Comparative Global Warming Potential as Environment Protection Criteria of Production Systems: A Case Study of Philippine Chicken Meat Sector

Demand for chicken meat has been increasing tremendously over the years globally at an average 2.4% per annum and in the Philippines at an average of 3.4% per annum. In view of the sustainable development goal (SDG) 13: Climate Change, the chicken meat sector needs to embark on more efficient production. It is not just about producing enough food, but doing it in a sustainable way. This study aimed to demonstrate the identification, evaluation and comparison of the environmental impacts of Philippine chicken meat production systems. The analysis was done through the cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and supported with the global livestock environmental assessment model interactive (GLEAM-i) system. The study evaluated 4 production systems in various sites, namely A: intensive broiler operations; B: small-scale broiler operations with own organic feeds; C: backyard free-range operations with own organic feeds; and D: backyard free-range operations using commercial feeds. Based on a functional unit of 1 kg carcass weight (CW), the respective equivalent global warming potential (GWP) were established. System A (5.0 kg CO2-eq kg-1 CW) has the lowest GWP, followed by B (5.15 kg CO2-eq kg-1 CW), D (9.79 kg CO2-eq kg-1 CW) and C (13.51 kg CO2-eq kg-1 CW). Through LCA, the identified improvement opportunities include using locally sourced alternative for feed ingredient for A; increasing production yield to maximize the fixed inputs for B and C; and using locally sourced feed alternatives and increasing production yield for D. Well-established GWP indicators can help in shaping production and consumption patterns. It can help producers in improving operations and in establishing transparency and competitive advantage. While for consumers, it can make them well-informed and empowered in making eco-conscious purchases. This can have a long-term effect on awareness and involvement in environmental protection initiatives among producers, consumers and other concerned groups

A Study of Policy Implementation and Community Participation in the Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Philippines

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns of the Philippines at present. Several measures have been implemented to circumvent this issue, including waste management policies stipulated in the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001.  However, the implementation of these policies even at the barangay level has always been a challenge.  Hence, this study assessed the compliance of selected barangays in Cebu City, Philippines, specifically to the integrated solid waste management plan based on the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle).  A descriptive quantitative method was utilized in this study. There were 1523 residents and 30 Barangay Environment Officials identified as respondents based on Slovin’s sampling method at a 95% confidence level. The results revealed that there is less extent of compliance in almost all of the SWM policies such as segregation, composting, recycling, incentives, and public information. There is a moderate extent of compliance in terms of collection and transport of solid waste and enforcement of penalties and fines.  However, there is non-compliance in terms of facilities for final disposal.  Furthermore, the results suggested that effective measures for recycling and composting should be undertaken to encourage higher participation among residents of the barangay. The presence of effective, functional, and marketable materials resource facilities and convenient drop-off locations for recyclable materials ensure final sorting according to its type for composting and recycling

Techno-economic analysis of a cost-effective power generation system for off-grid island communities : a case study of Gilutongan Island, Cordova, Cebu, Philippines

Off-grid, rural island communities seldom have access to electricity and for those that do, the quality and availability are unsatisfactory. Gilutongan Island is one of the many off-grid islands in the Philippines with very limited access to electricity. Residents are provided with electricity from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. through a 194-kVA diesel generator, paying US$0.14 per bulb and US$ 0.16 per outlet. Payment for electricity is collected on a daily basis with collections usually amounting to US$74.32 per day. With consumption totalling to 276 kW for 4.5 h, this roughly translates to a cost of US$ 1.21 per kWh. Using Hybrid Optimisation Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER), this paper presents a techno-economic analysis of a proposed cost-effective power generation system for the island, aiming to provide electricity access to the residents 24 h a day with reduced energy cost. Two options are considered: diesel-solar hybrid and solar only. Considering location constraints of the island, the hybrid system proves to be more effective, reducing cost of energy by 70% to US$ 0.3556 per kWh. Determining the load profile of the island is imperative in creating the system, dictating its size and capacity, which in turn affects its sustainability.The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the CHEDNewton Fund Institutional Links project of the University of San Carlos (USC) Center for Research in Energy Systems and Technologies (CREST), under the leadership of Isabelo A. Rabuya, for granting the opportunity to conduct this research. Acknowledgement is also due to the Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) of the University of Southampton (UoS) under the guidance of Prof. AS Bahaj for making this work possible and for providing the necessary tools to complete this paper; to the DOST-ERDT program for providing support; to the USC School of Engineering, under the deanship of Prof. Dr. Evelyn B. Taboada, for continuing to find prospects for advancement; and to the CREST research assistants, especially to Arben Vallente and Gelly Ann Zamora, for their invaluable support to the data gathering of this work

A statistical experimental design to remove sulfate by crystallization in a fluidized-bed reactor

This study used crystallization in a fluidized-bed reactor as an alternative technology to the conventional chemical precipitation to remove sulfate. The Box-Behnken Design was used to study the effects and interactions of seed dosage of synthetic gypsum, initial sulfate concentration and molar ratio of calcium to sulfate on conversion and removal of sulfate. The optimum conditions of conversion and removal of sulfate were determined and used to treat the simulated acid mine drainage (AMD) wastewater. The effect of inorganic ions CO32−, NH4+ and Al3+ on sulfate conversion was also investigated. Experimental results indicated that seed dosage, initial sulfate concentration and molar ratio of calcium to sulfate are all significant parameters in the sulfate removal by fluidized-bed crystallization. The optimal conditions of 4 g seed L−1, 119.7 mM of initial sulfate concentration and [Ca2+]/[SO42−] molar ratio of 1.48 resulted in sulfate conversion of 82% and sulfate removal of 67%. Conversion and removal of sulfate in the simulated AMD wastewater were 79 and 63%, respectively. When ammonium or aluminum was added to the synthetic sulfate wastewater, significant conversion of sulfate was achieved