TEXTILE WASTE - a future resource for the Nordic region?
GREEN GROWTH THE NORDIC WAY Green growth is a key priority for Nordic co-operation in the coming years. “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” is the Nordic Prime Ministers’ shared green growth initiative under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The green growth initiative is a vision based on the joint utilization of Nordic strengths in a number of areas including the waste and recycling sector. The project described here is part of this effort, involving the following Councils of Ministers: Environment, Energy, Trade. See more at www.norden.org/greengrowth or read the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org
In the Nordic countries almost all textile waste is sent to incineration or landfills. There is a huge potential to use the resources in a more sustainable way. The Nordic green growth projects on textile aim to increase the reuse and recycling of this significant part of our waste production.
The aim of the project is to propose and evaluate policy packages which would support extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems and innovative business models which can promote greater reuse and recycling of used textiles.
AIM AND OUTCOME There are three on-going projects under the textile part of the Nordic green growth initiative.
TIME LINE The projects will run from approximately June 2013 to December 2014. Two workshops will be organised during this period to help synthesise and communicate project results, give feedback and clarify next steps.
The Nordic textile reuse and recycling commitment The aim of the project is to develop a Nordic voluntary commitment, including a code of conduct, to assure companies, municipalities and consumers a transparent and sustainable management of used textiles. A Nordic strategy for collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of textiles The aim of the project is to propose a common Nordic strategy for improving infrastructure for collection, sorting and reuse/ recycling of textiles. The strategy could also be used by Nordic Governments and other stakeholders to develop possible new instruments and measures as well as be a competitive advantage for Nordic business and create green jobs. An extended producer responsibility (EPR) system and new business models to increase reuse and recycling of textiles in the Nordic region
PARTNERS IVL Swedish Environmental Institute; Environice/Iceland; Lund University/Sweden; Copenhagen Resource Institute/ Denmark; Nordland University/Sweden; SYKE/Finland CONTACTS Chairman of the Nordic Waste Group (NAG) Sanna DueSjöström: sanna.due-sjostrom@swedishepa.se Coordinator of NAG Metta Wiese: metta.wiese@swedishepa.se Green Growth Textile Coordinator Yvonne Augustsson: yvonne.augustsson@swedishepa.se
GREEN GROWTH THE NORDIC WAY “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” is the Nordic Prime Ministers’ shared green growth initiative under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Green growth is a key priority for Nordic co-operation in the next few years and Nordic partnerships in this field has the potential to create a larger regional market, give a political lead in the EU, improve joint infrastructures and provide critical mass for future developments. The Nordic Prime Ministers’ green growth initiative is a vision based on the joint utilization of Nordic strengths in a number of areas including: • Energy efficiency and climate • Waste treatment and food waste • Sustainable building and ecodesign • Investment in innovation and research • Green public procurement and green investments This exhibition highlights aims and results from the following projects under “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth”: 1. Developing Nordic test centres for green solutions 2. Working together on education, training and research for green growth 3. Promoting flexible consumption of electricity 4. Working together on green-technology norms and standards 5. Working together on green procurement in the public sector 6. Developing techniques and methods for waste treatment 7. Promoting the integration of environmental and climate considerations into development aid 8. Co-ordinating and improving funding for green investment and companies. You can read articles on the individual projects at www.nordicway.org More info at norden.org/greengrowth
THE NORDIC REGION – leading in green growth