La Fabrique Circulaire : as a circular economy accelerator in SMEs

SMEs had different motivations and expectations joining La Fabrique Circulaire. In response, various workshops were organized to introduce SME representatives to the circular economy, and share and network. dss+ then carried out a 360° diagnosis on site, to understand their challenges and develop tailor-made circular economy solutions.

Expectations surpassed

Roger Gumy, Strategic Buyer at Spontis SA, thought that La Fabrique Circulaire would help the company bring its plastics pyrolysis project to fruition. Given the number of sustainable projects in the company, it was decided that a project incubator was far more useful, especially as the pyrolysis project was already well advanced.

Isover, a glass wool manufacturer based in Lucens, was hoping to source 10% of its used glass in Switzerland. Thanks to La Fabrique Circulaire, the company will be able to source up to 50% of its used glass on the local market. Securing supplies and reducing the environmental impact of transport are now within reach!

Des collaborations locales renforcées

The circular economy is above all a matter of short circuits and collaboration between players. The Fabrique Circulaire aims to identify and exploit these local potentials for the companies it supports.

Gilles Marmy, Director of Ecomanif SA, is convinced of this. He will be setting up collaborative projects with other players in the Vaud region (notably in the catering, home delivery and events sectors) to support the environmental cause by continuing to democratize dishwashing deposits.

The same applies to Kouros Ghavami, co-founder of La Nébuleuse brasserie. When it comes to recycling CO2, collaboration with local players is a key success factor.

Used student uniforms will also be recycled thanks to a collaboration between the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne and Textura, part of the Démarche cooperative society.

Circular construction

As part of La Fabrique Circulaire, Dénériaz SA has initiated a strategic process aimed at adopting a circular approach. Through this process, the management team defined specific objectives, based on the involvement of employees, suppliers and customers.

Convinced of the importance of sustainable development, Ouvrages Métalliques SA has developed a tool to reinforce and highlight the efforts of each link in the value chain. The benefits include closer collaboration with suppliers and customers.

Circular economy decision making tools

How do you choose the best vehicle, with the lowest possible environmental impact? This was the question posed by Rémy Brand, director of the North Vaud SME, Les chauffeurs de Rémy. A vehicle fleet renewal and electrification strategy, backed up by a greenhouse gas emissions quantification tool, will help him clarify his approach.

How to quantify environmental impacts and make the right decisions? This was the challenge facing Vincent Nicod and José Gonzalez from Perfogroup SA, as well as Claude Wieland, Director of Exitflex SA. Thanks to the customized tools developed by La Fabrique Circulaire, they identified the relevant levers to activate in their respective companies.

To recycle unsold fruit and vegetables, Stoll Production SA took advantage of La Fabrique Circulaire's support to develop a technical, economic and environmental model.

The State of Vaud supports SMEs

To round off the event, Mathias Paquier from the Economic Promotion and Innovation Service (SPEI) highlighted the support provided by the State of Vaud to SMEs through the Viva-Vaud Platform. This collective initiative supports companies in their transition to sustainability. Viva offers tools to facilitate this transformation, as well as concrete financial assistance.

The Viva-Vaud Platform is a truly interactive guide for entrepreneurs wishing to move towards sustainability. It offers content tailored to each situation, depending on the sector of activity, the size of the company, its level of knowledge or its state of progress in terms of sustainability.

The 2023/2024 Vaud edition draws to a close

The Circular Factory team would like to extend its warmest thanks to everyone involved in this year's event in the canton of Vaud!

• All the SMEs. For their participation, their welcome and their motivation to take up the challenge of the circular economy.
• The State of Vaud. For its support and invaluable collaboration in the realization of this Vaud edition.
• The Migros Pioneer Fund. For its renewed support in bringing the circular economy to life in French-speaking Switzerland.
• All the ambassadors for their support, and in particular the CVCI for its warm welcome at meetings and events.
• The Swiss Recycle and dss+ teams for their energy, expertise and motivation in implementing this edition!