In France, SUEZ has invested EUR 10 million on the construction of a hub to recover waste from local businesses and authorities. Once sorted and recycled, the waste is then sold for reuse.
The Dutch company KarTent has come up with a sustainable solution for the many tents left behind by music festival goers: a cardboard tent, designed to be purchased and transported in bulk to festival sites. After the festival, the company arranges for the tents to be removed and recycled.
Mamukko is an Irish company, founded in 2011, that uses waste nautical materials as a secondary raw material. They promote upcycling by using end-of-life sails, decommissioned life rafts and recycled leather to make bags.
The Circularity Dataset is an initiative by Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy and some international industry leaders. It has now developed the “Product Circularity Data Sheet” (PCDS): a data template for standardising data about the circular aspects of products.
Portuguese startup Benefício devels limited edition products, with particular attention to the use of materials local knowledge. By adopting artisanal production methods and respecting fair trade and the environment, the company mostly applies the principles of circular economy, in particular upcycling.
Stop Food Waste is an Irish initiative which aims to prevent food waste through better buying, storage and cooking, as well as through home composting.
Sopköket is a Swedish restaurant and catering company founded in 20215. It prepares meals which partly incorporate rescued and surplus food from supermarkets and other companies. Their goal is to reduce food waste.
ZĪLE is a Latvian fashion brand which develops its clothing while looking at a sustainable future, through the concept of upcycling. The label’s main resource materials are denim trousers, men’s shirts and imagination.
Music business can be circular, too! WMfono makes vinyl records from the waste that remains after cutting other records. Kayax label then packs the discs in recycled paper and employs a protection film made from maize.
The Commission's DG Environment and DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The South Africa report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and South Africa. It concludes that South Africa already promotes a green economy agenda in Africa and the national government is now planning to pivot to a circular economy in the wake of the pandemic.
The Commission's DG Environment and DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Senegal report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Senegal. It concludes that Senegal is promoting the green economy as a way to meet basic social needs and support sustainable development, and has adopted a national circular economy policy.
The Commission's DG Environment and DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Nigeria report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Egypt. It concludes that there has been no real circular economy shift away from Nigeria's dependence on oil.
The Commission'sDG Environment and DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Morocco report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Morocco. It concludes that while Morocco is committed to implementing policies in favour of the circular economy, the concept is fairly new.
The Commission's DG Environment and DG for International Cooperation and Developmentcommissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Kenya report examines the scope and status of the circular economy. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Kenya. It concludes that Kenya can be seen as one of Africa's frontrunners in furthering a transition to circular economy but still has steps to make to mainstream it further in its broader economic policy framework.
The Commission's DG Environment and the DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Ghana report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Ghana. It concludes that while Ghana has become one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most politically stable economies, various issues prevent it from moving to a circular model.
The European Carpet and Rug Association (ECRA) welcomes the European Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0 and believes in its ability to accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular economy.
In its support of the European Commission's strategy, the carpet and rug industry would like to present its ambition for a robust and consistent shift to a circular economy.
ECRA's strategic document “Leading the carpet industry towards circular economy – a 2030 strategic approach“ presents realistic objectives and adequate measures to guide an orderly shift to full circularity and a low carbon industry.
The European Commission's DG Environment and the DG for International Cooperation and Development commissioned a study on the circular economy in Africa, and eight country reports were drawn up in preparation for a continent-wide report on the prospects of the circular economy in Africa.
The Egypt report examines the scope and status of the circular economy there. It looks at the policy framework, trade and investments and the impact and benefits of the circular economy. It also explores circular economy-related cooperation between the EU and Egypt. It concludes that the macro-economic and structural reforms enacted recently by the Egyptian government helped the economy grow but did not improve social conditions due to high inflation rates from 2016 to 2018.
Recovery from the Covid-19 crisis presents an important and unique opportunity for the EU to accelerate its transition towards a climate-neutral and circular economy. While there is little dispute about the opportunities offered by the funds available for the low-carbon and circular economy, the longer-term impact on Europe’s decarbonisation trajectory will depend on the choices made in the National Recovery and Resilience Plans and on how the overall policy framework is adapted.
After describing the EU recovery plan, this paper discusses various policy instruments – both new and existing – to create demand for circular materials and lower-carbon products, illustrated by examples of four resource and carbon-intensive sectors, namely construction, steel, textiles and plastics.
McKinsey & Company and Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has published the report, Fashion on Climate - How the fashion industry can urgently act to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (2020). The report is an analysis of the current situation of emissions produced by the fashion industry, and presents solutions as to how the industry can intensify their efforts to meet climate targets. The report outlines the two scenarios for the industry’s abatement efforts. The first one outlines the current pace trajectory if the industry continues with the current decarbonisation initiatives, and the accelerated abatement to reduce current emissions to align with the 1,5 degree pathway. Read more here.
A Circular4.0 community is being built in the Alpine region. In the heart of the Julian Alps, on the shores of the Lake Bled in Slovenia, a full-day Circular4.0 final conference will be organised on 29 September 2022 - in parallel to the global World Future Verse conference - to discuss digital technologies as enablers to foster the transition of SMEs to the circular economy in the Alpine Space Area.
Local governments play an essential role in guiding their cities into circular action and overcoming the main barriers to change. But how exactly can cities lead the circular economy transition? One of the most important steps is developing a holistic and cohesive Circular City Strategy, one that provides information and direction to enable local stakeholders, both within and outside the municipality, to get involved and engage in the process.
