A performative definition of waste prevention Hervé Corvellec Department of service studies Campus Helsingborg Lund University NESS 2015, Trondheim

An ostensive definition (in principle)

Waste prevention in the European Waste Framework Directive “measures taken before a substance, material or product has become waste, that reduce: (a)the quantity of waste, including through the re- use of products or the extension of the life span of products; (b)the adverse impacts of the generated waste on the environment and human health; or (c) the content of harmful substances in materials and products”

But in practice? A performative definition

51 Swedish cases European Week for Waste Reduction Pre Waste Recycle of the year 2014 Swedish waste management : –Reports (2011, 2015) –Miljönär campaign Retur 2014

Various initiatives Campaign, reduce food waste projects, reuse, second hand, repair Public organisations, private companies, voluntary sector

Results 1/2: Focused initiatives Focus on quantity not on dangerousness Focus on consumption –Few initiatives about design-production- distribution –Few initiatives about waste management

Results 2/2: Three waste preventing activites Increase awareness More efficient processes Promote sustainable consumption –Second hand –Reduce consumption

A performative definition of waste prevention Multisided Contradictory Dynamic

Toward a performative definition of sustainability and of transition?

Tack