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Singh, J. & Cooper, T. (2017). Towards a sustainable business model for plastic shopping bag management in Sweden. In: Takata, S Umeda, Y Kondoh, S (Ed.), 24TH CIRP CONFERENCE ON LIFE CYCLE ENGINEERING: . Paper presented at 24th CIRP Conference on Life Cycle Engineering (CIRP LCE), MAR 08-10, 2017, Kamakura, JAPAN (pp. 679-684). Elsevier
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Towards a sustainable business model for plastic shopping bag management in Sweden
2017 (English)In: 24TH CIRP CONFERENCE ON LIFE CYCLE ENGINEERING / [ed] Takata, S Umeda, Y Kondoh, S, Elsevier, 2017, p. 679-684Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

From an environmental perspective, a separate collection and recycling system for post-consumer discards could contribute to improved environmental protection as well as economic benefits. This paper investigates the environmental potential of a business model proposed in Sweden in order to improve the utilization of plastic shopping bags. The business model aims to reduce the consumption of plastic shopping bags and to collect and recycle discarded bags more effectively. Results from a life cycle assessment show that the proposed system could significantly reduce the carbon, energy and water footprints of the current system, even for very pessimistic scenarios for bag purchase and recovery rates. However, wider implementation of the proposed business model depends on the accessibility of the deposit/collectionsystem, acceptance of such a 'take-back' system by retail managers, greater environmental awareness among customers and regulatory mechanisms.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2017
Series
Procedia CIRP, ISSN 2212-8271 ; 61
Keywords
Sustainable business models, plastic packaging, shopping bags, waste collection, recycling
National Category
Civil Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-211630 (URN)10.1016/j.procir.2016.11.268 (DOI)000404511900118 ()2-s2.0-85020021597 (Scopus ID)
Conference
24th CIRP Conference on Life Cycle Engineering (CIRP LCE), MAR 08-10, 2017, Kamakura, JAPAN
Note

QC 20170810

Available from: 2017-08-10 Created: 2017-08-10 Last updated: 2022-06-27Bibliographically approved
Singh, J. (2016). Beyond Waste Management: Challenges to Sustainable Global Physical Resource Management. (Doctoral dissertation). Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Beyond Waste Management: Challenges to Sustainable Global Physical Resource Management
2016 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Current physical resource management (PRM) was investigated in a global perspective in this thesis, to gain a deeper understanding of its implications in a sustainability perspective. In particular, the main challenges to the current PRM system and the kinds of systemic changes needed for sustainable PRM were examined. In five separate studies, different theoretical and practical challenges to current PRM approaches were analysed. A descriptive literature review, causal loop diagrams and semi-structured interviews were performed to gather qualitative and quantitative inferences. Perspectives from industrial ecology, life cycle thinking, systems thinking and environmental philosophy were then applied to analyse global resource/waste management issues.

The analysis resulted in an overview of the global ecological sustainability challenges to current PRM and identification of major challenges to the global waste management system. Causal loop diagrams were used to qualitatively analyse the structure and behaviour of production and consumption systems responsible for unintended environmental consequences of purposive actions to improve material and energy efficiencies. Ways in which resource quality could be maintained throughout the system of production and consumption systems were determined by identifying challenges facing product designers while closing the material loops. A planning framework was devised to operationalise the sustainable development demands in society, including production and consumption systems.

A broader systems approach is proposed for future sustainable global PRM, focusing on ensuring societal functions within the human activity system. The approach involves designing and managing anthropogenic stocks of physical resources to reduce inflows of physical resources and outflows of wastes and emissions. Life cycle-based databases linking resource consumption with waste generation are needed for improved global PRM.

Abstract [sv]

I denna avhandling undersöktes fysisk resursanvändning i ett globalt perspektiv, för att få en djupare förståelse av dess konsekvenser i ett hållbarhetsperspektiv. Framför allt undersöktes de största utmaningarna med den aktuella fysiska resurshanteringen och vilka typer av systemförändringar som krävs för en hållbar fysisk resurshantering. I fem studier analyserades olika teoretiska och praktiska utmaningar för den nuvarande fysiska resurshanteringen. Litteraturstudier, kausala loopdiagram och semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes för att samla kvalitativ och kvantitativ information. Perspektiv från industriell ekologi, livscykeltänkande, systemtänkande och miljöfilosofi tillämpades för att analysera globala resurs- och avfallshanteringsfrågor.

