The RE-USE project directly supports the European Commission’s 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan, which sets the target of increasing the reuse of goods by 55% by 2025. It addresses the pressing challenges of waste production and management in small communities of the Programme area, where waste prevention and reuse infrastructures are still limited.
The project proposes the establishment of four pilot Reuse Centers in Brindisi, Matera, Patras and Arta. These centers will serve as hubs for the collection, repair, and reuse of goods, extending their lifecycle, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, and lowering the demand for raw materials. By offering innovative and replicable solutions, the centers will become models for sustainable waste management and circular economy practices across the region.
To ensure long-term impact, the project combines infrastructure with strategic and educational actions. A baseline study and public surveys will provide evidence for planning, while awareness campaigns and educational materials will promote responsible consumption habits among citizens, schools, and youth. Furthermore, the consortium will develop a Strategic Guideline to Transfer Pilot Solutions and a Joint Zero Waste Action Plan, offering municipalities and stakeholders a clear roadmap for scaling up the reuse model and embedding circularity into local policies.
The expected results are:
- • Successful implementation and operation of four Reuse Centers (RCO 116) as tangible solutions for waste reduction and resource efficiency.
- • Delivery of strategic frameworks (RCO 83), including guidelines and a joint action plan, enabling replication in other territories.
- • A measurable shift in public and institutional behavior towards sustainability, with increased awareness, participation, and adoption of circular practices.
The project will benefit local authorities (through new tools and infrastructures), SMEs in the recycling and repair sectors (via new business opportunities), vulnerable groups (through access to affordable reused goods), and the wider public (via improved environmental quality). It will also engage youth and schools, fostering sustainable lifestyles and strengthening cross-border cooperation in line with Specific Objective 2.6 and the EU Waste Framework Directive.
