European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

The quantities of used textiles collected in Europe are increasing, while the proportion of high-quality reusable garments is decreasing. Currently, around 50-75 % of the collected textiles is reused, whereas 10-30 % is recycled.

Towards 2030, however, it is expected that a smaller portion will be suitable for reuse, and that more will be fit for recycling. This is because the requirement of separately collected textiles is expected to divert textiles from mixed waste, which is not fit for reuse, as well as of a general trend of falling quality. The lifecycle impact assessment (LCA) of reuse compared to a new product confirms that the environmental impact of reuse is significantly lower than the production of a new garment.

Secondary raw material (SRM) markets are crucial for a circular economy. This is because SRMs enable recyclables to re-enter the production value chain, which reduces dependency on primary resources as a result.

This role is acknowledged in the EU circular economy action plan of 2020. However, if policy is to help establish or further develop such markets, we need to better understand the currently-fragmented SRM markets in the EU.

The GO-GRASS project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, has recently published a White Paper for grassland opportunities to guide policy makers and increase opportunities for farmers and rural businesses to enhance the sustainable use of grasslands. Bioeconomy can be supported at the field level through best practices for the development of innovative and replicable business models.

To this end, the GO-GRASS project has analysed data and evidence for policy action and published a list of recommendations in the White Paper in order to promote solutions and sustainable products using grass and green fodder.

The final White Paper will be published at the end of the project (in 2024), supplemented with further findings and inputs from European, local and regional stakeholders.

The report Twin Transition in the Wood-Furniture Value Chain - State-of-the-art on Environmental Certifications Practices and Industry 4.0 in the Wood and Furniture Sector provides an overview of the current environmental and digital trends and practices affecting the wood value chain in its entirety. Taking a value chain perspective, the report outlines regulatory trends, new digital and technological developments, and emerging practices that will affect the sector as a whole.

By deploying smart systems and new production processes, European SMEs can optimise their usage of raw materials, improve their waste management and contribute to the development of a circular economy.

Rare earth elements are strategically important for the EU to sustain and accelerate its green and digital transition, particularly due to their use in permanent magnets. Rare earth permanent magnets are critical components in wind turbines and electric vehicles, as well as home appliances and consumer electronics.

However, faced with an expected surge in demand, limited domestic manufacturing capacity, high import dependency and rising geopolitical tensions, the EU’s ability to meet the future demand for rare earth magnets is at risk.

This report examines the barriers hindering the establishment of a viable magnet recycling chain in the EU, whilst estimating the extent to which recycling could offset the coming increase in demand for rare earth magnets.

The EU Interreg 2 Seas project FACET focuses on implementing circular solutions in the tourism and leisure sectors.

The circular economy is about migrating from the current business-as-usual linear system of production and consumption toward a system that focuses on valorising and circulating resources for environmental,  social,  and economic sustainability.  

This white paper proposes a  six-step framework for local authorities in their efforts to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

This framework builds upon the experiences of the FACET project, which has accelerated the implementation of circular solutions in four local areas in the 2 Seas regions, as well as other existing literature and past European projects.

Plastic is used in many ways and in large quantities across Europe. Environmental concerns make this a key focus for policy. Currently, most policy actions focus on plastic packaging, even though a large proportion of plastics are used for non-packaging applications, such as construction, furniture and consumer electronics.

Improved reporting on the flows of non-packaging plastics is needed to inform the development of effective policies and measures that target this significant waste stream and increase resource efficiency, in line with the aims of the Circular Economy Action Plan.

At the request of the European Commission, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has produced EU country profiles that offer an updated view of circular economy policies being implemented at a national level, with a particular focus on elements that go beyond EU mandatory elements, and best practice with a focus on policy innovation.

While implementing the EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP 2020), Member States are encouraged to advance circularity at a national level by adopting policies and initiatives that go beyond EU regulations, while preserving the Single Market.

These circular economy country profiles are based on information reported by the Eionet network and, particularly, its Group on Circular Economy and Resource Use in the second quarter of 2022.

Repair is one of the key circularity strategies, which can lead to extended product use and efficiency, reduced consumption of natural resources and materials, and minimizing the production of waste.

The importance of this sector has been acknowledged in several of the European Commission’s strategic documents, such as the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.

The aim of this report is to consolidate and advance the existing knowledge, and provide an evidence-based update on the status of the repair sector in Europe. The study focuses on three key product groups:

1. electrical and electrical equipment (EEE),
2. clothing and
3. furniture,

and provides an overview of the value, size, challenges and opportunities of current repair activities in these sectors.

Flexible plastics are used in many applications today and volumes have increased significantly over the last few decades. The major application area is packaging where, due to their light weight, they play an important role in preventing perishable products from degrading and in lowering the carbon footprint of transport.

However, their potential for reuse is limited and most applications of flexible plastics are single-use, so they represent a waste of resources. At end of life, they are often carelessly discarded causing litter in marine and terrestrial environments, and they have a range of issues that complicate recycling.

The report tells the story of flexible plastics, their main uses and current management options, and looks at their place in a European circular economy.