Classroom Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Classroom Environment - Essay Example This supports the school philosophy where it states that â€Å"Creative Care Preschool provides a clean, safe and nurturing environment. It offers rich, age-appropriate learning materials/ experiences for children, carefully planed and prepared by teachers each day. Creative Care Preschool is a place where children free to explore, touch, experiment and ask many of their questions, supervised by adults in school so that they can discover the answers to these questions themselves.† (Creative Care Vision, Mission and Philosophy, 2010, p. 1) In general, the classroom environment should reflect the goals and expectations of the teacher. It will also dictate somehow to the children how they will behave (Brewer, 2001). Space allocation reflects the priorities of the curriculum. According to Boulton-Lewis & Catherwoods (1995), when the quality of the physical environment declined, teacher restriction and control increased, the teacher’s behavior became less friendly, the students became less interested and involved, classroom rules increased, and conflict among children increased. Likewise, Kepler (1995) observed that the learning environment influences, and directly contributes to, children’s behavior and levels of learning. It seems teachers at Creative Care Preschool are well aware of this, as they have structured the physical environment in such a way that children feel free to be themselves. The environment is one that is open and stimulating in order to encourage children to participate, explore, and learn. A stimulating environment provides the teacher with many opportunities to observe where a child’s interests lay as well as those areas the child may be tentative in (Danoff, Breitbart & Barr, 1977). The environment should also be flexible and spontaneous to accommodate children’s play that is essential in a preschool classroom, and is

Financial and Human Resources Management - SEEN EXAMINATION Essay

Financial and Human Resources Management - SEEN EXAMINATION - Essay Example These documents seek to show the possible cost of successfully carrying out the construction project, if it is awarded. In contrast, tendering refers both to the refinement of conditions in order to arrive at the final and most rational price, and the, contractual terms that must be submitted to promoters or their representatives. The second phase (also referred to as bid adjudication), entails evaluation of the probable margins of error in established cost estimates, potential risks, as well as the likely financial impacts of completing the project. Decisions that are made by executive personnel in regard to bid adjudication are usually confirmed at a formal convention as Gray and Larson, (2003) notes. Such a formal meeting to make decisions in regard to bid adjudication occurs several days prior to placement of the final bid. This provides adequate time for clear assessment of bid credentials before actual tendering. The formal meeting also ensures that all the relevant information is taken into account before a contractor is chosen, thus avoiding selecting a contractor that cannot fully deliver on project requirements. The considerations made by managers include factors such as acute competition, uncertainty in cost estimates, inadequate or poor information regarding a particular project, and risks associated with production or project implementation. These aspects must be sufficiently analyzed, since, as Akintoye and Fitzgerald (2000, p. 164) suggest, â€Å"the most significant factors resulting in inaccurate estimates include insufficient time for tender preparation; poor tender documentation; insufficient analysis of the documentation by the estimating team and lack of review of cost estimates by company management.† Despite the wide assortment of challenges, executive personnel have to make appropriate adjudication decisions based on these factors. The aspects that influence management’s decisions during the crucial tendering process and ad judication in particular can be classified, according to Betts (1990, pp. 402-408), into three categories including job, market, and company related factors. The first class of job-related aspects, accounts for elements that are directly linked to the specific project or project type. Most of these factors are evaluated in the course of preparing bids and an analysis of these aspects is conveyed to relevant parties in the adjudication convention. Market-related decision making factors, account for the external influences, such as competition from other contractors. Analysis of aspects like external competition may enable the respective firm to formulate strategies that would aid in increasing competitive advantage. Finally, as Betts (1990, p. 403) states â€Å"company-related factors that influence decision making in the adjudication process, include: the business’ goals and objectives, as well as, its corporate policy on bidding.† Adjudicators, usually comprised of se nior directors or managers, are supposed, as Young, (2003), notes, to evaluate the aforementioned factors and related information, in reviewing project cost estimates and finalizing the price of the contract. As shown in the assessment above, there are numerous considerations in the tendering process. Therefore, decision makers must fully comprehend the stipulated objectives and goals of the process, in addition to estimated project costs, in order to ensure that tendering is fair and that it is aligned with the

Bananas - description Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Bananas - description - Research Paper Example Conclusion Thesis Statement Various varieties of bananas exist in different parts of the world offering nutritional value at an affordable price. Bananas are fruits available throughout the year in tropical countries, and they come in different varieties, shapes, and colors. Bananas grow from a rhizome, stretch through a thick stem and develop flowers (â€Å"banana†). The varieties of use make banana one of the most valued crops in the world. The fruit’s nutritional value and relatively low price make it an attractive export product for countries in Southeast Asia, South America, and East Africa (Morton 37). This essay describes the taxonomy, characteristics, varieties, and food uses of bananas. In addition, the essay will give comparison and contrasts of â€Å"bananas are good for health†, versus â€Å"bananas are bad for health.