The Prosperkolleg project started in the German city of Bottrop on 1 June 2019, aiming to explore how to transfer the idea of the circular economy to industry.
Hochschule Ruhr West, WiN Emscher-Lippe GmbH, the city of Bottrop, the Effizienzagentur NRW and the Prosperkolleg association all joined forces to carry out research and demonstrate innovative developments in circular products and business models.
The project is funded by the Ministry of the Economy, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia.
R-PVC Hub aims to promote cooperation between all stakeholders in the PVC recycling sector, including the businesses collecting waste, processing it and producing items containing recycled material.
One goal of the platform is to inform stakeholders about national and European rules on PVC waste and technological innovations in the field of waste sorting and management and the definition of by-products, waste and secondary raw materials.
It also links up supply and demand: businesses list what they have or need and the precise specifications of the PVC.
Rcube is a Federation of French companies active in the reuse and repair sectors and covering a wide range of products and services (such as smartphones, computers, tyres, toys, electronics and bicycles).
The federation aims to develop the reuse sector and put it on a professional footing by promoting good practices, representing the sector vis-à-vis external bodies, fostering partnerships and innovation with various socio-economic stakeholders and generally advocating for the shift to the circular economy. It works with various French ministries, and currently has 400 members. These members provide mutual support through committees, working groups and meetings.
It is active in Paris, and has outreach offices in the regions of Hauts de France and Grand Ouest.
Recovo is a B2B platform located in Spain which specialises in selling on deadstock fabric which would otherwise be classified as textile waste.
The platform helps EU-based brands and suppliers to give a second life to unused fabric. This reduces the amount of resources needed to meet buyers' needs and cuts down on waste.
Recovo uploads photos and information on fabric remnants put up for sale by producers which can then earn money from products rather than paying for waste disposal. Buyers can order samples, then buy as much of the fabric as they want which is delivered straight to them. Recovo ships within the EU, and most vendors are located in Europe, specifically Spain and Portugal.
A user-friendly platform promoting circularity and combating waste!
Recycling Europe (formerly EuRIC) represents the recycling industry at European level and is the leading voice for a competitive European recycling industry, enabling the circular economy and preserving resources for future generations. It:
advocates for conditions that enable recycling and waste management sectors to be competitive, grow and re-invest;
connects the European recycling industries and other circular economy stakeholders;
acts as a trusted partner between the European recycling value chain and policy makers;
Advances the socio-economic, climate and environmental benefits of recycling;
provides specific and cross-sectoral expertise on a broad range of materials, including:
Recyclo aims to be a catalyst for the circular economy, helping urban areas be more resource efficient through better waste management and recovery.
It is a cooperative, which identifies problems, proposes solutions and helps implement them. It provides consultancy, training and business development, with the objective of raising awareness about urban waste. It works with public authorities, businesses and civic platforms, promoting a zero waste approach.
It works with waste management companies, and has set up a collection service geared to the needs of businesses. It has also organised a network of compost sites across Brussels, supplied with organic waste by restaurants and bars.
Recyklujme stavby! is a Czech online platform which fosters the standardisation of recycling methods for construction materials.
The platform offers construction professionals a series of services to implement circularity in the sector:
The catalogue of products and materials containing secondary raw materials (an online version of the document for the Czech Standardization Agency) and recycled products
Legislative requirements and related regulations standards
Test procedures for putting recycled products into use.
A glossary of terms to help professionals to get familiar with the issue.
The platform is an initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Czech Standardization Agency.
is a support hub for materials research and characterization;
offers coordinated access to more than 50 European analytical research facilities and provides comprehensive research services focusing on new circular materials;
provides scientists working on new recyclable materials with analytical tools enabling them to explore the properties and structure of their material up to atomic resolution.
Its service catalogue is complemented by an extensive training programme, enabling the user community to make the best possible use of its state-of-the-art facilities.
The project leverages the development of innovative, sustainable materials for key components across the economy.
ReNewTex is an innovation network aiming to help tap synergies and graduallytransform the carpet and rug industry from a linear to a circular business sector.
It works as a moderated matchmaking platform where people can connect to further common ideas and needs through technological projects. After finding the topics, it supports companies in finding the right investment strategy and getting the project going.
ReNewTex hosts talks on sustainability or on specific topics. ZENIT, the agency for innovation and European affairs of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia, moderates the talks, looking for new members and support with project planning and funding.
Repairmystuff is an online platform based in Ireland which supports, promotes and encourages the repair industry in Ireland.
It promotes a circular economy by providing a free online space for repair companies. It aims to give consumers more options for accessing repair services throughout the country. It also provides consumers with a search tool which suggests service providers according to what needs to be repaired and where in the country the person is located.
