If all people on earth were to consume at the same level as people in Norway, we would need 3,6 planets Earth to keep up. The Kongsvinger region will now be the first region in the Nordic region to map resource consumption, waste and residual raw materials from business and the public sector.
- The goal is to find out how the region can consume less resources and at the same time utilize residual raw material for new products with high value, says Eva Snare who is business manager in Nord-Odal municipality.
The Storting has decided that Norway will be a pioneer in the field of circular economy. This means we all have to reuse things, rather than throwing them away. In addition, the goal is that waste can become new valuable products.
- The Kongsvinger region wants to take a position as the green heart of Norway. We have several companies that are good at sustainability and green natural resources. If we are to live up to the name the green heart of Norway, however, we must take further action, says the initiator of the survey, says Eva Snare. - The goal is that the survey, which is called a "Circle Scan", will give us insights that creates new opportunities for the region, she continues.
Business in the lead
Several companies have low climate footprints and most want to be even better. Both ØM Fjeld, Maarud and Sparebanken Østlandet have now hired resource persons who, among other things, will work with sustainability.
- Sustainability or green economy is about reducing the negative impact on nature, while companies must have a focus on increased value creation. When we introduce the concept of circular economy, it becomes in many ways a methodology for achieving new gains through lower consumption and utilization of residual raw materials for new valuable products. The Kongsvinger region will take the lead in the circular economy, says Erik Platek, chairman of the board of 7sterke.
Many good examples
Several of the companies in the Kongsvinger region have already rolled up their sleeves and have circular economy as part of their business models. For example, Mapei is working on looking at new utilization opportunities and business concepts for depleted concrete. Solør bioenergy extracts heat from discarded impregnated wood. SCHÜTZ collects plastic and makes new products. Last year, the company made over 300 pallet parts from recycled plastic. Conmodo in Skarnes and Infocare in Kongsvinger are both Scandinavia's leading repair service providers.
Sustainability and circular economy put in place
- 7sterkes experience is that together we manage to take bigger lifts than when we work separately. Therefore, we have taken the initiative for a 4th network in 7sterke together with the municipalities and Klosser Innovation, says Platek.
The fourth network focuses on sustainability and circular economy and will contribute to competence sharing between the companies in the industrial cluster and between the business community and the municipalities. In addition, the ambition over time is to establish concrete R&D projects within sustainability.
- By involving the municipalities, Statistics Norway and the R&D actors in the region, we get a unique collaboration. The survey, which has now been initiated, is an example of the fruitful collaboration. The network will help us learn across industries, companies and across the public and private sectors, says Platek.
If we succeed together, we will both contribute to reducing our global climate footprint and at the same time we increase value creation in the industry in the region. This is sustainability in practice, concludes Erik Platek.
What is circular economy?
Circular economy is about resources such as metals, biomass and minerals remaining in the cycle as long as possible. This can be achieved by optimizing raw material use, waste, emissions and energy consumption. In addition, circular economy is also about reusing products and materials, often outside their original purpose. Through circular economy, waste is seen as a resource and products are designed so that the materials can be more easily repaired or recycled.
What is sustainability?
Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the current generation without reducing the opportunities for future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable development must take care of three perspectives, namely the environment, the social and economic perspective. This means that a company cannot be sustainable without considering all three perspectives. Put another way; The business community must both make money and take care of social conditions and work to save the environment in order to be able to call itself sustainable.
What is Circle Scan?
Circle Scan is about analyzing what kind of resources and raw materials are consumed by business and the public sector and what residual raw materials and waste are left after consumption. The Kongsvinger region is now the country's first region to carry out a total survey of resource flows in business and the public sector. The initiative is a collaboration between the municipalities in the Kongsvinger region, 7sterke, Statistics Norway, Klosser Innovation, GIR, Kongsvinger University College Center and Circular Norway, funded by the County Governor of the Inland. [/ Vc_column_text] [/ vc_column] [/ vc_row]