† Taxonomy Bananas come from the genus Musa of the family â€Å"Musaceae† (â€Å"banana†), and the seedless, edibl e ones come from the â€Å"species M. acuminata Colla or the hybrid M. X paradisiaca L.† (Morton 30). The different species of banana provide a clue to the fruit’s geographical origins, usually found in countries with tropical climates like Brazil, India, and Indonesia. Having various hybrids further expands the fruit’s varieties and ensures continuous cultivation and propagation. Varieties The classification of bananas occurs into two principal groups namely Sucrier and Gros Michel. The Cavendish subgroup includes the Giant Cavendish, the Dwarf Cavendish, and Bungulan (Morton 35). Predominantly found in Colombia, the Philippines, and Burma, bananas from the Sucrier group are small in size, sweet, with thin skin (Morton 35). Bananas from the Sucrier group are readily consumable due to their size and taste; people use them in dessert recipes. The Gros Michel group produces bananas that are larger than the ones in the Sucrier group, are yellow in color, and usuall y found in South America, Central Africa, and the Caribbean (Morton 36). The Cavendish subgroup includes the Giant and Dwarf Cavendish, and the Bungulan (Morton37). Medium-sized, thin-skinned, and delicate, the Dwarf Cavendish, grows in China, East Africa, and South Africa. The Giant Cavendish is larger than the Dwarf Cavendish and closely resembles the Gros Michel (Morton 37). Ripening unevenly during the winter and prone to quick spoilage, Jamaicans mostly use the Bungulan for cooking. (Morton 38). Food uses The uses of bananas for food are as diverse as the available varieties and hybrids. A banana may be eaten when raw, peeled, sliced, or mixed with other fruits. Biting the soft, starchy flesh of a banana results in bursts of sweetness or undertones of tanginess. When added in dessert recipes, a banana’s flavor and mushy texture harmonize with the more crunchy and soft ingredients. Broiled or baked, ripe bananas can be served with peanuts and brown sugar (Morton 41). Fina lly, to preserve a banana, it can be boiled and immersed in a syrup mixture or fried in canola oil and served like potato chips. Nutritional Value In addition to the various food uses of the banana, this fruit possesses â€Å"high nutritional value† (â€Å"Banana†). As a healthy fruit, banana occupies a significant place in the food level pyramid. Regardless of the manner of consuming a banana, the flavorful, sweet, and starchy fruit is â€Å"full of vitamins† (â€Å"banana†). Low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, raw bananas are an abundant source of potassium, fiber, and Vitamin B6 (Morton 43). Long, short,

Stages of Conflict Management Essay Example for Free

Stages of Conflict Management Essay In the contemporary workplace, communication plays an important role in an efficient administration since it encourages co-operation, knowledge sharing, and a feeling of a sense of a common purpose. Nonetheless, communication brings increasing interpersonal relationships, an unwanted and, in most cases, unmanaged side effects, which are referred to as conflicts. Managing conflict focuses on maintaining conflict at the right level in order to assist the organizational departments, teams or groups working together to reach their goals. Managing conflict does not imply completely eradicating conflict or conflict reduction (Miller, 2011). The fundamental process of conflict management is the selection of the aspired levels of conflicts. These aspired levels of conflicts vary widely and depend on the perceived conflict requirements by the managers of various personnel (Miller, 2011). The stages of conflict management include diagnosis of the problem, problem statement, knowing both parties perceptions or viewpoints/understanding, mediation, brainstorming of alternative solutions, and identification of (an) agreed on solution(s) (Rout Omiko, 2007). These stages of conflict management are briefly described below. Diagnosis of the Problem In this stage of conflict management, the mediator listens to both parties who are involved in conflict with the intention of understanding and determining the existence of a genuine conflict, and not just an imagined one (Rout Omiko, 2007). Problem Statement After recognizing that actually the problem really exists, the mediator now attempts to represent the problem to both parties involved in a non-defensive and direct manner. In other words, in this stage the mediator ensures that parties involved in the conflict actually understand the problem. Besides, the second stage is meant to ensure that the mediator evaluates and sees the level of understanding of both parties in regard to the presence of the conflict, and the level of motivation to engage in conflict resolution (Rout Omiko, 2007). Knowing both Parties Perceptions or Viewpoints/understanding This stage is where the mediator attempts to find what the parties involved think in regard to the problem at hand. The mediators should go through this stage carefully so as not to depict any slightest form of favoritism. This involve attempting to understand the problem from various perspectives of those parties, and the mediator should probe to find out what the parties think as the cause of the problem, noting similarities and differences of viewpoints of the problem (Pammer, 2003). Mediation Mediation requires the mediator to remain impartial by keeping the discussion revolve around facts and issue-oriented rather than discussing personalities and maintaining a balance in the discussion so that one party does not dominate the discussion (Rout Omiko, 2007). Brainstorming of Alternative Solutions This stage involves generating of alternative solutions to the problem at hand after it is obvious that there are no more alternative solutions, the mediator should now engage both parties in a discussion of these possible solutions with the aim of getting of selecting the best solution (Zartman, 2008). In this discussion, the mediators should control the session so that none of the parties forces the other on agreeing with their own suggested solution(s). Efforts should be made to ensure that both parties reach a consensus and then follow this with the implementation of the agreed solution (Rout Omiko, 2007). Identification of an agreed on solution(s) This is the final stage of conflict management, and its main purpose is to determine the agreed on solutions, a plan of action, as well as follow-up steps in order to ensure that both parties are actively involved in the implementation process (Rout Omiko, 2007).?

