The professors of Tecnun Javier Santos, Elisabeth Viles, Marta Ormazabal and Carmen Jaca have published a guide on Economics Circular that they present this Thursday at 18.30 at bookshop Elkar in Fermín Calbetón street in San Sebastián. This guide has been part of the results of the doctoral dissertation by Vanessa Prieto, who also signature as the author of the guide.

How did the idea of publishing this guide come about?
This guide contains the methodology that we are already applying in some companies, and it seemed to us that it should be known by more organizations. By publishing a book, the dissemination is greater and our idea was not to keep it in a drawer, but to reach as many people as possible issue .

What goal did you do it with?
Today, most companies operate on a linear Economics consisting of "take, make, use and throw away". However, this is not sustainable in the near future and companies must switch to a model of Economics circular closing the cycle of materials, energy and waste streams. The problem is that they do not know how to move to a circular Economics and that is the goal of the guide, helping companies in that transition.  

The idea is to provide companies with the necessary knowledge to understand what Economics circular is and what tools they can use, through a publication that is easy to understand and with many practical examples.

How can SMEs benefit from Economics Circular?
First, they will be more competitive if they start adopting its principles, as there are many opportunities for product, process and business improvement. They will also improve their company image, thus being able to reach more customers, particularly those who are beginning to value a more sustainable behavior in companies. Furthermore, in this way they will be prepared for the new European directives on subject waste and extended producer responsibility.

In addition to SMEs, it is a term that is increasingly in vogue, how does it benefit other people or organizations?
The Economics Circular involves all agents, from producers to consumers, including all intermediaries, public organizations, citizens, etc. Its goal is the improvement of the environment through its three pillars: economic, social and environmental. Therefore, everything that is achieved will result in the improvement of companies, society and the environment. 

When and where do you present it?
We are presenting it on Thursday 14 at 6.30 p.m. at bookshop Elkar on Fermín Calbetón Street in San Sebastián. In any case, the guide is already available in different on-line platforms and will be distributed in bookstores nationwide.

Did you want to prioritize a visual image over a more descriptive one in order to make its application easier?
We have opted for a format that is attractive to the reader, giving priority to the inclusion of images, practical examples and checklists to facilitate the application of the methodology of Economics Circular. In this project has been core topic the work of Tecnun students Myriam Irizar and Andrea Badiola who, through a visual and very accessible design , have managed to convey the principles of the Economics Circular in a simple and attractive way. In this way, the social diffusion of a scientific project is achieved. It should not be forgotten that this guide is result of project Ecopyme, financed by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and, therefore, has a scientific basis that makes the content of this publication rigorous.

Can real examples help small businesses better visualize how Economics Circular can help them?
This guide has a large issue of real examples of application of the Economics Circular in companies of different sizes and sectors, so that other companies can find ideas to apply. In addition, companies can be encouraged to implement the methodology, as different practical applications are proposed, some of them simple to implement.