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.
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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.
Book in Loop, BabyLoop and UniLoop: how to bring circularity to our children's everyday lives
The Loop Company has discovered the opportunities offered by the circular economy and launched three initiatives - Book in Loop, BabyLoop and UniLoop - that bring circularity to everyday life.
C2C ExpoLAB: Venlo city hall
C2C ExpoLAB is a consultancy firm which specialises in the practical application of Cradle to Cradle (C2C) principles in the built environment. It enables its clients to exploit the circular economy concept. One of its projects was Venlo city hall which illustrates its approach and principles.
Leadax: Circular building materials out of PVB waste
Leadax uses high-tech material and production knowledge to develop and manufacture 100% circular materials out of discarded PVB for waterproofing buildings.
Green Serendipity: Renewable plastics for packaging and products
Green Serendipity is an international consultancy firm with a focus on renewable plastics for packaging and products. It advises businesses on how to develop circular concepts and strategies for packaging and products.
Schijvens: Circular corporate fashion
Schijvens has been producing corporate uniforms for more than 150 years now. In 2017, they began collecting customers' old clothing, shredding it and mixing the textile fibres with shredded PET-polyester ones from sportswear, fishing nets and bottles. This led to 100% recycled yarn, which is used to make new fabrics and ultimately new uniforms.
Van Werven: Plastics recycling
Van Werven Plastics Recyling specialises in creating high-quality raw materials from post-consumer hard plastics, collected from construction waste, industrial waste and municipal recycling centres. Van Werven has a separate machine for each type of plastic, as every material has its own properties.
Groningen Seaports: working towards a bio-based, circular economy
Groningen Seaports is the economic operator, developer and port authority for the port of Delfzijl, Eemshaven and adjoining industrial sites. Groningen Seaports is at the forefront of the circular economy with an innovative circular cluster and ongoing sustainable investments. They facilitate mechanical and chemical recycling and specialise in recycling plastics.
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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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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.
From Principles to Practices: Realising the value of circular economy in real estate
From Principles to Practices: Realising the value of circular economy in real estate - a report by Arup
Arup has joined forces with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to produce a report on the value of circular economy (CE) in real estate.
CE offers real estate investors a framework for achieving environmental and social goals while delivering better economic performance. How do real estate business models need to change - apart from eco-design - if CE principles are to scale up in this sector?
The report defines five models to improve financial performance to the benefit of real estate investors and construction clients:
- Flexible Spaces
- Adaptable Assets
- Relocatable Buildings
- Residual Value
- Performance Procurement.
Green Public Procurement: An Overview of Green Reforms in Country Procurement Systems
Green Public Procurement: An Overview of Green Reforms in Country Procurement Systems
In many countries, the government is the single largest purchaser of products, services and works. Green Public Procurement (GPP) enables governments to reduce the environmental impact of their purchases. It also serves as a powerful tool for governments to simultaneously achieve their environmental and development policy objectives.
This report - Green Public Procurement: An Overview of Green Reforms in Country Procurement Systems - provides an overview of international experience in the implementation of GPP. It focuses on the institutional framework that is needed to support the mainstreaming of GPP practices across governments. The intention is to equip practitioners with a broad understanding of the issues they need to consider in the design and implementation of GPP reforms.
European food banks and COVID-19: Resilience and innovation in times of crisis
European food banks and COVID-19: Resilience and innovation in times of crisis
The European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) works on raising awareness about the problems of food waste and poverty, lifting obstacles to food donation for social purposes, and promoting the circular economy.
This research paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the functioning of European food banks and how resilient European food banks were in coping with the pandemic in 2020.
The researchers apply a multiple case study to assess how the first year of the pandemic affected European food banks’ operations and the amount of redistributed food. They further investigate innovation practices that have been developed to cope with the new situation, hoping to draw lessons for imminent future waves of the pandemic and other social crises.
Towards A Circular Economy – Skills and competences for STEM professionals
Towards a circular economy – Skills and competences for STEM professionals
The benefits of transitioning to a circular economy outweigh the disadvantages. However, more efforts are needed to move from conceptualisation to implementation. The transition requires a political commitment and the right business mindset. It also requires prioritisation and investment in innovation, the utilisation of new technological solutions, and the right set of skills and competences.
So far, there has been very limited focus on what skills and competences are needed for this transition and whether Nordic STEM education provides them. This report introduces the basis for a Circular Economy Competence Framework for STEM specialists, including a set of essential technical and analytical skills for creating circular solutions.
Position Paper on Barriers of market introduction of active and intelligent packaging
GLOPACK Position Paper on Barriers of market introduction of active and intelligent packaging
Active and intelligent packaging is a new and exciting area of technology, the potential of which has received much attention from the food business operators, retailers and consumers alike.
This Position Paper aims to oversee the barriers identified for the rapid market introduction of active and intelligent packaging and offer recommendations on lifting these barriers. The examples brought forward in this Position Paper are based on the results and experiences from the GLOPACK project and relevant publications, guides and knowledge collected from industry practice.
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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.
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of over 1 750 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 100+ countries, ICLEI influences sustainability policy and drives local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development.
To live in a truly sustainable society, we need an economic model that separates economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation, replacing the linear “produce, consume, discard” model. ICLEI focuses on how local governments can lead the transition to a circular economy.
European Environmental Bureau
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) is Europe’s largest network of environmental NGOs working for a better future where people and nature thrive together.
