FULL CIRCLE and the circular economy

October 2017 Abdeluheb Choho Contents Foreword deputy mayor for sustainability

Almere, The , United-Kingdom I am proud to present this collection of case studies from 15 members of the EUROCITIES circular economy UpCycle contest London circular economy route map task force, which showcase some of the efforts cities are already starting to develop and implement on the 2 18 circular economy.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands Métropole, Rapid urbanisation and population growth in recent decades have put a strain on urban resource use, Amsterdam Circular: Learning by doing Regenerating industrial ground and are challenging city leaders to think up new ways to add value and efficiency along the supply chain. 4 to produce fertile ground Cities are the right scale and provide the perfect environment in which to test out new models, with some 20 , becoming city labs. City administrations can engage with communities and facilitate partnerships between Industrial Symbiosis in Birmingham , the private sector, consumers and research organisations at the local level, enabling new business models 6 Halle 2: The secondhand store as the centre that will drive the transition to a circular economy. They can make use of their public procurement, provide of the local circular economy financial incentives or legislate as effective instruments to foster behavioural change. Capital, 22 Brussels Regional Programme for As exemplified in this publication, cities are proving their strength as circular innovators and facilitators, a Circular Economy , whether making use of sustainable procurement to purchase office materials, using the waste and by- 8 Circular: bio-resources treatment of food waste, products of one company as productive input for another, providing a hub for citizens to take direct garden waste and sludge from wastewater responsibility to live more sustainably, transforming unfertile and contaminated soil into a valuable Dusseldorf, Germany 24 Sustainable procurement of recycled office paper product, or running public busses on biogas produced from food waste and wastewater. 10 , France Industrial territorial ecology at the Port Amsterdam’s ambition is to become a frontrunner in the transition towards a circular economy. We were , of Strasbourg the first city to commission in-depth research into the potential of a circular economy. Other cities have From waste to resources: 26 followed a similar approach. This led to the creation of Amsterdam’s integrated strategy and the dedicated Genoa looks ahead to a circular economy programme, ‘learning by doing’. For example, Amsterdam integrated the principles of circularity from the start 12 , Italy in the urban planning strategy of the cities’ largest transformation area ‘Harbor – City’ with 70,000 houses. Porta Palazzo Organic Project , Belgium 28 Joint targeted action at the European scale helps create the right preconditions for a successful transition. A new circular life in Ghent’s Old Dockyards 14 , The Netherlands This includes legislation to develop the market for secondary materials to avoid the loss of resources from the Recycled asphalt for the Cremerstraat cycle lane economy through waste, or benchmarking progress, by developing common indicators for the circular economy. , 30 Paper production from invasive plants It is important for cities to learn from each other to increase uptake, especially with so many positive examples 16 of successful programmes. One of the main challenges is to get different partners on board. This can mean setting out the economic case and building awareness of the benefits of a circular transition. The EUROCITIES circular economy task force is committed to sharing our ideas with others – marking a real step up for cities’ involvement in this area. We are encouraging the EU institutions to participate in this open dialogue with our cities. A sustainable and circular future is within our grasp.

1 “This competition is unique in the Netherlands. We were impressed with the courage shown to collaborate with people that are working in very different fields from each other and to make new connections.”

Ruud Koornstra, jury member, Netherlands energy commissioner UpCycle City contest The Netherlands The municipality of Almere aspires to become a waste-free and energy-neutral city by 2022. The administration wants to bring the business community and knowledge institutes’ innovative power together to enable co-creation in the field of waste management and upcycling in the urban context.

Approach Challenges

Almere’s ambition is to contribute to This tender process is innovative and both resource efficiency and the circular different from most tenders the city economy in the city and its region. But had previously conducted. Rather than Lilian van Mourik as the city has learned, new economic asking for a specific service or product, [email protected] activities focused on the production of new Almere asked the entrepreneurs to write circular products are not easy to launch. a convincing business case that shapes not only new economic activities but Impact The goal is to develop a sustainable concrete that companies and entrepreneurs are The municipality of Almere, the province also employment for citizens with a lower station, where they use mineral flows willing to work together as soon as they of Flevoland and the central government education level. The city administration has challenged from the city to create recycled concrete. receive a little push from the government. are cofounding and facilitating this participants to describe a business concept Their aim is to produce between 80-90% By doing so, new ideas are encouraged, process, and together they have launched Furthermore, it was difficult to get the that adds value to residual flows produced of this concrete, as well as creating green elevated and moved forward. the UpCycle City competition. right information about the volumes of during maintenance of the urban public concrete with organic fibres. http://bit.ly/2g7etsH residual flows that are released yearly space. Companies often see each other This competition is aimed at stimulating with maintenance and management, The runner-up, a cooperative project as competitors but this tender has start-ups, companies and research since they are discharged by contractors As a government authority, the city used between two companies, wants to create demonstrated the synergies they can institutes to develop business cases that who carry out the maintenance work and this unique competition as a tool to offer street furniture made from 100% bio-based achieve by working together, especially not only introduce innovative solutions not by the municipality of Almere. support with co-financing, for example. and circular residual flows from Almere. when the government is involved to help for upcycling of waste flows but also They helped to develop the best plan out with financing and regulations. encourage collaboration to create a solid Regulations also sometimes proved to with an accompanying business case, A total of €1 million in public funds were financial plan that makes actual economic be difficult. Contracts should be flexible making sure innovative ideas can really available from the Almere Urbanisation Giving the participants sufficient time activity possible. and able to be amended when the be achieved. Fund in 2017 in order to help to fund the to create their business proposals is government wants to make these residual winning proposals. The same amount of another lesson learned, and one that The winners of the contest were parties flows available for economic activity. This is something that has not been €1 million is included in the multi-year could have made the tender process whose plans received the highest scores. done before in the Netherlands. In July programme for the Almere Urbanisation even more successful. In this case, the They were invited to sign an agreement Finally, the contest did not mobilise 2017, an independent jury of experts Fund for the next two years 2018 and 2019. time that was given to the participants to that provided co-financing and outlined as many participants as expected, selected two winners. The first winner, a submit their business plans was relatively other conditions to realise their plan. potentially as the deadline given to the collaboration of four companies, now has short. With more time, more interested companies was rather short. Fortunately, the opportunity to negotiate first with the Lessons entrepreneurs would have probably been the participants delivered and made the municipality of Almere about co-financing, able to enter the contest. UpCycle City contest a great success. and then about how the municipality can Not only was this competition a unique help them realise their business case. tender in the Netherlands, it also showed

