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In this paper, we compare the development and possibilities for improvement of waste management in three countries: Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Waste management is part of the circular economy. The circular economy is the basis for waste management today. This applies to municipal waste management, too. In this paper, we work with data available in the Eurostat database. We mainly deal with municipal waste in the three chosen countries. The output of this paper is an assessment of indicators such as recycling rates and waste production. The outputs are documented graphically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper puts forth a systematic approach for evaluating the maturity level of production process automation in the context of digital transformation for manufacturing companies. The method was developed to address the absence of a sector-specific framework for assessing automation maturity growth, in line with the Industry 5.0 guidelines (incorporating sustainability, the circular economy, and human-centeredness). The survey covers six core areas for manufacturing companies: automation, robotization of production processes, digitalization of warehouse processes, flexibility, intralogistics, and end-to-end integration of key data management processes. The study aimed to advance digitalization through improved process automation maturity. The study surveyed 200 small- and medium-sized businesses operating in Poland from 2022 to 2024. The study presents a method for assessing enterprise operational maturity, covering the current and planned levels and the development plans for the next three years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the phenomenon of food waste and effective management of already wasted food in the form of post-consumer waste, included in the source-separated organic fraction of municipal solid waste (SS-OFMSW) from households and catering facilities, are some of the key challenges of the circular economy (CE), in particular in highly urbanized areas. The basis for the effective use of this waste is the knowledge of its physical and chemical properties. The main objective of the paper is to identify the key technological and organizational parameters for selective collection determining the characteristics of the SS-OFMSW and, consequently, the optimal path for its management. This paper presents the results of qualitative research of SS-OFMSW generated in the capital of Poland—Warsaw—coming from three sources: multi- and single-family housing and catering facilities. The collection efficiency of this waste was determined in the form of quality in container rate (QCR = 92–97%) and variability in terms of impurities and admixtures present in it (CV = 56–87%). High variability indicates that the system of selective waste collection in Warsaw is immature, which may hinder undertaking activities in the field of waste management planning. The study confirmed the suitability of the tested SS-OFMSW for organic recycling, especially using anaerobic digestion (AD), to which it is predisposed by water content, C/N, and biomethane potential (BMP). All tested food waste is characterized by a high yield of biogas in the range of 384–426 m3/Mg VS and an average share of methane in biogas at the level of 52–61%. Fertilizer properties, moisture, and its gas potential show little variability (CV ≤ 16%), which means that these data can be treated as stable data. The obtained results indicate the optimal direction for the collection and processing of SS-OFMSW based on post-consumer food waste in urbanized areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the contemporary problems of polymer waste recycling, mainly recycling cables from end-of-life vehicles. The authors developed a new material based on mixed polymer waste (ASR) modified with a ductile polymer, mainly recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE), to produce moisture-resistant boards with beneficial mechanical properties. The ASR-based compositions without and with homogenization process—including physical, chemical, and shear-assisted compatibilization—were successfully applied and verified by evaluating final recycled product properties. The results showed that recycled polyethylene (rLDPE) was effective as a modifier increasing tensile modulus and flexural strength compare to an ASR mixture. It was found that the adding 5 wt % of polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) as a compatibilizer to the ASR mixture significantly increases the homogenization of the components in the ASR matrix. The optimal solution for management cable waste is the manufacture of ASR composites with homogenization using an internal mixer the adding 20 wt % of rLDPE and 5 wt % of PE-g-MAH to the mixed plastics cable waste. The results obtained demonstrate that the hot-pressing with the pre-blending with rLDPE and compatibilizer of the ASR based waste provides a high gain in mechanical and usage properties, enabling the circular economy of plastics from automotive cables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and utilization of zeolites derived from fly ash (FA) gained significant attention years ago due to their potential to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices subscribing to the circular economy concept. This paper highlights the recent findings regarding the synthesis and utilization of zeolites derived from FA. It begins with a discussion about the recent challenges regarding industrial waste management and statistics regarding its availability on the global market with a special insight into the situation in Poland. The characteristics of FA obtained from various fuels were presented and the main differences were highlighted. Then, different methods used for the synthesis of zeolites from FA were discussed in small and pilot scales taking into consideration the main challenges and problems. The analytical methods used in porous materials synthesis verification and properties determination were described. The sorption properties of FA-derived zeolites were presented and discussed. Finally, the paper emphasizes the potential applications of fly ash-derived zeolites in different fields. Their importance as sustainable alternatives to conventional materials in industry, construction, agriculture, power, medicine, and other industrial sectors was analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current practice of managing washed mineral waste from grit chambers under national legislation focuses primarily on its disposal, generating high costs for wastewater treatment plants. Other ways are being sought to enable its use, especially as a by-product in the construction industry. This paper presents the results of laboratory tests of the geotechnical, physical and mechanical parameters of washed mineral waste from grit chambers. Research samples were taken from the largest, in terms of maximum daily capacity, wastewater treatment plant "Czajka" in Poland. The washed mineral waste was characterized by organic matter content (0.36% by Tyurin's method or 1.04% by the loss on ignition method), fraction content (sand fraction was at least 90%; it corresponds in grain size to uniform-grained medium sand), specific density of solids (2.55 g / c m 3 ), dry density, void ratio and porosity corresponding to the state of the loosest and densest possible composition of soil grains and particles (1.54 g / c m 3 , 0.656, 0.396 and 1.87 g / c m 3 , 0.364, 0.267, respectively), sand equivalent (93), passive capillarity (0.20 m), maximum dry density (1.78 g / c m 3 ), optimal moisture content (11.23%), degree of saturation after compaction (0.66) and permeability coefficient ( 6.22 · 10 − 3 c m / s ). The mechanical parameters determined included internal friction angle (35.5°) and apparent cohesion (14.27 kPa). The possibility of using washed mineral waste as soil for the backfill of installation trenches, abutments and retaining structures, as well as road embankment material, was evaluated considering current standards and legislation. It was found that the values