Holland Circular Hotspot
Holland Circular Hotspot is a private-public platform comprising the HCH foundation, (local) government authorities, knowledge institutes and companies. They collaborate intensively and internationally and exchange knowledge with a view to stimulating entrepreneurship in the field of the circular economy.
Ecopreneur.eu - the European Sustainable Business Federation
The European Sustainable Business Federation Ecopreneur.eu features six national associations with 3000 sustainable companies - mostly SMEs.
A member of the ECESP Coordination Group, Ecopreneur.eu is the international business organisation in Brussels committed to ambitious measures, rules and regulations for a low-carbon circular economy. Ecopreneur.eu advocates a new economic framework by bringing concrete experience from pioneering companies into the political debate, showing best practice examples and advocating the needs of green SMEs in a credible way.
The Ecopreneur.eu Low-Carbon Circular Economy Advocacy Group is a sounding board of circular economy pioneers, including Tarkett, Werner & Mertz, Interface, REMONDIS and HUMANA Kleidersammlung.
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06 Apr 2022
At this side event of the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, to take place on 6 April at 17:15 CEST, government officials and other stakeholders will discuss how to facilitate coordination between government institutions and share good practices on administrative requirements for policy making in the circular economy context.
15 Jun 2022
After two years of cancellations due to COVID-19, EuRIC is delighted to announce that the European Recycling Conference is back and will take place on 14-15 June 2022 at IFEMA in Madrid.
The 4th conference will offer unique networking opportunities, brief participants on the latest regulatory and business developments and be part of the International Recycling and Recovery Trade Fair in Madrid which attracts over 10 000 visitors and 200 exhibition stands. The event will bring together top-level executives from companies, federation leaders and officials from EU institutions.
28 Apr 2022
This interactive webinar with experts, organised by HiCircular, will take participants through essential steps in the transition towards a more circular way of doing business.
07 Apr 2022
RREUSE is excited to invite you to its forthcoming webinar discussing a burning question: Who should finance re-use policies?
Taking place on 7 April, the event aims to provide an opportunity for the exchange of good practices between members of the RREUSE network, policymakers, local authority representatives, and waste management and prevention experts. After a showcase of good practices from the RREUSE network, the audience will be invited to brainstorm on the most efficient way for re-use policies to be financed.
27 Jun 2022 to 29 Jun 2022
The 3rd Symposium on Circular Economy and Sustainability will take place in Chania, Greece on 27-29 June 2022. Researchers, practitioners and entrepreneurs are invited to submit both empirical and theoretical papers that are broadly consistent with any of the topics covered by the Symposium.
05 Apr 2022
This EU Circular Talk aims to share insights and impressions from the collaboration of the German-based Packaging Club, learn about experiences in other European countries and regions, and discuss implications for the future with interested European stakeholders.
24 Mar 2022
The circular economy has the potential to tackle the main drivers of biodiversity loss, including land-use change, climate change, overexploitation, and pollution, by transforming how we produce, consume and manage materials. During this official side-event on 24 March 2022 at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations, the role that a circular economy can play in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework through supporting sustainable use of biodiversity will be explored.
15 Mar 2022
Let’s fight food waste together: have your say on the open consultation for the Irish Government's Food Waste Prevention Roadmap.
21 Mar 2022
Fecc is pleased to co-host this event on 21 March 2022 with the European Commission as part of EU Industry Week. EU Industry Week is Europe’s annual flagship event, highlighting industrial frontrunners and ongoing policy discussions whilst improving the knowledge base of European industry.
19 May 2022
EFIC is organizing an hybrid event on 19 May, to create a cross value chain discussion about the furniture industry and its future competitiveness and positive societal impact. Policymakers, furniture industry and supply chain representatives will debate about the impact of the pandemic and the twin transition: sustainability and digitalisation.
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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.
07 Oct 2021
The roadmap Policy Framework on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics has been published on the European Commission’s portal. You are welcome to give your feedback on it until 27 October!
04 Oct 2021
Answer Ecopreneur's survey to take an active part in developing a life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) methodology as part of the EU Orienting project - it will only take 5 minutes of your time.
13 Sep 2021
Just a couple of weeks left to apply for the 2021 Cluster 4 & 6 calls under the Horizon Europe Research & Innovation programme!
13 Sep 2021
Join the EU ETV programme's online webinar on 29 September to learn how Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) can help innovators, investors and buyers become more familiar with verifying new environmental technologies. ETV seeks to boost the uptake of innovative environmental technologies and to contribute to the circular economy.
09 Sep 2021
You are invited to follow GACERE's (Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency) first high-level meeting online on 14 September 2021 in the sidelines of the upcoming World Circular Economy Forum.
09 Sep 2021
Are you an entrepreneur and/or a project leader in the field of circular economy? Is your project less than three years old and are you still looking to refine your business model? Do you want your project to have a positive impact? Do you need to better understand and identify the opportunities and threats? Submit your project to Circulab!
24 Aug 2021
Have you ever wondered how a taxshift would impact your business? You’re invited to fill out the Circular Tax Survey!
18 Aug 2021
This call for feedback on technical screening criteria on circular economy is part of ongoing work by the Platform on sustainable finance, which was set up by the Commission to provide advice on the further development of the EU taxonomy. The Platform on Sustainable Finance is welcoming stakeholder feedback until 24 September 2021.
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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.