| dc.description.abstract | In the current economic system, climate change and material and product durability are considered global challenges in need of different mitigation approaches on different decision levels. As waste volumes are still increasing, and poor management of waste contributes to these global challenges, the importance of efficient, circular waste management systems is evident. Whilst system analysis is a widely used technique to assess the performance of waste management systems, no earlier attempt was identified that includes preparation for re-use as a process. Consequently, this indicates the need for an integrated circular approach to system analysis techniques. Moreover, although system analysis in waste management companies (WMCs) is mainly used for decision making on policy level, little research is performed on its contribution to strategic decision making for individual waste management companies. Therefore, this research was aimed to explore the applicability of preparation for re-use in system analysis for waste management systems, and to explore the contribution of this type of analysis to circular strategy development for individual WMCs. A practice-oriented case study was performed at a WMC operating in London, United Kingdom (UK). The scenario-based system assessment tool iWaste was used, as it allows for the adaption of several variables, and provides insight in the environmental performance of a system in terms of global warming potential. Consequently, this model was adapted, including the preparation for re-use process, changing the background data with UK-specific data, and constructing two relevant scenarios. The applicability of preparation for re-use in the scenario-based system assessment was evident in that it allows the comparison of specific materials with product categories, whilst it also allows the assessment of more advanced circular principles. Integrating the outcomes of the scenario-based system assessment in the overall strategy for an individual WMC was done with a strategy development process that uses scenario analysis as input. The scenario-based system assessment contributes to circular strategy development by providing actor structure insight, quantifying specific circular principles performance, legitimising choices for circular strategies, and supporting communication. However, to make informed choices, identification of barriers for the implementation of circular strategic initiatives is important to evaluate the feasibility of its success. | |
