In 2022, the Procura+ Awards, an ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability initiative, will for the first time feature a category on "Circular Procurement of the Year". The deadline for submitting applications is 31 March 2022.
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.
