Circular economy is a relatively new concept of an economic model that aims to reduce the consumption of natural resources, energy and waste generation by designing products and production processes so that raw materials are used as long as possible, while final products are repaired, maintained and materials are recycled after use. Members of associations and informal groups supported through the Green PowerUp program shared knowledge about good practices of circular economy implementation in their local areas - a company in Arilje that reuses textile waste for firewood, an initiative in Loznica that repairs old bicycles and returns them to use, a company in Čačak that makes kitchen plates from recycled glass are just some of the successful examples. 

The participants of the round table were presented with the results of the research conducted in the past three years through the Green Incubator project by the expert teams of Environmental Engineering Group. Findings related to local municipal waste management systems and local public policies are particularly highlighted, as key points where it is possible to initiate and start the transition to circular business models. During the conversation, it was confirmed that the primary selection of municipal waste in municipalities and cities throughout Serbia was only partially introduced or not at all; citizens are ready to dispose of their household waste separately and thus actively take care of environment, but they are not enabled to do so because the local self-government units have not established a system that would support this. When it comes to public policies, unfortunately the majority of municipalities and cities, although they had an obligation, still have not drawn up local development plans. The participants of the discussion agreed that this fact is not to be praised, but it can be an opportunity for civil society to get involved in the creation of local documents by participating in working groups and public discussions. In these processes, associations and initiatives have the opportunity to advocate goals and measures that will include various activities to support the introduction of circular models, as well as information and education about the circular economy. 

Although most local communities are not ready for the transition, successful examples of circular business models exist. Representatives of organizations, especially those operating in the field of environmental protection, are informed and aware of the urgent need to abandon the practice of uncontrolled consumption of resources, and together with the activation of all social actors - change is possible. 

Those present at this work table had the opportunity to download the publication Baselines for the transition to a circular economy - An overview of the analysis of 40 cities and municipalities in the Republic of Serbia, which, together with the studies of the 40 municipalities and cities that were included in the research, is available at website of Coalition 27 and Environmental Engineering Group. 

“Circular economy: are local communities ready to move from a linear to a circular economy?” was mentored members of the research team of Environmental Engineering Group, Ivana Milovac and Višnja Nežić. The disucssion was organized as part of the Green Talks - come out on a green branch, i and apart from this topic, the event also discussed local activism, climate change, public policies, circular economy and the role and state of civil society in Serbia.  

Project Green Incubator is implemented by the Belgrade Open School in partnership with Young Researchers of Serbia and Environmental Engineers with the support of the European Union.