Natura Mater is a Brussels-based company which specialises in training profesionals in the use of sustainable contruction materials. They have a library of materials and run training courses.
The Access Economy Alliance promotes the sharing economy: the concept that you don't need to buy something if you're only going to use it a few times.
It aims to develop the network of sharing stations, self-service lockers where you can go to borrow everyday items, from DIY tools to sports equipment. It is also a forum where access economy practitioners can engage in strategic discussions, meet other organisations in the field, learn from experts and contribute to access economy innovations.
Public authorities, businesses and researchers come together to accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy through access-based services.
The Alliance is supported by the EU through the Digital Kiosks project which is piloting 22 new sharing stations across Europe.
The textile and apparel value chain is one of the most resource-intensive sectors, generating significant waste and relying heavily on a vulnerable workforce.
In recent years, businesses in this sector have adopted circular economy strategies to address sustainability challenges. However, most of these efforts focus on material efficiency and waste reduction, often neglecting social dimensions.
This PhD dissertation addresses this gap by exploring how to integrate social justice and equity into circular transitions at the business level. Through case studies in the Netherlands, Spain and India, it investigates how businesses can adopt circular practices inclusively and how policymakers can enable a more just circular transition.
The transition to a circular economy in the textile and apparel value chain is an opportunity to address the environmental challenges facing the industry. However, without a strong focus on social justice, this transition risks perpetuating poor working conditions, gender inequality and vulnerability for workers, particularly in low-wage, labour-intensive roles.
This policy brief identifies five key recommendations for policymakers:
Align circular economy goals with just transition principles
Identify and protect vulnerable populations
Address income disparity and strengthen labour regulations
Enhance participatory mechanisms and access to justice
Implement restorative mechanisms and support reskilling initiatives
Europe’s green and digital transitions are increasing demand for CRMs, just as geopolitical risks and trade tensions are reshaping global supply chains. The EU has been taking steps to secure and diversify supplies by building strategic partnerships with resource-rich countries, which includes recovering CRMs from mine waste and tailings.
The Western Balkans region is a natural partner: they are integrated into EU markets and transport networks and have a legacy of old industrial sites and mine tailings.
This study recommends mapping mining waste, linking local actors more closely to EU instruments and initiatives, and using the EU accession process to advance regulatory and administrative alignment on mining, waste management and water protection with the EU acquis.
This study assesses the potential to enhance the circularity of bio-based waste within the framework of the 2025 update of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy.
It focuses on identifying opportunities to move bio-based waste streams up the waste hierarchy, retain technical and economic value and minimise environmental impacts. This refers to bio-based waste which could potentially be recycled into new materials or substances.
The study maps waste generation, collection, treatment and reporting practices across the EU and the technologies for managing biowaste.
It finds that better separate collection and development of high-value recovery pathways could reduce environmental pressures, greenhouse gas emissions and import dependence, though technological feasibility and scalability remain uncertain.
This report supports the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation within the framework of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0.
Prepared by the Joint Research Centre for the Directorate-General for Environment, it draws on contributions from external contractors, over 25 000 EU citizens and more than 250 expert stakeholders. The study addresses the fragmentation of waste-sorting labels across Member States, a key barrier to efficient recycling and the functioning of the internal market.
The technical proposal sets out a harmonised system of waste-sorting labels for packaging and receptacles across the EU, geared to removing market barriers while ensuring that consumers receive clear, consistent and actionable sorting instructions.
Fibenol transforms forestry and wood industry residues into sustainable biomaterials used in the biomaterials and biofuels, packaging, construction, and food, feed and pharmaceuticals industries.
REkrabička offers a returnable packaging system designed for restaurants, cafés and canteens. Their sturdy reusable food and drink containers can be used 400 times, replacing 400 single-use items.
Eco Bio® Croatia has developed an innovative biopolymer made from fruit and vegetable waste. It is an environmentally-friendly, non-toxic alternative to single-use flexible plastic which can be composted at home.
