ISWA fulfils many roles in its mission to promote professional and sustainable waste management and a transition to a circular economy. As a network of waste experts and more, it enables dialogue, exchange of knowledge and collaboration on the pressing issues facing the industry. This worldwide network is a powerful platform, and we believe that with power comes responsibility. We combine this responsibility with the spirit of the famous quote “The best way to predict the future, is to invent it” into external ISWA projects.
Thanks to the incredible support of our members, their contributions and their time, the Association can act as a knowledge multiplier for research and innovation. We do this with some of our global partners such as the UN Environment Program, UN Habitat and the World Health Organization. We also do this through the European H2020 project funding scheme, where we join consortia focusing on practical and innovative advancements in the circular economy or other waste management related topics. For these projects we mostly provide communication and dissemination services, to help spread information about new concepts and techniques that result from their work.
Currently ISWA is actively taking part in 5 H2020 funded projects. They focus mostly on composite plastics used in industries such as automotive and packaging. Composite plastics and materials remain a challenge for the circular economy. They are wildly useful materials, but are tough to re-use and recycle. Yet their material strength and low weight make them a great substitute for metals that can reduce the bulk and therefore the energy required for both production and use of the products. For example, in cars, a 10% reduction in weight can result in a 6-8% reduction in fuel consumption. Multilayer packaging extends product shelf-life, which significantly improves logistics for perishables. Glass fibre reinforced materials allow the construction wind turbine blades that are helping to drive a green energy revolution. But when all these great products reach their end of life, the choices are limited and tend to be landfilled or incinerated.
ISWA is also involved in innovative projects being funded by other external partners, for instance the Clean Oceans through Clean Communities (CLOCC) project funded by NORAD and the Marine Plastics project in Brazil being funded by the Swedish EPA.
The common thread is that the projects that ISWA is involved with are all trying to provide solutions to these challenges, and we are there to tell you, and the rest of the world, all about it.
Find out more about the projects ISWA is involved with on our EU projects page.
