How can a local government become a driving force for industrial symbiosis?

How can a municipality become a driving force for industrial symbiosis?

A study tour to Barcelona, a visit to GRID Granollers – a municipally-led initiative that puts industrial symbiosis into practice – helped us understand this question.
GRID Granollers emphasizes that municipalities have an advantage in implementing such initiatives: they know their companies, infrastructure, people’s needs and local problems. This knowledge allows them to purposefully promote cooperation between companies, facilitate the exchange of resources and bring the circular economy to life not only formally, but also in real life.
Their Mercat de Recursos (Resource Market) is a digital platform where companies can exchange surplus materials, thus reducing waste and at the same time reducing costs. In parallel, they operate the Coopera program, which also helps companies cooperate in waste management, energy efficiency and logistics.
GRID Granollers’ approach is based on building trust, sustainability and cost reduction – these are the key elements that help companies take a step closer to industrial symbiosis.
Their example proves to us that if a municipality is active, purposeful and in close contact with local businesses, it can be a real driver of change on the path to a circular economy.

Or could your municipality also take a step in this direction?
Consider adapting the GRID Granollers experience in your region – let’s share inspiration and practical examples!
– The experience exchange trip took place within the framework of the projects “Development of prerequisites for the implementation of industrial symbiosis and strengthening the competence of the LSG” (No. 1-08/95/2024) and “Waste as resources in Latvia – Promoting regional sustainability and circularity” (LIFE20 IPE/LV/000014).