This study explores the integration of local knowledge and scientific soil classification to advance sustainable agriculturalpractices in the highlands of Northwestern Ethiopia. The research provides insight into the valuable alignment of traditionalobservations with scientific analyses, leveraging the extensive, culturally embedded soil knowledge of local farmers. Thestudy employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with local farmers, focus group discussions,participatory transect walks, pedological, and quantitative soil physicochemical analyses. Farmers identify indicators suchas soil color, texture, depth, and workability to classify soil fertility. For instance, “Embirtam” or “Fat Meriet” (meaning“fertile soil”) refers to dark, nutrient-rich soils that retain moisture, allow deep plowing, and yield high productivity. Conversely,soils classified as “Denqoro” or “Chincha Meriet” (indicating low fertility) are light-colored, shallow, and exhibitrapid drying, which lowers productivity in drier conditions. Quantitative assessments confirm correlations between thesetraditional indicators and scientific soil metrics. High organic carbon and clay content positively correlate with farmers’ soilquality index, while high sand content is associated with poorer fertility indicators. Soil color, a primary classification toolfor farmers, aligns with the Munsell soil color chart and scientific soil groups, including Andosols and Vertisols, commonlyassociated with fertility and water retention. The study demonstrates that combining local insights with scientific analysisnot only enhances soil classification but also improves management practices tailored to local environments. Integratingboth knowledge systems within agricultural extension programs can foster resilient and context-specific farming strategies,essential for adapting to environmental challenges in the Ethiopian highlands.

This paper aims to explore the relation between gamification and recycling of household waste by answering the question of how a gamified recycling station can make recycling a more engaging experience. The station was designed to make recycling a smart, neat and engaging experience for fifteen households during six months. A smartphone application based on gamification mechanics was developed including missions, achievements, quizzes and a visual progression map. Participants were using the smartphone application providing data during the project, as well as were interviewed before and after the period. Results show that when examining recycling experiences in terms of interaction, knowledge, attitudes, and perception, three different groups of participants could be identified. It was shown that the connection between the physical environment and smartphone application was important to consider as these had to be congruent. Further, it was revealed that such intervention via gamification and a new recycling station could contribute to a better recycling experience and increase knowledge, depending on the type of user ranging from engaged, partly engaged to not engaged. 

Sopmänniskan låter inte som en särskilt trevlig beskrivning av vilka vi är. Samtidigt finns det underlag för att vi som mänsklighet är rätt sopiga. Varje dag genererar vi stora mängder sopor, skräp, avfall och föroreningar, vad vi nu vill kalla det. På ett nästan mystiskt sätt fylls soptunnan med påsar som vi knyter ihop för att dölja våra synder.

I denna angelägna bok söker Joacim Rosenlund alternativet till det linjära samhällets sopberg och redogör för hur det cirkulära samhället kan utformas. Det bygger på en samhällsomställning där kretslopp blir normen och avfall ett undantag, en förändring som är avgörande för ett långsiktigt liv på planeten. Engagerat visar Rosenlund hur hållbar utveckling kan förenas med cirkulär ekonomi för att kunna tillfredsställa dagens behov utan att riskera kommande generationers möjligheter att tillgodose sina. Ett cirkulärt samhälle är en välgrundad betraktelse av mänsklighetens utveckling, nutidens utmaningar och framtidens möjligheter.

The generation of solid waste, more specifically municipal solid waste (MSW), has been considered one of the major global environmental problems since urbanization started. Among Scandinavian states, Denmark and Norway have placed in the top positions (1 and 2 respectively) for high MSW production. Sweden has a steady plan for MSW management/treatments by practising material recycle, biological treatment and energy recovery. The aim of this review is to compare municipal waste generation between Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia. A systematic literature review was performed by screening academic and public articles to assess factors for better MSW management based on technological solutions. Key results include the importance of new tariffs and legislations, producer responsibilities for electronic products, municipality involvement, distribution of responsibilities, and infrastructure developments for better MSW management in Sweden. The application of modern technologies have also been considered for MSW management in Sweden. Societal participation (willingness, awareness and concern) in Sweden also plays a significant role in MSW management. A better packaging system, application of interactive visualization (gamification) in waste sorting, public awareness, and infrastructure development could significantly improve the waste sorting process and conversion of waste management from a linear economy towards a circular economy.

The sediments of rivers or harbours have always been considered sinks for numerous heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals and contaminants of anthropogenic origin. The eco-friendly management of contaminated sediment have received attention due to their large-scale presence in harbour areas. Application of bioenergy crop species, such as Salix spp., have shown a strong potential for reducing heavy metals from the contaminated sediment. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of Salix spp. on contaminated dredged sediment and heavy metal accumulation and translocation patterns in different parts of plants. Two Salix cultivars (Wilhelm and Ester; commercially available in Sweden) were cultivated in contaminated sediment for 5 weeks in a field setting. Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn) content in different plant parts (root, cutting, shoot and leaves) were analysed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The result indicated that the root biomass production was negatively affected for both cultivars due to the contaminated sediment medium, even though no morphological symptoms were present. Both Cd and Cu net accumulation were found to be significantly higher in Ester cultivars. The low translocation of heavy metals in Salix spp. hints that accumulated heavy metals are stored in the root parts. Low translocation of heavy metals from contaminated sediments gives a strong potential for using a growth medium to utilize phosphorus (P) in the sediment from a circular economy and bioeconomy perspective.

For a recycling system to work, both stakeholders and households need to feel engaged in the process. When studying engagement in the context of recycling, it is clear that a broader view is necessary to understand the opportunities and limitations that exist among stakeholders and users. Service dominant logic is undertaken to shed new light on how stakeholders, with the household as a focal point, engage with each other in the service ecosystem. Thematic network analysis was employed using interviews with households, stakeholders, as well as workshops in a project about recycling. The analysis reveals four mechanisms (channeling information, managing different resources, understanding impact, and dynamic and time-related engagement). There are several goals and values present when stakeholders and households engage with each other. When values of different actors align, it provides a solid basis for collaboration. Engagement was also found to be time-related and linked to calculated or perceived future effects, but also required to be maintained with the integration of different resources (e.g. money, space, time, cognitive, emotional, bodily energy). In the short-term perspective, utilitarian (functional) values such as the function of the recycling house emerged essential, while the long-term perspectives included feelings about the environment or one’s own contribution. Implications for waste management include the importance of recognizing the relation between, and the involvement of stakeholders and households, as well as understanding how these interact to optimize recycling systems.

This paper encircles explorative design research in a multiple stakeholder triple helix project concerning circular economy and household recycling. Design ethnography was employed to find implications for outlining a gamification artifact that would facilitate recycling behaviors. We collected our data during 27 weeks by attending two field sites: Site A, project stakeholder meetings and a participatory design workshop, and Site B, semistructured interviews in the household stakeholders’ residences. Our thematic analysis of the sites’ collected ethnographic record extrapolated two specific categories: Stakeholder requirements and Gamification ruleset, together enfolding five key-themes and various sub-themes that could be used to inform the design of a gamification artifact aimed at recycling. Also, based on our research, we propose two research propositions regarding storytelling and understanding for further gamification design researchers to investigate.