2 3 Challenges The ‘Learning by doing’ programme gives approach, it is essential to involve the the city a huge opportunity to learn about entire city administration from the very Research and capacity building are all aspects of a circular economy and beginning. essential to successfully transition towards about the role local governments should a circular economy. For the moment, and could play. It has a clear impact on The circular economy can sometimes be Amsterdam is focusing on the ‘Learning the city administration. Processes and perceived as an abstract and conceptual by doing’ programme to show circular ways of working have been modified, and movement. Project leaders must make the economy can have benefits for everyone. the use of governmental instruments like circular economy tangible and practical, tendering land for circular buildings has for both professionals and citizens. At the same time, Amsterdam is trying become more common. Many municipal to adapt to a circular economy by forging departments are now getting involved by A good method to achieve a circular new business models shifting from launching their own projects. economy is to use existing strategies, products to services and creating new such as green procurement. A clear starting legal and financial instruments. The city Thanks to results generated in the point for every city is to get an in-depth had to overcome traditional barriers in research stage, the private sector is insight into their city’s make up. Then, Amsterdam Amsterdam Circular: administration and think about new forms willing to commit to multi-stakeholder based on clear criteria, leaders must The Netherlands of cooperation, such as cross-sector projects in the city. choose the most relevant value chains, Learning by doing thinking and multidisciplinary working. from both an economic and an ecological An in-depth evaluation combined with perspective. It was crucial for Amsterdam to involve strategic advice for the next political term In 2015 Amsterdam commissioned an in-depth study on the potential of a circular citizens in this transition. As consumers, from 2018 to 2022 helps Amsterdam focus economy. The project was the first large-scale research study in the world that they are drivers of change, along with the on results, with short-term achievable uses the ‘city circle scan’ methodology. The scan identifies the areas in which private sector. One of the city’s main goals. the most significant, tangible progress in realising a circular economy can be achieved. challenges has been to translate the concept This potential impact is significant and can result in more jobs, bring added value to of circular economy into the daily lives Finally, the implementation of circular the city’s economy, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions and material use. of citizens. At a time of global access to economy initiatives has bolstered the Eveline Jonkhoff information and communications as well international position of the city. [email protected] as new forms of democracy, they have a Amsterdam is perceived as a front-runner. newfound power to shape public policies This attracts companies and start-ups, Approach ‘Learning by doing’ that aims to prove and deliver their own solutions for the future. which consider the city as a living lab to in practice that the circular economy expand their business. In Amsterdam, two value chains are very is profitable in all aspects. This project important: the building and construction is based on an integrated approach. Impact sector and the organic and biomass For example, Amsterdam integrated Lessons industry. The city circle scan showed that the principles of circularity from the In the space of a year and a half, http://bit.ly/2hEd397 the implementation of material reuse start in the urban planning strategy of Amsterdam has been able to translate One key takeaway is to work closely strategies had the potential to create a the city’s largest transformation area the research outcomes into a dedicated together with the private sector and value of €85 million per year within the ‘Harbor – City’ with 70,000 houses. programme with projects in the building research institutes. And since circular construction sector and €150 million per ‘Learning by doing’ is a multidisciplinary sector. economy projects rely on a cross-sectoral year with more efficient organic residual effort, not the sole responsibility of streams. The city involved the private the sustainability department but also sector and research institutes in this involves the city departments for spatial process and they fully agreed with the planning, purchasing, real estate, economic outcomes. development, etc. “National governments won’t make today’s economy circular. Businesses and consumers are the real drivers. We, as local governments, can make it happen by facilitating and stimulating this transition. Amsterdam An innovation programme pooled Focusing on the building sector, decided to prove in practice that a circular economy is profitable in all aspects while developing further together forces from both private sector Amsterdam launched the first roadmap and research institutes, and allowed on circular buildings, which included knowledge to be shared worldwide.” the city to speed up the transition clear indicators to help and challenge towards a circular economy. Amsterdam the private sector to develop circular Abdeluheb Choho, deputy mayor is now running a dedicated programme buildings and circular city districts.

4 5 BCC has also hosted delegations – either monitored as water or carbon  demand pull on innovation (particularly industrial symbiosis ‘tourists’ – from at savings or jobs or waste diversion, but engaging local universities)

least 25 countries including , Egypt none asked for all the collective benefits  supporting the city’s SMEs and micros and China within the last few months. offered by industrial symbiosis. who suffer from the market failure of Together with International Synergies, an ‘time poverty’

SME acknowledged for its expertise in At the pan-European level, Birmingham  identifying opportunities for inward devising and managing industrial symbiosis city council, and in particular its staff in its investment

programmes, BCC has spread industrial Brussels office, had to make the linkages  identifying opportunities for the export symbiosis methodology to over 30 countries across the various European institutions of clean and green technologies

across five continents and has seen its to demonstrate the cross cutting and  regeneration of industrial parks

incorporation in European policy, most circular economy nature of this activity  engaging SMEs and entrepreneurs recently through the circular economy and to generate awareness for industrial package. symbiosis. Industrial Symbiosis Lessons Birmingham United Kingdom in Birmingham Challenges Impact The BCC approach on industrial symbiosis has demonstrated that: It has been a challenge to introduce this The BCC’s long-term support of industrial

Birmingham is Britain’s youngest and fastest growing city, boasting the highest quality new concept to a range of stakeholders symbiosis has had real impact on European  long term support and engagement will of life of any English city outside London. The city also has the strongest economy outside within the council and the business policy and recommendations, such as deliver greater impact than short-term the capital and is one of the first cities to adopt a proactive industrial symbiosis approach community of the city and beyond. the European waste framework directive, interventions

to develop a medium and long-term strategy for sustainable economic development. or, more recently, the circular economy  coordinating across departments such Often described as ‘the circular economy in action’, the projects born from the industrial A further challenge was maintaining the package. But more importantly, the BCC’s as economic development, environment, symbiosis approach are part of Birmingham’s circular economy strategy. approach over a protracted period of time efforts impacted the city and surrounding international relations and planning that saw competing priorities for officer area. Indeed, the Industrial symbiosis maximises the benefits

time and a number of changes in the approach has been an excellent policy and  introducing actions related to the Lloyd Broad political make-up of the administration at strategic instrument that has contributed concept in planning and other policy [email protected] Approach The effect is to keep resources circulating the city level and at the national level, to multiple city aims including: documents also maximises the benefits in the economy for longer, leading to the where there was no supporting policy.  looking outside city boundaries for

Since 2002, Birmingham city council generation of economic, environmental  reduction in carbon emissions; in the opportunities and looking at the (BCC) has had a strong history of and social benefits. It was also a challenge to match industrial Tyseley Environmental Enterprise Zone opportunity cost of not taking this supporting and promoting industrial symbiosis efforts to local, national and (TEEZ) project for example, there is, up approach is necessary to achieve results

symbiosis, which is a principal pillar Over this period some of the ‘physical’ European funding opportunities. Until to date, already 1.8 million tons of  persistence and consistent messaging of the circular economy. Over 15 years, manifestations of these actions in favour recently, there were opportunities that carbon-dioxide reduction. on developing an innovative concept

industrial symbiosis has consistently of industrial symbiosis, have resulted in required industrial symbiosis activity, but  reduction in industrial waste to landfill has led to worldwide impact

http://bit.ly/2fMxSCv initiated and supported multiple projects, different projects: many did not take into account the full  job creation; the TEEZ project already together with stakeholders such as the scope of impacts that industrial symbiosis created more than three thousand

http://bit.ly/2g82xHa local, world-leading SME International  the creation of the Tyseley Environmental could deliver. For example, impact was jobs Synergies Ltd, the city’s universities and Enterprise Zone (TEEZ)

business community, enabling BCC to  the Big City Plan (combining industrial take this vital element of the circular symbiosis with city planning): a economy across the world. Industrial 20-year city centre master plan, a vision symbiosis involves the facilitation of encouraging and supporting Birmingham’s “At Birmingham city council, we are proud to have embraced the circular economy. Our vision for the city as a commercial transactions or activities – continuing transformation into a world whole is that it should be a city of growth where every child, citizen and place matters. It is fitting that the city synergies – of using waste materials or class city centre. It covers every aspect that spawned the industrial revolution should also introduce the concept of industrial symbiosis and in turn by-products such as energy, water or of the built environment, including seek to address environmental issues through this innovative component of the circular economy. Its local and other resources generated by companies sustainable development and efforts to and integrating them as inputs into the address the impact of climate change as international reach is impressive with 30 countries already having implemented the industrial symbiosis model. production processes of other companies. part of the future transformation of the The beauty of the model is its simplicity and transferability with a set of values reflecting the one planet agenda.” city centre  an energy park and the European Bioenergy Councillor Lisa Trickett Research Institute 6 7 mainly as a linear economy, producing  ‘Village Finance’ a Brussels support the city is key. In Brussels, this was large amounts of waste, and it must organisation that provides grants for achieved through preliminary seminars, fight pollution and cut greenhouse gas sustainable entrepreneurship was bilateral meetings with public and emissions. On the other hand, despite the established. private stakeholders and by fully

city’s role as an important and dynamic  Two different pilot projects, MODULL 2.0 integrating those stakeholders in the economic centre, the unemployment rate and BRIC, launched to develop practical implementation and evaluation of Brussels’ inhabitants is particularly educational modules for workers in the of the process and actions through high. It is a major regional objective to construction sector and train them on ad-hoc steering groups.

