PhD project: Circular bio-economy: Transition towards sustainable and local resource management systems

University: Aarhus University

Department: Environmental Science

Section: Environmental Technology and Biotechnology

Research group: Eco-Industrial System Analysis

Supervisor: Marianne Thomsen

Co-supervisor: Manfred Klinglmair

Project term: 01.02.2019 - 31.01.2022

Master's degree: MSc in Environmental Engineering, University of Southern Denmark

BACKGROUND

I am an environmental engineer working for the transition towards circular economy. While current production and consumption models face increasing environmental, social and economic challenges, re-designing the economic and technical systems promises steady steps to a more sustainable future.

My PhD project is a part of the EU H2020 research project DECISIVE (Decentralised management scheme for innovative valorisation of urban biowaste) which explores decentralised bio-waste management strategies. This PhD research focuses on the development of circular bio-economy alternatives for local management systems while it assesses their environmental benefits and backsides. Moreover, complementary and alternative ways to promote citizens' awareness and communication practices are investigated by exploring the roles of eco-industrial networks in the transition process.

AIM

The aim of the PhD is to assess benefits and drawbacks of the transition from linear, large scale to circular, decentralised biowaste management systems.

RESEARCH OUTLINE

The first paper provide o proof-of-concept for the DECISIVE DST, a decision support tool based on lifecycle assessment, by comparing the enviromnental results with a lifecycle assessment performed in SimaPro. The second paper is a systemic review supported by statistical analysis of the results that compares the biowaste quality deriving from different collection schemes. The third paper explores the relationship between economic feasibility and environmental performance of different scale biowaste treatment methods, e.g., anaerobic digestion. The fourth paper maps the transition from small scale to large scale anaerobic digestion and solid state fermentation, in the form of a lifecycle assessment.

PARTNERS OF COLLABORATION

DECISIVE consortium

KlimateKic

External research partners

Sustainability implies the willingness to seek to improve.