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Resource Recovery from Waste: Restoring the Balance between Resource Scarcity and Waste Overload

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  • Anne P. M. Velenturf

    (Resource Recovery from Waste Programme, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Phil Purnell

    (Resource Recovery from Waste Programme, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

Abstract

Current societal patterns of production and consumption drive a twin environmental crisis of resource scarcity and waste overload. Positioning waste and resource management in the context of ecosystem stewardship, this article relates increasing resource demand and waste production to the violation of planetary boundaries and human rights. We argue that a transition towards a circular economy (CE) that contributes to a resilient environment and human well-being is necessary to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The transition requires scientific and technological progress, including the development of low-energy biogeochemical technologies for resource recovery, and multi-dimensional value assessment tools integrating environmental, social, and economic factors. While the urgency to adopt a CE is well-recognised, progress has been slow. Coordinated change is required from multiple actors across society. Academia can contribute through participatory action research. This article concludes with the participation strategy of the Resource Recovery from Waste programme, aiming for changes in mentality, industry practices, and policies and regulations in the waste and resource management landscape in the UK.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne P. M. Velenturf & Phil Purnell, 2017. "Resource Recovery from Waste: Restoring the Balance between Resource Scarcity and Waste Overload," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:9:p:1603-:d:111302
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Francesca Bartolacci & Michela Soverchia & Ermanno Zigiotti, 2018. "Managing Solid Urban Waste In Italy: An Economic, Financial, And Environmental Performance Analysis," Copernican Journal of Finance & Accounting, Uniwersytet Mikolaja Kopernika, vol. 7(2), pages 9-28.
    3. Judith M. Herbst, 2023. "Transforming Trash into Treasure Troves: SMEs Co-Create Industrial Ecology Ecosystems with Government," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Magdalena Szymańska & Tomasz Sosulski & Adriana Bożętka & Urszula Dawidowicz & Adam Wąs & Ewa Szara & Agata Malak-Rawlikowska & Piotr Sulewski & Gijs W. P. van Pruissen & René L. Cornelissen, 2020. "Evaluating the Struvite Recovered from Anaerobic Digestate in a Farm Bio-Refinery as a Slow-Release Fertiliser," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-15, October.
    5. Mobolaji B. Shemfe & Siddharth Gadkari & Jhuma Sadhukhan, 2018. "Social Hotspot Analysis and Trade Policy Implications of the Use of Bioelectrochemical Systems for Resource Recovery from Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-12, September.
    6. Otakar Ungerman & Jaroslava Dědková, 2020. "Model of the circular economy and its application in business practice," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 3407-3432, April.
    7. Anne P. M. Velenturf & Phil Purnell & Mike Tregent & John Ferguson & Alan Holmes, 2018. "Co-Producing a Vision and Approach for the Transition towards a Circular Economy: Perspectives from Government Partners," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-20, May.
    8. Tat Dat Bui & Mohd Helmi Ali & Feng Ming Tsai & Mohammad Iranmanesh & Ming-Lang Tseng & Ming K Lim, 2020. "Challenges and Trends in Sustainable Corporate Finance: A Bibliometric Systematic Review," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-26, October.
    9. Jennifer Keahey, 2021. "Sustainable Development and Participatory Action Research: A Systematic Review," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 34(3), pages 291-306, June.
    10. Ungerman Otakar & Dědková Jaroslava, 2021. "Current Implementation of the Circular Economy in Enterprises in the Czech Republic," Review of Economic Perspectives, Sciendo, vol. 21(2), pages 189-210, June.
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