Introduction
"Circular Economy" was only a niche term in 2005 and searching for it on Google would only yield a few hundred results. Today, however, the results number in the millions. The world seems ready to tackle the mammoth task of "sustainable circular economy".
Given that most of us previously only heard of "circular economy" in niche eco-chats or alternative agriculture, we want to take you through a few essential pillars of the circular economy:
Why this form of sustainable economy is currently thriving as a driver of modern lifestyles. What basics about circular economy you should know. The first clear signs of circular economy among the big players.
Those were the days
It hasn't been that long ago when a product could be described on a straight line: from the first suppliers to the communication with consumers, companies could align their value chain along clear, sequential process steps. Almost nothing had to be communicated about the production of the product, let alone its disposal. Today, this has fundamentally changed.
Ambitious Deal
In the future, companies will be given a great responsibility for the production conditions of the product, the compliance with human rights and environmental standards, and the correct disposal or reuse of a product. This is currently referred to in specialist media as the supply chain due diligence law, abbreviated as LkSG.
The deep insight and the accompanying control will not only extend to the company's own immediate supply chain, but the area of responsibility will extend to the entire supply chain, including all its indirect suppliers.
The European Green Deal, launched by the European Commission as a central part of its climate policy on December 11, 2019, is considered the nucleus of these radical changes. The Green Deal aims to reduce the net emissions of greenhouse gases to zero by 2050 in the European Union, making it the first climate-neutral continent. A goal that Germany and the EU are still far from today.
The Green Deal turns a once
image-panicking climate rhetoric
into reality.
The Green Deal transforms once image-enhancing climate rhetoric into hard-hitting economic reality by linking numerous other goals to it, ranging from widespread reduction of emissions to the implementation of a functioning circular economy in Europe. The circular economy is one of the key components of the Green Deal.
A small introduction to the Circular Economy
Although the term "circular economy" is not new, many people are still unfamiliar with its central pillars. Here is a brief introduction to some important concepts:
Circular Economy – Everything comes back
In simple terms, the goal of the circular economy model is to extend the life cycle of products and close material cycles.
This means that existing materials and products should be shared, leased, reused, repaired, refurbished and recycled as much as possible both during production and consumption.
On the other hand, waste should be made available as secondary raw materials (circularity). These secondary raw materials are considered valuable raw materials that can be effectively utilized to conserve natural resources.
Ökodesign Directive – Legally Anchor the End of the Disposable Society
Did you know that the design of a product is responsible for up to 80% of its environmental impact over its life cycle? So it makes sense to aim specifically at product design within the efforts of a circular economy. This is exactly what the Ökodesign Directive does.
This directive, which was established within the framework of the European Green Deal, aims to streamline all product groups at the EU level in terms of environmental friendliness, circularity and energy efficiency. It therefore affects not only energy-relevant products such as refrigerators or televisions, but also all companies in the EU and almost all physical products, including textiles, furniture, steel, cement and chemicals.
The Ökodesign Directive is also intended to lay the foundation for products to be reused, upgraded, repaired, maintained, refurbished or recycled more frequently. The energy and resource efficiency and environmental impact of products are also in focus.
CO2 Footprint – Measuring Legacy
Everyone has heard of it. But what exactly does "C02 footprint" mean? Starting in 2023, all European companies will be required to measure and document their CO2 emissions. The CO2 footprint describes the total impact of all greenhouse gases on global warming, which is measured over a certain period of time. This applies from raw materials and production to distribution, end-consumer use, and restoration and disposal. When speaking of the Co2 footprint, it is therefore necessary to distinguish two "paths".
Along the entire value chain (CCF): The Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) as a comprehensive company-related greenhouse gas accounting
Along the entire life cycle of a product (PCF): The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) as a product-related accounting for each individual product (from development, through raw materials, manufacturing, transport to disposal and recycling).
Recyling – reborn
Recycling means returning waste material to the production process, either for the same or different use, and with minimal or significant changes to its structure. Recyclability refers to the ability to reuse the materials contained in a product or packaging by returning them to the material cycle to make new products.
Refurbishment – making old new again
In this process, used products are renewed for a new life cycle. Unlike recycling, where the product is materially recycled (e.g. by disassembling it to recover individual raw materials), refurbishment involves reusing the product itself. The electronics industry (smartphones, tablets, etc.) is a classic example.
