56 M. M. Bugge et al.
2014), where freshly harvested wood should first be used to veneer wood
products, then particle- based products, then fibre- based products, then,
finally, biofuels or incineration for heat or power. The cascading- in-value
principle (Figure 3.2b) refers to the co- production of several different bioproducts simultaneously, as is characteristic for bio- refineries. Hence, wood
can also be used in this principle as cascade fractionation of valuable wood
composites in a biorefinery. See Chapter 4 for more details. There can be
conflicts between the two forms of cascading. For example, wood that has
been reused multiple times is not suitable for biorefining processes, which
normally rely on whole, fresh logs to produce various chemicals.
An example of a cascading- in-value use of biomass resources is the efforts
made by the meat processing and rendering industry to add more value to
animal by- products. During the last decade, incumbent meat processors and
rendering companies have established new divisions or subsidiaries dedicated
to preventing or utilising side- streams from slaughterhouses, and in so doing
have increased the value of their meat processing by selling new products to
new markets. At the slaughterhouses, efforts have been focused on reducing
the volume of side- streams by utilising a higher proportion of the animal, for
example by the export of pig ears, snouts, hooves or gallstones to Asian
markets. Other companies have focused on developing new products, such as
functional ingredients for the food industry, pet food, animal feed for mink
production or, finally, biodiesel. All these initiatives aim to increase the
overall value of meat processing and reduce the amount of animal byproducts to be used in the lower part of the waste pyramid. See Chapter 7 for
more details on this case.
3.4 Path dependence and barriers to waste valorisation
3.4.1 Path dependence
Path dependence is the tendency of institutions or technologies to become
committed to develop in certain ways because of their structural properties or
their beliefs and values (Greener, 2017). Path dependence is important for
understanding changes in waste systems as it suggests the existence of mechanisms that (under certain conditions) can cause some technologies, behaviours
or policies to persist or dominate even if “superior” alternatives exist. While
such lock- in mechanisms cause considerable inertia in waste systems, a change
in path- dependent systems is still possible through feedback mechanisms, as
highlighted in, for example, studies of strategic niche management (Kemp,
Schot & Hoogma, 1998).
Moving from established value chains in specific industries and sectors to
new ones that are cross- sectoral and interwoven through the waste streams
involved may require fundamental changes. These changes may take the form
of new technologies, altered production modes, infrastructures, logistics and
new consumer practices and habits. It can be challenging to change a system
2014), where freshly harvested wood should first be used to veneer wood
products, then particle- based products, then fibre- based products, then,
finally, biofuels or incineration for heat or power. The cascading- in-value
principle (Figure 3.2b) refers to the co- production of several different bioproducts simultaneously, as is characteristic for bio- refineries. Hence, wood
can also be used in this principle as cascade fractionation of valuable wood
composites in a biorefinery. See Chapter 4 for more details. There can be
conflicts between the two forms of cascading. For example, wood that has
been reused multiple times is not suitable for biorefining processes, which
normally rely on whole, fresh logs to produce various chemicals.
An example of a cascading- in-value use of biomass resources is the efforts
made by the meat processing and rendering industry to add more value to
animal by- products. During the last decade, incumbent meat processors and
rendering companies have established new divisions or subsidiaries dedicated
to preventing or utilising side- streams from slaughterhouses, and in so doing
have increased the value of their meat processing by selling new products to
new markets. At the slaughterhouses, efforts have been focused on reducing
the volume of side- streams by utilising a higher proportion of the animal, for
example by the export of pig ears, snouts, hooves or gallstones to Asian
markets. Other companies have focused on developing new products, such as
functional ingredients for the food industry, pet food, animal feed for mink
production or, finally, biodiesel. All these initiatives aim to increase the
overall value of meat processing and reduce the amount of animal byproducts to be used in the lower part of the waste pyramid. See Chapter 7 for
more details on this case.
3.4 Path dependence and barriers to waste valorisation
3.4.1 Path dependence
Path dependence is the tendency of institutions or technologies to become
committed to develop in certain ways because of their structural properties or
their beliefs and values (Greener, 2017). Path dependence is important for
understanding changes in waste systems as it suggests the existence of mechanisms that (under certain conditions) can cause some technologies, behaviours
or policies to persist or dominate even if “superior” alternatives exist. While
such lock- in mechanisms cause considerable inertia in waste systems, a change
in path- dependent systems is still possible through feedback mechanisms, as
highlighted in, for example, studies of strategic niche management (Kemp,
Schot & Hoogma, 1998).
Moving from established value chains in specific industries and sectors to
new ones that are cross- sectoral and interwoven through the waste streams
involved may require fundamental changes. These changes may take the form
of new technologies, altered production modes, infrastructures, logistics and
new consumer practices and habits. It can be challenging to change a system