The National Industrial Symbiosis Program (NISP®) Canada wrapped up a very successful 18 month pilot last May. Our final performance report is available online here http://nispcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NISPPerformanceReport-Pilot-FINAL.pdf.
NISP® Canada now stands as an exemplary demonstration of regional, provincial, and national action for a market-driven, business-friendly, low carbon circular economy. Although symbiosis implementation is just ramping up, we have already documented significant results:
- $6.3M in cost savings and/or new revenues for participating businesses;
- 1,900 potential material, water, or energy ‘waste’ resources id’d to date;
- 253,800 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill;
- 23,800 tonnes of CO2e emissions avoided (≈ 5,000 cars a year);
- 350+ businesses engaged; and
- 7:1 ROI on government investment
The NISP® model was developed by International Synergies Ltd (https://www.international-synergies.com/) and has been adapted in more than 35 countries. NISP® relies on specially-trained, locally based practitioners to engage businesses via facilitated workshops and site visits that draw out information about ‘waste’ resources and generate potential symbiosis opportunities. As the program progresses, practitioners facilitate additional symbioses as well. It demonstrates best practice in symbiosis programs, aligning with the new EU CEN Workshop Agreement https://www.interregeurope.eu/symbi/news/news-article/5179/cen-workshop-agreement/ which "...sets a consensus on the core elements of industrial symbiosis as well as on good practices approach".
