International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 2015
journal homepage: http://www.pakinsight.com/?ic=projournal&journal=IPSBS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Merica Pletikosić1
1
Environmental Manager Cemex Croatia Kaštel Sućurac, Croatia
ABSTRACT
The sustainable development, based on the concept of substitution of fossil fuels by the
alternative fuels, with the aim of adapting to climate changes, primarily demands a powerful
activity in easing and decreasing the carbon dioxide emission, the largest contemporary
environmental threat. To achieve such highly set global goals, it is necessary to invest large
amounts of effort in informing and sensitizing the public. This work presents results of
empirical research regarding the level of information and attitudes of the interested public,
concerning the usage of fuel made from waste as a substitute fuel in the cement industry. The
research was conducted on the aim sample, using the in-depth interview and the
participating observance. The qualitative method of grounded theory was used in the
analysis of empirical material. The coded material was quantitatively processed and
calculated using the Statistica ver. 11.00 computer program. Aim of the research was to
determine the level of information and the attitudes of interested public regarding
differences between communal waste incineration in incinerators and co-incineration in the
cement industry, as an alternative fuel, as well as the influence on the environment and the
cognitions on the alternative fuels usage in the cement plants of the European Union. The
representatives of all the defined subsamples were largely of the opinion that there were no
differences between burning the waste in the incinerators and co-incineration in the cement
industry. They considered that the usage of the alternative fuels would have negative
consequences on the environment and the health of the population, but also that the usage of
such fuels was legally allowed in the cement plants of the EU
Keywords: Sustainable development, Carbon dioxide emission, Alternative fuels.
Contribution/ Originality:
1. INTRODUCTION
One of the most significant challenges of today in establishing the sustainable
development is represented by the mechanisms of the adjustment to the climate changes by
using the substitute fuels. They are used with the aim of decreasing the emission of
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International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
greenhouse gases that mostly come from fossil fuels 1. Therefore, managing the risks of
global warming by decreasing the carbon pollution is a part of many international
agreements that are binding to the economy2. The decrease, according to the measures
defined by Kyoto protocol for the cement industry, is achieved by the substitution of the
fossil fuels with substitution fuels, made from waste, which contain large amounts of
biomass. The significant place in this concept of sustainable development is establishing the
complete system of waste management, from the decrease of the amount of waste at the
place of origin, primary selection and sorting, recycling, and especially material and
energetic recovery of the waste3. The complete establishment of the waste management
system demands significant financial means, but also preparation and public participation.
The interested public often expresses opposition to the project, considers that they have no
real influence on the decision regarding the realization of the project, and that they have no
influence on bringing the decision, besides being informed, what is also a reason for the lack
of trust in the procedure. The aim of this research was to determine the level of information
and the attitudes of the interested public on the differences in burning the communal waste in
the incinerators and co-incineration in the cement industry as an alternative fuel, and the
influence on the environment, as well as the cognitions on the alternative fuels usage in the
cement plants of the European Union4. The research determined the level of information of
the aim and the sector groups in relation to the possibilities of usage of alternative fuels in
the cement industry in concordance with the sustainable development and the legal
obligations regarding adjustment to climate changes 5.
2. METHODS
The sample of examinees was defined by 100 entities, 55 of which were male and 45
female. The average age of examinees was 47.9 years. Age, education, employment and
dwelling are shown in Table 1.
Table-1. Demographic structure of the sample
Total sample
Gender
1
Male
Female
N
100
55
45
%
100%
55%
45%
Sullivan, R., 2008. Corporate responses to climate change. UK. Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing Limited.
2
Battelle, 2002. Toward a sustainable cement industry. An independent study and its substudies. A Report Report Commissioned by
the World Business Council on Sustainable Development. Geneva: WBCSD.
3
CEMBUREAU, 2009. Co - processing of alternative fuels and raw materials in the European cement industry. Sustainable cement
production. Brussels. http://www.cembureau.be/sustainable-cement-production-co-processing-alternative-fuels-and-raw-materialscement-industry.
4
Alsop, P., 2001. The cement plant operations handbook. International cement review. 3rd Edn., Portsmouth, United Kingdom:
Printed by Bishop Ltd.
5
Grunig, J.E. and T. Hunt, 1984. Managing public relations. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston..