of the determined parameters of washed mineral waste coincide with the values of the geotechnical parameters of sand, and there is a possibility of using this waste as a material in the indicated applications after fulfilling the appropriate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal waste management is an important aspect in the context of the environmental protection of any country. Biowaste is the dominant stream among all municipal waste in Poland (32.4% in 2020). It can be processed through recycling and recovery processes. It is also possible to dispose of it, although according to the waste hierarchy, such action should be the last option. For biowaste to be recycled, e.g., through anaerobic digestion or composting, it must have suitable properties to be processed through the processes mentioned above. This study aims to discuss the selective collection and management of biowaste from Poland's municipal sector and identify limiting factors. The paper also indicates selected aspects of possible changes in the waste management sector, considering the role of society and waste management companies. The factors limiting the collection and further use of biowaste from the municipal sector in Poland can be divided into economic, social, technical, and technological. This article refers to the situation in Poland, but some problems occur analogously in other countries. This is because the barriers limiting the selective collection and management of biowaste in many countries are similar and differ mainly in the degree of intensity and the scope they cover. Given the increasingly stringent requirements for waste management, measures must be taken to achieve the legally required levels of recycling of biowaste and to recycle it as well as possible. The development of installations for biological waste management will be crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prosumer engagement conceptual model was considered in light of the Process Classification Framework and how results from Poland and United Kingdom (UK) survey data informed design of the combined prosumer engagement and knowledge exchange conceptual model. The desk literature method was used to review the papers in answering the research propositions. The revised model contains the constructs for supporting prosumer engagement to include sustainability and describes the flow of knowledge sharing and knowledge exchange. Knowledge exchange is the method used to capture and improve enterprise analysis of prosumer knowledge sharing. The sustainability construct includes circular economy philosophy where enterprises evaluate their product and service designs in terms of process stages. The findings confirm the need for increased prosumer engagement as enterprises strive to adopt ways of limiting negative impacts on the environment and improving ethical and responsible business practices. The circular economy is having an impact on all industrial sectors requiring them to evaluate and rethink their processes. The enhancement of the role of prosumers in the circular economy could act as a positive driver for business process changes and aid enterprises in meeting carbon neutral plans. The main contribution of this paper is to offer a novel concept that explains how enterprises can capture and translate prosumer knowledge to inform business strategy within a circular economy setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have become crucial elements of the regional bioeconomy—mainly through energy (waste to energy) and matter (nutrients–energy–water) recovery as an element of sustainable development of a smart city. In Poland, a decentralized system functioned with 3278 municipal wastewater treatment plants, and less than 80% of the population were connected to public urban wastewater treatment systems. The paper presents the technology selection and implementation of circular economy at WWTPs and the practical approach to challenge of energy-positive and environmentally friendly wastewater and sewage sludge sector. The modernization of technological lines of wastewater treatment has led to a significant improvement in the quality of treated sewage, at the largest WWTPs in Warsaw, Cracow, or Gdansk. Eleven WWTPs produce 34% of the total volume of approximately 337 GWh of electricity from biogas in Poland. The potential of producing electricity from biogas in WWTPs in Poland can be estimated at approximately 700–850 GWh per year. According to the data of the Statistics Poland in Poland, approximately 25% of sewage sludge was used directly in agriculture and for land reclamation. Simultaneously, more than 100 WWTPs produce compost at a high quality. However, only few produce organic/organic-mineral fertilizers, mainly with addition of calcium. Decentralization leads to different technologies used in wastewater treatment plants, and environmental, economic, and social conditions determine the direction of changes and introduction of a circular economy paradigm in the Polish wastewater sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae is the property of Uniwerystet Kardynala Stefana Wyznskiege w Warzawie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Energy production from renewable sources is one of the main ways to fight against global warming. Anaerobic digestion process can be used to produce biogas containing methane. In the light of the growing demand for substrates, a variety of raw materials are required. These substrates should be suitable for anaerobic digestion, and processing them need to provide the desired amount of energy. This paper aims to discuss the agricultural biogas market in Poland, its current state, and the possibility of development during energy transformation, in particular in terms of using waste as a substrate for energy production. In February 2022, there were 130 agricultural biogas plants registered in Poland. On the other hand, in 2020, 4,409,054.898 Mg of raw materials were used to produce agricultural biogas in Poland. Among all the substrates used, waste played a special role. With the right amount of raw materials and proper management of a biogas plant, it is possible to produce electricity and provide stable and predictable heat supply. Bearing in mind the development of the Polish and European biogas markets, attention should be paid to ensure access to raw materials from which chemical energy in the form of biogas can be generated. Due to limited access to farmland and the increasing demand for food production, one should expect that waste will be increasingly often used for biogas production, especially that with high energy potential, such as waste related to animal production and the meat industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to analyze the effectiveness of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) concept for packaging in the context of the transition to a Circular Economy (CE) and the corresponding transformation of the energy sector. The functioning of today's packaging industry is becoming more and more linked to the assumptions of the CE due to the use and recycling of raw materials. The basic research method used in this work is an analysis of the literature on the links between the concept of the EPR and the CE. The authors limited their research to the selected legal, economic and social aspects of packaging production and management in the European Union (EU). The situation in Poland is discussed in particular and the legal, economic and social specificity of the implementation of the EPR in this country is presented. This paper emphasizes the dependance between the implementation of the EPR concept and the effectiveness of the transformation toward a CE, which is achieved by increasing the circularity in the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transposition of new regulations into national legal systems, including updated goals and requirements for the management of packaging placed on the market and packaging waste, provides a number of opportunities for the operation of post-consumer waste management systems. This publication focuses on the essence and characteristics of