Green Values in Europe

1. Green Values in Europe
Ello Benchmarking
Forssa, 15.08.2010
Francesca Skolc

2. CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1
2 ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN FINLAND .............................................. 2
3 GREEN CITIES IN EUROPE ..................................................................................... 3
4 GREEN CITY BUILDING ......................................................................................... 4
5 ENVIRONMENT PARK, TURIN .............................................................................. 5
6 SUSTAINABLE WAREHOUSES .............................................................................. 7
6.1 Nike´s (Logistics) Sustainable Warehouse ................................................................ 7
6.1.1 Lighting at Nike Logistics warehouse ............................................................. 7
6.1.2 Wind Park ........................................................................................................ 8
6.1.3 Siting the building ............................................................................................ 8
6.1.4 Ground and night cooling ................................................................................ 8
6.1.5 Insulation .......................................................................................................... 9
6.1.6 Flexibility ......................................................................................................... 9
6.2 Blue Planet Distribution Centre in Chatterley Valley, England ................................ 9
6.2.1 The idea behind the project .............................................................................. 9
7 GREEN VALUES IN A WAREHOUSE .................................................................. 11
7.1 Factors of how to green your storage ...................................................................... 11
7.2 Automated warehouse ............................................................................................. 12
8 EUROPE´S BEST ECO AIRPORT .......................................................................... 13
9 WASTE MANAGEMENT WITH ENVAC VACUUM SYSTEMS ........................ 16
9.1 Envac systems ......................................................................................................... 16
9.1 Environmentally sustainable waste management .................................................... 17
9.1.1 Cleaner and safer ............................................................................................ 17
9.1.2 Sorting at source ............................................................................................ 18
9.2 Waste handling in flight catering kitchens .............................................................. 18
9.2.1 Advantages of the Envac Kitchen Waste System .......................................... 19
9.3 Safe waste handling at airports ................................................................................ 19
9.3.1 How it works .................................................................................................. 19
10 FINAL WORDS ........................................................................................................ 20
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 21

3. Green Values in Europe
1 INTRODUCTION
There is currently a worldwide concern about the health of the environment; ranging from everyday
worries like noise, air, and water pollution to questions surrounding the ozone layer. Recent years have
seen a steady increase in transportation of all kinds. Transportation as we know it—whether it involves
persons or goods—contributes immensely to local air pollution, solid waste, and segmentation of
landscapes. Various solutions are needed if C02 emissions level must be sliced.
Logistics services industry needs to develop more environmentally friendly solutions. This—in turn—is
expected to increase environmental awareness among consumers.
Ello is a European Regional Development Fund financed project, which aims to develop the Southern
Finnish transport corridor for competitiveness. The competitiveness of the transport corridor in Southern
Finland is essential to developing models with emphasis on green values and environmental-
friendliness. Transport corridor that serves enterprises and logistics centres in the future will be able to
offer competitive transport routes, ecological services, end customer awareness capable of influencing
customers‘ purchasing decisions, and lastly- companies will have a growing need to ensure the offer of
supply chain efficiency alongside a ―green‖ image.
Ello project has a subproject called EcoHub. Subproject in this research and development attends to the
question: In what ways can ecology be applied to enhance a logistics company‟s competitive edge
within Southern Finland?
The Ello (EcoHub) project team was assigned to gather (comparable) information on performance
metrics using benchmarking.
In Ello (EcoHub) benchmarking case, benchmark activities were in the area of international logistics
concepts. The project was based on:
- Specific process, such as new technologies, maintenance, training and IT support
- Specific group, such as an airport, housing districts
- Functions, such as the purchasing department, warehouse
To boost the reader‘s ability to digest this report, its content is arranged by using ―headings‖. Firstly,
Ello (EcoHub) investigated the logistics area of environmental concerns, using mainly geothermal, wind
and solar energy. As many European countries already are adapting to climate change, Ello (EcoHub)
decided to get a few information on climate change in Finland in order to use such information in supply
chain and logistics‘ environmentally—friendly future performance.
It was also very important for Ello (EcoHub) to find out how ecological other European countries are,
how much renewable energy is used in practice, and what kind of projects they are running on green
logistics.
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4. Green Values in Europe
2 ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN FINLAND
Climate change can no longer be fully prevented. Energy production in the world still relies mainly on
burning fossil fuels, causing CO2 emissions being the biggest contributor to climate change.
At first, climate change may appear advantageous to Europe‘s northern most richest: the demand for
heating energy will decline and crop yields and forest growth may boost. It is estimated that the
temperature in Finland will rise faster than the global average. Finland‘s annual mean temperature is
expected to rise by 2– 6 °C by the end of the century. Temperatures will rise more in winter compared to
the summer, and more in the northern than in the southern regions.
Annual rainfall will rise by some 10% and, in this respect too, the change will be more pronounced in
winter. With regard to rainfall, the occurrence of both extremes, long dry spells and heavy rains, will
increase. However, in terms of winds and storms the changes will be less dramatic. If emissions are
high, winter temperatures may rise by up to 6–9 °C from the present day; this all is expected by year
2100.
In Finland‘s inland waters, floods and their timing and the volume of water resources will change. By
the end of the century, the mean temperature in Lapland will rise to the level currently measured in
southern Finland.
The present high share of renewable energy in Finland (27.4% in 2008) is mainly due to the wood based
energy production in the context of pulp and paper industry. In order to increase the share of renewable
energy to 38% by 2020 (the Finnish target within the EU burden sharing) wood plays the most
important role in Finland. Improvements of energy technologies and use of renewable energy sources
are the most important actions in order to reduce GHGs (Greenhouse Gas) in energy production.
Improvements of energy technologies and use of renewable energy sources are the most important actions in
order to reduce GHGs (Greenhouse Gas) in energy production. This is why adaptation to the expected
consequences of the permanent climate change has become a crucial element of climate policy, alongside
climate change improvement.
Germany and other European countries have motivated construction plans for more off-shore wind
farms and therefore the international coordination of the national grids is of strategic importance. The
new grid, spread across half the continent and under the sea, will connect the European off shore wind
farms and solar thermal power plants and manage the oscillations of electricity supply from renewable
sources which is highly dependent on weather conditions. Also linked to the grid, that is capable of
storing electricity generated during peak periods, will be hydroelectric power stations, mostly in the
Scandinavian countries.
