Recovering critical fertilisers such as phosphorus from sludge treatment
How to recover phosphorus through the agricultural use of digestate produced by co-digestion of sewage sludge and other organic waste.
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The In.Te.Se project: a model for organic waste management in dispersed areas
In Italy and France, where the IN.TE.SE project has been developed, new decentralised composting services have been designed and implemented for domestic and community users, tailored to the local areas.
Ccrave: a circular lifestyle platform offering more than just the shopping experience
Ccrave is a content and ecommerce platform all in one, with a focus on waste-based and zero-waste products in the home, fashion and lifestyle categories.
Officina Naturae: a plastic-free choice for a plastic-free sea
All products (detergents and cosmetics) at Officina naturae are conceived to be safe and effective for humans and the environment in the name of sustainability, eco-design and circularity.
Renycle: from scrap to new nylon
Renycle® is a product obtained from recycled nylon 6, a highly valued material because of its excellent resistance, dyeability, softness and versatility.
Azienda Agricola Mannu: mushrooms and fertiliser from coffee grounds
Coffee grounds contain many nutrients which are excellent for growing mushrooms. This secondary raw material is even ready for use, having been sterilised at 80 to 90°C by the coffee machine. What's left once the mushrooms have been collected is a good fertiliser.
Greenful Panels: construction materials made from recycled waste
Greenful products are the first ones in the market that utilise textile, plastic and rubber waste from the construction industry on a large scale. The panels are made of shredded textile waste that has been pressed and bonded together using a proprietary manufacturing process and are designed to replace various types of wood-based construction panels.
A tool-sharing corner of Asikkala municipal library is a significant step towards circularity
The Maallemuuttajat 2030 project and Asikkala Municipal Library set up a tool-sharing library service.
Recovering contaminated plastics from automotive, construction and electrical appliance industry waste
The European NONTOX Project aims to eliminate hazardous and unpleasant substances from plastic waste and thus convert non-recyclable plastics and recycling waste into new resources.
URBIOFIN - from waste to bioproducts through biorefinery
The URBIOFIN project aims to demonstrate the techno-economic and environmental viability of an integrated and innovative biorefinery for the transformation of the organic fraction of municipal solid wasteinto new marketable bioproducts, chemical building blocks, biopolymers and additives for different markets like agriculture and cosmetics.
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Regional plan for the circular economy, Brussels Capital Region
Brussels Capital region Circular Economy strategy, adopted in 2016, sets a 10 year framework to move Brussels' economy towards a circular model.
The strategy is focused on three objectives: transform environmental goals into economic opportunities, anchor the Brussels economy, where possible, to local produce and to minimise transportation whilst optimising the use of available territory in order to create additional value for the people of Brussels and to contribute to the creation of employment. It is structured in 4 different axes (combining 111 actions):
- Transversal ( regulatory framework);
- sectorial (specific industries);
- territorial and
- governance (to bring together 3 ministerial department)
Leading the cycle - Finnish road map to a circular economy 2016–2025
Leading the cycle – Finnish road map to a circular economy 2016-2025
The Finnish Roadmap to achieve a Circular Economy goal is to create a shared mindset in Finnish society to promote the circular economy and determine the most effective means to do it.
The Roadmap focuses on 5 focus areas, topics that will initially be used in advancing the circular economy in Finland. Based on Finland’s traditional strengths, these topics include a sustainable food system, forest-based loops, technical loops, transport and logistics, and joint actions.
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Biomass Flows in the Flemish Economy
Biomass Flows in the Flemish Economy
This short-term assignment attempts to improve our understanding of the data availability of biomass flows within the Flemish economy and develops a methodology to approximate the flow of biomass between different industries.
This needs to be done in order to maximise their potential and reduce unnecessary waste flows. However, the report finds that the data currently available are insufficient, and considers that the construction of a physical counterpart to monetary input/output tables might be the answer.
Impact of Circular Economy on achieving the climate targets: case mobility
Impact of Circular Economy on achieving the climate targets: case mobility
This study starts from the draft version of the Flemish Climate Policy plan. It assesses how specific measures and strategies reduce the impact on the climate. It also aims to illustrate the added value of the circular economy, which is intrinsically focused on reducing the material footprint.
The study looks at the climate impact from a consumption or footprint perspective, starting with Flemish consumption and including the value chain both inside and outside Flanders. Territorial GHG emissions are included separately to distinguish between the global and Flemish impact. The mobility sector has been selected as a case study. The study focuses on passenger transport by car.
CO2 mineralisation for sustainable construction materials
CO2 mineralisation for sustainable construction materials
The production of Portland cement (PC) is responsible for 8-10 % of the global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. PC and PC-based blends are the most common binder in concrete production (< 99 % of cases). As PC is accountable for 74-81% of the CO2 footprint, substantial climate impact reductions for concrete requires eco-innovation at the cement level.
One of the most promising technologies to lower CO2 emissions consists in partially replacing traditional PC with industrial byproducts displaying cementitious properties, such as blast furnace slag from iron production, or coal combustion fly ashes from power generation, but their availability and properties are rather constrained.
A diversification of local (secondary) raw materials to extend partial substitution of PC is ongoing.
Employment impact of the transition to a circular economy: literature study
Employment impact of the transition to a circular economy: literature study
This research paper is the first output of the research line that studies employment and actor analysis for the circular economy. The study aimed to gain insight into how the transition to a more circular economy could affect the labour market, with an emphasis on net job creation or loss, job creation at different skill levels, and geographical job concentration. The methodology used was a combination of literature review and exploratory data analysis, the latter focusing mainly on the Belgian region of Flanders.
Exploration of the plastic recycling landscape in Flanders
Exploration of the plastic recycling landscape in Flanders
In order to identify and analyse possible bottlenecks and opportunities in the current post-consumer plastic recycling landscape in Flanders, available data sources were summarised and relevant sector organisations and companies interviewed. Specifically, interviews were organised with companies working on polyolefins in order to gain greater insight into the potential for circularity of the value chain for this type of polymer and its applications.
Circular Cities - Impacts on Decarbonization and beyond
Circular Cities - Impacts on Decarbonization and beyond
To evaluate the impact of adopting circular economy principles in cities – in terms of emissions, quality of life and resilience – Enel and ARUP, with the scientific support of the Enel Foundation, have collaborated on a research project focusing on four cities: Bogotá, Genoa, Glasgow and Milan, all committed to enhancing the energy transition.
The study concerns three key urban sectors:
- mobility
- built environment
- energy systems.
It entailed interviews with stakeholders and analyses of existing decarbonisation policies and circular strategies. A reference model was used to help identify the most significant circular actions that could lead to a reduction in GHG emissions in three sectors.
The results could be used as a guide for decision makers.
The Circular Economy and International Trade: Options for the World Trade Organization
This study highlights that, while international trade has a vital role to play, policy responses to-date have largely been designed at the national level and in an uncoordinated manner.
ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton says that "the report shines a light on how well-intentioned national policies are inadvertently hindering the adoption of circular solutions in the real-economy. Simply put: the transition to a circular economy can only be enabled at scale by harnessing the power of cross-border trade to unlock economies of scale and comparative advantages. We hope our analysis will serve as a clarion call for a concerted global effort under the auspices of the World Trade Organization to enable new patterns of trade capable of meeting global climate and sustainability goals".
6 Conditions for Chemical Recycling
6 Conditions for Chemical Recycling
Recycling is key for the circular economy. Chemical recycling could one day become a trouble-shooter solution for any remaining unrecyclable applications and replace incineration. However, it is not yet a sustainable technology.
Ecopreneur.eu - the European Sustainable Business Federation - has concerns about linear economy lock-ins, high CO2 emissions, competition with mechanical recycling, lack of scale, low quality, toxic residues, and large investments being drawn away from SMEs going circular.
