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d64ee546-b73f-4f6b-9567-fb831907b904 CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: VOTECHNIK WEBSITE: VOTECHNIK.COM SECTOR : WEEE PUBLISHED: 09 OCTOBER 2025 TAGS: EWASTE, WEEE, ROBOTICS, AUTOMATION. RESOURCERECOVERY, LCDRECYCLING, MANUFACTURINGTECH The Challenge The rapid growth of consumer electronics has turned the industry into a significant source of global waste, with waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) rising sharply. Current data indicates that only around 44% of electronics entering the EU market are collected for recycling ( EEA, 2025 ), leaving the remainder discarded in landfills or incinerators. In 2020, WEEE contributed an estimated 580 million tonnes of CO 2 emissions globally ( Singh and Ogunseitan, 2022 ), equivalent to the emissions from over 153 coal power plants annually ( US EPA, 2024 ). Despite containing valuable resources such as gold, silver, copper, and platinum - worth approximately USD $65 billion ( Murthy & Ramakrishna, 2022 ) - much of this material remains unrecovered due to inefficient dismantling processes and hazardous substance risks. The Circular Opportunity Irish company, Votechnik, and CIRCULÉIRE member, has developed innovative robotic technologies - most notably the ALR4000 - to transform LCD recycling and resource recovery. LCDs, found in laptops, TVs, and tablets, contain hazardous components such as mercury-containing lamps, which pose health and environmental risks if mishandled. The ALR4000 machine automates the safe depollution process by removing hazardous substances and sharp-edged components like fluorescent tubes and screens, significantly increasing throughput—processing between 60 and 80 devices per hour compared to 5 manually ( Votechnik, 2023 ). This plug-and-play system employs the KUKA KR QUANTEC industrial robot ( KUKA, 2024 ), which eliminates the need for direct human contact with toxic substances. Its modular, energy-efficient design reduces operational costs and minimises maintenance, facilitating compliance with stringent legislation such as the EU’s WEEE Directive and EN50625 standards. By depolluting and segregating hazardous materials, the ALR4000 allows for the extraction of valuable metals and recyclable plastics, supporting reuse, recovery, and remanufacturing. The ALR4000 in operation at KMK Metals Recycling Climate Impact The high efficiency of the ALR4000 system, combined with the use of robotic automation, makes LCD recycling not only safer but more cost-effective - generating significant revenues in recovered materials monthly ( Votechnik, 2023 ). It reduces dependence on virgin materials, lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with raw material extraction, processing, and product manufacturing. The robot’s recyclability- up to 90%- further supports circular practices and sustains the environmental benefits ( KUKA, 2024 ). Additionally, the machine prevents hazardous waste from entering landfills or being incinerated, thus mitigating pollution, protecting ecosystems, and contributing to climate targets. Replicability The global electronics market was valued at USD $1,275 billion in 2023, expanding at a CAGR of roughly 7.5%, underscoring the industry’s scale and potential for circular integration ( Lopez, Soltani & Ringmar, 2023 ). Transitioning to a circular model - such as robotic depollution and resource recovery - addresses critical environmental challenges while unlocking new revenue streams for WEEE recovery and remanufacturing. The core innovation demonstrated by Votechnik is the use of robotic automation to safely and economically recycle complex products, turning a hazardous waste stream into a valuable resource. This principle of ‘automated recycling for value recovery’ is not limited to electronics and holds immense potential across other key Irish and European manufacturing sectors. By decoupling dangerous, repetitive, or intricate tasks from manual labour, businesses can overcome economic barriers to circularity and create new revenue from materials previously deemed too costly or risky to recover. This approach is gaining momentum across Europe, highlighting a clear pathway for replication and investment. The challenges of product recycling are a shared European problem, and leaders in automation are proving the viability of this model in adjacent industries: Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries: The rapid growth of e-mobility presents a significant end-of-life challenge. Companies like the Italian automation specialist Comau are leading EU-funded projects (such as FLEX-BD and REINFORCE) to develop flexible, robotic systems that can safely disassemble different types of EV battery packs. By automating the high-risk stages, they enable the efficient recovery of critical materials like lithium and cobalt, creating the foundation for a secure European battery supply chain. Wind Turbines: As early-generation wind farms are decommissioned, the challenge is to sustainably manage the large, complex structures. UK-based BladeBUG has developed a six-legged, remote-operated robot that can walk on turbine blades to perform detailed inspection and maintenance. By providing a safe and cost-effective alternative to human rope access teams, this technology not only extends the operational life of turbines but also pioneers the kind of advanced robotics needed for their eventual safe and efficient decommissioning. Industrial Automation & Remanufacturing: The principle is also being advanced at a systemic level. The University of Birmingham is a key research hub for robotic disassembly, focusing on how automation can make remanufacturing more cost-effective for a wider range of industrial products. Their work on robotic disassembly cells and optimisation provides a blueprint for companies looking to recover and remanufacture valuable industrial components with minimal human intervention. For Ireland, Votechnik’s success serves as a powerful proof point. It demonstrates that targeted investment in automation can unlock high-value secondary materials, enhance worker safety, and position Irish innovators at the forefront of the European circular economy. The deployment of the ALR4000 in Ireland has transformed the country’s LCD waste stream. Before its installation, LCDs were being exported for disposal at a negative cost. Today, the technology processes around 80% of Ireland’s LCDs domestically , dramatically reducing the environmental footprint and keeping valuable materials in circulation ( WEEE Ireland, 2025 ). In addition, Votechnik is building on the expertise gained from the ALR4000 by applying it to the new SUP2000 plant , which focuses on the recovery of valuable and critical raw materials from renewable-energy products — including photovoltaics, the indium contained in glass panels, and battery black mass. Through this next-generation technology, Votechnik continues to innovate, add value, and expand its impact in the circular economy. ALL CASE STUDIES

