Mislabeling of plastic packaging and value chain losses due to miscommunication between countries in Global South-South and North-South relations have been a pressing issue in mitigating plastic pollution globally. This review examines how consumer labels detailing recyclability, compostability and environmental impact can:

• Enable informed, sustainable consumption
• Prevent greenwashing
• Support trade harmonisation
• Align with circular economy imperatives

The review highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of plastic labelling practices, particularly in developing countries. It recommends standardising and improving labelling practices, offering a road map for policymakers to enhance environmental protection and facilitate consumer education and awareness of material choices.

This study aimed to establish a Material Flow Analysis model (MFA) for the whole value chain of plastics in the EU-27 in 2022, from polymers production to end-of-life plastic management and recyclates production.

The MFA analysis focused on nine sectors (Packaging, Construction, Transport, Electronic, Agriculture, Textiles, Healthcare, Fishing and ‘Other’). Thanks to the granularity of data achieved in this study, these sectors were further detailed via polymer-specific MFAs, capturing a total of 15 different polymers.

Results indicated that packaging and construction are the most important sectors among those assessed, contributing respectively to 33.9% and 18.3% of total plastic consumption. The average end-of-life recycling rate among all sectors is 19.6%.

The transition to circularity in the EU needs support from policymakers and stakeholders at all levels – and that will require indicators and metrics. Complementary indicators need to be developed which expand the focus of traditional efforts to give greater attention to higher-value circularity activities and allow for the specificity of relevant policy focus areas, economic sectors and material streams.

This document is the final report of a 2-year project to identify and investigate opportunities for innovation in monitoring circularity across the EU. 

It provides a baseline of policy and funding frameworks and monitoring efforts across 11 priority policy themes. 60 indicators were tested as part of the project, with conclusions and recommendations for each of the individual policy areas.

A coalition of European cities has published a policy brief calling on EU institutions to strengthen the enabling framework for local circular economy implementation. The Circular Cities Frontrunner Group, consisting of cities such as Amsterdam, Milan, Malmö, Copenhagen, Turku and Porto, has developed the brief as a shared contribution to the EU’s 2024-2029 political cycle.

The policy brief builds on a joint open letter addressed to Members of the European Parliament in late 2024 and outlines how cities can help scale the circular transition - if the right policy conditions are in place.

The brief contributes to ongoing discussions around the Circular Economy Act, the EU’s competitiveness agenda and the future of multilevel governance.

Leveraging waste wood as a sustainable resource is central to meeting Europe’s rising demand for wood-based products without compromising forests, biodiversity and the climate through virgin wood harvesting. To advance the circular economy and transform waste wood valorisation to meet future demand, digital product passports (DPPs) are an important digital tool for improving waste wood flows. 

This CEPS In-Depth Analysis explores the challenges and opportunities for advancing waste wood valorisation and the circular economy using DPPs. After consulting with experts, some of the challenges and opportunities identified include data availability, access and integration, harmonised DPP content, limited stakeholder capacity and the costs of implementing DPPs.

Shifting to a circular economy, which is nature-positive by design, can build prosperity while tackling climate change and other global challenges. This study shows that a targeted set of investable and scalable actions in the built environment sector represents a significant economic opportunity for Europe, increasing resilience, competitiveness and the vibrancy of its cities. It also aims to show that circular and nature-positive strategies can be applied across sectors.

To illustrate how the benefits of a nature-positive, circular economy can be realised in a tangible, high-impact way, this study focuses on the built environment using new analysis drawn from quantitative modelling and interviews with expert practitioners.

Over the past decade, the EU has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to advancing a circular economy, advocating for action at national, regional and local level. However, most economies remain predominantly linear.

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of circular economy practices, challenges and opportunities in cities and regions, building on a survey of 64 cities and regions of the EU, lessons learned from 10 place-based policy dialogues in specific cities and regions, and desk research. It concludes with policy recommendations to accelerate a territorial approach to the circular economy for place-based policies that are aligned with EU-wide goals.

The Horizon Europe project INBUILT aims to bring about a shift in the European construction industry by integrating circular economy and digitalisation. It focuses on scaling up and demonstrating 10 innovative products and systems designed to make building practices more sustainable. 

These innovations fall into two key categories: Reused and recycled materials which will reduce waste through the smart repurposing of materials from existing sources, and low-carbon building products developed using bio-based or geo-sourced materials to significantly lower the environmental impact of construction. 

This booklet presents a series of factsheets outlining each innovation developed by INBUILT. They will be updated when the project comes to an end.

THE LIFE BIOBEST project aims to guide the mainstreaming of best bio-waste management and recycling practices, with a view to enriching depleted soil with high quality compost.

Its Comprehensive Guidance sets out key policy recommendations to strengthen the EU legal framework for bio-waste management. Drawing from extensive research and stakeholder consultation, it outlines three interconnected areas for improvement: boosting effective models for separate collection and recycling, promoting reliable markets for compost and digestate, and enhancing monitoring and enforcement of bio-waste regulations.

It provides policy measures to help close the gap between current practices and potential capture rates, addressing the fact that only 26% of kitchen waste is collected separately in the EU.

The Circularity Gap Report Finance offers a global overview of known investments in businesses engaging with the circular economy over the six-year period between 2018 and 2023. By creating a clear snapshot of circular economy investment volumes, it aims to improve circular economy financial reporting, support impactful capital allocations to the circular economy and inform impactful investment decisions.

This report is intended primarily for financial market participants, financial sector regulators and policymakers - as well as anyone interested in reading about how the circular economy and finance come together.