title: From waste to sustainable materials management: Three case studies of the transition journey.
abstract: Waste policy is increasingly moving on from the 'prevention of waste' to a 'sustainable materials policy' focused agenda recognising individual wastes as a resource. In order to comparatively analyse policy developments in enhanced waste management, three case studies were selected; San Francisco's Zero Waste Program, Flanders's Sustainable Materials Management Initiative and Japan's Sound Material-Cycle Society Plan. These case studies were chosen as an opportunity to investigate the variety of leading approaches, governance structures, and enhanced waste policy outcomes, emerging globally. This paper concludes that the current transitional state of waste management across the world, is only in the first leg of the journey towards Circular Economy closed loop production models of waste as a resource material. It is suggested that further development in government policy, planning and behaviour change is required. A focus on material policy and incorporating multiple front runners across industry and knowledge institutions are offered as potential directions in the movement away from end-pipe land-fill solutions.
authors.affiliation: Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: angie.silva1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Engineering Group, Curtin University, Australia.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosano
authors.affiliation: Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stocker
authors.affiliation: VITO (Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek), Belgium.
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gorissen
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D058735:Environmental Policy; D007564:Japan; D059027:Recycling; D012495:San Francisco; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities; D018505:Waste Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Case studies; Circular economy; Governance; Materials; Policy; Transitions; Zero waste