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.

For many islands, the answer to the question “Why a locally, self-sustaining, and regenerative economy is needed?” is clear. The struggle often lies in the “how”.

In this article, it is argued that tools from regenerative economics, which follow an island economy-as-an-organism analogy, offer valuable and complementary insights to socio-metabolic research.

Indicators from flow-based and information-based ecological network analysis can quantify properties of an island's socio-economic metabolism (SEM) which are related to cycling, resilience, and degree of mutualism, among others.

To illustrate the applicability of these methods, Samothraki in Greece has been selected as a case study.

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.

This report looks at whether, and to what extent, the EU recycling targets can be met through improved recyclability of packaging and increased separate collections of municipal waste.

It examines the role mixed waste sorting (MWS) could play in three EU countries with high recycling performance – Germany, Belgium, and Sweden.

The conclusion is that in addition to separate collection and improved recyclability of plastic packaging, a full roll-out of effective MWS is necessary to meet recycling targets consistently, and to ensure progress towards the EU’s wider carbon emissions reduction goals.