Whorf Essay :: essays research papers

In â€Å"An American Indian Model of the Universe,† Whorf uses the Hopi culture as an example to demonstrate that perception is determined by language. According to Whorf, speakers of Hopi and non-speakers of Hopi can never perceive the universe the same way. Whorf believes that the Hopi culture â€Å"has no general notion or intuition of time†(370), referring to the absence of the word â€Å"time† in the Hopi language as well as the past, present, and future tenses in the Hopi grammar. He describes the Hopi grammar as having only the â€Å"manifested† and the â€Å"manifesting†(372), which roughly translates to the known and the unknown respectively. Something manifested or objective can include a past event, something that is occurring right now, as well as anything that can be grasped by the physical senses. Conversely, the subjective or the manifesting covers not only the future but also anything that is abstract or inaccessible to the physical senses, such as â€Å"mentality, intellection, and emotion†(372). Anything subjective in the Hopi language is associated with the verb â€Å"tunà ¡tya†(374), or hope. According to Whorf, â€Å"the word is really a term which crystallizes the Hopi phil osophy of the universe†(374). It contains the combined idea of â€Å"‘thought,’ ‘desire,’ and ‘cause,’†(374) but is at the same time associated with inanimate objects and involuntary actions; â€Å"the Hopi see [hope] in the growing of plants, the forming of clouds and their condensation in rain†¦ and in all human hoping, wishing, striving, and taking thought: and as most especially concentrated in prayer†(374). While it is true that â€Å"the Hopi language has no word quite equivalent to our ‘time,’†(375) the essence of time remains despite their not having a word to define it. If told by an elder to keep a fire going, a Hopi fireguard observing a fire pit can mentally grasp the urgency of the fire needing more wood by taking note of the color of the embers. A cowboy with a pocket watch observing from a distant hill may notice the young Hopi getting up to replenish the pit with firewood every forty-five minutes. But the fireguard does not think in terms of seconds, minutes, or hours. He is merely using his observation of the embers to gauge time the same way the cowboy tells time looking at his watch. By reading the color of the sky, or the position of the sun, a Hopi walking in the desert will most likely know how fast he would have to walk in order to get to a certain location before dark. Whorf Essay :: essays research papers In â€Å"An American Indian Model of the Universe,† Whorf uses the Hopi culture as an example to demonstrate that perception is determined by language. According to Whorf, speakers of Hopi and non-speakers of Hopi can never perceive the universe the same way. Whorf believes that the Hopi culture â€Å"has no general notion or intuition of time†(370), referring to the absence of the word â€Å"time† in the Hopi language as well as the past, present, and future tenses in the Hopi grammar. He describes the Hopi grammar as having only the â€Å"manifested† and the â€Å"manifesting†(372), which roughly translates to the known and the unknown respectively. Something manifested or objective can include a past event, something that is occurring right now, as well as anything that can be grasped by the physical senses. Conversely, the subjective or the manifesting covers not only the future but also anything that is abstract or inaccessible to the physical senses, such as â€Å"mentality, intellection, and emotion†(372). Anything subjective in the Hopi language is associated with the verb â€Å"tunà ¡tya†(374), or hope. According to Whorf, â€Å"the word is really a term which crystallizes the Hopi phil osophy of the universe†(374). It contains the combined idea of â€Å"‘thought,’ ‘desire,’ and ‘cause,’†(374) but is at the same time associated with inanimate objects and involuntary actions; â€Å"the Hopi see [hope] in the growing of plants, the forming of clouds and their condensation in rain†¦ and in all human hoping, wishing, striving, and taking thought: and as most especially concentrated in prayer†(374). While it is true that â€Å"the Hopi language has no word quite equivalent to our ‘time,’†(375) the essence of time remains despite their not having a word to define it. If told by an elder to keep a fire going, a Hopi fireguard observing a fire pit can mentally grasp the urgency of the fire needing more wood by taking note of the color of the embers. A cowboy with a pocket watch observing from a distant hill may notice the young Hopi getting up to replenish the pit with firewood every forty-five minutes. But the fireguard does not think in terms of seconds, minutes, or hours. He is merely using his observation of the embers to gauge time the same way the cowboy tells time looking at his watch. By reading the color of the sky, or the position of the sun, a Hopi walking in the desert will most likely know how fast he would have to walk in order to get to a certain location before dark.

Waste defined as unwanted matter

Chapter – 11.0 IntroductionWaste is defined as unwanted affair or stuff of any type, frequently that which is left after the utile substances or parts have been removed. It can be solid, liquid, semi-solid or contained gaseous stuff ensuing from either human or carnal activities. Based on the above definition, we can state that since the beginning of life on Earth, world has been bring forthing waste runing from castanetss and other parts of animate beings which they slaughter for their nutrient, to the wood they cut to do their carts. However, with the advancement of civilisation and the promotion of engineering, the waste generated has become more complex in nature and even more varied in footings of its components, doing it more complicated to be controlled and managed decently. Furthermore, it is deserving observing that, today, most of the states in the universe have witnessed a crisp population growing which resulted in the rapid enlargement of urban countries, taking to significant rise in the figure of consumers. This phenomenon is in itself mostly responsible for the addition in the sum of waste generated daily. Waste is finally thrown into municipal waste aggregation centres where the direction and disposal is done. Yet, if done improperly, it can do serious impacts on wellness every bit good as jobs to the environment. For case, if non decently disposed of, waste could on the one manus spread infective and chronic diseases, and on the other manus could take to chemical toxic condition and radioactive jeopardies, that could, at times, be lifelessly. Added to that, improperly managed waste can do H2O, Earth and air pollution, which finally affect people ‘s wellness and put on the line their lives. So bearing in head the antecedently mentioned factors, authoritiess all over the universe have to plan proper and efficient methods of waste disposal that better guarantee the safety of its people and cut down the effects of waste jeopardies on persons and the environment wholly.Chapter- 22.0. Definition of solid wasteDue to the momentous addition in waste that characterizes modern-day societies ; solid waste has become easy recognized than defined. However, solid waste has been defined by the New York Department of Environmental preservation as any refuse, garbage or