MEPs, academics, campaigners and green groups argue in an open letter that Covid-19 recovery is an opportunity to create a circular economy.

Reuseable containers such as carrier bags, lunchboxes and water bottles do not pose a risk of viral contagion if basic hygiene rules are followed, according to a study that aims to counter a surge in single-use plastic use amid the coronavirus pandemic.

More information on the following link: https://www.eco-business.com/news/reuseable-containers-dont-increase-risk-of-virus-transmission-say-scientists/

The Covid-19 virus has triggered a global health pandemic leading to economic recession and major disruptions of the global food system. While the pandemic has laid bare the existing challenges of the agriculture system, exposing people to disruption and hunger, it has also unveiled the extraordinary resilience of certain communities, reinforcing that food is unlike any other commodity. Whilst preventing a potential hunger crisis requires coordinated and urgent actions, a longer-term proposition emerges: a circular economy for food that offers greater resilience for society and the economy in the face of future shocks, including health and climate risks.

For more information click here: https://medium.com/circulatenews/building-a-healthy-and-resilient-food-system-352195694118

In a ‘circular economy’, waste is reduced, and goods are reused and recycled as much as possible. The European Commission will review the requirement on packaging and packaging waste in the EU. The institution has opened its roadmaps for feedback, deadline 06 August 2020.

The review will include:

• improve packaging design to promote reuse and recycling
• increase recycled content in packaging
• tackle excessive packaging
• reduce packaging waste.

Your input will be summarised in a synopis report explaining how the input will be taken on board and, if applicable, why certain suggestions cannot be taken up.

This feedback will be taken into account for further development and finetuning of the initiative.

Proposal for a directive Reducing packaging waste – review of rules: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12263-Review-of-the-requirements-for-packaging-and-feasibility-of-measures-to-prevent-packaging-waste

The European Commission (EC) has launched a call for applications to select members of the Platform on Sustainable Finance. The call will help to select fifty members to compose a balanced stakeholder group.

The platform will support the EC in preparing delegated acts as set out in the Taxonomy Regulation by providing advice. It will:

• advise on the development of technical screening criteria for EU taxonomy
• advise on the renewal of the Taxonomy Regulation
• monitor and report to the EC
• advise on policy development

The deadline for applications is 16 July.

Read the EC’s press release on the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1112

After some delay due to the COVID-19 crisis, we are pleased to invite you to save the date of 3 and 4 November 2020 to join us for our annual European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference.
An initiative of the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, the 2020 edition will focus on the new Circular Economy Action Plan and the first phase of its implementation. While we will continue closely monitoring recommendations from the Belgian authorities to guarantee a safe conference for all our guests, more info will follow on the meeting arrangements.

Stay tuned to our online communication channels for updates on registrations and format of the conference.

Subscribe to the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform’s newsletter to receive the latest update on the below link:

http://cdweb.eesc.europa.eu/eesceuropaeu-ae77k/pages/piih728reeibewbqvqbd6g.html

According to Patrick Schröder and David McGinty, the EU recovery fund can be used to unlock an estimated €1.8 trillion opportunity by 2030 by making better use of materials and reducing waste as sitted in the Euractiv official website.

Putting the circular economy at the core of the EU economic recovery will help to build more resilient economies and societies, produce new economic opportunities and help to meet climate targets.

For more information you can visit Euractive official website at: https://www.euractiv.com/section/circular-economy/opinion/eu-recovery-fund-is-a-chance-to-accelerate-the-circular-economy/

Now is the most exhilarating time to be an innovator!

Coronavirus outbreak and its disruptive effect on the global value chains might give us a chance to reconsider and revaluate the role of modular design.

Against this background, Elllen MacArthur Foundation together with IDEO present ‘the Circular Design Guide’ that discovers the role of design in Circular Economy.

More information can be found here: https://www.circulardesignguide.com/

How can your business forge a successful, circular partnership?

Collaboration is key to transition to a resilient, circular economy. Whereas the need for collaboration in the circular economy is largely understood, in practice, it often poses challenges.

Circular Economy social enterprise together with its members and partners works towards the acceleration of the transition to a circular economy by providing insights in what a circular future might look like for a company, a region or even worldwide, and by coming up with scenarios for how to get there.

In its guide, published in May 2020, the example of circular food packaging is used  to show how businesses can identify and establish successful collaborations and together realise circular products.

For more information you can click here: https://www.circle-economy.com/insights/will-you-be-my-partner-collaborations-in-the-circular-economy

Due to the current corona virus crisis, this year’s high-level flagship conference in Brussels has been postponed to a later date.

More details on the date and the programme will be provided at a later stage. Stay tuned!

Data source: https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/en/news-and-events/all-news/circular-economy-stakeholder-conference-brussels