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Date: 9th June 2025Level: Master Thesis in Product- and Process Development, 30 ECTSInstitution: School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, IDE,Mälardalen UniversityAuthors: Aman Bhalli Ava Khodabandeh Loo1th December 2000 22th December 2000Title: Optimizing Waste Management Processes in the EnergySectorSupervisor: Amanda Nådell, OmexomFrida Antonsson, Mälardalen University

Keywords: Scope 3, Knowledge Management, Lean, Waste Management, Sustainability,Energy infrastructure,Aim: The aim of this study is to explore how a company in theenergy sector can improve waste management by addressing organizational and behavioralchallenges.Research Questions: “How is waste currently handled in projects in the energy sector?”,“What are the main inefficiencies in the projects in the energy sector?” and “What behavioraland organizational changes are necessary to implement in decision making processes topromote sustainable waste management?”Methodology: This study used a qualitative case study design to investigate behavioral andorganizational challenges in waste management in the energy industry. An abductive researchapproach was used to iteratively integrate the theoretical framework and the empirical data.The theoretical framework was mainly collected from scientific articles and the study waslimited to one company. To gather empirical data Semi-structured interviews were used togather primary data.Conclusion: According to the study's findings, the case company's waste management isreactive and decentralized procedures that restrict supplier accountability, traceability, andconsistency. These behavioral and organizational obstacles impede sustainability initiatives,lead to inefficiencies, and lower the accuracy of Scope 3 reporting. Stronger governancestructures, systematic knowledge exchange, and earlier project integration of waste planningare necessary for improvements. Energy firms can improve their operational efficiency andenvironmental performance by tackling these issues.