This report looks at whether, and to what extent, the EU recycling targets can be met through improved recyclability of packaging and increased separate collections of municipal waste.

It examines the role mixed waste sorting (MWS) could play in three EU countries with high recycling performance – Germany, Belgium, and Sweden.

The conclusion is that in addition to separate collection and improved recyclability of plastic packaging, a full roll-out of effective MWS is necessary to meet recycling targets consistently, and to ensure progress towards the EU’s wider carbon emissions reduction goals.

Textiles are on average the fourth-highest source of pressure on the environment and climate change from a European consumption perspective, as shown in previous EEA briefings.

Europe faces major challenges managing used textiles, including textiles waste. As reuse and recycling capacities in Europe are limited, a large share of used textiles collected in the EU is traded and exported to Africa and Asia, and their fate is highly uncertain.

The common public perception of used clothing donations as generous gifts to people in need does not fully match reality.

In the course of two decades, there has been a threefold increase in EU used textiles exports

The catalogue, entitled "20 years of ecodesign - Made in Euskadi" and available in both physical and digital formats, is the first in Europe to compile a broad list of product categories from ten industrial sectors, namely the chemical industry, the metal sector, furniture, automotive, food, production and consumption, machinery, transport, electric-electronic, and the construction materials sector. Individual data sheets containing the main characteristics and aspects of each circular product are provided.

The publication illustrates how lifecycle analysis methodologies have been applied to substantially improve the environmental impact of these products and to serve as an example for the European industrial sector.

The publication "Eco-innovation in the Basque Country - 105 industrial projects for new circular solutions" contains the results of over 120 projects completed as part of the Circular Eco-innovation Programme between 2018 and 2022.

The programme, managed by Ihobe, the environmental management agency of the Basque Government's Ministry for Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment, drives eco-design, circular economy demonstration and strategic eco-innovation in Basque companies.

Even though only 24 % of the new circular solutions developed or demonstrated in the projects are already operational or available on the market, the results of all the projects completed as of this date and validated by the companies have been included.

Buildings need to be made more energy efficient: this is instrumental in meeting the EU's climate goals.

This position paper refers to a workshop which took place during the Sustainable Places 2021 Conference, focusing on the outcome of six Horizon 2020 projects. It assesses the challenges and barriers (including circularity) in terms of developing, adopting and/or implementing Zero Energy Renovation Kits, which address the need for efficient, sustainable and customisable deep-renovation solutions.

32 technological, market, financial, legal, and institutional challenges and barriers were identified. The workshop also explored strategies that could overcome them.

The paper presents a coherent framework mapping strategies for tackling these challenges and barriers.

The 2022 Circular Cities Declaration Report is a very important milestone. Not only is it the first progress report for the European Circular Cities Declaration, it also features statements from 40 signatory cities. This makes it the broadest ever assessment of circular economy practices across European cities.

The report shows that considerable progress is being made: half of the 40 cities involved in the programme already have circular economy strategies in place or in development. 

This is just the start. By the end of 2025, the aim is to have 150 cities signed up to this Declaration. Together, the signatories are embedding circularity into European cities!

The quantities of used textiles collected in Europe are increasing, while the proportion of high-quality reusable garments is decreasing. Currently, around 50-75 % of the collected textiles is reused, whereas 10-30 % is recycled.

Towards 2030, however, it is expected that a smaller portion will be suitable for reuse, and that more will be fit for recycling. This is because the requirement of separately collected textiles is expected to divert textiles from mixed waste, which is not fit for reuse, as well as of a general trend of falling quality. The lifecycle impact assessment (LCA) of reuse compared to a new product confirms that the environmental impact of reuse is significantly lower than the production of a new garment.

Secondary raw material (SRM) markets are crucial for a circular economy. This is because SRMs enable recyclables to re-enter the production value chain, which reduces dependency on primary resources as a result.

This role is acknowledged in the EU circular economy action plan of 2020. However, if policy is to help establish or further develop such markets, we need to better understand the currently-fragmented SRM markets in the EU.

The GO-GRASS project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, has recently published a White Paper for grassland opportunities to guide policy makers and increase opportunities for farmers and rural businesses to enhance the sustainable use of grasslands. Bioeconomy can be supported at the field level through best practices for the development of innovative and replicable business models.

To this end, the GO-GRASS project has analysed data and evidence for policy action and published a list of recommendations in the White Paper in order to promote solutions and sustainable products using grass and green fodder.

The final White Paper will be published at the end of the project (in 2024), supplemented with further findings and inputs from European, local and regional stakeholders.

The report Twin Transition in the Wood-Furniture Value Chain - State-of-the-art on Environmental Certifications Practices and Industry 4.0 in the Wood and Furniture Sector provides an overview of the current environmental and digital trends and practices affecting the wood value chain in its entirety. Taking a value chain perspective, the report outlines regulatory trends, new digital and technological developments, and emerging practices that will affect the sector as a whole.

By deploying smart systems and new production processes, European SMEs can optimise their usage of raw materials, improve their waste management and contribute to the development of a circular economy.