Periodic Reporting for period 2 - IMPACTPapeRec (Boosting the implementation of participatory strategies on separate paper collection for efficient recycling)
Berichtszeitraum: 2017-04-01 bis 2018-01-31
IMPACTPapeRec aims to put Europe at the forefront of PfR (Paper for Recycling) collection, ensuring raw material procurement from mainly European sources through an innovative approach based on the participation of the whole paper value chain including citizens and municipalities, which is also open to other sectors. Therefore, the main objective is (a) to provide an innovative and common knowledge platform, which will enable present and future cooperation between all the stakeholders in the PfR value chain.
A second objective is (b) the analysis on best practices in PfR collection and assessment of procedures, considering specific local conditions. They will encourage reliable decisions and make solutions available to decision-makers ensuring the procurement and supply of PfR in Europe through the improvement of municipal paper collection.
The importance for the society is justified because of the analysis of the whole value chain of PfR and the development of best practices will result in better use of resources and raw materials as well as creating new business opportunities related to circular economy.
Medium-long term results expected are: (a) Increases in PfR collection (up to75%), (b) 1.57 Mt/year, (c) Raw material savings of €385 million.
A second objective is (b) the analysis on best practices in PfR collection and assessment of procedures, considering specific local conditions. They will encourage reliable decisions and make solutions available to decision-makers ensuring the procurement and supply of PfR in Europe through the improvement of municipal paper collection.
The importance for the society is justified because of the analysis of the whole value chain of PfR and the development of best practices will result in better use of resources and raw materials as well as creating new business opportunities related to circular economy.
Medium-long term results expected are: (a) Increases in PfR collection (up to75%), (b) 1.57 Mt/year, (c) Raw material savings of €385 million.
An analysis of the current management systems for PfR has been developed in the first period of the project considering the clusters of Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, France and the UK (WP2-3). This has served as the basis for the detection of the problems, challenges and negative effects (WP2-3-4) which resulted in a generation of good and best practices (WP2) for implementation (WP3) as well as an innovation atmosphere created aimed at the generation new ideas for business development (WP4). In addition, an analysis of best-performing territories was also made, as well as a continuous exchange with the members of the External Support Committee. The outcomes from the Clusters of municipalities, External Support Committee and the best-performing territories were merged to initiate discussion through Best Practice Working Groups (BPWG) which resulted in a list of best and good practices, key performance indicators (WP2) and exchange with the Clusters to generate models for PfR, systems of incentives, policy measure and standardization (WP3). Such work performed in the first reporting period resulted in the most relevant outcome of the project which was the publication of the Good and Best Practice Handbook which its first version was made available by the end of July 2017 (WP2).
Other important breakthrough in the project has been the validation of the handbook by the clusters of municipalities and the setting up of actions for the definition of incentive schemes, policy measures and standardization (WP3). Such definition was made in conjunction with WP4, where a list of relevant 28 policies and incentives was discussed during the Cluster Workshop held at La Roche-sur-Yon (France) in September 2017. In addition, innovation challenges were also discussed during the Innovation Workshop held at La Roche-sur-Yon (France) in September 2017 (WP4). Other relevant outcomes from WP4 were the list of relevant projects in the topic as well as the development of the Entrepreneur Workshop held in Brussels in January 2018.
Finally, the most relevant outcomes from WP5 were the organisation of the Project Conferences in Barcelona (January 2017) and the final Project Conference at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels (Belgium) 24th January 2018 (with the participation of most of the members of the External Support Committee), as well as the development of the Project Video and e-learning modules. It is also worth to note the completion of different planned dissemination and communication actions (newsletters, press releases, participation in trade fairs and congresses, workshops for municipalities, informative meeting, etc.) with a broad range of audience (industry, research, citizens, policy makers, etc.) (WP5). It should be also noted that the IMPACTPapeRec project has been commended in the European Paper Recycling Awards 2017 held in Brussels as the best project within the category “Information and Education”.
Other important breakthrough in the project has been the validation of the handbook by the clusters of municipalities and the setting up of actions for the definition of incentive schemes, policy measures and standardization (WP3). Such definition was made in conjunction with WP4, where a list of relevant 28 policies and incentives was discussed during the Cluster Workshop held at La Roche-sur-Yon (France) in September 2017. In addition, innovation challenges were also discussed during the Innovation Workshop held at La Roche-sur-Yon (France) in September 2017 (WP4). Other relevant outcomes from WP4 were the list of relevant projects in the topic as well as the development of the Entrepreneur Workshop held in Brussels in January 2018.
