15
Waste policies can primarily reduce three types of environmental pressures:
emissions from wastewater treatment plants, such as methane from landfills; the
effects of the extraction of primary raw materials; and air pollution and greenhouse
gas emissions from energy use in production processes. Although recycling processes in turn also have environmental impacts, in most cases, the overall impacts
avoided by recycling and utilization are greater than those occurring in recycling
processes. Waste prevention can help reduce environmental impacts during all
phases of the resource life cycle. Although prevention has the highest potential to
reduce environmental pressures, policies to reduce waste generation are rare and
often not very effective. For example, emphasis was placed on the diversion of biowaste, including food waste from landfills. But more could be achieved by treating
the entire food production and consumption chain to prevent waste and thus contribute to the sustainable use of resources, soil protection, and climate change mitigation.
1.3 Basic Principles of Analytic Model Design
Scientific work is a systematic and logical study that is subject to a complex methodology composed of many principles and methods, aimed at finding and revealing
facts and truths about given questions, phenomena, and processes. Every science in
its scientific research applies certain procedures and methods. Accordingly, anyone
who wants to be interested in science and be successful in their scientific work will
need to be well acquainted with the methodology of scientific work while respecting
the methods and rules used in the field of his scientific interest. In the last few
decades, the methodology has significantly developed as a special scientific discipline. Namely, the methodology is a way – a method that uses certain means and
paths with the help of which the scientific workers come to certain knowledge. The
subject of the methodology in itself encompasses many principles of general logic –
the science of the rules and the path of correct thinking.
The subject and function of the methodology are closely related with epistemology (theory of scientific consciousness). However, the methodology does not only
study the path and the means for solving certain problems, but it is also oriented
toward the study of the problems related to acquiring new knowledge in order to
increase the quality of the scientific system.
In the subject of every science, and hence the methodology itself, it cannot exist
without the following basic characteristics of scientific consciousness: objectivity,
certainty, verifiability, precision, systematicity, composition, and totality:
• Objectivity implies the absence of bias, truthfulness, neutrality, fairness, active
attitude of the scientist, discipline in research, and indifference.
• Security implies perseverance and dedication to work to achieve goals.
• Verifiability and confidentiality imply consistency and argumentation toward the
research.
1 General Aspects of Environmental Degradation vs. Technological Development…
Waste policies can primarily reduce three types of environmental pressures:
emissions from wastewater treatment plants, such as methane from landfills; the
effects of the extraction of primary raw materials; and air pollution and greenhouse
gas emissions from energy use in production processes. Although recycling processes in turn also have environmental impacts, in most cases, the overall impacts
avoided by recycling and utilization are greater than those occurring in recycling
processes. Waste prevention can help reduce environmental impacts during all
phases of the resource life cycle. Although prevention has the highest potential to
reduce environmental pressures, policies to reduce waste generation are rare and
often not very effective. For example, emphasis was placed on the diversion of biowaste, including food waste from landfills. But more could be achieved by treating
the entire food production and consumption chain to prevent waste and thus contribute to the sustainable use of resources, soil protection, and climate change mitigation.
1.3 Basic Principles of Analytic Model Design
Scientific work is a systematic and logical study that is subject to a complex methodology composed of many principles and methods, aimed at finding and revealing
facts and truths about given questions, phenomena, and processes. Every science in
its scientific research applies certain procedures and methods. Accordingly, anyone
who wants to be interested in science and be successful in their scientific work will
need to be well acquainted with the methodology of scientific work while respecting
the methods and rules used in the field of his scientific interest. In the last few
decades, the methodology has significantly developed as a special scientific discipline. Namely, the methodology is a way – a method that uses certain means and
paths with the help of which the scientific workers come to certain knowledge. The
subject of the methodology in itself encompasses many principles of general logic –
the science of the rules and the path of correct thinking.
The subject and function of the methodology are closely related with epistemology (theory of scientific consciousness). However, the methodology does not only
study the path and the means for solving certain problems, but it is also oriented
toward the study of the problems related to acquiring new knowledge in order to
increase the quality of the scientific system.
In the subject of every science, and hence the methodology itself, it cannot exist
without the following basic characteristics of scientific consciousness: objectivity,
certainty, verifiability, precision, systematicity, composition, and totality:
• Objectivity implies the absence of bias, truthfulness, neutrality, fairness, active
attitude of the scientist, discipline in research, and indifference.
• Security implies perseverance and dedication to work to achieve goals.
• Verifiability and confidentiality imply consistency and argumentation toward the
research.
1 General Aspects of Environmental Degradation vs. Technological Development…