Therefore it advocates to support the development of chemical recycling only if:
- net-carbon positive,
- used for otherwise unrecyclable residues,
- with maximum quality,
- scalable,
- at costs reflecting the waste hierarchy, and
- matched by equal support for SMEs on circular design.
Greenwashing in the Fashion Industry
Greenwashing in the Fashion Industry
This policy paper sheds light on the false claims and misleading communication campaigns advertised by the fashion industry. It discusses the environmental impacts associated with these Greenwashing claims in relation to three issues: materials, circularity and climate.
The paper further presents the most common statements and strategies used by fashion companies to convey their alleged engagement in environmentally sustainable practices.
Finally, recommendations are given on the policies needed on the EU-level to ensure that fashion brands are providing accurate and verifiable information to consumers, for them to make informed choices.
With this policy paper, Generation Climate Europe (GCE) calls on the EU to address the growing issue of Greenwashing in the fashion industry.
How robust is the circular economy in Europe? An ascendency analysis with Eurostat data between 2010 and 2018
The authors of the study apply ascendency analysis (a systematic method based on information theory for quantifying the efficiency and resilience of natural ecosystems) at EU level and discuss the implications for urban waste management systems, taking the Netherlands as an example.
They argue that ecological principles can be useful for developing human-made systems. The system is made sufficiently robust to be able to cope with shocks by including a diverse set of stakeholders who provide:
- resource-use efficiency through specialised know-how in capturing, processing and delivering a range of resources, and
- resilience by generating multiple paths that allow these vital resources to circulate throughout the urban network at different levels and rates.
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Sustainable Procurement Platform
The Sustainable Procurement platform is managed by ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability with the aim of disseminating information to the public with case studies, events, guidance, and other resources about sustainable and circular procurement at the world level.
According to the platform, circular procurement refers to a range of ways of acquiring goods and services, taking into consideration the whole lifecycle of products throughout their supply chain.
Through circular procurement, it should also be guaranteed that the products and services acquired get value for money and generate benefits not only for the buyer, but also for the environment, society and the economy.
Mercado Organizado de Resíduos: how to trade waste in Portugal
The Mercado Organizado de Resíduos (MOR) is a Portuguese online platform that can be used to trade different types of waste for recovery (with the exception of waste classified as hazardous by the general waste management scheme).
MOR provides the space for waste of all categories to be traded, whether for recovery or for disposal under the country's general waste management scheme. This includes transactions and exchange of by-products and recycled materials.
The Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (Portuguese Environment Agency) has licensed MOR Online as the first integrated management platform in the waste market.
The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra: leading the way to a circular economy
The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra is a future fund collaborating with partners to research, trial and implement bold ideas that shape the future. It aims to make Finland a pioneer in sustainable well-being.
Since 2015, Sitra has been working to lead the way to a circular economy – a new kind of society in which everyday lives and well-being are no longer based on excessive consumption and fossil fuel use.
Currently, Sitra’s work focuses on supporting a fair transition to a circular economy and investigating how business can be based on sharing instead of ownership. Sitra is also working to advance circular trade policies, to increase the understanding of environmental effects of digitisation and to explore the potential of the circular economy to safeguard biodiversity.
Circular Change
Specialized in establishing and nourishing dialogue between different stakeholders particularly in the process of creation of circular economy (CE) roadmaps, it is promoting new narratives, orchestrating interests, exchanging knowledge and enabling innovation.
CIRCULAR STRATEGIES
- Strategic consulting in the field of CE and innovation
- Sustainable and circular brand, product and service development
- Stakeholder mapping, orchestration and circular collaboration
ROADMAPPING PROCESS
- Co-creation, development and implementation of CE roadmaps on national or local level
EXPERT CONTRIBUTION
- Research, reports and scenarios
- Coaching for circular frontrunners
- Keynote speeches, moderating, workshops, lectures.
