Innovation in the solid waste management industry: Integrating neoclassical and complexity theory perspectives

Often considered a traditional labour intensive activity, in recent years, the solid waste management (SWM) industry has been largely interested innovation. Nonetheless, analysis of innovations SW is frequently confined to process innovation disposal segment, neglecting other kinds – such as product and organizational segments. While several economic theoretical frameworks have developed for interpreting eco-innovation general, specific each segment SWM still missing, despite specificities this sector. To fill gap, paper shows how complexity theory can be profitably used integrate more neoclassical approach, offering comprehensive framework analyse from both market firm perspective (the approach) social framework). Four main typologies system, exhibiting different innovation, are outlined: (i) “traditional” landfill-oriented system; (ii) modern “waste-to-energy” incinerator-oriented (iii) “light recycling” system with integrated solutions selection performance that lower than 50%; (iv) “hard system.