f74e8719-ca2e-43f8-9b65-516d56caea47 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: KUJALA WASTE CENTRE WEBSITE: Salpakierto.fi/en/ SECTOR : WASTE PUBLISHED: 01 JULY 2025 TAGS: INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS (IS), RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, WASTE VALORISATION, WASTE MANAGEMENT About Kujala Waste Centre The Kujala Waste Centre in the city of Lahti, Finland, collects biowaste and bio residues and processes these into biogas, biofuel, compost, and fertilizer. The centre also collects hazardous Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE ( EU, 2019 ). The main operator at Kujala Waste Centre is Päijät‐ Häme Waste Management Ltd (PHJ), which provides waste management for ten municipalities and offers seven waste reception stations for residents. The Challenge As the global population grows and urbanisation expands, so does industry. However, increased industrialisation leads to greater waste generation. According to the World Bank, the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of waste yearly, with this amount projected to rise to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050 ( Kaza et al., 2021 ). The Circular Solution PHJ has employed the principles of industrial symbiosis (IS) in the city of Lahti to optimise waste processing, treatment, and recycling. IS is a form of circular economy that connects businesses from various industries to increase waste valorisation, improve resource efficiency, and reduce environmental impact ( Trokanas et al., 2014 ). The Kujala Waste Centre project has various waste related businesses in a single location spanning 70 hectares ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ), allowing outputs from one business to be easily transferred to another for reuse or further processing. Salpakierto contributes to developing IS in the Kujala Waste Centre and invites new companies to the area ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). Tarpaper Recycling Finland Ltd. has a facility in the Kujala Waste Centre where it receives, stores and processes roofing felt containing bitumen ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). The roofing felt is crushed into bitumen crumbs, which is used as a bitumen substitute in the asphalt sector, such as at NCC Industry Ltd.’s asphalt factory in Kujala ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). Climate Impact Kujala Waste Centre receives approximately 200,000 tonnes of waste every year. Approximately 85,000 tonnes of the waste received is municipal, and the remaining 115,000 tonnes is production waste. Nearly 100% of the material is recovered ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). In 2018, the amount of energy generated from landfill waste was equivalent to the annual heating energy consumption of roughly 13,900 detached houses ( EU , 2019 ). About 70% of landfill gas is directed to Hartwall Ltd.’s soft drink factory, where it is used to create steam for bottle washing ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ), and around 30% of the biogas is utilized at the Kujala Waste Centre to generate electricity and heat at the microturbine factory ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). Replicability Replicability can be inspired by the Lahti region’s municipality approach in coordinating the principles of industrial symbiosis and waste management practices. In 2022, Ireland's municipal waste recycling rate was 41%, meaning the country will face significant challenges to meet the upcoming EU recycling targets for 2025 to 2035 ( Environmental Protection Agency, 2024 ). Ireland is also strongly reliant on export markets, particularly for municipal waste, hazardous waste, packaging waste, WEEE and biowastes treatment. An estimated 39% of all municipal waste managed was exported in 2022 ( Environmental Protection Agency, 2024 ). so the country is clearly missing out on opportunities for repurposing waste materials. Addressing this waste management issue would also aid Ireland in meeting its commitments under the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Some significant IS projects include: Kalundborg Symbiosis , the world’s first IS initiative that has evolved over the past 50 years, with a partnership of 17 public and private companies, with more than 30 different streams of excess resources flowing between them. British Sugar is the leading producer of sugar for the British and Irish food and beverage sectors, they utilise waste materials from their sugar production process, as well as certain external partnerships, to make 12 different saleable products ( European Union, 2023 ). ALL CASE STUDIES

b96f2e0f-736a-4b70-ade9-9f23323c8096 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: SOTENÄS MARINE RECYCLING CENTRE WEBSITE: SYMBIOSCENTRUM.SE SECTOR : ADVANCED MATERIALS PUBLISHED: 19 NOVEMBER 2025 TAGS: MARINEPLASTIC, GHOSTGEAR, OCEANPOLLUTION, FISHINGINDUSTRY, INDUSTRIALSYMBIOSIS, RECYCLING, WASTETORESOURCE, EPR, CLEANSEAS The Challenge Sotenäs is a small coastal municipality in Sweden with around 9,000 inhabitants. Fishing is the primary industry and it is home to the second largest fish auction in the country. The municipality also homes three of Sweden’s major seafood processing plants ( Marthinson, 2022 ). Tourism plays a key role in the local economy, with the population swelling to over 50,000 each summer ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). Both fishing and tourism rely on healthy seas and clean environments. Yet, Sotenäs faces significant challenges from marine litter and waste generated by the fishing industry. This local issue mirrors a global crisis. While plastics have delivered clear benefits - being lightweight, durable, and versatile for many industrial and everyday applications - their widespread use has also created severe environmental challenges. Plastic production has surged in recent years, driving climate change and harming marine ecosystems. Global plastic production now exceeds 450 million tonnes annually ( Ritchie, Samborska & Roser, 2023 ). From extraction to disposal, plastics generate large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In 2019 alone, plastics accounted for 1.8 billion tonnes of GHG emissions - about 3.4% of global emissions ( OECD, 2024 ) and every minute, the equivalent of a garbage truck’s worth of plastic enters the ocean, threatening marine life ( Tsydenova & Patil, 2021 ). A Circular Solution The Sotenäs Marine Recycling Centre (SMRC) is Sweden’s first facility dedicated to marine recycling. It was established in 2018 through a partnership between Sotenäs municipality and local fishers, as part of Symbioscentrum - an organisation promoting industrial symbiosis in the region ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). SMRC collects, separates, and processes discarded fishing gear and marine litter, including "ghost gear"- fishing equipment such as nets, lines, or traps that has been lost, abandoned, or discarded yet continues to capture and kill fish or other marine animals. SMRC sorts metals and different plastic types such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and PET for reuse, recycling, or upcycling. Due to its success, SMRC expanded nationally in 2020 through the Fiskereturen project, creating around 10 collection hubs in fishing ports across Sweden. Fishing gear from these locations is trucked to SMRC for processing ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). SMRC worked with authorities to prepare for the European Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for fishing gear , which came into effect in January 2025 ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). The centre also offers testing services and is developing new circular products from waste fishing gear and marine plastics through its innovation testbed, Testbed Ocean Waste (TOW) ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). Climate Impact Previously, most clean polymers collected by SMRC were exported to Plastix Global in Denmark for recycling into pellets for use by European and international industries (Charter & Whitehead, 2023). Today, more polymers are reused locally in Sweden, reducing resource loss from export and increasing the availability of recycled materials. This shift lowers reliance on imported and virgin polymers. In 2022, the SMRC collected 152 tonnes of used fishing gear ( Torbäck, 2023 ). About 60 - 80% of the collected gear was recycled, 5 - 10% reused, and the remainder that was unsuitable for recycling or reuse was sent for energy recovery ( Torbäck, 2023 ). Recycling one tonne of plastic saves approximately 16.3 barrels of oil or 5,774 kilowatt hours of electricity ( UNDP, 2022 ), meaning SMRC’s efforts generate significant environmental savings. SMRC also creates green local jobs through the municipality’s work-training programme ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). Trainees help separate and sort fishing gear and beach plastic, as well as clean municipal beaches and coastal areas ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). Replicability Discarded fishing gear and marine plastic waste are global problems, especially in coastal regions with limited recycling infrastructure. Globally, only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled; the majority is either incinerated (approximately 34%), landfilled (around 40%), or improperly disposed of into the environment ( Wu et al., 2025 ). Replicating the SMRC model successfully requires two critical elements: infrastructure to collect and process the nets, and a market to buy the resulting recycled material. While the infrastructure gap remains significant, a growing number of companies are proving that a robust market for marine plastics exists. By treating waste gear as a valuable feedstock rather than trash, these organizations are driving demand: OceanЯ (Ireland), a Cork-based apparel company, produces garments from marine plastic waste and has diverted over 1.5 million plastic bottles from oceans and landfills. Waterhaul (UK) recovers and recycles marine plastics, including ghost gear, into traceable, purpose-made polymer products used in injection moulding. Bureo (Chile/US) collects discarded fishing nets and recycles them into NetPlus nylon pellets for use in the products of brands such as Nike & Patagonia. Patagonia (USA) are an outdoor clothing pioneer incorporating recycled plastics and collaborating with companies like Bureo to use discarded fishing nets to make high end outdoor clothing. ALL CASE STUDIES

