The 'Recycling Business Models' project, led by the PTA, presents a manual to boost the Circular Economy in SMEs

Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía (PTA)

The Recycling Business Models project has presented important results this month with the delivery of two handbooks oriented to the innovative European business fabric

On the one hand, these results have been compiled in a manual that provides guidelines and examples of good circular economy practices developed in European innovation ecosystems to support SMEs to be more sustainable, profitable, and productive. On the other hand, a guide has been developed, also aimed at these small and medium-sized enterprises, including opportunities for innovation and growth offered by the circular economy. 

Recycling Business Models is a project coordinated by the Technology Park of Andalucia (PTA), together with the science and technological parks of Johanneberg (Sweden) and Alentejo (Portugal), and with the participation of other international partners. The project began in October 2019 and held its inaugural meeting at the PTA headquarters in November. Since then, it has promoted the monitoring of real cases in the technological hubs of the participating countries and in the companies located there. This project is based on the circular economy model, which is committed to the sustainability of all production processes. Recycling Business Models aims to optimize the use of resources by transforming traditional science and technology parks into greener and more sustainable spaces. 

The project aims to create a methodology and strategy for the revaluation of waste, equipment, and its reinstatement in the life cycle of park-based companies. For example, one company's waste can provide raw material or energy for another.  

National and European frameworks are promoting the Circular Economy, where companies can find financing opportunities in developing new criteria in their business models (from circular supply to resource recovery or exchange platforms). The good practices detected in science and technology parks highlight the importance they have, for the consolidation of the Circular Economy, infrastructure, waste management and awareness campaigns, among other aspects. Recycling Business Models highlights the value of the strategic plans defined in this regard by European science and technology parks, as well as different business initiatives promoted from these Technopolis in the field of the Circular Economy. 

You can have a look to the handbooks in the following link: https://www.pta.es/en/international/