create economic activity while working circular economy practices.  ensuring a combination of both transversal

on its environmental goals.  The Greenbizz incubator was established and sectoral measures, as well as territorial to provide companies and start-ups and governance procedures. An integrated Many European cities have recognised with an area of 8,000 sq metres that approach can only be possible if different that their current policy instruments such includes facilities and services to develop stakeholders are involved in the as waste management plans are entry their circular sustainable projects. implementation of the measures. Indeed,

points for affecting change. Now they are  The research study Brussels Circular the 111 Brussels measures are being Brussels Capital clearly expressing a need to develop a Economy Transition (BUCETRA) was implemented by about 60 pilots. More Belgium Brussels Regional Programme broader and more coherent vision – an financed by Innoviris to analyse the than that, each pilot typically involves 2 for a Circular Economy inclusive approach – that covers all key economic and environmental potential or 3 stakeholders, both public and private resources and supports action while of the waste streams for a transition as well as the construction federation, fixing priorities and setting measurable towards a circular materials management for the practical implementation and The Brussels-Capital Region covers an area of 161.38 sq km with a population targets. The BRPCE offers a direct answer in Brussels Capital Region. follow-up of the measure.

of more than one million inhabitants. The circular economy is proving to be an to this.  A platform was created to identify,  promoting new forms of regional innovative and sustainable way to address not only environmental but also social prioritise and resolve technical and collaborative and social economies can be and economic challenges. administrative barriers that block the a way to encourage mindset changes not Impact transition to a circular economy. In this only among stakeholders but also in the platform, the private sector plays a key wider civil society. In Brussels, this has Catherine Vanderstichelen Approach public administrations, regional advisory Below are some of the first results of role is played. been done through a specific call for social cvanderstichelen@ committees and almost 60 stakeholders BRPCE’s implementation. and collaborative innovative projects. environnement.brussels The Brussels Regional Programme for between NGOs and private businesses. Circular Economy (BRPCE) is an integrated After several seminars, working groups  The call for projects ‘Be circular’ launched Lessons strategy involving 111 measures aimed at and public meetings, the BRPCE was with the aim to guide and support delivering circular patterns at the city level. adopted in March 2016. Currently 74 companies towards the development of In Brussels’ experience, some ingredients The main objectives of the BPRCE are: measures have already started, while circular business models. are key to developing an efficient circular

37 have begun the first discussions for  The Urban Renovation Contract was economy strategy at the city level:

 to transform environmental objectives developing action plans. launched as a financing programme

into economic opportunities with a budget of €110 million to  the establishment of a co-creation

www.circularprojects.brussels  to anchor economic activities within The BPRCE is a living strategy. A revision stimulate pilot projects that employ process – bottom-up approach – aimed Brussels’ borders, maximising resource mechanism will take place every 18 circular economy at the local level. at creating a resource efficient vision for circularity and boosting entrepreneurship months, to challenge the results, amend

 to create new employment opportunities some measures and involve more public and private stakeholders. The different measures are divided in four areas – cross-functional, sector-based, “The Brussels Regional Programme for Circular Economy aims at making Brussels a more circular city territorial and governance – and a set of Challenges that meets the needs of its citizens. An example is the work that BRPCE has done in the construction sector. specific targets and indicators have been By considering the Brussels’ building environment as an open-pit mine of material resources, the BRPCE developed for each of the planned measures. The Brussels-Capital Region is facing environmental, social and economic is creating an integrated value chain for construction materials that will generate new jobs and stimulate The BRPCE is a bottom-up initiative involving challenges similar to those of other another economic model.” several public and private stakeholders European urban regions. On the one hand, through an innovative co-creation process, the region is highly dependent on material Céline Fremault, Brussels minister for the environment along with three regional ministries, 15 flows from outside the region. It functions

8 9 Sustainable procurement Dusseldorf Germany of recycled office paper

As a densely populated and economically powerful urban area, the city of Dusseldorf recognised the challenge of climate change early on and initiated a process of low carbon and zero waste strategy development.

“Public authorities need, procure and use a large amount of material – which is often connected to a massive Approach recycled and non-recycled paper made input of natural resources. On the other hand, public authorities produce or deal with a lot of waste from used the process of changing the paper in material. This linear economy is the opposite of sustainability. To establish a circular economy, it is essential to Dusseldorf’s city administration consumes printers too complicated for employees. link public procurement and material recycling by procuring recycled material. This is an important municipal Mark Lindert about 40 million sheets of office paper [email protected] annually. On the other hand, the city In fact, the city’s main challenge was to contribution to ‘close the loop’.” collects about 36,000 tonnes of used find a recycled paper of good technical and paper and cardboard per year, which is optical quality to use as an ‘all-purpose Mark Lindert, head of waste management section then sold off to recycling companies. paper’, and for a sustainable price.

With the primary aim of stimulating The city found a solution thanks to a quality standards in the tenders to ensure In 2016, Dusseldorf participated in Lessons demand and ensuring a price reduction German factory that develops recycled that only papers with good quality will the ‘Pro recycling paper initiative’ for recycled paper, Dusseldorf developed office papers with a guaranteed high be procured. To establish such quality competition, which is organised annually It is always difficult for cities to identify http://bit.ly/2xVGSvn an internal regulation for sustainable technical quality and a good brightness. standards, the city found it essential to in cooperation with the German ministry an adequate procurement strategy that procurement, which led to an increase Their paper is very similar to ‘fresh fibre’ use common criteria through national of the environment, the German federal can ensure a certain quality of the http://bit.ly/2fGX7CI of the use of recycled office paper paper, allowing the city to roll out only ecolabels or in EU labels like the EU environmental protection agency and the products. Other cities should request accounting for 85% of all the city’s paper recycled paper in its offices. The solution ecolabel. German association of cities and towns. that competitors comply with industry use in 2016. is certified by the standards defined by More than 90 municipalities participated quality standards to keep municipal the independent ‘RAL Deutsches Institut in the competition, and thanks to its procurement procedures simple and The active cooperation between the für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V.’ Impact achievements Dusseldorf was awarded effective. different city departments, in particular (German Institute for Quality Assurance the ‘best climber of the year’ award. between the sustainable procurement and Labeling) and its German ‘blue Within one year, the new internal It is crucial for a circular and sustainable and waste management administrations, environmental angel’ label (www.blauer- regulations saw the procurement of The city now also recommends that economy that such labels are further as well as strong political commitment, engel.de/en). recycled paper in Dusseldorf’s municipal companies and private individuals rely developed for as many different products has been key to successfully ‘closing administration jump from just under 27% more on recycled paper when purchasing as possible. the loop’ and ensuring a new circular Another challenge the city encountered in 2014 to more than 81% in 2015 and paper products through in its procurement model. was making sustainable, or circular, 85% in 2016. In industrial production, environmental public relation activities Furthermore, promoting sustainable procurement manageable in the the use of recycled paper corresponded or in its ‘Ecoprofit’ project for SMEs and circular procurement for private complicated procedures of public a savings of up to 60% in energy and (www.oekoprofit-nrw.de). Furthermore, households, schools and SMEs can Challenges procurement. A tender process that 70% in water; while for the city the use the city uses the German blue angel broaden the demand for circular products simply leaves the decision between of recycled paper meant a reduction standards for dyes and other construction and develop these products as a market Dusseldorf had made earlier attempts recycled or fresh fibre paper to the market in its environmental footprint by about materials in its own construction projects. standard for a reasonable price. to increase the use of recycled paper. will usually result in the lowest bid for 6.3 million litres of water and 1.3 million However, they had always resulted in a low-quality fresh fibre. For this reason, it kWh of energy annually. limited impact. Having the choice between is pivotal to define neutral and precise