The key issue is to prepare for extreme weather events, especially floods, storms and heavy rainfall. Tra-
ditionally, flood protection has mainly been carried out for the sake of agriculture, but the built environ-
ment is now more frequently at risk of flooding.
Climate change will have a large effect on the hydrology and water resources of Finland
In principle, flood risk avoidance is quite simple: buildings must be placed high enough in relation to the
shoreline so that water does not pose a threat to them. On the other hand, shoreline construction is
tempting because lake and river views are valued, and this may cause conflicts. New buildings and other
urban development, in particular, should be redirected to safer areas through land use planning and
building regulations. These include compliance with the recommended lowest base floor of new houses.
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5. Green Values in Europe
3 GREEN CITIES IN EUROPE
More of Green cities in Europe:
The European Green Capital Award (EGCA) is the result of an initiative
taken by 15 European cities and the Association of Estonian cities in May
Reykjavik, Iceland - has been 2006 in Tallinn. The proposal was turned into a joint Memorandum sub-
putting hydrogen buses on its mitted to the European Commission in which they proposed the estab-
streets, and like the rest of the
country, its heat and electricity lishment of an award rewarding cities that are leading the way in envi-
come entirely from renewable ronmentally friendly urban living.
geothermal and hydropower

sources and it's determined to Stockholm – European Green Capital 2010
become fossil-fuel-free by 2050.
Malmö, Sweden is an "ekostaden" Stockholm proved best in clear and effective measures towards reducing
(eco-city), several neighbourhoods noise pollution and protection plan setting new standards for cleaner water
have already been transformed with reduction of fossil fuels.
using innovative design and are
planning to become more socially,
environmentally, and economically
Green facts:
approachable.  -1 000 parks
-Seven nature reserves within city boundaries
Copenhagen, Denmark has a big (and more than 200 in the surrounding area), 1
offshore wind farm. cultural reserve and1 city national park
London, England will switch 25 -95 kg of recycled refuse annually per citizen
percent of its power to more- -12 000 trees in the city centre
efficient sources. The city has also -24 official beaches
set stiff taxes on personal
transportation to limit overcrowd- -World‘s largest district cooling network,
ing in the central city, hitting “100% of household waste is
SUVs heavily and letting electric -Set to become fossil-fuel free by 2050 converted into heating and elec-
vehicles and hybrids off scot-free.
- -The city hosts 2 700 clean-tech companies tricity”
Barcelona, Spain is promoting -Transport emissions are relatively low, all trains and inner city buses run
solar energy and modern parking on renewable fuels.
strategies.
Sweden, Gothenburg - leads the Hamburg – European Green Capital 2011
way in renewable fuels in
transport. The 13 municipalities in Excellent public transport; the city has achieved high environmental stan-
and around the city joined forces
with private companies such as dards and good perform-
Volvo and Hertz, plus farmers and ance levels in terms of
government agencies, to create cycling and public trans-
Biogas West – a consortium to
invest in and promote biogas. It port indicators. Almost all
produced biogas at the region‘s citizens have access to
existing dirt and waste treatment optimal public transport
plants.
within 300 meters of their
given location.
There is also a systematic structure for green areas
which allow citizens easy accessibility.
The City of Hamburg plans to launch a ―train of ideas‖ New Eco City plan for Hamburg, Germany
whereby interested cities within the European Green Capital
Award network ‗own‘ a wagon and promote their respective green ideas, achievements and future plans.
The train will then travel around Europe spreading experience and best practice in an innovative way.
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6. Green Values in Europe
4 GREEN CITY BUILDING
Green city project planning principles:
 Sustainable urban planning
Green City Building carries out progressing work, preparation and  Sustainable and healthy
capability to build and prepare inner-city management systems that building design
 Energy and environmental
will guarantee more sustainable urban building process. About 40% assessment
of final energy consumption in Europe is present in buildings.  Optimized energy and water
supply systems
The municipality of Radstadt near Salzburg in Austria wanted to  Building integrated solar
energy design
raise the living standard of a newly developed urban area by
introducing a new traffic idea and renewal of the common green
areas. The SIR (Salzburger Institut für Raumordnung und Wohnen)
developed a total concept for the area, which included this
sustainable housing demonstration project.
Several innovative technologies are implemented in the buildings.
The domestic hot water is solar heated, rainwater is collected and
reused and the air ventilation works with heat recovery.
To achieve low-energy building standards, the walls to the north,
Radstadt district house just under
west and east are of brick cavity construction with 160mm construction
insulation. At the south is lightweight timber construction. The
design U-values of 0.2 W/m2K for walls and 0.7 W/m2K for
windows respectively indicate the high thermal standards applied.
The project is served by 108 m2 of solar collectors for hot water,
while a woodchip fuelled district heating system and a heat recovery
ventilation system combined ensure the low energy consumption.
The total energy consumption for heating and DHW (Domestic Hot
Water) for an average multi-family house is 76kWh/m2a;
14kWh/m2a provided by solar energy and 62kWh/m2a by biomass.
The completion of the 36 solar low-energy dwellings provides the Apartment building is ready for moving
residential area with a new identity, which can contribute to an in
improved quality of life for the local inhabitants. The attraction is
environmentally sound dwellings based on ecological materials and
minimized energy consumption for the buildings' total life cycle.
The Austrian Radstadt project is based on economic and ecological
life cycle analysis, which has resulted in an optimal combination of
construction, materials, and heating system. This combination
enables housing with low environmental impact and promotes the
use of renewable resources without compromising the comfort of
living or rentals. The energy decrease system is based on
minimizing transmission losses and the implementing of a central Cavity wall construction, Radstadt
heating system supplemented by solar energy. Transmission losses In general, construction materials should
were reduced through comprehensive insulation of walls, roofs, and be:
windows, as well as energy optimized design of the building. Appropriate to the climate
Preferably indigenous
Of low embodied energy
In a quiet location on the outskirts of Salzburg Radstadt a total of 26 Recycled, recyclable, non –
residential houses were built. Of these, ten apartments have been toxic
fully accessible, so that "assisted living" is possible. These units Dependant on local skills
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7. Green Values in Europe
were built with two rooms per dwelling and the remaining units are divided into three-or four-room
apartments. The beautiful integration into the hillside, and the possibility to apply for increased housing
subsidies, made the project more attractive. After completion in May 2009 was the key to the new
residents to be transferred
5 ENVIRONMENT PARK, TURIN
Environment Park was built on the initiative of Regione Piemonte, City of Turin, Italy. It represents
today an original experience among the European Technology and Science Parks thanks to the ability to
combine technological innovation and eco-efficiency, hosting several companies and Research Institutes
operating both in the Environmental Protection field and the ICT field.
