Zero Waste Europe’s Post

♻️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐔 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐭 - 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 The European Commission just opened public consultation on legislation that could transform how Europe designs, trades, and reuses products: the 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐭. This isn't just another survey – it's a rare chance to shape regulation that could accelerate our shift from take-make-waste to an economy that designs out waste and keeps materials in productive use. 📊 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Europe's circularity rate has barely moved from 10.7% in 2010 to just 11.8% in 2023. Thirteen years of essentially flat progress while import dependence for critical raw materials grows. Secondary materials can't compete with virgin inputs due to fragmented markets and pricing that ignores environmental benefits. 🎯 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞: -Unified single market for secondary raw materials -High-quality recycled inputs at competitive prices -EU-wide demand stimulus for circular products -Stronger competitiveness and faster decarbonisation Set for Q4 2026 adoption, this connects with existing frameworks like the Ecodesign Regulation and Critical Raw Materials Act – creating Europe's most coherent circular economy policy landscape yet. 💡 𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 Scaling EV infrastructure across fragmented European markets showed me regulatory inconsistencies throttle circular innovation. The biggest friction wasn't technology – it was navigating different Member State interpretations that made scaling prohibitively expensive. The economics are backwards: secondary materials cost more than virgin inputs despite lower environmental impact. Meanwhile, waste streams leak to incineration due to compliance gaps. This Act could connect the dots – if policymakers hear from practitioners. 📢 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 Share insights on: → Barriers sourcing recycled materials → Incentivising design-for-reuse → Gaps in waste frameworks 🗓 Window: 1 Aug – 6 Nov 2025 🔗 Contribute: Have Your Say – Circular Economy Act Let's ensure this works in real warehouses, workshops, and boardrooms – not just on paper. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #1 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? #CircularEconomyAct #EURegulation #ClimateTech #SustainableInnovation #CleanTech #PolicyEngagement #CircularDesign

𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 GREENE is advancing 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 that address pressing societal and technological challenges, positioning Europe at the forefront of 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Key impacts of the project include: Strengthening the REE recycling industry across Europe Reducing emissions and energy consumption Minimizing hazards and negative impacts on people and the environment An emphasis on 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹-𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 supports the digital transformation of European materials and magnet production, fostering a smarter, greener, and more sustainable future. GREENE illustrates how innovation and sustainability combine to drive industrial leadership while contributing to respecting the planet boundaries. #Sustainability #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #AdvancedMaterials #CircularEconomy #GreenEurope #REERecycling #GREENEproject #HorizonEurope #AdvancedMaterials #GreenTransition #CRMs4EU #PermanentMagnets #StrategicRawMaterials #MagnetsMatter 

♻️ 24 cities & businesses are calling on the European Commission to fix Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and make it a real driver for waste prevention and reuse. 📈 Packaging waste keeps going up, yet cleanup and waste management costs still fall on local budgets and taxpayers. We need an EPR system that: ✅ Prioritises prevention and reuse over single-use ✅ Makes producers pay the real costs of their packaging ✅ Funds solutions that truly reduce waste at the source From Paris to Tallinn, from Brussels to Viladecans, progressive cities and businesses across 15 countries have joined this call to action. 🕐 With EPR reform on the EU agenda through the upcoming Circular Economy Act,  the time to act is now to prioritise reuse over waste! 📜 Read the manifesto and see our asks in the link below 👇 #CircularEconomyAct #EPRRreform #BreaktheSingleUseBias Ville de Paris | Ville de Bruxelles - Stad Brussel | City of Tallinn | Ville de Bordeaux | Métropole de Lyon | Nantes Métropole | City of Kranj | City Hall of Viladecans | Rudolf Frýželka | Antonin Grêlé-Rouveyre | Alasdair Hood | Alessandro Marchiaro | Sylvie Droulans | Teresa Ribera | Jessika Roswall | EU Environment and Climate | Capsa21 | Carton Vert | circolution GmbH | ConsomAction | cupstack | Dutch Cups B.V. | ECO Bihor | ETERNITY SYSTEMS | NewLoop | Opopop colis | Recirculate Systems Limited | Vytal Global

Reducing environmental impact doesn't mean compromising quality. Sky Composites’ recycled PET cores combine exceptional mechanical strength, lightness, and sustainability—perfectly suited for demanding applications across marine, transport, and renewable energy industries. 🔗 Discover sustainable innovation with PET cores: https://lnkd.in/dzWkRQyt

Sustainability is not a trend for us – it’s tradition. EFAFLEX doors are 95% recyclable, designed for energy efficiency, and built with conscious materials to reduce our environmental impact from production to end-of-life. https://hubs.ly/Q03vnyjM0 #Sustainability #GreenEngineering #EFAFLEX

