title: Solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene plastic with goethite modified by boron under UV–vis light irradiation

authors: Liu, Guanglong

subjects: solid-phase

abstract: A novel photodegradable polyethylene-boron-goethite (PE-B-goethite) composite film was prepared by
embedding the boron-doped goethite into the commercial polyethylene. The goethite catalyst was
modified by boron in order to improve its photocatalytic efficiency under the ultraviolet and visible light
irradiation. Solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of the PE-B-goethite composite film was carried out
in an ambient air at room temperature under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. The properties of
composite films were compared with those of the pure PE films and the PE-goethite composite films
through performing weight loss monitoring, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, FT-IR
spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photo-induced degradation of PE-Bgoethite
composite films was higher than that of the pure PE films and the PE-goethite composite films
under the UV-irradiation, while there has been little change under the visible light irradiation. The
weight loss of the PE-B-goethite (0.4 wt.%) composite film reached 12.6% under the UV-irradiation for
300 h. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of the composite films was briefly discussed.

text: Solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene plastic with goethite modified by boron under UV–vis light irradiation A novel photodegradable polyethylene-boron-goethite (PE-B-goethite) composite film was prepared by
embedding the boron-doped goethite into the commercial polyethylene. The goethite catalyst was
modified by boron in order to improve its photocatalytic efficiency under the ultraviolet and visible light
irradiation. Solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of the PE-B-goethite composite film was carried out
in an ambient air at room temperature under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. The properties of
composite films were compared with those of the pure PE films and the PE-goethite composite films
through performing weight loss monitoring, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, FT-IR
spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photo-induced degradation of PE-Bgoethite
composite films was higher than that of the pure PE films and the PE-goethite composite films
under the UV-irradiation, while there has been little change under the visible light irradiation. The
weight loss of the PE-B-goethite (0.4 wt.%) composite film reached 12.6% under the UV-irradiation for
300 h. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of the composite films was briefly discussed.

year: 2010

title: Trashing New Zealand: A critical evaluation of food waste management discourses in New Zealand and their implications for sustainable development

authors: Hetherington, Laura Elizabeth

subjects: food waste

abstract: Food waste is an issue that transcends state borders and governments increasingly recognise as imperative to address. However, in New Zealand, this concern has not necessarily translated into adequate political commitments on the part of both central and local government to reduce the generation of food waste production. In fact, New Zealand has one of the highest levels of municipal waste production per capita amongst the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries (OECD, 2018). It is estimated that the annual value of food waste produced in New Zealand is approximately NZD $1.8 billion. More fundamentally, the issue of food waste with its implications for environmental, social and economic sustainability, poses a significant challenge to New Zealand’s commitment to the United Nations sustainable development goals.

This thesis examines dominant food waste discourses by researching food waste policy and practices in New Zealand. It draws on an analysis of documents and in-depth semistructured interviews to study policies at the national level and undertake a case study of a local food waste programme. The research focuses specifically on the discourses that inform food waste action in New Zealand and how the way in which food waste is positioned affects food waste reduction efforts.

This study uses a discourse analysis approach to analyse the principal waste document of New Zealand, the Waste Minimisation Act. This approach, grounded in the work of Fairclough, allows for a critical study of both written and spoken text. Applying this method reveals the way in which food waste is conceptualised in New Zealand by exposing the framing and dominate discourses that privilege certain waste disposal and responsibilities over others.

A case study methodology was used to underpin this research. This method allowed for comparisons between central government representations and awareness of food waste and those that existed within a very waste-conscious community where food waste reduction is a priority. Alongside the discourse analysis and case study, a sustainable development framework of analysis was developed to evaluate the dominant food waste discourses that were identified by the analysis.