f4128287-c8f8-408b-aff4-a8e3615f0fb2 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: SOTENÄS SYMBIOSCENTRUM WEBSITE: SYMBIOSCENTRUM.SE SECTOR : ENERGY, AQUACULTURE, FOOD PUBLISHED: 03 SEPTEMBER 2025 TAGS: SUSTAINABLEFISHING, INDUSTRIALSYMBIOSIS, MARINESUSTAINABILITY, FISHWASTEMANAGEMENT, RENEWABLEENERGY, SUSTAINABLEAQUACULTURE The Challenge Sotenäs is a small coastal municipality in Sweden with around 9,000 inhabitants. Fishing is its economic backbone, home to the country’s second largest fish auction as well as three of Sweden’s major seafood processing plants ( Marthinson, 2022 ). By 2010, decades of rapid expansion had created serious sustainability challenges. Environmental regulations prohibited companies from increasing their discharges of processed water into the sea, and each year more than 15,000 tonnes of sludge and fish trimmings had to be transported to distant biogas plants in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. These long and costly transports resulted in substantial CO₂ emissions entering the atmosphere. Under pressure, some businesses considered relocating, a move that would have put the local economy at risk ( Marthinson, 2022 ). The Circular Solution In response, the Sotenäs municipality launched the Sotenäs Centre for Symbiosis (Symbioscentrum) in 2015. The centre functions as a hub for industrial symbiosis (IS), bringing together the municipality, a local college, a Swedish state-owned venture capital company Fouriertransform, and six other partner organisations ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). The vision of Symbioscentrum is both economic and environmental: to create jobs, develop value-added products, and achieve greater efficiency by linking industries and upcycling local waste streams. Its collaborations extend across sectors such as food production, aquaculture, renewable energy, algae production, and marine technology ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). At the outset, three core projects anchored the system: · a biogas facility to process fish trimmings, · a wastewater treatment plant, and · the recycling of ocean plastics and fishing gear. Today, fishing companies send their waste to the Renahav biogas plant, which produces renewable energy and hot water that are supplied back to those same companies. The facility also generates digestate — a nutrient-rich by-product of anaerobic digestion — which local farms use as organic fertiliser. Over time, new businesses joined the loop. For instance, the microbrewery Smögen Ale AB delivers spent malt to the biogas plant, further demonstrating how waste streams can be repurposed into resources ( Giacometti et al., 2023 ; Trokanas et al., 2014 ). The flow of resources through the Municipality (Sotenäs Symbioscentrum, 2024) Climate Impact This model has yielded both business and environmental gains. An environmental impact assessment in 2018 estimated: · reductions of approximately 60,000 tonnes of CO₂-eq emissions, · a decrease of 388 tonnes of phosphate-equivalent eutrophication impacts, · avoidance of more than 19 million tonne-kms of waste transport, and · the creation of local green jobs. Additionally, by extracting nutrients from wastewater, the initiative helps improve aquatic conditions and enhances the quality of marine resources, especially fish. Streamlined operations also reduce energy and logistics costs, making participation economically attractive for local companies ( Martin & Carlsson, 2018 ). Replicability The Sotenäs case shows how municipalities can use industrial symbiosis principles to manage environmental pressures while strengthening the local economy. The European Union hosts more than 6,600 industrial facilities and up to 43 million potential synergies for IS — meaning there is vast untapped potential across Europe ( Quintana, Chamkhi, & Bredimas, 2020 ). Drawing on this experience, Symbioscentrum recommends five enablers for successful symbiosis: Networking – the human element is key Innovation – Access to funding, knowledge and testing are highly beneficial Smart adaptation – the business model needs to be viable Physical proximity – can be crucial for communication and resource exchange Storytelling – A powerful tool to communicate your vision and attract new participants ( Giacometti et al., 2023 ). The initiative also looked to the well-known Kalundborg Symbiosis in Denmark as inspiration, the world’s first IS network, which now involves 17 public and private organisations and more than 30 different resource flows ( Giacometti et al., 2023 ). ALL CASE STUDIES

62ad6c22-eef5-428a-be28-26e7b1e2fbab CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: ECOROOTS WEBSITE: ECOROOT.CO SECTOR : PACKAGING PUBLISHED: 04 FEBRUARY 2026 TAGS: BIOMATERIALS, MYCELIUM PACKAGING, BIOECONOMY, WASTE VALORISATION, INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS, PLASTIC ALTERNATIVES, COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS, DIGITAL TRACEABILITY Challenge Plastic packaging waste poses severe environmental threats, contributing to pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. In 2019, global plastics production emitted 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG), equivalent to 3.4% of global emissions, with 90% stemming from fossil fuel extraction and processing ( OECD, 2022 ). This is more than Russia’s 1.7 billion tonnes of annual emissions in 2021 ( UNFCCC, 2021 ). Packaging dominates the plastics market at around 60% of end-use demand, yet EU recycling rates for plastic packaging hover below 40% ( StopWaste, 2024 ). In Ireland, only 30% of plastic packaging waste was recycled in 2023, leaving approximately 250,000 tonnes unrecycled and triggering €200 million in EU Plastics Own Resourc e levies ( EPA Ireland, 2025 ). That's enough to fill roughly 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools, intensifying landfill burdens and ocean contamination. Circular Solution Ecoroots , a participant of the 2025 CIRCULÉIRE Venture Accelerator, produces mycelium-based biomaterials from agricultural and industrial waste, replacing plastic and polystyrene in protective packaging for fragile goods like cosmetics, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. The company grows mycelium, the root network of mushrooms, on waste substrates like spent grain from whiskey distilleries, forming a strong, mouldable bio-foam that is 100% compostable. Ecoroots employs a closed-loop process using waste heat and rainwater for zero-waste production. Its digital platform delivers end-to-end traceability by analysing waste inputs, optimising growth conditions (temperature, humidity, CO₂), preventing drying defects, storing recipes, enabling predictive adjustments, triggering parameter alerts, and generating batch-level QA, traceability records, and ESG reports. This supports modular on-site grow-units, allowing partners like distilleries to convert residues into custom packaging. Climate Impact Ecoroots diverts agricultural and industrial waste from landfills. Irish whiskey production alone creates 350,000 tonnes of spent grain annually ( Abolore, 2022 ), weighing 100,000 tonnes more than the world’s