Potentials of preparation for reuse: A case study at collection points in the German state of Bavaria

This research addresses the second priority of the waste management hierarchy and the demand for a circular economy. First, we develop a methodology for the quantitative assessment of potentially reusable wastes. Second, based on empirically retrieved primary data following the developed methodology, this study quantifies a theoretical potential for the preparation for reuse of Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), used furniture, and used leisure goods in the German state of Bavaria. We find that between 13% and 16% of these waste streams could immediately be prepared for reuse, depending on the type of waste. A further potential of 13%-29% could be unlocked through changes to the mode of collection, storage and the overall treatment of wastes at Bavaria collection points. Most notably, 86% of identifiable damage causes of WEEE are attributed to a lack of sufficient weatherproof roofing. Conclusively, we derive four key action recommendation for unlocking existing potentials. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.