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Transdisciplinary Development of a Life Cycle–Based Approach to Measure and Communicate Waste Prevention Effects in Local Authorities

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  • Petra Hutner
  • Christoph Helbig
  • Dennis Stindt
  • Andrea Thorenz
  • Axel Tuma

Abstract

Although waste prevention was promoted as the first priority for all EU member states in 2008, the actual implementation of activities has thus far been hesitant. Empirical evidence indicates that the reasons for this neglect include the limited measurability of waste prevention effects and the consequential lack of awareness, motivation, and incentive systems. Our research aims to quantify waste prevention and its environmental impacts and, ultimately, to motivate the efficient implementation of waste prevention concepts by a target‐group‐specific communication of the results. Embedded in a transdisciplinary research setting in close cooperation with practitioners, we develop a life cycle–based approach to calculate the effects of waste prevention in local authorities. This approach features an activity‐based analysis that facilitates the assessment of both reduction of waste generated and the related environmental effects. The methodology of life cycle assessment, used to calculate environmental impacts, is adapted to the specific requirements and constitutes an essential step in our measurement approach. Finally, we demonstrate the application of this approach. Five activities deriving from real‐world case studies are assessed. These case studies simulate the implementation of waste prevention in a mid‐sized German city. We are able to reveal potential waste reduction of 74% and potential reduction of other environmental impacts ranging from 28% to 62% of the targeted material streams.

Suggested Citation

  • Petra Hutner & Christoph Helbig & Dennis Stindt & Andrea Thorenz & Axel Tuma, 2018. "Transdisciplinary Development of a Life Cycle–Based Approach to Measure and Communicate Waste Prevention Effects in Local Authorities," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(5), pages 1050-1065, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:22:y:2018:i:5:p:1050-1065
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12781
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Willi Haas & Fridolin Krausmann & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Markus Heinz, 2015. "How Circular is the Global Economy?: An Assessment of Material Flows, Waste Production, and Recycling in the European Union and the World in 2005," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(5), pages 765-777, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas Fruergaard Astrup & Kostyantyn Pivnenko & Marie Kampmann Eriksen & Alessio Boldrin, 2018. "Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Management: Are We Addressing the Key Challenges Ahead of Us?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(5), pages 1000-1004, October.
    2. Junming Zhu, 2020. "Suggested use? On evidence‐based decision‐making in industrial ecology and beyond," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(5), pages 943-950, October.

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