What Does Mass Balance mean?
The mass balance concept is based on the fundamental physical principle that matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Therefore, the mass of inputs to a process, industry or region balances the mass of outputs as products, emissions and wastes, plus any change in stocks, hence the term 'mass balance' is used to describe this type of analysis. When applied in a systematic manner this simple and straightforward concept of balancing resource use with outputs can provide a robust methodology for analysing resource flows
The mass balance methodology also allows the development of "what if" scenarios where the impact of changes on resource flow can be measured. For example, what would be the impact on resource use if glass recycling levels increased to 50% of glass used by householders?
For more information on the Mass Balance concept and UK mass balance projects download the, Mass Balance UK document, produced by Forum for the Future. This report by Forum for the future covers the mass balance methodology and includes a summary table of all the Biffaward funded mass balance projects.