In today’s world, the business environment faces new challenges, including the transition to more sustainable and efficient business models. This topic was at the center of an expert workshop organized by the Regional Development Support Agency in Košice (ARR KE) as part of the CIRCOTRONIC project, in cooperation with the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Košice Regional Chamber.
The aim of the event was to introduce small and medium-sized enterprises in the Košice region to the importance of the circular economy and to present specific tools that can help them implement it in practice.
What Topics Did the Workshop Cover?
The event was opened by Henrieta Kiraľvargová (ARR KE), who introduced the CIRCOTRONIC project and its focus on supporting circular solutions in business.
Petra Csefalvayová from the Institute of Circular Economy (INCIEN) focused her lecture on the importance of the circular economy for businesses and how their circularity can be assessed. She explained that transitioning to this model is not just an environmental issue but also a matter of competitiveness and efficient resource utilization.
Through practical examples, participants could see that the circular economy is already functioning in many areas of business today.
AfB Slovakia, s.r.o., the largest European social enterprise in the field of IT equipment refurbishment, demonstrated how ecological solutions can be combined with labor market inclusion.
Another inspiring example was AgeVolt Slovakia s.r.o., which presented an innovative approach to electric vehicle charging. AgeVolt envisions a world where car charging is a seamless part of everyday life—continuous, sustainable, and efficient. Their solutions enable businesses and individuals to harness solar energy, optimize consumption, and share charging stations with their communities. This approach also helps stabilize the energy grid and reduce pressure on infrastructure.
Experts from NATURPACK, Roman Zvara and Štefan Červenka, focused on the topic of extended producer responsibility for electrical equipment, batteries, and accumulators, as well as the legislative obligations associated with it.
Why Is the Circular Economy Important?
The circular economy offers businesses not only the opportunity to reduce their negative impact on the environment but also to manage operations more efficiently and optimize costs. The workshop demonstrated that well-designed circular processes can bring long-term benefits to companies, not only in the form of savings but also in achieving a stronger market position.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT
For more information about the CIRCOTRONIC project, its goals, project partners, and more, you can find details at this link.
