THE ROLE OF GREEN TECHNOLOGIES IN CRISES – CROATIA CASE STUDY

The collapse of the banking system, financial crisis and the fall of free economy only deepened the problems of energy and ecology crisis. However, since crises create also new opportunities, the process of recovery has also given rise to green economybased on green technologies. World of labor, human needs, natural resources and their interrelations are basic for green economy and echnologies. It is the question of quality and not quantity. It is the recovery of individuals, communities and ecosystems. Green economy and green technologies are not just a question of environmental protection and energy security. They create new horizons making the economy like a sailing boat in the wind of eco-system, creating the harmony of nature and human needs. It is the answer to overall crises that went into full swing in 2009 and have lasted ever since. In this paper will be described system of green technologies and green economy in Croatia case study

Sustainable Waste Management and the Impact of the Tourism Sector on Environmental Pollution

Tourism is one of the most important economic activity in Croatia. At the same time tourism sector has a major impact on the environment, which is especially expressed through an increase in the amount of waste generated during the tourist season. Environmental pollution in tourist areas is a common problem due to the large number of people and due to the various activities. Inadequate disposal of waste from hotels and rest areas leads not only to environmental pollution but also to health problems related to pests and infectious diseases. The problem of sustainable waste management is a slight resistance and misunderstanding by entrepreneurs in tourism, due to the common popular opinion that the most important thing is to make a big profit. Environmental protection comes last, although there are many examples of corporate social responsibility and environmental investment in tourism. Such an example is the company Ilirija d.d. In the case study their business and their activities related to waste management were investigated. The goal of the paper is to analyze the amount of waste produced for one year and explore the extent to which Ilirija resort d.d. business is environmentally responsible. The aim is also to investigate the impact of the tourism sector on environmental pollution and the role of waste generated in the this sector in the ecological crisis. The quantities of waste produced in 2018 were monitored and analyzed throughout all twelve months compared to the number of overnight stays. The following data collection methods were used in this study: review of company documents, interviews, surveys and field observations. The results have shown that the increase in the number of tourists increases the amount of waste during the tourist season, as well as preparations for the new season. In conclusion, guidelines and proposed measures for waste reduction will be given

Efficiency of Alkaline Hydrolysis Method in Environment Protection

Development of new technologies for the efficient use of proteins of animal origin, apart from heat treatment in rendering facilities that was used to date, has become the primary goal of the integral waste management system. The emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Europe and in the World in the 1990s opened up new questions regarding medical safety and use of meat bone meal in the animal feed, which is produced by processing animal waste. Animal waste is divided into three categories, out of which the first category is high-risk waste. Alkaline hydrolysis is alternative method for management of animal by-products not intended for human diet and imposes itself as one of the solutions for disposal of high-risk proteins. The paper will present the analyses of animal by-products not intended for human diet treated in laboratory reactor for alkaline hydrolysis, as one of the two recognized methods in EU for the disposal of this type of material and use in fertilization

Sustainable Waste Management and the Impact of the Tourism Sector on Environmental Pollution

Tourism is one of the most important economic activity in Croatia. At the same time tourism sector has a major impact on the environment, which is especially expressed through an increase in the amount of waste generated during the tourist season. Environmental pollution in tourist areas is a common problem due to the large number of people and due to the various activities. Inadequate disposal of waste from hotels and rest areas leads not only to environmental pollution but also to health problems related to pests and infectious diseases. The problem of sustainable waste management is a slight resistance and misunderstanding by entrepreneurs in tourism, due to the common popular opinion that the most important thing is to make a big profit. Environmental protection comes last, although there are many examples of corporate social responsibility and environmental investment in tourism. Such an example is the company Ilirija d.d. In the case study their business and their activities related to waste management were investigated. The goal of the paper is to analyze the amount of waste produced for one year and explore the extent to which Ilirija resort d.d. business is environmentally responsible. The aim is also to investigate the impact of the tourism sector on environmental pollution and the role of waste generated in the this sector in the ecological crisis. The quantities of waste produced in 2018 were monitored and analyzed throughout all twelve months compared to the number of overnight stays. The following data collection methods were used in this study: review of company documents, interviews, surveys and field observations. The results have shown that the increase in the number of tourists increases the amount of waste during the tourist season, as well as preparations for the new season. In conclusion, guidelines and proposed measures for waste reduction will be given

