On Tuesday 13 October 2015, several pilot projects were presented which would establish the city of Wiltz as a future 'hostpot' for the communal circular economy.

This followed a study by the Ministry of the Economy in February earlier this year evaluating the potential for the future development of the circular economy in Luxembourg, which included an implementation strategy allowing both public and private actors to participate in pilot projects in this field.

In the presence of Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, Secretary of State for Sustainable Development, Camille Gira and Mayor of Wiltz, Frank Arndt, the flagship project was announced as involving the integration of the circular economy principle into the conversion process of former industrial sites. The project, developed by the Housing Fund, would contribute to the realisation of a residential complex on an area of 28 hectares.

Other projects will include:

  • The opening of a 'Repair Café' where volunteers and DIY enthusiasts will repair damaged objects to be reused again rather than replaced
  •  The integration, from the 2016/17 academic year, of 'circular economy' training into the future programmes of higher education schools in Wiltz in the fields of interior architecture and design;
  • The opening of a 'fab Lab' presenting to private users, in particular young people and school students in Wiltz, machines such as 3D printers;
  • The construction of a building with six residentail units with positive energy on old football fields, built from entirely reusable materials;
  • The integration of circular economy models into the Salzbaach economic activity zone which currently hosts the Tarkett research and innovation centre, a worldwide leader in innovative solutions for flooring and a business model for the circular economy. Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, visited the Tarkett centre last month, which recently won the Healthcare Facilities Award at the Luxembourg Healthcare Summit for its 'FloorInMotion Care'.

As the transition to the circular economy would be on a national scale and would touch on various subjects and areas within the jurisdiction of several ministries and governmental departments, an interdepartmental committee has been created. Led by the Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, the committee aims to gather and unite all public stakeholders to exchange information and coordinate future actions on the implementation of the circular economy strategy.

 

Photo by MECO (L-R: Frank Arndt, Mayor of the City of Wiltz; Francine Closener, Secretary of State for the Economy; Camille Gira, Secretary of State for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure)