Ecological Recycling Society

What Ecological Recycling Society does

Ecological Recycling Society (ECOREC) is a Greek non-governmental organization founded in 1990 and headquartered in Athens, focused on advancing circular-economy practices, waste-management consulting, and environmental education in Greece. It serves four principal constituencies: municipalities, hospitality and food-service (HoReCa) businesses, schools, and the general public, with reported reach to over 1.3 million citizens and a HoReCa network of 1,700+ member businesses (165 certified in 2024). Its core products and platforms include the Zero Waste HoReCa Hub (a certification and training program for hospitality businesses), the ECO-ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΡΙΟ digital observatory for monitoring recycling and circular-economy metrics, the Zero Waste Ρότα (Route) tourism program, the Zero Waste Διοίκηση (Administration) municipal-certification scheme, and a long-running Recycling Magazine (78 issues).

The organization's revenue model is that of a grant-funded NGO: it does not sell commercial products or services at scale but finances operations through grants from European Union programs (Interreg Euro-MED, LIFE), the Greek Green Fund, and corporate philanthropy (notably the Coca-Cola Foundation). Its go-to-market relies on institutional partnerships with municipalities, EU project consortia, and corporate sponsors rather than direct B2B or B2C sales, and it supplements program delivery with advocacy activity, including a joint complaint against 15 wind-farm projects, that reinforces its policy-credibility role.

Operationally, ECOREC runs with a small team (11–50 employees, likely including part-time and project-based staff) and executes multiple concurrent multi-year programs, suggesting an annual operating budget in the low single-digit millions of euros, though no audited financial figure is disclosed.

Name

Ecological Recycling Society

Legal name

Οικολογική Εταιρεία Ανακύκλωσης

Website

https://ecorec.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ecological Recycling Society (ECOREC) is a Greek environmental NGO founded in 1990 that runs circular-economy, waste-management, and education programs for municipalities, HoReCa businesses, schools, and citizens, funded by EU, national, and corporate grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Services / NGO Programs

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562219), Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (56)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Services (Donation, Animal Feed, Source Reduction Programs) (EUAIAEAH), On-site Recycling Programs (Single-Stream, Source-Separated) (BPABALAB), Waste, Recycling & Sustainability Services (EDAEAAAF), Waste Reduction & Circularity Solutions (Plastics Elimination, Recycling, Composting) (THAAANAF), Sustainability, Waste Reduction & Composting Programs (EDALADAL)

Keywords

• Circular economy consulting
• Waste management programs
• Environmental education services
• Zero waste certification
• Recycling program management

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Project Grants: ECOREC receives co-funding from EU programs including Interreg Euro-MED (CirBioWaste project), LIFE program (LIFE-IP CEI-Greece), and Erasmus+ (TORP project). These grants support project implementation, stakeholder coordination, and awareness campaigns.
2. National Government / Green Fund Grants: Projects such as Zero Waste Διοίκηση (49,990€ from Green Fund), Zero Waste Ρότα (49,990€ from Green Fund plus 15,000€ co-financing from EEAA), and Zero Waste HoReCa receive funding from the Greek Green Fund and The Coca-Cola Foundation. ECOREC acts as implementing partner and project coordinator.
3. Corporate Philanthropy / Foundation Grants: The Zero Waste HoReCa program is implemented by ECOREC in partnership with Coca-Cola Hellas and The Coca-Cola Foundation, with funding provided by the foundation. ECOREC is a non-profit and does not charge for program participation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ECOREC (Ecological Recycling Society) designs and coordinates zero-waste, recycling, and circular economy programs for Greek municipalities, HoReCa businesses, schools, and citizens. Core offerings include the Zero Waste HoReCa Hub digital platform for hospitality-sector certification, the ECO-ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΡΙΟ observatory for recycling performance tracking, the 'Ανακύκλωση' magazine published since 1993, and implementation of EU co-funded projects (LIFE-IP CEI-Greece, CirBioWaste). All programs are delivered free of charge to participants and funded through grants from the Greek Green Fund, EU programs (Interreg Euro-MED, LIFE), and corporate philanthropy.

