A Roadmap towards Circular Economy of Albania

Annex C. Non-governmental stakeholders involved in circular economy initiatives in Albania

Table C.1. Non-governmental organisations relevant to the circular economy transition in Albania

Albanian Green Institute	Its mission is to promote green thinking and actions in all political, economic, social and environmental aspects as well as greater commitment from civil society and citizens to the development of democracy in Albania and the implementation of green policies.
Build Green Group	Research and development studies in different environment-related fields as well as research and implementation of short-, medium- and long-term sustainable development projects in various entities. Published three mapping reports on the circular economy in the region, one of which was published in July 2023, underpinning the policy measures undertaken by the six Western Balkan economies, based on the European Union (EU) policy indicator set. Established the LogEx Community in December 2021, a partnership between universities, civil society organisations, academia and business actors from the six Western Balkan economies as well as the region’s diaspora, with a focus on the intersection between the circular economy, innovation and the labour market. LogEx marked its second year of existence with a circular economy week in the region with joint activities in each economy. Released a report in June 2023 mapping circular economy activities based on the type of industry in Albania. The report was followed by an online open platform where all circular businesses in all Western Balkan economies can showcase their work and their level of circularity.
Center for Competitive Skills	Implemented a project in 2020 on raising the awareness of civil society organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the educational system regarding the importance of the circular economy. Established “Qarkonomia” in 2020, a platform to raise awareness on the circular economy in Albania.
Circular Economy Club Tirana	Network of experts, academics and entrepreneurs to support the circular economy transition in the capital city.
Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development	Organised a regional conference on the circular economy in 2020 focusing on circular opportunities and challenges and municipalities’ role in further promoting the circular model.
Environmental Center for Development Education and Networking	Led a programme in 2019 supported by the European Union to raise awareness on the concept of a circular economy, through content classes with students and training with civil society organisations and businesses interested in the topic. A series of activities took place in 2020 to promote practical model approaches in Albanian cities, including a two-day workshop in Tirana.
Environmental & Territorial Management Institute	Promotes environmental and territorial management at the regional, national and international levels. Working on a project highlighting the main challenges hampering the transition to a circular economy.
GO2 Albania	Sustainable urban planning, with a specific focus on natural environments, sustainable transport and sustainable tourism.
Institute for Environmental Policy	Promotes increasing environmental sustainability in Albania through policies, projects, programmes, awareness, public actions and campaigns in the field of environment. Implemented a project on the circular economy through organic waste composting in Baldushk (2021-23) through funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
Milieukontakt	Experience in implementing projects in waste management, mostly though the support of local governments.
Urban Research Institute	Conducts several projects on environmental protection and eco-tourism, such as on marine litter management. Extended expertise on waste management issues in Albania; its projects include introducing EU standards on recycling and building structures with recycled materials.

Note: The list is non-exhaustive.

Table C.2. Academia relevant to the circular economy in Albania

Agricultural University of Tirana	Centre for studies, scientific research, training and extension in the area of agriculture and food (agronomy, horticulture and plant protection, agribusiness, economy and agrarian policy, agro-environment and ecology, agro-food technology, aquaculture and fishery management, forestry engineering).
Polytechnic University of Tirana, Department of Environmental Engineering	Organises plenary sessions on the circular economy, such as “The Circular Economy in the Wastewater Context”.
Polytechnic University of Tirana, Faculty of Civil Engineering	Co-organised a first of its kind workshop in Albania on wastewater management in the context of the circular economy.
University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy	Held an international conference in 2022 bringing together scientists, researchers, practitioners and policy makers in partnership with other European academic stakeholders.
University of Tirana, Sustainable Development of Blue Economies	Participating partner in the project “Sustainable Development of Blue Economies through Higher Education and Innovation in Western Balkan Countries”.
Polis University, Faculty of Planning, Environment and Urban Management	Programmes on environmental studies (Bsc) and environmental urban management (Msc) include courses on environmental economics, with a focus on the circular economy. Organises workshops and conferences in partnership with the non-governmental organisation Co-PLAN on the circular economy.
Polytechnic University of Tirana, Textile Department	Collaborates with the Albanian textile industry through technology transfer activities, such as workshops, seminars and conferences. Undertakes projects to support quality management and improving materials resources in the textile industry.

Note: The list is non-exhaustive.

