EC Business Innovation Observatory is a project delivering regular analysis and intelligence on the latest business and industrial innovation trends from various industries in EU. One segment of this project steered by European Commission focuses on Closed Loop Waste Management. The latest report released in September 2014 presents Cycle4green as a case study of a SME in Clean Technology. This report states generally about the demand for recycling solutions as follows:

Status quo

“Currently, more resources are used than our planet can produce. Hence, two forces drive the emergence of a business innovation: the rise of the middle-class consumers, and the realisation that resources are in finite supply. This alternative, called “closed-loop model” or “circular economy”, allows the infinite reuse of resources. Hence, “waste” could be replaced by “resource”, and this trend called “closed-loop resource management”. It proves that economic growth and preservation of the environment are two compatible challenges.” “In 2010, 3 billion tonnes of waste were generated in the EU. Each of Europe’s 500 million citizens is responsible for about 6 tonnes of waste per year. In 2013, the average of EU waste recycled reached around 40%, while the remainder ended up in landfills.”

Future

“The EU can foster the emergence of the CLWM in multiple ways. The first step is to grasp the potential of the paradigm shift caused by the closed-loop model. Its scope requires pan-European collaboration led by business, with policy- makers and end-users…” “ The whole impact of the value chain has to be taken into consideration, even the after-sale impact. Products that can be recycled and reused have to be considered more favourably compared to products that constantly drain resources. Finally, regulations need to be adapted to take into account the specific case of the CLWM companies.”

This is a huge common challenge which should motivate every one in finding new ways of waste utilization. Release liners make only a tiny fraction of all waste but on the other hand it represents significant source of waste in labelling / decorating operations. All new recycling streams seemd to have a common factor which is a need from industry and legislation to support the efforts in order to achieve a critical mass for the loop.

We in C4G are very pleased that we have been recognized as a company propelling one yet small but relevant waste recovery stream.

For more information click to : EC : Business Innovation Observatory and CLWM : Case Studies