Supply network configuration archetypes for the circular exploitation of solid waste

Abstract

This research aims to use network configuration theory to propose circular supply chain archetypes for the valorisation of solid waste. The proposed network configuration archetypes are differentiated by their levels of geographic dispersion, each representing coherent clusters of waste material and supply network characteristics for the valorisation of waste streams, namely: centralised, semi-centralised and decentralised. The different types of solid waste require local (e.g., wood, organic waste), regional (e.g., glass, plastics and rubber, paper and cardboard) or pan-regional (e.g., metals and alloys) network configuration options primarily dictated by the intrinsic physico-chemical properties of the wasted material and constraints related to the processing technologies. Furthermore, the proposed network configuration archetypes dictate operational considerations, such as procurement and pre-processing options for the wasted feedstocks, along with upscale production opportunities and distribution of the value-added intermediates or end-products.