Circular Point
Circular Point is a service hub set up by Geonardo Ltd to provide practical and business circular economy solutions for companies and organisations. Its versatile services allow its clients to choose the most suitable and relevant support their company or organisation needs to apply circular economy principles in their daily practice or product development.
Circular Point has a mission to serve both the efficiency and profitability of its clients, while creating a positive environmental, social and consumer impact as well. The circular economy offers a wide range of opportunities for innovation, better and long-term consumer relations as well as for reducing the negative ecological footprint and for the sustainable management of natural resources.
The Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production
The Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) is an international, non-profit think-and-do tank. Together with companies, political organisations and civil society actors, the CSCP pursues its mission to mainstream sustainability towards the good life for all.
From H2020 projects (R2Pi, Scalibur, Refresh and Spread), to CE Missions to Japan and Mexico, to launching the Consumer Insight Action Panel with the European Economic and Social Committee, co-developing the European Circular Cities Declaration or designing and running the Academy of Change – a unique capacity building programme that can be replicated across various topics - the CSCP integrates multiple stakeholders and various perspectives to help implement a systemic transition towards circularity.
Conseil Européen de Remanufacture - the circular economy backbone
The Conseil Européen de Remanufacture is a business-led group advocating the growth of remanufacturing to €100 billion in Europe by 2030 in sectors like automotive, aviation, acoustic devices, agricultural equipment, construction equipment, defense, electronics, electrical equipment, IT imaging equipment, machine tools, marine, medical devices, telecoms, trains, transmissions, tyres, wind turbines.
Open to participation with universities in Horizon and similar EU-funded research programmes, it has access to several experienced technical research staff. Networked with WEF, OECD, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, UNEP, it is well connected to standards organisations and academic researchers in the fields of circular design, eco-design, product life extension, IR4.0, and digital.
How to grow your business sustainably with MaterialTrader.com
MaterialTrader.com is a one-stop-shop for trading materials and connecting with potential business partners in a way that grows your business sustainably and helps prevent unnecessary material waste.
- the Business Directory is where to find and contact companies in various material and recycling sectors around the globe. All companies are verified, so you can rest assured that the companies you interact with are real and trustworthy;
- the Marketplace is a platform for trading secondary (raw) materials, residuals, recyclables, and used machines; its members are located around the world;
- the Community is where to find relevant circular industry information and business case studies.
Zero Waste Europe
Zero Waste Europe is the European network of communities, local leaders, experts, and change agents working towards the elimination of waste in our society.
Zero Waste Europe advocates for sustainable systems and the redesign of our relationship with resources to accelerate a just transition towards zero waste for the benefit of people and planet.
The IUCN European Regional Office
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is composed of both government and civil society organisations. With over 1400 member organisations, it is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. The European Regional Office in Brussels represents IUCN at EU level and works with Member States to help deliver EU goals.
IUCN has been focusing on the circular economy (CE) debate for some years now, including addressing marine pollution issues (e.g. plastics).
IUCN brings knowledge, expertise and convening power on biodiversity and nature-based solutions to the CE debate, aiming to establish the link between both environmental priorities: conservation of nature and transition from a linear to a circular model.
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31 May 2022
Join this EU Green Week partner event on 31 May at 9:00 - 10:00 CEST and learn more about Novelis’ collaboration with Lithuania’s Reposit return system and discuss how we can make this frontrunner example common practice across Europe.
01 Jun 2022
On 1 June 2022, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Circular Economy – Sustainable Competences for Youth project will jointly host an interactive conference with experts in circular economy competences and youth, policy makers, academics and business representatives.
During this conference, participants will learn more about the outputs from the CESCY project, but will also be given the opportunity to share their views on the topics at stake, as well as to hear from speakers and participants from different sectors and backgrounds.
01 Jun 2022
Fecc, which represents the chemical distribution industry in Europe, is organising a multi-stakeholder panel discussion. The discussion will bring together members of the chemical distribution sector to discuss their sustainability initiatives and how they can be aligned with the current European regulatory framework on the circular economy and COVID-19 recovery.
