In 2022 the Podravje region (Slovenia) became part of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and was selected as one of the 12 CCRI pilots being supported for the implementation of Circular Systemic Solutions (CSS) which could provide answers to major challenges beyond resource management and waste/water recovery.
The region is now developing a circular bioeconomy strategy which is the key document describing the available regional resources and linking them to suitable CSSs.
So far, two rounds of consultations with regional stakeholders have been organised and 9 key CCSs have been identified as the key activities within 4 priority areas:
Linked to the BATRAW project that develops circular approaches for electric vehicle batteries, this CEPS report delves into the new EU regulatory framework for batteries and the expanding EU digital product passport landscape. It identifies key opportunities and challenges for battery passports based on data collected from companies at different stages of the battery value chain.
The data suggest that the battery passport can help break down information silos among supply chain actors and support recycling and reuse. It also provides opportunities for increasing transparency about carbon footprint impacts across battery supply chains, while creating a level playing field with horizontal requirements for all supply chain actors.
The 2024 edition of the Global Resources Outlook, from the International Resource Panel, shows that it is both possible and profitable to decouple economic growth from environmental impacts and resource use. It sheds light on how resources are essential to the effective implementation of the Agenda 2030 and multilateral environmental agreements to tackle the triple planetary crisis.
It is to be noted that the circular models to be followed are not just about recycling, but about keeping materials in use for as long as possible, and rethinking how goods as well as services are designed and delivered, thereby creating new business models.
The report also describes the potential to turn negative trends around and put humanity on a trajectory towards sustainability.
A modern society needs access to all the critical raw materials (CRM) necessary to maintain and develop its industries, infrastructure and welfare. CRM are especially important for ongoing technology shifts like the European Green Deal and digitalisation processes.
Five milestones must be reached to establish Nordic secondary value chains for CRM:
A system that makes it possible to identify waste streams with CRM-recycling potential.
A system for cost-effective and efficient collection of waste streams with CRM-recycling potential.
A system for separating materials enriched with CRM from other materials in the waste stream.
A recycling technology that allows for recovery of all relevant CRM at acceptable rates.
Go Circular 2024 will focus on utilising enablers and breaking barriers to achieve plastic circularity.
It's an opportunity to discuss the main challenges in the field of plastic circularity and to identify partners for related projects. The conference covers the entire circular plastic value chain and aims to speed up the shift to a low carbon circular economy.
Used clothing exports from the Netherlands totalled more than €193 million in 2022: not an insignificant amount.
Understanding the realities of second-hand clothing markets in export destinations will be crucial to develop appropriate policy at national and supranational levels. The aim is to support the socially equitable and environmentally sustainable processing of used textiles, and ensure that this industry is in line with the EU's 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal.
To this end, the report explores what happens to textiles collected in the Netherlands in their various destination countries, and highlights the impacts and risks associated with these exports, as well as how they are addressed.
Enterprise Europe Network Flanders, Flanders, Wallonie Entreprendre and Hub.Brussels are organising an official WCEF2024 side-event: a global online matchmaking session focusing on circular innovation. There'll be an online part (8-14 April) and an in-person part (17 April).
Following a request by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Committee of the Regions is preparing an opinion on What is the role of local and regional authorities in the transition towards a circular economy? The opinion is being drawn up by Loredana Capone, president of Apulia Regional Council (Italy).
This stakeholder consultationis intended to provide Ms Capone with input for the opinion.
The BRINC(Brokering cross-border Innovation through Clusters) project is holding a workshop where participants will be able to meet the BRINC network of public authorities and other key actors working on public procurement of innovation and circular economy in order to exchange insights and learn from each other.
Biorefine Cluster Europe (BCE) links up projects and people in the area of bio-based resource recovery, with a view to contributing to more sustainable and circular resource management.
It focuses on the biorefinery sector, i.e. chemicals, materials, energy and products from bio-based waste streams:
Bio-based (waste) streams as an input for the circular economy
Bioprocesses
Sustainable bio-energy production in its various shapes, and
Resource recovery: extracting minerals, chemicals, water and materials from biomass.
Its main objectives:
Strengthening interaction between projects
Fostering dissemination and stakeholder outreach
Enhancing research
Identifying gaps in knowledge.
BCE aims to build its community and promote knowledge exchange.