In this third of a series of Circular City Centre (C3) webinars on 5 October 2022, representatives from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Circle Economy will present the third C3 guidance document on how cities can develop a circular city strategy.
The 20th edition of #EURegionsWeek under the motto New Challenges for Europe’s cohesion is approaching and registrations are now open! The online info session “Implementing circular systemic solutions in cities and regions” will take place on Wednesday 13 October, 12:30 – 13:30 CEST.
Circularity is a new dedicated annual circular economy conference organised by Planet Ark’s Australian Circular Economy Hub (ACE Hub). Circularity 2022 aims to propel the Asian-Pacific region’s economy into the future by showcasing the best of circular design, practice and research. The event brings thought leaders together to discuss solutions and catalyse action across the Asian-Pacific region.
The Sustainable Innovation 2023 Conference will provide a platform to discuss how sustainability affects business models, products, services, technologies and innovation within the creative economy and creative industries.
This international conference will include invited and refereed papers from academics, consultants, entrepreneurs, technology providers, designers, and innovation and sustainability directors. A Creative Sustainable Ventures Lab will be showcased where start-ups will be invited to pitch new concepts.
In October 2020 the European Commission launched Level(s), the new EU common language for assessing the sustainability performance of buildings.
At this year's European Week of Regions and Cities, the Commission will be running a special webinar to show how Level(s) can help the buildings sector contribute to EU climate and circularity objectives within cities and regions.
Purpose of the International Conference on Strategies toward Green Deal Implementation – Water, Raw Materials & Energy (ICGreenDeal2022), organised by the Division of Biogenic Raw Materials, Mineral and Energy Economy within the Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, is to present the issue of climate change and ways to prevent it.
Contributors are invited to submit papers in the fields of water, raw materials and energy.
The NONTOX EU Project is holding a webinar titled "NONTOX – Improving circularity of hazardous plastics" on 19 September 2022 at 13:00 - 14:30 EEST (12:00 - 13:30 CEST).
Experts from plastic value chain will discuss the current challenges in plastics recycling, as a results of the NONTOX project activities. Moreover, ecodesign guidelines and recommendations for several actors in the value chain will be proposed, along with opportunities and examples of best practices.
The seminar will be held in the framework of the annual exhibition Designs for a Cooler Planet organised by the Aalto University in Finland.
Going Green – CARE INNOVATION 2023 will provide a platform for presenting up-to-date progress on the circular economy and the development of resource-efficient electr(on)ic products and services.
This international symposium on 8-11 May 2023 will compare the three major economic regions - Europe, America and Asia - in the presence of high-level speakers from global electr(on)ic and recycling companies, research institutes and environmental & consumer organisations.
Leading industrialists, research directors, environmental experts and scientists will analyse the state of play regarding:
producer responsibility
environmentally-friendly electr(on)ic & automotive product development
resource scarcity and criticality
clean production, green marketing, logistics and end-of-life strategies.
Through a wide range of presentations, the contribution of the electr(on)ic & automotive industry to sustainable development in general will be discussed, and the necessary products, technologies and services will be identified.
To be updated on the latest innovations in the field of circular economy, follow LOOPS live webinar series committed to giving voice to the Horizon 2020 projects offering avant-guard solutions to tackle climate change and foster sustainable development.
In every episode, one aspect of the circular economy is picked up and discussed with the valuable contribution of experts. In this episode on 26 September 2022, participants will plunge into the world of textiles and explore smart, circular and sustainable solutions.
On 10 December 2020 the Commission proposed a new Batteries Regulation to ensure that batteries placed in the EU market are sustainable and safe throughout their entire life cycle.
New EU Ecolabel criteria have been adopted for Electronic Displays and Printed paper, stationery paper and paper carrier bag products. Stringent criteria ensure that EU Ecolabel products are among the best on the market in terms of environmental performance. Follow the webinars on 9 and 10 December to learn more about these new criteria.
The LOOP-Ports circular economy project, coordinated by Fundación Valenciaport and co-financed by EIT Climate-KIC, will organise its final conference in an online format open to the public, on 16 December as an official side event of the World Circular Economy Forum Online hosted by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and its partners.
SECOND HAND COUNTS is a market survey on second-hand clothes in the EU. It aims to provide facts needed for decision making on second-hand clothes both in general and on a country by country basis for all EU countries plus the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland.
How to stop plastics ending up in the ocean? The Rethinking Plastics – Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter project is working on solutions together with seven countries in East and South East Asia.
Cillian Lohan, Green Economy Foundation CEO, is also EESC vice-president and representative of the ECESP Platform. In this video for Euronews, he gives strong arguments for the circular economy as a motor to regenerate ecosystems, economies and a more sustainable future.
Is your SME providing digital solutions to make our cities more circular? Join the transformation of European Cities by applying to DigiCirc Accelerator Programme! DigiCirc Circular Cities Open Call is now open for applications!
The Circular Plastics Alliance aims to boost the EU market for recycled plastics to 10 million tonnes by 2025. The alliance covers the full plastics value chains and includes over 175 organisations representing industry, academia and public authorities. New stakeholders can join the alliance by signing its declaration.
A “Bach Forest” for the climate! To offset the CO2 footprint of the Bachfest, which every year draws Bach friends from all over the world to Leipzig (DE), organisers aim to plant 72 acres of mixed forest on a former opencast mining site over the next few years.