10 11 in the municipal waste tax, due to high collected and published in an urban white from electric and electronic equipment investments in the collection plan, also paper on circular economy. (WEEE) management by improving the required further communication work. strategic role of stakeholders and the One of the greatest achievements so far is development of eco-businesses. Finally, changing AMIU’s internal culture the creation of LiguriaCircular, a permanent and organisation to adapt it to the new exchange platform on the circular economy waste management practices proved to that promotes a sustainable development Lessons be another challenge. culture – through events and dissemination activities – in the metropolitan area of Implementing a circular economy is not a Genoa and the Liguria region. This project simple task. First, it requires a shift in Impact is part of Genoa’s smart city strategy and mindsets and cultural attitudes from all counts over 200 members including public stakeholders. it needs investment to get To promote a circular economy and bodies, companies, universities, research citizens involved and receptive to waste From waste to resources: AMIU’s reorganisation, the city along centres, professional associations and prevention and waste separation. with its municipal company engaged in more. Genoa looks ahead to a various activities, first by designing and These practices are connected to a Genoa implementing a new municipal waste Genoa is currently upgrading AMIU ‘responsible citizen’ culture, which needs Italy circular economy collection plan. separation plants to support more to be strengthened since citizens are the recyclable materials. It is also providing first link in a new circular industrial chain An advertising campaign entitled ‘From a training programme to AMIU employees and essential for achieving a circular waste to resources’ was developed In in order for them to master the whole new economy. order to increase consumer awareness process. around the importance of recycling. A Information and communication are mobile application called ‘Clean App’ Through its involvement in international other critical factors. Questions like was developed by AMIU to help residents groups, networks and conferences such “what’s the process behind the waste correctly separate waste. It provides as ACR+, EUROCITIES and the European bin?”, “why do I separate more and pay Alessandra Risso rapid and immediate tools to search Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, more?” or “how can I be sure that recycled [email protected] detailed information on recycling and Genoa has gained knowledge of the materials go into the industrial process Approach waste collection. An analysis of existing waste management services. A plan of circular economy and is able to learn from again?” call for more effort in terms of good practices was carried out to define participatory activities was also launched other cities while sharing its experience. consistency of the information process Genoa fully owns the municipal waste a new strategy, and the administration to help further involve citizens. and continuous involvement. management company, AMIU, which over drafted a plan to reorganise the company. Finally, the city got involved in EU-financed the past few years has completely AMIU, along with the city of Genoa, projects on circular economy: the first is Despite being the first circular economy rethought its strategy and organisational The main objective is to close the loop designed a municipal initiative ‘general the FORCE project, aiming to minimise the principle, prevention is not sufficiently structure. The new strategy is now looking on waste materials by taking advantage state of the circular economy’, based leakage of four materials from the linear considered. Cities must abide by recycled beyond its 40-year linear business model of treatment plants in the immediate on the experience of , engaged economy – plastic waste, strategic metals waste target laws but they aren’t called on based on the disposal of waste in its regional territory. By doing so, the city in a participatory process in which from electronic and electric equipment, enough to promote prevention practices. landfill site. intends to achieve higher recycling rates several circular economy initiatives were surplus food and biowaste, and wood within five years and strengthen the presented. Feedback from businesses, waste – and works towards a circular In 2014, AMIU adopted a new business process of circular economy. researchers, academics and heads of economy. The second is WEENMODELS, model based on value and material networks of the circular economy was aiming is to create a new model of waste recovery and aimed at boosting higher waste recycling rates. A new collection Challenges plan was launched with the title ‘From waste to resources’ after involving several Due to the complex morphology of its stakeholders that include citizens, AMIU old town, Genoa faced difficulties in “Circular economy is an important pillar for the development of sustainability policies. In our municipality, employees and the local community. implementing the new collection plan. we are committed to reinventing the economy of the city. It’s an opportunity to improve the efficiency of our economic system while at the same time creating new business and job opportunities.” In July 2017, the new political administration One of the main challenges was to shape expressed the will to relaunch AMIU’s the mindsets of citizens to encourage action and further encourage separate them to recycle. Furthermore, the increase Matteo Campora, deputy mayor

12 13 “Our ambition is to further reduce the ecological footprint of Ghent and to evolve towards a climate neutral city. Making sustainable living possible in the city also means allowing a good quality of life in a healthy environment. The Old Dockyards is an excellent example. Sustainability is integrated into every stage of development. This circular economy model is the desired path for Ghent.”

A new circular life in Daniel Termont, mayor Ghent’s Old Dockyards Ghent Belgium In Ghent, Belgium, the circular economy brings together companies, institutions, governments and citizens on the way to sustainability. At the same time, its potential for innovation, job creation and economic development reinforces the attractiveness of the city.

Approach through the presence of temporary Challenges Impact Lessons buildings constructed with recycled The Old Dockyards is a waterfront housing materials, guided walks, a ‘circular Many stakeholders are involved, including Between the planning phase and the Through public tenders, sogent has project where closing loops at the district dialogue café’ as well as short-term different public organisations, private effective realisation of the project, been able to steer the development of level is key. Approximately 1,500 housing exhibitions that demonstrate the different developers and research institutes. In years have gone by. Those delays were the Old Dockyards towards a circular Agnieszka Zajac units will be constructed through public- possible uses of city infrastructure. such a complex project that involves a transformed into opportunities, giving district. Sogent has been able to publish [email protected] private partnerships (PPPs). Ghent wide spectrum of stakeholders, flexibility special attention to the possible temporary tenders that imposed highly sustainable wants to develop a holistic approach That is why the Old Dockyards project is a necessity. During the 10-year use of the grounds, allowing the city to and circular standards to all the actors for the area that encompasses the was chosen as one of the good practices planning process of the Old Dockyards renovate the quay walls and building a willing to take part in the Old Dockyards wider concept of circular economy. The inventoried by the Cleantech Cluster project, sogent has invested a lot of time bridge for pedestrians and cyclists during renovation. As a result, only business and project is supervised by the city of Ghent Regio Gent, a regional partnership that and effort in coordinating the needs and that time. stakeholders able to meet those criteria and the autonomous municipal Ghent stimulates the use of clean technologies expectations of all actors involved: project could join the project. development authority (sogent). and the circular economy, with the partners and surrounding companies, as Even though the Old Dockyards site is still ambition of making the Ghent region a well as current and future inhabitants. under construction, it has already become Furthermore, ownership of the project http://bit.ly/2xYuH1a Thanks to innovative technologies, some robust and resilient ecosystem by 2030. an integral part of the city. During the long land is an essential prerequisite to make residential buildings in the Old Dockyards The project needed strong political process of tendering, sogent has created use of places and buildings on a temporary will use heating systems based on biogas commitment to ensure that it had the temporary areas for city gardening and basis during the different phases of from black water. Such systems reuse the required financial support. Due to the city farming. This has allowed Ghent’s the Old Docks development. By giving warm air produced by industrial factories, integrated approach of the Old Dockyards citizens to rethink land that was once the opportunity to citizens to experience as well as captured heat and nutrients regeneration project, it was not possible to perceived as waste or unusable as a circular economy during the execution of from used water from dishwashers and get funds from a single financing institution profitable resource. the project, Ghent has been able to raise laundry machines. or programme. Instead, sogent had to awareness about the project’s objectives apply for different European and regional A very unusual project is the renovation of a and future plans. But the Old Dockyards is more than subsidies and break the project into several series of disused gravel tanks. A team of a simple housing project focusing on sectorial actions, funded by different young architects and an artist transformed The Old Dockyards project also shows the constructing new low-energy and passive European and Flemish programmes (e.g. this area into a unique multi-purpose importance of using participative PPPs to houses. Thanks to the regeneration of the European Fund for Regional Development, public space that is currently used by scale-up your project. Indeed, PPPs not area, new business models such as car the Flemish Fund for City Renewal and Ghent’s citizens for several types of events. only allowed the city to work together with and bike sharing have developed, and the the Federal Urban Policy). different actors and achieve a sustainable city has launched activities that challenge business model, but they also ensured residents’ linear lifestyles. Indeed, that different services, such as water, throughout the Old Dockyards, people can energy and mobility, are characterised by already experience the circular economy a circular approach.