Climate neutral – less is good
Climate neutrality describes a state in which climate-relevant gases produced along all stages of the value chain are compensated for through mitigation measures. A holistic approach requires reducing emissions to a minimum first. The European Council has set a target for the EU to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 and to become climate neutral by 2050. The EU Climate Law sets these goals legally for the first time.
Arrived in the economy
The most valuable corporation in the world showcases its efforts to extend the lifespan of its products in its sustainability report in a very vivid manner.
Quelle: Nachhaltigkeitsbericht Apple 2022 |Â https://www.apple.com/de/environment/pdf/Apple_Environmental_Progress_Report_2021.pdf
Conspicuous is the increase: For example, in 2007 only the SIM tray of the iPhone was repairable, but by 2020, it is already 8 components. And in 2018, a deliberate investment was made in the durability of the mobile phone. The curve of repairable and/or made more durable small parts is likely to continue to rise steeply.
"Starting now, Apple is selling original parts and tools in its self-service repair store in eight European countries," writes Vera Hermes excitedly in the "Green Wednesday," the sustainable news bulletin of the Absatzwirtschaft Online on Wednesday, 07.12.2022.
Whether the big players like Apple are just following the pressure of politics or rather want to correspond to the zeitgeist, we leave aside here. The fact is that the circular economy is already leaving its mark...
...that will continue to evolve until a clear path is noticeable. With the planned European Digital Product Pass, all product information along the entire value chain of a product (including origin, composition, repair and disassembly possibilities) will soon be available, allowing the social and ecological footprint of a product to be read out.
Quellennachweise und zum Weiterlesen (Stand Februar 2023)
Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz (LkSG)
Hembach, Holger (2022): Praxisleitfaden Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz (LkSG) (CB - Compliance Berater Schriftenreihe). Fachmedien Recht und Wirtschaft in Deutscher Fachverlag GmbH; 1. Auflage.
Jürgens, Max / Harings, Lothar (2022): Das Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz: Umsetzung und Auswirkungen des LkSG in der Praxis. Reguvis Fachmedien; 1. Edition.
Grabosch, Robert (Hrsg.) (2021): Das neue Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz. Nomos; 1. Edition.
Falder, Roland / Frank-Fahle, Constantin / Poleacov, Peter (2022): Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz: Ein Überblick für Praktiker
Springer Gabler; 1. Aufl. 2022 Edition (7. Mai 2022)
BMAS Das Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz
CSR in Deutschland - Das Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz
Deutscher Bundestag verabschiedet Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz
Deloitte: Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz in der Praxis
Bayerischer Rundfunk: EU-Länder einigen sich grundsätzlich auf Lieferkettengesetz
Die Initiative Lieferkettengesetz: https://lieferkettengesetz.de
Absatzwirtschaft: Nachhaltigkeit in der Lieferkette: Zeit für Gerechtigkeit
Kreislaufwirtschaft
Rau, Thomas / Oberhuber, Sabine (2021): Material Matters: Wie eine neu gedachte Circular Economy uns zukunftsfähig macht | Die Antwort auf die Klimakrise ist die Kreislaufwirtschaft. Econ; 1. Edition
Münger, Alfred (2021): Kreislaufwirtschaft als Strategie der Zukunft: Nachhaltige Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln und umsetzen. Haufe; 1. Auflage
Beckmann, Martin (2022): Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz: Kreislaufwirtschafts- und Abfallgesetz mit Verordnungen, Abfallverbringungsrecht. beck im dtv; 23. Edition
Europäisches Parlament: Recht auf Reparatur: Für Produkte, die langlebiger und reparierbar sind
VDI: Zirkuläre Wertschöpfung. Werkstoffliches und chemisches Recycling von Kunststoffabfällen
Europäisches Parlament Ökodesign-Richtlinie: Steigerung der Energieeffizienz und Recyclingfähigkeit
BMUV zur Kreislaufwirtschaft: https://www.bmuv.de/themen/wasser-ressourcen-abfall/kreislaufwirtschaft
Europäische Kommission: Circular economy action plan (CEAP): https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en
Europäische Kommission zum neuen Aktionsplan der Kreislaufwirtschaft: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/de/ip_20_420
Recyclingnews: EU-Kommission will nachhaltige Produkte zur Norm machen
EUR Lex (Zugang zu den Originaltexten) A new Circular Economy Action Plan:
Umweltbundesamt: Abfall- und Kreislaufwirtschaft
NABU: Kreislaufwirtschaft:
Koalitionsvertrag ZWISCHEN SPD, BÃœNDNIS 90/DIE GRÃœNEN UND FDP: MEHR FORTSCHRITT WAGEN. BÃœNDNIS FÃœR FREIHEIT, GERECHTIGKEIT UND NACHHALTIGKEIT:
United Nations Global Compact: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/library/205
United Nations Global Compact: Nachhaltigkeit in der Lieferkette:
Deutsche Umwelthilfe: Nachhaltige Lieferketten: https://www.duh.de/themen/natur/naturvertraegliche-landnutzung/nachhaltige-lieferketten/
Europäer Green Deal
BMUV Den ökologischen Wandel gestalten. Integriertes Umweltprogramm 2030.
