The Importance of Zero Waste Management Report (Assessment)

Executive Summary

The project focuses on the investigation of zero waste management as a viable option of saving the planet from pollution and increasing environmental sustainability efforts. The introduction gets the audience acquainted with the general idea of the paper and the key concept investigated. A relevant model supporting the rationale is the 3R approach. The methodology section briefly presents the methods utilized in research and the questions to be answered. In the research ethics part, the main principles of ethical research are outlined, with the specification on the current project’s goals and requirements. The review of literature is the most extensive part since it analyses scholars’ investigations of the research problem. Several sections are singled out in the review, united by general topics on which previous studies have focused. Findings from the literature point out the main points singled out in research articles. The SWOT analysis includes an overview of the major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of zero waste management. In the recommendation section, suggestions on promoting zero waste are given. The conclusion reiterates the main points made in the project.

Introduction

Sustainability has been the main common goal for all humanity in the past decades, and it still remains a highly crucial issue. Whereas all aspects of sustainable development are highly important, finding solutions to environmental problems is more crucial than economic or social ones. One of the most viable approaches to overcome the problems of unfriendly treatment of the biosphere is zero waste management. This concept was introduced in the 1970s with the meaning of “recovering resources” (Song, Li and Zeng, 2015, p. 200). The major purpose of the zero-waste approach is the arrangement of a circular flow of materials, thereby reducing waste to the minimum.

A Relevant Model to Underpin the Rationale

The most relevant model of zero waste management is the so-called 3R model: reduce, reuse, recycle. The model comprises such aspects as development, production, construction, use, and disposal (Singh, Ramakrishna and Gupta, 2017). Zero waste, which incorporates two main aspects, is the major goal of the 3R model. The factors most closely related to zero waste are the recycling of waste and sustainable manufacturing (Singh, Ramakrishna and Gupta, 2017). Recycling may include e-waste (electric and electronic), ceramics, machine scrap, and other types of waste. Meanwhile, sustainable manufacturing involves the most recent trends in the machine industry, foundry, and operating.

Methodology and Research Questions

The methods to be utilised in research are ethnography and a review of literature. These qualitative approaches allow collecting a sufficient amount of data on the selected topic, sorting it out, and making viable conclusions about the subject of investigation. Ethnographic material will be taken from scholarly articles and reviews. The current study aims at answering the following research questions:

1. What is the potential of the zero-waste policy in reducing waste?
2. What benefits and limitations are there for the implementation of zero waste?

Research Ethics

Although the study does not involve any experiments on living beings or data collection from specific participants, it is crucial to adhere to the rules of research ethics. In case of the present study, the ethical principles to be followed include the authenticity of materials used and paying tribute to the authors whose scholarly works are being consulted. To pursue the first aim, only peer-reviewed articles will be utilised as sources. To follow the second goal, each thought or idea borrowed from the literature will be properly cited.

Literature Review

Many recent research studies are dedicated to the problem of zero waste management and the ways of its implementation. The articles by Pietzsch, Ribeiro, and de Medeiros (2017), Song, Li, and Zeng (2015), and Zaman (2015) focus on zero waste management, its benefits, challenges, and strategies. Pietzsch, Ribeiro, and de Medeiros (2017) note that a consensus on the concept of zero waste has not been gained yet. Still, the scholars have singled out four dimensions of benefits brought by zero waste to society: community, financial-economic, environmental, and industrial. The main challenges have been found in the micro (stakeholders), meso (municipalities and industries), and macro environment (politics and culture) (Pietzsch, Ribeiro and de Medeiros, 2017). Song, Li, and Zeng (2015) also acknowledge the presence of barriers on the way to zero waste, such as the lack of efforts taken in the spheres of e-waste, packaging, and food waste. Researchers also note the inequality in waste management opportunities in developed and developing countries. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the variability of challenges related to zero waste implementation in each particular state.

