Collection and Processing of Roadside Grass Clippings: A Supply Chain Optimization Case Study for East Flanders

Frederik De Wieuw, Tom Pauwels, Christa Sys, Eddy Van de Voorde, Edwin van Hassel, Thierry Vanelslander () and Jeffrey Willems ()
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Frederik De Wieuw: Department of Transport and Regional Economics, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Tom Pauwels: POM Oost-Vlaanderen, Woodrow Wilsonplein 2, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Christa Sys: Department of Transport and Regional Economics, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Eddy Van de Voorde: Department of Transport and Regional Economics, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Edwin van Hassel: Department of Transport and Regional Economics, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Thierry Vanelslander: Department of Transport and Regional Economics, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Jeffrey Willems: Department of Transport and Regional Economics, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-24

Abstract: The paper focuses on secondary bio streams which are not captured efficiently in the value supply chain. Specifically, roadside grass clippings were chosen, based on their logistical optimization potential, direct feasibility, locality, biomass potential, and economic valorization value. The main objective is to determine how this secondary flow can be brought to the “factory gate”—through road transport and inland shipping—and at what cost per unit. To this end, various scenarios were developed for a case study in East Flanders, considering multiple combinations of first collection points, secondary collection points, and processing points. The result is a generically applicable Excel-based tool that combines these variations with a solution considering both inland waterways and road transport. These scenarios become valuable in applying the tool for grass clippings and optimizing this value chain located in East Flanders. The results show that reducing the number of collection points is favorable for the utilization of inland waterways, as it reduces costs related to transshipment. Nevertheless, unimodal road transport is still the most cost-effective method for transporting this secondary material stream from the collection point to the processing point. Consequently, a lower weight and a higher density will lead to lower costs, which eventually bottom out, due to regulations and conditions that must be met.

Keywords: reverse logistics; secondary material; Flanders; roadside grass clippings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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