The Dutch company KarTent has come up with a sustainable solution for the many tents left behind by music festival goers: a cardboard tent, designed to be purchased and transported in bulk to festival sites. After the festival, the company arranges for the tents to be removed and recycled.
Mamukko is an Irish company, founded in 2011, that uses waste nautical materials as a secondary raw material. They promote upcycling by using end-of-life sails, decommissioned life rafts and recycled leather to make bags.
The Circularity Dataset is an initiative by Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy and some international industry leaders. It has now developed the “Product Circularity Data Sheet” (PCDS): a data template for standardising data about the circular aspects of products.
Portuguese startup Benefício devels limited edition products, with particular attention to the use of materials local knowledge. By adopting artisanal production methods and respecting fair trade and the environment, the company mostly applies the principles of circular economy, in particular upcycling.
Stop Food Waste is an Irish initiative which aims to prevent food waste through better buying, storage and cooking, as well as through home composting.
Sopköket is a Swedish restaurant and catering company founded in 20215. It prepares meals which partly incorporate rescued and surplus food from supermarkets and other companies. Their goal is to reduce food waste.
ZĪLE is a Latvian fashion brand which develops its clothing while looking at a sustainable future, through the concept of upcycling. The label’s main resource materials are denim trousers, men’s shirts and imagination.
Music business can be circular, too! WMfono makes vinyl records from the waste that remains after cutting other records. Kayax label then packs the discs in recycled paper and employs a protection film made from maize.
The Baltic TRAM (Transnational Research Access in the Macroregion) project strengthened the relationship between analytical research institutions and businesses by fostering cooperation between companies and researchers, linking expertise to industrial needs.
The Commission'sDG Environment and DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Morocco report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Morocco. It concludes that while Morocco is committed to implementing policies in favour of the circular economy, the concept is fairly new.
The Commission's DG Environment and DG for International Cooperation and Developmentcommissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Kenya report examines the scope and status of the circular economy. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Kenya. It concludes that Kenya can be seen as one of Africa's frontrunners in furthering a transition to circular economy but still has steps to make to mainstream it further in its broader economic policy framework.
The Commission's DG Environment and the DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Ghana report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Ghana. It concludes that while Ghana has become one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most politically stable economies, various issues prevent it from moving to a circular model.
The European Carpet and Rug Association (ECRA) welcomes the European Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0 and believes in its ability to accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular economy.
In its support of the European Commission's strategy, the carpet and rug industry would like to present its ambition for a robust and consistent shift to a circular economy.
ECRA's strategic document “Leading the carpet industry towards circular economy – a 2030 strategic approach“ presents realistic objectives and adequate measures to guide an orderly shift to full circularity and a low carbon industry.
The European Commission's DG Environment and the DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Egypt report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Egypt. It concludes that the macro-economic and structural reforms enacted recently by the Egyptian government helped the economy grow but did not improve social conditions due to high inflation rates from 2016 to 2018.
Recovery from the Covid-19 crisis presents an important and unique opportunity for the EU to accelerate its transition towards a climate-neutral and circular economy. While there is little dispute about the opportunities offered by the funds available for the low-carbon and circular economy, the longer-term impact on Europe’s decarbonisation trajectory will depend on the choices made in the National Recovery and Resilience Plans and on how the overall policy framework is adapted.
After describing the EU recovery plan, this paper discusses various policy instruments – both new and existing – to create demand for circular materials and lower-carbon products, illustrated by examples of four resource and carbon-intensive sectors, namely construction, steel, textiles and plastics.
McKinsey & Company and Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has published the report, Fashion on Climate - How the fashion industry can urgently act to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (2020). The report is an analysis of the current situation of emissions produced by the fashion industry, and presents solutions as to how the industry can intensify their efforts to meet climate targets. The report outlines the two scenarios for the industry’s abatement efforts. The first one outlines the current pace trajectory if the industry continues with the current decarbonisation initiatives, and the accelerated abatement to reduce current emissions to align with the 1,5 degree pathway. Read more here.
This UNEP report aims to apply an evidence-based value chain approach, mapping the textile value chain with its stakeholders, as well as environmental and socio-economic impacts along different value chain stages.
Based on this analysis, the report identifies associated hotspots in all sustainability dimensions. Giving examples of the many initiatives that are already being undertaken, the report outlines gaps, barriers and opportunities to work towards a more sustainable and circular textile value chain, highlighting priority actions.
The report concludes that circularity goes beyond incremental improvements and requires a system-wide approach, transforming the way textiles are designed, produced, consumed, and disposed of.
European consumers lack the means to improve the durability of their products. In addition to harming the environment by emitting CO2, extracting non-renewable resources unnecessarily and creating waste, premature obsolescence in all its forms affects citizens’ purchasing power, their right to repair and their freedom to make their products last longer.
This white paper aims to give all stakeholders suggestions and ideas to move towards a world in which repair and responsible consumption are the norm. This will necessarily imply new constraints on manufacturers, that can no longer make products without taking durability and repair into account. It will also require new tools to inform citizens so that they are empowered in their consumption choices.
Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME)
Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
This policy brief from the ATI project (Technopolis Group, IDC, Fraunhofer, IDEA, Capgemini and NESTA) aims to promote policy initiatives and good practices of advanced and digital technologies that deliver solutions to the pressing environmental problems of our times. It outlines policy challenges in Europe, presenting the positive and negative impacts of digital technologies. It couples the objectives within digital and circular economy, showing national and industrial strategies that foster green investment. It also explains the various policy measures at societal levels within research and innovation programmes, energy solutions, regional ecosystems, smart mobility, resource consumption and voluntary industrial initiatives.
