Most readers of this journal will be familiar with several of the environmental debates that, although long-standing, have recently increased in their intensity. By 2030, the global population is likely to have grown to 8·3 billion (Undesa, 2009), of whom 3 billion could be classified as middle class (Kharas, 2010). Global demand for raw materials could rise from 60 billion t in 2010 to over 100 billion t in 2030 (Wuppertal Institute, 2013). The potential for our environment to be degraded is significant. The papers in this issue present ways in which actions responding to these challenges could be ameliorated.
Waste is not just an issue for today, or even for the future. It leaves a legacy that is all around us. Armisheva et al. (2013) note in their briefing paper that in Russia, landfill remains the main method of municipal waste management. Landfill mining offers an opportunity to reconsider waste discarded in the past as a source of secondary material resources, energy and soil materials. The potential for recovering different outputs depends on both the composition of the waste and the time since closure of the site, but in the examples given could be up to 80% by weight of the material present, and the landfill space made available could then be used again.
If we are to reduce the amount of materials we consume to sustainable levels, it is important that we access the right products in the right way. Products and systems need to be designed to enable us all to reduce our environmental impact. Griffiths et al. (2013) look at the example of mattresses, a product which is ubiquitous and yet is generally not designed with consideration of the product's end of life. Global demand for steel could rise by 90% between 2010 and 2030 (Lee et al., 2012), and yet mattresses are designed in such a way that the stitching and staples inhibit easy recycling.
We need better ways of managing the waste we produce. There are three common barriers to making improvements: structure; values; and information. Grimes and Tanpoonkiat (2013) highlight that in Thailand only about 25% of the recyclable materials in municipal solid waste is currently recovered, and 70% of that recovered is collected by the informal waste sector. Although there are policies in place to increase the recovery of recyclable materials, there is a need to follow this through with appropriate infrastructure. The paper suggests combinations of technologies and processes considered appropriate for increasing recycling and landfill diversion in Thailand to 2030, including materials recovery facilities and mechanical and biological treatments, energy recovery, and composting and anaerobic digestion.
Tremblay (2013) explores the importance of not only creating structures that enable recycling, but also to ensuring shared values are held by those who participate in recycling. This was examined through the use of participatory videos in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Participatory videos could be used to enhance the representation of those involved in recycling (catadore/as) and potentially shift power dynamics in spaces of public policy. The paper also highlights the growing organisation (and movement) of recycling cooperatives and associations as instrumental in improving the livelihoods of recyclers. Participatory systems can deliver increases in recycling and livelihoods, and require strong partnership between the government and the recyclers as well as adequate public policies.
Information is also key and Tremblay (2013) identifies a need for environmental education programmes. Schneider (2013) explores the disparities in information available on food waste across the globe. Global food management will be the topic of a future themed issue of this journal. Outside of North America, Western Europe and to a lesser extent in Australia and Northern Europe, there is a lack of food waste related publishing (in English). Although agricultural information can be gathered from most developing countries, household waste is generally investigated within industrialised regions. There is also a potential need to ensure that future publications provide greater focus on methodologies, definitions, logistics, wholesale and redistribution.
While both the environmental rationale for action to reduce our resource demand and the actions we can take are well rehearsed, to borrow a phrase attributed to Thomas Edison ‘we shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present’. These papers demonstrate that work in these fields remains essential, and that the options available to us must be actively pursued in order to deliver change.
