BLUEPRINT to a Circular Economy is an innovative cross-border project led by Essex County Council and aimed at helping local authorities in England and France transition to a circular economy.
The new project, funded by the Interreg France (Channel) England programme, involves partner organisations across the local government, higher education and private sectors in England and France working in collaboration to increase recycling rates, reduce waste, create new jobs and encourage lasting behaviour change.
The BLUEPRINT model – a set of strategies, policies and approaches – will give local authorities the tools they need to transition to a circular economy.
This model will help local authorities meet the EU’s waste recycling target of 65% by 2035. Within Essex, the model could also help to save money from more efficient waste management and higher recycling rates.
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this innovative project. BLUEPRINT offers so many fantastic economic and environmental benefits to Essex residents.
BLUEPRINT will deliver a training programme to upskill 2,000 individuals, enabling them to secure jobs in the circular economy sector. More than 600 individuals in Essex will benefit from this scheme.
In addition, 78,000 residents in Northern France and Southern England will participate in behaviour change programmes to change their waste and recycling habits. Over 8,000 of these individuals will be based in Essex and will be able to engage with new programmes such as the Library of Things (an equipment lending service) and new reuse and recycling schemes.
BLUEPRINT project has a total budget of 5.6m euros, of which 3.8m euros were awarded by the European Regional Development Fund via the Interreg France (Channel) England programme.
Sam Kennedy, Director of Environment & Climate Action at Essex County Council, said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this innovative project. BLUEPRINT offers so many fantastic economic and environmental benefits to Essex residents.
“We are looking forward to engaging with these individuals when it comes to designing the BLUEPRINT model, rolling out the training scheme and launching our behaviour change pilots.”