Glew, D, Stringer, LC and McQueen-Mason, S (2013) Achieving sustainable biomaterials by maximising waste recovery. Waste Management, 33 (6). 1499 - 1508. ISSN 0956-053X
Abstract
The waste hierarchy of 'reduce, reuse, recycle, recover' can be followed to improve the sustainability of a product, yet it is not applied in any meaningful way in the biomaterials industry which focuses more on sustainable sourcing of inputs. This paper presents the results of industry interviews and a focus group with experts to understand how waste recovery of biomaterials could become more widespread. Interview findings were used to develop three scenarios: (1) do nothing; (2) develop legislation; and (3) develop certification standards. These scenarios formed the basis for discussions at an expert focus group. Experts considered that action was required, rejecting the first scenario. No preference was apparent for scenarios (2) and (3). Experts agreed that there should be collaboration on collection logistics, promotion of demand through choice editing, product 'purity' could be championed though certification and there should be significant investment and research into recovery technologies. These considerations were incorporated into the development of a model for policy makers and industry to help increase biomaterial waste recovery.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Waste Management. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy |
Keywords: | Interviews; Expert focus group; Waste; Biomaterial; Policy; Legislation |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Nov 2015 16:17 |
Last Modified: | 16 Jan 2018 03:37 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.03.005 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.wasman.2013.03.005 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:86313 |