Digital Twins for Waste Management in Manufacturing: Preliminary Investigation on Possible Uses

The increase of demand and resources consumption is significantly impacting the sustainability of the manufacturing industry which needs to operate responding to the demand growth while efficiently managing the waste generated. Over recent years, different strategies have emerged to allow addressing waste-related challenges. One of these strategies is the implementation of circular economy (CE) principles, encompassing initiatives such as resource consumption, recycling, and reuse. CE is indeed a comprehensive approach that needs to be investigated, specifically integrating it with digital technologies. The role of digital technologies is recognized not only for enhancing manufacturing productivity, but also for promoting environmental sustainability. Among these technologies, the digital twin (DT) stands out as promising thanks to its ability to replicate systems in real-time, recognized for its potential in advancing the manufacturing sector. The DT can be explored to support also waste management strategies in manufacturing. In particular, this paper aims to analyze the usage of this digital technology in supporting waste management in manufacturing, identifying strategies that support waste reduction and recycling practices. Specifically, these strategies will be examined concerning their application to equipment, products, processes and production systems, aligning waste management issues with the scope of the DT applications and the lifecycle stages where it is used.