Analysen resulterade i en översikt av den nuvarande fysiska resurshanteringens globala ekologiska hållbarhetsutmaningar och identifiering av stora utmaningar för den globala avfallshanteringen. Kausala loopdiagram användes för att kvalitativt analysera strukturen och beteendet hos de produktions- och konsumtionssystem som gör att ändamålsenliga åtgärder för att förbättra material- och energieffektivitet får oavsiktliga negativa miljökonsekvenser. Hur resurskvalitet kan upprätthållas i produktions- och konsumtionssystemen som helhet bestämdes genom att identifiera de utmaningar som produktdesigners möter när de sluter kretslopp av material. En planeringsmodell utformades för att operationalisera kraven på hållbar utveckling i samhället, bland annat produktions- och konsumtionssystem.

Ett bredare systemtänkande föreslås för en hållbar global fysisk resursförvaltning i framtiden, med fokus på att säkerställa samhällsfunktioner inom det mänskliga aktivitetssystemet. Tillvägagångssättet innebär att utforma och hantera antropogena fysiska resurser i syfte att: minska inflödet av fysiska resurser; och utflödet av avfall och utsläpp. Livscykelbaserade databaser som länkar resursanvändning till avfallsgenerering behövs för att förbättra den globala fysiska resursförvaltningen.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2016. p. 145
Series
TRITA-IM, ISSN 1402-7615 ; 2016:03
Keywords
Sustainable global physical resource management, global waste management, systems thinking, life cycle thinking, planning framework, global environmental justice, circular economy
National Category
Environmental Sciences
Research subject
Industrial Ecology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-186517 (URN)978-91-7595-917-7 (ISBN)
Public defence
2016-06-09, F3, Lindstedtsvägen 26, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Projects
India4EU
Note

QC 20160516

Available from: 2016-05-16 Created: 2016-05-12 Last updated: 2022-06-22Bibliographically approved
Sinha, R., Laurenti, R., Singh, J., Malmström, M. E. & Frostell, B. (2016). Identifying ways of closing the metal flow loop in the global mobile phone product system: A system dynamics modeling approach. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 65-76
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Identifying ways of closing the metal flow loop in the global mobile phone product system: A system dynamics modeling approach
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2016 (English)In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, ISSN 0921-3449, E-ISSN 1879-0658, p. 65-76Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In the past few decades, e-waste has emerged as one of the fastest growing and increasingly complex waste flows world-wide. Within e-waste, the life cycle of the mobile phone product system is particularly important because of: (1) the increasing quantities of mobile phones in this waste flow; and (2) the sustainability challenges associated with the emerging economies of reuse, refurbishment, and export of used mobile phones. This study examined the possibilities of closing the material flow loop in the global mobile phone product system (GMPPS) while addressing the broad sustainability challenges linked to recovery of materials. This was done using an adapted system dynamics modeling approach to investigate the dominant paths and drivers for closing the metal flow loop through the concept of eco-cycle. Two indicators were chosen to define the closed loop system: loop leakage and loop efficiency. Sensitivity analysis of selected parameters was used to identify potential drivers for closing the metal flow loop. The modeling work indicated leverage for management strategies aimed at closing the loop in: (i) collection systems for used phones, (ii) mobile phone use time, and (ii) informal recycling in developing countries. By analyzing the dominant parameters, an eco-cycle scenario that could promote a closed loop system by decreasing pressures on virgin materials was formulated. Improved policy support and product service systems could synchronize growth between upstream producers and end-of-life organizations and help achieve circular production and consumption in the GMPPS. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2016
Keywords
Closed loop, Eco-cycle, Mobile phones, System dynamics, Substance flow analysis, E-waste, End-of-life
National Category
Environmental Management
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-191436 (URN)10.1016/j.resconrec.2016.05.010 (DOI)000381323600006 ()2-s2.0-84975474704 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20160901