Efficiency of Alkaline Hydrolysis Method in Environment Protection

Development of new technologies for the efficient use of proteins of animal origin, apart from heat treatment in rendering facilities that was used to date, has become the primary goal of the integral waste management system. The emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Europe and in the World in the 1990s opened up new questions regarding medical safety and use of meat bone meal in the animal feed, which is produced by processing animal waste. Animal waste is divided into three categories, out of which the first category is high-risk waste. Alkaline hydrolysis is alternative method for management of animal by-products not intended for human diet and imposes itself as one of the solutions for disposal of high-risk proteins. The paper will present the analyses of animal by-products not intended for human diet treated in laboratory reactor for alkaline hydrolysis, as one of the two recognized methods in EU for the disposal of this type of material and use in fertilization

Dumping and Illegal Transport of Hazardous Waste, Danger of Modern Society

Increasing the production of hazardous waste during the past few years and stricter legislation in the area of​ permanent disposal and transportation costs were significantly elevated above activities. This creates a new, highly lucrative gray market which opens the way for the criminalization. Of great importance is the identification of illegal trafficking of hazardous waste since it can have a significant impact on human health and environmental pollution. Barriers to effective engagement to prevent these activities may vary from region to region, country to country, but together affect the ability of law enforcement authorities to ensure that international shipments of hazardous waste comply with national laws and maritime regulations. This paper will overview the legislation governing these issues, and to analyze the barriers to their implementation, but also try to answer the question of why and how this type of waste traded. Paper is an overview of how Croatia is prepared to join the European Union in this area and indicates the importance and necessity of the cooperation of all of society, and international organizations in the fight with the new trend of environmental crime

Waste Management System with Regard to the Bjelovar-Bilogora County

Otpad je jedan od ključnih problema moderne civilizacije i rezultat našeg načina života. Stvaranjem sve većih količina otpada čovjek znatno narušava prirodnu ravnotežu, stoga je pitanje saniranja odlagališta otpada i uopće njegova adekvatnog zbrinjavanja u samom vrhu prioriteta, jer se na takav način smanjuje zagađenje okoliša. Neodgovarajuće gospodarenje otpadom uzrok je sve zagađenijeg okoliša u Republici Hrvatskoj. Količina otpada stalno raste, a infrastruktura, koja bi taj otpad trebala zbrinuti, nije dostatna. Sustav gospodarenja otpadom ne funkcionira u potpunosti, a propisi koji utvrđuju gospodarenje otpadom ne provode se u cijelosti. Hoće li izmjene Zakona o otpadu dovesti do poboljšanja općeg stanja ili će se problem još više produbiti te kako se s tim nose manje sredine? - najčešća su pitanja struke i znanosti. U radu je prikazan plan sustava gospodarenja otpadom u Bjelovarsko-bilogorskoj županiji te analiza zacrtanih ciljeva.Waste represents one of the key problems of the modern civilization; it is a result of the today way of life. By collecting bigger and bigger quantities of waste, people disturb the natural balance to a high extent; hence, one of the priorities in reducing the pollution of the environment is choosing the right approach to solving the waste problem. Inadequate waste management is the most serious ecological problem in the Republic of Croatia. The quantities of waste constantly grow, and the infrastructure responsible for waste disposal is insufficient. Neither does the waste management system function in full nor is the waste management legislation properly implemented. Both profession and science often wonder whether the amendments to the Waste Act will result in a better general state or will the problem become even more serious, as well as how smaller communities deal with this issue. The paper will present the planned waste management system in the Bjelovar-Bilogora County and an analysis of the set goals

