Zero waste manufacturing: A case study of circular and sustainable economy practices

Zero waste is a visionary concept for confronting waste problems in our society. The idea is being developed and implemented in various sectors including waste management and treatment, mining, manufacturing, and urban development. The zero waste concept has been embraced by policymakers because it stimulates sustainable production and consumption, optimum recycling and resource recovery. Professionals in waste management systems, however, perceive and apply it in different ways. This study aims to conceptualize zero waste development based on a critical review of available academic journal publications. Very few studies have been found in the domains of zero waste design, assessment and evaluation that have examined production, and sustainable consumption. This study reveals that the scope of the zero waste studies is diverse, and a zero waste concept is constantly developing through various programmes, plans, policies and strategies. The findings of this review study suggest that the zero waste programmes are applied in many countries without any holistic zero waste strategy. The study emphasizes that countries might be able to achieve zero waste goals by developing a national zero waste strategy and by integrating and promoting zero waste initiatives (in communities and industry) through waste management policy. This article presents a critical review of the major studies conducted by researchers on zero waste in the last decades. Based on the review findings the study concludes that zero waste concept has been applied widely in different phases of production and waste management systems. The findings of the study assist to identify priority areas of zero waste strategy and to develop national zero waste guidelines. Thus, this study can be useful to policy and decision makers in developing the evidence-based zero waste guidelines.

E3S Web of Conferences, 2019

The paper discusses the implementation challenges of approaches with zero carbon emissions and zero waste. Based on the analysis of world statistics of energy sources, environmental policies and plans in the field of decarbonisation and application of renewable energy, the authors highlight challenges and barriers which can be faced during implementation of such plans in the indicated time horizon. Various levels of readiness of countries and global energy players to reduce fossil fuels in energy mix are listed among the main barriers. The paper shows other ways of energy saving, focusing at implementation of circular economy. Based on the results of the Czech Republic experience in the field of circular economy it is identified, that it is slowly embracing the zero waste approach. However, awareness of people and practical applications of new concept of zero waste circular economy are low in business and among the young generation. The practical implication of findings and some rec...

The visionary concept of zero waste advocates a systematic process of designing out waste and recovering resources from waste. A strategic zero waste framework (ZWF) is essential for developing and executing systematic waste management activities to achieve the overarching goals. This study identifies the key principles for the development of a strategic ZWF based on a waste experts' survey analysis. Around 68 experts from different regions responded and provided their views on the key elements of a strategic ZWF though an online questionnaire survey. Eighteen strategic elements of waste prevention, management, treatment and assessment were identified as the key principles of the zero waste framework. As the study followed a generalized approach, it is important to acknowledge that all identified and proposed strategic elements may need to be contextualized based on the local conditions in order to achieve zero waste goals. Based on the findings, the study suggests the following three fundamental strategic action plans that need to be implemented simultaneously for moving towards zero waste societies: (i) sustainable production through a cradle-to-cradle design and product stewardship; (ii) collaborative and responsible consumption of natural resources; and (iii) zero waste management through conservation of resources. In addition, a constant evaluation of progress towards zero waste goals is essential. It is anticipated that by considering local circumstances, the proposed strategic guidelines would be beneficial for local authorities and relevant stakeholders while developing their zero waste strategy.

Sustainability

The management of the huge amounts of waste generated from domestic and industrial activities has continued to be a source of concern for humanity globally because of its impact on the ecosystem and human health. Millions of tons of such used materials, substances, and products are therefore discarded, rejected, and abandoned, because they have no further usefulness or application. Additionally, owing to the dearth of affordable materials for various applications, the environmental impact of waste, and the high cost of procuring virgin materials, there have been intensive efforts directed towards achieving the reduction, minimization, and eradication of waste in human activities. The current review investigates zero-waste (ZW) manufacturing and the various techniques for achieving zero waste by means of resource recycling. The benefits and challenges of applying innovative technologies and waste recycling techniques in order to achieve ZW are investigated. Techniques for the convers...

This paper presents key elements of the revised waste proposals. From the new waste proposals will benefits the economy, citizens and the environment. Clear rules, common standards and support for the use of more secondary raw materials will create a safe and sustainable supply of raw materials to the industry. This helps create new jobs, supports innovation and boosts competitiveness. Improved waste management rules will reduce landfill and tipping fees. Smarter use of resources is not only good for business, but will also help protect the environment preserve essential resources for current and future generations, and create synergies for industries which most depend on it-such as tourism, agriculture and food manufacturing.

2021

Repair creates over 200 times as many jobs as landfills and incinerators. Economic goals align with environmental goals; the waste management strategies that create the most jobs also deliver the best environmental outcomes. Recycling creates over 50 times as many jobs as landfills and incinerators. Zero waste systems offer more desirable employment opportunities as they can utilize skills beyond basic manual labor, provide higher wages, offer more permanent positions, and improve quality of life. Remanufacturing creates almost 30 times as many jobs as landfills and incinerators. As the job creation potential of zero waste processes is comparable across geographies, governments across the globe have an opportunity to benefit from the implementation of zero waste solutions as part of their COVID-19 economic recovery strategy.

Handbook of Solid Waste Management, 2021

The current consumption-driven society produces an enormous volume of waste every day. Continuous depletion of natural finite resources is leading the globe to an uncertain future. Therefore, to prevent further depletion of global resources, sustainable consumption and a strategic waste management system would be required. Human activities generate tremendous amounts of solid waste, and the amounts tend to increase as the demand for quality of life increases. Today's waste generation rate in the country is alarming, posing a challenge to governments regarding environmental pollution. The expectation is that eventually

Proceedings of the ICE - Waste and Resource Management, 2014

Zerowin is an ambitious European Union funded project researching and trialling methods and strategies to eliminate the wasteful consumption of resources in key industrial sectors in Europe, primarily by way of the formation of industrial networks. The project has run from 2009 to 2014. This paper reports on the completion of the project, which through demonstration activities has shown that society can solve its current industrial pollution and resource problems in a sustainable way if it is willing to change its business practices and culture.

Waste Management, 2008

The aim of this paper is to describe the optimisation of Waste Minimisation/Zero Waste strategies into an already established integrated waste management system and to present a Zero Waste model for post-consumer waste for urban communities in South Africa. The research was undertaken towards the fulfilment of the goals of the Polokwane Declaration on Waste Management [DEAT, 2001. Department of

Challenges, 2011

The currently consumption-driven society produces an enormous volume of waste every day. Continuous depletion of natural finite resources by urban populations is leading the globe to an uncertain future. Therefore, to prevent further depletion of global resources, sustainable consumption and a strategic waste management system would be required. It is evident that a significant number of global non-renewable resources such as cadmium, mercury and tellurium will experience permanent shortfall in global supply within the next two to three decades. Astonishingly, the current recycling rate of these very scarce metals is significantly low in all cities around the globe. The concept of the zero waste city includes a 100% recycling of municipal solid waste and a 100% recovery of all resources from waste materials. However, transforming currently over-consuming cities into zero waste cities is challenging. Therefore, this study aims to understand the key factors waste management systems in cities such as consumption, resource depletion and possible decoupling opportunity through implementing the "zero waste city" concept. The study proposes five significant principles for transforming current cities into zero waste cities in the context of long-term sustainability. A simultaneous and harmonized application of sustainable behaviour and consumption, product stewardship, a 100% recycling and recovery of resources, legislated zero landfill and incineration are required to transform current city into a zero waste city.