The Future of Urban Waste Management: Integrated modelling in view of circular economy and environmental impacts

Driven by the need for increased resource efficiency and sustainability, policy initiatives, e.g. the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, require effective waste and resource management. Present initiatives, however, focus on waste sorting and recycling technologies, neglecting the most decisive processes of waste management – waste generation and segregation at source. Quantity and type of waste flows affect all subsequent waste treatment processes. The goal of the project is to facilitate sustainable waste management by influencing waste generation and segregation at source. Thereto methodologies and knowledge of different disciplines (waste management, social psychology, industrial design) are combined and applied to two Austrian case study cities (Vienna and Krems). Firstly, the project team will jointly investigate factors influencing municipal solid waste flows. Source segregation behaviour is an essential factor whose determinants are to be understood. Contextual factors will be considered as well as the effects of urbanisation. Secondly, designs to promote source segregation will be developed and tested. Thirdly, impacts in the waste management system, its circularity and environmental impacts due to potential changes of municipal solid waste flows will be assessed. Finally, the findings will be synthesized in a planning tool in order to support decision makers in enhancing source segregation to benefit Circular Economy and reduce environmental burdens of waste management.