Exploring Urban Resource Centres: Lessons from CURE+ Study Visits

As part of EUKI project CURE+, a series of study visits were conducted to various Urban Resource Centres (URCs) in Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark, offering valuable insights into circular economy practices, business models, and community engagement strategies. These centres serve as inspiring examples of how circular economy principles can be integrated into local communities, fostering sustainable solutions for waste management and resource reuse. Below is a summary of some key URCs visited, highlighting their unique approaches and lessons learned.

by Talis Linkaits, Riga Energy Agency

Published: 29 October 2024
Beitragsbild

Viladecans Recycling Centre (Barcelona, Spain)

Viladecans Recycling Centre, located near Barcelona, operates under the Catalan Waste Agency and serves a community of 67,800 residents. This centre offers free waste disposal for residents, while companies pay a fee. Waste is sorted into specific fractions and directed toward recycling, with a strong focus on textiles. Approximately 40% of textiles are exported, 45% are recycled, and only 5% end up in landfills.

Recycling Container © Riga Energy Agency

The centre’s business model emphasizes the prevention and reuse of materials. Employees assess whether items can be repaired or repurposed before they are accepted as waste. Additionally, the centre actively engages the local community through repair workshops and educational events. These initiatives empower citizens to learn new skills and reduce waste through practical, hands-on experience.

Key Lesson: Engaging the public with workshops and repair sessions is a powerful way to educate and reduce waste, while the centre’s business model prioritizes waste prevention and reuse before resorting to recycling.

TransfoLab (Barcelona, Spain)

Founded in 2015, TransfoLab is a unique resource centre focused on upcycling—transforming discarded materials into new, higher-value products. The centre operates through a membership model and provides professional tools and workspaces for artisans and hobbyists. Members can rent workbenches and access woodworking tools, with 15 permanent tenants.

TransfoLab also offers educational workshops and collaborates with educational institutions. One of the centre’s most innovative projects involves the use of fly larvae to convert biodegradable kitchen waste into bioplastics and fertilizers. This circular model demonstrates how biological processes can be harnessed for sustainable resource management.

Key Lesson: TransfoLab’s model illustrates the potential of upcycling as a business, while its focus on education and biological innovation shows how resource centres can drive forward-thinking environmental solutions.

Upcycled Lamp © Riga Energy Agency

Sydhavn Genbrugcenter (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Sydhavn Genbrugcenter, located in Copenhagen, started with a focus on waste reuse and has gradually shifted its mission towards climate impact reduction. The centre is operated by ARC (Amager Resource Center) and serves both residents and companies. Citizens can leave or take items for free, while businesses pay a small fee. The centre’s model is built around facilitating the circular economy by providing a space where items are collected, sorted, and reused.

Sydhavn has experimented with various community involvement programs, such as upcycling workshops, but faces challenges in financial sustainability due to restrictions on selling second-hand items. The centre’s efforts have been successful in reducing waste sent to landfills, though its broader role in promoting circular economy practices is limited by legal frameworks.

Key Lesson: Governmental restrictions on the sale of second-hand goods can impede the financial sustainability of circular economy centres. However, community engagement and upcycling initiatives remain effective in reducing waste and promoting reuse.

Upcycled Tables © Riga Energy Agency

Fixoteket (Malmö, Sweden)

Fixoteket was established as part of a larger urban sustainability initiative in Malmö, aiming to provide residents with free access to tools and workshops where they can learn repair skills. It is managed by a housing maintenance company and offers bike repair stations, sewing areas, and carpentry workshops for residents. Materials are donated by the local community and repurposed for other residents to use.

Fixoteket operates as a community-driven resource, hosting regular workshops to teach carpentry, sewing, and bike repairs, while also serving as a freeshop for second-hand clothing and other materials. The centre provides hands-on learning experiences for residents, schools, and even unemployed individuals, empowering them with practical skills in line with circular economy principles.

Key Lesson: Fixoteket highlights the importance of community engagement and education in building a sustainable, circular economy, where individuals are given tools and training to actively participate in waste reduction and resource reuse.

Fixoteket Interior © Riga Energy Agency

Grönne Gengbrugshal (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Established in 1971, Grönne Gengbrugshal is a cooperative that initially focused on providing construction materials for rebuilding the Christiania community. The centre is run by 8 cooperative members and operates a flexible business model based on covering operational costs and wages, followed by reinvestment in the community. Their approach combines selling reused construction materials, offering professional tools, and organizing community-focused events.

Grönne Gengbrugshal demonstrates a strong connection to the local community and the reuse of construction materials, with a focus on sustainability and community engagement. The cooperative pays all members the same wage, and decisions are made through consensus, highlighting the importance of equality and collaboration in their business model.

Key Lesson: Cooperative management, consensus-based decision-making, and community reinvestment are key to long-term sustainability and success in resource centres like Grönne Gengbrugshal.

Group Picture of Study Trip © Riga Energy Agency

Återbruket URC (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Återbruket, part of the Alelycan Recycling Centre in Gothenburg, focuses on collecting construction materials from local recycling centres and businesses. They sort materials such as doors, windows, and white goods, which are sold at reduced prices—typically 30-50% of the new product price. The centre operates as a self-sustaining business with a clear emphasis on reducing waste and creating economic value through reuse.

Återbruket works closely with the construction industry, which donates materials in exchange for reduced waste disposal costs. The centre’s business model ensures financial sustainability, and it has a strong local focus, with most customers coming from nearby areas.

Key Lesson: Establishing strong partnerships with local businesses, particularly in the construction sector, can create a steady stream of reusable materials while reducing overall waste disposal costs.

Alelycan Recycling Centre © Riga Energy Agency

Conclusion

The URCs visited as part of the CURE+ project showcase diverse business models and approaches to circular economy practices. From community-driven cooperatives like Grönne Gengbrugshal to upcycling-focused workshops like TransfoLab, these centres highlight the importance of reuse, repair, and public engagement in reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Key lessons include the value of educational programs, community partnerships, and flexible management models that allow for innovation in resource reuse.

As cities across Europe continue to adopt circular economy principles, these URCs serve as inspiring examples of how local initiatives can drive meaningful environmental and social impact.

More information about the CURE+ study visits can be found here.

CURE+ project organized three web seminars on Urban Resource Centres (URCs), find out more here.

The study visits took place within the framework of the project “Centres for Urban Resources, Reuse and Remanufacture (CURE+)”. Riga Energy Agency is implementing EUKI project CURE+ in cooperation with the Tartu City Government, Municipality of Kavala, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Elisava Barcelona School of Engineering and Design. The project aims to improve the management of construction and demolition waste generated by households through reuse and repair respecting the principles of the circular economy. 

Responsible for the content of this article is EUKI project CURE+ – Centres for Urban Resources, Reuse and Remanufacture

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