A methodological framework for compiling high-detail waste accounts

Area of Science:

• Environmental Accounting
• Resource Management
• Industrial Ecology

Background:

• Accurate waste data is critical for effective circular economy policy development and implementation.
• Existing waste data often lacks the necessary detail and industry specificity for comprehensive analysis.
• National-level waste accounts are needed to track resource flows and support sustainable practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a methodological framework for compiling highly disaggregated, industry-specific national waste accounts.
• To demonstrate the framework's application using Finland as a case study.
• To provide a comprehensive dataset of national waste flows for circular economy analysis.

Main Methods:

• Integration of multiple data sources: administrative records, statistical datasets, and targeted data requests.
• Compilation of supply and use tables for 65 waste classes and 159 industries.
• Assessment of data coverage and uncertainty to evaluate the framework's reliability.

Main Results:

• Development of a detailed methodological framework for national waste accounting.
• Creation of comprehensive waste accounts for Finland, detailing 65 waste classes and 159 industries.
• Identification of national waste generation, pretreatment, final treatment, import, and export flows.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework enables the creation of detailed, industry-specific waste accounts essential for circular economy policy.
• The resulting waste accounts are compatible with environmentally extended input-output models, facilitating advanced economic and environmental analyses.
• This approach enhances the ability to monitor and manage waste streams for improved resource efficiency and sustainability.