14 Jun 2022
During this event, members of the Inclusive Wise Waste Cities (IWWCs) project from China and the Netherlands will explore the transition to the circular economy.
10 Jun 2022
Join the Open Session of ACR+ General Assembly 2022 - under the banner "A circular resilient Europe" - on the morning of 10 June in Brussels. Discuss the path that cities and regions should take to accelerate the sustainable transition. Experts representing the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee and two leading NGOs will help navigate through the new instruments and circular economy solutions available at local and regional level.
31 May 2022
CITEO is organising a conference on "From innovation to consumption: how new practices accelerate the circular economy" in connection with EU Green Week, which this year focuses on the delivery of the European Green Deal. The conference will take place in person only in Brussels on 31 May from 16:30 to 18:00 CEST.
CITEO considers that it is crucial to connect up the various actors involved in changes to environmental practices, from innovative start-ups to consumers.
03 Oct 2022 to 09 Oct 2022
The Circular Week is an international series of events and initiatives dedicated to circular economy and sustainable development all over Europe. It aims to promote the idea of circular economy, support sustainable business models and establish cooperation between stakeholders.
Its 5th edition, from 3 to 9 October 2022, will include workshops, debates, meetings, expert panels and matchmaking sessions for business. Its culminating event is the Mazovia Circular Congress on 7 October.
13 Jun 2022
A circular economy plays a key role in halting and reversing global biodiversity loss. Join the webinar on 13 June to discuss the findings of Sitra’s new study and its linkages to key business and policy measures.
03 Jun 2022
As the Horizon 2020 research programme becomes Horizon Europe, what better time to see how great ideas turned into real projects? LOOPS will be the opportunity to show what cutting-edge research has been produced, and what changes it can bring to our communities.
For those who are not familiar with it, LOOPS is a live webinar series committed to spotlighting innovation in the circular economy. The topic of the episode on 3 June will be the EU Soil Strategy.
01 Jun 2022
As the Horizon 2020 research programme becomes Horizon Europe, what better time to witness how great ideas turned into real projects? LOOPS will be the opportunity to show what cutting-edge research has been produced, and what changes it can bring to our communities.
For those who are not familiar with it, LOOPS is a live webinar series committed to spotlighting innovation in the field of the circular economy and sustainability. The topic of the episode on 1 June will be how digital technology can make the economy more resillient.
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08 Nov 2021
The sixth EU Raw Materials Week will take place from 15 to 19 November 2021, bringing together stakeholders to discuss policies and initiatives in the field of raw materials.
During the online event on Bio-based solutions for the green and digital transition on 16 November, you will learn how to upcycle woody biomass residues into valuable and innovative products.
04 Nov 2021
On the Green Track is an EU campaign on biodiversity and nature for young people, organised in collaboration with the Global Biodiversity Youth Network and implemented in spring 2022 during the European Year of Youth.
You or your organisation can contribute to the debate about the future of nature and biodiversity by organising a youth-focused event and hence become one of the Green Track Stops.
04 Nov 2021
This online course is accessible to all professionals and individuals, from entrepreneurs to business owners and project managers who want to learn how to design resilient and profitable business models with circular economy principles. In this 15 hour, self-paced course, you will learn the basics of business ecosystem design and how to put the circular design approach into practice.
04 Nov 2021
Biomimicry is sustainable innovation. With biomimicry, embrace sustainable innovation and solve your business problems by finding inspiration from nature. Learn and apply this philosophy, its methods and tools within your company. In this 16 hour, cohort-based course, you will learn life principles and how to use them in your business or with your customers.
03 Nov 2021
As part of the European LIFE Waste2Build project, INEC and SYNETHIC launched a survey to identify existing circular economy approaches in the construction and deconstruction sector. One of the questionnaire's objectives is to showcase the initiatives already on the ground.