largest cruise ship. Each tonne of brewers’ spent grain landfilled emits 513 kilogrammes of CO 2 e ( LIFE-Brewery ). Ecoroots' materials decompose in 3-6 weeks in home compost, 90 days in landfills, or 180 days in oceans, enriching soil without microplastics ( Ecoroots, n.d .). Compared to polystyrene, mycelium production emits far fewer GHGs, sequesters carbon (up to 70% more in some substrates) ( BBC, n.d. ), and cuts energy use by 90%. Currently, 70% of Ireland's plastic packaging waste undergoes energy recovery incineration ( EPA Ireland, 2025 ). Ecoroots curbs landfill methane and incineration-related carbon emissions by displacing non-recyclable plastics with mycelium alternatives, while valorising spent grain for biodegradable packaging production. Replicability EU policies are accelerating the shift to circular packaging like Ecoroots' mycelium alternatives. The Single-Use Plastics Directive bans expanded polystyrene food and drink containers since 2021 ( EPA Ireland, 2025 ), while the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation mandates all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, alongside a 5% waste reduction target ( European Commission, 2025 ; REPAK, 2025 ). Coupled with CSRD-mandated ESG disclosures, these frameworks heighten demand for compostable, traceable alternatives that deliver measurable circularity. Europe's recyclable packaging market is projected to grow from 7.17 billion USD in 2025 to 12.26 billion USD by 2035 (CAGR 6%), driven by EU directives like PPWR targeting 55% plastic recycling by 2030 ( Towards Packaging, 2026 ). As regulations tighten on packaging and the recyclable packaging market expands, circular solutions like Ecoroots are primed to tackle pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss, while valorising waste streams into revenue. Other companies tackling packaging waste include: Myco , a Czech biotech company that develops and manufactures 100% natural, biodegradable mycelium‑based materials. Rebox , CIRCULÉIRE member, provides a circular approach to cardboard packaging by prioritising reuse over recycling. Mondi advances flexible packaging circularity through its FlexStudios R&D, targeting 100% reusable/recyclable products by 2025. Note on By-Products & End of Waste A by-product is a residue left over from the production of another product. In Ireland, Regulation 27 of the Waste Directive sets out the circumstances in which a material can be considered a by-product and not a waste. It is essential you notify the EPA to determine if your material satisfies the criteria of a by-product. The EPA will confirm if it can be categorised as a by-product or if it must be categorised as a waste. If the substance is classified as a waste, then it may need to achieve End-of-Waste status via Article 28 of the Waste Directive to be kept in use as a resource. ALL CASE STUDIES

a4740068-36be-456d-ade7-4fe19cface0a CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: ARCOLOGY WEBSITE: ARCOLOGYSYSTEM.COM SECTOR : BUILT ENVIRONMENT PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: CIRCULAR IT, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL About Arcology System Arcology System is a smart and data-driven interior construction system that offers modularity and adaptability, unlocking circular economy value in the way that commercial fit-outs are financed, designed, procured, built, and managed for REITs (real estate investment trusts), developers, and end-users. Fit-outs are activities that prepare a commercial tenant’s interior space for occupation, such as installing flooring, ceilings, partitions, and furnishings. The Challenge Buildings account for 39% of annual global Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, with 28% originating from building operations and 11% from building materials and construction activities ( Fonseca, 2023 ). In Ireland, construction and demolition generate nine million tonnes of waste ( EPA, 2023 ), that’s about the same weight as 12,857 fully loaded Boeing 747 jumbo jets. Furthermore, most of this material is not being reused or recycled ( Nugent, 2023 ). Urgent decarbonisation is driving REITs and landlords to invest in energy and building retrofitting to reduce carbon emissions, meet regulations, and reduce financial risk, but they are struggling to find solutions to embodied carbon. Embodied carbon refers to the GHG emissions arising from materials and construction processes across the entire lifecycle of a building, as measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) ( Fonseca, 2023 ). The Circular Opportunity Arcology System is a circular kit-of-parts approach to interior construction that aims to solve several problems within commercial interior fit-outs on both the supply and demand side, including inflexibility, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and labour shortages. It uses lightweight, post-consumer recycled aluminium profiles to create a “smart grid” that can integrate various interior components (doors, walls, ceilings, lighting), allowing for easy adaptability and upgradability of the space. The system reduces waste and the use of new materials, thus contributing to a circular economy. Clients can either purchase the hardware outright or lease it (Product-as-a- Service) as an operating expense. Integrated Internet of Things (IoT) sensors collect real-time data on environmental conditions, occupancy, and asset tracking, which is gathered within a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) assisted operations and integrated workplace management system (IWMS) platform. This data provides insights into how the space is being used and identifies generative-design layouts for improvement using already purchased modules. The material chain of custody and ‘ golden thread ’ of information are also captured across the entire lifecycle. Climate Impact Arcology System offers a data-driven and intelligent interior fit-out solution that can significantly reduce carbon emissions and enable adaptive reuse of potentially stranded assets. The system enables a circular economy value chain, from financing and design to procurement, construction, and management. The system’s design-for-disassembly approach can constantly reconfigure internal space for multiple use cases by reusing materials, rather than recycling or disposing of them, reducing the need for virgin resources and waste. 80% of buildings to meet Net-zero 2050 targets already exist, Arcology enables the adaptive reuse of these assets enabling them to become ‘smart’, and function as ‘ material banks .’ The proprietary integrated IoT- environmental and asset tracking sensors within the hardware system efficiently track materials, reducing waste and carbon emissions from sourcing to use, and enabling a circular supply chain that integrates certified products. The company’s post-consumer aluminium “Meccano™-like” connection hardware ensures that integrated and approved locally sourced materials stay in use at their highest value. They can be moved from building to building, and traded afterward, resulting in lower embodied carbon. Replicability The construction industry is one of the largest in the world economy, with approximately USD $10 trillion spent each year on construction-related goods and services ( Barbosa et al., 2017 ). As one of the most waste-producing sectors, a new approach to materials is required. In Ireland, implementation of digital product passports requiring a collection of digital data associated with a certain product is scheduled for 2026 or 2027. Arcology System provides the first step from a linear to a circular construction industry and is positioning itself as an industry leader in the circular construction sector. As sustainability becomes more important in the construction sector, circular economy practices are becoming more prevalent. Other notable businesses are: Dirtt manufactures a component-led, modular, interior construction system that is shipped from their facilities in Canada. Holcim decarbonises buildings for a net-zero future by providing low-carbon products and solutions that allow the construction industry to build better with less. ALL CASE STUDIES

