Innovation Strategies in Environmental Science

Charis M. Galanakis

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780128173824
• eBook ISBN: 9780128173831
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Environmental Science
• Index: Biological Sciences

Innovation Strategies in Environmental Science introduces and examines economically viable innovations to optimize performance and sustainability. By exploring short and long-term strategies for the development of networks and platform development, along with suggestions for open innovation, chapters discuss sustainable development ideas in key areas such as urban management/eco-design and conclude with case studies of end-user-inclusive strategies for the water supply sector. This book is an important resource for environmental and sustainability scientists interested in introducing innovative practices into their work to minimize environmental impacts.- Presents problem-oriented research and solutions- Offers strategies for minimizing or avoiding the environmental impacts of industrial production- Includes case studies on topics such as end user-inclusive innovation strategies for the water supply sector

Chapter 1

From waste to value

assessing the pressures toward a sustainability transition of the Ukrainian waste management system

Piergiuseppe Morone ¹ , Edgardo Sica ² , and Oksana Makarchuk ^{3 1} Unitelma-Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy ² Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy ³ National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine - NULES, Kiev, Ukraine

Abstract

Waste should be conceived of as a resource whose diversion from the landfill may support the transition toward a circular economy in which waste generated in one industry becomes a secondary raw material for another. However, challenges related to transforming the waste management system into a green system cannot be addressed only by considering incremental (technological) improvements in recovering waste; they require an overall paradigm shift. Starting from these premises, the current chapter investigated the pressures that are pushing the current Ukrainian waste management system to become greener. The analysis is framed within the theory of sociotechnical transitions and multilevel perspectives, investigating the role of landscape actors in exerting a narrative pressure upon the ongoing waste sector. Results show that most of the pressure originates at the global level, mainly by means of informal channels, leaving only a marginal role to national actors.

Keywords

Circular economy; Discourse analysis; Stakeholders' pressure; Sustainability transition; Waste management

1. 1. Introduction
2. 2. Theoretical framework
   1. 2.1 The hierarchy of waste
   2. 2.2 Waste sector and sociotechnical transitions

1. 3. The Ukrainian waste management system
   1. 3.1 Background
   2. 3.2 Statistical data

1. 4. Methodology
2. 5. Results
3. 6. Conclusions
4. References

1. Introduction

Waste represents one of the most important environmental problems worldwide. Calculation of the quantity of waste globally produced remains problematic, but its amount continues to rise mainly owing to the increasing world population, urbanization, and the change in consumption patterns (Xue et al., 2008). According to World Bank estimations, the amount of solid waste generated in the world's cities in 2016 reached 2.01 billion tons and is expected to increase by 70% to 3.40 billion tons in 2050 (Kaza et al., 2018). Indeed, the quantity and content of waste generated in a country are related to some extent to the size of the population and may differ significantly across regions or cities; developing economies exhibit a larger proportion of waste compared with developed ones (World Bank, 2012; Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata, 2012). Data suggest that daily per capita waste generation in high-income and low/middle-income countries is expected to increase, respectively, by 19% and 40% by 2050 (Kaza et al., 2018).

According to Directive 2008/98/European Community (EC), waste is “any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard.” A large part of it is represented by municipal solid waste, whereas wastewater is generally classified within the water or industry sectors and waste from mining and quarrying and from construction and demolition as major mineral wastes. Municipal solid waste is composed of electronic waste (e-waste) (e.g., discarded computers, mobile phones, home electrical equipment such TVs, fridges, etc.), construction and demolition waste, health care waste, agricultural residues, and waste produced by households, offices, shops, schools, and industries. The last one includes food waste, garden and park waste, paper, wood, textiles, rubber, plastics, metal, and glass (UNEP, 2013). The incorrect disposal of waste can cause direct and indirect problems for the environment and human health through many pathways and mechanisms (UNEP and UNU, 2009). For instance, methane produced in landfills by microorganisms from biodegradable waste (e.g., food, paper, and garden waste) is one of the most powerful gases contributing to air pollution through ozone layer depletion. Moreover, if liquid leachate escapes from landfills into the surrounding soil, a relevant threat to local surface and g...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Contributors
• Preface
• Chapter 1. From waste to value: assessing the pressures toward a sustainability transition of the Ukrainian waste management system
• Chapter 2. Success factors for environmentally sustainable product innovation
• Chapter 3. Public driven and public perceptible innovation of environmental sector
• Chapter 4. Implementing environmental sustainability engagement into business: sustainability management, innovation, and sustainable business models
• Chapter 5. Open and eco-innovations in traditional industries
• Chapter 6. Achieving environmental sustainability with ecodesign practices and tools for new product development
• Chapter 7. Green and low-carbon technology innovations
• Chapter 8. Sustainable and innovative practices of small and medium-sized enterprises in the water and waste management sector
• Chapter 9. Innovative and sustainable membrane technology for wastewater treatment and desalination application
• Index