2
International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
Age
Education
Employment
City
Up to 30 years
From 31 to 44 years
From 45 to 60 years
More than 60 years
High school
College/Faculty
Unemployed
Employed
Retired
Students
Kaštela
Solin
Split
3
22
62
13
28
72
7
82
6
5
39
36
25
3%
22%
62%
13%
28%
72%
7%
82%
6%
5%
39%
36%
25%
LEGEND: N- number of examinees, %- relative values
The examinees were divided into nine subsamples (aim groups) which were
qualitatively
environmental
defined:
ORGANIZATIONS
organizations
–
representatives
of Split-Dalmatia
County,
10
of
non-governmental
subjects;
TOWNS
–
representatives of local government employees from Kaštela, Solin and Split, 10 subjects;
BUYERS/SUPPLIERS – representatives of buyers and suppliers of CEMEX Croatia, 10
subjects; POLITICS/SCIENCE – representatives of local political structures and scientists,
10 subjects; SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS RECIPIENTS – representatives of
beneficiaries and recipients of CEMEX sponsorships and donations, 10 subjects; KAŠTELA
RESIDENTS – representatives of neighbours of the plant “Sv. Juraj” in Kaštel Sućurac, 15
subjects; SOLIN RESIDENTS – representatives of neighbours of the plant “Sv. Kajo” in
Solin, 15 subjects; CEMEX EMPLOYEES – representatives of CEMEX employees, 10
subjects; COUNTY – representatives of local government employees of Split-Dalmatia
County, 10 subjects.
Out of the abovementioned subsamples, three new clusters (sectors) consisting of the
total of 70 subjects were classified, which were qualitatively defined as:
PUBLIC SECTOR – 30 subjects from the target groups: TOWNS, POLITICS/SCIENCE and
COUNTY.
CIVIL SECTOR – 20 subjects from the target groups: ORGANIZATIONS and
SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS RECIPIENTS.
ECONOMIC SECTOR – 20 subjects from the target groups: BUYERS/SUPPLIERS and
CEMEX EMPLOYEES.
The sample of variables was represented by a group of 3 qualitatively defined questions
used in open and/or indirect interview.
The first variable, with the code name differences_burning in incinerators_co-incineration
in cement plants, was defined based on the first question:
1. In your opinion, are there any differences in burning the waste in incinerators
and the co-incineration in the cement plants?
The second variable with the code name RDF usage in cement plants_harmful consequences
was defined based on the second question:
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International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
2. Do you consider that the usage of fuel made from waste in cement plants has
harmful consequences for the environment?
The third variable with the code name EU cement plants_RDF usage was defined based on
the third question:
3. Are you familiar with the usage of fuel made from waste in the cement plants
in the EU?
The in-depth interview directed towards the problem, with 100 of examinees divided in
nine aim groups and three control sector groups, represent the aim sample of the interested
public, rich in information and influential in creating the attitudes of others 6. After the
problem and the aim of the research were presented, all the examinees agreed to participate
in this research. Based on the written transcripts, the numeric coding of the answers was
performed, with the aim of forming the matrix defined by the total sample of the examinees
and the coded variables for further statistic processing 7. The descriptive analysis determined
the frequency of each applied variable with code names for each question, as well as their
relative cumulative values8.
The quantification of the qualitative empirical material and conversion into the numeric
shape was performed with the aim of further execution of statistical methods analysis. The
complete statistic processing was executed with the STATISTICA Ver. 11.00 processing
package.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The examinees` answers to the first question of this research (In your opinion, are there
any differences in burning the waste in incinerators and the co-incineration in the cement
plants?) were defined at three levels.
First group was classified according to the negative answer and it represents those
entities who answered: No, there is no difference in burning waste in incinerators and coincineration in cement plants. Quantitatively, these answers were coded by number 0 (zero),
used in the forthcoming statistic data processing.
Second group was classified according to the affirmative answer and it represents those
entities who answered: Yes, there are differences, cement plants are more acceptable because
of the high temperatures. Quantitatively, these answers were coded by number 1 (one), used
in the forthcoming statistic data processing.
6
Charmaz, K., 1983. The grounded theory method: An explication and interpretation. In: Conteporary field research, Emerson RM
(Eds). Boston: Little Brown.
