Circular Economy Archives

What if organic waste could be turned into a valuable resource, helping protect the environment and support more sustainable local development?

As part of “EU Projects in Action: Exploring Local Success Stories” (EU Support – Local Change), a series of visits organised by Europe House Tetovo, a group of business economics and food technology students visited Vezë Sharri, a factory in Trebosh, in the Polog region, to see sustainable practices in action.

The students learned about the process of collecting, processing and packaging fresh eggs. They also discovered how Elektro Sharri uses chicken by-products and organic waste to generate renewable energy at its biogas power plant. The first of its kind in the country, the plant produces both electricity and heat, with an annual electricity generation capacity of 8 GWh.

The process also generates material used to produce organic fertilizer, demonstrating how waste can be put to further use rather than discarded. This approach makes more efficient use of resources while reducing the environmental impact of production.

Practical examples like this show how innovation and investment in sustainable technologies can promote responsible resource management and advance the circular economy. Such business practices also deliver tangible benefits to local communities and create opportunities for greener, more sustainable development.

Through the “Exploring Local Success Stories” series, Europe House Tetovo aims to give students the opportunity to discover local projects and initiatives across the Polog region and see how their academic knowledge translates into practice. Each visit highlights how innovative and sustainable approaches, including those supported by the European Union, can contribute to positive change in local communities.

Sometimes, something old and worn-out can be turned into something useful, beautiful and ready for a new story.

That is exactly what we achieved at the creative upcycling workshop “From Peaks to Paws”, organized by Europe House Skopje at Middle Vodno, in collaboration with the Skopje Mountaineering Club and Laika Public Enterprise – Skopje.

Every climbing rope has a limited lifespan. Once it is no longer safe to use for climbing, it usually becomes waste. But its story does not have to end there.

At the workshop, ropes that had completed their mission on the rocks were given a new purpose – as strong and colorful leashes for dogs cared for at Laika.

Through creative work and hands-on skills, participants showed that the circular economy does not have to remain just an idea or a concept. It can start with something we already have, a little creativity and the willingness to give new value to something that would otherwise end up as waste.

And the best part of the story came at the end – participants made a total of 53 leashes, and the dogs from Laika had the chance to choose their own new leash.

With every leash made, we helped reduce waste, turned old material into something useful, and contributed to better care for animals in need.

Thank you to everyone who cut, braided, learned, donated and shared their time and knowledge.

Because the circular economy can start with small changes. In this case – with a few old ropes and an idea to give them a new life and a new purpose.