A new model will reveal what types and quantities of raw materials flow into Wageningen University & Research – and how they come out the other end. This is the first time such a model will be used. WUR can use the information it generates to make our raw materials flows circular and help achieve WUR's goal of halving the consumption of abiotic raw materials by 2030 (compared to 2014) and reducing or reusing our waste streams. This is all part of WUR's transition towards circular operational management.
WUR is not alone in this. Since last year, WUR has been cooperating to achieve this goal with our partners PreZero and Witteveen+Bos. A better understanding of exactly which raw materials the organisation purchases (the inflow) will help us to make our waste streams (the outflow) more sustainable, either through reuse, refurbishment or recycling. This is why this is no longer called waste management, but Material Flow Management. Reducing waste and creating value from waste streams will save WUR money, and that money can be invested in circular innovations.
Digital Material Flow Management model
To identify all incoming raw materials, partner Witteveen+Bos developed a digital Material Flow Management model, based on data from WUR's purchasing system. These financial data are translated into raw material types (for example papers or plastics) and their mass, type of use and other qualities. These are then linked to the waste data provided by PreZero.
"We and our partners can implement measures to reduce the waste streams based on the insight provided by this model, " says Saskia Dijkhuis, policy officer at Facilities & Services WUR. "We first try to do something about the inputs, i.e. reduce the raw materials flowing into WUR. And then, any materials that cannot be avoided will be reused or recycled."
Tissues make up ten procent of WUR's waste stream
A good example that emerged from the model is the use of paper towels. These account for about 10% of the WUR's total waste mass. In an Life Cycle Assessment test of paper towels, electric hand dryers and textile towels, electric hand dryers come out on top. The next step will be to take the impact of switching to an alternative into account, such as the financial and technical consequences of installing hand dryers. Then WUR will consider how to make the upcoming tender process as circular as possible.
Next steps for the model
By now, the Material Flow Management model has been implemented and will be refined and expanded in the coming years based on the insights gained by WUR and its partners. "We want to identify our raw materials flows in more detail, for example by polymer type. That will help us to improve the separation and recycling process even more," concludes Saskia Dijkhuis.