Zaman (2015) emphasises the significance of zero waste in the confrontation of waste problems prevailing in the world. The scholar notes that the main reason why zero waste has gained popularity with policymakers is that this concept helps to promote a variety of beneficial processes. Among them, there are the sustainability of production and consumption, considerate recycling, and recovery of resources. Still, while Zaman (2015) mentions that zero waste is a positive idea, the scholar also argues that the design and evaluation of this important concept have not received sufficient attention yet.

Another direction prevailing in scholarly articles is represented by specific ways of reducing waste in different industries. Arevalo-Gallegos et al.’s (2017) study analyses the opportunity of creating value-added products with the help of lignocellulose, an innovative sustainable material. Baghbanzadeh et al. (2017) research zero waste as a solution for the freshwater shortage. Principato, Pratesi, and Secondi (2018) explore the advantages of zero waste introduction in the restaurant sphere, whereas Sharma et al. (2017) discuss the feasibility of zero waste for paper and plastic wastes. Scholars note that zero waste management will become possible due to the increased use of sustainable materials, which are characterised by renewability, natural abundance, and easiness of accessibility and recyclability (Arevalo-Gallegos et al., 2017). Baghbanzadeh et al. (2017) have found that the process of water distillation is more energy-efficient if performed with the use of the zero-waste approach. Meanwhile, Sharma et al. (2017) remark that zero waste goals cannot be gained without total recycling of plastic and paper waste. Hence, scholars acknowledge the significance of the zero-waste policy but note that it is impossible to achieve without altering the current ways of managing waste and using resources.

Finally, several scholarly studies are concentrated on various functions of materials that can be utilised in order to increase zero-waste efforts. Burlakovs et al. (2018) emphasise the need to reduce waste disposal and recover materials and metals as a necessary prerequisite of the successful movement to zero waste. De Bhowmick, Sarmah, and Sen (2019) analyse the opportunities in the biodiesel sphere presented by oleaginous microalgae biodiesel. Researchers note that the current level of biodiesel’s development and usage is not sufficient to replace unsustainable petroleum and diesel materials. Hottle et al. (2015) also discuss the need to make the zero-waste movement more progressive. Scholars remark that recycling and composting may be considered as viable options for the organisation of sustainable venue-based events. According to Hottle et al. (2015), due to the tradition of consuming food and drinks during sports venues, people contribute to waste generation. Such a tradition, as researchers argue, can be turned to a positive direction via promoting composting and recycling. Finally, Singh, Ramakrishna, and Gupta (2017) emphasise the potential of zero waste to serve as a “roadmap” for the future of manufacturing (p. 1230).

Findings

Based on the review of literature, it is possible to single out several major findings. First of all, the zero-waste management model is a highly valid approach to reducing the amount of waste produced by people all over the world. The benefits of zero waste are numerous, including the reduction of dangerous pollution, the decrease in waste and material disposal, and the increase in reusability of things.

At the same time, it has been found that the movement toward zero waste is not void of some barriers. For instance, there is currently no holistic strategy for zero-waste programs (Zaman, 2015). Additionally, there is a striking difference in opportunities to implement zero-waste strategies between developed and developing countries (Song, Li and Zeng, 2015). Statistics indicate that more than 90% of waste in low-income countries is dumped or burned, there being no possibility of recycling it (Solid waste management, 2019). At the same time, the status of a developed nation does not guarantee that the citizens are conscious of their environmental footprint. For instance, every U.S. citizen generates approximately 808 kilograms of waste annually (Global waste index 2019, n.d.). Still, the main problem is not the amount of waste but the solutions that states utilise to manage it.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• the elimination of the amount of waste generated by humanity
• the creation of new jobs
• the reduction of the environmental footprint
• the valorisation of household and industrial waste
• the increased quality of life due to a smaller degree of pollution
• close collaboration among people in communities
• the availability of high-quality materials that are obtained via recycling and reusing

Weaknesses

• unequal possibilities of waste collection and recycling in developed and developing countries
• many people do not know how to sort waste with the purpose of its further reusing and recycling
• in low-income countries, there is poor or no financial support of zero-waste projects
• additional expenses are needed for the arrangement of waste collection and recycling activities
• recycling plants have to be built in many places due to a current lack of them
• not all citizens are ready to pay additional effort to sort their waste and utilise it properly

