Manuel Lorenz

The rapid growth of online retail increases the demand for packaging. Although packaging is necessary to fulfill logistic and marketing functions, it fosters the depletion of resources, is often used carelessly, and thus negatively impacts the environment. Eco‐friendly packaging variants could provide a solution to this problem. Since many stakeholders must be involved to promote their use, this study develops a conceptual framework that reconciles their different perspectives and combines these with an environmental assessment to facilitate the transition to more sustainable online retail. We apply a multi‐method research approach to investigate the different views. We use qualitative interviews and website analyses to capture the perspective of online retailers, conduct an online survey ( n = 1491) to investigate consumers’ perceptions of various product and transport packaging alternatives, and perform a life cycle assessment (LCA) of these options. The findings reveal that online retailers lack knowledge regarding consumer preferences and the environmental impact of packaging. The consumer survey shows a strong preference for packaging made from recycled paper and general avoidance of plastic packaging. The LCA results reveal that recycled and reusable variants are environmentally beneficial. The findings are interpreted in light of the relationships assumed in the conceptual framework. From a theoretical perspective, our results indicate that online retailers are concerned about the signaling role of packaging and that consumers refer to heuristic cues when deciding between packaging variants. We reconcile the different perspectives to propose strategies that contribute to a broader distribution of eco‐friendly packaging in online retail.

An innovative approach of combining membrane and zero brine technologies for a joint treatment of industrial liquid waste is investigated regarding its environmental impacts compared to the existing liquid waste treatment. The object of investigation is the generation of waste acid solution by a hot dip galvanizing plant in Sicily, Italy. The waste acid solution contains hydrochloric acid, iron and zinc, which makes it a hazardous waste according to EU classifications. Environmental impacts are studied for two scenarios in the Tecnozinco hot-dip galvanizing plant in Sicily, Italy: (i) the current process of pickling with linear disposal of waste acid and (ii) the pickling combined with in-situ treatment of the waste acid using a combination of diffusion dialysis (DD), membrane distillation (MD) and a precipitation reactor. Results are obtained via an attributional life cycle assessment (LCA) approach focusing on the water footprint profile of the process. The linear disposal path creates significant costs, environmental burdens and risks during the 1500 km transport of hazardous liquid waste. The combination of DD and MD, complemented with a zero-brine precipitation reactor, closes internal material loops, could save local water resources and reduces costs as well as environmental impacts. Reduction potentials of 70–80% regarding most LCA impact categories can be expected for the application of the novel technology combination supporting the galvanizing pre-treatment process under study. Therefore, the application of such technology on the way forward to a more circular economy is recommended from an environmental viewpoint, especially in process plants similar to the investigated one. Graphical Abstract

According to the IEA Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019, one of the main industry sectors causing environmental impacts is the construction sector. Hence, construction materials from renewable resources are expected to have a large potential to decrease these impacts. In this study, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted for four different insulation materials from renewable feedstock: insulation made from pasture grass, seaweed, reed, and recycled jute fibres. Additionally, the effects on land use change were evaluated for pasture grass insulation using the LANCA^® methodology. To put the LCA results in relation to those of non-renewable resources, a comparison of standardized LCA values for conventional insulation materials is presented. In general, the renewable insulation materials show fewer environmental impacts than their conventional counterparts. In particular, these materials have advantages regarding greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on climate change. Of the analyzed materials, seaweed showed the overall lowest emissions. It can be concluded that insulation materials from non-mineral, non-fossil, and non-wooden resources are still fairly niche in terms of market share, but they have extraordinary potential in decreasing the environmental impacts of construction ventures.

Due to the growing world population and its increasing energy demand, the construction of new power plants is inevitable. At the same time, it is necessary to keep the rise of the global average temperature well below 2 °C compared to pre-industrial level in order to significantly reduce the impacts and risks of climate change. Therefore, an environmental friendly energy infrastructure is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar thermal power plants are a promising technology, as they provide the possibility to buffer solar energy in a thermal storage. Thus, it can produce electricity according to the demand and is independent of meteorological fluctuations. A life cycle assessment is necessary to assess the environmental impact of a solar thermal power plant and its individual components. This work analyses the extent of the environmental effects of solar thermal tower power plants in the following selected impact categories according to the CML-method: Global Warming Potential (GWP 100 years), Abiotic Depletion potential (ADP elements), Eutrophication potential (EP) and Acidification Potential (AP). The most ecologically relevant components are identified and modelled with different specifications in order to compare the influence of different building types. Furthermore, the life cycle assessment model is applied to different geographical locations in order to enable site-specific considerations. The selected locations are Upington in South Africa, Evora in Portugal and Calama in Chile. The life cycle inventory is generated based on an extensive literature research and forms the foundation for the modelling of solar thermal tower power plants in the LCA software GaBi ts. As a result, the most ecologically relevant components are determined. A comparison of the different locations allows statements on the ecological potential of solar thermal tower power plants at a specific site. The heliostats and the molten salt (MS) as heat transfer fluid and storage medium dominate the impact on the GWP 100 years. The heliostats consist mainly of steel and glass and are needed in large numbers. The molten salt is used in a high amount and consists of a mixture from sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate which both have a high impact on GWP. Moreover, the transport and the construction on site have relevant contributions to GWP. The impact of the transport results from the large mass of all shipped components. The impact of the construction on site has copper cables as the main contributor. The end-of-life scenarios have a significant effect on the total impact. Depending on the recovery of the metals and especially the further use of the molten salt, the environmental impact is decisively influenced.