The SYMBA project reached an important milestone with its Month 27 General Assembly, hosted by ICLEI Europe in Freiburg, Germany. This meeting not only provided an opportunity to assess project progress, but also marked the launch of a new cycle of events aimed at strengthening industrial symbiosis across Europe.
In this context, ICLEI, acting as host, inaugurated the first Industrial Symbiosis Day,Β the opening event of a series that will also take place in Italy, Spain, Ireland, and Flanders, with dates to be announced in the coming months. The initiative represents a key step toward expanding stakeholder engagement and translating SYMBAβs objectives into tangible, place-based experiences.
To enrich the event, external stakeholders were invited to join, fostering cross-sector dialogue and encouraging knowledge exchange beyond the project consortium. A highlight of the day was the site visit to Eichelbuck, an exemplary case of circular transformation. Once a landfill, Eichelbuck has been successfully redeveloped into a sustainable resource hub. Today, the site hosts Freiburgβs largest photovoltaic installation and functions as a material transfer and valorisation centre, where waste streams are managed and reintroduced into productive cycles.
During the visit, participants were guided through the operational processes of the facility, gaining first-hand insights into how former waste infrastructures can be repurposed into energy-generating and resource-efficient systems. As also visible from the photos collected during the visit, Eichelbuck integrates packaged food waste and wood waste into its processes, offering a concrete example of how diverse residual streams can be valorised within an industrial symbiosis framework. This practical demonstration sparked significant interest among attendees, who highlighted the importance of replicating and promoting similar initiatives across SYMBA regions. The experience reinforced the practical value of industrial symbiosis in supporting climate neutrality and circular economy objectives.
The following day, 25 March, project partners convened for the Month 27 General Assembly, focusing on project progress, key achievements, and next actions.
Looking ahead, the coming months promise to be particularly dynamic for SYMBA, with a rich agenda of events, regional activities, and opportunities for collaboration. The Freiburg meeting marked not only a checkpoint in the project timeline, but also the beginning of a new phase of outreach, experimentation, and implementation across Europe.
Stay tuned, more SYMBA Industrial Symbiosis Days are on the horizon.