The circular economy of waste: recovery, incineration and urban reuse

This article examines how the political economy of waste utility services is changing in response to circular economy programs. It focuses on the financial composition, economic position and geography of three sectors: waste recycling, incineration, and urban waste reuse. Building on an empirical analysis of these sectors in the Netherlands, specifically the Amsterdam city-region, it puts forward three key arguments. First, waste recovery corporations are becoming increasingly global and dependent on steady flows of waste. Second, incineration facilities play a central yet uncertain role in planning for the circular economy. Third, the circular economy is driving an emerging material reuse market in cities. The paper concludes by arguing that ongoing changes in waste markets run the risk of making (circular) economies even more dependent on wasteful consumption and production.

Automated summary

This article examines the changing political economy of waste utility services in response to circular economy programs, with a focus on three sectors in the Netherlands. It highlights the increasing globalization of waste recovery corporations, the uncertain role of incineration facilities in circular economy planning, and the emergence of a material reuse market driven by the circular economy in cities. The paper concludes that ongoing changes in waste markets may lead to (circular) economies becoming more dependent on wasteful consumption and production.