Publications by authors named "Rene Van Berkel"
Marine plastic pollution (MPP) is an urgent environmental and socio-economic problem. MPP amounts to 300 million tons annually, originates largely from land-based sources and severely impacts marine ecosystem, harms livelihoods and causes costs for businesses and governments. Plastics permeate the whole width and depth of seas and oceans, near well-developed coastal zones and equally in remotest corners.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvolution and diversification of National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPCs).
J Environ Manage
July 2010
Since 1994 UNIDO and UNEP cooperate in a Programme to establish National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPCs) as a mechanism for delivery of Cleaner Production (CP) services to businesses, governments and other organisations. In 2007, 38 NCPCs were operational in 37 developing and transition countries. While initially set up in near-identical ways in each country, over time NCPCs evolved in response to both programme-internal and country-level factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFQuantitative assessment of urban and industrial symbiosis in Kawasaki, Japan.
Environ Sci Technol
March 2009
Article Synopsis
- * The Kawasaki case study identifies 14 symbiotic relationships among various industries, resulting in the diversion of at least 565,000 tons of waste from incineration or landfills annually.
- * The collaborative exchanges, facilitated by government support and policies promoting recycling, highlight the significant economic potential, with four major symbioses valued at around 13.3 billion JPY (approximately 130 million USD) each year.
Article Synopsis
- - Japan's Eco-Town Program focuses on integrating Industrial and Urban Symbiosis to maximize economic and environmental benefits by using waste materials from industries and municipalities, leading to the establishment of 26 Eco-Towns across the country.
- - About 1.65 billion USD was invested in 61 innovative recycling projects, with an average government subsidy of 36%, while at least 107 additional recycling facilities were built without government funding.
- - The program saw contributions from both the private sector and civil society, with factors like financial subsidies, strict recycling laws, and technological support driving its overall success.