Date palms are becoming ever more important globally and in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). The Khalifa Award Report, inspired by 46 contributors in 21 countries, focuses on the 5 Ps -People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships - which shape the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The bio-circular economic potential of the date palm industry has yet to be explored. In some cases, it is a necessity that can save lives in oases prone to fire hazards caused by climate change; it can also provide new green jobs in the sustainable economy transition. The European circular economy transition can serve as a model for adaptation in the MENA region.
More info on date palm recycling on pages 162-3 of the report.
The Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) is an international, non-profit think-and-do tank that works with businesses, policy makers, partner organisations and civil society to deliver a good life for all. They are experts in sustainable solutions and aim to mainstream sustainability.
CSCP is active in fields such as social innovation, sustainable product portfolio and footprint assessments. It provides policy advisory services rooted in scientific research and hands-on experience, and develops focused research and evaluation through real-time prototype testing in a holistic living lab format. It also conducts training and capacity building.
Position paper on the potential use of RFIDs in packaging material in the “Modernisation of the Food Industry through Industry 4.0 and Digitisation initiative”
The GLOPACK (Granting society with LOw environmental impact innovative PACKaging) project aims to come up with food packaging which has no environmental footprint and can extend the shelf life of food products.
This paper explores the applications of Radio frequency identification (RFID), a promising technology that can identify articles much more efficiently than barcodes. One of the project's areas of interest is RFID-enabled wireless food spoilage indicators linked to food date labels.
RFID technology can help reduce waste (consumers can use it to check the quality of the food in their fridge) and increase recycling (it is good for mass identifying items quickly, which is helpful in a recycling facility).
Holland Circular Hotspot is a private foundation that aims to accelerate the international transition to a circular economy.
It does this by connecting companies, knowledge institutes and (local) authorities, and supporting international collaboration and knowledge exchange on the Dutch circular economy.
HCH:
Offers insights into and access to the network of Dutch circular pioneers;
Develops and exchanges knowledge about international market opportunities for circular economy;
Creates circular opportunities internationally by matching offer and demand;
Supports companies and organisations that want to contribute to the internationalisation of the circular economy;
Stimulates cooperation between the private sector, knowledge institutions, governments and other relevant parties.
Fortunale is entirely eco-friendly, and it is inspired by modern principles of circular economy: a Fortunale sweater is designed, from its origin, to be recycled at the end of its natural use until 80%, because it is made of pure wool, and this precious characteristic allows us to regenerate its fibers into new prime materials.