the system of extended producer responsibility in selected European countries. This paper identifies, on the basis of an analysis taking into account the scopes of legal, economic, physical, and informational liability, key areas of the extended producer responsibility system requiring improvements. It develops recommendations regarding the possibility of introducing changes to the functioning of the EPR system in Poland. The implementation of the improvement proposals for the EPR can significantly contribute to achieving the existing EU waste targets, as well as the ambitious new targets included in the EU Circular Economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Economics / Gospodarka Narodowa is the property of SGH Warsaw School of Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a "major engine" of economic growth and socioeconomic development and the achievement of numerous sustainable development goals (SDG). They should make SDGs a prominent selling point to demonstrate why consumers should buy from them to reduce waste and enhance recycling. If a consumer sees an SME engaged in the SDGs (goals 8, 9, and 12), it will be motivated to offer further support. Given these facts, the paper compares the Czech and Polish approaches to the circular economy by means of quantitative evaluation based on primary research (Czechia, 210 respondents) and qualitative context comparison in Poland. The research has confirmed that there are differences in both countries in relation to sustainable development goals, with SME decisions in the Czech SME sector being at level 1.0 of business sustainability, and in Poland being below level 1. Additionally, Czech entrepreneurs have more knowledge of and practice in "green" methods than their Polish counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to investigate the scope of undertaken and planned actions related to circular economy's standardized management systems according to first Europe's published standards (BS 8001: 2017, XPX 30-901: 2018) in the leading polish food sector organization for better understanding the relations between circular economy, quality management and food safety management systems. The authors try to estimate which requirements of both standards suite best for the food sector companies as well as which of them will fulfil the companies' expectations and requirements in the area of circular economics. This study also enriches the current knowledge about ways of using and integrating circular economy with the existing management systems within the food sector companies. The main limitation of the analysis is that it covers only one international organization with its specific strategy and management culture. It is recommended for the future research to in-vestigate the topic in other organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limits of the present linear economy model (take-make-waste) are well illustrated by the textile and clothing sector, one of the most indispensable consumer goods industries. Although a huge increase in the number of publications on the circular economy can be observed, the number of papers analyzing consumers' attitudes and behavior toward circular fashion, especially the ones comparing consumers from different regions, is still limited. The article aimed to assess consumers' attitudes toward circular fashion and draw a cross country comparison in this respect. The research focused on the three pillars of the latest EU Sustainable Product Policy Framework, i.e., designing sustainable products, empowering consumers, and circularity in production processes. An online survey and convenience sampling were used to collect valid responses from two countries (i.e., Canada and Poland) with different cultures, levels of economic development, and approaches to environmental and social issues. The results showed that significant differences between the countries emerged to a greater extent regarding consumers' attitudes toward environmental labels for fashion products and sustainable buying behavior. The Polish respondents perceived the need for such labels to a greater extent. The Canadian ones, on the other hand, turned out to be more willing to choose sustainable clothing and reduce consumption. The differences between the countries were much less conspicuous as regards circular cues and circularity in fashion production processes. They appeared only in the case of clothing durability and the impact of production processes on air quality. Those aspects turned out to be more important for Polish respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of enhancing energy recovery efficiency is a key concern within the European Union's climate protection efforts. In particular, it applies to all processes and plants for the harvesting, gathering, and conversion of energy. The abandonment of fossil fuels in favour of alternative energy sources, and the increasing of energy efficiency and its recovery, is now a widely accepted direction of energy development. This study focuses on facilities that recover and process energy from municipal waste left after recycling processes, known as waste-to-energy (WtE) plants. These plants' energy recovery efficiency is governed by the R1 Formula in EU countries. This report is based on an analysis of four years of operational data from selected Polish municipal waste incinerators, supplemented by a discussion of various studies on energy recovery efficiency. The primary objective of this report is to evaluate the effectiveness of these plants in contributing to sustainable waste management and energy recovery. The main effect of the developed report is the set of results of the energy recovery efficiency factor values, determined based on the R1 formula valid in the EU legislation, tabulated and graphically illustrated, and calculated for five selected Polish waste-to-energy plants. The presented results, with their graphical interpretation, discussion, and conclusions, provide insights into several factors influencing the value of the R1 efficiency factor. They can be a valuable contribution to operators of waste-to-energy plants, especially those operating in countries outside the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this paper is to identify the possibilities of using sugar beet pulp as feedstock to produce a variety of added-value products. Such an application of the sugar production byproducts contributes to implementing circular bio-economy, which is a source of many economic, social, and environmental benefits. Specific objectives of this paper are: (1) Presenting the concept and meaning of circular bio-economy. (2) Characterizing properties of the sugar beet pulp from the perspective of using them as feedstock. (3) Determining the volume of production of the sugar beet pulp and the current methods of using them. (4) Determining the methods of obtaining attractive bioproducts and renewable energy from sugar beet pulp. Special attention was given to the amount of sugar beet pulp produced in Polish sugar refineries. Poland is among the European countries in which the volume of produced sugar is especially high. Therefore, the problem of appropriate waste management in the Polish sugar industry gains significant importance. The conducted literature review demonstrated that sugar beet pulp might be used as a feedstock in the production of many bio-products produced using a variety of methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Comparative Economic Research is the property of Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Lodzkiego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to identify and evaluate the key trends in the leasing sector in Poland from the perspective of both the present situation and the coming years. The literature review and the conducted In-Depth Interviews among senior executives of leasing businesses in Poland and among representatives of the Polish Leasing Association enabled us to determine the following list of contemporary trends that are relevant to the leasing sector: the circular economy, the sharing economy and product-as-a-service, incidental and shock-related