sludge and other cast-off stuffs including solid, liquid, semi-solid or contained gaseous stuffs, ensuing from industrial, commercial and agricultural operations and from community activities. To get down with, specifying solid waste is of great importance to be able to separate and cover with different classs of waste successfully. Nevertheless, a careful and thorough cognition of the beginnings, types every bit good as the belongingss of solid waste is one of the basic demands needed for a proper and equal direction of solid waste.2.1. Beginnings of solid wasteThe beginnings of solid waste vary from residential, to commercial, institutional, building and destruction, municipal, agricultural, industrial and risky beginnings, depending on the constituents and types of waste produced.2.1.1. Residential beginningsThe size of urban residential countries, made up of both individual and multifamily homes, low ; medium ; and high rise flats, have presents expanded in a manner that they now constitute a major cause of the coevals of big measures of solid waste. Besides, the changeless alteration in people ‘s life style, and nutrient wonts led to the rise of consumer societi es which has finally contributed to the coevals of more solid waste.2.1.2. CommercialCommercial countries fundamentally constitute of assorted edifices that offer services and installations to the consumers. The latter include section shops, eating houses, markets, offices edifices, hotels, motels, print stores, service Stationss, car fix stores, etc. The figure of the above mentioned edifices is increasing twenty-four hours by twenty-four hours as the figure of people in demand of these installations has been increasing dramatically. Consequently, the sum of waste produced by these constitutions has besides been lifting. Waste is besides more varied as it includes organic or combustible solid waste ( e.g nutrient, paper, cardboad ) , inorganic or non-combustible solid waste ( e.g glass, Sn tins, aluminium ) and particular waste ( e.g electronics, bulky points, white goods ) .2.1.3. InstitutionalInstitutional beginnings of solid waste are varied in footings of the constitutions invo lved in treating such type of waste and the type of waste produced. These include authorities centres, schools, prisons and infirmaries. Talking about infirmary waste, which constitutes of disposable instruments such as acerate leafs, panpipes, swabs, patchs etc, it is deserving adverting that this type of waste has an highly bad consequence on the environment. Acerate leaf to state, that it is besides extremely infective and can be a serious menace to human wellness. For this ground, it is strongly advised that medical wastes should be handled and processed individually from other waste.2.1.4. Construction and DestructionThe addition in universe population has been accompanied with an increasing demand for residential and non-residential edifices, that is to state single or commercial edifices. For this ground, more immense edifices are being constructed, others are being knocked down or demolished and other 1s are being repaired or remodeled. Besides, there is the municipalities à ¢â‚¬Ëœ route fix and redevelopment work which leaves behind hemorrhoids of waste in the destruction sites. The measure of such waste is hard to gauge and is ever unpredictable.2.1.5. Municipal servicesAnother of import beginning of solid waste is that which consequences from the operation and care of different municipal installations, including street cleansing, landscape gardening, catch basin cleansing, Parkss, beaches and other recreational countries. Because it is by and large impossible to foretell some of the constituents of this waste and its beginnings, it is frequently referred to as waste from non-specific diffuse beginnings, which can be contrasted to the specific waste from the residential beginnings which is recurrent.2.1.6. AgriculturalWaste that is generated in the agricultural field is in no manner less of import than the one which residential, commercial or institutional beginnings generate, although it is different in its type and constituents. The chief beginning of this type of residue is the inauspicious agricultural activities conducted in the field such as planting and harvest home of trees and harvests, animate being maintaining, the production of milk and the operation of feedlots. The disposal of such type of waste has n't been the duty of most of the municipal waste direction bureaus. That is why the disposal of carnal manure has become a critical job for a big figure of states where agribusiness is a common activity.2.1.7. Industrial wasteNo uncertainty, the old ages that followed the industrial revolution have witnessed great technological development which proved to be critical for the states ‘ economic systems. Light and heavy fabrication industries are now being developed, chemical and power workss are being set and fiction of new stuffs has been an ongoing procedure. However, this technological promotion goes manus in manus with the addition in the waste stuffs generated from all sectors including meat processing and rendition, wool scouring, mush and paper devising, fish processing, tining and confectionery sectors†¦ . Consequently, new and efficient ways of waste direction demand to be developed in order to run into the demands of the indus trialised states.2.1.8. Hazardous wasteHazardous waste is any type of waste that constitutes an at hand menace to homo ‘s and animate being ‘s lives. Besides, it is besides considered a major menace to the environment including workss and other life animals. Hazardous waste may incorporate toxic substances that are either caustic, extremely inflammable, or explosive, and respond when exposed to certain things like gases. This sort of waste is generated non merely in the industrial sector or in infirmaries but besides some family waste, like batteries, pigment Sns and old medical specialties can be categorized as risky. Unfortunately, some states do n't hold proper disposal installations for these risky wastes which, at times, can be fatal.2.2. Types of solid wasteSolid waste could be divided into three chief types depending on the beginning of the waste generated. There is first the municipal waste, so the industrial and biomedical waste, and eventually the agricultural waste.2.2.1. MunicipalIt includes wastes generated from residential, commercial, institutional, construction/demolition, and municipal services. These could be nutrient wastes, paper, plastics, glass, aluminium and other stuffs, composition board, consumer electronics, family risky waste, wood, steel, concrete, particular wastes, rubbish and street sweepings, etc. It is deserving observing that the municipality is in charge of the aggregation and disposal of such types of solid wastes.2.2.2. Industrial and biomedicalThese are classified under the same type of waste because they consist of elements that are extremely and potentially unsafe and risky. Though biomedical waste differs from the industrial waste as it originates from biological beginnings, yet both of them should be decently managed to protect the general populace, specifically workers who are on a regular basis exposed to such waste as an occupational jeopardy.2.2.3. AgriculturalSpoiled nutrient wastes, carnal waste, rubbish and other agricultural wastes are types of solid wastes