Incineration economy: Waste management policy failing the circular economy transition in Norway
Kim Rainer Mattson, Johan Berg Pettersen, Helge Brattebø
Abstract
Policy aimed at transitioning from a linear to a circular economy by recycling has gained importance the last decade, with the waste management system being critical for this transition. This study provides a detailed model of resource use and environmental impacts, combining material flow analysis and life cycle assessment of the full waste management chain for household municipal solid waste in Norway, constructing 18 circular economy indicators. Results shows system improvements in terms of emissions due to an increase of recyclable material, residual waste diverted from landfills, and anaerobic digestion treatment of food waste. However, sustained waste generation with high shares of residual waste require incineration treatment. In 2009, 49 % of generated MSW was incinerated, in 2019 the incineration rate increased to 65 % when accounting for sorting and recycling loss in the waste treatment chain. The potential for increased recycling rates is considerable, however, there are also constraints within the waste management system that needs attention if circularity policies are to become more effective. The issue of low transparency is specifically highlighted in this study, as well as the importance of formulating and adopting meaningful circular economy indicators for the waste management system.