Strategies for value recovery from industrial waste: case studies of six industries from Brazil

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present possible strategic actions that aim to recover the value still remaining in industrial waste.Design/methodology/approachThe research method is a multiple case study. The sample included six Brazilian companies of the footwear, metal-mechanics, pulp and paper, beverages, chemical and food industries. The study investigated the production process, waste generation, internal reuse, the destination of unused waste, difficulties and strategic challenges.FindingsPossible strategies to recover the value remaining in industrial waste are increasing the internal reuse, developing new routes to other industries, reducing the waste generation, increasing the destination to cooperatives or recycling companies, which require studies to understand the legislation and agility in licensing and reducing the logistical cost of the destination.Research limitations/implicationsThe study relies on six case studies. Further research shall encompass an entire industry, starting with hypotheses derived from the cases.Practical implicationsThe main barriers observed for reuse and recycling are uncertainties and ambiguities in the interpretation of legislation, the difficulty for the environmental licensing for recycling operations, excessive logistics costs for exploration opportunities and the lack of research to reduce the waste generation and to increase the internal reuse.Social implicationsWaste managed by scavengers’ cooperatives can offer jobs to the people of vulnerable communities.Originality/valueThe study offers robust hypotheses to be tested in a survey on the capacity of a waste management strategy to create competitive advantage in the industry. The study establishes a relationship between waste management and three competitive enablers, compliance, corporate image and green market.