• Circular Shield

    is a team of consultants that assists local communities in designing and implementing circular practices. We provide support to municipalities, waste management companies, and other stakeholders at both the local and national levels.

What is the municipal material cycle of used
beverage cartons and hygiene paper?

Circular Shield encourages and connects municipalities, public waste management companies, the local community, packaging waste management companies and other stakeholders to shape the existing beverage carton waste management system into a circular model.

Used beverage cartons, collected separately by institutions and households in the local community, is specially collected and recycled in order to extract cellulose. The cellulose is used to produce hygiene paper such as paper handkerchiefs, paper towels and wipes, toilet paper, etc. These new products are used by institutions in the same local communities where used beverage cartons are collected separately as a source of raw material.

Through the separate collection and purposeful recycling of used beverage cartons, the local community provides the raw materials for the production of new, recycled hygiene paper, which is returned to the same local community – thus concluding its municipal material cycle.

How does it work?


Each stakeholder continues their normal operations,
except in a connected, purposeful, sustainable and more efficient way.

Stakeholders are included in the municipal material cycle (MMC) of beverage cartons and hygiene paper by way of a special agreement, forming a partnership material cycle with a clearly defined purpose and goals: to use separately collected used beverage cartons as a secondary source of cellulose and return it to the same local community as recycled
hygiene paper.

1

HOUSEHOLDS

Households use beverages, milk, yoghurts and other liquid foods daily and those come in carton packaging. After use, these cartons are collected in waste bins for packaging or yellow bags for beverages, or as instructed by the municipal waste management company.

2

MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

The municipal waste management company takes over the packaging waste collected in institutions and households.

3

TAKE – BACK SYSTEMS (TBS)

In sorting lines, waste packaging is divided into several types: plastic packaging, metal packaging and carton packaging. This prepares it for the recycling process. The take-back system (TBS) directs carton packaging waste for recycling in quantities that correspond to the requirement for hygiene paper in institutions in the local community.

4

PAPER MANUFACTURER

The paper manufacturer recycles used beverage cartons: the process of recycling removes the cardboard or cellulose, which is then used as an input material for the production of hygiene paper products, such as paper handkerchiefs, towels and wipes, toilet paper etc.

5

RECYCLED HYGIENE PAPER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

The distribution company picks up new recycled products from the paper manufacturer and delivers them to public institutions in the local community where the MMC is operational.

6

SCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN, MUSIC SCHOOL, LIBRARY, MUSEUM, SPORTS FACILITIES, HEALTH CENTER, MUNICIPAL OFFICES AND MUNICIPAL COMPANIES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Schools, kindergartens, the municipality, libraries and other institutions in the local community use recycled hygiene paper manufactured from used beverage cartons collected in their local community on daily bases. This final act connects and completes the Municipal material cycle.

By designing a municipal material cycle, we ensure environmental and financial savings and a number of other benefits.

MORE

1

SCHOOLS, KINDERGARTENS, MUNICIPAL COMPANIES,
MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION, LIBRARIES, HOUSEHOLDS

Every day, institutions and households use drinks, milk, yoghurts and other liquid foods that come in carton packaging. After use, these cartons are collected in yellow waste bins or yellow bags for used cartons, or as instructed by the municipal waste management company.

2

2MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

The municipal waste management company takes over the packaging waste collected in institutions and households.

3

TAKE – BACK SYSTEMS (TBS)

In sorting lines, waste packaging is divided into several types: plastic packaging, metal packaging and carton packaging. This prepares it for the recycling process. The take-back system (TBS) directs carton packaging waste for recycling in quantities that correspond to the requirement for hygiene paper in institutions in the local community.

4

PAPER MANUFACTURER

The paper manufacturer recycles used beverage cartons: the process of recycling removes the cardboard or cellulose, which is then used as an input material for the production of hygiene paper products, such as paper handkerchiefs, towels and wipes, toilet paper etc.

5

RECYCLED HYGIENE PAPER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

The distribution company picks up new recycled products from the paper manufacturer and delivers them to public institutions in the local community where the MMC is operational.

6

SCHOOLS, KINDERGARTENS, MUNICIPALITIES, LIBRARIES, OTHER INSTITUTIONS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Schools, kindergartens, the municipality, libraries and other institutions in the local community use recycled hygiene paper produced from used beverage cartons collected in their local community. This completes the communal material cycle.

By designing a municipal material cycle, we ensure environmental
and financial savings and a number of other benefits.

MORE

How can you establish a municipal material cycle
of used beverage cartons and hygiene paper?

The condition for the establishment of an MMC is a functioning system for the separate
collection and management of used beverage cartons in the relevant city or local community.

A partnership agreement for the establishment and operation of the municipal material
cycle of used beverage cartons and hygiene paper packaging is concluded between:

The
municipality

who wishes to create an environment
for a circular economy.

