Can you imagine a hotel without single-use plastics, sunglasses made from marine litter, and a café that encourages guests to bring their own cups? Not a joke, these are real examples of sustainable business in Croatia!
– In the catalog of good practice examples created as part of the AWASTER project, we share stories that show how caring for the environment and business success can go hand in hand, while also inspiring others. The catalog demonstrates how the principles of the circular economy can be applied across different sectors and environments, – said Tea Kuzmičić-Rosandić, project manager at Sunce.
What is sustainable business?
Sustainable business means running a company in a way that benefits both the bosses and employees, as well as nature and the environment. It is a business model that relies on smart resource use and reducing environmental impact. Sustainable companies do not focus on short-term quick profit but create products and services with lasting values.
-What you make from wood should be as wonderful as what you cut down. – Richard Powers, The Overstory
Circular economy: reduce, reuse, recycle
It is hard to create something more wonderful than nature and the environment itself, that provide us with precious resources, but we can reduce our ecological footprint. Sustainable businesses apply the principles of the circular economy. This involves the rule “Reduce, reuse, recycle,” known as the 3Rs.
Businesses from various sectors can adopt small but meaningful changes that greatly impact waste reduction and thus contribute to environmental preservation.
Below, we present some examples of applying circular economy principles in business.
Waste as a resource
The Adriatic sea is the third most polluted sea in Europe, with plastic being the biggest pollutant, according to research from the DeFishGear project.
Have you ever thought that waste could be a resource for making something new? That very plastic polluting the Adriatic serves as a resource for the Maritimo Recycling association from Dubrovnik.
-We turn plastic caps into new useful products using 3D printers, – says Marjan Žitnik, founder of the association.
Their floating sunglasses, produced by Maritimo Recycling, are very popular and come with a lifetime warranty. They collect plastic from the sea and beaches, as well as receiving numerous donations from volunteer clean-up actions.
Bring your own cup and pay less for coffee
Specialty coffee shop Kava2 in Split is known for its interesting coffee drink options, but did you know that you pay less for takeaway coffee if you bring your own cup? Yes, that’s how Kava2 contributes to waste reduction and raises environmental awareness among busy coffee lovers.
-We are proud to be, as far as we know, the only café in Split with such sustainable practice, – says the team at Kava2.
Combining sustainability and tradition
Makarun restaurant in Split is an example of sustainable hospitality that combines zero-waste principles with top-notch gastronomy and tradition. By growing their own vegetables, fully utilizing all parts of ingredients, and switching to reusable packaging, the restaurant significantly reduces waste and CO₂ emissions.
-We have our own reusable containers for transporting fish from fishermen to the restaurant, we produce our own compost for our vegetable garden, and strive to be as sustainable as possible, – confirmed Katarina Jozić from Makarun.
How to choose sustainable accommodation?
Heritage Hotel FERMAI MGallery Split stands out as a Croatian example of a good sustainable hotel practice that successfully combines high hospitality standards with zero-waste and responsible business principles.
– We replaced single-use plastics with reusable solutions and natural materials. We also systematically monitor and reduce food waste by adjusting menus and portion sizes, – says Davina Ljubičić Đirlić, hotel director.
Slow fashion — fashion that doesn’t pollute
The fashion brand Portico from Korčula shows how fashion pieces can be made sustainably. By recycling textile industry leftovers and waste into new production, they reduce pressure on the environment, and materials like old ship sails get a new purpose. Portico plans every new product to avoid material waste.
– When the use of new materials is unavoidable, we choose only those that do not harm nature and the environment, as so-called virgin materials, we select exclusively natural materials. An example is cotton certified with the GOTS certificate, – confirms Doris Farac.
Get involved!
Whenever you can, support local sustainable producers and service providers. Become a member and get discounts from our partners. Follow us on social media and join us at events like the Sustainability is My Vibe festival and the Split bike tour.
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