The Role of Non-profit Organisations (NGOs) in Value Creation: Lessons from the Recycling of Fishing Gear in Norway

Value chain collaboration and volunteering by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are success factors that enhance fishing gear recycling. Using multiple cases of NGOs from the Norwegian value chain of recycled plastic fishing gear, we highlight the role of NGOs in fishing gear recycling through collaborative partnerships with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Blue Circular Economy (BCE) project provided us with the opportunity to understudy and highlight this contextually rich phenomenon. Our study shows that sustainable value creation can be achieved through marine plastics recycling, value chain collaboration, volunteering initiatives/operations, and local innovation system (LIS) leading to new process, service, and product development. The chapter provides increased understanding of the role of NGOs within the value chain. Value chain collaboration between SMEs and NGOs stimulates innovation in the local environment (LIS) and within the industry. Collaboration drives the innovation process and enhances recycling of marine plastics. Marine plastics with a focus on waste fishing gear recycling can lead to sustainable value creation. NGOs therefore occupy a key position in the value chain not only for advocacy, but also for value creation.