Promoting recycling requires the development of a waste stream monitoring and supervision system in order to have an overview of the volume, location, and types of waste being generated. Digital solutions and technologies play a crucial role in implementing bioeconomy and circular economy models. The existence of digital systems supports the exchange of relevant information and data in a transparent, easily accessible, and understandable manner, thereby creating business opportunities for environmentally friendly products and business models. In developing waste stream systems and data methodologies, important research and development directions include:
- Innovative technologies for data collection, usability, and processing (including digital banks, product passports, digitalised value chains)
- Innovative management technologies and solutions for waste supply chains and supervision
- Tools and methodologies for comparing theoretical and actual waste streams
- Solutions for measuring and assessing environmental impacts
The waste management process is multi-stage, and solutions involve different links – prevention, sorting, collection, and processing. To achieve systemic change, it is necessary to focus on developing infrastructure for collecting secondary raw materials and waste, increasing the capacity for recycling different materials, optimising waste collection and management networks, as well as developing solutions for pre-treatment, logistics, and related technologies. The resulting secondary raw materials should be recyclable on a larger scale and in a resource-efficient way.
For innovation in waste management processes, important research and development directions include:
- Innovative solutions for reducing and preventing waste generation, including collection, sorting, and recycling
- Technologies and methodologies for recycling materials (mono and composite), including packaging, as well as for lifecycle assessment and traceability
- Innovation in reusable materials, including biomaterials
The transition to a bio- and circular economy requires not only investments in technologies and product development, but also investments in human resources, knowledge, and collaboration. Currently, the competence and cooperation in bio- and circular economy and resource valorisation in Estonia are insufficient and fragmented, lacking a systematic and comprehensive approach. The applicability of bio- and circular economy largely depends on ensuring the necessary skills of specialists in the field and on effective collaboration.
In developing interdisciplinary research and development, it is important to:
- Develop technologies and platforms that enable interdisciplinarity
- Strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation and research in secondary raw material valorisation processes (e.g. material science, IT, environmental science, social sciences)
The key to the applicability and successful development of the bio- and circular economy is society’s readiness and ability to adapt to changes and adopt new solutions. The transition to a bio- and circular economy primarily requires public acceptance and active participation, which also means changes in the interaction of communities and individuals (different stakeholders such as consumers, producers, retail chain owners, waste managers, government authorities, etc.), in behaviour patterns, attitudes and values, as well as in social and material conditions.
An important research and development direction:
- Methodologies and technologies for analysing production, behaviour, and thinking patterns