Available from: 2016-08-30 Created: 2016-08-30 Last updated: 2024-03-15Bibliographically approved
Singh, J. & Ordoñez, I. (2016). Resource recovery from post-consumer waste: Important lessons for the upcoming circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 134(SI), 342-353
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Resource recovery from post-consumer waste: Important lessons for the upcoming circular economy
2016 (English)In: Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, E-ISSN 1879-1786, Vol. 134, no SI, p. 342-353Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

A circular economy has been proposed as a sustainable alternative to our current linear economic system, mainly by recirculating material resources for new product development. To understand resource recirculation in practice, this paper analyses over 50 examples of products developed from discarded materials, categorising them into the recovery routes described in the circular economy literature. The examples were obtained during interviews with waste management professionals and designers who had developed products with discards. Practical challenges to implementing a circular economy were identified based on the example categorisation and comments from the interviews. The main difference observed was that the examples mostly recirculate resources to make different types of products, whereas a circular economy requires manufacturing companies to take back their own products to secure their material resources. This is partly because in practice the material collection system in place is waste management, rather than manufacturing-centred take-back systems. A revised model for recovery routes in society in which waste management is allocated an important role in facilitating material recirculation is therefore presented. The study highlights that current product design is facing a new challenge of anticipating social, economic and environmental challenges to realise the goals of a circular economy.

Keywords
Resource recovery, Circular economy, Post-consumer waste, Re-manufacturing, Product design, Product study
National Category
Environmental Sciences
Research subject
Industrial Ecology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-186515 (URN)10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.020 (DOI)000382409700031 ()2-s2.0-84969975684 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20160512

Available from: 2016-05-12 Created: 2016-05-12 Last updated: 2022-06-22Bibliographically approved
Zhou, G., Singh, J., Wu, J., Sinha, R., Laurenti, R. & Frostell, B. (2015). Evaluating low-carbon city initiatives from the DPSIR framework perspective. Habitat International, 50, 289-299
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Evaluating low-carbon city initiatives from the DPSIR framework perspective
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2015 (English)In: Habitat International, ISSN 0197-3975, E-ISSN 1873-5428, Vol. 50, p. 289-299Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Current low-carbon city initiatives were evaluated using the DPSIR (Drivingforces-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses) causal-effect framework for investigating interactions between environmental issues and human activities. For effective management towards achieving a low-carbon city, integrating the pressure-based, driver-oriented DPSIR approach could help decision makers examine whether greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction approaches deal with the root causes of GHG emissions and work to-wards low-carbon city development goals. The DPSIR framework was used on 36 global cities to analyse the socio-economic dynamics of GHG emissions and their pressures on the environment, the state of the environment, related climate change impacts and responses from society. The results indicated that numerous cities have awareness of low-car bon plans and that most of these plans are pressure-based and driver-oriented. Most city plans recognise energy, transportation and building as the main driving forces for GHG emissions, which cause environmental pressures, and highlight technical responses to reduce GHG emissions pressures from these root causes. Inaddition, most plans recognise institutional and cognitional responses to low-carbon city development, such as: policies and legislation; departmental planning and cooperation; measuring, monitoring and reporting performance; capital invest-ment; community education and outreach; and stakeholder involvement.

Keywords
Low-carboncity, DPSIR framework, Content analysis
National Category
Other Environmental Engineering
Research subject
Planning and Decision Analysis
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-174072 (URN)10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.09.001 (DOI)000364251400030 ()2-s2.0-84941634546 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20150929

