AbfallströmeTracking

AbfallströmeTracking is the systematic collection, recording, and analysis of data on the generation, movement, treatment, and final disposition of waste streams. The term covers both internal practices within facilities and cross‑border or regional tracking, with the goal of creating a transparent, auditable record of waste management from generation to disposal.

Key components include data sources such as generation records, transport documents, treatment facility outputs, and disposal confirmations; identifiers for waste types; and digital technologies like barcodes, RFID, sensors, Internet of Things devices, and geographic information systems. Data are integrated into enterprise or public sector platforms such as ERP, WMS, LIMS, or dedicated waste‑management information systems to enable real‑time monitoring, reporting, and analytics.

Standards and governance address coding schemes for waste (for example, waste codes), data quality requirements, and regulatory reporting obligations under national and European frameworks, including waste shipment regulations and the waste hierarchy. The practice supports chain‑of‑custody transparency and compliance auditing, and is sometimes described in terms of a digital “waste passport” that documents origin, handling, and treatment history.

Applications include regulatory reporting, hazardous waste management, lifecycle assessment, optimization of collection routes and treatment capacity, and information provision for stakeholders in the circular economy. Challenges involve data fragmentation among actors, interoperability between systems, inconsistent coding, privacy concerns, and the costs of implementation and maintenance.

See also: circular economy, waste management, traceability, sustainability reporting.