How to Assess Internal Transport in Terms of Sustainability in the Recycling Industry?—Case Study

Abstract

Auxiliary processes are relevant element of the production process, due to the fact that they affect the technical and economic efficiency. In the modern production process there are many material flows between which or during which technological operations that process the input material into a finished product are carried out. Incorrect design or inadequate organization of supporting processes can cause serious disruptions or even financial losses, what may be analyzed from the perspective of sustainability. The chapter is focused on the process of internal transport, what is justified by influence of that process on the company’s economic effects, the quality of employees’ work and the quality of the natural environment. Authors analyze the internal transport process in a company representing recycling industry which is End-of-Life Vehicles disassembling enterprise. This sector is affecting People and Planet during generating Profits (3P concept). In disassembling company internal transport process includes transport of: ELV’s, vehicles parts, waste, but also it covers handling of materials including laying, fixing and measuring. Material flow is complex because of diversity in terms of materials’ size, shape, mass and quantity. In the result the internal transport process requires precise organization, which should be adopted to the company to ensure safe shipment of cargo with minimal costs. The basic purpose of the chapter is to prepare a proposal of method for internal transport assessment in terms of sustainability. Authors use the following research methods: literature review, case study, brainstorming. Chapter consists of three parts. The first part shows the role of the internal transport process as well as the differences between the transport process in a typical enterprise and disassembling company. In the second part, material flows occurring in disassembling facility are described. In the last part problems were identified and the directions of further research were indicated.