This study contributes to scholarship on food waste minimisation and management in New Zealand by identifying how dominant food waste discourse influences political efforts aimed at food waste reduction. The findings show how little food waste features on the political agenda of central government, which, in turn, hinders what can be achieved at the local level. This study underscores the need for a central government-led, long-term vision for a comprehensive food waste policy that targets all actors involved in the food chain, in order to reduce the amount of food disposal sent to landfill.

text: Trashing New Zealand: A critical evaluation of food waste management discourses in New Zealand and their implications for sustainable development Food waste is an issue that transcends state borders and governments increasingly recognise as imperative to address. However, in New Zealand, this concern has not necessarily translated into adequate political commitments on the part of both central and local government to reduce the generation of food waste production. In fact, New Zealand has one of the highest levels of municipal waste production per capita amongst the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries (OECD, 2018). It is estimated that the annual value of food waste produced in New Zealand is approximately NZD $1.8 billion. More fundamentally, the issue of food waste with its implications for environmental, social and economic sustainability, poses a significant challenge to New Zealand’s commitment to the United Nations sustainable development goals.

This thesis examines dominant food waste discourses by researching food waste policy and practices in New Zealand. It draws on an analysis of documents and in-depth semistructured interviews to study policies at the national level and undertake a case study of a local food waste programme. The research focuses specifically on the discourses that inform food waste action in New Zealand and how the way in which food waste is positioned affects food waste reduction efforts.

This study uses a discourse analysis approach to analyse the principal waste document of New Zealand, the Waste Minimisation Act. This approach, grounded in the work of Fairclough, allows for a critical study of both written and spoken text. Applying this method reveals the way in which food waste is conceptualised in New Zealand by exposing the framing and dominate discourses that privilege certain waste disposal and responsibilities over others.

A case study methodology was used to underpin this research. This method allowed for comparisons between central government representations and awareness of food waste and those that existed within a very waste-conscious community where food waste reduction is a priority. Alongside the discourse analysis and case study, a sustainable development framework of analysis was developed to evaluate the dominant food waste discourses that were identified by the analysis.

This study contributes to scholarship on food waste minimisation and management in New Zealand by identifying how dominant food waste discourse influences political efforts aimed at food waste reduction. The findings show how little food waste features on the political agenda of central government, which, in turn, hinders what can be achieved at the local level. This study underscores the need for a central government-led, long-term vision for a comprehensive food waste policy that targets all actors involved in the food chain, in order to reduce the amount of food disposal sent to landfill.

year: 2019

title: Ethnicity and deliberate self-injury: A review of the literature

authors: Wilson, Cate

subjects: Maori

abstract: Deliberate self-injury is a significant social problem affecting youth in New Zealand. Rates of
hospitalisation for youth (aged 15 to 19) from deliberate self-injury approximate 225 per
100,000. It appears that the rates for Maori and women are significantly higher. From 1987 to
1993, an average of 488 Maori women per 100 000 population have been hospitalised each
year (Ministry of Health: Manatu Hauora, 1996). This paper draws upon both local and
international literature to examine factors underlying this ethnic disparity.
There is a wealth of literature examining risk factors underlying suicidal behaviour as a whole.
Deliberate self-injury is usually assumed to be an adjunct of youth suicide; prevention
strategies are conflated. This paper argues that this assumption is untenable, and in particular,
that prevention strategies designed for youth suicide are problematic in terms of deliberate selfinjury.
While prevention strategies are based upon studies that do not differentiate between
these groups, results will be compromised.

text: Ethnicity and deliberate self-injury: A review of the literature Deliberate self-injury is a significant social problem affecting youth in New Zealand. Rates of
hospitalisation for youth (aged 15 to 19) from deliberate self-injury approximate 225 per
100,000. It appears that the rates for Maori and women are significantly higher. From 1987 to
1993, an average of 488 Maori women per 100 000 population have been hospitalised each
year (Ministry of Health: Manatu Hauora, 1996). This paper draws upon both local and
international literature to examine factors underlying this ethnic disparity.
There is a wealth of literature examining risk factors underlying suicidal behaviour as a whole.
Deliberate self-injury is usually assumed to be an adjunct of youth suicide; prevention
strategies are conflated. This paper argues that this assumption is untenable, and in particular,
that prevention strategies designed for youth suicide are problematic in terms of deliberate selfinjury.
While prevention strategies are based upon studies that do not differentiate between
these groups, results will be compromised.

year: 1999