Online Roundtable: Making procurement sustainable and circular

On 25 February, the Circular Economy Forum Austria hosted an online roundtable on the topic of sustainable and circular procurement. Moderated by Valerie-Sophie Schönburg (Board Member, Circular Economy Forum Austria), leading experts from business and the public sector discussed the central role of procurement in the circular economy.

The speakers - Gerhard Martin Weiner (Sustainable Procurement Platform, naBe), Ines Maria Sturm (ÖBB Holding), Markus Reisegger (Spoonbill) and Gregor Gluttig (Circular Economy Forum Austria) - highlighted practical strategies for sustainable procurement. Topics included the ecological and economic added value of circular procurement, challenges in implementation and the active involvement of suppliers.

With over 100 participants, the roundtable provided a valuable platform for the exchange of innovative approaches to making procurement processes in companies and the public sector more sustainable.

Gerhard Weiner (naBe) and Gregor Gluttig (CEO, Circular Economy Forum Austria) answered questions about the bureaucratic burden by referring to quality labels and the importance of a common understanding between all parties involved. Regulations should be used as an impulse to think about added value and innovation potential in the company - even if you are not directly affected. This not only improves quality and environmental protection, but also minimises negative effects and makes supply chains more resilient.

Ines Sturm (ÖBB) emphasised the importance of raising awareness of the circular economy, reducing reservations and setting clear goals when it comes to the acceptance of new guidelines for circular procurement among buyers. At the same time, visible signs must be set in order to emphasise the added value of the measures. Gerhard Weiner emphasised that the benefits for customers must always be clearly recognisable and communicated accordingly. Markus Reisegger (Löffler) reported on positive experiences through intensive internal discussions on the product take-back programme introduced at Löffler. He emphasised that new approaches to the circular economy can not only be practical, but also motivating and even fun to implement.

The current cost disadvantage for secondary materials, which should be reduced in the coming years through harmonisation, was discussed critically. Gerhard Weiner also emphasised the importance of a positive narrative for the future in order to strengthen confidence in the transformation of the economy and society. There was agreement that the most important thing is to launch concrete projects and learn from experience step by step - because the transition to a circular economy is worthwhile for companies. Recommendations for action in PDF format.