Kajan Kort
We consider in this research two different pathways that lead to the same future. This same future is a future where Texel is self-sufficient. For managing organic matter creating closed loops will be the goal. The first pathway is the individual route towards this future. This pathway consists of individual collecting and processing of the waste, on a small scale. The second pathway is the collective route towards the future. This pathway consists of individual collecting but collective processing of the waste, on a bigger scale. In both pathways the collecting and processing happens on Texel. There is no import to and export from the island.
Change in the socio-technical system
The biggest change for both pathways is that managing organic matter will be organised on Texel itself. The waste will not leave the island. The waste is processed in such a way that it become useful for the island and its citizens. Therefore the citizens are shown the importance and the direct result of managing organic matter by themselves.
Goal
What can be considered is the following. In one way you do not want to produce waste at all. This is especially the case with inorganic matter as the waste of inorganic matter might not be useful and difficult to break down, whereby it damages the environment. But the waste of organic material can be broken down anyway. The technologies for inorganic waste can be changed in such a way that it becomes biodegradable. This is not necessary for organic waste as it is biodegradable already. Problem might me the amount of waste; it might be too much to be broken down by nature itself. Producing less organic waste can only be solved in such a way that spilling food is decreased.
In the other way organic waste is useful as it can be used for producing biogas and compost. It would be good to have as much waste as possible as is necessary to provide for the citizens. Decreasing the amount of waste would not be useful as it is food or natural resource for this process. What is important then is that all the organic waste that exists should be provided for the processing company or for the citizens themselves. The system would be the most efficient if all the organic waste is collected separately from all the other waste, so that it can be used to the most extent.
The goal of the system change is to create 100% separation of organic waste and processing this efficiently to a useful product. We do not see organic waste as waste but we consider it as substratum or natural resource, which has potential value. A industry is created around this system, but they become dependent on waste, which is not a good thing. Especially with burning the inorganic household waste to gas as is finding a solution for the dealing with the problem and not solving of the original problem.
So we consider our goal in two ways:
- Reducing the amount of organic waste
- Process the waste as a natural resource into a useful product.
Part B will be considered in two different pathways in the section below. Part A consists of the following. Reducing the amount of organic waste means that no organic matter will be spilled. What can still be used will be distributed by a distribution system. The organic matter that does become waste will be processed in two possible ways.
100% self-sufficient?
We strive towards a 100% sustainable, self-sufficient Texel in 2065. Therefore we also strive towards 100% closed loops for managing organic matter. To make the ambition as high as possible gives the best results. But 100% closed loops and 100% efficiency is hard to reach in practice. Therefore we strive to a complete (95%) closed loops system instead of 100%.
Drivers of change
People want to be independent and autonomous. Texel wants to become independent as they are now still dependent on the main land of the Netherlands. Another driver of change is the idea that people want to something good, which reuslts into eudaimonic well-being. Finally, change should me made as easy as possible for the citizens, so it does not take them a lot of effort to participate. If they feel responsible, have a sense of ownership and if there is a direct result, they are motivated to join and to drive change.
Pathway 1: the individual route
Individual separation, collection and processing
Every household or every company separates their waste individually. Organic waste is separated and collected apart from the other waste. Every household therefore gets a green minicontainer that can be placed inside their homes. There used to be a bigger green container already which could be placed outside. As people need to change their behaviour, it should be made easily doable for them. The kitchen is the place where the most organic waste is being produced, so instead of throwing it away with the other garbage, organic waste is collected separately.
Next to the green mini-container every household and every company gets a micro-biodigester as each household processes its own organic waste. The result will be directly visible in the way of biogas and compost, which can both be used by the resident themselves. This direct result creates a sense of ownership, responsibility and a reason for separating as much organic waste as possible. This machine has to be easy to use for the inhabitants of Texel.
Providing containers, workshops and micro-biodigesters
The municipality provides these containers, might be in cooperation with the HVC, as both parties are concerned with becoming sustainable and collecting as much organic waste as natural resources as possible. The municipality also offers a workshop and provides a manual about ‘how to live you new lifestyle’. These workshops and meetings can be organised in the meeting centre of the island, which is explained in section 4.3.
