Waste input–output linear programming model with its application to eco-efficiency analysis

This paper is concerned with a decision analytic extension of the waste input–output model, based on the method of linear programming. The resulting model, which is named the waste input–output linear programming model, allows one to automatically obtain an ‘optimal’ waste management and recycling strategy from among a given set of alternative feasible strategies. The model can thus explore the extent to which a given measure of eco-efficiency can be maximized by an appropriate combination of existing (technological and resource) potentials. An application to Japanese data is also presented.