Road transport is responsible for around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU), and is a major source of air pollution. What can be done through public procurement to lessen the impacts that road transport has on our environment and health?
SK-Tex, a Slovakian recycling company, is working to give old clothes a new life and, in doing so, makes a significant dent in the discarded clothing pile: it reprocesses some 4,500 tonnes per year, equivalent to about 4.5% of Slovakia’s textile waste total.
Having children is one of the biggest decisions any couple makes. But thanks to new ‘product-as-service’ business models boosted by Europe’s focus on circular economy principles, the environment can at least be struck off the list of concerns. EcoAP News takes a look at Tale Me, a Brussels-based baby clothing rental service which proves that sustainable businesses models are on the rise.
DyeCoo, based in Weesp near Amsterdam, is a leader in water-free and chemical-free textile dyeing. Femke Zijlstra answered questions on the CO2 dyeing technology and how it is being taken up by the industry.
C-VoUCHER will support 66 European SMEs in the creation of new innovative business models with circular economy approach.
New report from the Ellen Macarthur Foundation
Check out the latest calls for grants for a circular economy!
Circle economy publishes its 2019 circularity gap report, and the loop is not closing.
OECD Policy Papers explores synergies between circular and bioeconomy
Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) was launched under Eco-AP to help companies market new technologies by providing a third-party verification of their performance. After 4 years of operations, an external study has assessed its results, strengths and weaknesses so that the Commission can decide on the way forward. The study reports and more information are available on the ETV website
Alfredo Balmaceda has worked for over 20 years on environmental sustainability and circular economy issues, well before the terms meant much to the average person. Zicla, the company he founded in 2005 and now runs, is at the forefront of eco-innovation and green cities. EcoAP News spoke to him about what all this means for the future of green urban development and our sustainable future.
The European Union’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is a methodology to calculate the overall environmental impact of products. The PEF pilots have now been completed. Imola Bedo of the European Commission discusses some of the lessons learned and how PEF can be taken forward.
An Irish project is seeking to boost the market for second-hand or refurbished consumer goods by testing a standard that can be applied by social enterprises, charity shops and other businesses that deal in reused products.
The EU B@B has developed a report aiming to provide an overview of different methodological approaches and compare their key features. It also identifies the key obstacles faced by these approaches and the gaps that still need to be filled. Check out the Platform's website for even more business related information.
Although water is a precious resource, we do not monitor its usage regularly. Not keeping track of water use leads to more water waste. Saving water is easy through simple actions, like spending less time in the shower or selecting an eco-efficient programme for your dishwasher. The real challenge is how to remind ourselves to save water in the first place and to embrace sustainable habits in our daily lives. This can only be done through exposure to information that immediately tells us about our water use and encourages adoption of more environmentally friendly behaviour. That is why Amphiro has developed low-cost sensors and applications, providing consumers with detailed information that help them adopt sustainable water use. Check out what solution Amphiro offers !
The extent to which products influence the environment and our everyday culture is determined greatly by their design. The German Federal Ecodesign Award recognises innovative products and concepts that embody high ecological and aesthetic aspirations. The competition welcomes the submission of all types of environmentally friendly alternatives and ideas – from footwear to mobility concepts. For companies and designers, the competition provides a platform for showcasing products and ideas of outstanding ecological and design quality. Find out who the 2018 winners are !
The revised Energy Efficiency Directive, the revised Renewable Energy Directive and the new Governance Regulation were formally adopted at today’s Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council, following on from the strong support that all three dossiers got from MEPs at last month’s European Parliament Plenary session.
This time, the focus is on eco-innovation of products. Basing its assessment on case studies and policy lessons from EU Member States, the report develops a product policy framework with the aim of contributing to a circular economy.
Cleaning products and services are consumed by almost all public authorities, whether cleaning is provided in-house or contracted out. What can be done through public procurement to lessen the impacts which cleaning has on our environment? New guidance developed by the European Commission on green public procurement (GPP) and selected best practice from the public sector will be presented and discussed during this webinar on 18 December 2018.
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