Implementing continuous improvement in hospitality sector

Implementing continuous improvement in hospitality sector 1. Title: The research title of this proposal is â€Å"Implementing Continuous Improvement In Hospitality Sector†. 2. Introduction Organizations today operate in an extremely competitive environment where service quality and customer satisfaction are paramount. If organizations are to continually improve and meet higher standards in future they must be prepared for continuous and sustainable change. Organizations will need to continually identify where they are and where they need to be in terms of performance, if changing customer needs and requirements are to be successfully met. When discussing the CI (continuous improvement) many writers seem to focus on quality. Although quality is an important aspect of CI, the topic is much more complex and interesting than merely developing quality within products and services. The first theory to be considered as relevant to the development of CI was Scientific Management as introduced by American engineer and manager Frederick Winslow Taylor (1911). Taylor was the first person to actually measure work methods with the view to increasing productivity through finding his â€Å"one best way† to perform a given task. Appalled by what he regarded as the inefficiencies of industrial practice Taylor basically introduced what we know today as Performance Measurement and Performance Management to all tasks. The idea of ‘quality was developed by two Americans associated with the post-war renaissance of Japanese industry, namely Dr. W. Edwards Deming and Dr. Joseph Juran. According to Deming (1982) â€Å"Quality should be aimed at the needs of the consumer, present and future† â€Å"Quality is consistent conformance to customers expectations† (Slack et al., 2006) Dr Joseph M Juran states â€Å"Quality is Fitness for purpose† (Juran,1988) Taguchi says â€Å"Quality should primarily be customer- driven,† (Taguchi, What is Total Quality Management?, The Japanese Way. 1985) they confirm this approach. 3. Research Aims and Objectives My aim in this project is to identify appropriate applications for and use of Continuous Improvement tools and techniques for quality improvement in providing the goods and services in the hospitality sector some tools, techniques, theories, and philosophies I will be using in future are benchmarking, check sheets, histograms, performance management planning (philosophy), Imais Kaizen/ CI umbrella, Taguchis (theory), FQM (excellence model), Carlisles CI framework etc†¦. My aim in this research is to raise the awareness of CI within the hospitality sector and to start building the foundation for the organisation to design, implement and sustain a CI programme to create improved performance and help meet the requirements of competition, evaluate the type of products and services customer of the hospitality sector expects, assess whether the current product and service provided meets these expectations. 4. Research Methodology: The research methodology used in my research is based on the conceptual model proposed by Howard and Sharp (1983) which offers seven steps as a guide to the research: Identify the broad area of case study Select the research topic Decide the approach Establish the plan Collect the data or information Analyse and interpret the data Present the findings 1. Identifying the broad area of case study: There are four steps of methodology for defining case study. They are Designing case study. Conducting case study Analyzing case study with appropriate evidence Developing conclusions, recommendations and implications. Case study is a methodology; we have to follow particular procedure to achieve the expected results. Yin (1993) identified different types of case studies like Exploratory Explanatory Descriptive Later on it was extended by other three concepts like Intrinsic- it specifies that, when researcher interested in particular case. Instrumental A specific Case is used to understand more than what is required for researcher. Collective: After a group of cases are studies, researchers have to identify the specific cases which are useful and which are not. 2. Select the research topic: For selecting a particular topic we have identify which area we are interested at, and did that topic is useful for doing Research or not. After selecting we have to justify which topic is strong for doing Research. Finally have to fix to specific topic and proceed further. 3. Decide the approach : This procedure of gaining knowledge and understanding the problem and growth of selected case of study can offer enough knowledge into managerial culture, current trend and future possibilities. The historical method of research applies to all fields of study because it encompasses their origins, growth, theories, presentation, concepts, crisis, etc.Both quantitative and qualitative variables can be used in the gathering of historical information. The collection of most relevant information about the topic. The appropriate information forming and case studies. Specific and relevant collection and organization of evidences, and the identification of the authenticity of information and its sources. Selecting, organizing, and analyzing the most relevant collected evidence, and the representation of solutions and Recording of perfect and accurate conclusions in a meaningful sequence of events. 4. Establish the plan: Research plan helps to develop particular plan to improve the topic. We have to create and answer some questions to improve the research, like Who can help me for to learn more about this particular topic? What type of question should I ask people in survey according to the check list? What modifications should I made to learn more about the topic? What are the resources I can refer to, how should I browse to learn more about the particular topic? How can I organize the information, what I have collected? 