produced in the agricultural field. As I antecedently mentioned, the direction and disposal of such type of solid waste is, in most states, non the municipalities ‘ duty, which poses a serious job for them.2.3. Properties of municipal solid waste2.3.1. Physical belongingssWhen we talk about the physi cal belongingss of municipal solid waste, we should needfully advert the specific weight, wet content, atom size and size distribution, field capacity and the compacted porousness of waste.2.3.1.1. Specific weightIt is defined as ‘the weight of stuff per unit volume ‘ ( Integrated Solid Waste Management, George Tchobanoglous, Hilary Theisen and Samuel A. Vigil, 1993 ) . It is measured in ( lb/ydA? ) and is needed in order to measure the entire mass and volume of waste that must be managed. However, specific weights of solid waste vary unusually with the geographic location, season, and length of clip in storage. ( Table 1.1 )2.3.1.2. Moisture contentMoisture content of solid waste means the per centum of the wet weight of the stuff. It is expressed as follows: M= ( w – vitamin D ) 100 Meter: wet content ( % ) tungsten: initial weight of sample, ( pound ) d- weight of sample after drying at 105A °c, ( pound )2.3.1.3. Particle size and size distributionIt is an of import consideration in the recovery of stuffs ( Figure 1.1 ) . It may be defined by the followers: Scandium: ( fifty + tungsten ) Scandium: size of the constituent cubic decimeter: length in millimeter tungsten: breadth in millimeter H: tallness in millimeter2.2.1.4. Field capacityIt is the entire sum of wet that can be retained in waste, which, finally, determines the formation of leachate in landfills, that is to state H2O in surplus of the field capacity. It varies in conformity with the grade of force per unit area and the province of decomposition of the waste.2.2.1.5. Permeability of compacted wasteIt is used to mention to the hydraulic conduction of compacted or pressed wastes which governs the motion of liquids and gases in a landfill.2.3.2. Chemical belongingssThe chemical composing of the constituents of municipal solid waste helps measure the processing and recovery of waste. For case, the possibility of burning or firing waste depends really much on the chemical composing of waste. There are four chief belongingss that should be focused on if wastes are to be burned: proximate analysis, blending point of ash, ultimate analysis and the energy content of waste.2.3.2.1. Proximate analysisIt consists of finding the wet loss from waste when heated, the extra loss of weight at 950A °c, the fixed C and ash weight of residue after burning.2.3.2.2. Blending point of ashIt is needed to find the temperature at which the ash ensuing from the combustion of waste will organize a solid by merger.2.3.2.3. Ultimate analysisIt involves finding the per centum of C ( C ) , H ( H ) , O ( O ) , N ( N ) , S ( S ) and ash in waste ( Table 1.2 ) . Table 1.2: Typical informations on the ultimate analysis of the combustible constituents in the residential municipal solid waste2.3.2.4. Energy contentIt can be determined utilizing a full graduated table boiler as a calorimeter, a research lab bomb calorimeter and by computation if the elemental composing is known. However, it can be said that the informations on the energy content of the organic constituents of municipal solid waste are based chiefly on the consequences of bomb calorimeter trials due to the trouble of pull stringsing a all-out boiler.2.3.3. Biological belongingssAbout all the organic constituents in municipal solid waste can be converted to gases, which is the most of import biological feature. In add-on to this characteristic, there is the production of olfactory properties and the genteelness of flies.2.3.3.1. Biodegradability of organic waste constituentsVolatile solids content, which is determined by ignition at 550A °c, is frequently used as a step of biode gradability of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. ( Table 1.3 ) Table 1.3: Datas on the biodegradable fraction of selected organic waste constituents based on lignin content2.3.3.2. Production of olfactory propertiesOlfactory properties develop when solid wastes are stored for a long clip. The latter develop from the decomposition of the readily analyzable organic constituents. This belongings is by and large accompanied by alteration in the colour of the organic waste to black.2.3.3.3. Breeding of fliesIn warm clime fly genteelness should be an of import consideration. They can develop quickly in less than two hebdomads after the eggs are laid. For this ground the storage period of solid waste should be short particularly in hot conditions. Eggsdevelop 8-12 hours First phase of larval period 20 hours Second phase of larval period 24 hours Third phase of larval period 3 yearss Pupal phase 4-5 yearss Entire 9-11 yearss2.4. Definition of solid waste directionSolid waste direction is a system for managing all the refuse generated by people populating in urban and rural countries. It consists of the aggregation, transit, processing, recycling or disposal and monitoring of the waste stuffs produced by the assorted human activities. Waste direction is carried out in order to maintain metropoliss clean and to cut down the effects of waste on people ‘s wellness and the environment. But it is besides meant to retrieve resources from it.2.5. Solid waste rhythmThere are 5 chief stairss in the procedure of waste direction viz. analysis, aggregation, transit, recovery and recycling or disposal. These are summarized in the undermentioned figure 1.2.2.5.1. Solid waste direction rhythmIn order to develop an appropriate waste direction solution that meets the demands and demands of the dwellers of peculiar country, and the demands of worlds that keep altering over clip, it is decidedly req uired to analyze the waste to be managed. For case, the cognition of the volume or sum of waste produced helps make up one's mind on the equipment required for such volume of waste to be disposed, a suited service agenda every bit good as the staff needed for the work. Furthermore, the cognition of waste watercourses that are normally disposed of is needed in order to plan and transport out suited direction process. So it could be said that the direction of solid waste is an ongoing procedure that starts long clip before the waste is produced.2.5.2 CollectionThe 2nd measure in the waste direction rhythm is the aggregation of waste from bins which by and large differ in size and contents, and from disposal countries where wastes vary from family simple refuse to industrial Dumpsters which are filled by more complex wastes generated either by persons or companies. Waste at this degree could be separated or un-separated ( commingled ) .2.5.3. Transportation systemIt follows the aggrega tion measure and consists of both transporting the collected wastes to the resource recovery centre and droping the contents of the aggregation vehicles in the centre where the waste is supposed to be processed.2.5.4. RecoveryOnce unloaded in the processing installation, the waste is sorted into reclaimable and non-recyclable points, besides called general waste, as a readying for the following phase where the waste is really disposed of utilizing the needed method for each class ( reclaimable or non-recyclable stuffs ) .2.5.5. Disposal and monitoring of solid wasteEqually