‘’The SwitchMed initiative aims at achieving a circular economy in the southern Mediterranean by changing the way goods and services are produced and consumed. In order to achieve this, the initiative provides tools and services directly to the private sector, supports an enabling policy environment, and facilitates exchange of information among partners and key stakeholders.' [1]

SwitchMed Programme: Supporting sustainable consumption and production practices for a circular economy in the Mediterranean

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has introduced policymakers from Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco to the different phases of the circular economy from engineering, economics and law perspectives. The training programme on circular economy policies for representatives of Ministries of Industry, Economy, Commerce, Finance and Environment was provided by UNIDO in collaboration with the University of Ferrara, the&nbsp;Centre for Research on Circular economy, Innovation and SMEs&nbsp;(CERCIS) and the&nbsp;SEEDS interuniversity research centre.

Circular economy training for policymakers from Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco

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During the last years, Tunisia's government strengthened the textiles sector to boost rural employment and drive economic change. A strategic focus, among others, was put on environmental friendly production which is why the Tunisian Textile and Clothing Federation (FTTH) has organised a seminar on the recovery and recycling of post-industrial waste in the clothing sector.&nbsp;Furthermore, Tunisia’s textile industry wants to place greater focus on sustainable business practices, with the launch of a new initiative that will engage stakeholders in aligning with circular production principles and creating a more robust recycling infrastructure. Examples like the Tunisian company Sofrip, a leading actor in textile recycling, which has the goal of upholding a ‘zero waste’ philosophy or companies which are responsible for over half of Nudie Jeans production value to develop greener production processes, are change-makers towards more sustainable production of textiles.

Creating a robust recycling infrastructure in Tunisia 

Is a circular industry only meant for large companies in wealthy countries? Nothing could be further from the truth. There is ample evidence of the implementation of circular industrial practices in Latin America's small and medium enterprises.Manuel Albaladejo, Representative and Director of the UNIDO Office for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, writes that the transition to a circular industry will be key in the fight against climate change.Check out the article originally published by Argentina's El Economista on 2 September 2021.

Industry: the future is circular 

The conventional business model assumes that the more you sell, the more you earn. However, in chemical leasing&nbsp;the supplier does not sell quantities. The supplier sells the performance, the function of the chemical. This is the service rendered by the chemical or the purpose for which the chemical is applied.

What is chemical leasing?

Vietnamese Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) initiative transforms pollutive industrial zones to protect ground water and reduce emissions.