14 15 Impact establishing a systematic participatory model that uses the city’s biomass to The paper production attracted significant develop new sustainable products. media attention and was also very well Instead of incinerating knotweed, the city received by experts and the public. With is focused on controlling the invasive the shift from linear to circular, the plant population by developing circular invasive alien species issue is solved production processes, thereby reducing while creating a useful product. carbon-dioxide emissions in the city and increasing the resilience of local The project team presented the results economies and ecologies. of the project at public events and discussed them at different expert With the help of modern-day technology meetings. The residents strongly and the knowledge of traditional craft Paper production supported the activities, linking the making, Japanese knotweed serves as an Ljubljana results with an improved quality of the input material for the production of paper, Slovenia from invasive plants city’s living environment. for now. But the city anticipates new products will be designed and produced New products are strong ambassadors. in the future. Like many cities, Ljubljana is faced with significant overgrowth of Japanese knotweed, They draw people’s attention to the issue Invasive alien species are a complex a plant on the list of 100 most invasive non-native species worldwide. Ljubljana and solutions. The project has generated By introducing ways to use Japanese subject that requires an interdisciplinary teamed up with the Re-generacija collective of young designers and architects new ideas about future products and knotweed as a local source of cellulose, approach. To enrich the project and focused on issues connected to social and environmental well-being, as well as the initiatives, which makes it an on-going the project started to encourage new understand the wide array of circular University Botanic Gardens Ljubljana, the Pulp and Paper Institute and the public process and a source of inspiration. community economies and field economy opportunities, the city advises waste management company, Snaga, to prevent excessive overgrowth of the plant and works and promoted a trans-disciplinary that as many stakeholders as possible reuse it. The implementation of the project requires approach to address the issue of invasive should be involved. interdisciplinary cooperation within the species. Zala Strojin Božicˇ city and across different stakeholders, The involvement of residents as volunteers [email protected] which provides continuous learning is preferable initially to gain new valuable Approach putting the circular economy into practice opportunities. The public administration Lessons channels for information dissemination in Ljubljana. is pushed towards greater open- and provide new opportunities for green The initiative began with voluntary mindedness, closer cooperation with the Although many European cities and urban jobs. Ultimately, though, the implementation Japanese knotweed removal campaigns, business sector and an opportunity to areas are faced with the issue of invasive of circular economy projects must be after which the plant’s dry stems were Challenges study public needs. alien species, few are using them as a adapted to local conditions. harvested, ground and processed into useful resource or material for further paper. Ljubljana is one of the first paper The idea to produce paper from Japanese In Slovenia, there are no special zero waste production or manufacture. http://bit.ly/2hFxQZR producers in the world to use Japanese knotweed on a semi-industrial scale was landfills for invasive alien plants so all Ljubljana believes this project is very knotweed at a semi-industrial level. a pilot project. biomass the city collects is taken to relevant for other urban authorities in incinerators. As a ‘zero waste city’, Europe and has great potential to attract The innovative solution tackles the The main concern was the effect of Ljubljana recognises the potential of public attention and interest. problem of invasive non-native species Japanese knotweed pulp on papermaking in an innovative way aligned with the machines. The machines are very sensitive principles of circular economy. The city to fibre size, therefore the pre-treatment used the resulting paper for the production of the pulp had to be carefully calculated of paper bags and notebooks, and the and carried out. “Ljubljana, like many European cities, is faced with an overgrowth of invasive alien species. public company Snaga printed the English Cities, as engines for local development, have the duty and privilege to act as a role model for their residents, version of its magazine Snagazin on it. Another concern was the content of visitors and businesses. The transformation from linear to circular shouldn’t be only one of the options, impurities in the paper that can affect but an obligation that ensures a higher quality of life and sustainable urban development.” The paper-manufacturing project from printing. As it turned out the knotweed Japanese knotweed gave the city an paper was quite easy to print on, and opportunity to find inventive solutions to no additional measures needed to be Zala Strojin Božic, project coordinator deal with this invasive plant while also implemented.

16 17 identified five key sectors to focus action The route map has allowed LWARB to through buy-in and commitment from on: the built environment, food, electricals, create a strategic plan for facilitating different sectors and organisations. The textiles and plastics. the transition towards a circular economy route map is an action orientated plan. It and has been a catalyst in helping has provided direction for organisations For the circular economy to flourish across LWARB drive actions. This includes the and an opportunity to convene people the city, there needs to be collaboration development of a number of pilot projects, to focus and deliver action towards the between buyers and suppliers, different as well as evidence to embed circular circular economy – to act together rather markets and even competitors, this is a economy concepts in London policies. than individually. A range of stakeholders challenge but can be really powerful when has created a broad perspective and it happens. Examples of this have been to embed collaboration, whilst individual actions circular economy into the Greater London break down the considerable task of Besides the cooperation between Authority’s group – which includes the circularity in a city into manageable steps. stakeholders, other areas where London Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade This buy-in from stakeholders has helped needs to focus were identified through and Transport for London – and its to shape the actions into sector relevant, eight crosscutting themes highlighted responsible procurement policy; a large achievable tasks. LWARB is creating a London circular economy in the route map – communications, housing redevelopment project in south ‘collaboration hub’ to get the maximum London collaboration, finance, demonstration, London where circular economy is being benefit from this interest. United-Kingdom route map innovation, policy, procurement and considered from demolition through business support. to the design; and a circular offices The route map is an initial and evolving campaign, partnering with an organisation framework on which to build London’s London is among the oldest of the world’s cities, its history spanning nearly two The route map places a strong emphasis called Business in the Community, which circular economy. This encourages millennia, and one of the most cosmopolitan. By far Britain’s largest city, it is also the on action and practical application. This encourages circular thinking within office organisations to support it and creates country’s economic, transportation and cultural centre. Over 8 million people live in move from theory to practice, particularly operations of organisations across the a willing community to share a stake in London and the city is growing fast. With the capital’s population predicted to reach when it involves disruption of ‘business capital. LWARB also has a project called shaping London’s circular trajectory. over 11 million by 2050, a more flexible and sustainable approach to products, housing, as usual’, can be challenging. Advance London that provides finance office space and critical infrastructure is crucial to London’s ability to adapt and grow. and business support to SMEs developing Clare Ollerenshaw innovative circular economy models. [email protected] Impact Monitoring the impact and benefit of these examples should provide key Approach through a series of recommended The route map was created with input evidence and case studies to encourage actions for LWARB and its stakeholders. from across a wide variety of stakeholders, the broader adoption of circular thinking The London Waste and Recycling Board Conservative estimates identify that and as a result, a variety of stakeholders and policies within London. (LWARB) was established in 2007 by the delivery of the route map could result in beyond LWARB have committed to Greater London Authority (GLA) Act to contributing £2.8 billion in net benefits assisting with delivery of specific actions provide a strategic approach to waste per year towards London’s economy within the route map. For example, Lessons http://bit.ly/2tdh7Fj management in London. LWARB delivers by 2036 as well as 12,000 new jobs in universities and industry partners have three key programmes, one of which is the areas of reuse, remanufacturing and committed to promoting circular economy The route map helps to set out London’s Circular London. This programme works materials innovation. London’s ambition is in education courses or to promoting vision and pathway towards circularity. By to create the right conditions for circular that the city will become the world’s leading and encouraging innovation within their creating this document with stakeholders, economy businesses to flourish in London. exponent of circular economy thinking areas of influence. a city can have a much wider impact An economic analysis of the circular and practice through collaborations with economy in London demonstrates the circular economy businesses and the work potential for net benefits to the city of of stakeholders and policymakers across up to £7 billion a year by 2036. the capital. “Circular economy has the potential to play a key role in achieving our environmental targets by keeping In June 2017, LWARB published materials and products in use for longer, reusing and remanufacturing them. LWARB’s route map outlines the Circular Economy route map for Challenges how we can take advantage of this opportunity and I look forward to seeing examples of circular economy London. This document was created with throughout the city inspiring others to replicate London’s success.” stakeholders from across different sectors, The focus of the route map is based on to set a pathway for London to accelerate analysis of economic impacts and residual its transition towards a circular economy waste streams within the city. This work Shirley Rodrigues, deputy mayor for environment and energy

18 19 Regenerating industrial ground to produce fertile ground

Lyon Métropole Lyon Métropole, which includes 59 municipalities and 1.3 million inhabitants, wants to France build a sustainable future for its citizens. The Métropole relies on green investments to face environmental challenges. Lyon is also committed to building circular solutions for the region and has been recognised as a ‘zero waste territory’ (territoire zéro déchet, zéro gaspillage) since 2015. In April 2017, Lyon Métropole voted on strategic “These investments show the industrial dynamic that is underway in the Chemistry Valley. actions in favour of the circular economy. By implementing new activities compatible with the technological risk prevention plan as productive landscape, the call for projects ‘Appel des 30’ is truly innovative.”