changes, digitalization, automation and robotization, as well as the development of the electric vehicle segment. Furthermore, many of these phenomena fit into the broader concept of so-called sustainable finance. All of the indicated trends were deemed as relevant by the experts. The leasing sector has not yet reached the maximum of its potential for market expansion in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article was to conduct an in-depth literature review on the possibilities of managing combustion by-products (mainly fly ash) in the context of a closed-loop economy. First, information on the chemical composition of fly ash in Poland was collected and compared with the composition of fly ash in other European countries. The authors concentrated on describing methods for synthesizing geopolymers and zeolites using fly ash as a substrate. By-products of zeolite synthesis, which are strongly alkaline solutions, can be used as a substrate in the synthesis of geopolymers. A concept has been proposed to combine the synthesis of zeolites and geopolymers into a single process to close the material loop. The search for comprehensive technological solutions that take into account the ideas of a closed-loop economy is essential in an era of resource depletion, and this literature review encapsulates this topic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Poland, mixed municipal waste, municipal sewage and agricultural waste are used to produce biogas. Biodegradable green waste and kitchen waste generated in households are not used for this purpose. In the cogeneration process, the produced biogas is burned in a gas generator, resulting in electricity and heat. Electricity is sold in its entirety to the energy operator, but there are no heat consumers. The solution may be the construction of municipal biogas plants in urban areas, using kitchen and green biowaste from households located in cities and surrounding municipalities. Thanks to this location, the surplus heat can be used by the local district heating network to heat the buildings in the city. The aim of the article is to assess the possibilities of producing biogas and energy from municipal bio-waste generated in households in Krakow and surrounding communes. To achieve the goal, a simulation was carried out for a biogas plant with a capacity of 1 MW. Two types of substrates were used as inputs, i.e., biowaste from households and green biowaste. The data for analysis came from the Marshal's Office of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, to which municipalities submit reports on the amount of municipal waste collected, and the Central Statistical Office, which has data on municipal waste collected in municipalities in Poland. The collected data were used to conduct five simulations. The most advantageous method is to produce biogas from kitchen waste and silage from green waste mixed in the appropriate C:N ratio. Assuming the optimal proportions of mixed substrates, a 1 MW biogas plant can produce 4.1 million m3 of biogas, from which electricity can be produced for 2.5 thousand houses and heat for 1.1 thousand houses. The article ends with conclusions and recommendations on how to collect biodegradable municipal waste, which should be treated as a valuable source of energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poland's economy as the sixth largest economy in the EU is painfully experiencing the effects of natural resource depletion, which extend to increasing prices and the growing dependence on foreign suppliers. The situation is particularly unfavorable in the construction sector, which is among the most resource- and energy-consuming areas of the economy. This paper juxtaposes the situation of Polish construction industry in the context of the national economy with the context of the evolving EU policies promoting green solutions. The resulting changes in Polish legislation, industry and society are identified. The implementation of selected Circular Economy (CE) aspects, outcomes, emerging challenges and future directions are discussed. The social aspects related to this transformation were analyzed based on a survey carried out among construction industry consumers. The results clearly highlight that individuals are aware of the need to protect the environment, but also indicate a strong necessity to educate the populace about the consequences of the excessive exploitation of the environment and the long-term benefits of CE solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the main objectives of a circular economy, Lemnaceae plants have great potential for different types of techniques to valorize their biomass for use in biofuel production. For this reason, scientific interest in this group of plants has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the growth and development of S. polyrrhiza and the valorization of biomass for biofuel and energy production in a circular economy. Plants were grown in a variety of culture media, including standard 'Z' medium, tap water, 1% digestate from a biogas plant in Piaszczyna (54° 01′ 21″ N, 17° 10′ 19″ E), Poland) and supplemented with different concentrations of NaCl (from 25 to 100 mM). Plants were cultured under phytotron conditions at 24 °C. After 10 days of culture, plant growth, fresh and dry biomass, as well as physio-chemical parameters such as chlorophyll content index, gas exchange parameters (net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 concentration), chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were analyzed. After 10 days of the experiment, the percentage starch content of Spirodela shoot segments was determined. S. polyrrhiza was shown to have a high starch storage capacity under certain unfavorable growth conditions, such as salt stress and nutrient deficiency. In the W2 (50 mM NaCl) series, compared to the control (Control2), starch levels were 76% higher in shoots and 30% lower in roots. The analysis of the individual growth and development parameters of S. polyrrhiza plants in the experiment carried out indicates new possibilities for the use of this group of plants in biofuel and bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: The paradigms of sustainable development and knowledge and innovation-based economy (smart growth) are among the most important signposts for the development of contemporary towns, cities and regions. The growing competitiveness of cities and the high variation and complexity of the urban environment necessitate the search for such a model of a city that will enable its dynamic development in the economic, social and spatial spheres. The implemented development model determines the town’s ability to face the current challenges, such as population changes, increasing and diverse needs of the city’s users, limited natural resources which therefore require protection, a shift in the paradigm of local economy towards circular economy, thereby improving the town’s ability to deal with crisis (urban resilience). As a consequence, there is a growing number of smart cities as well as cities which have adopted another dominant development concept, such as green cities, slow cities. Aim: Purpose of the article is to discuss and compare some of these concepts, namely smart city, slow city, green city (and selected hybrid models), which can be applied in designing a policy for the development of small towns in Poland. Results: The diverse and increasingly varied conditions underlying the development of small towns mean that a local development policy should have a more reactive and scenario-like character. The process of evolution of the existing approaches can be observed, resulting in the hybridization of the development models, where new concepts arise by combining the assumptions of several approaches, for example a smart green city, etc. This process can be seen as the manifestation of improving the level of urban resilience to crises, which increases the chance of small towns to adapt to new conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main idea of a circular economy (CE) is to separate economic growth from resource consumption