ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some of the efforts being made within economically developed nations to reframe waste as a resource, yet we have to remember that these never operate strictly within national boundaries. Because waste flows are no longer contained within local or national boundaries, it argues that we need to better understand the diverse social, cultural and economic contexts within which global waste circulates. The fastest growing waste stream in both developed and developing countries is composed of electronic products or parts which, in turn, include some materials that are hazardous to humans or the environment. A recent report on food waste by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization highlighted a global trend towards the consumption of more resource-intensive foods and increasing amounts of wasted food in affluent countries. Industrialisation led to the emergence of industrial cities and hubs, partly because the co-location of different industries facilitated the use of waste from one industry as a resource for another.