David Kimelfeld, former vice-president for economic development of Lyon Métropole Approach the city launched a call for projects in 2014, and then in 2016, inviting One example of Lyon Métropole’s work innovative industrial project developers in on the circular economy is the innovative the chemical, energy and environmental ground from agricultural land only cost Three of these winners have projects construction waste into a new opportunity. solutions the city has implemented sectors to develop activities in the unused €25 per cubic metre in Lyon, whereas focusing on: The productive landscape gives Chemistry to sustainably develop its ‘Chemistry property in the valley. re-fertilised ground is more expensive. Valley its status as a test site and makes it

Laureline Bourit Valley’. Located in the south of Lyon, the By comparison, fertile agricultural land  treatment and regeneration of soil on a showcase for change in the territory. [email protected] Chemistry Valley is a strategic territory In 2016, the second edition of the in the German Ruhr area costs €120 industrial property

for the region whose economic past is call focused on six pillars for major euros per cubic metre. One of the  clean-up of soil using techniques closely linked to the chemical industry – development, including one on ‘productive solutions Lyon Métropole considered associated with the area of Lessons synthetic chemistry, speciality chemistry, landscape’. This pillar aims to test different to tackle this issue is to introduce a phytoremediation

petrochemicals and refining – involving processes to clean up contaminated soil, clause on re-fertilised soil in its public  manufacture of living soil, fertilisation In the framework of the ‘Appel des 30’, Lyon global players such as Arkema, Bluestar produce biomass and create fertile ground. procurement to increase the sale of these of inert soil Métropole did not offer any subsidies to the

Silicones, ENGIE, IFP Energies Nouvelles, Transforming infertile and contaminated types of soil. Moreover, Lyon Métropole  recovery, storage, transformation and winners. Instead, it allows them to use the Solvay and Total. The Chemistry Valley is soil considered as waste into a valuable wants to anticipate the growing scarcity of utilisation of fertile land property to demonstrate their processes.

http://bit.ly/2wuxKKQ now developing around a diversified and product to develop green cities is part of fertile soil by testing innovative solutions  biomass cultivation While the Métropole did not own much of integrated multi-site activity in the fields Lyon Métropole’s circular economy strategy. in the Chemistry Valley. the property, Lyon played a role in gathering of chemistry, energy and the environment. These innovative and circular solutions partners, and private building owners to developed in the valley will help tackle attract innovative projects. Due to plant relocations in this sector and Challenges Impact the growing scarcity challenge of fertile to the reinforcement of risk regulation, lands, while also generating value. Provided The approach developed through the there is significant unoccupied industrial Developing a productive landscape in The 2016 call received numerous these pilot projects are successful, the ‘Appel des 30’ demonstrated that: space available in the Chemistry Valley. an industrial area was well received applications to experiment with ‘productive methodology could then be scaled to

In 2014, through an initiative called by surrounding cities. A first challenge landscapes’. Participants showed a lot of bigger projects, thereby increasing the  cities should not be afraid to think ‘Appel des 30’, Lyon Métropole launched though was to connect sectors that do interest towards this issue and in the amount of fertile land available. beyond their competences (e.g. Lyon a public-private partnership, with 30 not typically work together: landscaping transformation of the valley to circular Métropole offered plots that they did companies including building owners, contaminated soil experts and the activities. In April 2017, Lyon Métropole By gathering public and private actors not own with the agreement of the research and development centres, construction sector. and its partners announced 10 winners of and by considering the Chemistry Valley owners for each project

regulatory and technical experts, as well the ‘Appel des 30’. as an evolving resource with a flexible  public-private partnerships allow co- as financial partners to spark development A bigger challenge was to find a production process, Lyon Métropole construction, reaching goals that might in the valley. As part of this initiative, business model, considering that fertile turned the challenges of unused and not otherwise be possible for the city polluted land, scarcity of fertile soil and to achieve alone 20 21 without any implication for real life. cooperation with social companies to was used as a space for cultural and This was reflected in the difficulty of make their activities more visible. It is educational events, making people coordinating the various usage concepts used for campaigns, auctions, repair indirectly aware of the importance of the stakeholders proposed, while at the cafes, research fields, upcycling activities circular economy. same presenting an attractive offer to and other events to promote reuse and

customers and users. recycling ideas. 3 Don’t be a competitor but cooperate with business

Tendering social entrepreneurs and The tremendous success of the project Munich cooperated with existing groups, implementing stable supply chain can also be measured using the number networks, nonprofit organisations, management was another difficulty the of visitors in the shop and the number school projects and social enterprises, project faced. Since the recycling of of reused items. 3,500 people monthly rather than be a competitor in the items has become a profitable activity for have visited Halle 2 since the beginning market. In this way, Halle 2 offered a Halle 2, the AWM had to develop contracts of 2017 and the project expects these space for showcasing their activities with the partners involved in the project. figures to increase to 6,000 people per and gain extra visibility. Halle 2: The secondhand The example demonstrates the added month in 2020. In terms of recycled value of the circular economy model, and upcycled products, Halle 2 has sold 4 Make your project sustainable Munich store as the centre of the where reusing, sharing and cooperating almost 15,000 articles per month with an Munich organised the Halle 2 project Germany are concrete opportunities for generating estimated revenue of €50,000 per month. as a profit centre, seeking to make local circular economy jobs and growth. The last figure is particularly relevant and the project sustainable in the long demonstrates the value of reused goods run. Indeed, a business model that and materials and the potential that a creates revenue is essential to ensure Munich has taken its ambitious waste reduction strategy to the next level by developing Impact circular model can offer to our economy. the effectiveness of projects aiming to an innovative reuse lab and shop concept. Its Halle 2 municipal secondhand store not stimulate a circular economy model. only enables citizens to take responsibility for living more sustainably, it also provides Halle 2 has allowed the city of Munich to opportunities for job creation, educational programmes and voluntary activities. implement all the pillars of a successful Lessons and sustainable circular economy. Indeed,

Guenther Langer it not only became a vital part of the waste 1 Always be transparent

[email protected] prevention activities of the AWM but also By presenting people how circular Approach and secondhand use of items. Halle 2 allowed Munich to achieve their strategic economy works, cities can succeed in is a good example of wide collaboration targets in reducing the amount of waste, bringing citizens on board, ensuring Halle 2 is a municipal secondhand store between very different stakeholders promoting the reuse of goods, improving a profitable cooperation. Munich had that combines circular economy with the and interest groups from different recycling rates and strengthening a success with the organic and paper idea of actively supporting sustainable branches. By bringing a wide spectrum sustainable lifestyle for its citizens. circles and now aims to explain to lifestyles in Munich. By selling goods that of outstanding knowledge, all the actors citizens the reuse and upcycle circle. are collected at the 12 Munich recycling have together produced a very attractive The model of success of Halle 2 is the

http://bit.ly/2fHJeUI centres, Halle 2 extends the lifespan of offer for citizens. systematic cooperation with Munich 2 Attract different society groups

useful everyday items such as electronic initiatives, which enrich the thematic Munich tried to attract and connect devices, bicycles and textiles. Based on horizon of the secondhand store. Halle different groups of the society to a strong partnership with educational Challenges 2 has become a strong brand as a support the idea of waste prevention institutions, non-profits and voluntary secondhand store that facilitates the and waste reuse. Indeed, Halle 2 organisations, Halle 2 is also a good Using a secondhand shop as a circular example for active societal responsibility. economy laboratory for the city was one of It offers qualification and training on job the main challenges faced during Halle 2 perspectives at social enterprises for project. Led by the positive experience of special target groups, such as young or Munich Waste Management Cooperation’s “Halle 2 has shown how circular economy can become a win-win-win situation for the environment, long-term unemployed people. But Halle (AWM) paper and organic recycling circle, the economy and society. By delivering a simple service as a secondhand shop, and thanks to the 2 is not just a secondhand shop. It also Munich has searched for an innovative involvement of different types of stakeholders and a strong political commitment, this project has been provides a testbed for developing and idea to bring the circular economy into able to bring circular economy at the core of Munich citizens’ everyday life.” testing new ways to increase the number citizens’ everyday lives. However, many of reused items, thus contributing to residents still perceived the circular raising the awareness of waste reduction economy as an abstract political concept Bettina Folger, project leader Halle 2

