Μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις : περιβαλλοντική διαχείριση, κυκλική οικονομία
Small and medium enterprises : environmental management, circular economy
Keywords
Κυκλική οικονομία ; Συστήματα περιβαλλοντικής διαχείρισης ; Βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη ; Μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις (ΜμΕ) ; Circular economy ; Environmental management systems (EMS) ; Sustainable development ; Small medium enterprises (SMEs) ; Αειφόρος ανάπτυξηAbstract
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the main core for the development of the Greek, European and global economy. Their contribution to the production of added value as well as their contribution to the Gross National Product (GDP) of each country is important and cannot be disputed.
Global population growth, the ever-increasing extraction of raw materials and their processing by industries and businesses for the production of products and goods, the use of mainly fossil fuels to meet their energy needs as well as over-consumption have degraded the environment and consequently people's quality of life.
This paper initially researches the environmental impact of SMEs. It also analyzes the environmental management systems ISO 14001 and Eco Management and Audit Scheme EMAS, the circular economy and the position they have in the field of small and medium enterprises in Greece and more specifically in the prefecture of Messinia. It exams what are the disadvantages and advantages of those systems and how they can contribute to the improvement of SMEs environmental performance. With the usage of a questionnaire, we analyze the current status of environmental management and circular economy performance of the small and medium enterprises of the Prefecture of Messinia. By analyzing the answers, we found out that few companies apply any of the above environmental management systems, while the implementation of some principles of the circular economy is at a low level. There are some positive simple practices in terms of saving energy and raw materials, while there is also a positive reaction in the recycling activities.
In order for an SMEs to implement an EMS and circular economy, not only in Greece but also in other countries, financial incentives should be given and they must also overcome some internal and external obstacles that will encounter and which are mentioned in the specific study.