The complex of Environment Park is composed by two compact
groups of buildings, built on three levels (levels 0, 1, 2): particularly
the level 1 is structured as a big platform, which covers the car parks,
upon which several buildings rest. In fact, several buildings are built
Some of the Environment Park´s features as a compact whole and present themselves as totally covered by
extensive lawns, usable as public park, and separated by the wide
Park’s infrastructure: split of the green valley.
- Grassy roofs The entire complex, all covered by the greenness, seems to the citi-
- Rainwater recovery system zenship as a real public park, completely exploitable by the people
- Wood chips for thermal purposes (cool-
ing and heating)
who live in the neighbourhoods and by who attend the Environment
- Thermal solar and heat recovery system Park.
- PV generator This allows diluting, dissolving the buildings built in the nature and
- Eco – efficient building technologies in the landscape particularly: the buildings for office are low, levelled
- Mini hydropower plant out in the greenness of the park.
The green roof: because of the good winter, summer isolation and
overall the total consumption of energy, the wide use of ecological
covering enables to reduce the cost of realization of buildings and that of administration of the complex.
However, the other environmental
advantages are evident: the
improvement of microclimate, the
filtration of polluting dusts of the
air and of the rain water and the
reduction of urban sound
pollution (the lawn is a no
reflecting surface).
The Blue Building system: the
southern fronts of office, turn on
the street and therefore
representative of the technological
and environmental vocation of the
Environment Park, are realized
with the Blue Building system: the
system based on the interactive front Turin – biggest urban transformation with the largest grassy roof in Italy (24,000m 2)
and on the ceiling of panels heating.
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8. Green Values in Europe
The two results are apparently opposing: a wide improvement of internal comfort and a wide control of
the energetic consumptions.
The interactive front uses the glasses completely transparent (an external double glass and an internal
window) which allows to have the maxim natural illumination in the internal rooms. When it is
necessary it monitors solar rays directly, follows down automatically in the cavity between the two
windows. The empty space is constantly aired by the air extracted from the rooms which absorbs the
solar heat accumulated by the fins of the trend.
The mechanism offers on that way notable environmental increments: (a) an improved acoustic isolation
from the outside, (b) an energy saving both for the air-conditioning (the solar heat doesn‘t come in) and
for the artificial illumination; (c) a better internal comfort. The glass and the walls remain near to the
room temperature. The ceiling of panel‘s water heating operated in the same direction, assuring a high
environmental comfort and a high energetic saving of functioning.
The wood chips: about the 85% of the heating power of the Environment Park is produced by wood
chips boiler (wastes product of the pruning the tree-lined roads), energetic sustainable resource for
excellence and moreover wide disposable in Turin. The adoption of an absorbing machine allows using
the energy of the wood chip boiler to refresh the Environment Park consuming almost only the vegetal
waste of the gardens and of the tree-lined roads in Turin. The saving is evident: both economic (for the
cost of the fuel) and ecological (for the consistent reduction of the waste mass that have to be disposed
in the tips).
The building material: in the choose of the building material the productions and manufactures that
don‘t imply polluting activities and procedures in the production, in the placing, in the disposal, or that
could be recyclable and reusable at the end of the life cycle of the buildings had the priority.
The basin of phytodepuration: in the system of water games of the green valley two basins of
immobile waters are installed for the purification by solar raids of the rain waters and of the grey waters
with a low content of B.O.D.
Heating and cooling through biomass boiler
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9. Green Values in Europe
6 SUSTAINABLE WAREHOUSES
Designing the perfect warehouse is an area where even angels can fear to walk. The sources of warehouse
energy could be: national grid, wind turbine, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, bio fuels and kinetic. As the
benefits of sustainability are being recognized across the globe, developers are building facilities that reduce
environmental impact and increase efficiency.
6.1 Nike´s (Logistics) Sustainable Warehouse
The average warehouse today has CO2 emissions of 236 kWh per m2. Heating is responsible for
169 kWh/m² of that figure. And it is divided to nearly 115 kWh/m²per good practice.
Nike Logistics in Laakdal (a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp) is the textbook
example that proves that it does
make sense and is financially re-
warding to invest in green ware-
housing.
Nike is already producing more
energy than it uses and should be
completely CO2-neutral by 2011.
Solar energy and flat roofs are
almost always associated with a
row of panels mounted on the
roof on inclined supports.
Sealed roofs and solar energy in one step
6.1.1 Lighting at Nike Logistics warehouse
At the end of the 1990s, lighting accounted for 30% of Nike‘s total energy consumption. To reduce its
energy needs, the lighting plan was completely redrawn. Energy efficiency and comfort were to go hand in
hand. The existing lights were
Lighting: in 1998, accounted for 30% of total energy consumption. Complete redesign
replaced with energy efficient
of the lighting plan paid for itself in four years. T5 lights with electronic bal-
last.
Self-generated power: 20 gigawatt hours annually; own consumption: 18 gigawatt
hours.
These are TL tubes with a tube
Thickness of insulation materials: 16 cm. diameter of only 16 mm, offer-
ing better illumination than
E-level Nike Strategy 3: E60.
traditional T8 lights. The lights
were only placed where they
were needed. In addition, a study of every location was carried out to determine the light intensity that was
necessary to increase light-comfort for the staff: a step that paid for itself in four years and had a positive
influence on working conditions.
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10. Green Values in Europe
6.1.2 Wind Park
The changes to the lighting, optimization of the air-conditioning plant and other energy-efficient investments
resulted in significant reductions in energy consumption by the end of the 1990s, but were not enough to
achieve the objectives the company had set itself. In 2001, therefore, Nike de-
cided to build its own wind park. Because such massive turbines have a signifi-
The large wind turbines, cant impact on the surroundings, Nike consulted with its neighbours‘ right from
conspicuous along the the start. Its open approach resulted in a very positive response to Nike‘s envi-
motorway, are the most
outstanding aspect of
ronmental efforts from those in the immediate vicinity, and a high level of accep-
Nike´s programme. tance of the tall turbines. Partly in response to their neighbour‘s wishes, Nike
decided not to install the traditional monolithic (full) masts, but used lattice masts
with a light metal skeleton. As a result, taller masts were possible and less steel
was needed for the superstructure and less
concrete for the foundations.