22 23

Challenges liquid fertilisers used by local farmers the citizens know about the end product reduce the demand for mineral fertilisers. of their waste and the processes that Changing citizens’ behaviours remains a This is beneficial because producing transform the waste into new products, challenge, specifically correctly separating synthetic fertilisers involves mining limited the more likely they are to source separate their household waste. The bulk of food resources such as phosphate rock. their waste. The city has done this through waste - 64% - is not source separated by information campaigns and open days citizens, which means this waste ends up Compost and soil qualities from composting at the different sorting and treatment in the residual waste stream. In turn, the garden waste are very popular with both plants. The citizens deliver garden waste unseparated waste can only be used for citizens and professional gardeners and and buy soil products directly at the city’s energy recovery purposes. reduce the use of other soil and compost recycling stations. resources based on peat. The success The national definition of household and of the Oslo circle of garden waste has commercial waste makes it difficult for inspired the city to invite our neighbouring Norwegian municipalities to invest in municipalities to further develop the infrastructure for waste treatment that production and quality of different soil could be used by other municipalities products. The success has also influenced or the private industry. The city’s public other producers and retailers to replace treatment plant has unused, free capacity, peat in soil products. and the city lacks the necessary capacity for treatment of different waste streams like food waste, residual waste and hazardous Lessons Circular bio-resources: waste. For this reason, Oslo’s biogas plant Oslo is not utilised to its full capacity, which It is important to have a good dialogue Norway treatment of food waste, results in higher cost for citizens. with the future users when developing new products from waste resources. garden waste and sludge Oslo’s experience was dependent on Impact having a good and constant dialogue from wastewater with farmers, professional gardeners and Since Oslo started source separating the public transport company to produce household food waste and plastic in a product that meets important quality Oslo has been developing a waste management system based on circular principles 2012, rates of material recovery of the requirements. The dialogue was organised to ensure separate waste collection is maximised and transform waste into secondary household waste increased significantly. through research and development raw materials. To do so it has actively engaged with citizens, farmers as well as with In 2016, 40% of household waste was projects to produce the right quality, its city’s public transportation company. either reused or recycled, and only 3% understand the effects from the use of Håkon Jentoft ended in landfills. the fertiliser and develop guidelines for [email protected] its use. More than 150 buses in Oslo now run on Approach collected 15,300 tons – 27 kg per person biogas produced from food waste and It is crucial to involve citizens and be – of garden waste in the same year. This wastewater, which helps reduce the city’s open about the processes of handling Oslo owns a biogas plant, transforming waste was then composted and returned overall carbon-dioxide emissions. The their source separated waste. The more food waste into biogas, which is used to citizens as soil so they could use it in as fuel by buses and garbage collection their gardens. trucks in the city. Biofertilisers are also produced at the plant and used by farmers Oslo aims to utilise the bio-resources to produce food. This plant is the largest from its municipal sewage system by “When 660,000 citizens in Oslo do their part of the job by source separating their waste, biogas plant in Norway with a capacity for sending the sludge to farmers for their reuse and discard less waste, the City of Oslo has to do our part. All waste can either be recycled, 50,000 tons of biological substances. agricultural activities. To ensure high reused or treated in a sustainable way!’ .” quality sludge content, Oslo actively Today, citizens in Oslo source separate works to reduce the inflow of wastewater 46% of their food waste in green bags. containing micro-pollutants to the Lan Marie Nguyen Berg , deputy mayor for environment and transport Likewise, the city’s recycling stations municipal sewage network.

24 25 Strasbourg Industrial territorial ecology France at the Port of Strasbourg

With half a million inhabitants, the ‘Eurométropole’ of Strasbourg is a collection of 33 municipalities and represents a centre of activity in the east of France. Deeply committed to energy transition, the Eurométropole adopted a climate plan in 2009 aimed at energy savings, the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and the development of renewable energies.

“The Port of Strasbourg is also a port dedicated more and more to industrial ecology since it’s also a laboratory of innovation and partnership with and between companies. As it is a factor of attractiveness for new Approach Challenges companies, it is also a factor of sustainability for the existing companies.”

The Strasbourg port area has more than The main challenge was to convince the 320 established companies with about biggest industries of the value of the project Catherine Trautmann, president of the Port of Strasbourg, vice president of the Eurométropole de Strasbourg 10,000 jobs; it is the leading area of and the approach so that they agreed economic activity in Alsace. In September to dedicate time and communicate their Thomas Coëffic 2013, the Eurométropole of Strasbourg technical data, which is often confidential. [email protected] initiated an industrial and territorial Impact of wash stations: several companies are Lessons ecology (EIT) approach in the port as To achieve this, it is essential to quickly equipped with a fleet of heavy vehicles part of its economic and sustainable demonstrate to companies the economic The beneficial impacts of this work are whose maintenance and washing are The advice that can be drawn from this development action along with the Port potential, as well as the project’s diverse, both from an economic point of carried out through providers located experience is undoubtedly always to of Strasbourg, ADEME, the Grand Est environmental benefits. view for the participants, but also from an outside the port area. In 2015, a member make sure that businesses remain at the Region and the Port Users Group (GUP). environmental point of view, developing company in the process undertook work centre of the system since they are the real The aim is to optimise the consumption of Another challenge is to maintain companies’ sustainable solutions for the protection to renovate its maintenance workshops actors for its success. It is important to resources and the production of industrial interest over time, year after year. Only of the environment. and to equip itself with a new ecological speak their language and integrate their waste. This approach now involves 22 creating successful synergies can achieve washing station. It recycles at least 75% predominantly economic issues without companies and is expected to grow to this. Lastly, involving companies with The seven synergies that are now of the water used and collects rainwater underestimating the ethical commitment 26 in 2018 and 30 in 2019. Collectively, decision-making centres outside of the being successfully implemented have through the roof of the workshop. Today that some leaders may hold, both in the it represents more than 3,000 jobs and territory was another challenging aspect contributed to: two companies benefit from these beginning and throughout the process. over €3 billion in cumulative turnover. of implementing this approach. facilities.

The goal of the approach is to highlight  an annual reduction of 3,267 tons of Companies must also be rapidly industrial synergies between the different carbon-dioxide GHG emissions in the More generally, the objectives of the integrated into the governance of the companies in the harbour area, who sector of wood waste approach are to contribute to: project and its financing in a spirit of

would like to be part of the project.  100% responsible purchases for office public-private partnership. Moreover,

Several industrial synergies have been supplies, thanks to bundled purchasing  reinforcing the competitiveness of the unlike other examples of EIT, there is no

put in place through the framework, and  the valorisation of paper: more than companies leading company in the approach adopted

some of them are about circular economy 3,500 tons of locally recovered cellulosic  optimising the resources management in the port of Strasbourg. This allows the

such as ones on purchasing, wood waste, waste with an estimated savings of  developing links between the companies initiative to multiply the synergies and to electricity, pallets, paper and cardboard €16,000 per year working in this area mobilise different actors.

and even wash stations.  over 41,000 litres of water and €4,700  achieving energy efficiency saved per year thanks to the synergy

