EU policymakers recently decided to introduce a direct ban on the destruction of textiles and footwear, with some exemptions for small, micro and medium-sized companies.
In this briefing, the EEA takes stock of what is currently known about the volumes and destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe. The growth of online shopping, flexible return practices, changed consumer preferences and fast-fashion business strategies in Europe have resulted in increased shares of returned and unsold textiles.
Over the past years, fast fashion and luxury brands have been reported as destroying returned or unsold clothing, shoes and other textiles. Textile product destruction is a very good example of a ‘take-make-waste’ approach.
The European Green Deal is a cornerstone of efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and deliver the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU. Many policy targets are dependent on action by local and regional authorities.
The current Commission's mandate is coming to an end, and so this is a good time to kick-start discussion on the "future" Green Deal and the role of local and regional authorities in implementing it.
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre is therefore launching a stakeholder consultation for urban policy experts and policy makers, in order to get a better understanding of policy and target priorities for EU cities.
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.
The New Era Buildings and Housing Festival, better known as URF, is organised by the Finnish city of Kerava in the lush surroundings of Kerava Manor.
This is the main event in Kerava's 100th anniversary celebrations: visitors can visit the festival free of charge, and if they choose they can buy a ticket for the events and concerts.
URF focuses on sustainable housing and living, providing inspiration and circular solutions for future housing.
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.
EuRIC, a leading voice in Europe's recycling industries, is organising an event on "Plug into sustainability: e-waste recycling", to take place on 3 June from 14:00 to 17:30 CEST, in Brussels.
It will be an opportunity to explore the latest developments and sustainable practices in e-waste recycling, bringing together industry leaders, policy makers and innovators.
On 29 February at 13:00 – 14:30 CET, the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy will hold a webinar to present the report on 'Recycling of Critical Raw Materials in the Nordics'.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the Nordic region's secondary value chains for CRMs.
The transition towards the circular economy entails complex economic and social changes. Using a survey, the EDUCIRC project will provide policy recommendations on rural development, with particular emphasis on women and young people.
It will devise a new methodology for assessing the capacity of rural areas to deliver this transition and identify the main obstacles, strengths and problems, as well as possible solutions.
The final events of the FOODRUS and CO-FRESH projects will take place together in Brussels on 13 and 14March. It'll be an opportunity to explore and discuss the innovative solutions that the two projects have come up with, with a view to shaping the future of food systems.
