Potential of Using Selected Industrial Waste Streams in Loop-Closing of Material Flows—The Example of the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland

Abstract

Every year, the industrial sector produces a significant amount of waste. Bearing in mind the need to improve resource efficiency and reduce the impact of industrial plants on the environment, an attempt was made to identify and determine the processing potential of selected waste streams with respect to the circular economy, along with an indication of sectoral connections. The subject of the study was industrial waste, which is the dominant stream of waste generated in the Silesian Voivodeship—the area of research. The paper presents the results of quantitative and qualitative analysis of the selected industrial waste streams and provides a visual representation of the flow. The study was based on available statistical data covering quantities of industrial waste. The article also includes the characteristics and possibilities of closing their circulation in the economy. The conducted SWOT analysis identified factors that strongly affect the possibility of implementing the circular economy model. The research allowed us to indicate possible waste flows and identify sectors closing their loop according to the assumptions of industrial symbiosis. The research path carried out on the example of Silesia shows the potential of the model and thus the possibility of implementation in other locations. This study showed that the strongest connection exists between mining-related plants, industrial power plants and combined heat and power plants, cement plants, and construction plants, especially road construction.