Basics of WIO

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the basic concepts of Waste Input-Output (WIO) tables and the model (Nakamura {[}37,38]). The WIO is a variant of environmental Input-Output (EIO) models, and focuses on issues of waste management (waste treatment and recycling). Familiarity with major EIO models is useful for a proper understanding of the main features of WIO. The first section of this chapter gives a brief review of EIO models from rather broad areas, which include economy-environment (ecology) IO tables and models, IO-based energy analysis, and IO models of emissions. The review in the second section is focused on EIO models that deal with pollution (waste) and its abatement (treatment), which include the seminal work of Leontief {[}28], and its extension by Duchin, as well as the development of IOTs incorporating waste flows (the Dutch NAMEA and German PIOT). Section 5.3 introduces the concepts of WIO table and its modeling for analytical purposes (further details of WIO model will be dealt with in the next chapter).