26 27 course of each day, the volunteers gather Impact Lessons foods deemed unsellable and, shortly after market closing, they open a separate stall The results speak for themselves: from The Porta Palazzo organic project has to make this food available in a dignified an initial starting point of approximately demonstrated that: manner to anyone seeking food assistance. 45% of total waste in the market being

sorted and recycled properly, the amount  The institutional conditions for such of food waste that is properly sorted has complex, multi-sector and multi- Challenges reached nearly 77%. At the same time, stakeholder circular economy projects the organic waste being sorted and require strong political will and capital The project requires significant political recovered has increased significantly in order to motivate and coordinate commitment and the coordination of from roughly 8% of the total to nearly the various project partners over the multiple city departments, the local police 33%. long-term, including different sectors force, a private financial and technical of the local administration.

partner, a local environmental organisation, The project now recovers nearly 400 kg  Circular economy initiatives require a local community organisation, the local of unsold products every day for thinking outside the box to align distinct waste management company and vendor redistribution at the market itself or interests and partners for multiple-win representatives. through nearby community facilities, solutions.

thereby extending further its reach.  The social prerequisites for the Turin The success of the project relies on successful engagement of volunteers Italy Porta Palazzo Organic Project the support of the vendors themselves. In addition to the significant impact and outreach to local stakeholders However, the market has historically been the project is having on promoting a include strong community relations to difficult to manage for several reasons. The more circular economy, there are also secure the collaboration and buy-in of Facing dramatic deindustrialisation and an uncertain future, the city of Turin sheer size of the market, the challenging numerous social benefits emerging. The the participants in the project.

implemented processes that paired physical redevelopment with strategic planning configuration of more than 900 vendor volunteers engaged by the environmental  Perseverance on the part of both the to promote citywide revitalisation and economic restructuring in the 1990s. While the spaces, an extremely multi-ethnic and NGO, asylum seekers from sub-Saharan public administration and project partners transformation has been profound, current challenges call for more circular strategies multilingual labour force and the presence and north Africa, have become extremely is key to surmounting scepticism. and an inclusive approach. of informal economies were all factors that fond of the project. For many of the the project had to overcome. Indeed, raising volunteers, it represents an opportunity awareness about the objectives of the to engage with the local community, to project in such a complex environment has contribute time and energy to a project Approach implemented an innovative system to been one of the main challenges. For this with direct social benefits to other encourage the proper separation of reason, Turin enlisted a local environmental community members and to develop Simone Mangili The Porta Palazzo organic project has food waste. The system consists of organisation to help the municipality leadership skills. The city, together [email protected] three main objectives. The first is to distributing special carts, which are distribute the carts and biodegradable with the NGO, is now exploring ways reduce food waste through the collection designed to collect food waste and easily bags to vendors and explain how to to document the volunteer experience and distribution of unsold foods in the move through the tight spaces of open-air properly sort food waste. Intercultural to allow volunteers to demonstrate their largest open-air market in Europe and, markets. The carts allow vendors to easily mediators were also required to increase community engagement experiences. The in the process, ensure that those in need and quickly clamp biodegradable bags to awareness around food waste and defuse project can also represent an initial step can access quality foods in a dignified the carts and to fill them as they sell their possible tensions around the distribution, on the path towards social, cultural and manner. Secondly, the project seeks to products. They can then bring the carts to free of charge, of unsold foods. economic integration for some. increase the amount of materials that will the appropriate collection hub to properly be reused or recycled, thereby reducing sort organic waste from other recyclable http://bit.ly/2xNK7pv the amount of incinerated material. and non-recyclable waste. The organic Lastly, the project also furthers the city’s waste is sent to composting facilities, http://bit.ly/2xcvxbx social inclusion agenda by providing reintegrating the organic material back a meaningful way for volunteer asylum into the soil cycle. “The Porta Palazzo Organic Project represents exactly the kind of multi-layered partnership seekers to engage in their community and active citizen engagement that can lead to successful circular economy initiatives capable through the collection of unsold foods. Turin also enlisted a local environmental of advancing a comprehensive sustainability agenda to achieve environmental and social goals.” NGO, Eco dalle Città, to engage a group Developed with the help of a private of volunteers, including numerous asylum partner, Novamont S.p.A., Turin has seekers, to collect unsold food. Over the Alberto Unia, deputy mayor

28 29 Challenges primarily of raw materials, extracted from a quarry and delivered by ship. Reducing The main challenge in this project the total amount of asphalt minimises the was to convince the internal decision environmental impact. makers to depart from the standard procurement procedures and from the The second sustainable solution in this standard specifications as defined in project is the use of 100% recycled asphalt Utrecht’s public space manual. In order in the lower asphalt layer. Utrecht’s to stimulate innovation, the procurement standard approach for the lower layer is team wanted to include functional to apply up to 50% of recycled asphalt. The specifications instead of technical overall project required 69% less new specifications in the tender documents. asphalt than for standard construction. The team also asked the potential contractors to provide a life cycle analysis Utrecht applied the environmental to prove that their proposed solution was cost indicator (ECI) to calculate the the most sustainable. environmental impact of the project. The ECI value is determined by using a life A second challenge was to get the cycle assessment (LCA) database. Regular approval of the road administrator, the asphalt has an ECI of €10.16 per ton municipal employee in charge of the and recycled asphalt has an ECI of €3.37 maintenance of the Cremerstraat, for per ton. The overall ECI value of the cycle the new solution. His concern was that lane is 68% lower than in a design with divergence from the manual standards regular asphalt. would lead to uncertainty in the future Utrecht Recycled asphalt for the maintenance costs. Therefore, only the The Netherlands lower layer could be made of 100% Lessons Cremerstraat cycle lane recycled asphalt. The top layer was still made with new asphalt as required by  Apply functional specifications instead  Assess what solutions have been applied the manual standards. of technical specifications in the tender in the market for similar projects. The Utrecht, one of the four biggest cities in the Netherlands, aims to be climate neutral document. This prompts the supplier to experiences and lessons learned from in 2030 and to reach a fully circular economy by 2050. In the shorter term, Utrecht is deliver new solutions. these projects may facilitate the internal committed to increasing its share of circular procurement from 4% of the annual spend Impact decision making process. in 2016 to 10% by 2020. Utrecht’s sustainable vision is also reflected in its aspiration  A political decision can be an important

to become the most bike-friendly city in the world. Cycle roads typically consist of 3 layers incentive to convince internal decision  The environmental cost indicator (ECI) of asphalt. The solution of the contractor makers to go ahead with circular has proven to be a useful tool in the Yvonne Hofman was to increase the thickness of the solutions. In 2015 a motion was passed procurement process for assessing the [email protected] foundation enabling them to reduce the by the city council to experiment with sustainability of materials. Approach cycle lane project aims at developing a amount of asphalt to 2 layers. Regular low carbon dioxide asphalt. This motion cycle lane to be part of a longer cycling asphalt has a high environmental impact was essential to bringing internal The sustainable goals of the Dutch city highway between the centre of Utrecht and carbon dioxide footprint as it consists stakeholders onboard. are all reflected in the Cremerstraat and its suburbs. Utrecht challenged the cycle lane, which was finalised in contractors to submit a circular solution September 2017. This project involved for the asphalt that was to be used in the transformation of an existing brick building the road. The selected contractor http://bit.ly/2fMYWlh road into a 900-metre cycle lane. This case (KWS) submitted a bid that contained two clearly shows the challenges the city has innovative elements: “Utrecht wants to be completely circular in 2050. One of the ways we want to achieve this is through http://bit.ly/2khU88S to face in its transition to a climate neutral Utrecht’s own procurement, as is done with sustainable asphalt in the Cremerstraat.” and circular city. As the fastest growing  less asphalt: two instead of three layers city in the Netherlands, Utrecht has high of asphalt

procurement volumes in the building and  100% recycled asphalt for the lower Lot van Hooijdonk, deputy mayor civil engineering sector. The Cremerstraat layer

30 31 EUROCITIES is the political platform for major European cities. We network the local governments of over 140 of Europe’s largest cities and more than 40 partner cities that between them govern some 130 million citizens across 39 countries. with the support of - Brussels www.heartsnminds.eu Designed by Designed

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