Institut de Ciencia i Tecnologia Ambientals, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Waste Manag. 2012 Dec;32(12):2496-510. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2012.06.010. Epub 2012 Jul 19.
In this paper, the material and spatial characterization of the flows within a municipal solid waste (MSW) management system are combined through a Network-Based Spatial Material Flow Analysis. Using this information, two core indicators are developed for the bio-waste fraction, the Net Recovery Index (NRI) and the Transport Intensity Index (TII), which are aimed at assessing progress towards policy-related sustainable MSW management strategies and objectives. The NRI approaches the capacity of a MSW management system for converting waste into resources through a systematic metabolic approach, whereas the TII addresses efficiency in terms of the transport requirements to manage a specific waste flow throughout the entire MSW management life cycle. Therefore, both indicators could be useful in assessing key MSW management policy strategies, such as the consecution of higher recycling levels (sustainability principle) or the minimization of transport by locating treatment facilities closer to generation sources (proximity principle). To apply this methodological approach, the bio-waste management system of the region of Catalonia (Spain) has been chosen as a case study. Results show the adequacy of both indicators for identifying those points within the system with higher capacity to compromise its environmental, economic and social performance and therefore establishing clear targets for policy prioritization. Moreover, this methodological approach permits scenario building, which could be useful in assessing the outcomes of hypothetical scenarios, thus proving its adequacy for strategic planning.
本文通过基于网络的空间物质流分析，将城市固体废物（MSW）管理系统内的物质和空间特征结合起来。利用这些信息，为生物废物部分开发了两个核心指标，即净回收指数（NRI）和运输强度指数（TII），旨在评估与政策相关的可持续 MSW 管理策略和目标的进展情况。NRI 通过系统代谢方法接近 MSW 管理系统将废物转化为资源的能力，而 TII 则根据在整个 MSW 管理生命周期中管理特定废物流所需的运输要求来评估效率。因此，这两个指标都可以用于评估关键的 MSW 管理政策策略，例如提高回收水平（可持续性原则）或通过将处理设施更靠近产生源来最小化运输（邻近原则）。为了应用这种方法，选择了加泰罗尼亚地区（西班牙）的生物废物管理系统作为案例研究。结果表明，这两个指标都适用于确定系统中具有更高能力来损害其环境、经济和社会绩效的那些点，从而为政策优先排序确立明确的目标。此外，这种方法允许进行情景构建，这对于评估假设情景的结果可能很有用，从而证明其在战略规划中的适用性。
