Press Release Presented today at the Politeama in Tolentino, the new European path for environmental cooperation, with the participation of institutional representatives from Italy, Norway and Denmark, including the Italian Ambassador to Denmark
Tolentino, December 3, 2025 – The European Twinning Project (ETP) was officially presented today, the first European initiative introducing a structured model of environmental twinning between municipalities from different countries, with the aim of promoting cooperation, sustainability, circular economy and environmental education.
The City of Tolentino, long committed to environmental policies and circular economy projects, will act as the European lead partner of the initiative.
The project, coordinated by Nicolas Meletiou, Managing Director of ESO RECYCLING, initially involves the municipalities of Tolentino (Italy), Alstahaug (Norway), Herning (Denmark) and Vefsn (Norway).
The official launch event was attended, both in person and remotely, by:
- Olav Fjellså, Helgeland Region, representing the Municipality of Alstahaug
- Rune Krutå, Mayor of Vefsn
- Stefania Rosini, Ambassador of Italy to Denmark
- Mauro Sclavi, Mayor of Tolentino
- Anne Kristin Solheim, CEO of Helgeland Industrier AS
- Dorte West, Mayor of Herning
A new European model for environmental cooperation
During the presentation, the objectives and initial action lines of the ETP were outlined. The project establishes a voluntary, collaborative framework open to new European municipalities, designed to encourage knowledge exchange, joint project development and coordinated participation in European programs.
Key areas of cooperation include:
-
Circular economy and resource management
Exchange of best practices, material identification and development of replicable solutions. -
Energy transition and smart communities
Renewable energy, energy efficiency, public lighting and community-based energy models. -
Environmental education and youth engagement
Collaboration between schools, universities, students and young professionals. -
Social inclusion and community participation
Involvement of associations, citizens and vulnerable groups in environmental initiatives. -
Green innovation and sustainable urban development
Mobility, urban regeneration, sustainable buildings, green areas and innovative local projects.
Institutional remarks
During the event, institutional representatives from the participating countries emphasized the importance of a concrete European dialogue focused on implementing shared environmental initiatives.
The session was opened via live connection from Copenhagen by Stefania Rosini, Ambassador of Italy to Denmark, who highlighted the value of circular economy projects linking Italy and Denmark and expressed her best wishes for the initiative’s success at the European level, extending a special greeting to the Mayor of Herning, Dorte West, and all the mayors present.
The event was held in the presence of the press, the citizens of Tolentino and local stakeholders, including: Fabio Sturani, Head of Relations with Italian Municipalities at ESO RECYCLING; Marco Ciarulli, President of Legambiente Marche; Paolo Gattafoni, President of Cosmari Srl.
“We are truly pleased – said Mauro Sclavi, Mayor of Tolentino – to be the lead municipality of this important project, which fully reflects the founding principles of Europe. We are launching a network and a strategy where multiple stakeholders, at different levels, collaborate constructively with the goal of protecting the environment and giving a second life to waste materials that can be recovered, recycled and transformed into valuable resources, ensuring a real future for our planet. Thanks to ESO RECYCLING for proposing and implementing this initiative, and to all partners who have joined. We will do our part.”
“This project stems from a simple idea: bringing European communities together through concrete environmental solutions,” said Nicolas Meletiou, Managing Director of ESO RECYCLING. “For over twenty-five years, we have been transforming end-of-life materials from sports, fashion and work sectors into new resources for the community, and today this experience becomes part of a shared European journey. The ‘Amato Cannara’ facility in Tolentino is one of the key hubs of a network we are building together with partner municipalities. Since October 1, 2025, with our presence also in Herning, Denmark, we are expanding this model beyond Italian borders, creating an international system capable of collecting, enhancing and reintroducing waste materials into a truly circular cycle. The ETP represents the first step towards a new, open and scalable European framework.”
ESO RECYCLING Società Benefit arl
ESO RECYCLING is an Italian company specialized in the recovery and transformation of end-of-life materials from the sports, fashion and personal protective equipment (PPE) sectors. Based in Tolentino (Marche), at the Amato Cannara facility, the company converts both post-consumer and pre-consumer waste into high-value secondary raw materials for sustainable applications. These include circular projects such as Il Giardino di Betty® and La Pista di Filippide®, which reuse recycled materials to create new sports and recreational spaces. By prioritizing traceability, compliance and environmental responsibility, ESO RECYCLING enables institutions and companies to adopt truly circular solutions, reducing waste and minimizing landfill impact.
In the photo from left:
Nicolas Meletiou, Managing Director of ESO RECYCLING
Olav Fjellså, Helgeland Region, representing the Municipality of Alstahaug
Mauro Sclavi, Mayor of Tolentino
Anne Kristin Solheim, CEO Helgeland Industrier AS
Press Office:
Coordination: ESO RECYCLING – Nunzia Vallozzi
ufficiostampa@eso.it – +39 371 467 7349