Zona Urbana's unique design products with recycled materials
Zona Urbana is a fashion company based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Since 2004, it designs and manufactures products with recycled materials, mainly bags or wallets.
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Venturis HoReCa: repurposing waste resources for the hospitality industry
In Venturis HoReCa a group of professionals has joined forces, knowledge, expertise and ideas to tackle the problem of food waste. They have developed IT systems (KuMin.Sys and KuMin.App) to monitor and reduce food waste in kitchens and canteens. Monitoring of food waste is the first important step in the process of reduction. Venturis HoReCa also advises companies on how to limit food waste.
RECOSI - refurbishing ICT products for re-use
RECOSI is a social franchise focusing on the reuse and refurbishment of ICT and WEEE.
REC.ON creates high quality furniture from automobile parts
REC.ON creates its production by recovering auto parts. Using a unique upcycling process, they transform used, unwanted parts of automobiles into new, high-quality, functional pieces of design, adding style and an industrial aesthetic to any interior. Moreover, they have a unique process of acquiring their materials.
Re-Match is recycling synthetic turf
Re-Match has a recycling process for synthetic turf, recovering up to 95% of the materials, which is accredited with the EU’s Environmental Technology Verification. Their patented technology separates the sand, backing, rubber and plastic fibre from used synthetic turf. These materials can then be sold or used in a wide variety of new products in different industries.
Re-food: volunteer driven community charity working to eliminate food waste and hunger on a neighborhood basis
Re-food is an independent, citizen driven, fully volunteer, eco-humanitarian community charity, working to eliminate food waste and hunger on a neighbourhood basis. This Portuguese movement targets at ending food waste and hunger by saving food which was going to waste at local venues.
Last Minute Market - recovering and reusing unsold goods
Last Minute Market is a social enterprise, founded in 1998 as a research initiative and now a spin-off from the University of Bologna. Today, it is an entrepreneurial society working at the national level in Italy, developing local projects to recover unsold goods and benefit non-profit organisations. Its objective is zero waste.
ELWIS: an Electronic Waste Registration System for a more responsible approach towards waste by households
In Slovakia and Czechia, an initiative set by three recent graduates has been positively impacting the sector of waste management in both countries. The Elwis Waste Registration System has the objective to increase efficiency in the cities’ waste management systems by helping reducing the amount of mixed waste.
Sustainable and biodegradable LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose fiber comes from the woods
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ produces a sustainable and fully biodegradable fibre brand for apparel. It is developed from renewable pulp and wood sources. Importantly, the wood which serves as raw material come from certified sustainable sources.
013Circles promotes circular textiles
013Circles is an initiative by the Dutch municipality of Tilburg for the promotion of circular textiles.
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Remelting and Purification of Si-Kerf for PV-Wafers
Research: Remelting and purification of silicon kerf for photovoltaic wafers
Research on Remelting and Purification of Si-kerf for PV wafers is part of CABRISS, a European collaboration aimed to develop a circular economy mainly for the photovoltaic but also other industries such as electronics or metallurgy.
During production of silicon wafers out of silicon (Si) ingots and wafers, about 40–50% of the material is lost due to the cutting technique. The research had kerf from slurry based wafer cuttings undergoing several refining steps and being remelted into ingots for PV-application.
Conclusion: With 10% refined material, ingots were still directionally solidified, whereas with 100% refined material, they were not. The presented refining method does not allow for ingots with 100% refined material to be used as PV-material.
Recycling of broken Si based structures and solar cells
Recycling broken solar cells into new silicon feedstock
The project Recycling of broken Si based structures and solar cells is part of CABRISS, a European collaboration aimed to develop a circular economy mainly for the photovoltaic (PV), but also for other industries such as electronics or metallurgy.
The paper presents some tests in which broken solar cell structures coming from an early stage in the PV production process chain as well as broken finished solar cells have been recycled into new silicon (Si) feedstock through demetallisation, purification and directional solidification.
The paper explores two different routes to remove diffusion layers and anti-reflection coating (ARC) on broken cells. It also presents the characteristics of ingots produced with the Si-feedstock from the two routes by directional solidification.
Global Circular Economy Scenario in a Multiregional Input–Output Framework
A Global Circular Economy Scenario?
In a resource-constrained world the future economy will need to be circular.
From a policy perspective, the question is whether averting catastrophic environmental impacts through an accelerated transition to a global circular economy can also deliver sustained growth and jobs.
