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Expansion of the Waste-Based Commodity Frontier: Insights from Sweden and Brazil

Author

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  • Jutta Gutberlet

    (Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada)

  • Torleif Bramryd

    (Environmental Strategy, ISM, Campus Helsingborg, Lund University, PO Box 882, SE-251 08 Helsingborg, Sweden)

  • Michael Johansson

    (Environmental Strategy, ISM, Campus Helsingborg, Lund University, PO Box 882, SE-251 08 Helsingborg, Sweden)

Abstract

Waste is a valuable commodity and remains a livelihood source for waste pickers in the global South. Waste to Energy (WtoE) is often described as alternative to landfilling, as it provides cheap fuel while making waste disappear. In some European cities, this method has evolved into an impediment, slowing down the adoption of more sustainable technologies and waste prevention. These plants typically strain municipal budgets and provide fewer jobs than recycling and composting, thereby inhibiting the development of small-scale local recycling businesses. We applied the idea of ‘waste regime’ with an interdisciplinary and situated lens to provide insights to the following questions: How do different political developments in Brazil and Sweden, frame and reframe waste incineration and energy recovery, in the context of sustainability and waste management on local, regional and national levels? What forms of resistance against WtoE exist and what are the arguments of these protagonists? We evaluated the impact of WtoE and compare it with other waste management options with regard to CO 2 balances and general environmental and social impacts. We conclude by suggesting more socially and environmentally appropriate ways of waste management, particularly for the context of global South cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jutta Gutberlet & Torleif Bramryd & Michael Johansson, 2020. "Expansion of the Waste-Based Commodity Frontier: Insights from Sweden and Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2628-:d:337184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Moreno-Sã Nchez, Rocã O Del Pilar & Maldonado, Jorge Higinio, 2006. "Surviving from garbage: the role of informal waste-pickers in a dynamic model of solid-waste management in developing countries," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(3), pages 371-391, June.
    2. Matthew Gandy, 2004. "Rethinking urban metabolism: water, space and the modern city," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(3), pages 363-379, December.
    3. Robèrt, Markus & Hultén, Per & Frostell, Björn, 2007. "Biofuels in the energy transition beyond peak oil," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(11), pages 2089-2098.
    4. Martinez-Alier, Joan & Kallis, Giorgos & Veuthey, Sandra & Walter, Mariana & Temper, Leah, 2010. "Social Metabolism, Ecological Distribution Conflicts, and Valuation Languages," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(2), pages 153-158, December.
    5. Faaij, Andre P.C., 2006. "Bio-energy in Europe: changing technology choices," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 322-342, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Antonella Maiello, 2022. "In, Out or Beyond? Waste Pickers and Policy Networks: A Story from Jardim Gramacho (Rio de Janeiro)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-25, December.
    2. Daniel A. Salas & Paulina Criollo & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "The Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Implementation of Circular Economy in Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-27, August.
    3. María José Zapata Campos & Sebastián Carenzo & Goodluck Charles & Jutta Gutberlet & Jaan-Henrik Kain & Michael O Oloko & Jessica Pérez Reynosa & Patrik Zapata, 2023. "Grassroots innovations in ‘extreme’ urban environments. The inclusive recycling movement," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 41(2), pages 351-374, March.
    4. Gutberlet, Jutta, 2021. "Grassroots waste picker organizations addressing the UN sustainable development goals," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).

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