Research Proposal: Waste Recycling, Incineration and Landfill Analysis

This research proposal delves into the critical issue of waste recycling and management in Hong Kong, examining various strategies to address the growing problem of solid waste generation. The proposal begins with an outline of the research project, discussing key topics such as green roofs, wind electric power generation, and waste recycling. It analyzes the components involved in research project selection, focusing on environmental concerns, energy generation through incineration, and land supply challenges. The study explores primary and secondary research approaches, emphasizing the 4R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover) and the role of government and private associations in waste management. The proposal outlines the research project's specification, including the abstract, introduction, objectives, research methods, rationale, and possible outcomes. It also discusses resource analysis using the 4M+T framework (Manpower, Money, Materials, Methods, and Time), emphasizing the importance of a well-structured plan and time management. The proposal concludes with recommendations for improving waste management practices, advocating for the use of incineration and recycling techniques to reduce landfill reliance and promote sustainable solutions. The research aims to provide insights into effective waste management strategies to address the challenges faced by Hong Kong.

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Formulation and recording of research project outline....................................................1
1.2 Components which helps in process of research project selection...................................1
1.3 Study of primary and secondary research approaches.....................................................2
1.4 Produce a research project specification..........................................................................3
1.5 Appropriate plan and procedure for agreed research specification..................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Analyse the resources for planning research....................................................................5
2.2 Undertake proposed research investigation......................................................................6
2.3 Record and collect relevant data.......................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Research Evaluation techniques.......................................................................................8
3.2 Interpretation and Analysing the Results of Original Research.......................................9
3.3 Limitations of Existing Study and Areas for Removing Existing Limitations in the Study
..............................................................................................................................................10

TASK 1
1.1 Formulation and recording of research project outline
In order to complete Higher National Diploma in Building service engineering. There is
discussion about three main topics related to environment, i.e. green roof, wind electric power
generation, waste and recycling. These topic are discussed as under in detail-
Green Roof- This is the roof which is fully or semi covered by plants. This helps in
conservation of rain water, creates life for small organism and makes balance in urban air
temperature. There are two types of green roofs: intensive and extensive. Intensive roofs are
wider and have varieties of vegetation, while extensive roofs are narrow and requires less
maintenance. These roofs are promoted in urban areas and helps to maintain beautification of
urban area. These roofs assist in making diversion of waste with prolong service life of
ventilation, heating, HVAC system. This helps in management and storage of water.
Wind Electric power Generation- Wind power works at on shore and off shore sites. On
shore wind is a cheap source of energy as compared to coal or gas plants. Off shore winds are
stronger and have high maintenance cost. There is variation in supply chain of wind power which
is disadvantage to get proper supply of wind. As per record of 2015, there was around 2,00,000
turbines which operate at international level. They have capacity of approx 4,32,000MW and
helps in production of round 4% total electricity used at world wide level.
Waste and recycling- Recycling of waste material is one of the man issue which is faced
by Hong Kong. Around 6 million tonnes solid waste is generated and this is a major issue faced
in current industry. There are solid waste comes from commercial, industrial and domestic ways
in the form of chemical, livestock, etc. and there is no way to dispose it.
1.2 Components which helps in process of research project selection
In order to select research project process, there is requirement of mainly three
components which helps to deal with waste and recycling process. Three methods which can be
used in Hong Kong are as under-
Environment- In order to complete this research, researcher use this project because of
interest area. According to serve of 2020, there is solution to the problem related to
decomposition of waste.
1