shortly as the waste is sorted and classified into different classs, the reclaimable waste is carried to a recycling installation, where it is processed in order to be reused. Whereas the non-recyclable waste is either sent to a composting or inceneration centre or disposed of at landfill.2.6. Solid waste treatment/management2.6.1. Land make fullingLand filling has ever been a common pattern in most states univers e broad. It involves the monitoring of the incoming waste watercourse and burying it in big holes specifically designed for the intent. At this degree it should be acknowledged that a decently designed and well-managed land fill can be hygienic but besides a comparatively cheap method of disposal of waste stuffs. On the other manus, nevertheless, poorly-designed every bit good as poorly-managed landfills can make a figure of serious environmental effects that is why the procedure of land make fulling starts long clip before the dumping of waste in the landfills and does non stop at the degree of burying the waste. Municipalities and waste direction bureaus have to pay a great trade of attending to the closing of the land fill every bit good as its care after the closing. For case, harmonizing to George Tchobanoglous, Hilary Theisen and Samuel A. Vigil a figure of elements have to be taken into consideration in order to guarantee that bing landfills do non impact people ‘s wellness and the environment negatively. To get down with, they believe that the ballad out and design of the landfill is of import, together with the operations and direction. The reactions happening in landfills, the direction of landfill gases and leachate should be taken into consideration. Harmonizing to them a typical layout of a landfill is presented in the figure1.3 taken from Integrated Solid Waste Management, Engineering Principles and Management Issues, 1993. The volume and type of waste disposed of in a landfill during one operation, which is referred to as cell, varies from one land fill to another. For this ground, we can sort land fills under three chief classs. First, the land fills that are designed for commingled municipal solid waste ( excepting industrial waste ) . The 2nd class of land fills includes waste that is cut into strips or shredded in order to be compacted to a tighter surface, therefore increasing its denseness. The 3rd type includes land fills for single waste components known as monofills. However, whatever waste is buried in land fills, a day-to-day screen consisting of dirt or other stuffs, such as compost, should be used so that it controls the blowing of the waste stuffs outside the land fill, the entry of rats and flies and besides the entry of H2O. These safeguards taken after the disposal of waste in a landfill aid guarantee that the latter does non impact public wellness and the environment.2.6.1.1. Restrictions of land fillingSince the development of this method of waste disposal at that place have been three chief issues related to set down filling. The first issue relates to the uncontrolled release of landfill gases that can make countries off-site, dispersed annoying olfactory properties and do potentially unsafe jobs. The 2nd job is related to the consequence that the uncontrolled discharge of landfill gases could hold on the ambiance. Added to that, is the job of the uncontrolled release of leachate which could make the land or surface H2O and contaminat e it, doing a figure of diseases to the persons. For these assorted grounds, one of the chief concerns of waste direction bureaus should be to extinguish or at least cut down the impacts associated with this waste disposal method in order to maximise its benefits.2.6.2. RecyclingIt is non a modern-day method as it started long clip back when resources were really scarce and people had fewer picks. However, with the industrial revolution recycling has taken a different and more complex form as the stuffs being processed presents differ from those of the yesteryear. This method consists of treating used stuffs into new merchandises in order to forestall the waste of some resources and cut down the negative effects other methods could hold.2.6.2.1. Reclaimable stuffsTo get down with, as I antecedently mentioned, waste stuffs could be divided into two chief classs: reclaimable and non-recyclable waste. The reclaimable waste, which is our chief concern, includes stuffs such as glass, pap er, metal, plastic, fabrics, aluminium, lumber, concrete blocks, batteries, electronics and biodegradable waste.2.6.2.2. Benefits of recyclingTo get down with, recycling has an economic benefit for persons every bit good as the community in general, though there has been some dissension about whether recycling is economically efficient or non. A survey conducted by the Technical University of Denmark found that in 83 % of instances, recycling is the most efficient method of waste disposal, but the sum of money that could be saved through recycling depends on the efficiency of the plan used to make it. It has been proved that recycling could be profitable if it replaces the traditional ways of waste disposal, if the landfill fees are high and of class depending on the sum of waste to be recycled. Furthermore, it is believed that recycling saves energy. For case, the Energy Information Administration states that â€Å"a paper factory uses 40 per centum less energy to do paper from recycled paper than it does to do paper from fresh lumber† . It besides argues that recycling aluminium saves 95 % of the energy required to do the same sum of aluminium from abrasion. Finally, recycling proved to hold enormous benefits on the environment. It reduces air pollution that could be caused by gases produced in incineration sites. Besides, it helps cut down the risky waste ‘s leaching from landfills. It besides controls the ingestion of natural resources which the universe hazards of running out within a figure of old ages. All I all recycling can be considered an efficient manner of prolonging the environment for the approaching coevalss.2.6.3. Restrictions of recyclingCompared to other waste disposal methods, recycling could be extremely good. Yet like other methods it has its defects and restrictions excessively. For illustration, it has been proved that nowadays waste is being recycled for fiscal addition regardless of the risky effects it could hold both on workers ‘ wellness or the environment, taking the recycling industry set up in China as an illustration. Furthermore, the profitableness of recycling is questioned because even develo ped states like the United States of America have trouble in happening markets for recycled points doing of marketing a serious issue for them. Added to that, the cost of reclaimable stuffs can at times exceed the cost of the natural stuffs. In add-on to the old statements, critics argue that in the procedure of recycling, it could take more energy to bring forth recycled merchandises than it does to dispose of them in traditional landfills or incineration sites.2.6.3. Reduce and reuseThe tendency of waste coevals is increasing in most states in the universe due to the crisp rise in the universe population, accompanied by the enlargement of urban countries. However, in order to halt this tendency of increasing sum of waste produced by each individual we should command the coevals of waste in the first topographic