Towards ecological lifestyle design - an application of 1995 waste input-output table

Abstract

Convenient life in general is achieved at the cost of ecological side effects. One of the current issues, in particular in European societies, is to re-consider consumers' behavior from the view of sustainable consumption. However, methodology for rational decision-making is still lacking. The methodology must be presented to people in an intuitive manner, so that it can be put into everyday practice. In this study, we extend the concept of the Waste Input-Output Table (WIO) and propose the use of landfill volume as the index of waste discharge, to incorporate not only direct and indirect discharges, but also recycled matter as negative discharges. The result obtained is shown as the "Waste Household Accounts", an intuitive and easy-to-use form to assist the consumer's decision towards a sustainable society.