Circular economy
Building a sustainable future – The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
The European Commission identifies buildings in the EU as the primary energy consumer, accounting for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions.
VDMA: The voice of mechanical engineering in Brussels
The VDMA in Brussels sees itself as a link between business and politics.
Working towards a stronger Circular Economy – How much regulation is needed?
In order to achieve the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target, the European Commission is planning to announce new initiatives addressing the entire life cycle of products.
Media Partnership – Waste-to-Energy: The Beauty or The Beast?
On Monday, 25 October, ESWET organise an online event to discuss the issue of non-recyclable waste and the role of Waste-to-Energy as a sustainable waste management option, gathering supporters and opponents of the technology around the same table.
Closed loop recycling in Europe: What helps and what hinders?
The new EU Circular Economy Action Plan is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal for a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy.
Copper and the Circular Economy
Society must learn to treat waste as a resource, and the circular economy is the golden opportunity to do so.
Sustainable Products Policy: Do all stakeholders agree on what is ‘sustainable’?
For decades, the standard approach to production and consumption has been “ make, use, dispose”. How can the EU ensure that all products placed on the EU market become increasingly sustainable.
Chemistry – Can it serve as a catalyst for a green and circular rebound?
The European Green Deal aims to help businesses grow in a sustainability-conscious manner, so they contribute to a sustainable economic rebound, in which a circular economy plays a key role. In October 2020, the European Commission adopted the EU Chemicals …
Sustainable Finance: Opportunity or threat for the manufacturing industry?
Since the publication of the Sustainable Finance Package in 2018, the European Commission has sent clear messages to investors in Europe that the financial sector must not harm the planet and its citizens, and must avoid green washing. The objectives of …
Chemical Recycling: Can it solve the plastic crisis?
The world is drowning in plastic. About 60% of the more than 8,700 million metric tonnes of plastic ever made is no longer in use, instead sat mostly in landfill or released to the environment. That equals over 400kg of …
Sinkevicius: Dealing with PFAS chemicals in revised tap water rules was a ‘great move’
The inclusion of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the EU's Drinking Water Directive was a step forward that showed the EU's commitment to address these chemicals, Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius told EURACTIV.
Towards a sustainable economy: How to make the circular economy a ‘business model’ for the EU
As the new Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned in her Political Guidelines in July, “circular economy is key for developing Europe’s future economic model.” However, to make this vision a reality, companies need to be convinced of Europe’s path towards eco-friendly production.
Metal Recycles Forever
The Metal Recycles Forever logo helps consumers and brands understand the role they play in keeping metal in the material loop, by recycling empty packaging and communicating benefits.
How has APPLiA made it to the shortlist of the Oscars?
During an APPLiA conference on the circular economy, two interpreters in the Hungarian booth realise that only one person is listening to them. Watch the short movie "Chuchotage" where experts from the Association representing the home appliance industry in Brussels literally played a role.
The circular economy: Its potential, its challenges
Ensuring sustainable growth for the EU implies moving from a 'take-make-dispose' model towards a model where resources are used in an environmentally and economically
sustainable way.
The #BetterLifestyles Manifesto explained by our children
There are a few stepping stones on the journey to better lifestyles and a memorable five-year mandate.
Do you want to know the precious metals recipe to address potential trade offs between Chemical Management and Circular Economy?
The “Conflict and Opportunity: Chemical Management, the Circular Economy and Precious Metals” event concluded on the 5th of December in Brussels after an inspiring afternoon of engaging debate around the subject. We are delighted to be able to share with you our formal conclusions derived from the afternoons lively debate.
Circular economy: Linking the EU and global agenda
In January 2018, the European Union adopted a new package as part of a broader Circular Economy action plan launched in 2015.
Making bioeconomy circular: How far can circular economy principles be applied to the bioeconomy?
The European Commission has adopted an ambitious new Circular Economy Package to help European businesses and consumers make the transition to a stronger and more circular economy where resources are used in a more sustainable way.
Plastics Strategy: challenges and opportunities of recycling
Plastics are everywhere in our daily life: they are used in packaging, buildings, cars, electronics, agriculture and many other sectors. Plastics production is currently 20 times higher than in the '60s, and is expected to grow exponentially by 2050.
Karmenu Vella: ‘We were encouraged by EU ban on plastic bags’
Single-use plastics like cutlery could be banned under new EU proposals due out in May, said Karmenu Vella, the EU’s Environment Commissioner, in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
Working towards a World Without Waste
The Coca-Cola Company’s Ulrike Sapiro introduces the company’s new global packaging vision which aims to help tackle the world’s packaging problem by investing in the planet.
Reducing food waste: What role for packaging?
It is estimated that, every year, around 88 million tonnes of food are wasted in the EU, a number which is expected to rise to approximately 126 million tonnes by 2020, if no immediate action is taken.
Recycling industry and circular economy – Up to the challenge
In December 2015, the European Commission presented a new Circular Economy Package that will impact a wide range of sectors, especially the recycling sector. This package has set various targets in terms of recycling but also has introduced life cycle thinking and measurement tools such as PEF (currently in its pilot phase).