Le opportunità dell’economia circolare: il recupero degli scarti di lavorazione degli agrumi

The need to overcome the traditional linear economic model, summarised in the “take-make-dispose” formula, and to adopt a circular model in which the production of waste is substituted by goods that are included in the economic cycle, is by now universally recognized by different sectors such as production and finance, as well as by policy makers. This study aims at showing how the crisis of the linear model is pushing the exploitation of natural resources to the limit and how the circular economy can answer the need to reverse this trend, by reducing consumption and avoiding the use of virgin materials. This would allow the regeneration of earthly resources which will remain available for future generations. At the same time, the attempt to apply the concepts of circular economy to some production sectors has pointed out the problems this approach implies, for instance those related to geographical dispersion, as well as to the materials’ complexity and proliferation. However, difficulties are not solely related to technical and organization matters: legislative and financial matters are also playing a strategic role in the success of those enterprises which are willing to develop a project of circular economy. This study, focusing on the case study of a start-up called Orange Fiber, based in Catania but with operational premises in Trentino Region, is not limited to the analysis of the innovative process of producing yarns and textiles from the so-called pastazzo, which is the citrus fruits’ processing waste. It focuses also on the search of other motivations contributing to the success of two young entrepreneurs from Sicily. The result is an overall situation in which, together with Schumpeter innovation, the local context plays a similar significant role, in particular with regards to the contribution of Business Angels and the European Fund of Regional Development in Trentino Region, which demonstrates the importance of the policy makers’ role in identifying and supporting innovative ideas.