Circular Economy Consulting

Hosted by the European Economic and Social Commitee (EESC) and the European Network for Community-led initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability (ECOLISE), I worked on the co-creation of strategic parameters to strengthen the role of local communities in the European Union.

 

3 Key Takeaways:

 

• Strengthen collective action among Community-Led Initiatives and between CLIs and policy stakeholders

 

I supported the strengthening of the role of permaculture initiatives, transition networks and ecovillages to achieve a bottom-up approach for the sustainable transition through decentralized community-based actions. These grassroots movements are vital to the Green Deal and the fair and just transition we want to achieve.

 

• Adopt a systems-thinking approach with a focus on regenerative cultures and values

 

A holistic systemic approach is needed to tackle planetary crisis, caused by our extractive and destructive economic system, such as biodiversity loss and pollution. To recognize that everything is connected and that humans are a part of nature and not separate from it, is essential to enable regeneration in the natural world and in social, economic, and political systems.

 

• Translate community action into political will

 

Political apathy or distrust on the side of community-led initiatives could lead to the creation of major roadblocks for implementing the European Green Deal. Trust between policy makers and communities in democratic processes needs to be re-established, also with the help of adequate decentralized funding pools.

 

www.ecolise.eu/wrap-up-of-ecolises-2022-policy-stakeholder-event/

https://www.ecolise.eu/from-community-action-to-policy-change-3-key-takeaways-from-ecolises-2022-policy-positioning-process/

In the realm of sustainability and ecological responsibility, one remarkable journey captures our attention—the collaborative venture between Återbygget Ekonomisk Förening and Raphael Schranz. This partnership not only showcases the significant advancements in the circular economy but also demonstrates the potency of circular principles in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
Återbygget Ekonomisk Förening, a visionary Swedish company specializing in circular economy solutions, has emerged as a trailblazer in reshaping the Swedish Building and Construction Sector. Their pioneering approach reimagines the construction industry, reframing waste as a valuable resource to be reintegrated into the economic cycle. This visionary perspective seamlessly aligns with the core tenets of the circular economy—an approach that minimizes waste, conserves resources, and maximizes economic benefits.
Collaborating with Raphael Schranz, a distinguished expert in circular economy practices, they embarked on an impactful journey to revolutionize the operational landscape of the Swedish Building and Construction Sector.
Enriching Knowledge in Circular Operations
The journey commenced with a dynamic Circular Economy Session in Vilstal, as part of the SocialTech4EU initiative, bringing together leaders, innovators, and forward-thinkers committed to reshaping the industry's future. The focus was on building a foundational understanding of circular operations.
Raphael imparted a comprehensive grasp of the fundamental principles of circularity, setting the stage for the industry's transformation. Additionally, the collaboration with Återbygget involved discerning the distinct value proposition intrinsic to their circular endeavors. Moreover, insights were shared concerning the strategic utilization of Industry 4.0 & 5.0 Technologies, such as BIM Models and digital applications and platforms, to enhance both efficiency and sustainability.
Forging a Strategic Roadmap
Then, the emphasis shifted towards the development of a concrete strategic roadmap for Återbygget Ekonomisk Förening. The strategies aimed at streamlining reuse, preventive maintenance, renovation, refurbishing, and repairing operations for existing products and materials within the construction sector. Furthermore, Raphael introduced the concept of a digital secondary raw material marketplace, enhancing data transparency and verifiability.
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This multifaceted approach not only reduces waste and emissions but also lowers costs across the board while generating novel employment opportunities.
Key Takeaways
The synergy between Återbygget Ekonomisk Förening and Raphael Schranz yielded remarkable outcomes. The adoption of circular business models played a pivotal role in minimizing the value loop for technical cycles, thereby driving increased socio-economic and environmental performance indicators.
 

•Concurrently, waste reduction strategies, aligned with the circular economy's principles, virtually eliminated waste tied to existing infrastructure.
 

•The incorporation of cutting-edge technologies through a digital secondary material market offered a clear demonstration of how technology can be harnessed to support environmental sustainability.
 

•Quantifiable reductions in emissions underscored the tangible environmental benefits of these endeavors.
 

•Successful collaboration among all stakeholders effectively managed the intricacies of transitioning to circular operations.

Beyond the training program, Raphael Schranz offered tailored consulting services to address Återbygget Ekonomisk Förening's specific requirements. These services encompassed the collaborative development of a circular business strategy in alignment with Återbygget's mission and long-term objectives, conducting environmental impact assessments of circular economy initiatives, identifying fresh market opportunities, and ensuring compliance with pertinent environmental regulations and standards.

