Description
Book SynopsisWaste is a quintessentially ecological economic issue. The generation of waste is rooted in the very laws of nature, but waste is also a social construct, and what we understand to be waste has evolved with human societies. Therefore, a crucial issue in modern waste management is the understanding of attitudes towards waste. This book examines the ecological economics approach to waste, its conceptualisation and management.
In order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue of waste, the authors utilise an array of disciplinary approaches from both natural and social sciences. They begin by considering waste through the thermodynamics of production processes, and through an assessment of the history of waste. Building on this physical-social background, they concentrate on specific aspects of waste policy. These include the public's attitude towards waste, the economics of waste, and the laws and regulations surrounding waste disposal. Further chapters look in detail at the three main types of waste being generated by modern societies: municipal, toxic and nuclear waste. This path-breaking book seeks to lay the basis for a general conceptualisation of waste in ecological economics and to elucidate the main issues relating to waste generation and management.
This is a comprehensive analysis of waste as a concept, and as an issue for humans as both producers and consumers. It will be of great value to ecological economists, waste managers and environmental policy analysts.
Trade Review'Waste in Ecological Economics
provides a broad discussion of the phenomenon of waste and offers a well-grounded introduction for students and those new to the topic. For readers with a background in waste issues the collection offers a refreshingly holistic perspective on a subject that is often fragmented across various technical discourse. And, for those wishing to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into waste as a research subject, this book outlines, both in its content and its tone, the fundamental empirical and theoretical issues that lie at the heart of this messy material and highly political subject.' -- Katharine Farrell, Environment Politics
'The book is a good introduction for students and researchers in the field of waste management who try to include a broader multi-disciplinary view on the issues they study. The references at the end of each chapter will help the reader to further investigate the topics of interest.' -- Ernst Worrell, Resources Conservation & Recycling
Table of ContentsContents: Preface 1. An Introduction to Waste Part I: Physical and Historical Perspectives 2. Thermodynamics of Waste Generation 3. History of Waste Part II: Waste Policy 4. Attitudes to Waste 5. Economics of Waste 6. Waste Law Part III: Specific Waste Issues 7. Municipal Waste 8. Toxic Waste 9. Nuclear Waste Index
