#circular-economy — Public Fediverse posts

🌟 Celebrating Our Featured Collaboration

We are pleased to acknowledge the Conselleria d’Educació, Cultura i Universitats as co-organizer of the Valencian Ecosystem session within IWA AD19.

🤝 Thank you for being an essential part of IWA AD19.

👉 Discover all our featured collaborations: https://lnkd.in/eQAQ3qMZ

#AD19 #AnaerobicDigestion #Bioeconomy #CircularEconomy #Innovation #Sustainability @ETSE-UV @UniversitatdeValència @iwa

"What really happens to clothes in the circular economy?"

#Clothes #textiles #CircularEconomy

https://www.edie.net/what-really-happens-to-clothes-in-the-circular-economy/

RE: https://mastodon.mediafaro.org/@mf_magazine/116589980874173833

Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday!

#CircularEconomy #Mending

This #GreenConcrete Is Made From #Urine: German Scientists Recreate Sandstone Texture Using Waste in #EcoTech Breakthrough

In a groundbreaking development that could redefine sustainable construction, researchers at the University of Stuttgart have successfully transformed human urine into a robust and eco-friendly bio-concrete, paving the way for innovative building materials that dramatically reduce environmental impact.

The bio-concrete’s chemical composition closely resembles that of natural #sandstone, indicating a harmonious blend with nature.

by Gabriel Cruz, 05/10/2025

🌿 Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have developed an eco-friendly #BioConcrete using human urine.
🔬 The innovative process involves microbial #biomineralization, where bacteria convert urea into #CalciumCarbonate crystals.
🏗️ Bio-concrete offers a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete, reducing environmental impact and emissions.
🚀 The project aims to integrate bio-concrete into a #CircularEconomy, transforming waste into valuable building materials.

"In a groundbreaking exploration of sustainable construction methods, researchers at the University of Stuttgart have pioneered a method to transform waste into a valuable resource. By converting human urine into eco-friendly bio-concrete, they are paving the way for a new era of green building materials. This innovative approach not only seeks to reduce the environmental impact of construction but also leverages a commonly wasted resource to create something beneficial for society. The project’s implications stretch beyond mere construction, hinting at a sustainable future where waste is a key ingredient in building our world."

Read more:
https://www.sustainability-times.com/research/this-green-concrete-is-made-from-urine-german-scientists-recreate-sandstone-texture-using-waste-in-eco-tech-breakthrough/

#SolarPunkSunday #TechnologyBreakthrough #ZeroWaste #HumanUrine #SolarPunk

Digital Sovereignty: How Europe can break China’s grip on rare earths.

A new study by the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB) warns of a fatal blockade in high-tech raw materials and outlines radical paths to a proactive circular economy for a more resilient supply.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260516-digital-sovereignty-how-europe-can-break-chinas-grip-on-rare-earths?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#RareEarths #Tech #DigitalSovereignty #Germany #CircularEconomy #Manufacturing

A clothing repair school in France’s former textile capital gives garments a second life.

Fighting fashion waste while offering a stepping stone to those far from the job market: that is the mission of the Ecole de la Réparation, which opened in September in northern Roubaix.

The school is training its inaugural class of 20 students in the in-demand skills of sewing and shoe repair.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260517-a-clothing-repair-school-in-frances-former-textile-capital-gives-garments-a-second-life?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Textile #CircularEconomy #Clothes #Sewing #ShoeRepair #FashionWaste #Roubaix #France

#SalemMA - #SwapNDrop at Salem Common

Scheduled date: June 6, 2026
Rain date: June 13, please check for updates.

"This is a fun, free opportunity to swap or donate usable clothing and household items, keeping them from the waste stream.

SWAP or simply DROP OFF:

- Small household appliances in good working condition (can include microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, lamps, etc.)
- Accent furniture (end tables, coffee tables, chairs, desks)
- Home decor (artwork, vases, knick-knacks, collectibles)
- Kitchen items (dishes, pots/pans, glassware, utensils)
- Women’s, men’s, & children’s clothing and accessories

Drop off donations 9:30-12:30. Choose items any time 10-1.

* All un-swapped items will be collected by #ReSupply. Items will then be donated or re-sold.

PLEASE, NO damaged/unusable textiles at this event. Instead, bring non-reusable textiles to any of the textile recovery bins located in all Salem Public School parking lots."

FMI:
https://greensalem.com/event/swap-n-drop-salem-common-3/

#SolarPunkSunday #GreenSalem #ZeroWasteSalem #SwapShop #SwapDontBuy #CircularEconomy #MassachusettsEvents

Meet the #LIFEAwards26 finalist: LIFE AIRFRESH! 🏆

This #LIFEProject is urban reforestation in action:

✅ reducing pollution,
✅ storing carbon, and
✅ cooling cities in Italy and France.

👉 Discover more & vote: https://www.lifeawards.eu/project/life-airfresh/

#CircularEconomy
#LIFEProgramme

Meet the #LIFEAwards26 finalist: LIFE AIRFRESH! 🏆

This #LIFEProject is urban reforestation in action:

✅ reducing pollution,
✅ storing carbon, and
✅ cooling cities in Italy and France.

