It has been established that the circular economy has a high leverage effect and some progress in this field has been made, but the circular economy has yet to top the political agenda. A strategic approach to circularity is urgently needed and should be developed, managed and implemented in a cross-ministerial capacity in line with efforts at EU level and together with partner nations.
Against this backdrop, the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) recommends organising the transition to circularity via a new, cross-ministerial governance mechanism coordinated by the German Federal Chancellery. RNE’s statement covers a further 13 recommendations, ranging from the need for social safeguarding instruments to expanding education and research.
RECICLOS provides incentives for recycling cans and plastic beverage bottles. When people recycle using the app, they receive points that can be used to try to win prizes or given to local projects.
SmartProSys (Smart Process Systems for a Green Carbon-based Chemical Production in a Sustainable Society) is a research initiative for sustainable chemistry and circular economy at the Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg, Germany. It is funded by the Ministry for Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of the State of Saxony-Anhalt.
SmartProSys aims to replace fossil raw materials in chemical production with renewable carbon sources, thus contributing to a carbon-neutral society. The initiative involves researchers from the fields of systems-oriented process engineering, chemistry, mathematics, logistics, political science and psychology.
The initiative also organises events and issues a newsletter.
ChangeMakers is a magazine published by Circularities together with Circl/ABN Amro Bank. Readers can learn about working methods and practical examples of circularity from directors, designers, buyers and marketing specialists from companies like Philips, Bugaboo, Fairphone and Mitsubishi.
The magazine aims to inspire future-proof professionals with a wealth of interviews from people who really know what they're talking about and feel passionate about the circular transition. Each section tackles the circular economy from a different perspective: for instance, directors speak about how they need to steer their companies and designers talk about the principles underpinning their work.
If you're interested in circular issues, this magazine is well worth the read!
