Humana Nova Social  Cooperative

Social cooperative Humana Nova is a non-profit social enterprise that deals with collecting, recycling, and reusing textile waste and producing innovative products from recycled and new eco-certified materials. It includes people with disabilities and other socially excluded people in its processes. Furthermore, it reinvests all its profits in business development and new jobs. By combining ecological and social elements, where one problem is solved by another, Humana Nova represents an innovative and sustainable business model with an impact at the local, national and regional level.

Humana Nova Social Cooperative (“Razvoj poslovanja Humane Nove“) solves ecological, social, and economic problems in the local community. Textile waste is an environmental hazard in Croatia. There is little support for recycling processes; it is also difficult to cooperate with utility companies. Roma and people with disabilities also face high unemployment rates.

Humana Nova’s innovative business model directly solves ecological and social challenges in the community. We employ people with disabilities and from marginalised communities to produce high-quality goods and collect, recycle, and reuse textiles. Humana Nova creates opportunities and a higher quality of life through sustainable development. 

We are the only non-profit cooperative with more than 50% of employees with disabilities in our work integration programme. Humana Nova also has over 130 local, national and international business partners. As a non-profit cooperative, we systematically invest all our profits in business development, new machines, and job creation.

Humana Nova is a leading regional social enterprise integrating marginalised communities and ecological care. Our cooperative has collected and recycled nearly 3,000 tons of textiles. In 2020, we adapted our workplace to meet the new challenges and serve our employees. We also recently established a felt packaging process and employed 7 new people.  

The entire business model of Humana Nova can be transferred to another place, context or region. Textile waste management and integrating marginalised communities into work are also challenges in other countries. Humana Nova proves that it is possible to take care of the environment and the community through innovation and sustainability.