Beyond Recycling: Waste Prevention in Circular Strategies
An interesting panel discussion explored how new technologies, citizens’ engagement, and waste prevention measures are supporting our pilot cities’ sustainability efforts
On 26 June, CLIMABOROUGH hosted Beyond Recycling: Waste Prevention in Circular Strategies, an inspiring session within Energy Cities’ Annual Conference Grafting Cities in Valencia, Spain.
The 2024 edition aimed to unveil remarkable initiatives that European local authorities have undertaken to “graft” their cities, highlighting the transformative efforts to reshape urban landscapes. What better opportunity to present our pilot cities’ strategies to go from waste to circularity?
Jean-Benoît Bel from ACR+, Mariam Gallée from Grenoble-Alpes Metro, Christina Kalogirou from Ioannina, Davide Miceli from Turin, and Francisca Hipólito from Valencia discussed what waste prevention concretely means and why it is key to reach climate neutrality.
Why do we need to push for real waste prevention and reduction measures?
So far, too little has been done in Europe to act before a substance, material or product becomes waste. Jean-Benoît Bel from ACR+, an international city network committed to fostering a circular economy, explained how the lack of monitoring, communication, and circular business models, as well as non-binding targets, are challenging waste prevention.
Meanwhile, successful examples of waste prevention strategies are helping save tons of food. “We need to rethink how the economy and the market work. Convenience + motivation + information is the perfect mix to prevent waste,” said Bel.
A sustainable reconstruction for a livable city
Mariam Gallée presented the innovative Cadran Solaire Renovation Project on behalf of the French Grenoble-Alpes Metropole. This 6-year project is a great opportunity for residents to benefit from new public green spaces and municipal services, and to partially address the need for both affordable and social housing. The construction has just started. It involves the deconstruction of buildings that are not being preserved. This initiative is a perfect example of a circular economy. Indeed, construction materials that can be reused are on sale.
Educating about the circular economy
Christina Kalogirou stressed the importance of educating and involving citizens from a young age. The Greek municipality of Ioannina is running an education programme called Let’s Recycle in schools to raise awareness on how to separate waste and keep the environment clean. Moreover, they have increased the number of recycling corners around the city, reward citizens for recycling packages, and have opened an environmental education park. Collaboration with private companies is another key factor to success.
Data collection for better waste management
Turin (Italy) needs to prevent the waste of both electronic elements (WEEE) and textiles. Davide Miceli talked about two innovative start-ups that are helping the municipality collect data to improve waste management in the context of CLIMABOROUGH.
For instance, a new sensor can analyse the content thrown in bins, while an app helps users categorise textiles before they become waste, thus fostering reuse. The city is asking for more effective policies to support their efforts.
How to sort your waste?
Francisca Hipólito from the host municipality of Valencia showcased a recently launched project that involves both citizens and AI. Citizens can now download a new app on their smartphones to learn more about how to separate waste correctly and analyse what’s on their plates. The data collected will help calculate the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Technology and citizen engagement are allies in implementing a circular economy
The experiences shared by Grenoble-Alpes Metropole, Ioannina, Turin, and Valencia prove that new business models can be developed, technology is essential to supporting cities’ climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, and education plays a key role in fostering behavioural changes.
A mindset switch is indeed needed. We should consume less and make better use of the resources we have to fight climate change. Giving a new life to old buildings, products, and materials are concrete examples of sufficiency measures that can help us respect planetary boundaries while enhancing our well-being.
The path towards climate neutrality is challenging. This is why we need the whole society to be involved. Since their setup one year ago, ClimaHUBs have strived to support pilot cities in tackling climate-related challenges, bridging the gap between the design and implementation of urban innovations.
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