For the fifth consecutive year, on 12-14 September 2022, the TBMCE - Technologies and Business Models for Circular Economy - conference will bring together representatives from business, research and innovation as well as educational institutions, trade associations, and governmental and non-governmental organizations, to address the current challenges of technological development and the responsibility of society on its transition from fossils to renewables, from linear to circular, and also to explore trends, exchange ideas, share best practices and the latest knowledge on technologies and business models for the circular economy while building new collaborations and connections for breakthrough projects of the future.
The Circusol workshop on 29 September 2022 seeks to bring together policy makers, industry representatives, experts and other stakeholders to discuss pathways forward towards a circular and resource-efficient solar power sector in Europe.
Looking for a place to settle or expand a startup in the heart of Europe? As part of the Circular Economy Hotspot event in Bottrop, on 13 September 2022 participants will be taken on an excursion in the Ruhr region to discover what this region can offer to international circular economy start-ups. In Essen, a talk with sponsors, investors and funds will take place. In Bochum, a FabLab, incubators and spaces will be available. In Duisburg, Co-Working Spaces & Networks will be presented.
There has been relatively little focus on the role of consumers in the circular economy but ultimately, the decision on how a product will be recycled, repaired or reused lies with the end users. This EU Circular Talk will share insights into enabling circular behaviour through digitalisation, learn about experiences across the EU, and discuss implications for the future with European stakeholders.
INNOWO invites stakeholders to take part and present their companies at the online roundtable session on 6 October 2022 during Circular Week 2022. Six thematic in-depth virtual discussions will take place with entrepreneurs representing companies developing innovative and sustainable solutions from a particular branch of the circular economy: Waste Management, Textiles, Food & Bioeconomy, Packaging, Construction and Online Platforms & Sharing Economy.
Construction materials and products represent about 50% of all raw materials extracted from the earth's crust. Construction and demolition activities represent 50% of all waste generated.
The ECESP Leadership Group on Buildings and Infrastructure invites you to attend this #EUCircularTalks on 20 October from 10:00 to noon CEST. Join the expert panel to find out just how effective the construction system is in using secondary materials from the supply chain and the advantages of that in terms of CO2 emissions and embodied energy using secondary materials.
Re-think - Circular Economy Forum | Taranto 2022 sets out a vision of macro-trends, possible evolutionary paths and key projects concerning the circular economy at both Italian and international level.
Mazovia Circular Congress is the closing day of Circular Week 2022 and will take place in Warsaw on 7 October 2022. This international hybrid event will involve the participation of small and large firms, start-ups, investors, representatives of public administrations and local governments, enterprises, managers dealing with sustainable development and corporate social responsibility, and the media.
From 12 to 14 September, the PREVENT Waste Alliance will share tried and tested solutions and successful circular economy approaches that can be scaled and adapted to other contexts or regions.
The EPA’s national Circular Economy Conference will be held at the Aviva Stadium on 22 September (from 9:30 to 17:00 Dublin time). The event will also be live-streamed via a web-based app.
EU environmental rules aim to ensure that end-of-life vehicles are managed sustainably. They seek to eliminate hazardous substances in cars and require that most ELV parts and materials are reused or recycled.
The Commission would like to hear your views on its proposal to improve collection, treatment and recycling of ELVs. You can give your feedback on this initiative until 19 November 2020.
Your opinion matters! Tell us which priority actions would help improve circularity in the B&C value chain. Respond to the survey open till 1 November 2020, whose results will be analysed in the Workshop on Promoting circularity in the construction value chain, on 4 November, within the ECESP Annual Conference 2020.
Thank you! What a successful conference! Hundreds of you followed our conference. Given the exceptional circumstances, the conference adopted an online format.
Rendez-vous in 2021!
The webinar What will the German Presidency deliver on Circular Economy? organised by FEAD will focus on the on-going discussions under the German Presidency of the Council with regard to the new Circular Economy Action Plan and the key measures that are needed to ensure the full achievement of EU ambitions. Save-the-date: 5 November!
The European Commission is inviting all citizens and the wider community of stakeholders to express their views in a consultation on the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive before 6 January 2021.
The International E-waste Day initiative on 14 October aims to reduce the environmental burden of e-waste and to save natural resources. TCO Development has launched an e-waste quiz to support educational and awareness-raising activities linked to this initiative.
In 2020, more than ever, we need to work towards building resilient cities which can recover from environmental, social and health crises. CEC believes that the circular economy is a model that will help cities become more resilient. Circular Cities Week will take place on 26 Oct. to 1 Nov. 2020, alongside United Nations World Cities Day.
The European Commission's DG GROW is calling for applicants to select new members for the High-Level Steering Group (and its Sherpa sub-group) and the Operational Group of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials.
Major Cities in Europe - like Budapest, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Ljubljana, Oslo, Prague and Tirana - have signed the European Circular Cities Declaration inviting peers to join them! The have committed themselves to leading the circular transition and to new models of production and consumption, whilst improving human wellbeing and reducing emissions.
The European Commission has decided to launch a €1 billion call for research and innovation projects that respond to the climate crisis and help protect Europe’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity. The Horizon 2020-funded European Green Deal Call is open for registration. It will spur Europe’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis by turning green challenges into innovation opportunities.