In summation, the journey with Återbygget Ekonomisk Förening serves as a testament to the transformative potential of the circular economy. By introducing the Circular Industrial Economy to the Swedish Building and Construction Sector, they have not only dramatically reduced waste but have also crafted a sustainability model that can be emulated across diverse industries. Raphael's expertise and guidance have been instrumental in shaping Återbygget's success, underscoring how circular economy principles can concurrently drive environmental stewardship and economic prosperity. Together, they are making invaluable contributions toward a more circular, regenerative, and resilient future for all.

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainability and environmental stewardship, one remarkable journey stands out—the partnership between Coffee Resurrect and Raphael Schranz. This partnership not only underscores the remarkable strides made in the circular bioeconomy but also showcases the power of industrial symbiosis in the quest for a sustainable future.
Coffee Resurrect, a visionary company, has been at the forefront of the circular bioeconomy movement. By reimagining the fate of used coffee grounds, they've pioneered a revolutionary approach. Instead of discarding coffee grounds as waste, they view them as a valuable resource to be reintegrated into the economy. This perspective aligns perfectly with the principles of the circular economy—a paradigm where waste is minimized, resources are conserved, and economic benefits are maximized.
The heart of Coffee Resurrect's mission lies in industrial symbiosis, a concept at the core of the circular bioeconomy. Together with Raphael Schranz, they have created a virtuous cycle where coffee grounds are upcycled into various valuable products. Through strategic collaborations and partnerships, they've ensured that no part of the coffee grounds goes to waste. These partnerships have not only reduced waste but also generated economic opportunities for multiple stakeholders.
Raphael Schranz, a leading expert in circular economy and the circular bioeconomy, played a pivotal role in this journey. A tailored training program was designed to empower Coffee Resurrect with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in their mission. This training delved into several key topics:
 

•Understanding the core principles of circularity, such as circular design choices and the slowing, narrowing, and closing of resource loops in technical and biological cycles.
 

•Delving into the concept of industrial symbiosis and how it can be applied to maximize resource efficiency to solve multidimensional problems across sectors to reduce waste and emissions, reduce costs and create jobs.
 

•Exploring the role of biotechnology and cascading cycles to shape biological loops and a circular bioeconomy.
 

•Examining the importance of sustainable sourcing and supply chain management in circular business models.
 

•Promoting innovative approaches to product and system design that minimize waste and environmental impact.

Beyond the training program, Raphael Schranz also provided consulting services tailored to Coffee Resurrect's unique needs. These services encompassed:
 

•Collaboratively developing a circular business strategy that aligns with Coffee Resurrect's mission and long-term goals.
 

•Conducting assessments to measure the environmental benefits of their circular bioeconomy initiatives.
 

•Identifying new market opportunities and potential partners to further expand Coffee Resurrect's impact.
 

•Ensuring that Coffee Resurrect's operations adhere to relevant environmental regulations and standards.

In conclusion, the journey with Coffee Resurrect is a testament to the transformative power of the circular bioeconomy. By reintegrating used coffee grounds into the economy through industrial symbiosis, they've not only reduced waste but also created a model of sustainability that can be replicated across industries. Raphael Schranz's expertise and guidance have been instrumental in shaping Coffee Resurrect's success, exemplifying how circular economy principles can drive environmental stewardship and economic growth hand in hand. Together, they are contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

On 3 separate dates, together with over 100 high-level participants, I took part in discussions of the Shared Green Deal arena series.
With the help of an X-Curve analysis model, we discussed the state of the transition to a fair & sustainable Europe across six strategic priorities which contribute to the climate action and zero pollution ambitions of the EU Green Deal. These strategic priorities include:

Clean energy, Circular Economy, efficient renovations, sustainable mobility, sustainable food, preserving biodiversity, climate action and zero pollution.

 

Moreover, I assisted in the mapping of future images and the creation of comprehensive transition pathways to implement a European Circular Industrial Economy.

 

Lastly, with a back-casting approach, I helped built timelines for implementation strategies and analyzed possible trade-offs and co-benefits between 3 different streams of the EU Green Deal. This complexity analysis included the implications of feedback loops between energy and food production and consumption systems within the principles of the circular economy and circular value creation.

Video Summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXUODyvmi_Y