Opportunities

• a major contribution to people’s lives at all levels: local, regional, and national
• a decreased need for purchasing and transporting materials for local industries since they will now be available on the site
• communities will enhance their environmental profile and attract visitors or even new residents
• people in the community will become friendlier and more environmentally-concerned
• children will grow in waste-free environments and will realise the significance of the 3R model since a very early age
• communities will earn money from selling materials; the money will be spent on the improvement of recreational places or donated to developing countries so that they could activate their zero-waste efforts

Threats

• a negative reaction from the citizens who consider it ‘not their business’
• individuals employed in the waste management system can oppose innovation as a threat to their jobs
• at the initial stages of the project, financial losses will be unavoidable (informing the population, purchasing containers for sorting waste, buying materials for people participating in collecting and sorting waste from dumping places)

Recommendations

To promote the implementation of zero waste management, it is necessary to manage the limitations existing currently. Firstly, developing countries require help both with education and introduction of waste collecting, sorting, and recycling activities. Next, developed countries should be taught about the significance of smart consumption. Further, much effort should be paid to the encouragement of communities’ participation in waste elimination activities. It is crucial to utilise the identified opportunities and reduce threats and weaknesses associated with zero waste management. The potential of the zero-waste policy in reducing waste is rather high. Therefore, it is essential to make every person living in the world realise his or her responsibility for the planet’s future.

Conclusion

Zero waste management is a highly viable approach to minimising the amount of waste generated by people. By encouraging citizens to participate in zero-waste initiatives, governments will promote the elimination of waste, which will lead to lower pollution levels. Sustainability of production and consumption, which can be gained through zero waste, is likely to promote a healthier future of the world. Despite current inequalities in access to zero-waste activities, all countries should strive for participation in this important process.

Reference List

1. Arevalo-Gallegos, A. et al. (2017) ‘Lignocellulose: a sustainable material to produce value-added products with a zero waste approach—a review’, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 99, pp. 308–318.
2. Baghbanzadeh, M. et al. (2017) ‘Zero thermal input membrane distillation, a zero-waste and sustainable solution for freshwater shortage’, Applied Energy, 187, pp. 910–928.
3. Burlakovs, J. et al. (2018) ‘On the way to “zero waste” management: recovery potential of elements, including rare earth elements, from fine fraction of waste’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 186, pp. 81–90.
4. De Bhowmick, G., Sarmah, A. K. and Sen, R. (2019) ‘Zero-waste algal biorefinery for bioenergy and biochar: a green leap towards achieving energy and environmental sustainability’, Science of the Total Environment, 650, pp. 2467–2482.
5. Global waste index 2019 (n.d.) Web.
6. Hottle, T. A. et al. (2015) ‘Toward zero waste: composting and recycling for sustainable venue based events’, Waste Management, 38, pp. 86–94.
7. Pietzsch, N., Ribeiro, J. L. D. and de Medeiros, J. F. (2017) ‘Benefits, challenges and critical factors of success for zero waste: a systematic literature review’, Waste Management, 67, pp. 324–353.
8. Principato, L., Pratesi, C. A. and Secondi, L. (2018) ‘Towards zero waste: an exploratory study on restaurant managers’, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 74, pp. 130–137.
9. Sharma, D. K. et al. (2017) ‘Technical feasibility of zero waste for paper and plastic wastes’, Waste and Biomass Valorization.
10. Singh, S., Ramakrishna, S. and Gupta, M. K. (2017) ‘Towards zero waste manufacturing: a multidisciplinary review’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 168, pp. 1230–1243.
11. Solid waste management(2019) Web.
12. Song, Q., Li, J. and Zeng, X. (2015) ‘Minimizing the increasing solid waste through zero waste strategy’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 104, pp. 199–210.
13. Zaman, A. U. (2015) ‘A comprehensive review of the development of zero waste management: lessons learned and guidelines’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 91, pp. 12–25.