and environmental impacts. The characteristic approach of a CE assumes the minimisation of the amount of waste generated at the design level and, as a standard, includes innovations throughout the value chain. From an agricultural point of view, agricultural biogas plants are particularly important because they enable the management of all waste biomass and its conversion into useful energy and agricultural fertiliser. This paper presents methods for assessing the economic effectiveness of an investment in an agricultural biogas plant. The research goal was to develop a financial model. The authors of this study used available examples of the profitability of commercial ventures. We considered the investment aspects of agricultural biogas plants. Exemplary solutions are discussed, allowing the reader to become acquainted with various methods and proposals for thus far estimated investments. It may seem chaotic, but this is how the biogas market is characterised in the context of the implementation of biogas projects. Guidance is given regarding how to understand investing in this sensitive private farming sector. It is admirable that the renewable energy market has been systematised, and we hypothesise that it is necessary to develop an investment model in Polish conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the waste management sector had to face new challenges, e.g., changes in the size and composition of the waste stream, or the presence of potentially infectious waste. This article is based on a case study in Poland. The data analysis showed that the increase in municipal waste mass during the pandemic did not differ from statistics observed in previous years and ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 million tons per year. Lifestyle changes caused a decrease in the amount of waste generated outside households. Social migrations contributed to rapid changes in the mass of waste generated in selected agglomerations by up to 80 kg/capita. In the waste stream, significant amounts of specific groups of waste related to the pandemic ("corona waste") as well as packaging and food waste were noted. Despite the pandemic, in 2020, Poland recorded an increase in selective waste collection by 6.7 percentage points (pp.) Data on municipal waste management showed an increase in the mass of waste sent for recycling by 0.7 million tons, while the mass of landfilled waste decreased by 0.3 million tons. The observed positive changes in waste management allow the implementation of sustainable development assumptions to a greater extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of biogas from biodegradable waste generated in all sectors of the economy in Poland is a key issue for the diversification of energy sources and climate neutrality. The biogas balances presented in the literature based on bio-waste often contain overly optimistic data, which in reality only represent the theoretical potential of biogas in Poland. The pragmatic approach presented in this study fills a gap in research by presenting a technical balance of biogas (real potential) that can be realistically achieved. The objective of the work was to perform a biogas balance in the context of electricity and heat generation in cogeneration units. The tests made it possible to estimate the technical potential of biogas, depending on the source of its generation, the possibility of its conversion to biomethane and biohydrogen and the methods of its use. The research results showed a 30% increase in biogas potential on an annual basis compared to the current state, resulting in a 29% increase in electricity production and a 28% increase in heat production. The technical potential of biogas was estimated at 2186.62 million m3, which would allow for the production of 4627.06 GWh of electricity and 1869.64 TG of heat. The technical balance of biogas and the potential energy production can serve as input material for developing plans and strategies for the development of renewable energy sources in Poland. The work is consistent with the issues of balancing the renewable energy resources from biogas and the methods of conversion into other energy carriers using sustainable energy transformations in order to optimise energy production processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy is an economic concept opposite to the current linear system. One of its main principles is to seek to minimise waste by reusing seemingly useless raw materials. Biogas plants are places where energy can be recovered from waste. In order to boost the environmental benefits of this concept, it is important to rely on local systems (including supply chains). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether biogas plants in Poland operate in a circular manner from the perspective of locality. The analysis was based on questionnaire surveys concerning the nature of the facilities' operations, divided into biogas plants located at sewage treatment plants, biogas plants based on municipal waste and agricultural biogas plants. On the basis of the data obtained, statistical and spatial analyses were carried out to verify the installed capacity of the facilities, the distance from which they obtain their substrate and the use of the biogas produced. The results of the study confirm that the functioning of biogas plants located in Poland is, in most cases, of a local character, fitting into the objectives of a circular economy. Biogas plants that are characterised by the lowest transportation needs are biogas plants located next to sewage treatment plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular economy (CE) is an economic model, in which raw materials remain in circulation as long as possible and the generation of waste is minimized. In the fertilizer sector, waste rich in nutrients should be directed to agriculture purposes. This paper presents an analysis of recommended directions for the use of nutrient-rich waste in fertilizer sector and an evaluation of possible interest in this kind of fertilizer by a selected group of end-users (nurseries). The scope of research includes the state-of-the-art analysis on circular aspects and recommended directions in the CE implementation in the fertilizer sector (with focus on sewage-based waste), and survey analysis on the potential interest of nurseries in the use of waste-based fertilizers in Poland. There are more and more recommendations for the use of waste for agriculture purposes at European and national levels. The waste-based products have to meet certain requirements in order to put such products on the marker. Nurserymen are interested in contributing to the process of transformation towards the CE model in Poland; however, they are not fully convinced due to a lack of experience in the use of waste-based products and a lack of social acceptance and health risk in this regard. Further actions to build the social acceptance of waste-based fertilizers, and the education of end-users themselves in their application is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobilizing industry and transforming industrial sectors to a circular economy (CE) is one of the key areas of activities in the European Green Deal (EGD)—the newest strategy of economic growth in European Union (EU). In the CE, the raw materials that can be recovered from various waste streams play a key role, therefore, recommendations for their management were developed, both at the European and national level. In Poland, the raw material recovery sector is one of the strategic sectors (key industries) described in several documents determining the further directions of economic growth in the country. This paper presents the revision of these documents and guidelines for the implementation of the CE in the raw material recovery sector. The scope of the paper also includes a description of the current state of the raw materials recovery sector and its return, supported by the analysis of drivers and barriers in its further development. In previous years, a dynamic development of the recovery industry was observed, followed by formation of new companies (dominated by medium-sized companies comprising ~50% of entities in the sector) and increasing amount of people employed (~70,700 people). A growing level of processing of secondary raw materials with the use of more and more innovative technologies has been observed, which could contribute to the improvement of the level of innovation of the national economy. There also some barriers, such as the lack of sufficiently developed industrial symbiosis (IS) and long-term support for the implementation of recovery technologies. The growing ecological awareness of society and enterprises themselves, as well as the growing belief in the importance of resource recovery for environmental protection, suggest the possibility of subsequent development of the raw materials recovery sector. Further actions in this field will be taken to strengthen the implementation of the CE in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Environmental Protection is the property of Polish Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