5. Collect the data or information : We have to look after many technical surveys, researches and journals to collect the required data or information. Collecting data and organizing the data is very important than other things. 6. Analyse and interpret the data : Have to analyze and interpret the data which we have collected from surveys, Researches etc.. for a successful research outputs. 7. Present the findings: The most important thing is, presenting the ideas and thoughts which we collected from many surveys, researches. The way of presenting the report plans a major role, which decides whether the research is successful or failure. 5. Research Approach: The term ‘paradigm has become popularized over the last decade, and it therefore tends to be used in many different ways. Mintzberg (1978) described the term as convenient ‘buzzword for social scientists. In response Morgan (1979) proposed a way of tidying up its usage. He distinguished between three levels of use: * The philosophical level basic about the world. * The social level guidelines about how the researcher should conduct their endeavor. * The technical level methods and techniques that should ideally be adopted in conducting research. There are two paradigms or approaches to research Positivism and Phenomenology. 5.1 Positivism: Easterby-Smith et al. (1991:22) define the positivism paradigm as â€Å"that the social world exists externally, and that its properties should be measured through objective methods, rather than being inferred subjectively through sensation, reflection, or intuition† This is involved using a quantitative/deductive research approach involving measurement using hard data, and both statistical and logical information. Research methods for this type of paradigm include surveys, experimentation and observation (audits). The method adopted in this research was a survey, which produced hard statistical data. As with most methods of data collection, the positivist paradigm has its strengths and weakness. These attributes are outlined in table below. STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES * Provide a wide coverage of range of situations. * Can be fast and economical. * May be of Considerable relevance to policy decisions, particularly when statistics are aggregated. * Methods tend to be inflexible and artificial. * Ineffective for understanding process or significance that people attach to actions. * Due to focus on recent or current events it can be difficult for policy makers to infer what actions to take. 5.2 Phenomenology: Saunders et al. (1997:72) define the phenomenology paradigm in the following way: â€Å"Characterized by a focus on the meanings that research subjects attach to social phenomena; an attempt by the researcher to understand what is happening and why it is happening† This approach will allow me to gather data providing information as to how subjects perceived management development in greater depth. This involved using a qualitative/inductive research approach involving measurement using soft, meaningful and naturalistic data. Research methods for this type of paradigm include personal interviews, group interviews and observation of group or individual behavior. I will adopt the personal interview approach as it is most suited to the research topic. The phenomenological paradigm also has its strengths and weaknesses. These are shown below in the table. STRENGHTS WEAKNESSES * Ability to look as change process over time. * To understand peoples meanings. * To adjust to new issues and ideas as they emerge. * Provide a way of gathering data that is seen as natural. * Data collection can be time and resource consuming. * Analysis and interpretation of data can be difficult. * Qualitative studies may appear disorganized because it is harder to control their pace, process and end-points. * Policy makers may give less credibility to studies rooted in a phenomenological approach. Source: Easterby Smith et.al(1991) The theoretical approach to the research determines what methods will gain required information for the study. Positivist Paradigm Phenomenological Paradigm Basic Beliefs The world is external and objective. Observer is independent Science and value free The world is socially constructed and subjective. Observer is part of what is observed. Science is driven by human interests. Researcher Should Focus on facts Look at causality and fundamental laws. Reduce phenomena to simplest elements. Formulate hypothesis and then test them. Focus on meanings. Try to understand what is happening. Look at the totality of each situation. Develop ideas through induction from data. Preferred methods include Operationalising concepts so that they can be measured. Taking large samples. Using multiple methods to establish different views of the phenomena. Small samples investigated in depth or over time. Source: Easterby Smith et.al(1991) 5.3 Research Overview: Primary data collection for this research involved both quantitative and qualitative information. These two types of information has to be noted down very carefully. If the information contains any calculated measurement of any type, it is considered as quantitative information. There are particular rules for maintaining right track of this information, but the main thing to remember is that any value recorded directly from the tool is considered quantitative data. Always it should be recorded immediately as soon as possible, along with its explanation and the units of measure, and have to be careful to maintain the perfect accuracy. Sometimes we can observe something happening using senses, as a replacement for a tool like a measuring stick. This qualitative information is repeatedly just as useful as numerical data. It includes such explanation as colour as well as observations about consistency changes and anything else that is actually an opinion In other words Quantitative information refers to: â€Å"The application of a measurement of numerical approach to the nature of the issue under scrutiny as well as the gathering and analysis of data. It is the concepts and categories, not their incidence and frequency that are said to matter.