Finally, the most relevant outcomes from WP5 were the organisation of the Project Conferences in Barcelona (January 2017) and the final Project Conference at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels (Belgium) 24th January 2018 (with the participation of most of the members of the External Support Committee), as well as the development of the Project Video and e-learning modules. It is also worth to note the completion of different planned dissemination and communication actions (newsletters, press releases, participation in trade fairs and congresses, workshops for municipalities, informative meeting, etc.) with a broad range of audience (industry, research, citizens, policy makers, etc.) (WP5). It should be also noted that the IMPACTPapeRec project has been commended in the European Paper Recycling Awards 2017 held in Brussels as the best project within the category “Information and Education”.
Better informed decision-making at EU and national level as well as by industry: Through the continuous exchange between members of the consortium and members of the External Support Committee in order to get a series of Good Practices for the Handbook. Exchange and sharing of information at events like Conferences and Informative meetings have been put in practice.
Increased EU raw material knowledge and transparency of EU raw material information: The project has analysed the situation in cluster territories and in best-performing territories in order to allow to have the best criteria for the potential implementation of best practices to enhance the quantity and quality of PfR, based on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s). In addition, good and best practices have been validated in the different participating clusters of municipalities in order to demonstrate the practical implementation of such practices.
Boosting the raw material sector and the improvement of the availability of raw materials: With the work carried out in the project, municipalities have increased their knowledge about current situation on PfR collection based on a set of quantitative Key Performance Indicators. In addition, they were able to check how do the best and good practices fit to their specific situation, put into practice measures to enhance recovery of PfR, as well as to set realistic targets to increase the quantity and quality of PfR.
Adding greater value to the economy and creating new jobs: In the course of the project, clusters of municipalities were able to estimate the amount uncollected/unmanaged of PfR which can be recycled, offering new business/employment opportunities in each territory. The development of the self-assessment tool that accompanied the Best & Good Practice Handbook has serve to the clusters to set realistic targets about business development around unmanaged amounts/low quality fractions of PFR.
Easier information exchange: several information exchange bodies have been created like the Best Practice Working Groups (and the equivalent Innovation Node Working Groups) and the External Support Committee. The information exchange has been accompanied by a set of dissemination actions in which third parties external to the project have been also involved, like the Conferences, Informative Meetings and the participation in workshops or social media activities.
Contribution to the implementation of the EIP on raw materials: the project has focused on those Countries of below the average recycling of paper. Therefore, IMPACTPapeRec aims at the use of knowledge and innovation as a source to enhance both the quantity and quality of paper for recycling (PfR), avoiding mixing with other materials and the end of valuable materials in incineration or in landfills. Having the necessary quantitative date, is possible to estimate the savings and potential business generation from these valuable materials.
Impact on environment and society: the implementation of circular economy approaches like those used in IMPACTPapeRec will for sure reduce impacts as well as to boost the employment and entrepreneurship around the use of PfR at local/regional level.
Increased EU raw material knowledge and transparency of EU raw material information: The project has analysed the situation in cluster territories and in best-performing territories in order to allow to have the best criteria for the potential implementation of best practices to enhance the quantity and quality of PfR, based on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s). In addition, good and best practices have been validated in the different participating clusters of municipalities in order to demonstrate the practical implementation of such practices.
Boosting the raw material sector and the improvement of the availability of raw materials: With the work carried out in the project, municipalities have increased their knowledge about current situation on PfR collection based on a set of quantitative Key Performance Indicators. In addition, they were able to check how do the best and good practices fit to their specific situation, put into practice measures to enhance recovery of PfR, as well as to set realistic targets to increase the quantity and quality of PfR.
Adding greater value to the economy and creating new jobs: In the course of the project, clusters of municipalities were able to estimate the amount uncollected/unmanaged of PfR which can be recycled, offering new business/employment opportunities in each territory. The development of the self-assessment tool that accompanied the Best & Good Practice Handbook has serve to the clusters to set realistic targets about business development around unmanaged amounts/low quality fractions of PFR.
Easier information exchange: several information exchange bodies have been created like the Best Practice Working Groups (and the equivalent Innovation Node Working Groups) and the External Support Committee. The information exchange has been accompanied by a set of dissemination actions in which third parties external to the project have been also involved, like the Conferences, Informative Meetings and the participation in workshops or social media activities.
Contribution to the implementation of the EIP on raw materials: the project has focused on those Countries of below the average recycling of paper. Therefore, IMPACTPapeRec aims at the use of knowledge and innovation as a source to enhance both the quantity and quality of paper for recycling (PfR), avoiding mixing with other materials and the end of valuable materials in incineration or in landfills. Having the necessary quantitative date, is possible to estimate the savings and potential business generation from these valuable materials.
Impact on environment and society: the implementation of circular economy approaches like those used in IMPACTPapeRec will for sure reduce impacts as well as to boost the employment and entrepreneurship around the use of PfR at local/regional level.