🌿 Exciting advancements in the 机械/配件 industry are setting new standards for sustainable materials in component production. As global demand for eco-friendly solutions rises, innovative companies are leading the charge by incorporating recycled and renewable materials into their manufacturing processes. These efforts not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance product performance and durability. By prioritizing sustainability, the industry is paving the way for a greener future while meeting the needs of consumers who value responsible production. Let's celebrate the progress and continue to support initiatives that drive environmental stewardship in component manufacturing. #Sustainability #Innovation #ComponentProduction #EcoFriendly #GreenManufacturing 🛠️💡

Revisiting Key Moments from 2024 as Circular Valley Forum 2025 Approaches As we prepare for the Circular Valley Forum upcoming in November, 2025, which will once again bring together over 1,200 leaders from business, politics, academia, and civil society under the theme “Cooperations to establish a Circular Economy,” it’s the perfect moment to reflect on highlights from last year’s event. A key milestone in 2024 was the deepening cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia and Flanders. Bart Brosius, General Delegate of Flanders in Germany, highlighted the partnership that was formalized at the Circular Valley Forum 2023 and is now driving real progress in chemicals, battery technology, and construction materials. He also introduced Flanders Circular, a collaborative initiative leveraging seven strategic levers including policy, procurement, finance, jobs, and innovation. Other standout insights included: • Ann Dierckx (Essenscia) on the need to regionalize supply chains and bridge the gap between research and commercialization in Europe’s chemical sector • Dr. Carsten Gerhardt on battery recycling as a key strategy to reduce import dependency and support the energy transition • Dr. Georg Bäuml on Germany’s existing building stock as an untapped “raw material bank” hindered by regulatory barriers • Dr. Kathrin Berner on advancing vehicle recycling technologies to keep valuable raw materials within Europe • Dr. Günter Poppen on water purification as a circular economy issue requiring digital and cross-border solutions The session concluded with Wolfram Diener (Messe Düsseldorf) announcing the first Circular Valley Convention. As the countdown to the Circular Valley Forum 2025 begins, last year’s Forum reminds us: meaningful change happens when ideas turn into action, and collaboration drives progress. Let’s build on the momentum. Let’s make 2025 a landmark year for circular innovation. For more information, head to: circular-valley.org #CircularEconomy #CircularValleyForum #SustainabilityLeadership #CollaborationForImpact #GreenInnovation #PolicyToPractice #ClimateResilience #CircularTransformation

One Mission. Global Action. At the Lifocolor Group, sustainability is not a side project - it’s embedded in how we operate. At our German sites for example, sustainability starts with our own processes: ♻️ In-house shredder to reduce post-industrial waste from production and technical centres 🔄 Waste is sent to recyclers and converters, giving it a second life as PIR (post-industrial resins) 🏅 Recognised with an EcoVadis Bronze Medal for sustainability performance 🔋 Our new buildings meet the KfW 55 Standard → use only 55% of energy vs. standard buildings You can also learn more about our group-wide Net Zero project: https://lnkd.in/eDaJgnYK   #lifocolorgroup #circulareconomy #sustainabilityinaction #greenmanufacturing #sustainablefuture #netzero2050 #rethinkplastics

Within a few years, every product sold in the European Union will have to be accompanied by a digital passport. The so-called Digital Product Passport (DPP) will contain detailed information on the origin of materials, the production process, environmental performance, and disposal methods. This is a momentous change that will revolutionize the way we conceive and communicate sustainability. LIFE I'M TAN is already ready for this challenge. Our modified natural tannins are designed to be integrated into traceable, transparent, and low-impact processes, in line with the new Regulation on deforestation-free products and the principles of eco-design. From the outset, the project has worked to define clear and communicable KPIs (LCA, LCC, chemical-physical performance), laying the foundations for a model that can be replicated on an industrial scale. In other words: a sustainable leather that can also be documented. Because without data, there can be no true ecological transition. Life20 ENV/IT/000759 #LIFEProgramme #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalInnovation #Teamwork #EUProjects

🌱♻️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 Did you know that less than 20% of e-waste is properly recycled today? The rest? Lost opportunities, wasted resources, and a growing environmental challenge. Our latest report on why Sustainability Can’t Wait in Electronics, explores: 🔹 The impact of today’s recycling gaps 🔹 Innovations reshaping sustainable electronics 🔹 Concrete steps the industry can take—now 📖 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e4C7w8rp Let’s accelerate change. The time is now.