Circularity Enthusiasts Learned about Urban Resource Centres 

During the first half of 2024, three online web seminars were organised, gathering more than 70 participants from the project countries and beyond. These events brought together stakeholders from the research community, municipalities, and the private sector. The sessions united experts from various fields to share their experiences, insights, and strategies for implementing and managing Urban Resource Centres (URCs).

The CURE+ web seminars provided a rich tapestry of knowledge, weaving together the experiences of diverse experts dedicated to advancing urban sustainability. Through engaging presentations and interactive discussions, participants gained valuable insights into the operational, financial, and regulatory aspects of URCs. These webinars not only highlighted successful models but also underscored the importance of adaptive strategies and community involvement in fostering a circular economy. The knowledge gained during these sessions will be used to create pilot URCs in each CURE+ project municipality.

During the web seminars, we learned a great deal from pioneering initiatives. I found the Rotor-case from Brussels particularly inspiring—a private initiative to re-use construction material on a large scale. The Rotterdam case also stood out, where a URC was established in a building that was itself 100% circular!

Dr Willem van Winden, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Centre for Economic Transformation (CET)

The experience and information shared by the CURE+ project experts and representatives of Urban Resource Circulation Centres is invaluable when working on circular economy implementation tasks that are on the Latvian Construction Association’s to-do list within the EU LIFE programme’s integrated project “Waste To Resources Latvia—boosting regional sustainability and circularity.” It also helps to understand the broader picture of bringing circular principles to life in construction in Latvia and the common challenges faced by the EU on this journey.

Brigita Vīksne, DGNB Consultant of the Latvian Construction Association

Here’s a glimpse into the enriching journey of these web seminars, featuring brief descriptions of the speakers, topics, main features, and challenges discussed.

Webinar 1: Pioneering Urban Resource Centres

The first web seminar laid the foundation by introducing the CURE+ project, which involves four cities—Riga, Tartu, Kavala, and Barcelona—learning about and piloting URCs.

Frazen Tolentino-Zondervan presented the findings from a comprehensive study on how the four cities handle Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) and bulky waste. The study, based on data from local authorities and interviews with relevant actors, highlighted current practices and areas for improvement.

Arjan Nihot shared the success story of De Terugwinning (the Netherlands), a social enterprise that integrates material reuse and remanufacturing with work training programmes and a subsidised bike leasing scheme. The centre exemplifies how social objectives can align with sustainability goals.

Andreas Hadzikostas discussed Återbruket (Gothenburg, Sweden), a centre that sells secondary construction elements, electronics, and furniture from 15 recycling centres. Operating with stable income and growth since 2007, Återbruket is a beacon of sustainability and economic viability.

The discussion round explored what made these centres successful, how they measure success, and the main challenges they have overcome. The speakers also shared recommendations for setting up successful URCs in other locations, emphasising the importance of community engagement and innovative business models.

Webinar 2: Non-Municipal URCs and Study Visits

The second session began with a summary of study visits conducted within the CURE+ project, providing practical insights from existing URCs.

Corinna Vosse (Germany), managing director of Kunst-Stoffe and Ecological Centres, introduced Kunst-Stoffe, a Berlin-based centre for reusable materials. She highlighted how cultural and ecological initiatives can drive sustainability.

Marinka Vovk, Marin Zver, Lenka Puh, and Mojca Žganec Metelko (Slovenia) presented a holistic view of Slovenian resource centres. Marinka and Marin from CPU discussed material diagnostics and sales of reused products. Lenka from ETRI community focused on fostering circular habits, while Mojca from KNOF covered reuse on a semi-industrial level.

Victor Meesters (Belgium), an architect involved with Rotor, discussed reclamation operations and research projects in Brussels and Paris. He emphasised the role of reclaimed building elements in sustainable construction.

The speakers addressed business models, collaboration with local authorities, and operational activities. An interactive Q&A session with the audience delved into the practicalities of running non-municipal URCs, including financial sustainability and community engagement.

You can watch a recording of the Webinar 2.

Webinar 3: Policy Frameworks and Practical Examples

The final session provided an overview of the current policy framework around CDW in the project cities, setting the stage for discussions on regulatory challenges and opportunities.

Jurn Quadt (Rotterdam) introduced De HER, a combination of a waste recycling centre and a hotspot for circular designers in Rotterdam. The centre collaborates with entrepreneurs and educational organisations to utilise bulky household waste as raw materials, making the circular transition tangible.

Alfred Güell (Barcelona), a waste management consultant, discussed Recursos Urbanos, a private URC focused on CDW recycling. His work in advising public entities and developing recycling measures showcases the intersection of policy and practice.

The moderated discussion centred on policy challenges and their relationship to current and upcoming CDW policies. Audience questions via chat added depth to the conversation, addressing real-world implications and strategies for overcoming regulatory hurdles.

You can watch a recording of the Webinar 3.

Further information about the webinars (agendas and presentations) is available here.

The training sessions took place within the framework of the project “Centres for Urban Resources, Reuse and Remanufacture (CURE+)”. Riga Energy Agency is implementing EUKI project CURE+ in cooperation with the Tartu City Government, Municipality of Kavala, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Elisava Barcelona School of Engineering and Design. The project aims to improve the management of construction and demolition waste generated by households through reuse and repair respecting the principles of the circular economy.