THE IMPORTANCE AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA IN TERMS OF ESTABLISHING MEASURES FOR THE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF FOOD WASTE

Biootpad se prema direktivama EU i zakonskim propisima Republike Hrvatske definira kao biološki razgradiv otpad iz vrtova i parkova, hrana i kuhinjski otpad iz kućanstava, restorana, ugostiteljskih i maloprodajnih objekata uključujući i slični otpad iz proizvodnje prehrambenih proizvoda. Iako se pojam biootpada miješa s pojmom biorazgradivog otpada, oni se bitno razlikuju. Naime, biorazgradivi otpad obuhvaća šire područje te uključuje i razne druge vrste biološki razgradivoga otpada kao što je otpad iz šumarstva, otpadna gnojiva, papir, karton, tekstil i sl. Zakon o održivom gospodarenju otpadom (NN 94/13) propisuje ograničenja u vezi odlaganja biorazgradivoga komunalnoga otpada na odlagališta, pa tako i otpada od hrane, a Pravilnikom o načinima i uvjetima odlaganja otpada, kategorijama i uvjetima rada za odlagališta otpada (NN 117/07, 111/11, 17/13) zabranjen je prihvat komunalnoga otpada na odlagalište ukoliko mu masa biorazgradive komponente premašuje 35% od ukupne mase. Definirane su i obveze odvojenoga sakupljanja biootpada s ciljem njegovog kompostiranja, anaerobne digestije ili energetske oporabe uvođenjem Pravilnika o nusproizovdima i ukidanju statusa otpada (NN 117/14) kojim su otvorene mogućnosti u pogledu gospodarenja ovom posebnom kategorijom otpada sukladno najmodernijim tehnološkim i najnovijim zakonskim tekovinama EU. Smanjenje nastanka otpada od hrane zauzima značajno mjesto i u programima europskih institucija. Prema dokumentu Europske komisije The Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe do 2020. godine odlaganje otpada od hrane na razini EU trebalo bi biti smanjeno za polovicu. Rad donosi analizu pripremljenosti i rezultata koje je Republika Hrvatska ostvarila ili mora ostvariti u narednom periodu te pregled mogućnosti obrade otpada od hrane.Bio waste is defined as biodegradable waste from gardens and parks, food and kitchen waste from households, restaurants, catering and retail facilities including similar waste from the manufacture of food products according to EU Directives and Croatian legislation. Although the term of bio waste is mixed with the term of biodegradable waste, they are significantly different. The biodegradable waste covers a wider area and includes other various types of waste such as waste from forestry, manure, paper, cardboard, textiles and etc. The Law on Sustainable Waste Management (OG 94/13) prescribes restrictions on disposal of biodegradable municipal waste to landfill, including food waste. By the Ordinance on the methods and conditions of waste disposal, categories and operational requirements for waste landfills (OG 117/07, 111/11, 17/13) it is forbidden to accept the waste at the landfill if biodegradable component weight exceeds 35% of the total weight. Ordinance on by-products and the withdrawing the status of waste (OG 117/14) defines obligations on separate bio waste collection with the aim of composting, anaerobic digestion and energy recovery, providing opportunities of managing this special waste category according to most modern technology and latest EU acquis. Reduction of waste food generation has a significant place in the programs of the European institutions. According to the Roadmap for a resource-efficient Europe by 2020 food waste disposal should be reduced by half at the EU level. The paper analyzes the preparedness and the results that Croatia has made or must achieve in the next period, and it also gives an overview of the possibilities of food waste treatment

Wahrnehmung des Problems, Möglichkeiten und Gewohnheiten der getrennten Abfallsammlung

