【FOCUS】Circular Economy
Today, we will focus on the theme of "Circular Economy" and share innovative solutions from five cities. Without further ado, let’s learn about revitalizing cultural heritage with Guangzhou Award Secretariat!
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
The Computer Reconditioning Centre
The Computer Reconditioning Centre (CRC) is an integral element of the city of Belo Horizonte’s digital inclusion, skills development and waste reduction efforts. In this electronics remanufacturing facility, citizens from low income communities receive extensive training to restore donated post-use IT equipment into full working condition. This refurbished equipment goes on to support over 300 ‘digital inclusion sites’ operated by the city, where Belo Horizonte locals have free access to computers and internet as well as varied training opportunities in basic digital literacy. In the first years of the Belo Horizonte CRC since its 2008 launch, 7,000 post-use IT products (CPUs, monitors, printers) were restored in the first nine years of the initiative and 10,446 citizens have been trained in basic technological skills, environmental education, and computer remanufacturing to date.
Check to see more at:
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/Belo_Horizonte_-Case-Study_Mar19.pdf
Austin, United States
The Austin Materials Marketplace
The City of Austin’s ambition to reach zero waste by 2040 has generated several initiatives, including the creation of the Austin Materials Marketplace, an online materials exchange platform. Aligning with circular economy principles, the platform’s ambition is to keep materials and products out of landfill and in use, not only reducing waste management expenditure for the city, but also providing the means for local businesses to advertise and bid for surpluses, thereby benefiting from cost savings or creating additional income. The Materials Marketplace is designed to attract users from across different sectors as discarded materials from one company can be valuable input materials for another. Materials advertised and sought on the Materials Marketplace include construction and demolition materials, plastics, organics, and packaging. Since the Materials Marketplace was created, over 400 tonnes of material have been diverted from landfill, and over 950 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions have been saved
Check to see more at:
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/Austin_-Case-Study_Mar19.pdf
London, United Kingdom
Advance London Circular Economy SME Business Support Programme
To support small and medium-sized enterprises in the transition to a circular economy, London Waste and Recycling Board has created Advance London - a circular economy programme that offers business advisory services and investment guidance to SMEs that meet specific size, turnover and focus criteria. Engagement with the SMEs is tailored to their individual activities, and includes exploring new circular economy markets, revenue streams and business models. By transforming waste challenges into business opportunities, the work of Advance London also contributes to meeting the city’s goal of zero waste to landfill by 2026.
Check to see more at:
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/London_-Case-Study_Mar19.pdf
New York, United States
The #WearNext Campaign
Each year, New York City landfills around 100,000 tonnes (or 200 million pounds) of clothing — equivalent to more than 440 Statues of Liberty. From production to disposal, the textile industry as a whole is extremely wasteful and polluting. To improve the situation, The #WearNext campaign united local fashion industry players in an effort to encourage all New Yorkers to get involved by donating, repairing, reselling or swapping their old clothes to give them a new life. People were invited to share their stories using the hashtag #WearNext. The campaign connected public authorities, the fashion industry, collectors, recyclers, resellers, media, and social media influencers in New York City to reduce clothing waste.
Check to see more at:
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/WEARNEXT-CASESTUDY3.pdf
Shenzhen, China
Switching to an Electric Mobility System in the City
In 2017, Shenzhen became the first city in the world to electrify all public buses with a view to cutting emissions, reducing noise pollution and improving air quality. The initiative also helped to further develop electric mobility. There are now over 16,000 electric public buses (e-buses) on the road. Work is also underway to improve battery technologies to encourage their reuse, charging speeds and suitability for a wider range of vehicles. Combustion engine buses used to contribute to 20% of air pollution, but through the transition it is now estimated the city will see an annual reduction of 4.316 million tons of particulate matter. In addition, the average GHG emissions per e-bus kilometre is 40% less than a diesel vehicle.
Check to see more at:
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/Shenzhen_-Case-Study_Mar19.pdf
(Editor: Eureka Shen)
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