Energy generation- There is use of incinerator in order to decompose waste. With the
help of incinerator, there is use of waste can be converted into energy which provides benefits to
society.
Land supply- Due to issue of landfill, there is issue related to construction of building in
Hong Kong. Hence in this case, with use of this method, there is resolution in issue of housing
supply and land for building houses can be achieved.
As per political parties, according to consumption led competition, there is requirement
of 400 hectares of land to create new land fills for sites to dispose needs up to 2030. In Hong
Kong, there is need of appropriate way to discompose waste.
Conclusion
It is concluded that reason behind selecting this topic is relevant because whole world is
dealing with it and this might cause big reason of issues which must be solved. As per above
discussion, it is clear that incinerator is the best technique to deal with disposal of waste. With
the help of incinerator, garbage can be burn out which avoids need of landfills for more than
2500 tonnes each day. There are possibilities that according to some people, there is emission of
toxic chemicals which affects health of living beings of society.
There are many buildings which has recycle bins this helps in decomposing house hold
waste which is easiest way to deal with issues in society. In order to resolve problem, there is
requirement of improvement in order to deal with issues which arise in society and waste
material can be disposed properly and hygiene factor in society can be maintained.
1.3 Study of primary and secondary research approaches
There is principle of 4R which helps to deal with municipal solid waste of all the
countries. 4R includes Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover. Landfills is general technique for
decomposition of household and commercial garbage. These days, there is decomposition of
tonnes of wastage from different sources due to increment in population, more urbanisation, etc.
Government of Hong Kong has seven major programmes in 2001. these rae planned in order to
increase recycle rate and decrease amount of wastage.
There is involvement of private associations which works for collecting data from
buildings. They have proper process of collecting, cleaning up, recycling, re-using, etc., which
provides fine products in market. There are some issues which is faced by society and it is
essential to deal with it because it affects in negative way such as cost of recycle goods is more
2

that new products, some people are not willing to decompose their old products, etc. Apart from
this, there is cooperation from society but proper measure to collect decompose product is not
clear.
Some societies are ready to take charge for disposal fees in the form of per capita
disposal quantity, weight based billing, block payment, etc. Apart from different methods,
weight based billing is one of the best way. There is easy way to decomposition of paper, glass,
tin, batteries, textile waste, etc.
Government plays vital role in dealing with decomposition of waste material. There is
provision of subsidiaries , interest free loans, etc. for better going of recycling business. There is
burden of disposal fees on citizens in the form of taxes which has to be paid by people residing
in apartments.
Except the recycle strategy, there is requirement of education among people which helps
to generate changes which are important for recycling of products. If people feel time and cost
consuming process of recycling, then with above process, there is change in living of standards,
habits, etc. through which they prefer management of wastage.
1.4 Produce a research project specification
In order to collect and understand project, there are some methods which is discussed as
under-
Abstract- In this research, there is discussion about recycling of waste material which is
on of the major issue in world. In this research per there is discussion about different ways to
solve this issue.
Introduction- After abstract, introduction stage occurs which provides information about
different aspects due to which issues arise. As per this, increase in population is one of the
important reason such as increment in population due to which there is issue in recycling.
Objectives of research project- Objective is the main motto for which research is
conducted. In this research, promotion of re- cycling which helps to reduce possibilities of
disposal of waste material.
Research method- In this research, there is use of internet, survey, case study, news , etc.
which provides important and relevant information about past and present information which is
relevant and significant for selecting best method through which most suitable method can be
3

used. With the help of research method, there is identification of best method which is relevant
for dealing long term issues occurring Hong Kong.
Rationale for selection- Landfills is the reason of causing housing problems which is due
to rare land supply. In order to resolve problem, there must be use of recycling technique but
there is no solution to problem. Incinerator combine is the solution of this problem which helps
to deal with it.
Possible outcome- With the use of incinerator issues gets resolved but with use of landfill
it is easy to deal with it. This can be done when mind set of society changed. In order to make
changes, there is use of landfills as secondary method.
Analysis- It is analysed that there must be use of proper strategies through which waste
management can be done. This helps to deal with housing supply issues and incinerator are used
as compared to landfills in Hong Kong.
Resources- There is requirement of some resources in order to deal with changes which
are relevant for making changes. Manpower, material, money, different methods and techniques
are used in order to provide relevant information in this research. In order to get positive impact,
it is important to have some substitute, so possibilities of wastage of time is less.
Time- Time is also important and crucial element which is considered by researcher
because it must be completed on time. Hence there is use of time table through which project can
be completed within specified time.
Conclusion- Lastly conclusion is given which provides relevant information on the
research topic in brief. There are different factors which are considered because of change in
external factors, then it must be considered in research. This helps to provide knowledge about
different aspects which must be considered while conducting research.
Recommendations- At last after considering information related to research, there are
different recommendations which helps to perform operations in effective and relevant for taking
corrective actions.
1.5 Appropriate plan and procedure for agreed research specification
While starting research, there is requirement to collect different information related to
waste, recycling, waste management, etc. There is analysis of taking actions for analysing issues
which are related to current market, setting time for dealing with issue, research methodology,
etc. In this research data is collected from internet as secondary source and information about
4

