This platform is created as part of the NODES project, funded by the MUR on M4C2 funds - Investment 1.5 “Innovation Ecosystems” Notice, as part of the PNRR funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU (Grant agreement Cod. n.ECS00000036)
X
This platform is created as part of the NODES project, funded by the MUR on M4C2 funds - Investment 1.5 “Innovation Ecosystems” Notice, as part of the PNRR funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU (Grant agreement Cod. n.ECS00000036)
“Measuring circularity in the agri-food system is a fundamental step to build awareness, responsibility and action in companies that want to achieve the ecological transition and reduce their negative impact.”
One of the main challenges in the transition to more sustainable agri-food systems is the absence of simple and standardized tools that allow companies, in particular SMEs, to effectively evaluate the use of resources, the management of waste and the environmental, economic and social impact.
In particular, in the wine sector, there is a need for methods consistent with existing regulations, able to guide organizations towards more responsible practices. Added to this is the need to enhance the social dimension and the protection of human rights in production chains.
Finally, interest in circularity regulations is still limited, also due to the complexity of the indicators and the difficulties of applying them to the various sectors.
To meet the needs of companies in the agri-food sector, the Food Circularity Check has been developed: one digital tool, free and easy to use, designed to accompany companies in understanding and strengthening their level of circularity.
Without requiring sensitive data, the questionnaire is aligned with UNI/TS 11820:2022, “Measuring circularity — Methods and guidelines for measuring circular processes in organizations”, developed to accelerate ISO activity on the circular economy.
Explore six key areas of the circular economy, focusing on:
- efficient use of material resources and components
- energy and water resources
- waste and emissions management
- logistics
- product and service
- human resources, assets, policy and sustainability
The questions, organized according to three types of indicators (core, specific and rewarding), guide companies in a structured self-evaluation process. At the end, each company can download a personalized report with infographics and a summary of the results, useful for identifying areas for improvement and defining targeted circular strategies.
The questionnaire was published on 16 May 2025 on the circulareconomyforfood.eu platform.
The tool will initially be promoted to companies in the Italian wine sector, through the network of strategic partners and supporting members of the UNISG Network, and then progressively extend the involvement to the entire agri-food chain. The objective is to collect qualified feedback, draw an updated picture of circularity in the sector and guide training courses and support actions tailored to companies.
Of evaluation
involved in co-design
Of profiling
The questionnaire was developed as part of the NODES project, funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) through the PNRR — Next Generation EU (Grant Agreement no. ECS00000036).
The work is the result of the collaboration between the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo (UNISG) and RINA, an accredited certification body, and was born within the Circular Economy for Wine (CEFW) project, created in Spoke 7, with the aim of innovating the Italian North-West agri-food system through digital and sustainable solutions.
More than 15 subjects participated in the design and development of the tool, including teachers, researchers and experts in circular economy, agri-food sustainability, certifications and data analysis, contributing to an interdisciplinary and integrated approach.
The development of the Food Circularity Check faced a main challenge: the importance of reconciling scientific rigor and ease of use to make a technical tool truly accessible and useful to businesses in the agri-food sector.
Conceived as a first step towards more advanced self-assessment systems, the questionnaire will be regularly updated to reflect regulatory developments, technological innovations and user feedback.
Finally, the tool, in addition to accompanying companies in the transition to more circular, sustainable and competitive models, aims both to strengthen access to training and certification courses, and to spread a shared culture of sustainable innovation and circularity in the food system.
2004
The University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, founded and promoted in 2004 by the international association Slow Food with the collaboration of the regions of Piedmont and Emilia Romagna, is a non-state university legally recognized by the Italian state. The university trains gastronomes, new professional figures who have interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in the field of science, culture, politics, economy and ecology of food and are able to develop values such as the sustainability and sovereignty of global food systems, including all phases, from production to consumption. The keystone of what can be defined as a gourmet is the deep understanding of food as a value and its important role in creating and shaping society.
.jpg){kind=logo}
1861
RINA is an Italian multinational leader in the certification and engineering sector, with a history that dates back to 1861, when the Italian Naval Registry (RIN) was founded. RINA provides inspection, certification, testing and engineering services in various sectors, including Energy, Marine, Certification, Infrastructure and Mobility, Industry, Research and Development.
'%3e%3cg id='Final-Copy-2_2_' transform='translate(1275.000000, 200.000000)'%3e%3cpath class='st0' d='M7.4,12.8h6.8l3.1-11.6H7.4C4.2,1.2,1.6,3.8,1.6,7S4.2,12.8,7.4,12.8z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg id='final---dec.11-2020'%3e%3cg id='_x30_208-our-toggle' transform='translate(-1275.000000, -200.000000)'%3e%3cg id='Final-Copy-2' transform='translate(1275.000000, 200.000000)'%3e%3cpath class='st1' d='M22.6,0H7.4c-3.9,0-7,3.1-7,7s3.1,7,7,7h15.2c3.9,0,7-3.1,7-7S26.4,0,22.6,0z M1.6,7c0-3.2,2.6-5.8,5.8-5.8 h9.9l-3.1,11.6H7.4C4.2,12.8,1.6,10.2,1.6,7z'/%3e%3cpath id='x' class='st2' d='M24.6,4c0.2,0.2,0.2,0.6,0,0.8l0,0L22.5,7l2.2,2.2c0.2,0.2,0.2,0.6,0,0.8c-0.2,0.2-0.6,0.2-0.8,0 l0,0l-2.2-2.2L19.5,10c-0.2,0.2-0.6,0.2-0.8,0c-0.2-0.2-0.2-0.6,0-0.8l0,0L20.8,7l-2.2-2.2c-0.2-0.2-0.2-0.6,0-0.8 c0.2-0.2,0.6-0.2,0.8,0l0,0l2.2,2.2L23.8,4C24,3.8,24.4,3.8,24.6,4z'/%3e%3cpath id='y' class='st3' d='M12.7,4.1c0.2,0.2,0.3,0.6,0.1,0.8l0,0L8.6,9.8C8.5,9.9,8.4,10,8.3,10c-0.2,0.1-0.5,0.1-0.7-0.1l0,0 L5.4,7.7c-0.2-0.2-0.2-0.6,0-0.8c0.2-0.2,0.6-0.2,0.8,0l0,0L8,8.6l3.8-4.5C12,3.9,12.4,3.9,12.7,4.1z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Preferenze privacy