Best Practice
​RESTART - Reinforcing the circular
Economy model for START-Ups
The linear model, often referred to as the "take-make-dispose" model, is an economic system where resources are extracted, used to create products, and then discarded as waste. This approach does not prioritise resource reuse or recycling, leading to significant environmental degradation and resource depletion.
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According to the EU's new Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), millions of tons of European waste have been exported to non-EU countries over the past decade, often without sufficient consideration for proper waste treatment. This practice has had negative environmental and health impacts in the receiving countries and has resulted in a loss of resources and economic opportunities for the EU's recycling industry.
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The RE-START project addresses these challenges by supporting students in higher education institutions (HEIs), recent graduates, and potential startup founders. The project focuses on equipping them with essential skills and competencies to develop environmentally friendly startups that align with the principles of the circular economy.
Circular startups are defined as business models implementing at least one of the Circular Economy (CE) strategies:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, and Regenerate.
This initiative is a crucial part of the EU's broader effort to transition from a linear model to a sustainable economic system.
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Reference:
European Commission. (2020). A new Circular Economy Action Plan. Brussels.
Learning objectives:
The learning objectives of this project were:
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to develop essential skills and competencies for adopting environmentally friendly business approaches.
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to understand and implement Circular Economy (CE) strategies: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, and Regenerate.
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to enhance entrepreneurial mindsets with a focus on sustainability and circular economy principles.
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to learn from real-life examples and case studies of successful circular entrepreneurs.
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to support and commercialise circular startup ideas.​​
Target audience:​
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Students in higher education institutions (HEIs)
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Recent graduates
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Potential startup founders
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Partners:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
Project Code: 2021-1-CY01-KA220-HED-000032155
Project Implementation Period:   01 01/01/2022 - 30/06/2023