More and more attention is paid to the circular economy (CE) and indicators that enable the monitoring and verification of the progress of transformation at various levels (the European Union, countries, regions, companies, etc.). Many analyses of CE indicators for different levels have been presented in the literature, but the benefits of their implementation and their limitations have not been discussed individually. The aim of the work is to identify and verify, based on the research conducted, CE indicators relating to sustainable production, along with their advantages and limitations. The article presents the selection process as well as the potential benefits and limitations of using indicators to assess the transformation towards a CE as identified for the Polish economy. The practical aim is to apply the indicators identified to different sectors of the economy. An important element of the work is the proposal for the process of selecting CE indicators that monitor the CE transformation based on their advantages and limitations, taking into account the goals and obligations set out in the main strategic documents of Poland and the EU, the process of consultations with industry, and the structure of the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poland is one of the leading producers of sugar from sugar beet in Europe. However, the production of sugar generates large amounts of lignocellulosic waste, in the form of beet pulp and leaves. Currently, this waste is not reutilized in the chemical industry, but is only used as food for farm animals. This paper assesses the potential of using bio-waste from the sugar industry as a raw material for the production of furfurals via acid hydrolysis. Further processing of furfural into derivatives such as furfuryl alcohol (FA) or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) could increase the economic profitability of the initiative. Furfuryl alcohol can be used as a fuel additive in sugar factories. Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol can be used as a component in agricultural fertilizers, increasing the yield of sugar beet. This approach reduces the amount of post-production waste and brings the sugar industry closer to the concept of a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the ever-increasing need for a circular economy in all sectors, the rail ballast reuse during the railway lines reconstruction can be an important element in the implementation of sustainability principle. However, this activity should be carried out in a responsible way based on environmental risk analysis due to the contaminated ballast may pose a hazard, especially to deterioration for the quality of soil and water. This paper presents new method for environmental risk assessment of the impact of rail ballast reused as a construction material. The proposed method was verified on a real site at five selected point on trans-European TEN-T transport network in south Poland. The obtained results confirm the possibility of direct reuse of ballast at 4 of the 5 analyzed points. The case study highlights the technical feasibility and desirability of using recycled ballast in the reconstruction of railway tracks. Moreover, papier presents a new tool to assess when such a process can be carried out safety for an environmental. Additionally based on the results of presented studies may establish an understanding on relevant processes and environmental risk of railway emissions to soil, drainage water and groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The circular economy (CE) is a concept that is increasingly influencing European Union (EU) policy. Environmental goals are being increasingly financed by European funds. This approach culminates in the new Community Strategy -- the European Green Deal. At the same time, EU funds have also been earmarked for social objectives for decades, a fundamental element of cohesion policy. Both CE and social policy measures are implemented with structural funds, through appropriate provisions in national and regional programs. Despite the fact that many activities from both areas are part of sustainable development, Polish strategic programs do not provide for joint activities that affect both environmental and social issues. The article analysed Polish national programs in terms of pro-environmental and social measures. The choice of the research topic is related to the fact that increasingly in the literature there are calls for the inclusion of social issues in the CE theme. Research objectives: The aim of the research is to characterize national programs in Poland dedicated to CE and social welfare in the 2014-2020 perspective (Operational Program Infrastructure and Environment, Operational Program Intelligent Development, Operational Program Knowledge Education Development, Eastern Poland Operational Program, Regional Operational Program for Małopolskie Voivodeship), to identify challenges in narrowing the use of a narrowed understanding of pro-environmental measures, and to propose an approach that takes into account the synergies of the two areas in the context of the 2021-2027 perspective. Research design and methods: The article uses an analysis of EU documents (regulations and directives; structural and investment programs), Polish national and regional programs. A compilation of priority axes from key programs related to CE and social policy in Poland was made, and then a combination of selected areas was proposed. Results: As the analysis shows, the solutions used in the EU and in Poland in the 2014-2020 perspective do not take into account the social context of the circular economy. The plans for the new financial perspective 2021-2027, as well as the long-term strategy of the European Green Deal, do not exclude joint actions, so it is largely up to the member states to focus separately on selected aspects of CE and social inclusion, or to combine actions in both areas. Planning joint activities in at least part of the programs could contribute to the overarching community goal of sustainable development. Conclusions: An interdisciplinary approach to the topic of CE, especially the social aspects, could make EU policy more comprehensive and effective in relation to the identified challenges. The EU, which is one of the leaders of pro-environmental changes in the world, should include a broader approach to both CE issues and social policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current EU energy policy aims to diversify energy sources to ensure energy security while decarbonising the economy and promoting low carbon and clean energy technologies. These tasks are carried out under the European Green Deal Program. Therefore, the overriding goal at present is to search for new sources of energy, including energy recovery from waste. In EU countries, the legal system for waste management is adapted to the circular economy. In Poland, due to the legal possibility of temporary storage and disposal of waste, a substantial volume of industrial waste is temporarily stored and landfilled (above 40%), compared to the importance of waste subjected to