Milestones
Milestones are created that can be measured. This makes clear if the process is going well or not.
The first milestone is that every household and company has a micro-digester and a green-minicontainer.
The second milestone is achieved when no organic matter ends up with the other (inorganic) waste. The separation of organic waste will be full/complete.
The third milestone and last milestone is when the product (compost or biogas) is brought back to the cicrular system of the closed loops. Important aspects are the good quality of the product and the full use of it.
Advantages
Advantages of this system are the direct result and therefore the responsibility and sense of ownership among the residents. Biogas and compost can be used in the household or company immediately, which reduces the amount of costs for fertilisers or gas. The products can also be sold to for example farmers in the neighbourhood.
Disadvantages
This individual system acts on a smalle scale. Therefore it loses its efficiency and it takes more time.
There is also the problem with the tourists. What to do with the organic waste produced by tourists? The waste they produced in companies (like restaurants, hotels etc.) will be separated and collected over there. On the streets special bins for organic waste should be places, so that if you are outside, it is easily to throw your organic waste in these bins instead of in the nature or with the other waste.
Pathway 2: the collective route
Individual separation and collection
In the collective route the separation and collection of waste still happens individually, per household and company. This is stimulated by the same green minicontainers that can be placed inside the homes and will be provided by the municipality.
Collective picking up
The collecting of the total waste, however, is done by the municipality of Texel. To collect this waste a new vehicle is necessary that can pick up those minicontainers with organic waste. Nowadays this is already being executed, but the pick-up times are not that often. By picking up the waste once a week instead of every other week, people will be reminded of the importance of separating organic waste.
Collective processing
The collected organic waste will be brought to the old transfer point De Hamster, which will not be a transfer point anymore, as the organic waste will stay on Texel itself and not being shipped to the main land. In the Hamster the organic waste will be processed into biogas and compost.
Convincing people
As there will be no direct result for the citizens it is even more important to convince them of the importance of separating organic matter. The municipality has to put a lot of effort in providing meetings and workshops. But this would not be enough. People should be motivated and feel enthusiastic to separate this organic waste. Being rewarded might motivate them. This can be done by providing them with free biogas and compost. Now the compost is offered once a year, but this might me more often to see a more direct result.
To convince the tourists might be even more difficult. But this new processing system on Texel might become an visiting point for tourists, which raises their awareness. This can be combined with the meeting center, discussed in section 4.3.
Milestones
Milestones are created that can be measured. This makes clear if the process is going well or not.
The first milestone is here again that every household and company has a green-minicontainer. Providing workshops and manuals for creating awareness are important.
The second milestone is achieved when no organic matter ends up with the other (inorganic) waste. The separation of organic waste will be full/complete. This shows that everyone knows how and what to separate. This can be controlled by measuring the amount of organic waste that ends up with the inorganic waste. This can be measured by the HVC for example. A maximum separation of 95% is accepted as it is not possible to reduce everything. This milestone also includes a optimal picking-up proces.
The third milestone is achieved when the processing of the waste into new products is being optimalised. All the waste is being used then as natural resource for f.e. biogas and compost. There will be nog waste in the production process. (3A en B)
The fourth and last milestone is when the product (compost or biogas) is brought back to the cicrular system of the closed loops. Important aspects are the good quality of the product and the full use of it.
The result will be that there is no export of waste to the main land and no import of fertilisers from the main land to Texel. The system on Texel is closed.
Advantages
The biggest advantage of this pathway is the bigger scale. This makes the process more efficient and quick. The disadvantages of the process can be eliminated. This is also the most safe way of processing and the most easy way to controll the anaerobic process.
Disadvantages
There is no direct result for the citizen as the waste is processed collectively, so a result should be created to reward the citizens. Further, new vehicles have to be introduced to pick up the organic waste, but this is already being done at the moment. Those vehicles need to be replaced some day anyway. The HVC, however, needs to change their behaviour as the processing places will become widespread. Also the government needs to change as they are now dependent on the money they get from different companies. The system needs to change.