Product overview

Ecological Recycling Society (ECOREC/ΟΕΑ) is an environmental NGO that operates a portfolio of digital platforms, publications, and environmental programs focused on circular economy and waste management. The core offerings include the Zero Waste HoReCa Hub digital platform for hospitality businesses, the ECO-Observatory of Circular Economy for monitoring recycling performance, and the Recycling Magazine publication. ECOREC also implements multiple environmental programs including LIFE-IP CEI-Greece, CirBioWaste (Interreg Euro-MED), Zero Waste Διοίκηση, and Zero Waste Ρότα, along with educational guides like '12 Feats for Sustainability' and 'Creating Circular Economy Communities' toolkit. These products work together to promote waste prevention, recycling, composting, and reuse across Greece.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zero Waste HoReCa Hub: Digital platform supporting hospitality and foodservice businesses in transitioning to zero waste practices.
• Zero Waste Future
• ECO-ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΡΙΟ

Products and services

• Zero Waste HoReCa Hub Digital platform that invites small and medium-sized HoReCa businesses in Greece to register, receive circular economy training, track waste metrics, and earn Zero Waste Distinction certifications (Gold, Silver, Bronze). 1,700+ member businesses enrolled with an average 54% zero-waste rate (11–12x the national HoReCa average); 165 businesses certified in 2024.
• ECO-ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΡΙΟ Κυκλικής Οικονομίας (Circular Economy Observatory) Observatory platform providing annual data, analysis, and recognition of best practices in recycling, composting, construction & demolition waste, quarry restoration, and WEEE management in Greece. Awards issued include recognition for Compost Laboratories, ΣΙΔΕΡΙΑΣ (CDW), ΜΑΡΚΟΥΔΗΣ Ε.Π.Ε., and HERMES in 2024.
• Recycling Magazine (Περιοδικό 'Ανακύκλωση') Bilingual environmental publication covering recycling, waste prevention, composting, and circular-economy topics for Greek citizens and stakeholders.
• Zero Waste Διοίκηση (Zero Waste Administration) Municipal waste-reduction program targeting administrative buildings, helping local governments model source separation and waste-prevention practices.
• Zero Waste Ρότα (Zero Waste Route) Tourism-focused zero-waste program reducing single-use plastics and waste on day-trip boats and coastal activities in Skiathos.
• LIFE-IP CEI-Greece (Circular Economy Implementation in Greece) Multi-year EU LIFE program supporting the implementation of Greece's circular-economy strategy and contributing three integrated Green Point models for municipalities.
• CirBioWaste (Interreg Euro-MED Project) Two-year EU Mediterranean project promoting sustainable bio-waste management, with ECOREC coordinating Greek municipal pilots and contributing to a transnational consortium.
• ΟΕΑ στα σχολεία (ECOREC in Schools) Educational program delivering environmental awareness, waste-hierarchy, recycling, and composting curriculum content to schools across Greece.
• 12 Άθλοι για την Αειφορία (12 Feats for Sustainability) Educational guide providing practical challenges and ideas for citizens to adopt sustainable everyday habits, produced under the Erasmus+ TORP program.
• ΔΗΜΙΟΥΡΓΩΝΤΑΣ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΕΣ ΚΥΚΛΙΚΗΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΑΣ (Creating Circular Economy Communities toolkit) Toolkit for community groups to organize item exchanges, repair events, and free shops, supporting community-level reuse and repair practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,700+ member businesses on Zero Waste HoReCa Hub, 54% average zero waste rate achieved (11–12x national average)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Coca-Cola HellascoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Coca-Cola Hellas partners with ECOREC on the Zero Waste HoReCa Hub digital platform and the broader 'ZeroWasteFuture' program. Coca-Cola supports the platform which provides free circular economy guidance to HoReCa businesses, offering them certification and operational cost reduction tools.
• Municipality of SkiathoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Municipality of Skiathos collaborates with ECOREC on the Zero Waste Ρότα project targeting waste reduction on tourist day-trip boats and beaches. The municipality serves as local coordinator and beneficiary of the pilot program.
• Municipality of MarathoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Municipality of Marathon is one of two Greek 'taker' municipalities in the CirBioWaste Interreg Euro-MED project, receiving ECOREC's support for developing local bio-waste management strategies and action plans.
• Municipality of Vari-Voula-VouliagmenicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni is a partner in the Zero Waste Διοίκηση project, implementing waste prevention and source separation practices in selected administrative buildings.
• Municipality of ZografoucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Municipality of Zografou partners with ECOREC on the Zero Waste Διοίκηση project, implementing waste prevention and source separation practices in administrative buildings.
• Municipality of PentelicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Municipality of Penteli partners with ECOREC using the Zero Waste Future platform to help HoReCa businesses achieve zero waste certification, aiming to reduce municipal fees through the 'Pay As You Throw' program.
• Municipality of ThessalonikiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Municipality of Thessaloniki is referenced as a case study municipality for integrated Green Points under the LIFE-IP CEI-Greece project, where ECOREC contributed analysis of municipal Green Point models.
• Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAB serves as the Lead Partner of the CirBioWaste Interreg Euro-MED project, coordinating 6 project partners and 18 associated organizations across 5 Mediterranean countries for sustainable bio-waste management.
• ENT Foundation (FUNDACIO ENT), SpaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerENT Foundation is a project partner in the CirBioWaste Interreg Euro-MED initiative, contributing expertise in sustainable waste management alongside ECOREC and other partners.
• Italian Compost and Biogas Consortium (CIC), ItalycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC (Consorzio Italiano Compostatori) is a project partner in CirBioWaste, contributing Italian expertise in composting and biogas from organic waste management to the Mediterranean consortium.
• ZERO – Association for the Sustainability of the Earth System, PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZERO is a project partner in the CirBioWaste Interreg Euro-MED project, representing Portugal's environmental expertise in the bio-waste management consortium.
• Regional Energy Agency of Pazardjik (REAP), BulgariacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerREAP is the Bulgarian partner in the CirBioWaste project, contributing regional energy and waste management expertise to the Mediterranean consortium.
• Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy (ΥΠΕΝ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerΥΠΕΝ is the coordinator of the LIFE-IP CEI-Greece project and a key government partner. It provides policy direction for ECOREC's circular economy initiatives and supports ECOREC's advocacy on waste management legislation.
• Hellenic Recycling Organization (EOAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEOAN (Ελληνικός Οργανισμός Ανακύκλωσης) is a partner in the LIFE-IP CEI-Greece project alongside ECOREC and the Green Fund, providing national recycling infrastructure support and resources for circular economy initiatives.
• DNhost.grminorOthersDNhost.gr provides free web hosting sponsorship for ECOREC's website (ecorec.gr), supporting the organization's digital presence.
• Zelena akcija, CroatiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZelena akcija (Croatian environmental organization) is a partner in the Erasmus+ TORP project alongside ECOREC and VCV (Volunteer Centre Vojvodina, Serbia), focused on creating communities of reuse and repair practices.
• VCV – Volunteer Centre Vojvodina, SerbiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCV (Kέντρο Εθελοντών της Βοϊβοντίνα) partners with ECOREC in the Erasmus+ TORP project to develop community reuse and repair toolkits across borders.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme): UK-based circular-economy charity with a much larger remit and budget, running national reuse, recycling, and food-waste programs. Comparable in mission and program areas (HoReCa engagement, food waste, circular economy advocacy) but operating at substantially greater scale and institutional backing.

