Designing Circular Waste Management Strategies: The Case of Organic Waste in Amsterdam

Abstract

Urban waste management is one of the most complex and urgent challenges that the society faces. In this paper, an innovative research methodology is proposed, introducing a systemic approach to circular waste management strategy-making. Urban waste management is a complex system that needs to be tackled in a holistic, yet context-specific manner. To produce truly integrative outcomes, this paper provides insight into the system as a whole, its components and the relationships between them, using specific tools, to form the basis for a circular strategy. A toolbox is presented for transforming the current linear and fragmented waste management processes into integrative and circular strategies. The proposed integrative methodology encompassing outline, multipillar mapping, and synthesis can be applied to different locations and waste streams. The concept is subsequently demonstrated through a case study focusing on the municipality of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and the management of organic waste streams.