brand eins Sonderausgabe Der neue grüne Deal Dezember 2020
Bestell-Link: https://www.brandeins.de/magazine/brand-eins-wirtschaftsmagazin/2020/unterhaltung/folge-01-ein-pakt-fuer-gesundes-wachstum
Europäisches Parlament Ökodesign-Richtlinie: Steigerung der Energieeffizienz und Recyclingfähigkeit
Europäische Kommission: Der Grüne Deal
Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung: The European Green Deal:
DIHK: Worum geht es beim Green Deal?
Ökodesign-Richtlinie
EUR Lex (Originaltexte): On making sustainable products the norm
Umweltbundesamt: Ökodesign-Richtlinie
Süddeutsche Zeitung, 28. März 2022: Wie die EU Produkte ökologischer macht
Europäisches Parlament Ökodesign-Richtlinie: Steigerung der Energieeffizienz und Recyclingfähigkeit
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
BMZ: Die globalen Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung
IHK: Die UN Nachhaltigkeitsziele (SDGs) als Maßstab für verantwortungsvolles Unternehmertum
United Nations Global Compact: https://www.unglobalcompact.org
Recycling
BMUV: Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz
BMBF (Plastik): WErtschöpfungsketten gestalten
Rohstoffwissen: https://www.rohstoffwissen.org/initiative/rohstoffkreislauf/
Stiftung zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister: Mindeststandard recyclinggerechtes Design: https://www.verpackungsregister.org/stiftung-behoerde/mindeststandard-21/grundlegende-informationen
Europäisches Parlament: Recht auf Reparatur: Für Produkte, die langlebiger und reparierbar sind
VDI Zentrum Ressourceneffizienz: https://www.ressource-deutschland.de
Recyclingnews: EU-Kommission will nachhaltige Produkte zur Norm machen
Europäisches Parlament Ökodesign-Richtlinie: Steigerung der Energieeffizienz und Recyclingfähigkeit
ESG & Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung
Rat der Europäischen Union: Neue Vorschriften für die Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung von Unternehmen: vorläufige politische Einigung zwischen Rat und Europäischem Parlament
Regularien zum Greenwashing
BMUV Den ökologischen Wandel gestalten. Integriertes Umweltprogramm 2030.
Europäische Kommision: Unfair commercial practices directive
Europäische Kommision: Kreislaufwirtschaft: Kommission schlägt neue Verbraucherrechte vor und will Greenwashing verbieten
NKS / Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung: EU legt Vorschläge für nachhaltige Produkte vor
Digitaler Produktpass (DPP)
Digtler Produkpass
Europäisches Parlament Ökodesign-Richtlinie: Steigerung der Energieeffizienz und Recyclingfähigkeit
BMUV Der BMU Design-Sprint zum Digitalen Produktpass für die Elektromobilität
Umweltbundesamt Förderung des nachhaltigen Konsums durch digitale
Produktinformationen: Bestandsaufnahme und Handlungsempfehlungen
BDI Der „Digitale Produktpass“ auf dem Prüfstand
Recyclingnews: EU-Kommission will nachhaltige Produkte zur Norm machen
DKE Digitaler Produktpass: Förderung der Digitalisierung und Kreislaufwirtschaft durch standardisierte Daten
Europäische Kommission: Circular economy action plan (CEAP): https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en