Avfallsbaserte

Avfallsbaserte is a Norwegian term meaning based on waste. It is used to describe materials, energy or products that are derived from waste streams rather than virgin resources. In discussions about waste management and the circular economy, the concept covers several approaches that convert waste into useful resources.

Common forms include avfallsbasert energiproduksjon, such as waste-to-energy facilities that recover electricity and heat from municipal or industrial waste through incineration, and more advanced thermal processes like gasification or pyrolysis that transform non-recyclable waste into syngas or fuels. Avfallsbasert biogass refers to the production of biogas (primarily methane) through anaerobic digestion of organic waste, including food waste, manure and agricultural residues, with potential use for electricity and heat or upgrading to biomethane for transport or grid injection. Avfallsbaserte produkter og materialer covers recycling of plastics and other materials into new feedstocks or products, as well as the use of waste in construction materials or other industries, depending on quality and technology.

Benefits of avfallsbaserte solutions include reduced landfill use, diversion of waste from disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions relative to some landfilling or fossil-fuel options, contributing to circular economy objectives and energy security. Challenges involve the variability of waste streams, maintaining high environmental standards (emissions control for incineration and other processes), capital costs and market viability, feedstock logistics, and regulatory compliance. Public acceptance and clear sustainability criteria for derived fuels and materials are also important considerations.

Policy context typically aligns avfallsbaserte activities with the waste hierarchy—prevention, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery—along with national and regional regulations on emissions, safety, and product standards. The term is used in both industry and policy discussions in Norway and other European countries to describe a range of waste-derived energy and material pathways.