The EU economy uses unsustainably large amounts of materials. In 2021, only 11.7% of these materials came from recycled waste. This share of recycled material is known as the circular material use rate (CMUR) and over the last 20 years it has increased only slightly. The EU’s circular economy action plan aims to double that share by 2030.

This briefing looks at trends in the EU’s circular material use rate and the environmental impacts of material use. It also analyses the EU’s prospects for reaching its 2030 target. Efforts should focus on reducing use and increasing recycling of non-metallic minerals — such as construction materials — as these account for about half of all materials used.

Exponential demand for critical materials, driven by the energy transition, may trigger supply chain problems. Circular economy business models could help decouple the renewable energy sector from material consumption. However, with major economic, regulatory and financial barriers, the sector's transition sector towards a circular economy still has a long way to go.

This report, commissioned by the Green Purposes Company and prepared by the Gate C consulting firm, proposes an action plan for the renewable energy sector which will enable it to be fully aligned with the principles of a circular economy and to reap its benefits. It is critical that in helping to address climate change, the renewable energy sector does not inadvertently drive environmental problems elsewhere.

Circle Economy has partnered with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Bank Group initiative Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) on jobs in the circular economy. S4YE is a multi-year initiative to generate and share evidence and data for a better understand of how the circular economy can help lead to a more just and inclusive world.

This report systematically documents the literature on circular economy and jobs, identifying gaps and suggesting ways to simultaneously promote environmental sustainability and good quality jobs. It provides valuable insights for policy makers to move towards a better environment that is just for all, helping to create win-win situations that are so urgently needed for the planet, its prosperity and its people.

This Fashion for Change report illustrates the key business challenges and needs for circular fashion designers, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, along with proven and recommended solutions to support them.

The report recommends a hybrid community model that interconnects physical local competence centres with digital platforms and online networks to provide access to relevant information, contacts and online tools along with specific training, coaching and funding programmes. This approach would need to be supported by effective policy instruments.

The analytic work has been co-funded by the COSME programme of the European Union via the call COS-CIRCFASH-2019-3-02: Accelerate and scale up innovation applications for a sustainable and circular fashion industry.

This report aims to inspire and show procuring organisations and their agents, management and sustainability managers examples of opportunities for circular procurement. The report targets the main sectors of ProCirc's activities, including furniture, construction, waste, ICT and textiles.

The report puts forward five recommendations:

1. Dare to try: start, learn and adjust.
2. Find the balance: push the market and encourage development during the contract.
3. Create alignment: link the organisation’s goals to the procurement practices.
4. Appreciate innovation: dedicate sufficient time and resources to finding new solutions.
5. Use existing knowledge: network, tools and experience sharing.

Read more about the scaling opportunities.

This white paper by Eunomia presents a vision for 2040, describing the way in which society will use materials and products in an economy that is well on its way to circularity. It sets the stage for the development of a detailed policy blueprint for the steps needed to deliver this vision, supported by research and stakeholder engagement.

A new report by Zero Waste Europe demonstrates how Material Recovery and Biological Treatment (MRBT) systems are a cost-effective approach to treating (leftover) mixed waste.

The study Nothing left behind: modelling Material Recovery and Biological Treatment’s contribution to resource recovery and fighting climate change focuses on the technology that combines the use of advanced sorting systems applied to mixed waste (to extract additional material for recycling) with biological treatment of the remaining residual waste aimed at stabilising the waste before its being landfilled.

This report from the HOOP Project describes the methodological approach for identifying circular business models for bio-waste.

It presents an analysis of the business models behind 15 successful solutions for bio-waste valorisation and proposes a template business canvas for bio-waste valorisation. The report also presents a new integrated circular business model typology focused on bio-waste, along with drivers and barriers related to the implementation of circular business models in bio-waste valorisation.

Each of the eight HOOP Lighthouse Cities and Regions has set up its own local or regional Biowaste Club and carried out its first stakeholder engagement activities through Biowaste Club meetings. While some of these draw on existing local initiatives, others bring stakeholders together for the first time. In some Lighthouses, Biowaste Clubs are accompanied by citizen science activities.

This report documents the stakeholder engagement activities that have taken place so far and what can be expected next.

The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprises (NHO), the Federation of Norwegian Industries, FoodDrinkNorway, the Norwegian Federation of Service Industries and Retail Trade and the Norwegian Seafood Federation have recently published a report on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as an environmental policy tool.

The report emphasises the main considerations and assessments that should underpin EPR schemes and contributes to the debate on extended producer responsibility as an environmental policy tool in Norway, the EU and the OECD.