In a coauthored paper we discuss not only the benefits of plantations but also how by exporting a biproduct sustainability can be achieved. Google Harnessing latent sustainability to read article.

There are several papers about using (construction) waste materials in green roofs, however most of them present only the technical aspect (the suitability of these materials for the plants, infiltration rate of the rainwater etc.) and don't go into the economical/markability aspect.

Does it have to be a scientific paper? If not there are plenty small-scale examples of clever recycling projects, for example a project in Greece for recycling life vests of refugees: http://www.rferl.org/content/lesbos-migrants-turning-boats-into-backpacks-dutch-volunteers/27587663.html  (personally as a student, I think that such real-life videos are a nice change to the "paper-dominated" study).

Dear Lea,

I am more interested to gather the key criteria and paramter that are essential to judge on 'recycling approaches and products'. I am afraid that most methodologies and approaches have rather 'narrow' system boundaries that somehow justify that the proposed recycling is beneficial. However, if assessed in more detail it a) appears that recycling is not sustainable and b) may have negative side effects that later occur and 'terminate' the waste management solutions.

But many Thanks for your efforts and answer! 

I agee with Johannes that recycling may not be the best solutions and therefore it is important to adopt an holistic view and must try to review each recycling decision in greater detail and consider the long term consequences. It is possible that the material you are trying to recycle can be better utilized by someone else as we have shown in our article mentioned earlier.

I agee with Johannes that recycling may not be the best solutions and therefore it is important to adopt an holistic view and must try to review each recycling decision in greater detail and consider the long term consequences. It is possible that the material you are trying to recycle can be better utilized by someone else as we have shown in our article mentioned earlier.

Dear Sanjay,

many Thanks for your response. Recycling could be a very good and sustainable option and valid waste management solution. However, many recycling approaches appear 'to be promoted and wanted' (e.g. composting), sometimes they are just reflecting trends (e.g. renewable energy targets), but often they are subsidized and 'automatically' stop if the subsidy is terminated. In that sense I envision that the assessment of 'valid recycling options' should follow a more holistic and ambitious methodology. It would be interesting 'to screen' common recycling methods/products to identify such products that have 'longterm and stand alone' quality, meaning they fully qualify as quality resource in an economically manner.

Regards,

Johannes 

I see,

indeed, the question whether a specific recycling idea is at the end more or less beneficial is an interesting one. Unfortunately I don't know of many paper regarding this question. It seems that this is a research gap. Good luck with your research.