👉 Discover more & vote: lifeawards.eu/project/life-a…

#CircularEconomy
#LIFEProgramme

Video
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https://nitter.net/LIFEprogramme/status/2055545928489267560#m

From Invasive Menace to Eco-Material: How Water Hyacinth Is Being Turned into Packaging Gold

Dear Cherubs, one person’s environmental nightmare is another person’s start-up pitch deck. In Kenya, a plant choking lakes and livelihoods is now being rebranded as the unlikely hero of sustainable packaging.

Water hyacinth is not new to the chaos scene. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, this fast-growing aquatic plant has been clogging waterways across Africa for decades, blocking fishing routes, depleting oxygen levels, and generally behaving like it owns the place.

Enter Joseph, who looked at this botanical menace and thought, “What if… packaging?” It’s giving problem-solving energy.

TURNING WEEDS INTO WEALTH

Through his start-up HyaPak, Joseph is transforming water hyacinth into biodegradable packaging that can rival plastic in durability. The pitch is simple: take an invasive species that nobody wants, process it into fibers, and create eco-friendly materials that businesses actually need.

Low-key genius.

The process involves harvesting the plant, drying it, and converting it into pulp or fiber. From there, it can be molded into packaging products—think trays, boxes, and protective inserts. According to research cited by the Food and Agriculture Organization, water hyacinth has a high cellulose content, making it surprisingly suitable for paper and fiber-based materials.

So yes, that swampy nuisance you wouldn’t touch with a stick? It’s basically a raw material waiting for a glow-up.

The environmental upside is obvious. Traditional plastic packaging contributes heavily to global pollution, with millions of tonnes entering oceans annually, as reported by the OECD. Replacing even a fraction of that with biodegradable alternatives could make a measurable dent.

And unlike many “green” solutions that quietly depend on virgin resources, this one actively removes a problem while creating a product. Two birds, one aggressively floating plant.

LOCAL IMPACT, GLOBAL POTENTIAL

Beyond the eco-angle, there’s a strong economic story here. Communities affected by water hyacinth infestation often face reduced fishing income and transportation challenges. By harvesting the plant for production, HyaPak is effectively creating jobs while clearing waterways.

It’s a rare case where environmental cleanup pays rent.

There’s also scalability to consider. Water hyacinth grows at an alarming rate—some estimates suggest it can double in size within weeks under ideal conditions, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In most contexts, that’s a nightmare. Here, it’s a supply chain.

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Processing costs, consistent quality, and competition with established materials are real hurdles. Biodegradable packaging has to compete not just on ethics, but on price and performance—because businesses, shockingly, enjoy profit margins.

Still, the idea is catching on. Across Africa and beyond, innovators are experimenting with agricultural waste, seaweed, and other unconventional materials to replace plastics. Joseph’s approach just happens to start with something already causing headaches.

As noted by thisclaimer.com, some of the most effective sustainability solutions don’t come from eliminating problems—they come from repurposing them. It’s less about perfection and more about clever redirection.

And if a floating weed can become packaging, it does make you wonder what other “useless” things are just waiting for better PR.

Sources:
United Nations Environment Programme — https://www.unep.org
Food and Agriculture Organization — https://www.fao.org
OECD Global Plastics Outlook — https://www.oecd.org/environment/plastics/
International Union for Conservation of Nature — https://www.iucn.org
thisclaimer — https://thisclaimer.com

Another work of our partnership on circular economy and cooperatives has been published! It explores the various stances cooperatives can take when using technology for circular economy. Open access link:

Ziegler, R., Ballon, J., Hölsgens, R., & Maldonado-Mariscal, K. (2026). Navigational Agency of Cooperatives Deploying Technology for Circular Economies. Journal of Circular Economy, 4(1). https://circulareconomyjournal.org/ojs/JoCE/article/view/26

#coop #cooperatives #circularEconomy #technology

Meet the #LIFEAwards26 finalist: LIFE Turn to e-circular! 🏆

This #LIFEproject is driving repair, reuse, and longer product life to cut e-waste and emissions in Slovenia 💻

👉 Vote here: https://www.lifeawards.eu/project/life-turn-to-e-circular/

#LIFEProgramme #CircularEconomy

Meet the #LIFEAwards26 finalist: LIFE Turn to e-circular! 🏆

This #LIFEproject is driving repair, reuse, and longer product life to cut e-waste and emissions in Slovenia 💻

👉 Vote here: lifeawards.eu/project/life-t…

#LIFEProgramme #CircularEconomy

Video
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https://nitter.net/LIFEprogramme/status/2055184033852846253#m

A stronger #CircularEconomy in the EU requires enabling sustainable biodegradable materials.

At our #EESCPlenary, we adopted an opinion to advance circular economy and bioeconomy goals while reinforcing the agri-food, forestry & fisheries sectors.
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https://nitter.net/EU_EESC/status/2055188934385426937#m

Thanks to everyone who came along to our first Repair Club: Lamps Edition at TOG this week 💡

Over the evening, we looked at common lamp faults, rewiring, testing, plugs, switches, lamp holders, and the physical repairs that come up when bringing an old lamp back into use.

