Review: Green Hour: “Why Zero Waste is Wrong – Waste Management between Resource Efficiency and Contaminant Removal” (Prof. Dr. Daniel Vollprecht)

In his talk, Prof. Dr. Daniel Vollprecht, discussed the conflict of aims
between “Zero Waste” and “Zero Pollution”. Although “Zero Waste” in the
strict sense is not possible at all, maximization of recycling is a
measure to decrease primary raw material demand, but is still
controversial as it includes circulation of contaminants. On the other
hand “Zero Pollution”, i.e. stressing the “kidney function of waste
management” to protect mankind and environment, requires the landfilling
of large amounts of wastes. Limit values for leachable contents of
contaminants are used as guideline to balance these two conflicting
aims. In this context, Prof. Vollprecht presented the innovative
approach of “Eco-Design” of mineral wastes and by-products by decreasing
the leaching of contaminants by thermochemical treatment, enabling the
circulization of possible contaminants, but preventing them from release
into the environment. Young scholars from the audience were rather
interested in economic and societal questions of waste management which
led to a vivid discussion.

Written by Kirsten Twelbeck