63d81167-45f8-4294-8bc6-b8095f5b3584 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: KALUNBORG SYMBIOSIS WEBSITE: SYMBIOSIS.DK SECTOR : ENERGY, CONSTRUCTION, PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDTECH, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE PUBLISHED: 04 JULY 2025 TAGS: INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS, WASTE VALORISATION, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, HEAT EXCHANGE About Kalunborg Symbiosis Kalundborg is a city in Denmark where big industrial companies work together across sectors to share excess energy, water, and materials, so less goes to waste. As public and private companies are physically connected, one company’s surplus of resources adds value to another. Today, more than 30 different streams of excess resources flow between the companies, creating a symbiosis of resource exchange, adding more resilience and profit to the partners. The Challenge The world population is growing, and urbanisation is spreading, hence industry is expanding. Every year, 100 billion tonnes of raw material are extracted from the earth, which is comparable to demolishing two-thirds of Mount Everest every year ( Miller, 2021). However, increased industrialisation is driving increased waste generation. The World Bank estimates that the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of waste each year, with that figure anticipated to rise to 3.4 billion tonnes by 2050 ( Kaza et al., 2021 ). But, amongst the discarded waste are treasures for certain industries and Kalundborg Symbiosis is an example of an initiative capitalising on that potential. The Circular Solution in Practice Kalundborg Symbiosis is the world’s first industrial symbiosis (IS) initiative that has evolved over the past 50 years, with a partnership of 17 public and private companies. IS is a form of circular economy that connects businesses from various industries to increase waste valorisation, improve resource efficiency, and reduce environmental impact ( Trokanas et al., 2014 ). The Kalundborg network began in 1961 with a project to use surface water from Lake Tissø for a new oil refinery ( UNEP ). To preserve the limited ground water supply, the city of Kalundborg built the pipeline using funding from the refinery ( UNEP ). Following that, many other collaborative initiatives were established, with the number of partners gradually increasing ( UNEP ). By the end of the 1980’s, the partners realised that they had developed an IS ( UNEP ). IS provides mutual economic and environmental benefits for the partners. Some valuable initiatives include the elimination of 3500 oil-fired domestic furnaces since 1981 and distribution of heat from the Asnaes Power Station, Denmark’s largest power plant, via an underground pipe network ( Doty, 2023 ). Homeowners pay for the piping but receive affordable, dependable heat in exchange ( Doty, 2023 ). The power plant supplies cooling water to an on-site fish farm that produces roughly 200 tonnes of trout per year ( Doty, 2023 ). Asnaes also provides process steam to neighbouring companies, Novo Nordisk and Statoil ( Doty, 2023 ). Climate Impact Currently, every year, the symbiosis saves the partners and environment: 4 billion litres of groundwater by using surface water instead 586.000 tonnes of CO2 62.000 tonnes of residual materials recycled including waste, gypsum, fly ash, sulphur, bioethanol, sand, sludge, C5/C6 sugars, lignin, NovoGro 30, ethanol waste and biomass. In addition, 80% of the emissions in the Symbiosis has been reduced since 2015, and the local energy supply is now carbon neutral. While the fossil fuel industry is at the heart of the Kalunborg network, and that industry is by far the largest contributor to global climate change ( UN, 2023 ), there is still a lot to be learned from Kalundborg’s decades of experience in industrial symbiosis. Replicability The European Union has 6656 industrial facilities, with approximately 43 million alternatives for collaboration ( Quintana, Chamkhi, and Bredimas, 2020 ). As a result, there are numerous opportunities for IS, however; there are a few factors to consider for a successful project. The SCALER (SCALing European Resources with industrial symbiosis) Project 2018 report on lessons learnt and best practices for enhancing industrial symbiosis in the process industry makes three main recommendations to the business community involved in or considering IS: Leadership : There must be strong leadership and commitment from top management to shift the organisational mindset away from linear processes and towards IS. Long-term commitment is vital to under-pin IS for economic, social, and environmental benefits to be realised. Initially, synergistic initiatives need to be small scale to build capability, capacity and most importantly confidence before attempting bolder steps. Internal organisational IS structure : A dedicated organisational structure to explore and drive synergistic opportunities is required because it will deliver more rapid progress than project-based assignments. A noteworthy example of IS in Ireland is Well Spent Grain , a CIRCULEIRE New Venture, they collect brewer’s spent grain from brewers like Rascals Brewing Company and transform it into Born- Again Bites, a healthy and delicious snack. ALL CASE STUDIES

f3843591-0df6-4785-b40a-57236b472118 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: RECEOL WEBSITE: www.ucc.ie/en/receol/ SECTOR: WASTE ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (WEEE) PUBLISHED: 15 MAY 2025 TAGS: ELECTRONICS, MATERIAL RECOVERY, RARE EARTH METALS About ReCEOL T he Recycling of End-of-Life Products (ReCEOL) project was a collaboration between the University College Cork (UCC) and Composite Recycling Limited , which began in 2018 and ended in 2021. The project was co-funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland, the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the European Union ERA-MIN2 programme and was supported by Freiberg Technical University (Germany), Coolrec (Belgium), Alumisel (Spain) and Muldenhütten Recycling und Umwelttechnik (Germany). The Challenge The rise in business and consumer demand for electronics has created one of the fastest waste streams in the European Union (EU). Currently, roughly 38% of electronics that enter the market are collected; the rest are discarded ( EC, 2020 ). Electronics are a complex waste stream as they can be composed of a mix of materials from rare earths to precious metals to plastics. Every year it is estimated that around 400,000 tonnes of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB’s) are generated in the EU of which over 90% are sent to landfill or are incinerated ( Cordis, 2022 ). Many of the materials in the PCB’s are valuable, scarce and in demand, such as copper, gold, silver, solder and indium, but many are lost during the recycling and recovery process. The Circular Solution ReCEOL developed a patented recycling process to recover metals from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from PCB, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), batteries and Automobile Shredder Residue (ASR). The waste materials from the components described above are added to molten salt at operating temperatures of 300-450°C ( Cordis, 2022 ). The molten salt separates the metals at the bottom of the reactor, while the solid copper floats on the solder making material recovery easier ( Cordis, 2022 ). This process also enables scaling by doubling the surface area of the molten material, which doubles the throughput ( Cordis, 2022 ). Climate Impact The research carried out by ReCEOL has proven yields of 95% can be achieved for copper, steel and solder which exceeds the current industry rates of 70% to 80% ( Cordis, 2022 ). Aluminium, solder, and steel can be separated and recovered. Critical raw materials such as Indium and Tantalum can be recycled. This recycling process developed by ReCEOL can recover metals from low value PCBs. The process has several benefits over existing alternatives, including eliminating the need for shredding plus a low capital cost, given its established nature. The project also contributes to environmental preservation by efficiently extracting raw materials from WEEE, preventing them from being lost in landfills or incinerated, and reducing dependency on virgin-metal mining. Replicability A printed circuit board recovery (PCBRec) plant’s Internal-Rate-of-Return (IRR) is projected to be more than 15% for low value Waste Printed Circuit Boards (WPCBs) and 80% for medium value WPCBs ( Cordis, 2022 ). These IRR amounts do not account for the recovery of precious metals such as gold or silver ( Cordis, 2022 ). Moreover, significant regulatory drivers, such as the WEEE Directive, exist in the EU to stimulate the future development of PCBRec technology and the circular economy in the electronics industry. Because the technology is modular, capacity may be increased in a systematic manner ( Cordis, 2022 ). ReCEOL’s process is reproducible and cost effective because it uses existing processes from established industries. A few Irish companies of note in the WEEE recovery industry include: Votechnik , a CIRCULÉIRE member, develops a series of deep technologies from lab to market in the space of circular economy for LCD and flat panel display (FPD) recycling. KMK Metals Recycling , a CIRCULÉIRE member, provides environmentally sound management of waste metal in all forms. They collect and process 75% of Ireland’s WEEE. ALL CASE STUDIES