The
company

for waste packaging
management

The paper
manufacturer

kwho produces hygiene paper
from recycled used beverage
cartons

The
distribution
company

for hygiene paper products for each
country or local community

Institutions

in the local MMC community
who order and use
hygiene paper

Circular
Shield

as the manager and administrator
of each individual MMC

Each partner in the cycle can contribute and encourage other stakeholders in the local
community to increase the efficiency of the material cycle and improve
the self-sufficiency of the local community.

MORE

30%

THE MUNICIPAL
MATERIAL CYCLE HAS
BEEN ESTABLISHED

when the hygiene paper from
used beverage cartons collected
in the local community meets
at least 30% of the needs
of municipal companies and
institutions

50%

THE MUNICIPAL
MATERIAL CYCLE
IS STABLE

when the hygiene paper from
used beverage cartons collected
in the local community meets
at least 50% of the needs
of municipal companies and
institutions.

60%

THE MUNICIPAL
MATERIAL CYCLE IS
PERSISTENT

when the hygiene paper from
used beverage cartons collected
in the local community meets
at least 60% of the needs
of municipal companies
and institutions.

30%

THE MUNICIPAL
MATERIAL CYCLE HAS
BEEN ESTABLISHED

when the hygiene paper from
used beverage cartons collected
in the local community meets
at least 30% of the needs
of municipal companies and
institutions

50%

THE MUNICIPAL
MATERIAL CYCLE
IS STABLE

when the hygiene paper from
used beverage cartons collected
in the local community meets
at least 50% of the needs
of municipal companies and
institutions.

60%

THE MUNICIPAL
MATERIAL CYCLE IS
PERSISTENT

when the hygiene paper from
used beverage cartons collected
in the local community meets
at least 60% of the needs
of municipal companies and
institutions.

We are pioneers of the circular economy
in the local community

Our knowledge and experience are backed by proven effective projects:

The first municipal material cycle of beverage cartons and hygiene paper, established in 2016 in the Municipality of Novo mesto and seven neighbouring municipalities where waste management is conducted by Komunala Novo mesto. In the first year of operation of the municipal material cycle, institutions and residents in these municipalities covered 32% of the needs for hygiene paper products by purposefully collecting and recycling used beverage cartons, and after three years, the coverage is at 50,2% and increasing.

In 2017, the Ljubljana city municipality became the first capital in the EU to establish a municipal material cycle for beverage cartons and hygiene paper.
The cycle now includes 39 municipal companies and institutions, representing 41,5% of total paper consumption of public companies and institutions founded by the Ljubljana city municipality…

The municipal material cycle of beverage cartons has been operating in the municipality of Brežice since 2019 under the supervision of Komunala Brežice.
The cycle includes 7 public institutions and covers 41,9% of the needs of all institutions
in their municipality from the collected and purposefully recycled used beverage cartons.

Read more about the operational and efficient projects of the municipal material cycle for beverage
cartons and hygiene paper.

MORE

We are pioneers of the circular economy
in the local community

Our knowledge and experience are backed by proven effective projects:

The first municipal material cycle of beverage cartons and hygiene paper, established in 2016 in the Municipality of Novo mesto and seven neighbouring municipalities where waste management is conducted by Komunala Novo mesto. In the first year of operation of the municipal material cycle, institutions and residents in these municipalities covered 32% of the needs for hygiene paper products by purposefully collecting and recycling used beverage cartons, and after three years, the coverage is at 50,2% and increasing.

In 2017, the Ljubljana city municipality became the first capital in the EU to establish a municipal material cycle for beverage cartons and hygiene paper.
The cycle now includes 41,5% of all public institutions founded by the Ljubljana city municipality..

The municipal material cycle of beverage cartons has been operating in the municipality of Brežice since 2019 under the supervision of Komunala Brežice.
The cycle includes 7 public institutions and covers 41,9% of the needs of all institutions
in their municipality from the collected and purposefully recycled used beverage cartons.

Read more about the operational and efficient projects of the municipal material cycle for beverage cartons and hygiene paper.

MORE

Our circular model has received
international awards

Our innovative approach and the effects of our circular business and material
models has received international recognition and acclaim.

THE CIRCULARS 2017 – HIGHLY COMMENDED:

The pioneering municipal material cycle of packaging beverage cartons and hygiene paper in Novo mesto received a special commendation – HIGHLY COMMENDED – at the competition of good practices for a circular economy, THE CIRCULARS 2017, in the category of the best government, city or regional circular economy project. The competition is organized every year by The World Economic Forum and The Forum of Young Global Leaders with the aim of promoting the best companies and implemented.

EUROPEAN CEANING AWARDS 2019:

EUROPEAN CLEANING AWARDS 2019: Project »Municipal material cycle of Novo mesto«, received an award in a »EUROPEAN CLEANING AND HYGIENE AWARDS 2019« competition held in London in late 2019. The award has been received in the category »Best initiative raising the profile of the cleaning sector«.