The open structure also means less wind-on-mast
noise, thus reducing noise nuisance for those
living nearby. Safety was also a factor in the
choice of mast design. Should anything happen,
the mast collapses into a ‗crumple zone‘ without
further harm? Al-though the neighbourhood filed
no objections against Nike‘s plan, the
government was less cooperative. Environmental
approval was obtained reasonably quickly, but it
took more than two years for Nike get a building
permit for the masts, partly because it had
chosen to use the lattice construction. Wind turbine
6.1.3 Siting the building
The offices are located on the west side of the
building, making air-conditioning unnecessary.
The operational zone is located on the south
side, which gets a lot of daylight, so very little
artificial light is necessary during the day. To
prevent overheating on the south side, a
permanent passive cooling system was installed
using blinds.
Largest PV installation, as climax to ecological pioneering
Polypane Sunroof: 6.1.4 Ground and night cooling
Gross serviceable roof area: 2,592 panels, 3,346 m²
Time taken for installation: 2 months The soil-heat exchanger transports fresh, cool air from the
Total power capability installed: 389 kWp1 (331 MWh is equivalent ground to the offices and the warehouses via ground-
to 40% of Polypane‟s total electricity requirement, and the annual cooling pipes. In addition, cool outside air is brought into
consumption of 90 households)
Investment: €2 million
the building during the night. This, in conjunction with the
Aids (ecology grant): ± €90,000 + green electricity certificate extensive insulation, means that remarkably little energy is
Tax benefit: ± €90,000 required to create a pleasant, healthy indoor atmosphere.
Expected pay-back period: less than 10 years
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11. Green Values in Europe
6.1.5 Insulation
Having installed twice more insulation as required by regulations, Nike will continue to be in compliance
with the insulation standards that should be changed in the future.
6.1.6 Flexibility
Flexibility is an essential requirement for a good logistics building. If the user moves out within a couple of
years, the building has to be usable by another company. Height is an important consideration. That is why
all of warehouses have a standard minimum height of 10.8 m. This means that they can quickly be put to
other users.
6.2 Blue Planet Distribution Centre in Chatterley Valley, England
The warehouse was built by a service provider company called McLaren who has proved that building a
warehouse can participate in the ―safety‖ of the Earth. Warehouses aren't usually associated with
cutting-edge construction, but the Blue Planet distribution centre in Chatterley Valley is using state-of-
the-art technology to achieve optimal sustainability.
Design responds to the natural features of
the site, re-creating walkways, parklands
and habitats.
6.2.1 The idea behind the project
The stand-in on behalf of both the developer
Gazeley and site vendor Advantage West
Midlands, Shining Earth‘s™ advice helped
the 35,564 m2 Park Blue Planet to save up
to £300,000 per year in reduced running Eco warehouse in artist´s mind
costs. Shining Earth™ acted as sustainability
consultants, focusing on sustainability monitoring and reporting to Advantage West Midlands and the
client Gazeley. Specifically, the concentration was on assisting the design team on a number of
sustainability initiatives including energy effi-
cient technologies, such as T5 lighting, utilization
of natural light, building orientation, under floor
heating, solar walls and rainwater harvesting, all
of which are incorporated into the design.
In addition, a proposed micro power CHP (Com-
bined Heat and Power) plant provides enough
extra energy to supply heat and power to 650
local homes, and kinetic plates located beneath
the roadways which capture and store the kinetic
energy of vehicles as they travel over them, al-
lowing the energy to be reused elsewhere on the
35,564 m2 of space available. The ETFE roof lights with inside built site. The £23m eco-friendly structure use energy-
photovoltaic cells and manifestations minimize the night time pollu-
tion. saving techniques in a warehouse such as the wall
with the solar panels installed, to meet electricity
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12. Green Values in Europe
needs in the warehouse. Warehouse also has floors that can produce heat energy (floor heating system)
which operates through a generator that uses biomass (animal compost) as a fuel.
―The Blue Planet‖
which is actually
painted green sits in
the neighbouring hills
like a lozenge-shaped
spacecraft. From the
site you can see a tra-
ditional warehouse
being erected on a
neighbouring plot and
the gap couldn't be
more noticeable. The
Cushions on the roof are puffed up to allow wider cover Blue Planet reeks of
high-tech construction
technology while the traditional building just looks like a shack. Light enters the building using the
same Ethylene Tetra Fluor ethylene (ETFE) skill seen at the Beijing Olympics swimming hub. ETFE
pillows in the roof are inflated to tolerate wider spans than traditional glazing with better filling
properties.
The roof lights complement the south side of the building which is a complete solar wall while the
building contains one of the largest under floor heating systems in the country. The heating system is
powered by a biomass generator creating enough extra energy for local
homes. The reason to
Building specifications:
change to biomass
was the oil price of
Site area: 23.9 acres bio fuel generators
Floor Loading: 50kN/m2 that has shot up dur-
Car Parking: 235 spaces ing the planning. A
HGV Parking: 105 spaces
Level access doors: 2 lot of steel was
Dock levellers: 38 needed in the main
Clear storage height: 15m structure as the heat-
ing pipes run all the
way around the
building underground. Because the building is tall, a
lot of heat is usually wasted when it radiates down
from above, so energy – saving technique was being
installed as kinetic plates which converts the motion
of articulated vehicle into power. The plates are
installed in the warehouse draw near roads which
generate the power when trucks roll over them.
Many materials used into construction work have
been sourced within a 30 – mile radius, while all off
cuts were recycled. Major components like the under
floor heating and solar wall have set the quality for the
Construction materials were sourced within 30 miles radius
whole approach to the job.
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13. Green Values in Europe
This is the UK‘s first carbon positive BREEAM Industrial ‗Outstanding‘ rated logistics building (less
than 2008 design rating). The whole 100% of energy and heat is supplied from renewable energy.