Available from: 2015-09-29 Created: 2015-09-29 Last updated: 2024-03-15Bibliographically approved
Laurenti, R., Sinha, R., Singh, J. & Frostell, B. (2015). Some pervasive challenges to sustainability by design of electronic products: a conceptual discussion. Journal of Cleaner Production, 108, Part A, 281-288
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Some pervasive challenges to sustainability by design of electronic products: a conceptual discussion
2015 (English)In: Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, E-ISSN 1879-1786, Vol. 108, Part A, p. 281-288Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Sustainability should encompass responsibility for unintended environmental consequences of modern developments. This study examined some pervasive challenges to sustainability by design of electronic products, namely: (i) product and consumption redundancies; (i) embodied environmental and social impacts occurring distant in time and space from the point of consumption; and (iii) production and consumption dynamics. This analysis identified essential developments in certain areas that can assist design practice in preventing unintended environmental consequences. These were: (1) complementing life cycle assessment studies with analyses of unintended environmental consequences; and (2) exploiting the vital role of product design in fostering a circular economy. Indicators that provide information about (a) the increasing spatial and decreasing temporal separation of production, consumption and waste management, (b) constraints in raw materials supply and (c) marginal changes in money and time spent should be available to product designers and consumers. Furthermore, information technology, namely computer-aided design (CAD) tools, should be refined to assist product designers in designing for effective circularity and end-of-waste and limiting hibernation of resources in the use phase.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2015
Keywords
Sustainability, Design, Challenges, Unintended consequences, Electronic products, Rebound effects
National Category
Environmental Management
Research subject
Industrial Ecology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-178178 (URN)10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.08.041 (DOI)000367762500026 ()2-s2.0-84945445213 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20151214

Available from: 2015-12-07 Created: 2015-12-07 Last updated: 2024-03-15Bibliographically approved
Laurenti, R., Sinha, R., Singh, J. & Frostell, B. (2015). Towards Addressing Unintended Environmental Consequences: A Planning Framework. Sustainable Development, 24(1), 1-17
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Towards Addressing Unintended Environmental Consequences: A Planning Framework
2015 (English)In: Sustainable Development, ISSN 0968-0802, E-ISSN 1099-1719, Vol. 24, no 1, p. 1-17Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Efforts to decouple environmental impacts and resource consumption have been confounded by interactions and feedback between technical-economic, environmental and social aspects not considered prior to implementing improvement actions. This paper presents a planning framework that connects material flows and the socio-economic drivers that result in changes in these flows, in order to reduce conflicts between localized gains and global losses. The framework emphasizes the need for (i) having different settings of system boundaries (broader and narrower), (ii) explicitly accounting for causal relationships and feedback loops and (iii) identifying responsibilities between stakeholders (e.g. producers, consumers, collectors, recyclers, policy makers). Application of the framework is exemplified using the case of the global mobile phone product system. 'Product design and development' and 'Retailers and users as part of a collection system' were identified as central intervention points for implementing improvement strategies that included designing for longer life, designing for recycling and improving collection, designing for limiting phone hibernation time and internalizing external costs.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Wiley-Blackwell, 2015
Keywords
Global sustainability, Physical resource management, Planning, Sustainable development, Systems thinking, Unintended environmental consequences
National Category
Environmental Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-176245 (URN)10.1002/sd.1601 (DOI)000370661900001 ()2-s2.0-84958121991 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20151116. QC 20160319

Available from: 2015-11-16 Created: 2015-11-02 Last updated: 2024-03-15Bibliographically approved
Laurenti, R., Singh, J., Sinha, R., Potting, J. & Frostell, B. (2015). Unintended environmental consequences of improvement actions: A qualitative analysis of systems' structure and behavior. Systems research and behavioral science
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Unintended environmental consequences of improvement actions: A qualitative analysis of systems' structure and behavior
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2015 (English)In: Systems research and behavioral science, ISSN 1092-7026, E-ISSN 1099-1743Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

We qualitatively analysed how and why environmental improvement actions often lead to unintended environmental consequences. Different theories are integrated to delineate the underlying system structure causing this system behavior. Causal loop diagram technique is utilized to explore and visualize: how incremental improvements in material and energy efficiency can unintendedly cause consumption to increase; how this consumption rebound effect is linked to generation of waste and pollution; and how this can give rise to social and negative externalities, economic inequalities and other broad unintended consequences in our society. Consumption and incremental innovation are found to be the highest leverage points and reinforcing factors driving unintended environmental consequences in this complex system. The paper in addition explores two potential modes of behaviour dissimilar to those of unintended environmental consequences. These emerging modes of behaviour are product-service systems and environmental policy instruments. Their combination forms a prominent transition pathway from a production-consumption-dispose economy to a so-called circular economy.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2015
Keywords
Unintended environmental consequences; incremental innovation, consumption rebound effect; causal loop diagram.
National Category
Environmental Management
Research subject
Industrial Ecology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-164870 (URN)10.1002/sres.2330 (DOI)000379955400006 ()2-s2.0-84923340510 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20160812

