The increase in waste volume and greenhouse gas emissions and decrease in raw-material reserves are some of the serious problems that our planet is facing. The measures needed to address these issues cannot be implemented under the prevailing linear economy model; hence, the circular economy model has been introduced. The successful implementation of circularity, whose basic principles include waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, requires a change in the behaviour of all the parties involved and is expected to lead to industrial–urban symbiosis schemes. The present paper looks at the current state and future prospects of the circular economy in Cyprus, based on the evidence drawn from an EU-funded project entitled “a digital Solid Waste reuse plAtform for BalkaN” (Project Acronym: SWAN). The project’s main objective was the design and development of a digital solid waste reuse platform involving four countries: Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. Using the data collected, in the context of this project, from a sample of Cypriot industries, we looked into the familiarisation of the respondents with the basic concepts of circularity and their willingness to participate in symbiotic value chains. Moreover, we examined the composition of the waste streams produced by those industries and proposed potential waste reuse business models and subsequent symbiotic clusters.

The treatment of waste and especially solid waste, the type with the highest increase in terms of annual generation over the last decade, is a key issue in the Balkan and Mediterranean region. Piecemeal efforts to deal with it within the prevailing linear economy model were not successful since the techniques used such as recycling and reusing could not be effective with the existing products. A definitive solution requires the switch to a new model, the circular economy model, which will facilitate the tackling of the excessive use of virgin raw materials and waste generation. The design and development of a digital solid waste reuse platform in the context of the EU-funded Interreg Project SWAN involving four countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Greece, was a step in this direction. The present paper based on the evidence drawn from this project examines the current situation and the future trends in the solid waste reuse and industrial symbiosis schemes in this region.

This paper examines communication dynamics within the food industry to identify key factors enhancing organizational cohesion and efficiency. A structured survey was conducted among 152 employees drawn from a broader pool of 240 executives working in food-related enterprises (Thessaly, Greece). This study has unearthed 12 critical communication drivers that significantly influence workplace interactions. These include support and recognition, open and digital communication, trust and information exchange, information flow and benchmarking, effective communication, motivation and openness, positive updates, information and digital communication, transparency and conflict resolution, technology and information use, barriers and support, and communication in emergencies. The survey included 46 items, with 39 focusing on communication variables, and ensured data reliability with a Cronbach’s Alpha score of 0.883. Statistical methods such as principal component analysis and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for analysis.Findings reveal significant challenges in internal communication, such as tensions between emotional and rational approaches, insufficient information sharing, and person-centered management practices, leading to employee frustration. Despite applying total quality management (TQM) principles, employees reported dissatisfaction with recognition and lack of two-way communication. External communication efforts, particularly transparency and marketing, engaged stakeholders but failed to fully build trust due to limited adherence to transparency principles. However, adopting professional standards and continuous feedback mechanisms has improved internal communication, leading to higher employee satisfaction and operational efficiency. The findings emphasize the need for tailored communication strategies that foster trust, collaboration, and align organizational goals with employee engagement, especially in industries with a localized, person-centered culture. AcknowledgmentsThis study was funded by Special Account Grants of University of West Attica.