Direct peers

• ACR+ (Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management): International network of municipalities and regions advancing circular resource management. ECOREC's municipal zero-waste programs and LIFE-IP CEI-Greece engagement directly parallel ACR+'s city-level capacity-building and policy advocacy model.
• GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives): Global coalition advocating against waste incineration and for zero-waste solutions. ECOREC's 'Διαβούλευση για Καύση' campaign and coalition advocacy mirror GAIA's mission and methodologies, and ECOREC participates in joint actions alongside GAIA-aligned organizations.
• Zero Waste Scotland: Scottish government-backed zero-waste program body running certification schemes and HoReCa/retail engagement. Highly comparable operating model to ECOREC's Greek municipal and HoReCa zero-waste programs, though better resourced and operating within a different national policy framework.
• RREUSE: European network promoting reuse, repair, and social enterprise in waste prevention. ECOREC's 'Creating Circular Economy Communities' toolkit (Erasmus+ TORP) directly mirrors RREUSE's reuse-and-repair community-building model, and they coordinate within overlapping EU project consortia.
• Zero Waste Europe: Brussels-based network coordinating zero-waste advocacy across Europe. Highly comparable as ECOREC is a national-level zero-waste advocacy organization operating within Zero Waste Europe's broader European ecosystem, sharing the same circular-economy policy framing and anti-incineration stance.
• Zero Waste France: French national zero-waste advocacy NGO running programs, training, and policy campaigns. Comparable in scale and scope to ECOREC, focused on zero-waste household, school, and municipal engagement in a neighboring Mediterranean-adjacent EU market.
• Fundación ENT (Environment and Management): Catalan environmental foundation focused on sustainable waste management and resource use. ENT is a CirBioWaste Interreg Euro-MED consortium partner alongside ECOREC, sharing bio-waste strategy, source-separation, and circular-economy policy advocacy work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ecorec.gr
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecorec.gr
• Xx.com/EcorecOEA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecological-recycling-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ecological Recycling Society