Many future of waste management speakers and futurists have opined about where the industry will be heading in the months and years to come. Fewer have taken the time to compile it all in one helpful list that provides a quick-hit overview to some of the more interesting developments occurring in the field. Never one to slouch, the resident future of waste management speakers and futurists at FutureProof Strategies are here to help you in your quest to learn more. Below, you’ll discover a number of new future trends in waste management:
- Automated sorting – More use of artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors to automatically sort recyclables and divert waste at high speeds and accuracy.
- Anaerobic digestion – Growth of anaerobic digesters that break down organic waste to produce renewable natural gas and compost.
- Waste-to-energy – Continued expansion of waste-to-energy incineration plants and emerging technologies like pyrolysis which can convert plastic waste into fuel like future of waste management speakers and futurists tell us.
- Bioplastics – Introduction of more compostable and biodegradable plastics that break down easier than traditional plastics.
- Deposit return schemes – Container deposit legislation spurring return for reuse programs by charging and refunding deposits.
- Extended producer responsibility – Shifting financial and management responsibility for products and packaging to manufacturers and producers.
- Zero waste goals – According to future of waste management speakers and futurists, cities and companies adopting ambitious zero waste targets and systems for maximum landfill diversion.
- Plastic waste reduction – Increasing bans, fees and process changes to drive plastic waste minimization rather than just recycling.
- Decentralized systems – More localized, on-site and modular waste processing like office food waste digesters.
- Circular economy business models – Rumor holds based on feedback from future of waste management speakers and futurists that companies are redesigning products and processes to eliminate waste through durability, reuse, refill and recycling models.