88% are convinced that their company can make a contribution to the circular economy, almost as many that circular economy will be important in the coming years.
Vienna (OTS) – The study carried out throughout Austria from March 2019 to March 2020 shows the state of knowledge and understanding of the circular economy.
Knowledge and know-how need for opportunities and possibilities
83% of the interviewed representatives from different economic sectors, as well as politics, education and society stated that the circular economy will play a role for their organization, while a full 88% are convinced that their organization can make a contribution to the circular economy. And although 58% of respondents said they were familiar with the concept of circular economy, 62% said they needed additional information on the topic. 49% understand the circular economy to be classic recycling, 28% stated waste management.
The circular economy is more than just recycling
Study director Karin Huber-Heim says: “This is still a widespread narrative, which mainly refers to the end of life of products and materials. This opens up innovation and market opportunities for Austrian companies with regard to the development of recyclable products, materials and designs as well as resource-saving business models or digital solutions for cycles neglected. “
Scarcity of resources and pressure to innovate
The reaction to social problems (60%), scarcity of resources (55%) and pressure to innovate (52%) were seen as the reason for initiating or implementing circular innovations in company processes. High raw material costs (43%) and regulatory pressure or legal requirements (40%) were named as additional external initial factors for dealing with circular economy projects in companies. [Mehr zur Studie.] (https://cutt.ly/Rl09T6w)
The EU Green Deal sets the decisive course
With the publication of the European Green Deal in March 2020, the starting signal was given for the conversion of the current linear economic system towards a regenerative model. Circular economy is one of the pillars for competitiveness and innovation leadership in order to create new prosperity and jobs through climate protection and resource conservation. Companies will find support during the transition in the newly founded Circular Economy Forum Austria, which developed its formats in line with existing needs.
Via Circular Economy Forum Austria
Through the cooperation of [Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science] (https://www.bcsss.org/), [respACT – austrian business council for sustainable development] (https://www.respact.at/), [designAustria] (https://www.designaustria.at/) and [Circular Futures-Plattform Kreislaufwirtschaft Österreich] (https://www.circularfutures.at/), creates the resulting [Circular Economy Forum Austria] (https://circulareconomyforum.at/) an independent interdisciplinary coalition with the aim of supporting and accelerating the transition to circular economy in Austrian companies.
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