Life is often considered to be a journey. The lifecycle of waste can
similarly be considered to be a journey from the cradle (when an item
becomes valueless and, usually, is placed in the dustbin) to the grave
(when value is restored by creating usable material or energy; or the
waste is transformed into emissions to water or air, or into inert
material placed in a landfill). This preface provides a route map for
the journey the reader of this book will undertake. Who? Who are the
intended readers of this book? Waste managers (whether in public service
or private companies) will find a holistic approach for improving the
environmental quality and the economic cost of managing waste. The book
contains general principles based on cutting edge experience being
developed across Europe. Detailed data and a computer model will enable
operations managers to develop data-based improvements to their systems.
Producers oj waste will be better able to understand how their actions
can influence the operation of environmentally improved waste management
systems. Designers oj products and packages will be better able to
understand how their design criteria can improve the compatibility of
their product or package with developing, environmentally improved waste
management systems. Waste data specialists (whether in laboratories,
consultancies or environ- mental managers of waste facilities) will see
how the scope, quantity and quality of their data can be improved to
help their colleagues design more effective waste management systems.
