Basics for the value adding recycling: product quality

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Yoram Krozer

University of Twente – CSTM, Netherlands

: Expert Opin Environ Biol

Abstract

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Global waste grows. Recycling grows as well, albeit slowly. Good product qualities are needed for the value added recycling. Presently, the costs of recycling increase because the diversity of products grows and the income of recycling is under pressure because new products have lower value. Higher quality of products generates more value and better results in recycling but experiences with policies in the European Union, for instance with packaging and electronics, show that the consumer pay more money for low effects. The recyclers can become partners in the advocacy for recyclable products. In addition, new issues for recycling emerge. Sustainable innovations are needed for turning bulky residues into resources. Examples are recycling of the CO2 emissions for valuable products, recycling of the biomass residues for high grade biofuels, recycling of the degraded soils for novel functionalities. In conclusion, recyclers can foster new products and generate sustainable innovations for the secondary resources.

Biography

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Yoram Krozer (1953) has received MSc in Biology and MA in Economics at the University of Utrecht, Business Administration at In Holland, and PhD in Economics at the University of Groningen. His work started at non-governmental organisations, then shifted to industries, and he directed the Institute for Applied Environmental Economics - TME. After thirty years in the private sector he joined the University of Twente as Director of the Cartesius Institute, Institute for Sustainable Innovations of the Netherlands Technical University. He is now associated professor at the CSTM at the University of Twente (Netherlands), Professor at the Jyothi Institute of Technology (India) and Director of the Sustainable Innovations Academy. His work on the economics of sustainable development covers products, software, masters and vocational courses, about hundred papers and two books “Innovations and the Environment” and “Theories and Practices on Innovations for Sustainable Development”.

E-mail: krozer@xs4all.nl y.krozer@utwente.nl