Global Recycling Foundation

THE RECYCLING HERO AWARD – 2022:

The Global Recycling Foundation has awarded prizes to companies in the start-up category that promote the use of secondary resources and recycling. Among the winners in the start-up category is Circular Shield with its project the Municipal material cycle.

The Global Recycling Foundation supports the promotion of recycling and the recycling industry worldwide to showcase its vital role in preserving the future of the planet.

Our circular model has received
international awards

Our innovative approach and the effects of our circular business and material models has received international recognition and acclaim.

THE CIRCULARS 2017 – HIGHLY COMMENDED:

The pioneering municipal material cycle of packaging beverage cartons and hygiene paper in Novo mesto received a special commendation – HIGHLY COMMENDED – at the competition of good practices for a circular economy, THE CIRCULARS 2017, in the category of the best government, city or regional circular economy project. The competition is organized every year by The World Economic Forum and The Forum of Young Global Leaders with the aim of promoting the best companies and implemented.

EUROPEAN CEANING AWARDS 2019:

Lucart, a partner in the municipal material cycle of beverage cartons and hygiene paper that takes care of recycling this type of waste packaging and produces recycled hygiene paper, has received an award in 2019 for participating in the project of the municipal material cycle of beverage cartons and hygiene paper in Novo mesto.

Who are we and how do we work?

Circular Shield comprises a network of national coordinators in countries where we set up and manage circular economy projects. We collaborate with national coordinators who examine the possibilities for the establishment of circular projects in European countries based on the experience of operational circular projects and stakeholder networking.

In accordance with the secondary sourced raw materials management system, they oversee the establishment of circular projects and their long-term management..

NIKO KUMAR

Niko Kumar is an entrepreneur. His career started in 1993 in company Valtex as a shareholder at the age of 20. Valtex has become one of the most visible distributing companies for professional facility hygiene products in Slovenia in 27 years under his management. In 2018 Valtex is being shortlisted as a finalist in »»European Cleaning & Hygiene awards« competition in the category of best distributing companies for the project of EKO INICIATIVA. In 2017 the pioneering project: »Municipal material cycle« in Novo mesto received a special commendation – HIGHLY COMMENDED – at the competition of good practices for a circular economy, THE CIRCULARS 2017, in the category of the best government, city or regional circular economy project. In 2020 Niko has fully committed to scaling projects of circular economy; Circular Shield has been established. It is managed by Niko.

KATJA AJDIŠEK

Katja graduated from the Policy Analysis and Public Administration bachelor’s degree programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences. She started her career at Bisnode in the area of after-sales (customer care= activities with clients and later continued her career as a Key Account Manager. For the last four years, she has been leading various training projects at Bureau Veritas, mainly in the field of sustainability. She joined Circular Shield in December 2023. She has a diverse background in project management, sales, customer care and marketing. Katja’s business focuses on innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. Beyond her professional achievements, Katja is a nature and animal lover.

IVONA URBANOVÁ

Ivona Urbanová studied Environmental Studies at Comenius University in Bratislava. After several years of working in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment, she was professionally engaged by the FCC, (former .A.S.A.), in the field of waste management. As a project manager, she was co-responsible for the development of new projects, such as innovative technologies and acquisitions, in Slovakia but also in other FCC branches in Central and Southeast European countries. Later, as an outsourcing manager and regional sales manager, she was in charge of key accounts with her team, preparing optimal turnkey solutions in waste management. Professionally and privately, she has always been interested in environmental issues. Waste recycling and other progressive processes have always been topics that she has also preferred in cooperation with key clients and partners. After she became a freelance waste consultant, she supported companies in the industrial and municipal spheres on the path to sustainable development and circular solutions in the field of waste.
Ivona is a national coordinator of Municipal material cycles in Slovakia.

DENYZE AGOSTINHO

Denyze Agostinho has extensive experience in business development. Graduating in economics with specializations in marketing, sales management and entrepreneurship, she began her career in Brazil in retail, passing through the banking sector and industry, in companies such as Caterpillar and the PSA-Stellantis group. She was Marketing and Projects Director in European and Latin American countries.
In recent years, she has been Project Director in the French territorial public sector, in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
Defender of environmental preservation and eco-responsible actions, it is with great conviction that in September 2022 she joined the Circular Shield team, as responsible for business development in France.

Circular Shield invests the results and effects of its activities in the development and expansion of managed projects, raising the awareness of stakeholders and residents and connecting with other networks for a circular economy in cities
and local communities.
Our mission is circular culture, the result of our work are operational circular projects.

Do you have a question?
Do you want to establish a municipal
material cycle in your location?

We will be happy to listen to your suggestions and answer your questions!

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