Table C.3. Private sector organisations relevant to the circular economy in Albania

Albanian E-commerce Association	Supports Albanian companies in increasing online trading capacities by improving the service offered and increasing consumers’ confidence in the safety of e-commerce.
Albanian Manufacturers Union	Increases competitiveness through the promotion of digitalisation, innovation and the circular economy. Organises workshops, such as increasing civil society’s awareness of the circular economy.
Pro-export – Albanian association for textile and footwear	Protects the interests of members of the association in relation to unfair competition, unifying efforts to create an environment conducive to the development of textile confectionery business. Advocacy with government authorities.
Union or Chambers of Commerce and Industry	Participated in a panel on Unlocking the Potential of the Circular Economy for Businesses in the Western Balkans: Opportunities, Barriers, and Good Practices organised by the Regional Cooperation Council and supported by the European Union.

Note: The list is non-exhaustive.

Table C.4. Companies with circular economy business models in Albania

Aiba Company	Cattle food production company reusing its waste to produce soil fertilisers to be sold to farmers. The company is also investing in creating a new system that will make drying waste possible.
AZ Group Shpk	The group is composed of three companies: 1) I.N.C.A. shpk, which is the only natural casing manufacturing company in Albania collecting and processing the natural casings from Albanian slaughterhouses; 2) PetEat shpk, which produces natural dog chews derived by animal products; and 3) AZ Rendering, which processes the organic waste from I.N.C.A. and PetEat, and collects and processes all of the industrial waste that could not be processed by the first two companies.
City Tex	Garment factory – social business based on circular economy concepts.
Design By Pana	Offers a variety of products ranging from home and restaurant to office furniture, entirely made of reused wood, mainly coming from old furniture and used wood pallets.
Eco Bag	One of a few manufacturers and exporters of shopping bags in Albania. The shopping bags produced have a positive impact on the environment.
Everest IE	Production of flexible plastic packaging, as industrial packaging and several food or non‑food products. The production is ISO 9001 certified for quality standards and ISO 14001 certified for complying with the environmental standards.
GER.ARD Company	Offers recycling services of vehicle parts and electronic devices, the majority of which is exported to European Union countries.
GPR Albania	Polymeren General Recycling Albania is one of the main recycling companies in Albania of plastic polymers, which are recycled using a modern and sophisticated German technology. Its next investment will enable the transformation of current products from flex into granulate.
Green Recycling Albania	Helps customers manage wastepaper and other waste materials through best-in-class services and solutions while safeguarding the environment and human health, and complying with the relevant legislation. Produces a green report every year for each client measuring their contribution through waste collection and recycling services in reducing CO2 emissions and saving energy, trees, water and landfill space.
IB Recycling	Offers recycling of electrical and electronic scrap waste, processing and recycling of car exhausts, and many other electronic car and computer parts. Various car parts are recycled efficiently in one of the most modern facilities in place for recycling these products. Focuses on ensuring the complete recycling of various car parts to turn them into manufacturing materials. Processes electronic scrap and all waste electronic equipment.
Immortelle Tirane	Provides quality saplings and seeds of medicinal and aromatic plants. Plans to provide necessary training from planting to harvesting. The goal is to increase organic farming, which will bring sustainable income to rural households and have a positive impact on the environment, as it will enable the regeneration of natural resources damaged by wild plant harvest. Winner of the Partners Albania Green Ideas National Competition.
Inca Casing	Involved in the full cycle of works related to processing, packaging and logistics of animal intestines and by-products.
Mobike	Mobile app for bike rentals and sharing that started in 2018 in the municipality of Tirana (public-private partnership).
Organic Soap Roskovec	Project initiated by the European Union aimed at refining organic waste from olive oil production into organic soap.
Pastrimi Detar	Marine cleaning company dealing with port services; the collection, manipulation and burning of garbage from local and foreign ships; and the collection and processing of hydrocarbon waste from local and foreign ships and various entities that have oily waste (hydrocarbons).
Pemla	Supports the green economy by promoting organic agriculture practices. Produces artisanal nut butters and other products using regionally cultivated ingredients and slow food processing techniques. Composts or upcycles waste streams from food processing and uses exclusively reusable/recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
RecycAl	Waste management company, dedicated to establishing Albania's first Circular Economy Park, featuring a substantial recycling zone, a facility for repairing and repurposing goods, and a compact educational centre to promote and exhibit circular economy concepts.
Permeti’s Yummy Treasures	Sells organic products: supports farmers, producers and housewives by selling their products. The goal is to maximise the experience of tourists and visitors in Permeti by providing organic gastronomy and agro-tourism. Winner of the Partners Albania Green Ideas National Competition.
Remix Toys	Produces simple and unique toys made from recyclable materials.
Shtëpia e ofertave (Offers House)	Network of shops that sell a variety of used products, mainly furniture, clothing, household appliances and sports accessories.

Note: The list is non-exhaustive.