7
Bryant, A. and K. Charmaz, 2007. Grounded theory. The Sage handbook. Paperback edition. British Library Cataloguing in
Publication Data. Sage Publications Ltd.
8
Silverman, D., 2006. Interpreting qualitative data, methods for analyzing talk, text and interaction. 3rd Edn.: London. Thousand
Oaks. New Delhi: Sage Publications Ltd. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
4
International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
Third group represents those entities who defined their answers as: I am not sure, I am
partially informed, I do not know enough, I am not completely informed, I know something
but not much etc. Quantitatively, these answers were coded by number 2 (two), used in the
forthcoming statistic data processing.
The descriptive analysis determined the frequency of the coded answers in the total
sample, as well as nine aim groups that were defined as three new sectors in the analysis
process. The analysis and the statistic processing were conducted for all the subgroups
classified.
Table 2 shows the results of the frequency for all the entities and the first variable with
code name differences_burning in incinerators_co-incineration in cement plants.
Table-2. Relative and cumulative frequencies of the differences_burning in
incinerators_co-incineration in cement plants variable, N=100
Var
0
1
2
Total
Freq
57
22
21
100
%
57.00
79.00
100.00
100.00
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
Fifty seven percent of the examinees consider that there was no difference between
burning the waste in incinerators and the co-incineration in the cement plants, 22% of
examinees was of opinion that the co-incineration in cement plants was more acceptable
because of the high temperatures, while 21% of the entities had no opinion on this question
because they were not sure of the right answer, were partially informed, did not know
enough, were not thoroughly informed, knew something but not much etc.
Table 3 shows the frequency of the differences_burning in incinerators_co-incineration
in cement plants variable, according to the previously defined aim groups.
Table-3. The frequencies of the differences_burning in incinerators_co-incineration in cement plants variable
according to aim group, N=100
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
The frequency of the differences_burning in incinerators_co-incineration in cement
plants variable according to the aim group shown in table 3 indicate that the representatives
of all the defined subsamples largely were of opinion that there was no difference in burning
waste in incinerators and co-incineration in cement plants, with the 57% part. The
EMP/CEM aim group was of opinion that the cement plants were more acceptable because
of the high temperatures during co-incineration, with the 10% of the total relative value of
22%. Largest number of entities from the SPON/DON. REC group considered that they did
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International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
not have enough information, were not sure and did not know if there was a difference in
burning waste in incinerators and co-incineration in cement plants, with the 7% part.
Table 4 shows the frequencies of the differences_burning in incinerators_coincineration in cement plants variable, according to the previously defined sector groups.
Table-4. The frequencies of the differences_burning in incinerators_co-incineration in
cement plants variable according to sector group, N=
Var
0
1
2
TOTAL
PUBLIC
22
5
3
30
CIVIL
9
4
7
20
ECONOMY
5
10
5
20
TOTAL
36
19
15
70
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
The negative code answer for the differences_burning in incinerators_co-incineration in
cement plants variable according to the sector group had the highest numeric value in the
public sector, where 31% of the examinees or 22 representatives from the total number
analysed were of opinion that there was no difference in burning waste in incinerators and
co-incineration in cement plants. Ten percentage of the economy sector or 10 representatives
were of opinion that there was a difference due to the high temperatures in the cement plants.
Seven entities of the civil sector, of the total number of 15 examinees, chose code answer
two (2), meaning that they were partially informed and had no opinion on the defined
question.
In answering the second question the examinees showed their opinion on the question
how much the RDF usage in cement plants had a negative influence on the environment. The
examinees` answers were defined at three levels:
First group was classified according to the negative answer, and it represents those
entities who answered: No, there are no negative consequences for the environment, the
controls are very strict, no, but the RDF has to be controlled, there is no damage to the
environment etc. Quantitatively, these answers were coded by number zero (0), used in the
forthcoming statistic data processing.
Second group was classified according to the positive answer, and it represents those
entities who answered: Yes, it has a negative influence for the environment, it would have
unforeseen consequences on the environment and the health of the population, I think that
the negative consequences would be great etc. Quantitatively, these answers were coded by
number one (1), used in the forthcoming statistic data processing
Third group represents those entities who defined their answers as: I am not sure, I am
partially informed, I do not know enough, I am not completely informed, I know something
but not much etc. Quantitatively, these answers were coded by number 2 (two), used in the
forthcoming statistic data processing.