Multiregional input−output (MRIO) analysis models the interdependencies between industries and within/between countries as well as between intermediate and final goods producers and consumers, thus providing a useful toolbox for assessing social, environmental, and economy-wide impacts of the adoption of the circular economy.
This research paper resorts to this toolbox to compare the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario to an alternative circular economy scenario.
The circular economy: Going digital
The circular economy: Going digital
The EU is currently engaged in two transformations that could change our economy and society for the better: circular economy and digital transformation. If managed well, and in unison, they could help the EU address one of its greatest challenges: to build a sustainable, green economy that is competitive on the global stage.
The publication by the European Policy Centre (EPC) builds on the EPC Task Force on the Digital Roadmap for Circular Economy findings to make recommendations for the EU institutions for the next five years.
The TF explored the linkages between digitalisation and the circular economy, the opportunities created by data and digitally-enabled solutions, and the challenges associated with harnessing their full potential for the transition to a circular economy.
Packaging plastics in the circular economy
EASAC Report - Packaging plastics in the circular economy
Packaging plastics can offer an almost infinite range of options for manufacturers, both in terms of function and design. Their durability and resistance to degradation means that if they ‘leak’ into the environment, they stay there. Leakage has been increasing rapidly and its detrimental impact, especially on the marine environment, has attracted wide public and political concern.
EASAC established in 2018 an Expert Group to look at scientific aspects of plastics packaging and the circular economy. This report is the result of an 18-month investigation and reviews the negative consequences of the current linear economy for plastic packaging, the scope for improvement towards a more circular pattern and options for increasing recycling rates and reducing leakage into the environment.
2020 Report on the circular economy in Italy
2020 Report on the circular economy in Italy, with a focus on the bioeconomy
The 2020 Report on the Circular Economy in Italy, developed by CEN (Circular Economy Network) in collaboration with ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) and Fondazione Sviluppo Sostenibile, analyses the state of play of the circular economy in Italy with, this year, a particular focus on the bioeconomy.
The report was presented during the 2nd National Conference on the Circular Economy livestreamed on 19 Marchfrom Rome. It was introduced by Edo Ronchi, President of CEN, and Roberto Morabito, Director of the Department for Sustainability, ENEA, and President of the Italian Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ICESP).
For a slide presentation of the report, click on the speakers Ronchi and Morabito.
Delivering a circular economy within the planet’s boundaries: An analysis of the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan
Delivering a circular economy within the planet’s boundaries: an analysis of the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan
This analysis by IEEP and SEI assesses to what extent the actions included in the new Circular Economy Action Plan published by the European Commission on 11 March 2020 may contribute to a more circular European economy within the boundaries of the planet.
The authors conclude that the action plan is a promising continuation of existing efforts, but ask for more concrete measures to address unsustainable resource consumption.
The authors make five recommendations to EU policymakers in this regard and emphasise the importance of EU Member States and the private sector showing leadership and willingness to innovate.
Recycled post-consumer textiles - an industry perspective
Recycled post-consumer textiles - an industry perspective
Europe is facing a growing mountain of used textiles. In North-West Europe 4700 kilotonnes of post-consumer textile waste are generated annually. Still, less than 1% of textiles produced are currently recycled into new ones, and around 50% are downcycled, incinerated or landfilled.
Automated sorting technologies could enable the industry to turn non-rewearable textiles into valuable feedstock for high-value recycling. Fibersort, a Near Infrared based technology, is able to categorise textiles according to their fibre composition, structure and colour.
At the end of each chapter of the report, recommendations are formulated for recyclers, manufacturers and brands to address the socio-cultural, physical and economic barriers for uptake of sorted textiles.
Report by ACR+: Analysis of 135 paper and packaging waste collection systems
The report provides an overview of different organisations and an analysis of the local performances of 135 waste collection systems across Europe. It highlights the diversity of collection systems, with many different sorting systems and combination of collection modes (door-to-door, bring bank, combined, etc.).
This report is a publication of the ACR+ Waste Observatory whose objective is to allow consistent comparisons among local and regional authorities, in order to provide benchmarks on municipal waste management and identify effective waste strategies for quality recycling. The analysed data has been collected in the framework of the H2020 COLLECTORS project, aimed at identifying good practices to improve the quantity of sorted municipal waste leading to high quality recycling.
