Waste not going to waste: A case study on ensuring sustainability in waste management.

Abstract

Sustainability transitions are long-term, multi-dimensional, and fundamental transformation processes, where systems are transformed to more sustainable ways of operation. As we now face environmental challenges due to, amongst other things, over-use of resources, there is a need to alter the ways in which the society sees resources and waste and the utilization of these, in a circular manner. This thesis is about how the waste management companies in Norway address and ensure sustainability in their company strategies, in order to reach sustainability goals. The study employs a qualitative case study approach. This is done through the lens of a waste hierarchy and a framework of system building versus system change, in which the study finds that the different companies have differing ways of approaching sustainability; some will meet these targets, others will change regulations and standards in order to exceed these targets. The study concludes that there is a need for cooperation between waste management companies, especially those who have limited resources, to ensure climbing the waste hierarchy and paving the way for a circular economy.