The Open Waste Management Journal
2018, 11 : 41-49Published online 2018 November 30. DOI: 10.2174/1876400201811010041
Publisher ID: TOWMJ-11-41
LETTER
Guidelines for Practical Application of the EUROPE Model to Improve Production Units’ Resource Efficiency
2 Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar,
* Address correspondence to this author at the LundaHydro AB, Vårlöksvägen 4, SE-387 92 Borgholm, Sweden; Tel: +467 05 858 352; E-mail: .jan.stenis@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
Introduction & Objective:
This paper describes the practical usage of the EUROPE (Efficient Use of Resources for Optimal Production Economy) model based on the equality principle to improve the resource efficiency of production units.
Methodology:
The EUROPE model is a tool to monitor, manage and evaluate how the economic, technological and environmental performance of a firm or other production unit changes over time.
Results & Discussion:
A manual for daily use was provided to industrial managers and practical operators in a municipal solid waste firm. The company was able to improve its economic, environmental and technological standards by employing the EUROPE model, which combines relevant aspects of all three standards in a single key performance indicator. The method involves allocating shadow costs to residuals and the technique is demonstrated in the case of a medium-sized Swedish municipal solid waste management firm.
Conclusion:
The case study indicates that the manual accompanying the model is useful for companies applying the model to industrial activities and solid waste management schemes.