Browsing by Author "Silva, Maria"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- 1st International Workshop: Zero Pollution for a Healthier Planet and People: Book of AbstractsPublication . Cruz-Lopes, Luísa; Brás, Isabel; Silva, Maria; Rodrigues, Nuno; Lopes, SérgioThe scientifically proven systemic threats and risks associated with climate change, loss of biodiversity and increased pollution have led the European Commission to propose a European Ecological Pact (Green Deal). This Pact sets the framework for the European Union's growth policy to be adopted, with the aim of building a carbon neutral economy in 2050, more effective in the use of materials, with less pollution and regenerating biodiversity and environmental services. European policies are based on several legal documents that translate the objectives of preventing waste production, recovery of materials and final treatment of non-recoverable waste. They refer, for example, to the obligation to implement separate bio-waste collection networks or to separate and recycle in the source of the bio-waste, as well as a goal of reducing landfill: Member States should seek to ensure that, starting from 2030, no suitable waste for recycling or other recovery can be deposited in landfills. In this sequence, producers and operators of waste management ensure that waste is collected separately, to facilitate and promote its management in compliance with the principle of the hierarchy of waste. It is important that measures are implemented to achieve these objectives and that citizens are informed of the good practices that they must adopt in order to jointly promote a healthier environment. This partner event offers the presentation to the society of the strategies in Portugal to accomplish the Green Deal goals and the local measures to do the bio-wates management as well as share of good practices in waste management, in a perspective of circular economy. Several research and development works are being presented, in different areas, to promote a perspective of Zero Pollution. It is also proposed to do a citizen’s tour to the regional Solid Waste Integrated Management Centre. The final activity expects to engage citizens in out-door activities: Biodanza and Yoga, to promote healthier people.
- 2nd International Workshop: Zero Pollution – Make it RealPublication . Cruz-Lopes, Luísa; Brás, Isabel; Silva, Maria; Rodrigues, Nuno; Lopes, SérgioThe large share of energy consumed at the industrial level is derived from fossil, nuclear and renewable sources. Fossil fuels are identified as one of the main sources of carbon emissions and cause of climate change. Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels and industry have increased considerably since 2000, and in 2019 reached a record high of 36.7 billion metric tons of CO2. Environmental issues, especially climate change, have become hot topics around the world in recent years due to the magnitude and scope of their impacts. Carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases emitted by human activities, particularly related to energy consumption, have changed weather patterns around the world, causing extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, drought, excessive rainfall and unusual temperatures. Many countries are trying to diversify the focus of primary energy sources, from fossil fuels to other sources, notably renewable energy. This situation has a particular interest in a global crisis arising from the war in Europe. The sources of energy must be diversified. EU Green Week is an annual event where the objective is to debate European environmental policy towards a resourceefficient and climate-neutral Europe by 2050. This year’s edition focuses on the European Green Deal and puts three important aspects into highlight the circular economy, zero pollution and biodiversity. In Viseu, the good practices role in the industry towards zero pollution, with particular focus in the efficient energy usage and resilient practices, was discussed.
- A Cradle-to-Grave Life Cycle Assessment Study on a New Countertop MaterialPublication . Silva, Luiza; Silva, Maria; Brás, Isabel; Domingos, Idalina; Ferreira Wessel, Dulcineia; Ferreira, JoséThe life cycle of furniture products has been decreased in the last years as a consequence of the continuous improvement of people’s housing conditions. This behavior increases the waste amount in an urban area. The focus of this study was developing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) (cradle-to-grave) of a new countertop product. Two scenarios for countertop waste management were proposed, one considering landfilling and another considering recycling. The functional unit chosen was 1 m2 of finished panel (countertop) and the boundary system involved the study of raw materials, product packaging, the panel production process, the installation process, the panel use, and its end of life. The chosen method for impact assessment was EPD (2018) available in the SimaPro PhD software. The results showed that recycling has a positive effect on the environmental impacts, with the variation ranging from 0.3% on Abiotic Depletion (FF) to 15.9% on Eutrophication. A comparison between the product studied and products with similar functions was also conducted and although this product was not the worst performer, it has a lot of room for improvement.
- Risk assessment of reusing treated water from the Viseu Sul WWTP for irrigation and similar usesPublication . Santos, Lenise; Ferreira, José; Silva, Maria; Simões, Luis; Ferreira, Miguel; Brás, IsabelDue to the growing water scarcity, the reuse of treated wastewater arises as a possibility for sustainable water management. However, it is necessary to evaluate the possible risks associated with its activity. This study aims to develop a risk assessment of water for reuse, in terms of public health and water resources, for production and internal use by the Viseu Sul Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and external use in irrigation of green spaces in Viseu. The methodology used was a semi-quantitative risk assessment. The results demonstrated the viability of the production and use of Reused Water by the Viseu Sul WWTP, with an overall risk to public health of 0.68, and for use in irrigating green spaces in Viseu, with an overall risk of 0.75. The overall risk to water resources was 2.33 for nitrogen and phosphorus and 0.78 for E. coli. All risks were considered insignificant, considering the criteria defined by the method. Based on the information presented, it can be inferred that the use of treated wastewater to meet Viseu's water needs is a viable option.