† (Brannan, 1992:5) Qualitative methods are concerned with acquiring data through investigative means of a descriptive nature. However, Burgess (1982) suggests that researchers ought to be flexible and select a range of methods that are appropriate to the research problem under investigation. The characteristics of both quantitative and qualitative methods are illustrated in the table below. QUANTITIVE DATA QUALITATIVE DATA * Based on meanings derived from numbers. * Collection results in numerical and standardized data. * Analysis conducted through the use of diagrams and statistics. * Based on meanings expressed through words. * Collection of results in non-standardized data requiring classification into categories. * Analysis constructed through the use of conceptualization. Source: Adapted from Saunders et al 1997 6. Research Design: Easterby Smith et al. (1991) advocate that to reduce the possibility of questionable reliability of the data and results being produced by the research a sound research design should be adopted. 6.1 Secondary Data: Data that has already been collected for some other purpose, perhaps processed and subsequently stored, are termed secondary data. There are three main types of secondary data: Documentary: The nature and ways of classifying document varies conceptually and practically. Documentary research has many ways of analysing documents. Documentary research method had more importance compared to other methods of research, because of the influence of positivism and empiricism so that information and quantification are most popular forms of collecting data and analyzing data. Documentary research is connected with historical research, and history feels anxious in conjunction with social science disciplines. Documentary research method is stated as unclear, it doesnt have a particular method and there is no strong evidence to how a researcher uses it. However these criticisms are nowhere to be found. History as a restraint provides us with a sense of our ancient times and with that the ways in which our present came about, and employing a range of documentary sources. It enables researchers to reflect on current issues. Documentary research methods are classified into three different types. They are Primary, secondary and tertiary documents: Primary documents refer to the resources which are used or collected by those who really witnessed the events which were described. This type of sources is considered to be reliable and accurate, and for this reason the researcher may make use of secondary sources. These are printed after an event that the author has not perfectly or face-to-face witnessed, and the researcher must be conscious of the troubles in production of this data. Tertiary sources allow researchers to establish other references like index, abstract and bibliography. Public and private documents: Here documents can be divided into four categories according to convenience, restricted, open-archival. Solicited and unsolicited documents: some of the documents like government surveys and research projects would have produced with the aim of research in mind, whereas others like diaries would have been produced for personal use. Survey: Survey is a technique used for getting accurate and perfect results. A detailed and elaborated inspection. Multiple source: There are several other sources for conducting a successful survey. Five principal secondary data were utilized provide background information surrounding the area of research. * Staff surveys. * Organizational reports on subject matter. * Organizational assessment and evaluation of subject matter in operation. * Findings of previous studies into subject. * Literature including books, academic reports, and journals from several authors. As with all data collection, secondary data has its own advantages and disadvantages and shown in the table below. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * May have fewer resource implications. * Unobtrusive. * Longitudinal studies may be feasible. * Can provide comparative and contextual data. * Can result in unforeseen discoveries. * May have been collected for a purpose that does not match your need. * Access may be difficult or costly. * Aggregations and definitions may be unsuitable. Source Adopted from Kidder Judd (1986) 6.2 Primary Research: The aim of the primary research is to obtain information that is not provided in the secondary data and investigate its validity by comparing and contrasting the findings. The following research methods will examine to validate the research aim. Postal survey Personal survey Focus Group interview / Discussion In depth interviews Smith, Thorpe and Lowe, (1991) define these methods as an array of interpretative techniques which seek to describe, decode, translate and otherwise come to terms with meaning, not the frequency, of certain more or less naturally occurring phenomenon in the social world. The choice of method for collecting the data depends on the information needs and values, as well as, particularly in this study, the budget and resources available. 8. Questionnaires: â€Å"survey research can be obtained from a relatively small sample of people and can be generated to large numbers of the population† (Alreck Settle, 1995:6) Self-administered questionnaires will be used in this research so that responses could be obtained from a sample of potential respondents and generalized for large numbers of managers. Kidder and Judd (1986:222) summarized the advantages and disadvantages of using questionnaires illustrated in the table below. ADVATAGES DISADVANTAGES * Low Cost * Ease of completion * Immediate response * Feeling of anonymity * Accuracy of completeness of responses. * Context of question answering * Misunderstanding of questions * Response rate Source: Kidder Judd (1986:222) The questionnaire will be constructed using a combination of multiple choice closed questions; open questions and scaling questions. 