317ac204-3b93-4fd3-bf12-e450a03785a2 CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: USEDFULLY WEBSIT E: TEXTILEREUSE.COM SECTOR: TEXTILE PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: TEXTILE WASTE, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL The Challenge Textiles are an essential aspect of daily life, encompassing a diverse range of products ranging from clothing, footwear, towels, bedlinen, and upholstery to healthcare items and industrial materials. The existing textile production, distribution, and use system is linear, with most textiles being used for a limited time before ending up as waste, which is often disposed of in landfills or incinerated. Currently, less than half of all used clothing is collected for reuse or recycling, while only 1% is transformed into new clothing ( Guillot, 2023 ). Furthermore, the fashion industry is estimated to contribute 10% of global carbon emissions, which is more than international flights and maritime shipping combined ( Guillot, 2023 ). Ireland generates approximately 170,000 tonnes of post-consumer textile waste per year ( EPA, 2021 ), corresponding to about 35 kg per capita, which is greater than the reported European Union (EU) average of 26 kg per person per year ( EPA, 2021 ). The Circular Opportunity In the process of road construction, natural cellulose fibres (made from wood) are commonly added to asphalt mixes to minimise binder drain-down ( Aljubory et al., 2021 ). Binder drain- down occurs when the asphalt separates from the aggregate particles and flows downward when exposed to high temperatures during the mixing and laying processes. This can affect the overall performance and durability of the road. In the textile industry, a significant amount of cellulose is wasted in the form of used cotton clothing, sheeting, and towels. Using this source of cellulose for road construction reduces the quantity of textile waste going to landfill, saves funding, lowers carbon emissions from cellulose importation, and decreases deforestation. About UsedFully UsedFULLY develops industrial scale textile waste-to-value solutions. The fully scalable technology converts large volumes of waste textiles into higher value products through proprietary processes and formulas that utilise continuous, solvent-free ambient-temperature methods. UsedFULLY’s flagship product is StrengthTex®, a fit-for-purpose cellulose replacement product for roads and the construction industry. UsedFULLY successfully utilised StrengthTex® in May 2022 on a central city road in Wellington, New Zealand. In another use for textile waste UsedFULLY, in partnership with Moral Fibre and Air New Zealand, created recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from polyester clothing. PET is a recyclable plastic commonly used to produce disposable beverage bottles. They transformed the Air New Zealand staff uniforms into recycled PET which can then be used as a raw material for products from furniture to keyboard keys thereby reducing the need to produce plastic from virgin materials. UsedFULLY also offers additional services including: A platform that generates data on the environmental and financial impacts of clothing at end-of-use for optimal resource management. Textiles and clothing are registered on the platform, and when garments are decommissioned, the UsedFULLY platform connects these resources to their solutions generating metrics on volumes reused and the associated environmental impacts. Fibre scanning equipment that uses spectroscopy to validate the composition of textiles, using a handheld scanner. This small device can test, validate, and provide reports on the composition of textiles and fibres. Replicability Each year, 99% of used clothing goes to waste representing a loss of more than USD $100 billion in resources (UNEP, 2023). Shifting to circular business models is critical for reducing the environmental and climate change impacts of textiles saving on raw materials, energy, water and land consumption, emissions, and waste ( EEA, 2022 ). Other Irish company’s making a business from used textiles include: Cirtex , a CIRCULEIRE member producing thermal and acoustic insulation, bedding and furniture padding, water retention growth pads, and flooring and carpet underlay from used mattresses. OCEANR , an Irish company that manufactures clothing out of plastics collected from the ocean. Titanic Denim , based in Belfast, creates luxury bespoke garments using reclaimed denim and textiles. ALL CASE STUDIES

6e96babb-4ff6-4283-bfea-ea288304e089 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: LOGITECH WEBSITE: LOGITECH.COM SECTOR : ELECTRONICS PUBLISHED: 16 OCTOBER 2025 TAGS: DESIGNFORCIRCULARITY, EWASTE, RIGHTTOREPAIR, PRODUCTDESIGN, SUSTAINABLETECH, LIFECYCLEASSESSMENT, CONSUMERELECTRONICS, CIRCULARDESIGN The Challenge Consumer electronics are traditionally designed to meet the immediate needs of the user by making life simpler or more convenient. However, this approach has contributed to a growing global problem: electronic waste, or “e-waste”. Electronics are among the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Since 2010, the amount of e-waste created per year has risen by 82% ( UNITAR, 2024 ). In 2022, the world generated a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste, which would fill 1.5 million 40-tonne trucks, roughly enough trucks to form a bumper-to-bumper line encircling the equator ( UNITAR, 2024 ). Modern electronics are often designed with complex, miniaturised components and composite materials, making disassembly and recycling difficult ( UNITAR, 2024 ). Most products lack design features that support recyclability, especially for rare and critical raw materials. As a result, valuable elements like lithium and neodymium are frequently lost during processing ( UNITAR, 2024 ). Research shows that extending the use of electronic equipment has clear environmental benefits. Extending the life of phones, for example, from 2 to 3 years reduces their carbon footprint by between 23 and 30 per cent, depending on whether repairs are required or not ( Cordella et al., 2021 ). A UK study revealed that extending the life of devices (such as phones, tablets and laptops) by 50% would reduce the amount thrown away by 24%, over ten years ( Lysaght, 2023 ). Recognising this, policymakers are beginning to act. The European Union’s 2024 Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation requires manufacturers to ensure products are more durable, repairable, and recyclable. This signals a shift from conventional design, which prioritises only the first user, toward circular design, which considers the needs of multiple stakeholders: initial users, second-hand buyers, repairers, recyclers and more. By extending product lifespans and reducing material and energy use, circular design tackles waste at its source. Importantly, this approach also aligns with consumer expectations. Surveys indicate that 70% of consumers are interested in buying durable, maintainable products ( Capgemini, 2021 ). Spending