Korčula on the Path Toward a Circular Economy and Zero Waste
The island of Korčula is actively working on sustainable development through its participation in the Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat programme. Ivan Zoković Cola, representative of the island’s transition team, took part in the two-day workshop “Waste Management on Islands: Towards a Circular Model”, held on 2–3 December 2025 on the Spanish island of Lanzarote.
The workshop is part of an initiative that, through 20 educational meetings over three years, provides local teams with the knowledge needed to develop renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects within the “30 for 2030” network.
Islands Share the Same Challenges: Seasonality and Limited Resources
The first day focused on exchanging experiences among representatives of various European islands. Participants identified key waste-management issues and discussed island-specific challenges – from isolation and limited resources to seasonal fluctuations in waste quantities driven by tourism.
Prevention Instead of Disposal: The Path to Zero Waste
Experts highlighted the importance of prevention and system redesign. Instead of focusing on waste disposal, emphasis was placed on preventing waste generation. Reducing waste at the source saves money and reduces the ecological footprint, which is particularly important for islands where transport and disposal costs are significantly higher.
Circular Economy Creates New Jobs
During the workshop, circular models in island markets were analysed. Successful examples were presented, such as Spain’s Guipuzkoa province, which achieved an exceptional recycling rate through citizen education and efficient infrastructure.
For islands, this specifically means local valorisation of waste, the creation of new jobs in the recycling industry, and reduced dependence on imported raw materials.
La Graciosa: An Example of Tackling Seasonal Challenges
On the second day, an excursion was organised to the island of La Graciosa, where participants observed local practices in a real environment. This smallest inhabited island of the Canary Archipelago faces extreme seasonal fluctuations during the tourist season, demonstrating the need for flexible solutions.
Strengthening Cooperation and Local Resilience
This gathering was an extremely valuable opportunity for Korčula to network with representatives of other European islands, share our experiences, and – most importantly – collect concrete knowledge and ideas that can be adapted and applied within our local context.
The key conclusion is that the transition to a circular waste-management model is not only an ecological necessity for islands but also an opportunity for innovation, job creation, and strengthening the resilience of our communities.
All acquired knowledge will be shared within our transition team and used as one of the foundations for our continued work on the sustainable development of the island of Korčula.
The workshop was organised within the framework of the Clean Energy for EU Islands project.