landfills are analysed. Information related to issues faced by current market affects environment
of environment. With internet source, there is requirement of different aspects which is relevant
and significant for waste management and better use of landfill can be provided. There is change
in working style of every individual, so with the help of time table team mates are aware about
their roles and responsibilities which reduces possibilities of duplication of activities.
Time table is one of the important aspect which researcher is considered. This helps to
complete research within specified time. There are many activities which are required to plan in
order to complete research and achieve its aims and objectives. There are some activities which
are not completed within specified time, hence in this case it was responsibility of researcher to
hurry its activities and then remaining following activities are completed on time. Research is
time consuming process because there are many activities such as introduction, aims and
objectivities, time scale, etc. which helps to complete project within specified time. Hence with
the help of time table, it is clear for team mates which activities is performed after what and
within how much time.
TASK 2
2.1 Analyse the resources for planning research
There is requirement of some resources with the help of which, it is easy to perform
research activities. These resources can be understood with the help of 4M+ T, they are
discussed as under-
Manpower- Manpower resources to individuals who are required to complete research
project. Research is long time process which can be conducted with the help of number of
individuals. These are the people who perform research activities and take actions to complete
within specified time. There is requirement of individuals which helps to make changes in order
to deal with it in effective and significant manner, this is responsibility of personnel so make
policies according to external market.
Money- Money is important aspect because this helps to purchase different resources
such as computer, internet which helps to complete project within specified time. There is
specific budget which set by researcher to complete research and it is responsibility of researcher
to complete within it. Money is required to plan activities according to change in plans and
policies because there are many changes which are taking place in external market.
5

Method- There are different methods through which research can be conducted. It is
responsibility of researcher to analyse methods and then use best one through which aims and
objectives can be achieved. There are some specific methods which is significant because of
change in working style. It is responsibility of researcher to perform research with best method
which are best and relevant for achieving aims and objectives.
Material- There is requirement of different material such as internet connection, research
paper, journal, etc. which helps to complete project on time. With the help of these material, it is
easy to perform actions to achieve research aims and objectives and complete within specified
time. Material are the sources through which research can be conducted in best and relevant
manner. This also helps to achieve aims and objectives in relevant manner. Researcher has
responsibility to plan resources and then activities are performed to attaining aims and
objectives.
Time- There is requirement of some specified time to complete research aims and
objectives. There are many activities which aims at completing project, so it is responsibility of
researcher to complete research activities within specified time. There are many activities which
has to be considered in order to complete research with attaining aims and objectives. In order to
complete research on time, it is essential to proper plan resources, so team mates have
knowledge about roles and responsibilities. In order top analyse time for different activities,
there is use of time scale which provides time required to complete activities within specified
time.
2.2 Undertake proposed research investigation
Research is time and cost consuming process. There are some activities which has to be
considered by researcher in order to attain aims and objectives. This can be conducted with the
help of collecting information and store it in specified and relevant manner. While conducting
this research information about Hong Kong is collected. Researcher collect information such as
total land area of 1050 km, population is around 7.363 millions, population density is 6996 km.
From this data it is analysed that there is requirement of generation of waste material which
affects environment. According to data population is densely populated so high waste material is
extracted from it. All the waste extracted can not recycle with the help of landfills. Hence there
is requirement of some changes which helps to deal with waste management by 2020. as per
6

