Episode 8 Elaine Kerr – industrial symbiosis

In this episode, Elaine Kerr, Deputy Director of International Synergies Northern Ireland, talks to Catherine Weetman about industrial symbiosis and how it ‘oils the wheels’ of the circular economy. Elaine explains what industrial symbiosis is, and how International Synergies provides research and facilitation for ‘resource matching’, helping organisations of all types and sizes. We discuss the multiple benefits of industrial symbiosis: reducing waste and pollution (and associated costs); creating valuable new by-products, jobs and social value; together with securing access to future resources by setting up local ‘ecosystems’ for materials. Elaine tells us how creating new, local feedstocks from redundant resources can also bring widespread benefits for the local economy, by helping improve economic prosperity and resilience. We talk about changing attitudes and the ways young entrepreneurs and social enterprises are creating value from what we used to think of as ‘waste’.Read on for a summary of the podcast and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.Elaine Kerr Elaine is Deputy Director for International Synergies Northern Ireland, and has been a key player in the evolution of the Industrial Symbiosis Service since its inception in 2007. Elaine’s 12 years’ experience in identifying and progressing industrial symbiosis solutions for businesses from all sectors have helped Invest Northern Ireland meet its regional economic development objectives whilst also helping Northern Ireland businesses save over £25.7 million, increased sales by £16.4 million and create over 100 jobs. In addition, the work reduced carbon emissions by 352,000 tonnes and has diverted almost 400,000 tonnes of waste from landfill. What is Industrial Symbiosis? Symbiosis, the Greek word for ‘living together’, is any relationship between different things, people, or groups that benefits all those involved.  An example from nature is between trees and fungi, which help provide nutrients to each other.  Industrial symbioses are an important part of the circular economy, using the principle of waste = food.  In other words, using the waste from one organisation to replace virgin resources for another, at the same localising supply and reducing costs. One of the most famous and large-scale examples is the Kalundborg Symbiosis project, in Denmark.  It started in 1972, and there are now nine industrial partners exchanging a wide range of materials and resources.  There are videos and an interactive map on the Kalundborg Symbiosis website showing the partners and the flows.  Science Direct defines Industrial Symbiosis as "the sharing of a by-product or service that would otherwise have been disposed of or underused in order to minimise waste and maximise the utility of resources. [From: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2014] In practice, it can be hard to find partners, and it needs knowledge, time and effort to set up an exchange network.  Building mutual trust between the parties often needs ongoing facilitation and support, and this is where organisations like International Synergies can help out.International Synergies International Synergies was established in 2005 and is widely acknowledged for its expertise in devising and managing industrial symbiosis programmes across five continents working with public and private sector clients...