Circular Solutions: How Club EMAS is Transforming Waste into Resources in Catalonia

This news article highlights the significant role Club EMAS plays in Catalunya promoting sustainability and the circular economy, emphasising its positive impact on both the environment and the participating companies. 

In the heart of Catalonia, Club EMAS is making waves by championing sustainable practices and fostering a circular economy among EMAS-registered organizations. With over 60 companies in its network, Club EMAS provides an innovative "meeting point” where businesses can exchange materials, reduce waste and promote environmental stewardship.  

Maria Passalacqua, a key figure in the initiative, highlights the transformative impact of the Club EMAS efforts. "We have a vibrant exchange system among our members, where company waste is re-used or upcycled" she explains. "For instance, when a group of healthcare centres upgraded their waste containers, rather than discarding them, they were redistributed within our network to companies that can use them."  

Another example is a plastic can which is a waste from an EMAS-registered company in the pharmaceutical and medical sector. This container is of very good quality and unfortunately the company has not been able to get its supplier to take it back. Although it was taken for recycling, the packaging itself, as it is, can be reused. Through the exchange network it has been reused in many ways, e.g. to make containers for small waste (e.g. batteries), as money boxes, to make field kits for an NGO doing forestry work, to distribute in health centres small consumables for which single-use plastic bags were previously used. Schools can also use these little containers to store their material, such as pencils, pens or craft supplies. In addition to offering an exchange between EMAS Club members, requests for materials from NGOs, schools and other interested parties are also managed. 

Another activity of the EMAS Club is to foster collaboration and synergies between EMAS organisations and to promote the development of projects between EMAS organisations. One example is the “Round trip textiles” project with the The Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), the biggest public institution providing health care to the population in Catalonia. In this project, work has been carried out with a Special Work Centre that is EMAS registered, to reuse the textile waste generated in the laundry that serves the ICS. In the pilot test in 2022, that was part of the 2022 European Week for Waste Prevention, 3,000 kg of sheet fabric have been used to replace almost 250,000 plastic bags that are now used for dispensing products in the hospitals’ pharmacies and for transporting linens and laundry.  This initiative has been shared and replicated by another organisation in the health sector involving other stakeholders and finding other uses for textile waste. 

Club EMAS not only facilitates circular economy practices but also advocates for regulatory advancements and works closely with the EMAS competent body. By engaging with public administrations and other stakeholders, Catalonia has been able to ensure that EMAS-registered organizations benefit from regulatory reliefs and support. This collaboration has been crucial, allowing these companies to thrive under the EMAS framework, which emphasizes environmental management and performance. Moreover, by obtaining these benefits, EMAS-registered organizations are recognized for the extra effort they make. 

The involvement of Club EMAS in Catalonia goes beyond that. It actively participates in regional initiatives, such as the participation processes and working groups link to different policies, as for example the one related to Catalonia's circular economy strategy, led by the Catalan Waste Agency and the Circular Economy Hotspot event. Through these efforts, Club EMAS ensures that its members are at the forefront of sustainable innovation and circularity. "Our participation in events like the Circular Economy Hotspot showcases the potential of EMAS-registered companies," Maria notes. "When there are such events, both the EMAS Competent Body and ourselves propose examples and case studies of EMAS companies as they often carry out many good practices and actions that are worth sharing and it is also a way to give more visibility to the organisations and to EMAS in general." 

Despite challenges, such as navigating complex legislation and logistics, Club EMAS remains committed to finding practical solutions. The club's approach not only benefits the environment but also offers economic advantages by reducing waste management costs for companies. As Club EMAS continues to grow, it invites more organizations to join its ranks. By fostering a collaborative community, it aims to enhance visibility and effectiveness of EMAS, ensuring that sustainable practices become the norm rather than the exception. 

Through its pioneering efforts, Club EMAS is setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and innovation, proving that sustainable business practices are not just viable but essential for a thriving future.