point. Waste bar, besides called â€Å"source reduction† , means that mills should plan and industry stuffs that cut down the sum of rubbish created and single people should buy and utilize stuffs that could be reused. Therefore manufactures every bit good as persons contribute to the procedure of cut downing the waste produced, which finally hold and hopefully avoid the costs of recycling, composting lan d filling and burning. Good illustrations of merchandises that could be reduced or reused are containers and packaging, newspapers, vesture and other goods like furniture, tyres, etc.2.6.3.1. Benefits of decrease and reuseReducing waste saves the natural resources and recycling stuffs to fabricate them deceases the coevals of waste dramatically as finally less material will necessitate to be disposed of. Furthermore, forestalling waste means economic nest eggs for communities and persons excessively. For case, if mills industry merchandises with less packaging, they will purchase less natural stuff. This means the lessening in the fabrication costs and the addition in the net income. Individual people could besides derive if they buy merchandises in majority, with less or reclaimable packaging. However, we should bear in head that reclaimable merchandises need to be more lasting, therefore necessitating more material. Besides, screening and fixing points for reuse takes clip and it could besides be money for concerns. Some points could besides be risky as they continue to be used.2.6.4. IncinerationThis means the disposal of waste by burning it or change overing it into heat, gas, steam and ash. It is seen as practical method of disposing of certain risky waste stuffs such as biological medical waste. It is besides deserving adverting that it is a common method in states where land is scarce like Japan.2.6.4.1. Restrictions of incinerationIncineration is a controversial method because of the emanation of gaseous pollutants that accompany the procedure and which may hold serious environmental effects.2.6.5. CompostingIt consists of break uping organic waste, such as nutrient, with micro-organisms in order to bring forth consumer merchandise or compost that varies in footings of its physical and chemical features depending on the nature of the get downing stuff. Harmonizing to George Tchobanoglus, Hilary Theisen and Samuel A. Vigil the composting operations consist of pre-processing of municipal solid waste, decomposition of the organic fraction of the waste and readying and selling of the concluding compost merchandise after it has been cured and stabilized. This procedure is summarized in the undermentioned figure 1.4 taken from their book Integrated Solid Waste Management, Engineering Principles and Management Issues,1993. This method allows the usage of the already available waste in a more productive manner and reduces the volume of wastes placed in landfills. However, there are issues associated with this method that should be analyzed and solved. These include the production of olfactory properties that accompany the procedure and the absence of fixed standards for suited or unvarying compost merchandise.2.7. Solid waste direction in the Sultanate of OmanThe sultanate of Oman has undergone dramatic alterations since the 1970 ‘s. Along with other states in the universe, it has witnessed an addition in the population characterized by the enlargement of the urban countries and the change in the life styles of its people. These alterations automatically affected the size, beginnings, and type of waste generated by single families or authorities establishments and industries. This means that the already available system of waste direction has become deficient to run into the demands of the lifting figure of people. Mahad bin Eissa Shammas, Director of the board of directors of environment personal businesss in the governorate of Dhofar says in a study for a web diary that â€Å"The addition in the population denseness, as a consequence of the uninterrupted urban enlargement, together with the betterment of life criterions, have increased the sum of generated solid waste all over the sultanate. Assorted processs were taken to construct the basic installations for solid waste disposal, but those stairss could non fit the velocity of development the universe has witnessed in this field.† For this ground the authorities has put a batch of accent in the demand to better waste direction methods to run into the both the demands of people and the environmental demands of a underdeveloped state.2.7.1. Solid waste garbage dumpsBurning waste is a common pattern in some locations in the sultanate, but throwing waste in garbage dumps is besides a widely used pattern. Mahad bin Eissa Shammas criticize s the available garbage dumps stating that healthful garbage dumps were introduced in the sultanate yet. Besides, there are no suited mechanisms to roll up and pack the waste in order to forestall internal burning. Furthermore, taking the location of the garbage dumps was non done on a scientific footing. That is why some garbage dumps are located on the same vale where otiose H2O is being drained, which makes the pollution of the land H2O an at hand job. Recycling on the other manus was introduced several old ages back, yet it has been limited to specific stuffs such as metals, fish and agricultural waste. To sum up we can state that the disposal of solid waste in the sultanate was non good managed due to the deficiency of consciousness among people in charge of the waste direction. However, a great trade of attending has late been paid to this job. So Torahs have been modernized and surveies have been conducted by the ministry of local municipalities and environment in cooperation with Muscat municipality in order to better waste direction methods.2.7.2. Recycling procedureDirector Mahad bin Eissa Shammas, says that the authorities intends to switch to mechanical intervention workss to recycle the waste, and to do usage of private sector in recycling. He gives the illustrations of the successful undertakings of gum elastic pulverization and runing Fe produced from used auto tyres which were utile for the environment. Fecal matters of herds are now being collected and used to bring forth natural fertilisers. Fish oil and pulverization are being produced in particular mills and used as fresh fish and fertilisers. The leftovers of slaughter houses particularly the tegument is being used to fabricate leather. A closer survey of the waste direction of Al Amerat Municipality as a theoretical account will be covered in chapter†¦ ..2.8. Waste direction in PalestinePopulating in a state that suffers from war, Palestinian people faced a batch of troubles in pull offing the solid waste produced by mostly populated countries, which otherwise and under ordinary fortunes, constitutes a serious job to a big figure of states in the universe. Based on a study written by Salah EL Borno, Director of the Council for Solid waste direction, it could be said that the bad patterns with the absence of statute law and review mechanisms in many countries resulted in insufficient and inconsistent aggregation services. Waste was on occasion dumped in unfastened countries, farms and vales or in some non-hygienic topographic points, which represented a possible danger to the public wellness and the environment, particularly to the land H2O resources.

