Global Scans · Sustainable Waste · Weekly Summary

• [New] The life-cycle approach, foundational to circular solutions, could save governments USD 70 billion in waste management expenses, and save society USD 4.5 trillion in social and environmental costs by 2040. United Nations Environment Programme
• [New] Sydney has won the right to host the Asia Pacific Circular Hotspot in 2026 in a winning bid focusing on strong Pacific inclusion and circular economy action for climate and nature. CMW
• [New] As 2025 progresses, Australian companies that embrace circular economy principles in packaging will benefit from regulatory compliance, environmental responsibility, and consumer trust. Carewell Group Pty Ltd
• [New] The Netherlands has set an ambitious goal to fully implement a circular economy by 2050, targeting key sectors such as consumer goods, plastics, construction, manufacturing, biomass, and food. fundsforNGOs News - Grants and Resources for Sustainabi
• [New] Implementing circular economy strategies in the EU could generate €1.8 trillion ($1.944 trillion) in economic benefits by 2030 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly compared to the current linear model. Kings Research
• [New] A shift to a circular economy could create $4.5 trillion in economic opportunities globally by 2030. Kings Research
• [New] The International Labour Organization projects up to six million new green jobs globally, while India alone could generate 10 million jobs by 2050 in recycling and resource recovery sectors. POLYNEXT AWARDS & CONFERENCE 2025
• [New] Deloitte predicts 20-25% waste reduction. Medium
• [New] 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)
• [New] 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
• [New] Prioritise the circular economy in urban areas, which can unlock $73.5 trillion annually by 2030. PMF IAS
• [New] McKinsey estimates in a study that the Circular Economy could unlock a revenue opportunity of more than $1 trillion in Europe alone by 2025 - helping organizations to gain a competitive edge. FUJITSU BLOG - Global
• [New] Cumulative solar panel waste through 2050 will reach between 54 million and 160 million metric tons, while coal ash alone would be 300 to 800 times greater and oily sludge from crude oil 2 to 5 times larger. Inside Climate News
• [New] Up to 78 million tons of solar panels are expected to retire around the world by 2050, the largest waste stream of any clean-energy technology in history. Inside Climate News
• [New] 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2022, a figure expected to rise to 82 million tonnes by 2030. ScrapMonster
• [New] Approximately 82 billion kg of e-waste will be generated in 2030. Waste360
• [New] Projects under the flexibles program will take place in high-income countries in Europe or North America with excellent waste management systems, strong EPR regulations, and the resources to pursue advanced recycling trials. Sustainable Plastics
• [New] Projects under the flexibles program will take place in high-income countries in Europe or North America with excellent waste management systems, strong extended producer responsibility regulations and the resources to pursue advanced recycling trials. Plastics News
• [New] Starbucks will benefit from reduced waste, as its supply chain processes become more tightly controlled. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] 250,000 tons of solar panel waste will be produced worldwide each year. OpsMatters
• [New] An overwhelming 80 million metric tons of solar waste will accumulate worldwide by 2050. OpsMatters

Last updated: 28 October 2025