Development of system analyses toward stock-based society

Abstract

A word "stock-based society" has been proposed as a society opposite to a "flow-based society" characterized by mass production, consumption, and disposal. This paper discusses future development of system analyses toward stock-based society from the viewpoint of waste management in particular, and points out the followings: 1) Importance of understanding material stocks that are considered to increase in the economic society and their evaluation as potential wastes and resources in the future; 2) Importance of including stock accounting in macro and micro environmental accounting system; 3) Importance of assessing long-term use of existing stocks in more expanded system boundary and developing indicators related to stock-based society.