A waste generation input output analisys: The case of Spain

Abstract

In December 2015 the European Commission adopted the Circular Economy Package that includes legislative proposals on waste as well as long-term targets to reduce landfilling and increase recycling and reuse. A detailed and comprehensive accounting of waste arisings forms the quantitative basis for designing adequate policy instruments for a Circular Economy. The aim of this paper is to estimate total waste generation throughout the supply chain in Spain by applying an input-output based hybrid Life Cycle Assessment model. Both the waste generated by direct suppliers and indirect suppliers (that is, suppliers to suppliers) are estimated. The results show that there is high concentrations in total waste generation both in terms of sectors and waste types so the government should concentrate its waste prevention strategy on those sectors and types of waste that have a higher impact on total waste generation.