Building lighting and power savings of 49% from normal, building heating and energy savings of 68%
and water savings of 60%. Total energy and water cost in use savings are up to £300,000 per annual
(39% cost in use saving per annual).
Everybody claims to be „sustainable‟ these days and the whole concept is reduced to eye-catching projects, such as wind turbines or solar
panels. Having solar panels does not, on its own, make a warehouse green. Far too often, there is no integrated approach, which means
that many opportunities to build the most sustainable warehouse possible are not taken advantage of. There is no single solution, but
dozens, for designing a sustainable warehouse.
7 GREEN VALUES IN A WAREHOUSE
The supply chain as a key source of value creation becomes the litmus test for the ´promise´ and supply
management is the enabler. Today many lack a comprehensive and robust way to track their own and
suppliers ´sustainability performance. Being green and ethical will no longer be an option, it will be a
necessity for all participants in the supply chain. Green Supply Chain should integrate environment into
supply chain management, including product design, material sourcing and selection, manufacturing process,
delivery of the final product to the customers and end – of – life management of the product after use of its
life. A company should take into consideration the Green-SCOR model which enables organizations to more
effectively integrate environmental management with SCM.
7.1 Factors of how to green your storage
How could we locate inventory as close to the end buyer in order to save shipping costs and reducing
products shipping carbon footprint?
Keep Inventory close to the end customer
Move in bulk by―ground whenever possible
Using volume freight delivery to get inventory to regional warehouses will cut the total number of
km traveled per package.
The further you transport goods in volume — in a large container or by freight—the better optimized
your long-distance inventory transport will be.
Maximize the number of products you pack into each transport container
Consider eliminating the use of pallets
Even in the best of times, successful warehouse management is a balancing work between competing
objectives like space utilization versus organizational flexibility, picking speed versus accuracy, and
increased throughput versus decreased labour costs. Recent economic conditions have strengthened the
challenge with increased study of capital expenditures and more demanding requirements on return on
investment (ROI).
Improving warehouse operations to achieve corporate goals requires a combination of strategic actions,
organizational capabilities and enabling technologies. For example, companies must examine whether
current warehouse systems provide the visibility and ease of integration needed to support future
improvements. Additionally, companies must measure and track warehouse performance metrics to
understand cost drivers and provide a solid basis for evaluating the potential benefits of efficiency-improving
technologies.
For example, in the latest OPM (Object Process Methodology) generation, several load handling devices are
grouped together to create one transport unit on the conveyor. This significantly reduces the length of time
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14. Green Values in Europe
that the conveyor elements are switched on and lowers the plant's energy consumption by up to 30%. Thanks
to this measure, 40% fewer drives are needed in an OPM system.
Effective software functionalities, such as in the area of volume costing, order combining or the use of pick-
and-pack functionalities at the picking workstations can also be seen by the client in its CO2 balance sheet.
Considerable savings potential is exploited if the plant runs in so-called economy mode. In low-throughput
phases of plant areas, the stacker cranes deliberately accelerate more slowly and only to a lower speed while
the paths are further optimized. This reduces not only energy consumption, but also wear and tear to the
vehicles.
Energy-optimized lifting and travel gear axles on the vehicles make it possible to raise the lifting mechanism
during the decelerating phase of the drive unit and lower it during the accelerating phase. This technology
has been in use for 10 years and has increased vehicle efficiency by up to 30%. By combining several
controllers and vehicles to create one entity, this enables excess energy generated when decelerating a
vehicle to be used directly for the acceleration of another vehicle. The effect is particularly appealing to
clients in instances where energy cannot be fed back to the grid or the energy recovery is not compensated
by the energy supplier.
7.2 Automated warehouse
Most people assume that automated warehouses consume more energy than manual warehouses, but this
question has to be looked at case by case. There are a number of ways in which automated solutions reduce
energy consumption and save costs. Firstly, by optimizing the material flows, automation reduces the overall
number of goods movements. Use of dynamic slotting based on ERP data – such as fast movers at the front
and heavy goods on lower levels – is much simpler in automated solutions and reduces energy consumption
considerably.
Features of Automated Warehouses:
Two rows of metal racks that are face to face; a narrow aisle are between the metal racks
A raised metal rail is built down the center of the narrow aisle
A tall pole travels through the narrow aisle along the rails
Once the pole reaches a certain point, a carriage travels up or down the pole to the same level of the
location point
A load-handling mechanism is built on to the carriage, and then it reaches into the load to be put
away or recover a load.
Benefits of Automated Warehouses:
Improving control of products
Reduce and maintains accurate records inventory
Improves labor productivity
Reduces excessive handling of products
Increase productive capacity of existing floor space
Reduce product damage from multiple handling, location errors and shrinkage
Visible
Use less energy than most systems
Requires less maintenance
Helps increase response time to customer demands
Companies implementing Green Supply Chain programs in their warehouse processes should before
anything happens ask themselves the following questions on the warehouse´s role in carbon reduction:
Should we be making strategic decisions based upon carbon or financial economics?
What is the ideal balance between the number of warehouses and transport?
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15. Green Values in Europe
Should more emphasis be given to full vehicle loads and increasing stockholding?
Should we be sharing warehouses more?
How can warehouse operations be improved to reduce the impact of transport?
How can warehouse operations be improved to reduce the impact of retail sites?
8 EUROPE´S BEST ECO AIRPORT
Schiphol, (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) was voted as best European Eco Airport. The airport has been
working to reduce its emissions for several years and has the ambition to become fully CO2-neutral by
2012. Schiphol is an Airport City and like a city, it is a place where air and train passengers, visitors
and working people come together. It´s a business location for companies, a dynamic environment with
shops, catering facilities and it´s a hub from where to travel onward.
Schiphol has also been purchasing green energy
exclusively since 2008. This means that all buildings at
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol are connected to green
energy. A portion of their gas on a green basis is bought
by purchasing certificates. Airport generates a small
portion of the energy they use themselves (1%) by
sustainable means. The intention is to raise that portion
steadily in the years ahead. Electric motors has been used
for lifts and conveyor belts, improved regulation and
adjustment of cooling installations, ventilation, lighting
and air – conditioning.