8.Work Plan : Time frame Action ResearchTime Frame Month 1 To meet Requirements Get the Initial Plans for the research approved. To start work on research topic area, research questions and literature review Complete writings on literature review Month 2 To submit a draft of literature review details and to start on research design Complete writings on methods of research and gatherings of data collected Month 3 To submit a draft of research design and methods of research and data collected To met supervisor, agree and move to next steps Month 4 To work on research implementation methods To submit research implementation methods Month 5 To work on data analysis and conclusion To submit draft of data analysis and conclusion Month 6 To complete draft on complete Research To submit draft of complete Research to supervisor and work on final conclusions Submission of research 9.Conclusion: To Research on â€Å"Implementing Continuous Improvement In Hospitality Sector† We have used lot of methods, implementations, surveys, questionnaires etc. Each and every concept of research is useful and also very important for the research to become a successful research. Another main thing for research is â€Å"Work Plan†. The way we plan our work in a perfect and right manner will make our research successful. Planning according to the situation and implementing particular plans, even though it is complicated and time consuming. We have to organize our plan perfectly and step by step, also have to finish the tasks in specific time periods to achieve real time success. Surveys has to be done very carefully, because there will be more complications to finish them. Like we have to justify which type of survey we want to go for and how to implement that. There are many categories in surveys, which should be done in our chosen topic .We have to be very careful not to deviate from our primary research. Some of the surveys are Surveying certain age group. Surveying by gender. Surveying by profession. Surveying by mental condition Postal survey Personal survey Focus Group interview / Discussion In depth interviews and so on. Another important aspect in research is Questionnaires. We have to use this type of survey very cautiously, because there are many ways we can use questionnaires. We have to use each and every possibility of questionnaires to get best results.Using all these methods and concepts we can succeed in obtaining a successful Research Results.

Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965

Abolition of The Death Penalty 1040 Words 5 Pages The Abolishment of the Death Penalty As Americans we live in a modern republic under a government constructed to secure the rights of the people. Today's government and judicial systems were forged by our founding fathers as they fought to establish a government free from tyranny and brutality and thereby forming a constitution based on civil liberties. Our country has grown and matured through the centuries and in effect has made changes and alterations as innovations and advancements have deemed necessary. One area where we seem to have evolved at a slower rate is in the archaic and often inhumane judicial laws of the death penalty. The death penalty, a law which strips the civil liberties and violates the human rights of the accused offender, needs to be abolished. If as a nation we are to uphold our integrity it is imperative that the United States embrace the worldwide movement toward the complete abolition of the inhumane act of capital punishment. Intense controversy over the legality of the death penalty in the United States has always been multi-faceted and emotionally charged. Constitutional lawyers insist the founding fathers made provision for the death penalty in the 5th amendment which guarantees â€Å"due process of law before a person can be deprived of life, liberty or property†, while ignoring the 8th amendment which bars cruel and unusual punishments (Singh, 2003). There is no constitutional amendment that gives state or federal governments the authority to proclaim death as a penalty. This is an assumption based on the methods of punishment used in the era of the first colonies. The archaic â€Å"eye for an eye†, â€Å"Annie get your gun† justice has regressed into a self-justifying realm of indecision where it is easier continue in conventional tradition. We need to demand the legal system be held accountable to constitutional laws as written not as interpreted based on history. Death by hanging, firing squads, electrocution, the gas chamber and death by lethal injection are all options still available to those on death row. Each one in progression a little more civilized then the one before it, or so society attempts to convince themselves. The courts, as well as society, need to stop accepting and allowing these gruesome acts of purposely killing another human in the name of justice. In recent centuries the majority of American citizens supported the death penalty believing it served both as a deterrent and as an appropriate response to particularly heinous crimes. Unquestionably, there are heinous acts of crime being committed. Yes, these crimes need to be addressed, victims and their families need validation and offenders needed to be prosecuted, punished and kept from harming others. Yet, in our imperfect legal system and often overzealous prosecution mistakes are inevitable. Seemingly conclusive circumstantial evidence, coerced confessions, emotionally biased witness testimonies, inadequate legal representation and community pressure all fatal ingredients that could lead to a life altering mistake by a jury of the accused peers or a presiding judge. It could be argued that death is what murderers deserve. However, requiring that the punishment fit the crime is an unacceptable principle, we would then have to apply this to all crimes such as rape, assault and torture. While punishment needs to be proportionate to the offense and retribution is sought, these are not sound and objective