Horticulture waste in circular systems

Singapore’s green spaces generate substantial horticultural waste during periodic landscape maintenance, but current practices do not fully recycle the waste and commonly focus on off-site standardized compost processing without considering biological characteristics and materiality of each type of the wastes. This research employs scenario-based quantification to develop alternative resource flows and waste management strategies towards circular bio-based economy. The study aims to answer key questions: What types and quantities of horticulture waste are generated from landscape management processes? How do different waste types correlate with resource consumption/savings during recycling? To what extent do landscape interventions close the loop while minimizing carbon emissions and optimize resource usage?

This research seeks to explore and unveil opportunities for the advancement of effective landscape waste management strategies that can concurrently enhance ecological preservation and yield economic benefits. The focal point of this study revolves around addressing the following research areas:

1. Investigation of the diverse array of horticultural waste types and quantities generated as a consequence of landscape management processes.

 

2. Establishment of correlations between different categories of horticultural waste and the corresponding resource consumption or savings that arise from their involvement in recycling processes. By quantifying the resource inputs and outputs during recycling procedures, this research endeavours to assess the potential environmental and economic implications associated with different waste management approaches.

 

3. Evaluation of the extent to which landscape interventions can contribute to closing the waste management loop. Through this research, we aim to shed light on innovative approaches to landscape waste management, providing valuable insights for the development of sustainable and economically viable practices.