A framework for achieving a circular economy using the blockchain technology in a sustainable waste management system.

In a circular economy, the use of blockchain applied to different models like the waste management process leads to sustainable solutions alternative to the non-efficient linear economy. This study proposes a new methodology capable of optimizing the waste management process through an enabling technology: the blockchain. An innovative method that can increase monitoring while reducing the general costs of waste management is proposed. A blockchain system is developed for the control of urban waste. In addition, a reward mechanism is established for the citizens in terms of the levels of sorted waste produced and the working procedures of the agency that manages waste collection are optimized. A mathematical model that formalizes the problem for an optimal solution to minimize the costs of all the stakeholders involved in the Waste Management process is also developed. The characteristics that the proposed system allows are very important for the entire process of solid waste management. In fact, the adoption of the blockchain enables full traceability of the waste, ascertainability of each action, and the possibility that every customer can directly verify the information that is stored in the blockchain, such as the quantity of disposed waste, the amount of his reward and several additional data. Last but not least, the integrity of all stored records is fundamental in order to enforce the trust between the citizen and the Municipality that is in charge of dealing with solid waste management.