An entity-relationship model of the flow of waste and resources in city-regions: Improving knowledge management for the circular economy

Jonathan Cohen,Jorge Gil

doi:10.1016/j.rcradv.2021.200058

Jonathan Cohen, Jorge Gil

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2021.200058

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Abstract

Waste and resources management is one of the domains where urban and regional planning can transition towards a Circular Economy, thus slowing environmental degradation. Improving waste and resources management in cities requires an adequate understanding of multiple systems and how they interact. New technologies contribute to improve waste management and resource efficiency, but knowledge silos hinder the possibility of delivering sound holistic solutions. Furthermore, lack of compatibility between data formats and diverse definitions of the same concept reduces information exchange across different urban domains. This paper addresses the challenge of organising and standardising information about waste and resources management in city regions.Given the amount and variety of data constantly captured, data models and standards are a crucial element of Industry 4.0. The paper proposes an Entity-Relationship Model to harmonise definitions and integrate information on waste and resources management. Furthermore, it helps to formalise the components of the system and their relationships. Semi-structured interviews with government officials, mobile app developers and academics provided insights into the specific system and endorsed the model. Finally, the paper illustrates the translation of the ERM into a relational database schema and instantiates Waste Management and industrial Symbiosis cases in Buenos Aires (ARG) and Helsingborg (SWE) to validate its general applicability. The data model for the Circular Flow of Waste and Resources presented here enhances traditional waste management perspectives by introducing Circular Economy strategies and spatial variables in the model. Thus, this research represents a step towards unlocking the true potential of Industry 4.0.

Highlights

The current linear economy, based on "take-make-dispose", is un sustainable; in the year 2020, only 8.6% of global resources were being reused (Circle Economy 2020)
The Conceptual Diagram of Circular Flow of Waste and Resources (CFWR) is general and captures the min imum set of components required to describe various waste and re sources management related scenarios
Recycling: By various means, any waste or part of it is transformed into a resource that can be reintroduced in the market for its use as energy or materials

Summary

Introduction

The current linear economy, based on "take-make-dispose", is un sustainable; in the year 2020, only 8.6% of global resources were being reused (Circle Economy 2020). To satisfy the material needs of this traditional economic system, we need 1.7 Planet Earths (Lin et al 2018), forcing life to operate beyond its safe limits (Steffen et al 2015). The Circular Economy (CE) para digm has gained momentum among academics, practitioners, and policymakers as a promising alternative. This paradigm seeks to maxi mise resources utilisation by following the 3Rs principle: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The CE focus on eco-effectiveness instead of eco-efficiency (Toxopeus, De Koeijer, and Meij 2015) by decoupling economic growth from the extraction of natural resources (Kjaer et al 2019)

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