On the Schiphol ground there are small wind turbines. Small wind turbine at Schiphol
For the safety concern, the air-port is unable to install
large wind turbines. The small turbines still allow gaining experience in generating wind energy. Much
of the lighting in departure and arrival halls 1, 2, 3/4, the lounges and gates is part of an interconnected
system. The corridor leading to the Gate G is illuminated
on the basis of daylight and the lighting on Gate H is
operated by means of presence detection. The lighting at
the gates will also be presence – detection operated in the
years ahead. The time lighting remains on at the passenger
bridges and after use has been reduced from 15 min to 10
minutes.
LED lighting is also used at a number of locations on the
airport grounds: for example at traffic lights, to illuminate
obstacles, for emergency lighting, to illuminate works of
art and for Christmas lighting. Energy consumption at the
Schiphol Group headquarters has been reduced by 50% by Energy efficient LCD monitors
switching off half of the ceiling spotlights in the corridors
and replacing halogen lights with LED lighting. A large portion of the airport´s buildings are lit using
energy – efficient NEON lighting. The monitors displaying flight in-formation have been replaced by a
newer type that is 50% more energy – efficient. Two – hundred (200) LCD energy efficient monitors are
replacing paper – based advertising and marketing messages in the terminal.
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16. Green Values in Europe
Grass – sedum vegetated roofs can be found on the roofs of Schiphol Plaza, a portion of the Terminal
building, the Schiphol Group headquarters and the TransPort office building. Vegetated roofs are a
natural means of insulation and they collect precipitation, slowing the rate at which the rainfall reaches
the ground and thus lowering the risk of flooding.
Roof cladding is being tested on the Transview of-
fice building. The effectiveness of a special roof
cladding will show if there could be any breaking
down of hazardous substances such as NOx. Schiphol
is the first company in the Netherlands to apply this
innovative method.
Electricity for aircraft – six gates are fitted with
battery charging stations (6.6%). Each year more
gates are fitted with a fixed power point and a sup-
Every biodiesel vehicle carries the label ply of fresh air so that by late 2013, 67% of the
gates will have access to cold ironing. This develop-
ment means that the aircraft will no longer need to use
supplementary engines. Biodiesel is used by 10% of
vehicles used in airport operations. Biodiesel is made
of coal seed which is supplied by local farmers.
Noise at the Schiphol airport is a big concern. Their
aim is to improve quality of life and limit noise
disturbance. With the new design ―Ecobarrier‖ and
selectivity policy the aim is becoming reality. Pilots are
also being stimulated to perform dead stick landings;
landings without engine power, which cause less noise Noise monitoring system, NOMOS
and use less fuel. Maintaining the current quality of the surface water and encouraging the efficient use
of water remains a challenge. The quality of the surface water on and around the airport is influenced
during icy or snowy conditions in the winter by substances used to deice airplanes, taxiways, runways
and aprons that seep into the surface water.
These sub-stances remove oxygen from the
water and this can kill off fish.
Pilot, Electric car has launched in 2009 and
it is available for Schiphol staff to use at and
around the airport. The pilot will last one
year. Depending on the results of the pilot,
the Schiphol airport may decide to purchase
a fleet of 100% electrically – driven vehicles.
Staffs also use electric scooters to get to
appointments in the surrounding area. The
luggage trolleys in the baggage basements
run on electricity. The trolleys are charged
on the apron, between Gates E and F. The Eco – barrier, the winning design
plan for 2010 is to test luggage trolley that runs on hydrogen.
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17. Green Values in Europe
The Sanitation Plan was formed in consultation with the Rijnland Polder Board and it describes the
measures for justifying the harmful effects on water life caused by substances for de – icing and dealing
with snow and slipperiness.
Special aprons are used for de – icing airplanes where the de –
icing liquids as glycol and potassium format are collected in buffers.
These aprons are called remote positions and buffers allow prevent-
ing the surface water from becoming contaminated by the de – icing
liquids. These remote positions, together with the changeover to po-
tassium format, are drastically improving the quality of the surface
water.
The algae basin is a pilot based on sustainable innovation in which
glycol and potassium format is broken down in water in an environ-
mentally friendly way. Algae produce large quantities of oxygen
which breaks down glycol. The carbon dioxide released is absorbed
by the micro algae and what remains is purified oxygen – rich water
and algae biomass. The algae have a further benefit in that they also
combine with CO2 in the air when there is little glycol available. This
allows the algae to grow further while at the same time reducing the
De – icing process airport´s total CO2 emissions. Anti – slip agents are deployed to
counter slipperiness on the runways. Potassium formate is used in-
stead of potassium acetate. The advantage of potassium formate is that three times less oxygen is
removed from the surface water during the natural breakdown process and it works for longer so that
less substance needs to be used.
Airport also has 13 monitoring posts where they measure the water quality. The further seven
monitoring posts will be added in 2010. These posts are connected to the electricity grid, and there is
investigation going on if monitoring posts could be supplied from solar energy or not. A large portion of
the snow was stored in separate locations at the airport for the first time in the 2009/2010 winter season.
The snow is swept from the runways and aprons by the airport´s fleet of snow ploughs. At the special
locations, the melt water is collected and drained away so that it cannot mix with the ground and surface
water.
Cooling water - water treatment plants have been installed on
Schiphol wants its own business
the terminal roof that condenses the water so that a saving of up activities to be CO2 neutral in 2012
to 20% can be made on replacement water. Water - saving and to generate at least 20% of its
flushing methods in the terminal - an environmentally friendly energy requirements sustainability at
the Schiphol location in 2020.
gel is added to the water for toilet flushing in the terminal. This
gel reduces lime scale and the need for descaling with alkaline
cleaning agents and less water is required for deep cleaning. Eco – blocks are placed in the toilet water
reservoirs so that less water is used. On the fire brigade exercise ground, the fire extinguishing water
used during exercises runs off via drains back into water basin. In the basin, the water first enters a
segment where sand and other heavy substances first sink down. After this the water flows over the edge
of the segment into larger segment, from where the water is pumped back to the various individual
pieces of training equipment to cool them.
Schiphol airport uses waste separation policy. There are separate waste bins in the terminal for paper,
plastic and refuse. The 100 million tissues that are discarded each year are processed as paper waste
instead of refuse. The plastic bottles and pots collected at the Customs entryway are collected and
recycled too. This yields a total of 6 tonnes of plastic. Waste from aircraft is separated for processing.
