This report aims to provide a diagnostic to underpin the Clean Industrial Deal and the Single Market Strategy. It responds to calls from businesses to prioritise competitiveness.
The circular economy is identified as one of the keys to making the EU more competitive. The report looks at the barriers to this transition, such the higher cost of secondary raw materials, the difficulty of scaling up and replicating solutions in a fragmented market and diverging national regulatory frameworks which hinder the development of enhanced supply chains and discourage upscaling innovative recycling facilities.
The Critical Raw Materials Act and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation will enhance conditions for circular business models and the circular transition needs to pick up the pace.
From a circular economy perspective, maintaining most of a building's structure is preferable to building a new one.
Repurposing offices into housing can expand affordable supply in high-demand areas while supporting inclusion and climate objectives.
This report aims to inform policymaking by exploring examples from various EU regions and identifying regulatory, technical, financial and social aspects that enable successful conversions of offices to affordable housing. It also highlights the multiple benefits of repurposing non-residential buildings into housing and provides insights into essential measures for scaling up such initiatives.
Natura Mater is a Brussels-based company which specialises in training profesionals in the use of sustainable contruction materials. They have a library of materials and run training courses.
The Access Economy Alliance promotes the sharing economy: the concept that you don't need to buy something if you're only going to use it a few times.
It aims to develop the network of sharing stations, self-service lockers where you can go to borrow everyday items, from DIY tools to sports equipment. It is also a forum where access economy practitioners can engage in strategic discussions, meet other organisations in the field, learn from experts and contribute to access economy innovations.
Public authorities, businesses and researchers come together to accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy through access-based services.
The Alliance is supported by the EU through the Digital Kiosks project which is piloting 22 new sharing stations across Europe.
The Circular Economy Show Podcast looks at the various aspects of the circular economy and the people driving it. There are over 200 episodes so far, covering a huge range of issues.
The textile and apparel value chain is one of the most resource-intensive sectors, generating significant waste and relying heavily on a vulnerable workforce.
In recent years, businesses in this sector have adopted circular economy strategies to address sustainability challenges. However, most of these efforts focus on material efficiency and waste reduction, often neglecting social dimensions.
This PhD dissertation addresses this gap by exploring how to integrate social justice and equity into circular transitions at the business level. Through case studies in the Netherlands, Spain and India, it investigates how businesses can adopt circular practices inclusively and how policymakers can enable a more just circular transition.
The Makerspace Garage Association in Mostar has been active for a few years now. Having built up an impressive array of skills and modern technologies, the association decided to make what they do available to everyone in the city of Mostar. Result: thefirst Repair Café in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider Western Balkan region!
The EU-funded project NiCE – from niche to centre focuses on promoting circular lifestyles and sustainable consumption structures in city centres. Its final conference will transfer the knowledge built up during the project and promote networking among stakeholders, including during the Market of Opportunities where participants can present their city, organisation, activities or project.
SustainableSolutionsMatch empowers European businesses on their path to a sustainable and circular economy. It brings solution seekers and providers together to tackle real challenges and find practical answers.
Whether you're looking for innovative ideas or reliable partners, this event brings solution seekers and providers together to tackle real challenges and find practical answers.