In the natural world, symbiosis is referred to as a close relationship between at least two different species that brings benefits to both parties. One typical example of this ‘symbiotic relationship’ would be the bee and the flower (bees collect nectar from flowers in order to produce their food; bees pollinate plants enabling them to reproduce).
Industrial symbiosis (IS) is a relationship between two or more industrial facilities or companies in which the wastes or by-products of one become the raw materials for another. This ‘industrial symbiotic relationship’ brings together traditionally separate industries and organisations from all business sectors with the aim of improving cross industry resource efficiency and sustainability; involving the physical exchange of materials, energy, water and/or by-products together with the shared use of assets, logistics and expertise [2].
Industrial symbiosis enables traditional linear processes to be transformed into circular systems, ultimately, reducing CO2 emissions and contributing to the environmental goals of sustainable development.
Diagram 1: The transformation of a linear process to a circular system.
The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP)
Launched in July 2005, the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) is a free business opportunity programme that develops mutually profitable links between its member companies so that under-used resources such as energy, water and/or materials from one are re-used, or reprocessed and then re-used by others.
By bringing together companies of all sizes from all business sectors, NISP enables thousands of businesses to change how they practice and become more resource efficient [3].
Case Studies
Waste Plywood Re-Used in the Community
One of the UK’s largest construction companies, who actively implement waste management initiatives in order to help reduce the overall environmental impact of their construction sites, found themselves with several hundred plywood boards that were no longer of any use to them partway through one of their redevelopment projects.
Through the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP), the plywood boards were taken away from their redevelopment project and were re-used in a number of different community projects such as flooring for a nearby festival, and entrance ramps for a charity collection facility.
As a result, there was a 3 tonne reduction of CO2 emissions, and a 9 tonne landfill waste diversion.
Crushed Concrete – A Use for Everything
One of the UK’s building design, construction and maintenance companies found that partway through one of their projects, they were faced with a 600 tonne surplus of crushed concrete that was of no use to them.
Through the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) the 600 tonnes of crushed concrete was found to be of value to a local leading aggregate supplier. This resulted in the concrete being picked up and taken to the aggregate supplier free of charge, providing and cost efficient and practical solution for the building design company, and material with a resale value for the aggregate supplier.
As a result, a new business opportunity was brought to two different businesses, there was a 61 tonne reduction of CO2 emissions, £15,000 was saved between the two businesses (recycling and disposal costs), and 600 tonnes of waste was diverted away from landfill.
Benefits to Companies Involved in Industrial Symbiosis
- Industrial Symbiosis can reduce a company’s raw material and waste disposal costs.
- Industrial Symbiosis can earn a company new revenue due to their by-products and/or residues being sold onto to other companies.
- Industrial Symbiosis can divert waste away from landfill and reduce the associated CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere, ultimately having a positive impact on the environment.
- Industrial Symbiosis can open up new business opportunities for many types of different companies.
There are endless economic and environmental benefits of becoming a member of the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP). For more information on how your business can become a member please visit: www.nisp.org.uk
References:
Diagram1 showing the transformation of traditional linear processes into circular systems due to industrial symbiosis available [Online] at: http://www.nisp.org.uk/