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18. Green Values in Europe
Schiphol also examines the separate collection of waste fruit by
restaurants and bars in the terminal. Old work clothing from
restaurants is recycled into dust cloths and fillings. The mown
grass in the vicinity of the runways
is collected as green waste.
Waste processing – Amsterdam
Airport Schiphol has partnered with
Van Gansewinkel for the purpose
of waste processing since 2009.
The anticipation of this collabora-
tion will in the long run lead to less Waste is separated
waste, more separation at source,
processing methods with a higher environmental yield and the use of waste
products to replace primary raw materials.
The aviation sector is constantly innovating in order to make its business
Kerosene Vapour check – up processes cleaner. KLM and Virgin Atlantic already tested a flight on bio
fuel. Kerosene vapours are released during aircraft refuelling. The refuel-
ling tanks collect these vapours and convert them into electricity and heat. This is possible from the
innovative, clean and cost – effective refuelling method: the Kerosene Vapour Processing System of
Aircraft Fuel Supply. Aircraft engines are cleaned on regular basis. Clean engines perform better and
emit less CO2, and the water used is collected.
9 WASTE MANAGEMENT WITH ENVAC VACUUM SYSTEMS
“Envac AB, Sweden, is the global market leader in automated vacuum waste collection and inventor of
the vacuum system.”
As waste volumes continue to grow, more and more stringent demands are being made of waste
handling with regard to hygiene and the environment. The Envac vacuum system for waste handling in
residential areas is a long-term investment offering both financial and environmental benefits, as well as
other added value.
9.1 Envac systems
When an Envac system is installed, the need for
heavy waste transportation in the area is reduced
by up to 90 %. This in turn leads to fewer traffic
jams, as well as less noise and a reduction in
carbon dioxide emissions. The road traffic
environment around people‘s homes is made
safer. And as the system is hermetically sealed,
it will not attract pests or insects or release
noxious odours.
As the waste inlets are connected together in an
underground pipe system, it is possible to place
great emphasis on the wellbeing of residents
when positioning them. Positioning it centrally Stationary vacuum systems
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19. Green Values in Europe
keeps the area tidier and results in less waste being left lying around.
9.1 Environmentally sustainable waste management
Waste collected in the most hygienic manner and transported quietly by a single truck to recycling
plants, incinerators or landfills, without affecting the residents of the locality. Envac, with origins in
Sweden, is recognized as the undisputed
global market leader for underground-
automated waste collection systems. It has
over 40 years experience in the development
and adaptation of its technology to local
standards in more than 30 countries.
9.1.1 Cleaner and safer
The waste collection process that Envac uses
is cleaner and safer than conventional
systems. It consists of a fully enclosed
vacuum system, which means doing away Litter bin system
with foul smelling, dirty refuse collection
rooms and containers in the streets. No one needs to come into contact with refuse sacks or containers.
The waste is thrown into a normal inlet, either indoors or outdoors. Hygiene is maintained at all times
and there is no manual handling of the waste at all. The container is sealed once it is filled and then
transported to the landfill where it is emptied.
Envac uses intelligent systems that allow the emptying of the waste collected only when required but at
the same time the waste does not sit for long hours. There is both time based and volume based
automated emptying that lets the waste flow to collection points at regular intervals.
In principle, the system consists of a number of collection points, linked together by piping that
transports the waste to a central collection station. When a refuse bag is deposited into an inlet, it is
temporarily stored in a chute on top of a discharge valve. All the full inlets connected to the collection
station are automatically emptied at regular intervals. The control system switches on the fans and a
vacuum is created in the network of pipes. An air inlet valve is opened to allow transport air to enter the
system.
One by one, the discharge valves below each of the chutes
are opened and the refuse bags fall down by gravity into
the horizontal network of pipes and are sucked to the
collection station. The refuse enters the collection station
via a cyclone that separates the refuse from the air. The
refuse falls down into a compactor which dense the refuse
in the sealed container. The transport air then passes
through dust and deodorant filters and a silencer.
When the containers are full, normal trucks collect them Containers are sealed letting no air in
for emptying for further transportation to incineration
facilities, composting plants or landfills. One truck goes to one location and picks up 20 to 25 cubic
meters of waste and drives off.
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20. Green Values in Europe
Whereas open garbage systems are prone to pest infestations as well as creating disease causing germs,
the Envac system is sealed and odourless. In addition the working environment is very good indeed for
the workers who deal with the garbage because they never come into direct contact with it. They do not
do any lifting or pulling heavy bins and are at no risk of infection or cuts when operating the Envac
system.
9.1.2 Sorting at source
It is ideal for separating waste for recycling, in which case there is an additional inlet and container for
each category of refuse.
The control system directs
a diverter valve to convey
each category of sorted
waste into the correct con-
tainer. At all stages of it,
the system does not lose
sight of the importance of
conserving the environment
and the hygiene of users.
Less noise, reduced exhaust
and carbon emissions due
Mobile vacuum system to reduced transport needs,
stops, and loading/unloading ensures good care of the environment.
There is no unnecessary use of energy in any of the stages of this waste collection process. It is also cost
effective because the whole process requires only one operator to keep the system running. Such a
highly automated advanced system is a capital investment and costs much initially but it pays back as
the years pass, as its operating costs are significantly low. In the conventional system, costs continue to
grow.
9.2 Waste handling in flight catering kitchens
Huge amounts of waste are produced in kitchens, mostly in the form of bulky packaging or heavy
organic waste food. Handling this waste poses both a hygiene risk and a working environment problem.
Restaurants also have to meet current environmental requirements as regards sorting waste at source, for
example.
Large catering kitchens at airports are operational more or less round the clock. They have to deal with
enormous amounts of waste from incoming aircraft, food preparation kitchens and staff canteens.
Compared with traditional manual refuse collection methods, an automated kitchen waste system is
safer, more efficient, more hygienic – and cheaper in the long run.
These problems are get rid of by installation of an automated kitchen waste system. The trays being
returned by incoming aircraft are taken off the plane on a conveyor belt, and all the waste remaining
after sorting is automatically sucked out by means of a suction hood. The inlets are located conveniently
throughout the entire kitchen and differ in appearance depending on the type of waste. Some inlets are
equipped with waste disposal units in order to reduce the volume of bulky waste.
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21. Green Values in Europe
Waste handling at the airport kitchen
9.2.1 Advantages of the Envac Kitchen Waste System
Valuable space can be freed up in the kitchen.
