Progetto Cescy-ECONOMIA CIRCOLARE

4. Tools for good practices

4.1. Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) EMAS is designed by the European Commission as an instrument to help companies and other organisations in their transition towards circular economy. In 2017, the EMAS Awards were held. At this event, organisations were awarded that have performed outstandingly well in the following categories: procuring and sourcing sustainable services/products, optimising the yield of resources, improving the design of products and processes and minimising waste (e.g. through recycling, remanufacturing or industrial symbiosis). In the ‘Moving towards a circular economy with EMAS’ report (European Commission, 2017) five best practices were identified for implementing circular economy (Figure 1).

Figure 1: overview of the five best practices of EMAS.

These best practices are still relatively vague in their description but, in the report, each best practice is illustrated by examples of good practices of EMAS organisations. In addition, three case study examples are included that serve as an inspiration for what measures the EMAS organisations can put in place to become more circular. These case studies also include what role EMAS had in their good practices. All in all, the report is designed as a guidance document for organisations, authorities, etc., who would like to use EMAS strategies. EMAS has proven to be an effective tool in aiding organisations to become more circular by providing them with guidelines and tools to start, and continue with.