Scavengers and decomposers in an eco-industrial park

SUMMARY

Industrial ecology is an approach to industrial development which emphasizes material cycling and webs of producers, consumers, scavengers and decomposers, and encourages resource conservation and waste prevention that leads to improved efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability. This article first introduces the functions and roles of scavengers and decomposers in the natural ecosystem. Then, by using this natural system metaphor, it studies how the industrial world can realize closing loop operation by encouraging the development of scavenger and decomposer businesses. A case study of Burnside Industrial Park is employed to further help the reader understand how to analyze the roles and functions of different businesses in an industrial system.

Key words:

• Producer
• consumer
• scavenger
• decomposer
• industrial ecology
• material cycle