Chambers for a Circular Economy
Chambers for a Circular Economy - Actions to Support SMEs' Transition to a Circular Economy
"Chambers for a Circular Economy - Actions to Support SMEs' Transition to a Circular Economy" aims to offer a clear overview of the wide range of initiatives led or co-managed by Chambers in the field of the Circular Economy, with the intention not only to inform and share innovative actions, but also to spur and motivate synergies, triggering collaborations and the creation of new business models. The aim of each and every of these projects is to enable businesses to evolve from a linear to a circular mode of production and consumption.
This publication presents a total of 32 projects initiated or co-led by Chambers in 13 countries, and categorized under 5 main topics:
- certification,
- circular skills,
- cooperation,
- reuse & recycle and
- waste prevention.
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02 Feb 2021 to 04 Feb 2021
Rijkswaterstaat has the ambition to make its infrastructure works fully climate-neutral by 2030 and to operate in a fully circular manner. A great ambition that it cannot achieve on its own. That is why Rijkswaterstaat invite you to participate in a number of online sessions (in DUTCH only) from 2 to 4 February and to work together on a circular and climate-neutral infrastructure.
23 Feb 2021
The virtual event Industrial symbiosis as an opportunity for carbon neutrality on 23 February (9:00-13:00 CET) will launch the CircLean network as a concrete opportunity to tap into the potential of industrial symbiosis (IS) for European businesses. This pilot initiative, led by DG GROW, aims to increase the availability and quality of information about the impacts and benefits of IS in the EU.
21 Jan 2021
24 January is #CircularElectronicsDay! This webinar is part of the official activities and takes place on 21 January, with presentations and live discussions on 5 unique and impactful approaches to circular electronics.
19 Jan 2021
The Interreg MED Green Growth Community would like to invite you to participate in an online communication training session to discover storytelling techniques that inspire journalists to get unique and impactful stories out into the media, to take place on Tuesday 19 January 2021 at 10.30 a.m. CET.
14 Jan 2021
In this new episode of Re-think Webinars we will look into another circular city: Lisbon.
09 Feb 2021
Ever wondered how circular economy could help your city/region in its energy transition? This FEDARENE webinar is for you!
18 Dec 2020
The Circular Learning Hub's public workshop on project outcomes and knowledge sharing will take place on 18 December 2020.
15 Dec 2020
The EU SME Centre, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Beijing and the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China are pleased to invite you to an online workshop on green and circular economy in China. The online workshop will take place on 15 December 2020 on Zoom from 15:30 – 18:30 (Beijing time). (Europe time is -7 hours).
22 Jan 2021
EuroCommerce invites you to a webinar with Virginijus Sinkevičius on 22 January 2021 from 14.00 to 15.00 (CET).
07 Dec 2020
The first European Circular Cities Declaration webinar will present examples of good practice from the group of over 30 signatories. It will also provide an introduction to the Declaration for cities and regions which may be interested in signing.
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20 Dec 2019
ENEA, the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, is carrying out research into lithium-sulphur batteries to make them more competitive.
19 Dec 2019
A conference entitled A Peek into the Future – Going Circular through Digital, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was held in Belgrade, Serbia, on 9 December 2019. from the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform was among the speakers.
18 Dec 2019
Through the use of circulytics, a company is able to use various circularity indicators in order to assess how well a product or company is performing in the circular economy.
18 Dec 2019
Despite the waste hierarchy in force – Reduce, Re-use and Recycle, re-use could be much further developed. Waste management programmes include re-use but prioritise recycling, even though re-use is more environmentally and socially friendly. 2Lifes project is meant to be an instrument to help boost re-use through public policy.
11 Dec 2019
The circular economy project CIRC4Life offers a collaborative way of developing new products, one that integrates consumer needs and where consumers play a central role.
16 Dec 2019
The European Commission and the European Investment Bank announce the selection of an Investment Advisor for the upcoming European Circular Bioeconomy Fund: the EU will make up to € 250 million available for innovative circular bio-economy companies and projects.
11 Dec 2019
The upcoming COP25 in Madrid will be hosting a topical side event on combining circular economy principles with GHG reduction strategies.
03 Dec 2019
Companies wishing to increase the amount of recycled materials in their processes and improve the quality in process and product by using digital tools can now participate in the pilots of the research project Di-Plast.
15 Nov 2019
CityLoops is a new EU-funded project focusing on organic, and construction and demolition waste.
06 Nov 2019
On 8 November, the Slovenian town of Bled will host a conference on Circular Economy in the Region: Connected for Sustainability and Growth. The aim of the conference is to discuss the possibilities and advantages of the transition to a circular economy in the region and the potential for cooperation.