The descriptive analysis determined the frequency of the coded answers in the total
sample, as well as nine aim groups that were defined as three new sectors in the analysis
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International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
process. The analysis and the statistic processing were conducted for all the subgroups
classified.
Table 5 shows the results of frequency of all entities and the second variable RDF usage
in cement plants_harmful consequences.
Table-5. Relative and cumulative frequencies of the
RDF usage in cement plants_harmful consequences
variable, N=100
Var
0
1
2
Total
Freq
30
53
17
100
%
30.00
83.00
100.00
100.00
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
Fifty three percentage of the examinees was of opinion that the RDF usage in cement
plants would have unforeseen consequences for the environment and public health. Thirty
percent of the entities believe that there are no harmful consequences for the environment if
the RDF is used in cement plants, and 17% claims that they do not have enough information,
do not know the problem, are partially informed, are not sure, are not acquainted with the
problem and they chose the undefined answer.
The analysis of the coded variable RDF usage in cement plants_harmful consequences
frequency according to aim group is shown in table 6.
Table-6. Frequencies of the RDF usage in cement plants_harmful consequences variable according to aim group,
N=100.
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
The frequency analysis for the RDF usage in cement plants_harmful consequences
variable according to the aim groups shows that only the representatives of COU are in
majority of opinion that the RDF usage in cement plants has no negative consequences for
the environment. On the other side, 9 representatives of the ORG, BUY/SUPP, and 13
representatives of the RES/KAŠ aim group were of opinion that the damage to the
environment would be great if the RDF was used in the cement plants. Of all the entities who
participated in this research, the largest number of RES/SOL group was of opinion that they
were not well informed and that they did not know about the harmful consequences.
Table 7 shows the frequencies of the RDF usage in cement plants_harmful
consequences variable, according to the previously defined sector groups.
Table-7. Frequencies of the RDF usage in cement plants_harmful consequences variable
according to sector groups, N=70
PUBLIC
CIVIL
ECONOMY
TOTAL
7
International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
0
1
2
TOTAL
16
8
6
30
4
14
2
20
3
14
3
20
23
36
11
70
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
The negative answer for the RDF usage in cement plants_harmful consequences
variable according to the sector group had the largest numeric value in the public sector
where 23% of the examinees, or 16 representatives of the total number analyzed, was of
opinion that there were no harmful consequences for the RDF usage in cement plants.
The economy and civil sector, with equal parts of 20% or 14 entities, were of opinion
that the RDF usage in cement plants was harmful for the environment and public health. Six
representatives of the civil sector showed their partial and incomplete level of information.
Regarding the third question, the examinees showed their acquaintance with the
possibilities of the RDF usage in the EU countries. The three levels of answers were defined
as following:
First group was classified according to the negative answer, and it represents those
entities who answered: No, usage of RDF in cement plants in EU is not allowed.
Quantitatively, these answers were coded by number zero (0), used in the forthcoming
statistic data processing.
Second group defined their answer affirmatively: Yes, the usage of RDF is legally
allowed in the cement plants of the EU. Quantitatively, these answers were coded by number
one (1), used in the forthcoming statistic data processing.
Third group of the examinees remained undefined and was classified according to the
answer: I do not know, I am not well informed, I am not sure, I do not know the facts well
enough and I cannot answer etc. Quantitatively, these answers were coded by number two
(2), used in the forthcoming statistic data processing.
The descriptive analysis determined the frequency of the coded answers in the total
sample, as well as nine aim groups that were defined as three new sectors in the analysis
process. The analysis and the statistic processing were conducted for all the subgroups
classified.
Table 8 shows the results of frequency of all entities and the third variable with the code
name EU cement plants_RDF usage.
Table-8. Relative and cumulative frequencies of the EU
cement plants_RDF usage variable, N=100
0
1
2
Total
Freq
0
65
35
100
%
00.00
65.00
100.00
100.00
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
The frequency results analysis for all the examinees and the third variable with the code
name EU cement plants_RDF usage shoes that not one examinee who participated in this
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International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
research did not offer a negative answer, nobody claimed that RDF usage in the cement
plants in EU was not allowed.