treatment. Moreover, energy recovery from waste accounts for a negligible share (below 5%). It may be due to the high costs of these processes, stringent emissions and environmental quality standards. Therefore, as in certain EU countries, the problem of landfill site arson attacks has been exacerbated in Poland (177 fires in 2019). The aim of this article is to determine the relationship between the application of the existing regulations concerning closed-loop waste management and the effectiveness of methods, ways and economic instruments preventing the illegal burning of landfill waste in Poland under the current EU energy policy. Therefore, it can be assumed that this system is not complete. Based on factor force analysis at a scale 1–5, it was found that technological (3.4), legal (3.16) and economic (3.0) factors have the greatest impact on this system. The waste management system should be oriented towards increased waste recovery and a more significant reduction in the volume of temporarily stored waste and landfill waste. It should be considered whether the current move away from the incineration of waste, according to the new EU energy policy, is a better solution in environmental and economic terms than incurring very high costs due to eliminating the effects of the incineration of landfill waste that causes environmental damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal-fired power facilities generate a polymetallic effluent (Flue Gas Desulfurization—FGD) rich in sulfate. FGD effluents may be considered an important secondary resource. This paper investigates the recovery of sulfate as barite (BaSO4), a mineral with high commercial value and a critical raw material. Using equimolar BaCl2, >99% desulfurization of an FGD effluent produced by a coal-fired power plant operating in central Poland was achieved, yielding up to 16.5 kg high purity barite m−3. The recovered barite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric (TGA), scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM), surface properties (PZC), density, and chemical stability (TCLP), and was compared with a commercial reference material. Barite recovery also led to the reduction in concentration of Al (86%), Cu (52%), K (69%), Mo (62%), Se (40%), Sr (91%), and U (75%) initially present in the FGD effluent. TCLP results indicate the entrapment and the stabilization of ~70% Se and ~90% Al in the barite structure. Based on this dataset, an in-depth characterization of the recovered barite is presented, and the removal mechanism of the elements is discussed. The study also provides a preliminary cost benefit analysis of the process. To our best knowledge, this is the first work showing barite recovery and metal removal from FGD effluents using a one-step process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, one of the main directions of agricultural development in Poland is the pursuit of sustainable development, rational management of material resources, and striving for energy self-sufficiency, while maintaining low greenhouse gas emissions. It is an alternative to constantly supported coal solutions. Sustainable development in the sense of processes taking place in enterprises affects many key areas of their activity. One of them is the measurement of efficiency, another is the compatibility with nature and the environment, and the perception of humans and their role. Measures of enterprises' effectiveness should be considered in relation to the objectives of the enterprise. Biorefineries play a special role in shaping the new energy reality, being a system that connects various devices and biomass conversion processes to produce energy, fuel, and other valuable products. The essence of the functioning of biorefineries is as value chains; that is, a series of interrelated activities of specific importance and market value. The study aims to identify the determinants and efficiency of value chains in agricultural biorefineries according to the concept of sustainable development and the use of biomass resources in biorefining processes. Identifying and analyzing individual stages allows one to demonstrate the effectiveness of the implementation of technology using renewable energy sources, according to the concept of sustainable development and the implementation of the direction of the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic coal and waste resources, which are valuable sources of carbon, can support efforts to transform a linear economy into a circular carbon economy. Their use, as an alternative to conventional, imported fossil resources (crude oil, natural gas) for chemical production, provides an opportunity for Poland to solve problems related to competitiveness, security of supply, and sustainable development in various industries. This is important for Poland because it can provide it with a long-term perspective of economic growth and development, taking into account global trends (e.g., the Paris Agreement) and EU legislation. The article presents a concept to support the transformation from linear toward a circular carbon economy under Polish conditions. The carried-out analyses showed that coal, RDF, and plastic waste fuels can be a valuable source of raw material for the development of the chemical industry in Poland. Due to the assumed availability of plastic waste and the loss of carbon in the production process, coal consumption is estimated at 10 million t/yr, both in the medium- and long-term. In case where coal consumption is reduced and an additional source of 'green hydrogen' is used, CO2 emissions could be reduced even by 98% by 2050. The presented results show the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed solution and could be the basis for development of the roadmap for transition of the linear to circular economy under Polish condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combustion engines are the main driving force of passenger cars, trucks or buses. Engines burn fuels, and as a side effect, release many pollutions to the atmosphere. Car manufacturers had been aware of a need of lowering the amount of exhaust fumes. This brought on the market the first catalytic converters. Nowadays automobile catalyst manufacturing is the largest sector of demand of PGMs (mainly platinum, palladium and rhodium), and unfortunately consumption and future demand of there critical metals is getting higher. Over the past two decades, most countries around the world have developed and implement solutions that would minimize the impact of the growing number of cars on the environment. One solution contributing to this is the organisation of an end-of-life car collection and recycling network, which is now an integral part of automotive industry. The main drivers for the development of such network were stricter environmental regulations and economic conditions. The development of recycling is also becoming more popular in Poland. However, catalyst recycling system is still not transparent to all stakeholders. Due to the huge variety of catalysts and their different structure and composition of elements from the PGMs group, the valuation of their price before they are recycled is not obvious. This raises a lot of controversy and does not inspire trust among those who recycle their catalysts. The aim of this work is to show how the management of used catalytic converters looks like in Poland and how developed is network of catalysts recycling in Poland. At the same time this will show how important it is in terms of a circular economy and the recovery of valuable raw materials from a group of PGMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae is the property of Uniwerystet Kardynala Stefana Wyznskiege w Warzawie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ecotechnologies have the potential to reduce the use of finite resources while providing a variety of co-benefits to society, though they often lack in market competitiveness. In this study, we investigate the sustainability of ecotechnologies for recovering carbon and nutrients, and demonstrate how a so-called "bottom-up" approach can serve as a decision-making instrument. Based