03 Nov 2021
The Circular Economy Hotspot Catalonia 2021 will take place in Barcelona. The 5th edition of the event aims to share circular economy strategies and experiences.
The celebration of this event strengthens the Circular Catalonia hub, a meeting point for companies, institutions, and people ready to put into practice solutions and strategies to consolidate the circular economy in Catalonia.
20 Oct 2021
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the rules on compensation for damage caused by defective products. A specific focus will be on the use of artificial intelligence in products and services. You can take part in this consultation until 10 January 2022, thus contributing to the process of further developing and fine-tuning this initiative.
18 Oct 2021
Innovative, sustainable, and circular technologies or products don’t always fit the ‘traditional mould’ within a sector which can make it difficult to prove their performance. The EU Environmental Technology Verification Programme (ETV) is set to create credibility for environmental products on their own terms.
24 Nov 2021
If you are involved in the built environment sector then Level(s) is for you! It is the European Union’s common language framework for assessing and reporting on the sustainability performance of buildings, a simple entry point for applying circular economy principles to residential properties and offices.
Level(s) will be introduced and explained in a conference on 24 November.
12 Oct 2021
The new EU Ecolabel criteria for cosmetics and animal care products will soon be here! It is the moment for industry, consumers, and pet lovers to join the green transition and the zero pollution ambition.
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World Resources Forum Antwerp 2019
Abstract:
For four days in 2019, more than 750 company leaders, scientists and policy makers from all over the world came to Antwerp for the World Resources Forum organised by OVAM - the Public Waste Agency of Flanders featuring sessions on the power of the circular economy and the link with climate change, and an introduction to numerous pioneering projects and initiatives that are driving the transition.
Field trip for policy makers: circular economy & social inclusion in practice
Abstract:
To help inspire conversation and policy action concerning inclusive circular business models during the next EU Commission mandate, RREUSE invited EU decision makers to a closed site visit to Les Petits Riens, a Brussels-based social enterprise with activities dating back to 1937.
Developing Romania's strategy for a transition to a circular economy 2020 - 2030
Abstract:
During Romania's Presidency of the Council of the EU in Spring 2019, IRCEM began a project to support the development of a circular economy strategy for Romania. With support from the Ministry of Environment, Department for Sustainable Development and other public authorities, civil society organisations and private businesses, 9 conferences and workshops were organised from April to June 2019.
ICESP: Italy's circular economy platform
Abstract:
On 31 May 2018 ENEA (the Italian national agency for new technologies, energy and sustainable economic development) presented the Italian Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ICESP). This platform, since launched formally on 3 December 2018 in the Italian Senate, is the mirror platform of ECESP at the national level and promotes the Circular Economy by sharing good practices from Italy.
The World Circular Economy Forum 2019
Abstract:
This year took place the third The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), beginning Monday 3rd June in Helsinki, Finland. The Forum is organised by SITRA, the Finnish Innovation Fund.
4th Circular Change Conference
Abstract:
The fourth edition of the international Circular Change Conference was a meeting of the global circular community, and a platform that sent a strong message to change-makers across Europe that more needs to be done to accelerate the change from linear to circular.
Consumer Insight Action Panel
Abstract:
The Consumer Insight Action Panel is a two-year initiative jointly set up by the CSCP and Sitra as part of their contribution to the ECESP.
Its objective is to translate consumer needs and behavioural knowledge into impact-oriented activities, initiatives and recommendations to support policy makers, business and civil society in enabling consumer-relevant circular economy strategies.
Circular economy for the SDGs: from concept to practice - CG member Lakatos presents the ECESP at the UN
Abstract:
On 10 October 2018, ECOSOC and the Second Committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations held a joint meeting on Circular economy for the SDGs: From concept to practice, to discuss how the transition towards a circular economy can be leveraged to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
Intherwaste: how to minimize waste in heritage areas
Abstract:
Seminar discussing the different aspects of urban waste prevention, with a particular focus on exchanging best practices coming from European heritage cities.