Global Scans · Circular economy · Weekly Summary

• [New] For Europe, it is an opportunity not just to regulate packaging, but to showcase it as tangible proof that a circular economy can thrive when industry, consumer demand, brand owner ambition, manufacturing innovation and smart policymaking move in partnership with one another. Mondi Group
• [New] The Circular Economy Act will build on the second Circular Economy Action Plan, reinforcing and broadening its measures to accelerate Europe's shift to a resource-efficient, low-waste and climate-neutral economy. Environment
• [New] The EU's transition to a circular economy is crucial for reducing pressure on natural resources, halting biodiversity loss, achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and building a more resilient and competitive Europe. Environment
• [New] The next phase of Australia Post's sustainability framework will focus on decarbonization across operations and supply chains, reducing impact through smarter packaging, waste reduction and reuse, and exploring how Australia Post can enable Australia's circular economy for customers and communities. Mirage News
• Danone North America will continue to work with all company facilities to implement processes that promote a circular economy and eradicate waste. Danone North America
• Fully embracing circular economy principles could deliver a £25 billion economic boost by 2035. Recycling Expo 2025
• Circular economy could save $100bn on waste management costs annually. Recycle Track Systems
• The value of a circular economy in Australia could be $26 billion per year by 2025 and contribute significantly to reducing emissions. State of the Environment Report 2020
• A circular economy can support Queensland Government commitments to create jobs in a strong economy, transition to a net zero waste and zero net emissions economy by 2050. State of the Environment Report 2020
• Transitioning to a circular economy could create $2.3 trillion in economic benefits by 2030. FootonBoot
• The announced New Circular Economy Act represents a unique opportunity to address the structural deficiencies currently present in (packaging) waste management across Europe. EUROPEN
• AI could unlock multiple benefits for the circular economy, ranging from increasing the lifespan of products, improving resource efficiency, streamlining supply chains, and improving recycling. TechnoServe
• The Netherlands is aiming to develop a fully circular economy by 2050. NL Platform
• For a circular economy scenario, during 2020-2040, an accumulated saving of 7.1 Mtoe final energy use, a decline in 14.5 Mt CO2 emissions and 592 t PM2.5 emissions could be achieved compared with the business-as-usual scenario. PubMed Central (PMC)
• By 2030, any item sold in the EU will need a QR-coded DPP to clear customs and prove circular-economy compliance. Shopify
• Circular economy initiatives in the battery sector are targeting 90% + material recovery rates by 2030, with several pilot facilities already demonstrating recovery efficiencies exceeding 95% for key metals. Discovery Alert
• By 2030, circular economy initiatives are expected to support new high-tech jobs in material recovery, bio-based manufacturing, and digital circular solutions. EcoActive ESG
• The European Commission has unveiled a series of sweeping initiatives aimed at propelling the European Union toward a fully-fledged circular economy, in a strategic push to become a global leader in sustainable resource use by 2030. Innovation News Network
• Adopting the circular economy is a form of risk management: circular companies are better prepared to face emerging environmental regulations, such as the upcoming European Circular Economy Law, expected in 2026. Faistgroup.com
• The circular economy has the potential to cut up to 39% of global emissions related to materials, thanks to reduced extraction and the reconfiguration of energy-intensive production cycles. Faistgroup.com
• A new Circular Economy Act is scheduled for adoption in 2026, and the inclusion of non-permanent carbon capture and utilization (CCU) products in the EU ETS will be assessed in Q2/Q3 2026. NautaDutilh

Last updated: 12 October 2025