on three case study catchments with a focus on domestic wastewater in Sweden and Poland, and on manure, grass and blackwater substrates in Finland, we apply a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) on system alternatives derived from a participatory process. After drawing on an initial systematic mapping of relevant ecotechnologies, the scope of the CBA is determined by stakeholder suggestions, namely in terms of the considered assessment criteria, the physical impacts and the utilised data. Thus, this CBA is rooted in a localised consideration of ecotechnologies rather than a centralised governmental approach to systems boundaries. The key advantage of applying such a bottom-up approach is that it has gone through a robust participatory selection process by local stakeholders, which provides more legitimacy to the decisions reached compared with traditional feasibility studies. Despite considering the revenues of the recovered products as well as the provision of the non-market goods CO2 mitigation and reduced eutrophication, findings from this study indicate that the benefits of the considered ecotechnologies are often outweighed by their costs. Only anaerobic digestion of agricultural wastes appears to be economically feasible under the current conditions, highlighting that further efforts and incentives may be required to mainstream ecotechnologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular economy (CE) is seen as a key strategy for achieving sustainable development (SD). One of the components of SD is sustainable production and consumption. Poland, as an EU member state, has for many years been trying to imitate the good practices of other countries in the field of sustainable production and consumption, and above all, in reducing the amount of waste generated. However, the country's economic situation, pandemic, people's mentality, habits and other ecological, economic and social factors mean that the pursuit of CE is very slow. The aim of the article is to present own research showing the level of recovery and recycling of municipal waste in Poland in comparison to the EU, and the level of preparation of Polish society for the implementation of CE. The survey method with open and closed questions was used in the research. Moreover, the observation of the market and the analysis of the literature on the subject allowed for drawing additional conclusions. Research shows that part of the society does not segregate waste despite the obligation and higher fees, does not believe in CE and, unfortunately, disposes of waste incorrectly. In addition, the differences between the repair/refurbishment and the purchase of goods from discount stores, or second-hand goods are so slight that it is not profitable for the consumer to repair, regenerate used goods - from an economic point of view, it is better to buy a new one at " cheap "shop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alternative waste fuels have a significant share in the fuel mix of the cement industry in Poland. The conditions inside cement kilns are favorable enough for environmentally-friendly use of waste fuels. In the article, the authors discuss the current situation concerning the use of alternative fuels in Poland, from difficult beginning in the 1990s to the present time, different kinds of fuels, and the amounts of used fuels. The use of fuels in Poland is presented against the global and EU consumption (including Central European countries and companies). The increased use of waste-derived fuels, from the level of about 1% at the end of the 1990s to the present level of about 70%, allowed for the limitation of waste storage, including avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of conventional energy sources; those effects also contributed to the implementation of the sustainable development and circular economy conceptions. The experiences of the cement plants worldwide prove that the use of waste fuels is ecological and economical. The examples showed in the article confirm that cement plants are greatly interested in using waste fuels from waste, as they invest in the infrastructure allowing to store bigger amounts of waste and dose them more efficiently. Thus, the cement industry has become an important element of the country's energy economy and waste management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study presented in this text is to show the influence of COVID-19 on waste management systems and circular economy stream, and their impact on circular economy, particularly the economic impact of the pandemic on the waste management sector, impact on circular economy objectives' implementation as well as additional challenges like the need for hygienization of waste streams during different implementation efforts, such as changes in the municipal solid waste market and different waste processes of their disposal. Additionally, some methods—such as thermal treatment—which seemed to be not fully aligned with the circular economy approach have advantages not taken into account before. Incineration of higher volume of waste affects the waste structure and will change some of the circular economy objectives. The analysis was carried out on the example of the Polish market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Research Papers of the Wroclaw University of Economics / Prace Naukowe Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wroclawiu is the property of Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny we Wroclawiu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recently, growing interest in the Circular Economy (CE) concept can be observed among scholars and practitioners globally. One CE goal is to increase resource efficiency by converting more waste into resources. The introduction of such changes in the long-term perspective will have an impact on regionals economies. But the exact consequences of these changes are largely unknown and require a specific modelling approach. In this paper, a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model designed to simulate the expected impact of increased resource efficiency on a regional economy is applied to a regional case study. The model is built on the assumption that a portion of current consumption is returned to producers in the form of supplies later re-used in the production process. The structural parameters of the proposed model were calibrated for Malopolska, a region in southern Poland, and the study used the Bayesian estimation method in this process. Computer simulation confirms the positive impact on the economy by the increase in resource efficiency, which will eventually improve the quality of life of the region's population. According to this study, in the long run, one additional unit of material resulting from recycling is a substitute for four units of raw material. The article proposes to measure the recycling rates as a portion of recovered materials' value rather than their mass. With this methodology, recycling estimates for the Malopolska region of Poland in 2017 amounts to 48.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article was to identify the attitudes of young consumers in Europe toward recycling campaigns of clothing companies. In the article, the results of own empirical research conducted among young consumers from Poland, France, and Spain in the fourth quarter of 2017 are presented. Recycling campaigns implemented by fashion brands, consisting of exchanging old cloths for discount vouchers, are an example of environmentally friendly innovations and fit into the concept of circular economy. The research results confirmed a minor engagement of young consumers in recycling campaigns of clothing companies. However, they declared the willingness to participate in such actions. According to the authors, an effective marketing communication strategy is fundamental to engage young consumers in clothing recycling and develop sustainable forms of clothing disposal. Clothing companies that are perceived as supporting the environment have a chance to reinforce the brand image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]