Green transformation of the Lodz region is to be carried out through the implementation of four specific systemic circular solutions. They concern the treatment of plastic waste, wood packaging, food waste, and soil and water conservation in the context of fertilization. Production lines will be built to process the waste and produce new products. This will result in not only environmental, but also social and economic benefits associated with the creation of new jobs.
Professor Zbigniew Przygodzki, Head of the Department of Local Government Economics, University of Lodz says:
It is very important to me that we are dealing with an implementation project. We can co-create specific solutions which will actually contribute to the development of the Lodz region. I feel convinced that the interdisciplinary team which I have managed to create will face this challenge efficiently
The linear model, in which waste was subjected to utilization, i.e., mainly to landfilling has been the dominant waste management method so far. The project implementation will contribute to the implementation and promotion of the circular model. It consists in the fact that e.g., bio-waste, wooden pallets or plastic packaging go back to the industrial use and become a part of a new product. Treating waste as a resource contributes to closing the life cycle of selected products and corresponds to the circular economywhich is currently promoted in the European Union.
Currently, the Region of Lodz is characterized by a high level of fossil fuel and raw material use that contributes to significant pollution and poor air quality. Therefore, the Lodz Region faces many challenges related to waste segregation, its proper treatment and utilization. All this is compounded by the lack of ecological awareness among the population and passive attitudes towards the new waste management model.
Horyzont 2020 FRONTSH1P („A FRONTrunner approach to Systemic circular, Holistic & Inclusive solutions for a new Paradigm of territorial circular economy”). The team members:
• dr hab. Zbigniew Przygodzki, prof. UL, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• dr hab. Ewa Szafrańska, prof. UL, Faculty of Geographical Sciences
• dr hab. Iwona Jażdżewska, prof. UL, Faculty of Geographical Sciences
• dr hab. Marcin Feltynowski, prof. UL, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• dr Justyna Trippner-Hrabi, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• dr inż. Marta Nalej, Faculty of Geographical Sciences
• dr Jacek Chądzyński, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• dr Jagoda Adamus, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• dr Pamela Jeziorska-Biel, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• dr Aneta Tylman, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• dr Magdalena Michalak, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• dr Konrad Żelazowski, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• mgr Marcin Podgórski, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• mgr Dorota Derdzikowska, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• mgr Agnieszka Kubus, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• mgr Ignacy Waleski, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
• mgr Aygun Kam, Faculty of Economics and Sociology
Material: Faculty of Economics and Sociology, UL
Source: Promotion Centre, UL