Brunel University Research ArchiveThe BURA digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material.https://bura.brunel.ac.uk:4432024-03-19T00:01:20Z2024-03-19T00:01:20ZFinancing Sustainability: How Environmental Disclosures Shape Bank Lending Decisions in Emerging MarketsHui, ZLi, HElamer, AAhttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/285692024-03-18T21:36:39Z2024-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Financing Sustainability: How Environmental Disclosures Shape Bank Lending Decisions in Emerging Markets
Authors: Hui, Z; Li, H; Elamer, AA
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Description: JEL Classification: G21; G32; O31; M41.2024-01-01T00:00:00ZA literature and practice review to develop archetypes of upstream packaging strategies for a circular economyTerzioglu, NCeschin, FJobling, STarverdi, Khttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/285682024-03-18T19:08:52Z2024-03-13T00:00:00ZTitle: A literature and practice review to develop archetypes of upstream packaging strategies for a circular economy
Authors: Terzioglu, N; Ceschin, F; Jobling, S; Tarverdi, K
Abstract: Plastic pollution is a serious issue of global concern which requires an urgent and international response involving all relevant actors at different levels of the supply chain. Increasing production of single use plastics and the mismanagement of the resulting plastic packaging waste is one of the prominent reasons for this pressing environmental issue. Several potentially promising solutions, such as reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging systems exist. Many of these innovative approaches may contribute to achieving a circular plastic economy, but there is a need to categorise and collate these under unifying themes to facilitate the assessment and comparison of different strategies.
The aim of this research is to analyse and categorise the existing solutions that tackle the plastic packaging waste problem to identify the archetypes of these solutions. Literature and business practice reviews were conducted to discover existing solutions. 200 solutions were selected and categorised by exploring the common patterns. Finally, 10 archetypes and 17 sub-archetypes were introduced. These archetypes are: refill stations, mobile refill stations, refill at home solutions, prefilled packaging systems, reusable takeaway and delivery solutions, B2B reusable packages, packaging solutions led by elimination, compostable and biodegradable packaging, substitution to a non-plastic material and plastic recycling. The findings led to the development of an upstream packaging strategies framework. This paper makes an original contribution to knowledge with the development of this framework as a systematic way to map existing (and new) solutions that can potentially tackle the plastic packaging waste and pollution problem.
Description: Data availability:
No data was used for the research described in the article.2024-03-13T00:00:00ZAn appraisal of the mechanical, microstructural, and thermal characteristics of concrete containing waste PET as coarse aggregateBamigboye, GTarverdi, KAdigun, DDaniel, BOkorie, UAdediran, Jhttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/285672024-03-18T18:03:59Z2022-02-07T00:00:00ZTitle: An appraisal of the mechanical, microstructural, and thermal characteristics of concrete containing waste PET as coarse aggregate
Authors: Bamigboye, G; Tarverdi, K; Adigun, D; Daniel, B; Okorie, U; Adediran, J
Abstract: This study assessed the workability, mechanical, microstructural, and thermal behaviours of concrete composed from recycled waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a partial or full replacement for natural coarse aggregates. Workability and Compressive/Split tensile strength tests alongside microstructural and thermogravimetric analysis were performed. Results disclosed that the concrete’s workability increased with increasing percentages of PET. The compressive strength increases with extended curing but decreases as the percentages of waste PET increased at different curing lengths. The PET-modified blends could not yield the target design strength for grade 25 concrete after 28 days. However, the 20% PET-modified mix reached the target strength for concrete grade 20. For all blends, increase in split tensile strength with curing lengths was observed, only the 20% PET-modified blend achieved suitable split tensile strength values. Microstructural analysis revealed that the 100% PET sample has a relatively irregular surface pattern with pores of about 2–4 µm, high quantities of Ca, and minor traces of O, C, Al, Si, Mg, and Na. While PC-20 had a much denser interface between the PET aggregates and the cement matrix with high percentage of Si, O, and Ca, and moderate to minor percentage of Al, Au, Na, and Mg. Thermal analysis showed that the 100% PET sample endured three transition stages. The research outcomes prove that heat-processed PET-modified concrete is suitable for structural applications due to its acceptable fresh, mechanical, microstructural, and thermal properties. Moreover, this alternative is eco-friendly and sustainable as it substitutes natural aggregates with waste plastics.
Description: Acknowledgement: The authors wish to thank the chancellor and the management of Covenant University for the platform made available for this research work. The authors also, appreciate the Experimental Techniques Centre (ETC) Brunel University London for the platform made available for performing Microstructural and Thermal Analyses of samples.2022-02-07T00:00:00ZImpact of RON on a heavily downsized boosted SI engine using 2nd generation biofuel – A comprehensive experimental analysisMohamed, MBiswal, AWang, XZhao, HHarrington, AHall, Jhttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/285662024-03-18T15:40:27Z2024-03-04T00:00:00ZTitle: Impact of RON on a heavily downsized boosted SI engine using 2nd generation biofuel – A comprehensive experimental analysis
Authors: Mohamed, M; Biswal, A; Wang, X; Zhao, H; Harrington, A; Hall, J
Abstract: Sustainable energy solutions are paramount in the urgent global drive against climate change, especially in transportation. This research focuses on second-generation biogasolines and their potential in the context of decarbonisation. Two biogasolines, 99 RON E20 and 95 RON E20, were rigorously tested in a downsized single-cylinder engine. Their performance, combustion, and emissions were compared against the conventional fossil fuel, 95 RON E10, under varying engine loads. Additionally, a comprehensive injection parameter sweep was conducted for both biofuels at low and high loads, shedding light on their unique operational characteristics and operational regimes. This research significantly enhances our knowledge about the potential of these new biofuels and their implications for a more sustainable energy future. The findings of the experiments demonstrate no substantial difference between the tested biofuels and fossil fuels. Biofuel with a higher octane number provides more knock resistance than fossil fuel, resulting in increased thermal efficiency due to spark advance ability. However, more significant hydrocarbon emissions were detected for biofuels than fossil fuels due to more extensive aromatic content. Both biofuels have stable combustion in low and high-load operations under varying injection pressures and injection start times. 99 Bio E20 has a wider operational range than 95 Bio E20. However, due to very high HC emissions, especially at high-load operations, an early injection start with more significant injection pressure is not recommended for biofuel. From a broader perspective, both biofuels exhibit the promising potential to serve as drop-in replacements in spark ignition engines.
Description: Data availability:
Data will be made available on request.2024-03-04T00:00:00Z