on sustainably marketed products is rising rapidly. Over the past five years, sales of such products have grown by 28%, compared with 20% growth for products without sustainability claims ( McKinsey, 2023 ). Consumers also increasingly value repairability. More than half (54%) of consumers say they would prefer to repair their electronic equipment rather than replace it ( Bruce, 2021 ). However, the cost of repair is the biggest deciding factor ( Higginbottom, 2024 ). If the repair is just as expensive as the new item, then why bother? This underscores the need for repairs and aftermarket parts to be affordable and accessible. Taken together, these factors highlight that e-waste is not merely a by-product of technological progress; people want change. Advancing circular design is therefore essential to minimise waste, conserve resources, and respond effectively to both regulatory pressures and evolving consumer expectations. The Circular Solution Logitech is a global manufacturer of computer peripherals, such as mice, keyboards and headsets, shipping around 3 million products per week to over 100 countries ( O’Mahony, 2021 ). Its products are used by 71% of the world’s 500 largest companies, and feature in one in three meeting rooms and desks worldwide ( Logitech, 2025 ). When operating at such a scale, circular solutions can offer huge positive impacts. Logitech recognises that many of the most effective opportunities to reduce a product’s environmental impact occur during early-stage development, when fundamental design and material choices are made. Consequently, the company has integrated circular design principles across its entire product development process ( Logitech, n.d. ). Logitech achieves this through a deep understanding of its products and their impacts. Teardowns are performed to analyse each part, the materials used and how these parts are assembled ( Logitech, 2025 ). Insights from these analyses feed into life cycle assessments (LCAs) ( Logitech, 2024 ). This is a systematic analysis of a product’s material sourcing, production, distribution, use and disposal to understand and quantify the carbon emissions associated with each step. Currently, 84% of Logitech’s products have independently verified LCAs ( Logitech, 2025 ), providing detailed insights into their environmental impacts. This drives data-driven decision-making to target the most impactful hotspots ( Logitech, 2024 ). Logitech's Product Teardown Process Logitech has also developed an internal Circularity Assessment Tool. This measures the comparative circularity of product designs while aligning with stakeholder views, regulatory trends, and industry best practices ( Logitech, 2024 ). This uses a semi-quantitative scoring system to evaluate factors like longevity, reuse, and recyclability, which helps development teams identify improvement opportunities and implement more sustainable solutions ( Logitech, 2024 ). This evidence-based circular development has driven several tangible outcomes, including: Materials: 78% of products now use post-consumer recycled plastics ( Logitech, 2024 ). Manufacturing: the MX Creative Console replaces painted finishes with microtextures, improving recyclability while giving a premium surface finish ( Logitech, 2024 ). Product Design: Steel reinforcing plates have been removed from keyboards to reduce carbon-intensive material use ( Logitech, 2023 ). End of life: In the US, Logitech has partnered with Staples to take back end-of-life products in exchange for a 25% discount voucher ( Logitech, n.d. ). These circularity initiatives both complement and enhance the user experience. Logitech aims to foster emotional attachment between users and their devices so they keep them for longer and repair them when they break ( Logitech, 2024 ). Transparency is another key aspect: LCA results are displayed on Logitech’s product packaging, empowering consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions ( Logitech 2025 ). Logitech is advancing design for repair. For example, the G733 headset features detachable ear pads and headband strap with easily replaceable internal parts such as battery and microphone ( iFixIt, n.d. ). The Logitech Repair Hub , developed in partnership with iFixIt, provides multilingual step-by-step repair guides for common problems on 20 popular products and offers direct sales of replacement parts. For the G733, replacing the battery for €25 ( iFixIt, 2025 ) instead of the entire product for €160 exemplifies how repair can extend product lifetimes while saving costs. By making repairs accessible and affordable, Logitech is reducing barriers to circular product use and empowering consumers to participate in the circular economy. Climate Impact The data-driven decision-making in Logitech is having a positive impact on their products. For example, the second generation of the Wave Keys keyboard implemented post-consumer recycled plastics, a redesigned circuit board, a redesigned frame, paper packaging and was manufactured with renewable energy ( Logitech, 2025 ). These steps reduced the second generation's emissions by 37% compared to the first, which equates to 310 tonnes of CO 2 per 100,000 units ( Logitech, 2025 ). Logitech’s emissions are highly dependent on its manufacturing and material suppliers. More than 99% of Logitech’s emissions are Scope 3 ( Logitech, 2024 ); 60% of which are from materials and manufacturing, and a further 25% are from the use of the products (i.e. the energy consumed by the devices) ( Logitech, 2024 ). The direct contribution of the different carbon reduction initiatives can be quantified. The transition to renewable energy of their suppliers saves 79 thousand tonnes of CO 2 emissions per year, post-consumer recycled plastic saves 25 thousand, and low-carbon aluminium saves 13 thousand( Logitech, 2024 ). Of all the materials used in their products and packaging, about one-third contains recycled content, and a further quarter is renewable natural materials ( Logitech, 2024 ). Across all programs, this saved roughly 140 thousand tonnes of CO 2 emissions in 2023 ( Logitech, 2024 ). You would need a forest roughly four times the size of Killarney National Park to capture a similar amount of CO 2 (Based on 3.5tCO 2 sequestered per hectare of native woodland per year ( Teagasc, 2025 ) and area of Killarney National Park = 10,236 hectares ( Discover Kerry, n.d. )). Logitech highlights how data-driven decision-making in product development enables lower impact and more circular products. Replicability Shift produces modular, easy-to-repair devices such as smartphones and speakers made with circularity in mind. Fairphone creates phones and audio devices that are easy to repair and built to last. iFixIt is spearheading the right-to-repair movement and is working with major tech manufacturers to improve the repairability of their devices. They also provide repair guides, parts and tools to break down barriers to repair. Refurbed offers a range of refurbished technology, such as mice, keyboards and headsets, giving them a second life. Google’s Pixel Watch 4 is assembled with screws and seals instead of glue, making it more repairable. iFixIt rated its repairability a 9/10 and called it “the first mainstream smartwatch to make repairability cool.” ALL CASE STUDIES