Available from: 2015-04-20 Created: 2015-04-20 Last updated: 2024-03-15Bibliographically approved
Singh, J., Laurenti, R., Sinha, R. & Frostell, B. (2014). Progress and challenges to the global waste management system. Waste Management & Research, 32(9), 800-812
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Progress and challenges to the global waste management system
2014 (English)In: Waste Management & Research, ISSN 0734-242X, E-ISSN 1096-3669, Vol. 32, no 9, p. 800-812Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Rapid economic growth, urbanization and increasing population have caused (materially intensive) resource consumption to increase, and consequently the release of large amounts of waste to the environment. From a global perspective, current waste and resource management lacks a holistic approach covering the whole chain of product design, raw material extraction, production, consumption, recycling and waste management. In this article, progress and different sustainability challenges facing the global waste management system are presented and discussed. The study leads to the conclusion that the current, rather isolated efforts, in different systems for waste management, waste reduction and resource management are indeed not sufficient in a long term sustainability perspective. In the future, to manage resources and wastes sustainably, waste management requires a more systems-oriented approach that addresses the root causes for the problems. A specific issue to address is the development of improved feedback information (statistics) on how waste generation is linked to consumption.

Keywords
Global challenges, resource management, root causes, systems approach, wastes
National Category
Environmental Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-155150 (URN)10.1177/0734242X14537868 (DOI)000342632500002 ()24938296 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-84907200004 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20141104. Updated from manuscript to article in journal.

Available from: 2014-11-04 Created: 2014-10-31 Last updated: 2024-03-15Bibliographically approved
Singh, J. (2013). Towards a Sustainable Resource Management: A Broader Systems Approach to Product Design and Waste Management. (Licentiate dissertation). Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Towards a Sustainable Resource Management: A Broader Systems Approach to Product Design and Waste Management
2013 (English)Licentiate thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Rapid economic growth, urbanisation and increasing population have caused (materially intensive) resource consumption to increase, and consequently the release of large amounts of waste to the environment. Numerous technological and operational approaches to resource management have been introduced throughout the system of production, consumption and waste management. This thesis concludes that the current, rather isolated, efforts to influence different systems for waste management, waste reduction and resource management are indeed not sufficient from a long-term sustainability perspective. To manage resources and waste sustainably, resource management requires a more systems-oriented approach, which addresses the root causes of the problems.

This thesis identifies and discusses different sustainability challenges facing the global waste management system. To address these challenges a broader systems approach to waste management is proposed. The thesis argues that there is a need to recognise the multitudes of perspectives, cross-scale dynamics and actors’ interactions at various levels. The barriers and limitations to a systems-oriented management of waste generation including design, production, consumption and waste management are discussed. The study utilises soft systems methodology (by Checkland (2000)) within which different concepts and methods are utilised to present a worldwide view on resource dynamics and develop a research heuristic for sustainable resource management. The study emphasises the need for a shared vision among various actors across the chain of production and consumption. To assist better planning, the need for improved databases on resource use and wastes is emphasised.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2013. p. xii, 37
Series
TRITA-IM-LIC ; 2013:02
Keywords
Resource Management, Product Design, Waste Management Challenges, Systems Thinking, Sustainability Science
National Category
Environmental Management Climate Research Environmental Sciences
Research subject
Industrial Ecology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-141126 (URN)978-91-7501-986-4 (ISBN)
Presentation
2014-03-10, Sal D3, Lindstedtsvägen 5, Stockholm, 10:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Note

QC 20140211

Available from: 2014-02-11 Created: 2014-02-07 Last updated: 2022-06-23Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-9215-0166

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