Ways to Circular Value Chains
The policy brief Ways to Circular Value Chains introduces the ‘roadmaps from linear to circular value chains’ that the TRICK project has developed, as they can provide useful input to industrial and public decision-making.
TRICK’s objective is to develop a data-collection platform that includes six Sustainability Assessment services and is secured by Blockchain. The services will ensure effective adoption and demonstration of environmentally and socially sustainable practices in the value chains, and a fair playing ground for the EU companies that comply with stricter sustainability requirements than competitors in low-cost countries. The TRICK results are demonstrated in the Textile and Clothing sector and replicated in the Food sector, to check their level of applicability.
For each of the six Sustainability Assessment services, the roadmaps (which are displayed in the policy brief) provide the current state, barriers towards the TRICK vision, necessary goals, Key Performance Indicators and activities on the way towards the vision. They include 10-year plans, starting with 2021, the year TRICK began. The roadmaps are based on literature and were developed in close collaboration with the TRICK partners, including traditional and technical textile and clothing manufacturers, yarn and fibre producers, an online retailer of second-hand clothing, a platform provider for the sourcing of textile and clothing production, a recycling company, a large food producer association, a customs agency, service and platform developers, and research partners.
Preliminary policy suggestions that can be derived from the written report's (D1.1) findings at this early project phase, and on which the policy brief is built, include:
- Support the development of a common Health Protection assessment standard for the Textile and Clothing value chains, addressing gaps and policy conflicts, such as i) the limited obligation to test, register or notify substances in goods imported to the EU, and ii) the situation when finishes comply with the REACH regulation, but not with common standards like OEKO-TEX.
- Consider implementing financial incentives, such as reduced VAT, Extended Producer Responsibility fee modulation, and other tax tariff adjustments for circular content in textiles and clothing, and for repair, sharing, and second-hand enterprises. Moreover, consider introducing minimum reuse and resource recovery rates for a wide range of products, as well as increased requirements for the public procurement of environmentally and socially sustainable products.
- Consider facilitating the market access to efficient and high-quality seeds for resilient plant varieties, which would aid in mitigating the risk of pests, diseases, and the number of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used, thus safeguarding biodiversity.
The complete version of the policy brief can be downloaded and read on the project’s official website in the ‘Project Document’ Section under ‘Papers' here.
Figure 1: The structure of the roadmaps from linear to circular Textile & Clothing and Food value chains
(Image Credits: SINTEF)
CONTACT PERSON & EMAIL ADDRESS:
- Maria Flavia Mogos (email)
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