Lansink's Ladder
Lansink's ladder is said to have formed the basis of the waste hierarchy or waste management hierarchy. Conceived as a ladder of decision steps it distinguishes five forms of waste management: prevention, reuse, sorting/recycling, incineration and landfilling.
The ladder or steps were later translated to a triangle running in the same order (perhaps because of similarity with energy ratings symbols), with prevention at the top, but it may also now be seen as an inverted triangle with prevention at the top, at its widest, indicating the level of impact each approach might have, ie prevention has the highest level of impact on the overall issues. Ironically, until recently, statistics show that globally incineration and landfill in most countries continues to outweigh other forms of management in terms of what is actually done.
The Ladder of Lansink was adopted in 1979, significantly impacting Dutch waste policy, the Environmental Management Act in 1993, and the European Waste Framework Directive 2008. The Netherlands remains one of the Nations in Europe with the highest rates of recycling.
Ad Lansink worked as a Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry at the University of Nijmegen, as Biochemist at the Pathology Department of the UMC Radboud, becoming politically active in the Catholic People’s Party. In the 1977 he was elected to the Dutch parliament and worked on topics such as environment, energy, higher education, science policy and public health. After his parliamentary career, he became a member of the Advisory Board for the state-owned company for the storage of radioactive waste and worked as the Chairman of the Gelderland Environment Federation.
For further information visit https://www.adlansink.nl (in dutch)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Bin blight.
- Circular economy.
- Quantification of construction materials in existing buildings (material intensity).
- Plastic and recycling.
- Recycled waste plastic in construction.
- Recyclable construction materials.
- Recycling.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Reused construction products.
- UandI Think event with Studio SWINE.
- Waste management plan for England.
- Waste hierarchy for construction
Featured articles and news
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Heat pumps, vehicle chargers and heating appliances must be sold with smart functionality.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
New-style degrees set for reformed ARB accreditation
Following the ARB Tomorrow's Architects competency outcomes for Architects.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Preserving, waterproofing and decorating buildings.
Many resources for visitors aswell as new features for members.
Using technology to empower communities
The Community data platform; capturing the DNA of a place and fostering participation, for better design.
Heat pump and wind turbine sound calculations for PDRs
MCS publish updated sound calculation standards for permitted development installations.
Homes England creates largest housing-led site in the North
Successful, 34 hectare land acquisition with the residential allocation now completed.
Scottish apprenticeship training proposals
General support although better accountability and transparency is sought.
The history of building regulations
A story of belated action in response to crisis.
Moisture, fire safety and emerging trends in living walls
How wet is your wall?
Current policy explained and newly published consultation by the UK and Welsh Governments.
British architecture 1919–39. Book review.
Conservation of listed prefabs in Moseley.
Energy industry calls for urgent reform.