Growing businesses and expanding the circular economy in Odense, Denmark

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The project has succeeded in engaging undertakings and creating growth in the local circular economy. All this by having a focus on sustainability, waste management, product design and recycling.Josva Ervill, Danish Business AuthorityThe project works with existing and new businesses. The goal is to provide value to citizens, build synergies between companies, exploit big data for smart waste solutions, or develop initiatives that can support the work of project partner Odense Renovation, the city’s waste management organisation.Promoting green innovationUseful data, information and advice is made available to participating SMEs through the project. Clusters of companies are being established that work within the circular economy. Development and testing of new methods and products takes place in ‘Waste Labs’.Part of the project involves the establishment of a platform within Odense Municipality's Smart City project, which provides valuable data on subjects such as waste quantities, sorting options and material consumption. The objective is to ensure innovative products, services and companies are commercially viable beyond the project’s lifetime.Value from wasteOne partnership is using nylon from fishing nets and washed-up plastic to make clothes and yoga mats. In another collaboration, games are being devised to teach 15-20 years olds about the circular economy, sustainable production and the use of waste as a resource.Meanwhile, steps are being taken to develop Odense’s first packaging-free grocery store. Customers bring their own containers to the store to buy products such as rice, flour, pasta and yogurt. Another project team is contributing to the circular economy by finding new homes and uses for unwanted and discarded electronic products.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Development of innovative waste management solutions to support the circular economy” is EUR 633 557, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 316 779 through the “Innovation and Sustainable Growth in Businesses” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Climate change and risk prevention”.