A study commissioned by Tomra shows how an optimised waste management system could slow down climate change. From a global perspective, a reduction of 2.76 billion tonnes of CO2 per year would be possible.
The prerequisite is the optimal Combination of key techniques of waste management in collection, sorting and recycling. According to the study, this would enable the transition to a circular economy, promote the conservation of resources, reduce waste and thus contribute to a climate-neutral world.
In addition to technical innovations, holistic resource systems require a political framework, such as extended producer responsibility and deposit return schemes. The London-based sustainability consultancy, Eunomiahas Various modelling considerations to identify the most efficient and cost-effective scenario for an integrated system.
Three elements of holistic waste management
According to the Study deposit systems for PET bottles and metal beverage containers that have a return rate of over 90 per cent should be included in such a system. a central role play. Only organic waste, paper, textiles and electrical appliances should be collected separately from the remaining household waste. All other recyclable materials can be separated and recycled most efficiently from the remaining mixed waste stream.
In this way Regionally customised holistic models reduce global CO2 emissions by up to five per cent - the equivalent of a worldwide ban on all commercial flights and the decommissioning of 65 per cent of all cars worldwide, according to the study.
„Now is the time to take real action to ensure that societies stop wasting resources with all the negative consequences that entails. In many places, the pandemic has helped to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. But to maintain even this level, decisive and consistent steps are now needed to close the loops with holistic systems.“ Volker Rehrmann, Executive Vice President and Head of Tomra Recycling/Mining & Circular Economy Division
With a response rate of more than 90 per cent, we maximise Deposit return systems (DRS) for PET and metal beverage containers enables the collection of high-quality, carbon-containing material with simultaneous Reduction of littering.
Separate collection of organic waste, paper, textiles and electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) enable the Recycling these materials with the greatest CO2 effect. Although separate collection is an integral part of waste management, the collection rates are not good enough, even with the best application technology. Further sorting of the residual waste fraction will always be necessary.
The Mixed waste sorting (MWS) achieves additional collection and recycling rates that exceed what the other elements can achieve. The incineration or landfilling of plastics and other carbon-containing materials creates unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. MWS reduces these emissions by putting more materials back into the system to be made into new products. Investments in MWS must now be prioritised, to be able to collect as many resources as possible for recycling.
Practical example Norway
An exemplary model for a holistic resource system can be found in the region around Stavanger in Norway. At the time of the analysis, the region had various systems for the separate collection of biowaste (food and garden waste), paper, plastic packaging, glass and textiles. The Ivar IKS system now processes the unsorted municipal residual waste in a newly constructed, fully automated mixed waste sorting plant, including brand new systems for plastics processing and paper sorting.
Ivar IKS thus achieved a significant improvement in overall recycling rates, with the recycling of plastics and metals making the greatest contribution to reducing climate emissions. The system changes introduced, including the sorting of mixed waste, have to peak recycling rates led. Since 2021, Ivar IKS has been number one in Norway for the collection rate of used plastic packaging.
[infotext icon]Tomra was founded in 1972 on the basis of an innovation that began with the development, manufacture and sale of reverse vending machines (RVMs) for the collection of used beverage containers. Today, the company offers technology-driven solutions that enable entry into the circular economy with high-tech collection and sorting systems, optimise resource recovery and minimise waste in the food, recycling and mining industries, paving the way to a more sustainable future. Tomra has around 100,000 technology installations in over 80 markets worldwide and achieved total sales of around NOK 9.9 billion in 2020. The Group employs 4,300 people worldwide[/infotext].Source: Tomra
