Better understanding of regional waste stream materials
Accurate information of the quantities and qualities of waste material allows for the finding of users for by-products, to turn them into non-waste (Waste Source 2; Expert 2, 4, 7). Knowing what the composition waste streams, is what allows companies to utilize them (Expert 4). The monitoring of waste streams can provide support for investment. As new
plants will not be invested in until supply can be confirmed, meaning that knowing where for example waste paper, waste plastic or other streams are located, and their volumes is vital for investors selecting locations (Expert 7). Furthermore, monthly statistics on the different fractions of waste can allow waste sources to better understand their waste production and opportunities (Waste Source 3, 7, 8). Source separation and the identification of waste should ideally be done even in cases when there is not yet a use for the waste, since new uses could be potentially discovered in the future (Waste Source 8).
Need for increased productisation in waste management
The lack of reliable and consistent quality in waste is a significant challenge for its utilization. Waste materials are tough to standardize however, as buyers often have different requirements (Expert 2). Waste materials therefore require some degree of customization and processing based on their end users’ needs (End User 3, 4). Furthermore, waste needs to find new outlets and applications if it is to be recovered, meaning that new uses for waste need to repeatedly be developed (Platform 2). Investment in disassembly of products, can allow for finding components that can have value, even if lower value or zero value components cannot immediately be reused. This can take a long time though, as companies may initially be losing money and not invest in such processes on their own. Improving the process over time however, creates possible value and innovation in the future (Platform 5). This requires joint ownership or a coordinating company organization to develop processes. Waste information sharing de-coupled from market competition
The limitations placed upon utilizing waste due to logistics costs both in terms of environmental sustainability and harming profitability, means that waste utilization should ideally be close to the location of waste production. Knowledge over regional waste streams, and the sharing of successful waste utilization resources would be important to allow for waste sources to find outlets for their waste. This could additionally help support end users in being to ascertain waste supply, decreasing risk in investing in new waste facilities.
This is challenging however due to the resistance, noted under Cultural barriers, for waste management operators sharing information about their waste streams with competitors. Though waste sources could have been expected to be resistant to publishing detailed information about their waste streams, for fear of revealing information about their production, this was not found through interviews. This suggests that waste sources may be more open to aggregating information on waste streams.
Aggregation of waste streams with different volumes
The collection of small waste streams is required in order to create interest in them, as well as creating a steadier flow overall. Small waste streams may otherwise have insufficient volumes to find buyers or economies of scale (Waste Management Operator 3; Platform 2). Waste management companies are a key partner in aggregation, as they are in the position to connect end users and waste producers (Platform 2, 3). By aggregating waste streams waste management companies can also help mask the source of waste, which may be important for waste sources concerned that their competitors could find out about their operations through their waste contents.
Need for improved monitoring and tracking systems for waste
The tracking of waste and its transformation, knowing the quantities of waste, where it is being sent and segregating waste types is important for waste to find users and for end users to be able to source waste (Waste Source 3, 8; End User 3). Traceability and reporting were seen as the main requirement for ICT, (Expert 3, 8) as accurate information about the quantity and quality of waste available in a region would allow for end users to source waste more easily and potentially attract new end users of waste otherwise uncertain of being able to get sufficient materials (Expert 4).
Need for increased appreciation of waste value
Waste sources and waste operators need to approach waste as a source of potential value, rather than as something to be disposed of as cheaply as possible. Waste Sources should be regularly investigating the value of materials and components in residuals that are currently waste streams (Waste Source 2; Expert 3). Changing the perception of waste into a raw material is both a value question, but also something, waste operators can advance by working with experts in recycling and their customers (Waste Management Operator 1, 4). Increasing the separation of waste streams allows for differentiation of the value of those streams. This is ultimately dependant on the financial value of waste however.
Increased commoditisation of waste stream types
In order to establish a functioning waste exchange platform, it is necessary to attach a value (positive or negative) on all waste streams generated within the economy. Only by knowing the true cost material streams can producers have the required information to seek out substitutes or find mean of closing waste streams. Although in the EU waste information
related to chemical composition is monitored uniformly, other characteristics (e.g. particle size, shape and quality), are not standardized. Obtaining more information could help drive EI and increase the market demand for a wider variety of waste material.