Better hygiene – no odour, no leaks, no bacteria, no insects.
Waste inlets can be positioned within comfortable reach of worktops, etc.
The waste storage location is independent of the location of the waste inlets. It is normally
located in a position where it will be easiest to pick up/empty, such as outside the building or in
the basement.
The storage area does not need air conditioning.
Waste can be processed (by grinding or removing moisture, for example) to make it easier to
handle.
System capacity is optimised with regard to estimated quantity of waste and pickup frequency.
There is no manual handling or transportation of food waste.ISO 14001 accreditation of your
kitchen.
Compliant with the very strictest HACCP hygiene requirements.
9.3 Safe waste handling at airports
Large amounts of waste are generated at airports – onboard aircraft, in catering kitchens, at the
restaurants, in the shops and in the administrative offices. Manual waste handling at airports is heavy,
dirty work that causes all kinds of problems. Waste sacks have to be taken past customs and security
staff, and waste collection trucks have to drive around on the already very busy runway. Compared with
traditional, manual handling, this system is safer, more efficient, more hygienic – and more economical.
9.3.1 How it works
As soon as an aircraft has taxied in and is standing at its gate, cleaning staff board the plane to get it
ready for its next flight. But instead of carrying the sacks of waste off every aircraft to a waste collection
truck waiting on the runway, as is the case now, or simply transporting them through customs and on to
a waste room for temporary storage, staff can now throw them straight into a waste chute located in the
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22. Green Values in Europe
bridge at the same level as the entry doors. If the plane has no contact with the bridge, there are other
spillways on the runway which can be used. This keeps traffic on the runway and going through customs
to a minimum.
An underground waste handling system provides a better working environment on the runway and for
cleaning staff aboard aircraft. There are no waste collections trucks, the staff have less to lift and drag,
and there is no risk of them spreading infection or cutting themselves as there is almost no physical
contact with the waste.
When manual waste handling is taken out of the equation, both passengers and staff has a cleaner, more
attractive airport to enjoy. Spillways from the aircraft will not need to be transported manually through
customs and other critical areas, nor will it have to be carried around in full view of passengers in the
departure and arrivals halls, or at the gates.
10 FINAL WORDS
The need for more sustainable transport systems is becoming obvious all over the world. Therefore it is
meaningful to investigate a blend of all options in order to attain a more sustainable transport system
and to analyse how far new technologies can be introduced as complementary mechanism.
Emissions from freight transport largely depend on type of fuel used. Nowadays various alternative
fuels exist; however the main fuel used by goods vehicles continues to be diesel whilst petrol –engine
vans are used for relatively small amounts of freight moved. In most countries, relatively small amounts
of freight are moved in electrically powered road vehicles or freight trains. Diesel engines emit more
CO2 per unit of energy, but because they are more energy efficient, the overall impact of diesel engines
on CO2 emissions is less than that of an equivalent sized petrol engine.
Road traffic is the main cause of environmental noise at the local level. Currently, around 30 per cent of
the EU‘s population is exposed to road traffic noise and 10 per cent to rail noise levels above 55dB.
Trucks generate road noise from three sources: (1) propulsion noise, which dominates at low speeds
(engine sources), (2) tyre/road – contact (noise at speeds above 50km/h) and (3) aerodynamic noise,
which increases as the vehicle accelerates. To minimize or prevent such, Europe set some standard rules
on vehicle noise. Nevertheless, overall noise levels have not improved, as the growth and spread of
traffic in space and time has largely offset both technological improvements and other abatement
measures.
The main focus of a green supply chain is reducing energy consumption, emissions and waste, and
increasing recycling and reuse. To help deal with it, supply chain should be extended. This means new
set of potential strategic and operational considerations:
- The number and location of facilities for product/packaging and re-use
- The effects of traditional supply chain on environmental performance
- Environmental supply chain optimization
But even though that the direct environmental impact can be assessed in terms of emissions, it is the root
that causes these emissions and they need to be addressed. Exactly what action needs to be taken is
determined by an appropriate analysis of the supply chain as a whole. Some researchers have noted that
an improved environmental impact sometimes chase a supply chain redesign exercise based on
traditional performance measures such as cost or customer service.
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23. Green Values in Europe
REFERENCES
Climate change in Finland
www.environment.fi
http://www.mmm.fi/attachments/mmm/julkaisut/esitteet/5mM2RRBrs/Adapting_to_climate_change
_in_Finland_FINAL_lowres.pdf
Green cities in Europe
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/green_cities_submenu/awardwinner_2010
.html
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/green_cities_submenu/awardwinner_2011
.html
Green city building
http://www.energyprojects.at/detail.php?proj_id=15
http://www.europeangreencities.com/cityBuilding/austria.asp
http://www.eu-greenbuilding.org/index.php?id=164
Environment Park, Turin
http://www.envipark.com/index.php?lang=en
http://www.italiancleantechnology.com/us/company/63/
http://www.softech-team.eu/w-Envipark.PDF
Sustainable warehouses
http://www.gparkblueplanet.com/
www.cushmanwakefield.com
http://www.cushwake.com/cwglobal/docviewer/Green%20Warehousing%20Report%20Bel-
gi-
um%20Jul08.pdf?id=c22200086p&repositoryKey=CoreRepository&itemDesc=document&cid=c190
00018p&crep=Core&cdesc=binaryPromoBoxContent&Country=900095&Language=EN
Green values in a warehouse
http://www.slideshare.net/parunika/green-scm
The book, Green Logistics Improving the environmental sustainability of logistics, Edited by A.
McKinnon, S. Cullinane, M. Browne, A. Whiteing, 2010
Europe´s best Eco airport
http://www.schiphol.nl/
http://movementbureau.blogs.com/britsongreen/2009/05/ecobarrier-making-amsterdams-schipol-
airport-quieter-greener.html
Waste handling with Envac vacuum systems
http://www.envacgroup.com/web/Start.aspx
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APPENDICES
Cavity wall construction – a double wall consisting of two vertical layers of masonry separated
by an air space and joined together by metal ties
GREENSCORE – a "green" practice and product scoring or rating system. You can discover
your impact on the environment, while learning to identify true "green" products.
BREEAM – The Environmental assessment method for buildings around the world