Amazon.Com’s European Distribution Strategy

Amazon Amazon is one of the biggest and most famous online stores in the world. It is divided into several independent organizations like Amazon Europe, Amazon US and Amazon Japan. Amazon was founded in 1995 by Jeff Bezos. At the beginning it was just a platform for selling books at soon it became the world’s biggest bookstore with up to 2,5 million different titles. Their strategy was clear and easy: hold modest inventories and rely on wholesalers. The wholesaler can fulfill the order quickly while Amazon employees pick and pack the order and ship it to the customer.In 1996 Amazon grew really quickly by expansion of their distribution center, increasing number of titles and software development. In 1998 they were not longer a bookshop any more but expanded their product lines to music and videos. However, they had to face tough competition, especially in 1998. So remain the leader of theonline stores Amazon decided to pursue a â€Å"get big fast† strategy to increase t heir revenue. Therefore they added new product lines and adapted its supply chain and distribution network.One big decision was also where they should locate their distribution center and how many they should build. Amazons pick was a distribution center in Nevada, Kansas and Dallas. Soon also three more centers were added to serve the Midwest and the Southeast. The next step was to choose which product types each of the distributions centers should carry. After that they had to make a decision regarding the equipment in the new distribution centers and the technology used in their warehouses.Finally, to maintain high levels of quality and productivity in its distribution centers, Amazon developed key metrics to measure worker performance, including number of items picked per hour, free replacement rate, inventory accuracy, number of hours from order confirmation to shipment, and cost per unit shipped. Performance information was routinely shared with individual workers. In 2000 the new Vice President of Operations Wilke started with teaching the staff to use a special method to reduce variations and defects.This approach was later also used to improve the inventory record accuracy. Moreover, Wilke hired staff to stimulate holiday season conditions and he made arrangements for additional storage capacity. On top of that Wilke also focused on inventory optimization in the fulfillment network. To have the products at the right time available will easily decrease Amazons inventory costs. There were several ideas to improve the inventory management: 1)Refine the software used to forecast customer demand )Establish buying rules to better allocate volumes among wholesalers 3)Integrate its supply management system with its own inventory, warehouse and transportation system 4)Implement buying rules to determine which supplier offers the best price and delivery options 5)Having â€Å"drop ship† orders which means that the product is directly shipped to the custo mer without going through an Amazon distribution center 6)Partner with other companies, with Amazon handling order fulfillment and the partner covers the costs for the inventoryThe last two points were just idea and never realized. Amazon entered Europe through the two countries Germany and the UK. To enter those markets Amazon acquired a leading online store in each country and the two sites were re- launched under the Amazon brand. In 2000 Amazon continued its expansion and entered France. They did not use the same strategy as in Germany and the UK, but build their site from scratch. However, there were several challenges to enter the European market. They had to be aware of the cultural differences in Europe.First, Amazon adapted their website always a little bit to the needs of the country; secondly, they needed to address the selling regulations in each country. Another very important point was the payment options. Because there were not many people in Europe using credit card they had to offer local paying possibilities. On top they recognized that it was impossible to replicate the US procurement strategy in Germany and France because of different supplier market factors. To implement these strategic choices Amazon in Germany, France and the UK were managed as independent Amazon subsidiaries.Each country has its own organizations and was headed by a country manager and every country has its own warehouse. Amazon also was evaluating opportunities to expand in other European countries. Amazon Europe needed to build up its infrastructure to support this ambitious vision. In June 2002, Tom Taylor was transferred from Seattle to London to address some of these issues. In the longer term, Taylor wondered which infrastructure would best support Amazon Europe’s growth potential. Amazon’s decentralized fulfillment model seemed to offer opportunities for rationalization and cost savings.One option was to link all distributions centers. The other opt ion was to keep the three distribution centers. There were also different options about the inventory in these three centers. One could hold the inventory in all three centers or just in selected ones. Another question was regarding the location of the distribution centers. Solution First there was the option of only one distribution center in Europe. This strategy certainly has advantages with regard to lower overhead costs, simplified internal communication, and increased bargaining power due to higher allocation volumes.Considering only the difficulties already encountered in attempting to coordinate national postal carriers for a trustworthy delivery service to international customers, the option to centralize delivery from the UK to all European markets would be a step in the wrong direction. This was a clear difference to the US market; where there was only one postal service serving the entire nation. Express delivery would further complicate matters, as European markets vari ed with regard to provider and service, another problem not encountered in the US.Since delivery time and quality are crucial to success at Amazon, this restructuring option was quickly eliminated from the list of alternatives. The division of Europe into North/South or East/West sectors, to be served by two Distribution Centers, would likely reduce delivery times in many markets and eliminate some of the difficulties associated with the single DC alternative. Compared to the current structure, cost savings could be achieved and activities could be bundled according to regional demands or opportunities (i. e. egal or financial flexibility). This structure would emulate the solution realized in the initial growth period in the US, where a DC was located on each coast, however there would be similar problems as noted above with the coordination of national postal carriers. Another primary difference compared to the US market could be seen with regard to regional consumer preferences a nd tastes. While the US product selection was largely similar, and a common language was used throughout, product selection and language differs from country to country in Europe.Expectations with respect to delivery time, service, payment methods, etc. also vary greatly among European markets and do not compare to the credit card-friendly and on-line purchase-accustomed customers in the US. A two-DC solution may likely not be able to offer the flexibility needed to serve the individual European markets properly. Considering that the three European locations are fully-functional, another alternative would be to simply keep the existing facilities while reallocating services and processes according to cost and service factors.One obvious advantage would be recognized in not needing to relocate or build/acquire new infrastructure. Activities could be spread among the three locations, for example books, media and smaller items in France, Marketplace headquarters in the UK, and bulk or special order items in Germany. This would allow for specialization of services and a clear distinction of functions for management of operations in Europe. In contrast, all services could continue to be provided in all locations, with the addition of products and Marketplace activities in each of the three.Expansion into further markets may be allocated to one of the DC's according to geographic proximity or if applicable, according to financial or logistical aspects. Disadvantages include duplication of activities and infrastructure, increased demand for management and personnel, and the administration/coordination of multiple and varying IT systems (including the integration of manual and automated systems). Our team of analysts proposes a solution which integrates components from each of the aforementioned alternatives.Due to the fact that consumer preferences and expectations vary significantly among markets, and since delivery systems are also not consistent from country to co untry, each market should be served as locally as possible. This does not exclude the option of bundling some functions in specific locations; in fact this should be undertaken. Marketplace activities, for instance, shall be centralized in the UK, since this activity mainly is based on and requires IT functionality.The central functions Customer Service and Procurement also shall be allocated to the UK. With respect to the expansion of product lines, this should be done according to regional/international classification. Items which are non-country or language specific, such as CD's, electronics, hardware, etc. can be allocated and administered at a central European location; in this case France may be selected. Bulk items would be the responsibility of a continental-based facility as well, preferably Germany due to its central location.Any country or language-specific items, i. e. books, fashion apparel, home decor, etc. shall be administered in mini-DC's located within each market . This would assure the â€Å"local touch† required by customers, and would allow for more effective negotiations with local market suppliers. Newly added markets could first be served from the existing three, with the establishment of a mini-DC in the market as soon as the product volume, logistic opportunities and demands, as well as customer buying behaviors are sufficient to justify local investment.Without a doubt, the solution our group has provided leads to higher costs and increased complexity in a number of areas. However, the underlying principle was to devise a way to build the brand and company image in a similar way that was successful in the US market – serving the customer in a quick and simple way. At the same time, the bundling of core functions offers an opportunity to reduce costs and redundancy.