reasoning for the death penalty. Although some advocates for the death penalty would argue that its merits are worth the occasional execution of innocent people, to maintain the death penalty in the failures of the system is unacceptable (ACLU 2011). Eighty-four years ago, Judge Learned Hand said, â€Å"Our procedure has been always haunted by the ghost of the innocent man convicted† (Law ; Social Inquiry, 2009). The argument for a deterrent of violent crimes cannot be upheld consistently or statistically as a rational determinant. We need to stop allowing our legal system to play off of emotion and the human desire for retribution and begin to acknowledge alternative sentencing such as life in prison without parole. This is more humane as well as cost effective, due to less court appeal fees, separate housing and security costs, and the need for victim validation through life-long punishment is still fulfilled. The death penalty should no longer be a legal option. Once, unequivocally accepted worldwide for a variety of crimes, the death penalty has been widely outlawed in today's progressive society. The United Nations General Assembly imposed a policy that states throughout the world, it is desirable to â€Å"progressively restrict the number of offenses for which the death penalty might be imposed, with a view to the desirability of abolishing this punishment†. As of recent, 140 countries, more than two-thirds of the countries in the world have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice (Amnesty International, 2012). How can America remain influential in speaking with other nations about human rights and civil liberties while leading their own convicted citizens to death row? We need to step out of the hypocrisy and stand with these other countries worldwide and abolish the death penalty. Everyday American school children recite the Pledge of Allegiance in their classrooms repeating â€Å"for liberty and justice for all.† American junior and senior high school students are being taught the history of the United States, the Constitution and Bill or Rights. They learn about civil liberties, American freedoms and the justice of the legal system. Yet, we are not providing them with examples when we continue to implement the death penalty. In an ever advancing country where liberal thinking and tolerance, equality and human rights are encouraged by leaders, we still hold fast to an archaic and unthinkable law, the death penalty. We need to hear the truth in the words of the framers of the constitution, the voice of the world and the cry of those who are appalled by the violation of human rights. The people of this free nation need, with one voice, to call for the abolition of the death penalty.ReferencesAmerican Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation, 2012, Retrieved March 9, 2012, http://www.aclu.org/capital-punishment/case-against-death-penaltyAmnesty International, 2012,Retrieved March 9, 2012, http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/abolitionist-and-retentionist-countriesLaw & Social Inquiry, Volume 34, Issue 3, 603–633, summer 2009 Robert Singh, PhD, Governing America: The Politics of a Divided Democracy, 2003

Agribusiness Policy and the Business Environment

Dairy farming is one of the key areas of Agribusiness sector. One subgroup of this dairy farming is the raw milk business, which is the focus area of business in this report. The raw milk business is a very unique business area because of its frequent clashes with the government, and the very strict regulation under which it operates.The business is analyzed by using a fictitious company names Organo-Milk. The company can be thought of as a typical medium scale business enterprise, which is one of the common scenarios in this business are. The problems outlined for this company are typical of other similar sized companies in the raw mil business, and have led to many of the companies being closed down.The surviving companies are either very large cooperatives like Horizon Organic, or innovative companies like Organic Pastures, the latter being the chief focus of this study. Through the fictitious company, the raw milk business will be analyzed and some strategic options would be outl ined, which can be utilized for other similar companies in the business.The report first gives the introduction of Organo-Milk, then gives a detailed explanation of the US government policy regarding raw milk, then explores the business environment of the company, and finally takes all these inputs to give strategic solution for the company under focus.Introduction  The company under analysis here is a fictitious company with the name Organo-Milk. The company is modeled after the company Organic Pastures, and makes raw dairy milk and related products.The raw dairy products are the dairy foods that are unprocessed artificially for instance by using processes such as pasteurizing, heating, or chemically treating etc.Even the cows used in the farms are nor given antibiotics, hormones or GMOs i.e., Genetically Modified Organisms for producing more or better grade of milk. Instead they are given naturopathic treatments and are fed using organic green pastures only (Organic Pastures: Pr oducts, n.d., para 1).Like Organic pastures. Organo-Milk is also considered as a family owned company with the main organizational positions shared between different family members. Organo-Milk is based in the California state in the United States.This makes the company along with Organic Pastures, â€Å"one of the few remaining family-owned and operated dairies in California† (Organic Pastures: Organic pastures dairy Company, n.d., para 1).The company is assumed to have been set up formally in the early 1990s, and the founding members still hold crucial positions in the company, and are responsible for most of the day to day decisions and company operations.The staff working with the company has also been with them from the very start, with few instances of permanent employees leaving the farm. Most of the people employed on the farm live in the neighboring areas with very few instances of immigrant labor, though there are a fair number of labors who are drifters, ready to w ork as temporary employees for a couple of months.The company follows a very personal approach in its dairy farming operations.The products of Organo-Milk are kept similar to Organic Pastures, and are as below: ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Milk – As is mentioned above the company produces raw milk which contains natural occurring bacteria, beneficial to health, other necessary organic compounds like amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants etc. ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Butter – The butter made by the company is also raw butter, which is merely the fat part of the raw milk, and is made from churned cream without any additional ingredients like salt or colorings. ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cream – Cream produced by the company s just the raw cream skimmed from the raw milk, and there is not chemical process involved during the sequence. ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cheese – The raw cheese p roduced by the company is probably the most treated of all the products. The cheese is heated to a temperature around 100 degrees Fahrenheit to make the process optimized and faster. ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Colostrum – This is the food which a mother cow produces to strengthen their new born calves and is an attraction to people who like dairy products.(Organic Pastures: Organic pastures dairy Company, n.d., para 1)The products produced are generally known as organic in the market mainly because of their non-use of any hormones and chemicals during and after the milking process.The milk and milk products which follow this process come at a premium price, and are popular among people as ‘real’ dairy farm products. The companies however, are almost always under controversies regarding safe practices, the treatment of animals on farms and what constitutes the exact definition of organic foods. Even larger corporations like Horizon Organic and Aurora Organic Dairy face these issues.

What Is Activated Charcoal and How Does it Work

Activated charcoal (also known as activated carbon) consists of small, black beads or a solid black porous sponge. It is used in water filters, medicines that selectively remove toxins, and chemical purification processes. Activated charcoal is carbon that has been treated with oxygen. The treatment results in highly porous charcoal. These tiny holes give the charcoal a surface area of 300-2,000 m2/g, allowing liquids or gases to pass through the charcoal and interact with the exposed carbon. The carbon adsorbs a wide range of impurities and contaminants, including chlorine, odors, and pigments. Other substances, like sodium, fluoride, and nitrates, are not as attracted to the carbon and are not filtered out. Since adsorption works by chemically binding the impurities to the carbon, the active sites in the charcoal eventually become filled. Activated charcoal filters become less effective with use and have to be recharged or replaced. What Activated Charcoal Will and Wont Filter The most common everyday use of activated charcoal is to filter water. It improves water clarity, diminishes unpleasant odors, and removes chlorine. Its not effective for removing certain toxic organic compounds, significant levels of metals, fluoride, or pathogens. Despite persistent urban legend, activated charcoal only weakly adsorbs alcohol and it not an effective means of removal. It will filter: ChlorineChloramineTanninsPhenolSome drugsHydrogen sulfide and some other volatile compounds that cause odorsSmall amounts of metals, such as iron, mercury, and chelated copper It wont remove: AmmoniaNitratesNitritesFluorideSodium and most other cationsSignificant amounts of heavy metals, iron, or copperSignificant amounts of hydrocarbons or petroleum distillatesBacteria, protozoa, viruses, and other microorganisms Activated Charcoal Effectiveness Several factors influence the effectiveness of activated charcoal. The pore size and distribution varies depending on the source of the carbon and the manufacturing process. Large organic molecules are absorbed better than smaller ones. Adsorption tends to increase as pH and temperature decrease. Contaminants are also removed more effectively if they are in contact with the activated charcoal for a longer time, so flow rate through the charcoal affects filtration. Activated Charcoal De-Adsorption Some people worry that activated charcoal will de-adsorb when the pores become full. While the contaminants on a full filter arent released back into the gas or water, used activated charcoal is not effective for further filtration. It is true that some compounds associated with certain types of activated charcoal may leach into the water. For example, some charcoal used in an aquarium might start to release phosphates into the water over time. Phosphate-free products are available. Recharging Activated Charcoal Whether or not you can or should recharge activated charcoal depends on its purpose. Its possible to extend the life of an activated charcoal sponge by cutting or sanding off the outer surface to expose the interior, which might not have fully lost its ability to filter media. Also, you can heat activated charcoal beads to 200 C for 30 minutes. This will degrade the organic matter in the charcoal, which can then be rinsed away, but it wont remove heavy metals. For this reason, its generally best to just replace the charcoal. You cant always heat a soft material that has been coated with activated charcoal because it might melt or release toxic chemicals of its own, basically contaminating the liquid or gas you want to purify. The bottom line here is that you possibly could extend the life of activated charcoal for an aquarium, but its inadvisable to try to recharge a filter used for drinking water.