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This paper uses a systems thinking approach to analyze the elements that influence biowaste composting implementation. The review of local, national, and international experiences as well as the knowledge gained by the monitoring of the operation of five biowaste composting facilities in Valle del Cauca (Colombia) over an 8-year period has enabled to identify the elements that interact in an integrated composting system. Twenty-five key elements were identified and divided into four subsystems relevant to composting performance: quality and commercialization of the product, technological component, substrate characteristics, and business and financial management. Several causal diagrams were produced illustrating the interactions and integrating those elements. The systemic analysis helped to elucidate key strategies to improve biowaste composting sustainability: promoting administration within a business perspective, promoting marketing and commercialization initiatives, and implementing local technological development. In addition, some strategies more distant along the causal chain were proposed such as: developing standards and public policies to promote source separation, recognizing the economic and environmental benefits of composting, encouraging the use of products, such as compost, setting product quality standards in accordance with the potential uses of products and supporting technological development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study attempts to contribute to the scarce knowledge on how eco-design, and to broad extent sustainability, is connected to innovation driven companies. In particular, this cross sectional research verifies i) perception and knowledge of eco-design of the professionals from innovation driven companies in Spain, ii) specific eco-design strategies towards sustainability that innovation driven companies are integrating in their strategic plans and their application in the supply chain and iii) the companies’ future predictions on innovation and eco-design linkage. The methodology of this paper is based on a survey, developed defining measurable proxies for both eco-design and innovation approaches and conducted on 10,000 multidisciplinary professionals from Spanish innovation driven companies. The study shows that sustainability is a cardinal driver for innovation and that responses have specificities regarding company size, activity or respondent position. Innovation and eco-design strategies for the future aim to use materials with a lower environmental impact and to develop new concepts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]