3 Theoretical perspectives on
innovation for waste
valorisation in the bioeconomy
Markus M. Bugge, Simon Bolwig, Teis Hansen
and Anne Nygaard Tanner
3.1 Introduction
This book is anchored in a systemic and evolutionary understanding of how
society evolves through technological development and innovation that are
socially embedded and conditioned by actors, networks and institutions. This
chapter outlines the conceptual framework for the empirical case studies in
the book, which will present the innovative dynamics of turning waste into
value in breweries, forestry- based industry, meat production, dairy production and urban waste management. The chapter starts by introducing the
notion of the circular bioeconomy and interpreting it as an ongoing and broader
transition in society. Here we account for the generic and pervasive nature of
the bioeconomy as well as the benefits and overall objectives associated with
the current transition towards a more circular economy. Following this introduction, waste is presented as a potentially valuable resource within the bioeconomy.
We define the term waste as “unwanted or unusable material, substances,
or by- products” that are “eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or
required after the completion of a process” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2018). In economic terms, waste is “unwanted material left over from a production
process, or output which has no marketable value” (Business Dictionary, 2018),
implying that the nature of the market (including firms, value chains, infrastructures, consumers, etc.) and not just a material’s physical properties determine whether a material is considered waste. Therefore, the elimination of
waste in the ideal circular bioeconomy involves changes in both the properties of materials and markets. A distinction can also be made between residues (with no use or market value) and side- streams or by- products (with a
value). It follows that waste valorisation means adding value to residues, sidestreams and by- products through changes in markets and/or in the physical
properties of these substances, involving both technological and institutional
innovation. Finally, valorisation pathways are the trajectories through which
such values are created and distributed by and among actors from the private
sector, policy, research, civil society and households. At a large spatial and
temporal scale, such valorisation pathways may constitute so- called transition
pathways, defined as:
innovation for waste
valorisation in the bioeconomy
Markus M. Bugge, Simon Bolwig, Teis Hansen
and Anne Nygaard Tanner
3.1 Introduction
This book is anchored in a systemic and evolutionary understanding of how
society evolves through technological development and innovation that are
socially embedded and conditioned by actors, networks and institutions. This
chapter outlines the conceptual framework for the empirical case studies in
the book, which will present the innovative dynamics of turning waste into
value in breweries, forestry- based industry, meat production, dairy production and urban waste management. The chapter starts by introducing the
notion of the circular bioeconomy and interpreting it as an ongoing and broader
transition in society. Here we account for the generic and pervasive nature of
the bioeconomy as well as the benefits and overall objectives associated with
the current transition towards a more circular economy. Following this introduction, waste is presented as a potentially valuable resource within the bioeconomy.
We define the term waste as “unwanted or unusable material, substances,
or by- products” that are “eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or
required after the completion of a process” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2018). In economic terms, waste is “unwanted material left over from a production
process, or output which has no marketable value” (Business Dictionary, 2018),
implying that the nature of the market (including firms, value chains, infrastructures, consumers, etc.) and not just a material’s physical properties determine whether a material is considered waste. Therefore, the elimination of
waste in the ideal circular bioeconomy involves changes in both the properties of materials and markets. A distinction can also be made between residues (with no use or market value) and side- streams or by- products (with a
value). It follows that waste valorisation means adding value to residues, sidestreams and by- products through changes in markets and/or in the physical
properties of these substances, involving both technological and institutional
innovation. Finally, valorisation pathways are the trajectories through which
such values are created and distributed by and among actors from the private
sector, policy, research, civil society and households. At a large spatial and
temporal scale, such valorisation pathways may constitute so- called transition
pathways, defined as: