OptiCWaste

8th Joint Call: OptiCWaste

The proposal aims to develop a decision support tool for recovery and recycling of plastic waste and biogenic residues in order to close carbon circularity gaps and maximize climate mitigation potential. OptiCWaste focuses on mapping carbon flows, identifying optimal recovery technologies, and building roadmaps for sustainable regional waste management in Southeast Asia and Europe.
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Background

Solid waste recycling is a strategic sector for conserving resources, protecting human health, and ensuring raw material security. Plastics and biogenic materials form a significant share of municipal, agricultural, and industrial waste streams and are at the centre of ambitious recycling goals in both Europe and Southeast Asia.

Effective policy planning requires reliable databases on waste and residue flows, management schemes, and technologies. Equally important are operational protocols and decision support to guide municipalities and stakeholders in implementing waste strategies that maximize climate benefits.

The project

OptiCWaste will:

  • Map carbon flows in major waste and residue streams.
  • Develop an operative decision support tool (based on MFA and LCA) for identifying climate-optimal recovery and recycling schemes.
  • Carry out case studies in Germany, Thailand, and Indonesia to test and validate approaches.
  • Compare enabling and limiting factors from successful waste management practices across different socio-economic settings.
  • Co-develop roadmaps for sustainable waste management with local stakeholders.
  • Build capacities at the municipal and regional levels for implementing circular economy strategies.

The science

The project combines Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), stakeholder analysis, and scenario modelling to evaluate waste management systems. By integrating scientific methods with participatory approaches, OptiCWaste will:

  • Quantify carbon flows in waste systems.
  • Identify optimal recycling and recovery technologies for plastics and biogenic residues.
  • Link system analysis with climate mitigation and circular economy goals.
  • Deliver an MFA-based decision tool and regional roadmaps for circular waste management.

The team

  • Prof. Dr. David Laner (Coordinator), University of Kassel, Germany
  • Dr. Johann Fellner, TU Wien, Austria
  • Dr. Awassada Phongphiphat, KMUTT, Thailand
  • Dr. Edi Munawar, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

 

Contact:

Prof. Dr. David Laner                 E-Mail: david.laner@uni-kassel.de 

Tags
CIRCULAR ECONOMY