Every day, we hear more and more about the Green Economy.

The goal of this article is to understand why the focus is shifting towards this phenomenon, what are the advantages of this economic system and what are the innovative Start-Ups in this sector. Read the article to discover more!


What is The Green Economy

The green economy is an economic model that previews the reduction of the environmental impact, in favor of sustainable development. It’s a type of economy that takes into account the environmental aspect, as well as the economic one.

An economy that generates growth, creates jobs and eradicates poverty by investing and safeguarding the resources of natural capital on which the survival of our planet depends.

Definition by the European Commission.

This economic model aims at reducing air pollutant emissions, such as carbon dioxide. Moreover, it represents the only weapon to combat poverty in developing areas, where most of the economy is based on natural resources.

A theoretical model of economic development based on an improvement in human well-being and social equity, capable of ensuring at the same time a significant reduction in environmental risks and ecological scarcity.

Definition by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), in the official report Towards a Green Economy –Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication, year 2011.

Advantages

The green economy is a very advantageous sector to invest in, especially for economic, labor and sustainable competitiveness, especially in a country as rich in renewable energy sources as Italy.

The advantages of the Green Economy are of natural, economic and social interest:

  1. Production of alternative renewable energies with a lower impact on the environment, such as green technologies (wind, solar, biomass…);
  2. Greater efficiency and less waste, using products and services that consume less energy;
  3. Less impact on the environment, reducing the issues of the greenhouse effect and global warming;
  4. Creation of new jobs, with new industries and markets.

Innovative Start-Ups

The Green economy has seen many Italian Start-Ups achieve success thanks to their innovations, ranging from photovoltaic bike paths to electric marine motors, fabrics made from citrus and machines that turn undifferentiated waste into raw materials.

In this article, we offer some examples of innovative Start-Ups.


BYS Italia

Among the most promising Startups on the Italian scene is BYS Italia.

Bicy Solar Street is an innovative startup that creates cycle-pedestrian paths integrated with photovoltaic energy production systems in the pavement. The energy generated is then transferred to adjacent energy-intensive subjects.

The company is promoted by InfinityHub, a holding company that develops energy efficiency projects.

This is the first European equity crowdfunding to produce energy from renewable sources through photovoltaic cycle-pedestrian paths.


Grycle Srl

Grycle Srl has developed a machine that automatically separates waste, reducing its volume by over 90% and allowing it to be reused.

The technology uses light to recognize the materials in undifferentiated waste, which are first reduced in volume and then transformed into raw materials.


Orange Fiber

Orange Fiber is an Italian start-up that has patented and produces sustainable fabrics starting from citrus juice by- products.

Founded on February 5th, 2014 in Catania by Adriana Santanocito and Enrica Arena, the aim of the start-up is to create a recognizable, sustainable brand with commitment to the environment and transparency of the entire production chain at the heart of it.

In 2017 the designer Salvatore Ferragamo created a capsule of designer-printed shirts, dresses, trousers and scarves, called Ferragamo Orange Fiber Collection, in collaboration with Orange Fiber.


U-Earth

The London-based sustainable startup U-Earth was born in 2018 from an idea of Betta Maggio. Through the use of cutting-edge biotechnologies, their goal is to clean tons of polluted air.

The air purification solution developed by U-Earth is divided in four steps:

  1. Capture all air polluting molecules, attracting them electrically;
  2. Destruction through natural digestion;
  3. Monitor air quality in real time;
  4. Keep track of your performance.

EcoBrick Exchange

EcoBrick Exchange is a South African start-up that wants to combine green building techniques with community participation and childhood education activities.

The company has created reusable refractory bricks made from plastic waste that can be easily produced by local residents. In collaboration with local communities, it also builds low-cost buildings as childcare centers.

If you enjoyed this article, we suggest you read our article on the acquisition of successful Start-up.