Page 237 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

12

INTRODUCTION

12.1 Model Overview

Concepts for the integrated environmental model developed for this research were cre-
ated to accomplish the research goal of better predicting and evaluating the solid waste
generation quantities of businesses and government agencies. The underlying hypothe-
ses for the model concepts were also developed to guide the research process. This
chapter discusses the intended functions of the proposed model and the theoretical
structure of the model concepts hypotheses. This research involved examining the fea-
sibility of the model concept to determine if such a model with the specified functions
could be established. The model concepts were important to the research process
because their successful development would create new knowledge in the field and
provide insights into individual company waste generation.

12.2 Functions of the Proposed Model

This research investigated the development of a model to better understand solid waste
generation and recycling rates of individual U.S. companies and government agencies.
To begin the model development process, the proposed functions of the model were
established to guide the research. Research was conducted to develop the model with
two primary functions:

1 Prediction of the solid waste generation quantities and waste stream compositions
of individual companies and government agencies.
2 Standardized solid waste generation evaluation of individual companies and gov-
ernment agencies with statistical performance parameters.

The performance parameters work as a report card to monitor and control solid
waste generation of individual companies. The performance indices offer a uniform
comparison basis and provide insights into waste generation of U.S. industries.
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