاصة العبوات البلاستيكية على مستوى الوطن العربي
  2. وضع التعليمات الناظمة تدير عملية التخلص من العبوات الفارغة بطريقة أمنة بيئياً.
  3. تصنيف العبوات الفارغة للمبيدات وكيفية التخلص منها بصناعات تحويلية أخرى وبطريقة آمنة بيئياً.
  4. تشجيع المزارعين وتدريبهم على كيفية التخلص من العبوات الفارغة لديهم على أن تتحمل الشركات الصانعة والوكلاء المحليين لبيع المبيدات بالجزء الخاص بالتخلص من العبوات الفارغة وايجاد آلية من خلال تحملهم جزء من المسؤولية.
  5. تشجيع المستثمرين في الصناعة التحويلية لعبوات المبيدات الفارغة اسوة بالدول المتقدمة التي تتخذ الطرق والاساليب لادخال مثل هذه النفايات في صناعات تدويرية أخرى آمنة بيئيا.
  6. إيجاد فرص عمل والمساعدة في الحد من البطالة خاصة لفئة الشباب في حال تشجيع الاستثمار في قطاع الصناعات التحولية أو إقامة مصانع محلية.
  7. اطلاق حملات لجمع العبوات الفارغة والتخلص منها بطرق امنة بيئيا لتعزيز الجهود الوطنية والمحافظة على صحة الانسان والحيوان والبيئة.
  8. التخلص من عبوات المبيدات الفارغة ومن آثار المبيدات بطريقة آمنة صحياً وبيئياً، تتمثل بعدم إعادة استخدام عبوات المبيدات الفارغة لأي غرض، والتخلص منها في مواقع التخلص من النفايات الخطرة بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة بعيداً عن مصادر المياه أو مياه الصرف الصحي ،ويحظر حرق أو دفن عبوات المبيدات الفارغة.
  9. تنفيذ حملات إعلامية بشتى انواعها لزيادة الوعي لدى جميع فئات المجتمع بأهمية الموضوع.
  10. بناء الشراكة الفاعلة مع مؤسسات المجتمع المدني والهيئات والمنظمات الدولية لما لها من تاثير فاعل في الحفاظ على البيئة ودعم برامج التنمية المستدامة.
  11. دعم أي ابتكار أو إبداع أو دراسات وابحاث في مجال الحد من انتشار مخلفات المبيدات وتطوير عمليات التدوير والمحافظة على البيئة.
  12. اصدار وسائل ارشادية مختلفة من الجهات المختصة لزيادة الوعي لأكبر شريحة ممكنة في المجتمع.

Hazardous Waste Management in Qatar: Progress and Challenges

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A country with an abundance of raw materials, cheap labor, and a rising demand for energy, Qatar needed to diversify its industrial sector in the 1970s. From then onwards, the use of fertilizers, petrochemicals, and gas liquefaction plants have grown exponentially. The magnitude of hazardous waste and the pollution to be produced from different streams have not been thoroughly considered, but Qatar has taken serious steps to implement commitments for sustainable development by passing laws and treaties, such as law No.4 in 1981 issuing safeguards and providing requirements for the protection of the environment, and by signing onto treaties such as the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and Their Disposal.

The Growing Threat

A nation with one of the highest per capita generations of waste at 1.6 kg – four times that of Hong Kong – is a party to the Basel Convention. Qatar is mindful of the growing threat the increased generation of waste and complexity of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes pose to human health and the environment. At the moment, Qatar has not exported hazardous waste and manages hazardous waste within its boundaries through incineration, recycling, recovery, and storage at its respective Q-Chem facilities.

All waste generated in Qatar requires the approval of respective city authorities and the concurrence of the Ministry. As a result, both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are managed in accordance with appropriate environmental guidelines and industrial cleaning services operating with high-end safety and environmental standards.

Hazardous Wastes in Qatar

Hazardous waste is commonly associated with biomedical waste, but the national definition of hazardous waste in Qatar, in accordance with the Basel Convention, includes any waste that is harmful to human health or the environment. In other words, if waste exhibits characteristics as being explosive, flammable, toxic, or corrosive, it falls under the scope of hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is usually produced in small amounts in households and in comparatively larger amounts in commercial and industrial services when transforming raw materials into usable products. According to the Mesaieed Treatment Facility and the Ras Laffan Plant, for incineration or treatment, hazardous waste is most commonly generated at administrative buildings, fire stations, security buildings, and laboratories.

Hazardous Waste Management

Waste is first characterized as either hazardous, non-hazardous, or inert. Hazardous waste includes waste water treatment plant (WWTP) sludge, hydrocarbon filters, incinerator ash, contaminated soils, and chemicals etc. The waste is then collected in color coordinated drums where yellow drums indicate hazardous waste. They are later collected from the plant site and sent to an authorized waste treatment authority such as the Mesaieed Industrial City’s Treatment Facility, Boom Waste Treatment, or Al Haya, to be treated, stabilized, recycled, or incinerated. If not, the wastes are properly secured and stored in labelled containers until re-use, destruction or ultimate disposal.

According to the Ministry of Developmental Planning and Statistics, Qatar is currently disposing 50% of collected hazardous waste at landfills and recycling 34%, and the remaining 16% was used for other purposes such as restoring. The recycling process involves changing the characteristics of hazardous waste into a less dangerous waste for careful handling and interim storage.

Hazardous waste treatment facility at Ras Laffan

Although there is currently no specific procedure for identifying hazardous waste in Qatar, the Q-Chem facilities have adopted the Environmental Guidelines provided by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment in addition to following the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency procedures. Mandatory weekly inspections are conducted at all hazardous waste storage facilities and all findings are required to be documented and kept in records.

The process from the waste generation to the storage inventory are compiled monthly and reported on a quarterly basis. The summaries include records on the amounts of main waste types generated, incinerated, recycled, landfilled, and helps to identify changes in the classification of wastes or the generation of new types of waste.

Progress on the Ground

Qatar is currently working on banning the use of toxic chemicals where substitutes are present, inviting the monitoring of pesticide use to seek for room to cut down, and instituting a system of industrial inspection for the storage of hazardous waste chemicals in efforts to reduce the potential possibility of accidents. Efforts are being made on minimizing the generation of toxic wastes through engineering improvements and other techniques whilst also developing infrastructure for the disposal of expired chemicals and pesticides.

Qatar’s plans are consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030 and the Qatar National Vision 2030 aiming to transform Qatar into a developed country of achieving sustainable development and providing a promising life for future generations. Qatar is working on developing plans to conduct job security analyses to minimize the manual handling of hazardous waste by laborers. Qatar is consistently working with the other GCC countries and United Nations agencies such as the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) in the exchange of knowledge on the use of toxic chemicals, their appropriate disposal and precautionary methods.