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US Plastics Pact Unveils Plan to Achieve Circular Economy in US by 2025
The US Plastics Pact — a consortium launched in August by The Recycling Partnership and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global Plastics Pact Network — unveiled an aggressive national strategy to ensure all plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Roadmap to 2025 is supported by nearly 100 corporations, startups, research entities, NGOs, universities, and state and local governments across the plastics packaging value chain; and includes mandatory reporting and specific timeframes for realizing meaningful and targeted outcomes for a truly circular plastics economy.
A circular economy for textiles to design out waste and pollution – EURACTIV.com
It’s hard to imagine a world without textiles. From the clothes we wear to the bedsheets we wake up in – we come into contact with textile fabrics nearly all the time. The textile sector, which includes the fashion industry, is marked by low rates of utilisation and low levels of recycling, leading to substantial and ever-expanding pressure on resources.
On average, European citizens discard 11kg of textiles per year, with garments typically having been worn only 7 or 8 times. At the same time, the European market has seen a sharp rise in apparel sales over the last two decades, with a 40% jump in pieces of clothing bought per person.
Both developments are mainly due to the ‘fast fashion’ phenomenon, with quicker turnaround of new styles, increased number of collections and often, lower prices.
Green Alley Award 2018 is looking for the best circular economy startups in Europe
The Green Alley Award is entering the next round: Right now, circular economy entrepreneurs and startups have the opportunity to apply with their business ideas. Landbell Group, originator of the Founder’s Award, encourages young companies to compete with their technology, service or product by July 1, 2018. With the Green Alley Award, Landbell Group created the first European startup award for the circular economy in 2014. This year, founders have the chance to present their innovative projects at the GAA 2018 by applying here. The winner, who will receive €25,000 in prize money, will be determined at the finals in October as part of a live pitch.
The Green Alley Award 2018 is aimed at all startups and young entrepreneurs who have developed a business model in the areas of digital circular economy, recycling and waste prevention. GAA 2018 is looking for companies that are about to launch with their products or services or are already in the growth phase. Startup founders who want to expand into other European markets are also welcome. The sole condition is that the business idea must help recycle resources. Patrick Schulz, CEO of of the Mainz-based Landbell Group, stated: “We are delighted that the Green Alley Award is entering its fifth round this year. In recent years, we have come to know many exciting and innovative business ideas that all show in a special way how we can gradually establish a circular economy in Europe. In a circular economy, the value of products, materials and resources should be conserved in the economic cycle for as long as possible while, at the same time, generating as little waste as possible. In our current linear economy, not all products are recycled at the end of their lifecycle, wasting valuable materials.” Whether it’s the avoidance of plastics, the development of sustainable materials or the multiple use of products – the circular economy holds enormous business potential for young entrepreneurs and startups. This can be seen in the diversity of ideas from GAA winners over the past years. In 2017, the Finnish startup Sulapac convinced the jury with a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging.
Read the full article at: www.eu-startups.com
Powering Sustainability in Entrepreneurship
Rodrigo Mantica ’96 established two hydroelectric power plants in Nicaragua, demonstrating the potential of sustainability in entrepreneurship.
Single-use plastics checking out of Accor properties
The next major hotel operator has joined the plastics exodus, with Accor committing to remove all single-use items from its global estate by end of 2022.
The ‘circular economy’ will drive supply chain management, says Gartner
A circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. The majority of supply chain professionals expect that the focus on their circular economy strategies – which aim to eliminate waste and the continual use of resources – will increase over the next two years, according to a survey by Gartner.The researchers surveyed 528 supply chain professionals in May and June this year and found that there are two main drivers for the increase…