Objective
In Ukraine and many European countries, recyclable waste from small, decentralised generators (such as condominiums, SMEs) rarely enters formal recycling streams. Despite strong regulatory frameworks in the EU and similar developments underway in Ukraine, the collection of low-volume recyclable waste remains inefficient, inaccessible, or economically unviable. As a result, millions of tonnes of valuable materials are still landfilled annually. This exposes a structural gap in the circular economy: the segment where most waste is generated is insufficiently served by existing logistics and digital infrastructure.
Recycle UA LLC is a Ukrainian tech startup addressing this gap through the development of an integrated platform that enables small generators to sell recyclables in small quantities, and ensures economically-feasible delivery of such materials to the recycling companies. Its MVP, the Recycle Marketplace, is a digital platform where in addition to selling/buying, both parties can get autogenerated compliance documentation required by the regulations. The platform already serves 280+ clients in Ukraine and shows strong month-on-month growth.
The SMART-REC project will scale this MVP into an integrated platform by developing and deploying its core innovation — the Smart Logistics Engine (SLE). Based on academically validated k-node optimisation models, SLE enables real-time micro-routing for on-demand recyclable collection. It works without sensors or hardware, factoring in vehicle capacity, material types, live updates, and re-planning logic.
During the project, the models will be transformed into a production-grade algorithm, fully integrated into the platform backend and validated in live urban settings, moving the technology from TRL 4 to TRL 6. The project also covers business model refinement, EU market research, regulatory mapping, and IP strategy, ensuring the Recycle Platform is scalable internationally, compliant, and startup is investment-ready.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- social sciences economics and business business and management business models
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.3.1.3 - Additional EIC activities
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-UKRAINIANTECH-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
02132 Kyiv
Ukraine
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.