Technical Development of Waste Sector in Sweden: Survey

MASTER’S THESIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES RESEARCH
However, the study has some limitations. The study analyzed waste treatment technology on the
basis of municipal solid waste. Different waste fractions like electronics or hazardous waste are not
considered for the study. Municipal solid waste (MSW) defined by EU waste directive is considered
for the analysis. A questionnaire survey is conducted among the waste management experts
(consultants, engineer, researchers, scientists etc.) who do not represent the whole community of a
society. However, the reason for choosing particular expert group is to get feedback on waste
treatment technologies within short scope of time. Waste management system is interlinked with
multi-sector collaboration, however, the study do not consider the social or economical issues for the
assessment of the emerging technology.
1.6 Delimitations
Delimitations of the study are:
• Only Municipal solid waste define by EU waste directive is considered in the study.
• Environmental performances of the technologies are considered as the prime analyzing
criteria for the study, therefore socio-economic issues are not discussed deeply in the study.
• The study focused only on technology based waste management system but not on physical
processes like avoiding, recycling or reusing methods.
1.7 Significance of the Study
Different policies and programmes have been adopted in Sweden to manage waste in a sustainable
manner. However, significant problems still exist in the waste sector, especially regarding
environmental sustainability. One example is the introduction of Swedish waste incineration tax that
increased recycling of waste, but only in small environmental improvements (Björklund and
Finnveden, 2007).
It is important to understand the development trends while planning for future waste management
system and hence the reason behind carrying out this study. The study aims to understand the
technical development trends of the waste sector in Sweden and also aims to identify the driving
forces that actually lead to future development. It is not only the technology that influences waste
management system for a region, but also other parameters like waste regulations, policy or socioeconomical
matters that influence the overall waste management system.
Future technology is difficult to model, as compared to the existing technology. However, the study
has aimed to contribute knowledge in waste management sector by developing an LCA model of the
emerging waste treatment technology so that, it can be included in the future oriented LCA of waste
management.
KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HÖGSKOLAN
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