This guide provides general information about carbon sources and sinks. It explains the basic concepts such as carbon dioxide equivalent and demonstrates how different issues might be relevant, depending on the context. The guide includes examples of natural and commercial sources of carbon, calculating carbon emissions and carbon reduction 'sinks'. The information is relevant to several units of competency in the MSS Sustainability Training Package; however the guide is not aligned to a … [Read more...]
About root cause analysis
This guide provides general information about root cause analysis. It explains the basic concepts and demonstrates a number of root cause analysis techniques options that might be used, depending on the context. The information is relevant to several units of competency in the MSS Sustainability Training Package; however the guide is not aligned to a specific unit of competency or AQF level. Download the guide … [Read more...]
About metrics
This guide provides general information about metrics. It explains the basic concepts and demonstrates that a range of options might be relevant, depending on the context. It includes information on choosing metrics and using indicators and includes some examples of possible 'measurables'. The information is relevant to several units of competency in the MSS Sustainability Training Package; however the guide is not aligned to a specific unit of competency or AQF level. Download the … [Read more...]
About mass and energy balancing
This guide provides general information about mass and energy balancing. It explains the basic concepts and demonstrates that a range of options might be relevant, depending on the context. The guide explains the first law of thermodynamics and provides examples of how it might be applied in mass/energy balancing in both industry and domestic situations. The information is relevant to several units of competency in the MSS Sustainability Training Package, however, the guide is not aligned … [Read more...]
About quantifying benefits and costs
This guide provides general information about quantifying benefits and costs. It explains the basic concepts and demonstrates that a range of options might be relevant, depending on the context. It includes information on identifying and ranking direct benefits and costs as well as indirect measures and semi-quantitative data. The information is relevant to several units of competency in the MSS Sustainability Training Package; however the guide is not aligned to a specific unit of … [Read more...]
Metal fabrication sector reports and links
Fabrication of metal products refers to a range of processes such as shaping, cutting, welding, assembling, folding, roll forming and machining. A variety of products come from the metal fabrication sector. These range from steel beams and panels used in major construction to boilers and tanks and domestic pre-fabricated buildings such as garages. Businesses in the sector are numerous and varied in size, with relatively low profit margins. Larger businesses manufacture large volume products … [Read more...]
Furnishing sector reports and links
The 'furnishings' sector includes, in part, the manufacture of wood, steel, glass and upholstered furniture primarily for home and office use. Total furniture purchasing has increased within Australia in recent years, however, most of this increase reflects purchase of imports, which are now approximately two-thirds of all furniture sales. Imports are primarily from China with some high end, low volume products from Europe and USA. Profit margins are being squeezed by this competition. … [Read more...]
Cement and concrete sector reports and links
The manufacture of cement and concrete products uses processes such as grinding, mixing, kilning, moulding, compaction and curing. Products include: Cement, including hydraulic and Portland cement Lime Pre-mix or ready-mixed concrete slurry Concrete pipe, box culverts, pre-cast panels and bridge components Other concrete products, such as pavers. The sector primarily serves domestic markets and is largely protected from global competitors due to the high freight-to-value cost of … [Read more...]
Textiles sector reports and links
The textiles sector manufactures fabric from natural and man-made fibres. Typically this involves processes such as stripping, blending, dyeing and weaving or knitting. The fabric manufacturing process may include preparing and dyeing the yarns to be used, assembling the yarn into fabrics, dyeing and printing the fabrics, and applying a range of treatments to the fabric. Within Australia the sector is a mix of high and low technology, reliant on unskilled and semi-skilled labour. There is … [Read more...]
Metals casting and forging reports and links
Iron and steel casting and forging is used in the manufacture of iron, steel, copper and aluminium products. Casting involves melting metal and pouring it into a mould, while forging involves the use of machinery to hammer or press metal into pre-determined forms, typically after heating it. Businesses tend to perform casting or forging, not both. Most are small, with ‘jobbing’ (one off) or ‘batch’ production systems. A handful of very large businesses dominate the sector by value. The … [Read more...]