research, it is clear that three landfills will full in few years because of excessive waste and
construction of more landfills is not appropriate solution because there is shortage of finance.
Hence in order to deal with it, there must be use of 4 R which helps manage and recycle
waste. There re some strategies which is helps to manage and make strategies for minimising
waste. In this research, it is identified that if all the candidates follow it this strategy, then there is
proper management of wastage. There must be some education events which helps in creating
awareness among people. With creating awareness it is easy for people to make changes
according to external market. 4 R can be understood with the help of strategy which is pyramid
in shape. As per first level of pyramid, there is base level which emphasise on action stage. After
action stage, next stage is to reduce wastage which can be done with the help of re- use of
material. After re- use or reduce possibilities of wastage, next step is about recycling or
composition.
Above mentioned steps helps to manage wastage and management of waste can be done
with the help of landfill and combustion. Final actions works in the form of disposal of wsatgae
through incineration or landfills without energy recovery. Incinerator is the second option which
is available for managing waste and reduces volume of wastage before it went in landfills. This
helps in generating electric power with the process of combustion. There are some locations
where incinerator can be built on landfills but this can be built in effective manner because base
is solid which increase danger of making changes in working style. There is requirement of
transportation network which are connected in these areas. Hence government agencies does not
give emphasise on new areas for managing waste material. As compared to this generation is
electricity is more easy and relevant method to be considered in near by cities.
There are some countries such as Netherlands where landfill has 2%, recycling is 60%
and wastage to energy is 38%. Three percentage are the part of different waste material from
wastage. Hence as per this data, Hong Kong must give main focus on recycling and waste to
energy which replaces with the help of landfill.
2.3 Record and collect relevant data
Research is the process which is conducted in order to get in- depth analysis on some
specific topic. There are many activities which aims at giving some specific information and
collect data with the help of different sources. There are some specific aims and objectives which
has to be trained. After collecting information from different sources there are some relevant
7

information which is significant for providing recommendations and conclusions on it. In this
research, information is collected on waste management and recycling in Hong Kong. In order to
conduct this research, researcher analyse changes which is significant and relevant for providing
information related to it. In this research issues related to landfills. Landfills is a technique which
is used to manage waste from society. In current market of Hong Kong, there is reduction in
number of landfills because waste is one of the major issue in Hong Kong.
As per survey it is clear that there are some landfills which gets full in next 5 years.
Hence this solution is not relevant to the serious problem of Hong Kong. In order to deal with it,
there is a technique which is known as 4 R and measures are taken to reduce possibilities of
wastage. This 4 R is based on reduce, recycle, reuse and replace. If people residing in society
compile with it, then they are responsible for making changes and the actions are taken in order
to mange wastage in society. People must purchase material which can be reused so environment
can be maintained.
After considering research, incinerator is used which is significant and relevant for
attaining long term objective i.e. waste management and recycling of wastage. In incineration,
dangerous material are get diluted which helps in creation proper management of waste material.
While conducting research, Netherlands case study is analysed which provides information about
methods of feasible. With the help of incinerators, there is reduction in wastage of material up to
95% and solid waste gets reduced upto80-85%. Hence it is clear that incineration is also not
relevant and significant method to reduce the amount of wastage but it reduces amount of land
required.
TASK 3
3.1 Research Evaluation techniques
The Research can be completed in several ways such as by making use of surveys,
questionnaires, experiments, case study, etc. In this research, the use of case study and
experiments is done for completing it.
The main objective of this research is to make incinerator as the main source of disposing the
waste. For meeting this objective, the explanation for the same is provided below:
In simple language, the case study can be defined as a process of doing research on a
particular person, situation, or group of person over a period of time. In this method, the use of
8