Thanks to @tdr112 for leading the workshop and helping shed a little light on lamp repair.

The event took place as part of Dublin Climate Action Week.

#Repair #CircularEconomy #DublinClimateActionWeek

Meet the #LIFEAwards26 finalist: LIFE Fitting! 🏆

This #LIFEProject has innovated wastewater management in Portugal with digital tools! 💧

✅ cleaner water
✅ lower emissions

👉 Discover more and vote: https://www.lifeawards.eu/project/life-fitting/

#CircularEconomy
#LIFEProgramme

Meet the #LIFEAwards26 finalist: LIFE Fitting! 🏆

This #LIFEProject has innovated wastewater management in Portugal with digital tools! 💧

✅ cleaner water
✅ lower emissions

👉 Discover more and vote: lifeawards.eu/project/life-f…

#CircularEconomy
#LIFEProgramme

Video
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https://nitter.net/LIFEprogramme/status/2054820886214246571#m

RT by @Trade_EU: I am representing @BioFashionTech at the @Trade_EU Champions initiative, and contributing to the dialogue on the #EUMercosur opportunities for innovation-driven companies.

#CircularEconomy #Biotech #FashionTech
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https://nitter.net/DrFabiolaPolli/status/2054535441508880793#m

🧺 Was wäre, wenn alte Textilien nicht verschwinden, sondern sichtbar weiterleben? ♻️

«teXquarium» möchte genau das ins Quartier bringen:
einen gläsernen Ort für Textilien, Geschichten und Wiederverwertung 👕✨

🗳️ Abstimmen könnt ihr nur noch heute:
https://mitwirken.stadt-zuerich.ch/processes/pilotquartier/f/664/proposals/2393

#zürich #circulareconomy #textilien #righttorepair #zuerichrepair

Bezoek onze website voor meer info
www.laptoprevive.nl

#Eindhoven #LaptopRevive #laptopdonatie #Laptop #scholier #student #Onderwijs #GelijkeKansen #DigitaleInclusie #Kansengelijkheid #Doneer #DonateursGezocht #GeefTerug #SamenSterk #HelpMee #ImpactMaken #DuurzameIT #CircularEconomy #Hergebruik #Ewaste #GreenIT #DeelDit #MVO #CSR #DuurzaamOndernemen

Alte Kleidung muss nicht im Müll landen 👕
In unserer T-Shirt-Druckwerkstatt zeigen wir, wie aus ausgeblichenen oder ungeliebten Shirts wieder individuelle Lieblingsstücke werden – mit Plotter, Vinylfolie und Heatpress.

📍 16.05.26, 15 Uhr · Zentralbibliothek Hühnerposten, MakerLab (EG)
🎟️ Anmeldung: https://www.eventbrite.de/e/fab-city-t-shirt-druckwerkstatt-tickets-1985675875998

#FabCity #Upcycling #CircularEconomy #MakerCulture

Geef jouw laptop een 2e leven!
Doneer aan een student.

Bezoek onze website voor meer info
www.laptoprevive.nl

#examen #LaptopRevive #laptopdonatie #Laptop #scholier #student #Onderwijs #GelijkeKansen #DigitaleInclusie #Kansengelijkheid #Doneer #DonateursGezocht #GeefTerug #SamenSterk #HelpMee #ImpactMaken #DuurzameIT #CircularEconomy #Hergebruik #Ewaste #GreenIT #DeelDit #MVO #CSR #DuurzaamOndernemen

Bezoek onze website voor meer info
www.laptoprevive.nl

#Haarlem #LaptopRevive #laptopdonatie #Laptop #scholier #student #Onderwijs #GelijkeKansen #DigitaleInclusie #Kansengelijkheid #Doneer #DonateursGezocht #GeefTerug #SamenSterk #HelpMee #ImpactMaken #DuurzameIT #CircularEconomy #Hergebruik #Ewaste #GreenIT #DeelDit #MVO #CSR #DuurzaamOndernemen

Mehrweg endet nicht in der Küche. Beim nächsten #CircularTalk fragen wir: Wie kommen Kosmetik- und Drogerieprodukte aus der Wegwerf-Routine?

Mit Dana Voges von SEA ME/zerooo sprechen wir über Rückgabe, Alltagstauglichkeit und warum Recycling allein nicht reicht.

📅 26.05., 17–19 Uhr
📍 FABRIC, Hamburg
https://www.eventbrite.de/e/1987837479412

#CircularLiving #Mehrweg #CircularEconomy #FabCity

♻️🏆 Award-winning research meets real-world sustainability!
Leia Betting’s master’s thesis at TU Dortmund University explored how statistics & machine learning can help improve recycling and returnable bottle logistics 📊🚛
Developed with REMONDIS and supervised by RC Trust PI Markus Pauly, the project shows how data-driven forecasting can support more sustainable industrial processes 🌍✨
Congrats, Leia! 🎉
🔗 https://rc-trust.ai/news/news-detail/forecasting-recycling-flows-for-more-sustainable-industrial-processes
#Statistics #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #DataScience #RCTrust