Cjelovit sustav gospodarenja otpadom temelji se na principu hijerarhijskog koncepta u kojem se na vrhu nalazi izbjegavanje otpada, potom slijedi vrednovanje, a tek na kraju odlaganje. Procjenjuje se kako tek vrlo mali udio od ukupnih količina otpada nastalog u RH tijekom jedne godine nađe put k oporabi. Sve se ostalo, mjereno milijunima tona godišnje, odlaže. Prema dosadašnjim referentnim istraživanjima, koja su navedena u radu, problem otpada je percipiran kao značajan. Istraživanje je imalo za cilj doći do aktualnih saznanja o percepciji odvojenog prikupljanja otpada, a rezultati istraživanja te statistička obrada podataka prikazani su u radu. Rezultati su prikupljeni grupnim anketiranjem. Statističke metode korištene pri obradi podataka su deskriptivna statistika kao i metoda analitičke statistike. U obradi su primijenjene metode univarijatne (postoci) i bivarijatne analize (analiza varijance i t-test). Rezultati su pokazali da više od pola ispitanika od ukupnog uzorka razvrstava otpad u vlastitom kućanstvu, a oni koji ne razvrstavaju kao razlog većinom navode nepostojanje infrastrukture za odvojeno prikupljanje otpada u blizini mjesta stanovanja.Integrated waste management system is based on the principle of hierarchy, where the avoidance of waste is on top, followed by waste evaluation, and only then by waste disposal. It is estimated that only a small portion of waste generated in Croatia over the period of one year finds its way to recovery. The remainder of waste, measured in millions of tons per year, is disposed. Previous studies, which are discussed in this paper, also demonstrate the significance of examining this important topic. In this study group questionnaires were used to investigate the awareness of the importance of waste collection and waste management. The main aim of the study was to investigate the perception of separate waste collection. The results were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics, i.e. univariate (percentages) and bivariate analysis (analysis of variance and t-test). The results reveal that more than one half of the respondents separate waste in their own households, and those who do not separate it state as their main reason a lack of available infrastructure for separate waste collection close to home.Die integrierte Abfallwirtschaft beruht auf dem Konzept der Hierarchie, bei dem die Abfallvermeidung an der Spitze liegt, dann folgt die Wiederverwertung und erst am Ende die liegt die Beseitigung. Es wird geschätzt, dass nur ein kleiner Anteil von in einem Jahr entstandenen Gesamtabfall in der Republik Kroatien wiederverwertet wird. Alles andere, Millionen Tonnen jährlich, wird beseitigt. Laut bisherigen Studien, die in der Arbeit angeführt sind, wird das Abfallproblem als wichtig wahrgenommen. Das Ziel der Forschung war es, über die aktuelle Wahrnehmung der getrennten Abfallsammlung zu erfahren und die Forschungsergebnisse, sowie deren statistische Berabeitung wurden in der Arbeit präsentiert. Die Resultate wurden durch Gruppenumfragen gesammelt. Bei der Datenverarbeitung wurden die deskriptive Statistik und die Methode der analytischen Statistik angewandt. Es wurden Methoden der univariaten (Prozente) und der bivariaten Analyse (Varianzanalyse und T-Test) angewandt. Die Resultate haben gezeigt, dass mehr als die Hälfte der Befragten im eigenen Haushalt den Abfall trennt und diejenigen, die es nicht tun, führen das Nichtbestehen der Infrastruktur für Abfalltrennung in ihrer Nähe als den Grund dafür

Energy Security and Renewable Sources of Energy

Energy supply is of vital significance for the functioning of the society and represents an important element both of the national and of the international security. The security of energy supply and the protection of energy infrastructure are part of the security concept of the overall critical infrastructure and represent one of crucial preconditions for the development of any community. Energy security is threatened due to the fact that the world reserves of oil and natural gas are unequally distributed, and insecure transport via third countries additionally threatens the security of energy supply. The issue, not only of security but also of the possibility of energy supply lies certainly also in the limited non-renewable sources of energy. The paper will, therefore, consider the possibilities of continuous energy supply in the form of the development of renewable sources of energy