Sixty five percent of the sample considers that the usage of substitute fuels, as well as
RDF usage, was legally allowed in the EU countries. Thirty five percent of the sample was
not well acquainted with the facts and were not well informed, and remained undefined
regarding this question.
Table 9 shows the EU cement plants_RDF usage variable frequency, according to the
previously defined aim groups.
Table-9. Frequencies of the EU cement plants_RDF usage variable according to aim group, N=100
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
The representatives of the BUY/SUP and RES/SOL aim groups were least informed on
the RDF usage in cement plants of EU, with the 20% part or 35 entities who were of opinion
that they did not know the EU normative and regulations. The representatives of POL/SCI
and CEM/EMP were sure of the positive answer to this question, because all the entities of
this aim group showed identical attitudes.
Table 10 shows the EU cement plants_RDF usage variable frequency, according to the
previously defined sector groups.
Table 10. Frequencies of the EU cement plants_RDF usage variable according to sector
group, N=70
0
1
2
TOTAL
PUBLIC
0
25
5
30
CIVIL
0
15
5
20
ECONOMY
0
11
9
20
TOTAL
0
51
19
70
Legend: 0 –no; 1 – yes; 2 – I do not know, I am not sure
All the sector groups, with the total part of 73% or 51 examinee, mostly were of opinion
that RDF usage in EU cement plants was allowed. The examinees of the economy sector
were least informed, with the quantitative value of 13%, from the total of 27% who had no
opinion.
4. CONCLUSION
This work presents the results of empirical research regarding the level of information
and the attitudes of the interested public concerning the usage of fuel made from waste as
substitute fuel in the cement industry in Croatia. The research was conducted on the aimed
subsample by using the in-depth interview and participating observance method. The
qualitative method of based theory was used in the analysis of the empirical material. The
9
International Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, xxx(xxx): xxx
coded material was quantitatively processed and calculated using the Statistica ver. 11.00
computer program. Most examinees consider that there was no difference between burning
the waste in incinerators and co-incineration in the cement plants, while a significant number
of entities had no opinion regarding this question, since they had no information. The largest
numeric value was found in the public sector, where one third of the examinees was of
opinion that there was no difference between burning the waste in the incinerators and coincineration in the cement plants. Most examinees were of opinion that the usage of fuel
made from waste in cement plants would have unforeseeable consequences on the
environment and the health of the population, although most people had the information that
the usage of the fuel made from waste was legally allowed in the cement plants in the EU.
The result analysis shows that the representatives of the aim and sector groups differ in the
used variables, depending on the belonging to the group. The interested public does not have
an adequate amount of reliable information related to the possibilities of using the alternative
fuels in the cement industry, respecting the principles of sustainable development, and the
legal obligations regarding the adjustment to the climate changes. The result analysis
according to aim and sector groups indicate that all the examinees have access to a minute
and inadequate part of the information, based on which they create their attitudes and offer
solutions, while none of the aim groups had adequate amount of information necessary to
perceive the total, which is why their solutions deepen, instead of solving the problem.
REFERENCES
Alsop, P., 2001. The cement plant operations handbook. International cement review. 3rd Edn.,
Portsmouth, United Kingdom: Printed by Bishop Ltd.
Battelle, 2002. Toward a sustainable cement industry. An independent study and its substudies. A
Report Report Commissioned by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development.
Geneva: WBCSD.
Bryant, A. and K. Charmaz, 2007. Grounded theory. The Sage handbook. Paperback edition. British
Library Cataloguing in Publication Data. Sage Publications Ltd.
CEMBUREAU, 2009. Co - processing of alternative fuels and raw materials in the European cement
industry. Sustainable cement production. Brussels. http://www.cembureau.be/sustainablecement-production-co-processing-alternative-fuels-and-raw-materials-cement-industry.
Charmaz, K., 1983. The grounded theory method: An explication and interpretation. In: Conteporary
field research, Emerson RM (Eds). Boston: Little Brown.
Grunig, J.E. and T. Hunt, 1984. Managing public relations. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Silverman, D., 2006. Interpreting qualitative data, methods for analyzing talk, text and interaction. 3rd
Edn.: London. Thousand Oaks. New Delhi: Sage Publications Ltd. British Library
Cataloguing in Publication Data.
Sullivan, R., 2008. Corporate responses to climate change. UK. Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing
Limited.
10