theories earlier propounded were used and they are applied to the real life situations. The
advantage of the research is that a lot of data can be collected through this research and this data
can easily be obtained. Along with this, it also has its own disadvantage that this case study is
based upon only a single person, and based upon a single person, it reduces the chances of
relevancy and accuracy of data provided in this research.
Experimental Research is a type of research in which is conducted with the help of scientific
approach, in which some variables are made constant and others are set and used to measure
reliability of the experiment.
The advantages of using this method is that the outcomes which comes from this method are
reliable and accurate and also provides an in depth knowledge of the research. In addition to this,
it also provides a scientific proven method for getting the outcomes of the research.
Coming to the disadvantages of this method, these are methods are not easy to apply, these needs
to be applied carefully so that the results taken are reliable. But due to the complexity of this
method,sometimes artificial results are given which provides incorrect data to the people and
reduces the reliability of the research done. Another disadvantage is that these experiments may
not fit for every situation as they are made for solving a particular situation and the application of
different principles in a single situation cannot give expected results.
In this research, it is found that the plant in Hong Kong has used incineration in 1978 and
it was one out of four other plants which can process the solid waste and reduce the need to put
the waste into landfills. Also, it is founded that the use of incinerator in Netherlands for
disposing off the waste is done and it does not effected agricultural area nearby it. Hence, it is
proved that the use of incinerator is better than landfill especially for the areas where the
population is high.
3.2 Interpretation and Analysing the Results of Original Research
For this analysis, the use of case study is done for the hypothetical view that incinerator
can be used in place of the landfills. The Waste Treatment Plant which is in located in
Copenhagen is an example that how these plants can be made in a populated area and the how
the surroundings can be prevented from the bad smell of the waste. It can be done by planting
and covering the area from plants so that the odour of the waste disposing can be reduced. It is
not situated outside the city because this plant covers 98% of the capital's heat demand. That is
9

why it vis not situated away from the city because it was difficult to make energy available from
that place to this place for the government.
In addition to this, the centre location of these plants helps in the equal distribution and
supply of energy to all the parts of the city. During the process of heat transportation, some
amount of heat is also lost so to avoid all these ill effects, the centre of the capital is chosen for
making the plant. The use of advanced technologies removes the pressure of moving out these
facilities from the city. The incinerator also demolishes the toxins for the medical wastes and the
surroundings of that area where this type of waste is destroyed as high temperature. It can also
cause several diseases to the people surrounding that area. Incinerator are right to use in
countries like Japan where there is scarcity of land and that cannot be used for burying the
wastes. It is also a great source of energy and this way of generating energy is used by countries
such as Denmark and Sweden.
The incinerator which are made in recent times are equipped with pollution improvement
systems that prevents the outside environment from being affected by emissions caused by the
disposal of these wastes. The government has also put down rules and regulations which should
be strictly followed while conducting incineration in order to save and prevent the environment
and the atmosphere. These incinerations are designed in a way to store the wastes and also to
reduce the odour and harmful effects which comes by the use of incinerations. In an estimation
made in 2005, it was found that 4.8 percent of electricity is produced by making use of
incinerator. Other than this, there are also some other countries which are making use of wastes
for the generation of heat and electricity. Heavy metals in the waste are removed with the help of
carbon injection. The older incinerator lacks in these qualities which these incinerators have such
as avoiding the pollution, and odour and working with the environment.
3.3 Limitations of Existing Study and Areas for Removing Existing Limitations in the Study
In accordance with this case study, the recommendations for the researcher is to use the
incinerator with the updated technology in Hong Kong. Following are the recommendations are
mentioned below:
 The land existing with the government can be used to make the incinerator so that the
land can be used to the full extent as there will be no space for building incinerator in the
near 2020.
10

 It will also remove the burden of the government as the existing landfill is already build
up and the government is also working on building the incinerator. It will also save the
extra amount which the government has to spend upon the purchasing the land.
 Already made landfills are close to the urban areas and the supply of energy can easily be
done from this place to the urban areas.
 In addition to this, the incinerator must be made at a place where the garbage can be
generated easily, if this is not done that the process of collecting the garbage from
different places will also consume the time. Further, it will cause a delay in the pre-
planned process of disposing the garbage.
 In the completion of this work, the use of more number of people can be done so as to
increase the speed of the work and get the work done in an effective and efficient way.
 However, the place already contains an incinerator for reducing the problem of burying
the wastage but for this, the contribution of people is also required. They have to change
their standard and ways of living so that the wastage can be reduced to a extent.
 The use of those products can be done which can be easily recycled so as to reduce the
waste of solid materials which are not easy to dispose as it will reduce the work of the
people and their contribution towards controlling the wastage can be taken.
 The Research not only focuses on Hong Kong but also covers other cities facing the same
problem of disposing off the waste materials. This research will also help others in
getting rid of the same problem.
11