a07b0cfe-6da8-4cbf-9ea5-b5b19b22683e CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: HEALTH BEACON WEBSITE: HEALTHBEACON.COM SECTOR : HEALTHCARE, MEDTECH, PHARMACEUTICALS PUBLISHED: 14 JULY 2025 TAGS: REUSE, RECYCLING, MEDTECH, PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDICAL WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE The Challenge Approximately 16 billion injections are administered globally eac h year ( WHO, 2024 ). Unfortunately, not all needles and syringes are properly disposed of ( WHO, 2024 ), posing a danger of injury and infection as well as potential reuse of an unste rilised product. Single-use products, such as injection needles and syringes, are popular due to the risk of transferable / infectious diseases plus the high cost and time-consuming process of sterilisation ( Collier, 2011 ). However, massive amounts of plastic packaging, single-use tools, and diagnostic devices emit greenhouse gases (GHG) when incinerated or while decomposing in landfills and oceans ( Greene, Skolnik & Merritt, 2022 ). In fact, healthcare systems are responsible for 4%–5% of the emissions of GHGs worldwide ( Rodríguez‐Jiménez et al., 2023 ). The Circular Opportunity Single-use medical supplies account for roughly 80% of the industry’s carbon footprint in terms of production, transport, usage, and disposal ( Greene et al., 2022 ). Medical supplies, like many other common household items, were made of reusable metal, fabric, and glass in the past, with little to no plastic used in their production or packaging ( Johns Hopkins, 2023 ). Currently, almost all medical supplies, including surgical masks, syringes, and surgical tools, are wrapped in or made of plastic ( Johns Hopkins, 2023 ). As a matter of fact, 85% of global medical waste is comprised of discarded materials that are disposable rather than reusable, despite only 15% of it being hazardous ( Greene et al., 2022 ). A sustainable healthcare system is one in which products are developed for longevity and circularity while also ensuring device reliability and patient safety. The Circular Solution in Practice HealthBeacon is an Irish digital therapeutics company that develops products for patients to manage injectable medications at home. The HealthBeacon Injection Care Management System monitors medication adherence and persistence by providing medication management reminders, safe and sustainable sharps disposal devices, educational resources, and artificial intelligence (AI) operated data analytics. The company is presently operating in 17 countries, primarily across Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom. Peer reviewed evidence published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy revealed that patients using this technology improved injectable medication adherence by up to 26% (Glynn, 2020) . HealthBeacon and Novartis Ireland are collaborating to use the HealthBeacon Green Labs to develop a platform that will offer quick and easy innovative sustainability solutions for Novartis patients ( Novartis Ireland, 2022 ). The first step of this partnership is supplying reusable sharps bins to rheumatology, dermatology, and neurology patients. Smart technology reminds patients to take their medication and alerts them when their sharps bin is almost full. The full sharps bin is then collected from the patient’s home, sanitised, and returned to the patient for reuse, ensuring an environmentally friendly and safe service for patients ( Novartis Ireland, 2022 ). Replicability According to a report by Grand View Research, Inc., the global home healthcare market is estimated to reach USD 747.b billion by 2030 ( GVR, 202 4 ). From 2022 to 2030, the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.21% ( GVR, 2022 ). The increase of chronic illnesses such as respiratory diseases, kidney disorders, and diabetes is driving up demand for home therapeutic devices. HealthBeacon has an excellent opportunity to capitalise on this thriving market and expand its business. The collection and sustainable disposal of injectable sharps is a significant step towards tackling the global challenge of sustainably managing medical waste and assisting pharmaceutical companies in adopting more sustainable waste management practises. A few initiatives worth noting in the circular medical devices sphere include: Tympany Medical, a CIRCULÉIRE new venture, is a Galway-based medical technology company that produces reusable endoscopes. The ReMed project, a collaboration between Loughborough University and the University of Leeds, aims to identify the barriers to the circular use of medical devices and develop sustainable solutions. ALL CASE STUDIES

a5b70e0a-7b0b-46bb-a0ec-f139d0268178 CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: VOTECHNIK WEBSITE: VOTECHNIK.COM SECTOR : ELECTRONICS PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: WEEE, CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS About Votechnik Votechnik developed a series of cutting-edge innovative robotic technologies for Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) recycling. LCD is an electronic display that is found in smartphones, tablets, televisions, and many other electronics. Votechnik’s robotic technology removes components containing hazardous substances from LCDs (e.g., mercury-containing lamps), and prepare non- hazardous materials for recycling. The Challenge The electronics industry is one of the top eight industries responsible for more than half of the world’s total carbon footprint. In 2020, the equivalent of 580 million metric tons of CO2 were emitted by Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) ( Singh and Ogunseitan, 2022 ). That is more than the emissions generated by Canada in a year (525 million metric tons) ( World Bank, 2023 ). LCDs have become the dominant technology in devices that contain displays. The rate at which people replace their devices every year results in an avalanche of discarded electronic waste. In fact, only about 38% of electronics that enter the market are subsequently collected; the remainder are discarded ( European Commission, 2020 ). LCD monitors are among the most dangerous electronic devices to discard because they contain toxic metals, including mercury, which can harm both humans and the environment. LCDs also contain rare earth metals, such as indium, which is one of the earth’s least prevalent minerals ( Royal Society of Chemistry, 2023 ). If Indium recovery is not increased, reserves may become smaller, affecting the supply chain. The Circular Opportunity Votechnik emerged from the University of Limerick, backed by the European Commission, and supported by world- class industrial players such as Siemens and KUKA . Votechnik has spent the last 10 years developing, testing, and operating their technology to the highest industry standards. They are certified compliant with the European Standard EN50625 for WEEE treatment, and their business model is specifically designed to address the EU legislative WEEE Directive. Votechnik offers a wide range of LCD recycling technologies, one of them being their Indium Recovery System, which is designed specifically to extract indium from WEEE glass panels. Their indium recovery technology is called IND2000 and is supplied as a machine to recyclers who run the process with Votechnik’s support. Votechnik’s technology is used to release and capture indium from the glass panels, achieving high extraction rates and minimizing waste. Purification techniques are used to refine the extracted indium, ensuring its quality and suitability for reuse in various applications. Furthermore, clean glass fractions are generated from the process, which can be reused in the production of the new glass products. The Indium Recovery System is designed to comply with international standards and regulations. Climate Impact By recovering this critical raw material from waste electronics, Votechnik’s Indium Recovery System ensures a stable and reliable supply chain for businesses, by reducing dependence on imported indium from China. It further contributes to environmental preservation by efficiently extracting indium from glass panels, preventing it from being lost in landfills or incinerated, and reducing dependency on indium mining. Replicability The electronic device industry is growing. The combined sales of smartphones, televisions, and computers in 2021 were USD$ 880 billion, with growth rates in 2022 expected to range between 3% - 4% ( Stewart and Crossan, 2022 ). Votechnik has effectively incorporated a circular business model into the booming electronics market, decreasing virgin resource consumption while assisting Ireland in meeting its WEEE collection targets. Recovery and reuse are becoming increasingly prevalent as nations strive to meet climate targets. KMK Metals Recycling , another CIRCULÉIRE member, provides environmentally sound management of waste metal in all forms. They collect and process 75% of Ireland’s WEEE. KMK Metals are partners with Votechnik on both their IND2000 technology plus their ALR4000 technology. The ALR4000 technology depollutes LCD displays, allowing them to be shredded before the secondary raw materials are recovered. ALL CASE STUDIES