Systems approach to scaling up global upcycling: Framework for empirical research

Global urbanisation, increasing population, economic growth and development have caused increase in resource consumption, and consequently, a vast volume of waste and other negative environmental impacts. In order to reduce negative environmental impact, various approaches to resource management have been suggested and implemented in the system of production, consumption and waste management. One promising approach is upcycling, the creation or modification of a product from used or waste materials, components and products for equal or higher quality or value than the compositional elements. This chapter proposes a systems approach to scaling-up global upcycling through systems innovation in the critical factors in the upcycling value chain.