Barriers for utilisation of biowaste

Abstract

A precondition for a more circular economy is a more efficient use of resources and the utilisation of waste as a resource. However, the existing regulation of waste does not always promote this as its primary aim is to ensure safe waste handling. In order to improve a better utilisation of waste as a resource a first step is to get a better understanding of the barriers that hinders the utilisation of waste as a resource. The aim of this report is twofold. Firstly, to describe the formal barriers that hinders the recycling, reuse or other utilisation of biowaste. The focus is both on barriers related to regulation (from EU to national level), demands from authorities, taxes, business standards and certification schemes. Secondly, to point at solutions that can minimise these barriers at different policy levels. Some barriers can be addressed on a national or local level whereas others must be addressed through EU. We hope the report can inspire policy makers in the Nordic countries and elsewhere to work for the removal of barriers that hinder the utilisation of biowaste as a resource. The report has been written by a group of Nordic consultants: NIRAS (DK, NO and SE), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (FI) and Copenhagen Resource Institute (DK). February 2017 Signe Krarup Chairman of the Working Group on Environment and Economy under the Nordic Council of Ministers  Safety of products.  End of waste criteria.  Private public dilemmas. These policy areas are, to a large extent, dependent on EU regulations, which means that significant changes in these areas need to be addressed at the EU level. Policy approaches that ease transition are broadly in line with the EU's Circular Economy agenda, which indicates that there could be broad support for such changes from EU institutions and Member States.

Assessment of EU Bio-Based Economy Sectors Based on Environmental, Socioeconomic, and Technical Indicators

“…As reflected in Table 16, the diversity of uses for biowaste in the main sectors of the EU bio-based economy is wide. Furthermore, said waste streams can also be used in other sectors/activities, such as construction or animal feed [92][93][94][95]. Overall, there is significant potential for improvement in the reintegration of biowaste streams into the bioeconomy.…”

“…These barriers cover all sorts of issues, including policy and regulation, stakeholder perceptions, investment challenges, and various impediments, such as those related to intellectual property, human resources, and effective collaboration, in addition to the technical challenges on utilization of biowaste as a feedstock, due to the typical heterogeneity of said streams, unstable and decentralized supply chains, and the lack of mature and/or feasible recycling technologies [96]. In general, the use of secondary raw materials, as will be discussed in more detail in Section 5.2, is surrounded by multiple barriers that end up, among other consequences, increasing costs for companies, reducing the demand for byproduct and/or waste streams, which end up being used at lower hierarchical levels [92]. One notable constraint, which is likely to become more important with time and increasing demand, is the instability of raw material supply.…”

“…Furthermore, the implemented legislation is considered to be unclear and complex, featuring numerous documentation systems and a lack of policy amortization, leading to inconsistent applications and interpretations. Another notable issue is the lack of transparency in market rules, remuneration agreements, and market support mechanisms, whether they involve regulatory requirements or incentives for utilizing biowaste as a resource, subsidies, or technical support [92,93,99].…”

“…Within the social sphere, a notable characteristic is the lack of awareness and information, which can be responsible for the misconception surrounding the valorization of biowaste and biologically based products among consumers, businesses, and organizations. This lack of awareness may lead to the avoidance of such products due to misguided ideas [92,99].…”

Activated Carbons Obtained from Orange Peels, Coffee Grounds, and Sunflower Husks—Comparison of Physicochemical Properties and Activity in the Alpha-Pinene Isomerization Process

“…In recent years, carbon materials have become functional materials used on a large scale in many processes [ 1 ]. The problem with biowaste, which is constantly increasing, is the cost of the utilization of these materials [ 2 ]. The use of waste biomass, whose disposal is difficult and costly, can have a positive impact on the environment.…”