As Europe’s largest network of social enterprises active in reuse, repair, and recycling, RREUSE welcomes the overall recognition of the social economy in the Council’s General Approach on the Waste Framework Directive. However, some newly introduced provisions would...
Statement on the Council negotiations about the Waste Framework Directive
RREUSE welcomes the recognition of social enterprises' role in driving forward the circularity of textiles, expressed by numerous EU ministers during the latest Environmental Council of March 25. Amidst discussions in the Working Party on the Environment to examine a...
Major social and environmental organisations call for the Waste Framework Directive to ensure a central role for the social economy
Brussels, 11 March 2024 - Leaders of more than 80 international networks and NGOs, as well as national organisations from 18 European countries, have written to the EU policymakers to demand support for social economy enterprises in circular economy policies. Focusing...
ENVI Committee Acknowledges Social Enterprises’ Key Role in Textiles Collection and Management
RREUSE welcomes the result of today’s vote on the Waste Framework Directive in the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament. The ENVI report rightly underscores the key role of social enterprises in shaping a more environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive textile value chain in Europe.
A Breakthrough in European Right-to-Repair Legislation
The political agreement on new rules aimed at fostering the repair and re-use of products represents a significant stride toward making repair and refurbishment more affordable, accessible and appealing for all European consumers. As an active participant in the Right to Repair Europe Campaign, RREUSE welcomes this pivotal development.
“Right to Repair” Directive: A step closer to a truly universal right to repair
The IMCO Committee has approved its report on the “Right to Repair” Directive with almost unanimous support. RREUSE is pleased to see this action being taken in response to the demand from most European citizens for more durable and repairable products.
Unleashing the potential of social enterprises in the digital era
RREUSE and its members have launched a 12-month project that aims to unleash the potential of social enterprises in the digital era: ”The digital era of social enterprises: trends and opportunities within the circular economy (DigiSocCirc)”.
RREUSE’s new project aims to boost partnerships between mainstream businesses and social enterprises
RREUSE and its members have launched a project to open new doors for social enterprises’ partnerships with mainstream businesses: “Buying Social and Circular – Social Enterprises and Private Sector Partnerships (BuySocCirc)”. The 18-month project is supported by a grant from the European Commission under the SMP COSME programme.
A big step toward making sustainable products the norm
RREUSE has been closely following the development of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation, and we welcome the outcome of today’s vote in the European Parliament. Regrettably, the EP did not take the opportunity to include the social dimension of sustainability in the regulation, but on many other aspects the text is a major step forward in making access to sustainable products the norm across the EU.
Call to Action | Just Transition: A New Social Contract for the Wellbeing of People and the Planet
RREUSE joined forces with many other organisations to release a Call to Action for the Just Transition. The organisations call on European Ministers for Environment and Energy, as well as other EU and national level decisionmakers, to complement the implementation of urgently needed, ambitious environmental and climate policies with robust social policies that protect marginalised people primarily and the regions suffering disproportionately from the transition, whilst guaranteeing access to high-quality essential services for all. They call on them to show bold and forward-thinking political leadership by prioritising the promotion of climate action and social justice as one coherent and mutually reinforcing agenda.
A watershed moment for social enterprises in the textiles sector
RREUSE welcomes the proposed text of the revision of the Waste Framework Directive as a major milestone in recognising the pivotal role of social enterprises active in re-use. The text published by the European Commission on 5 July rightfully acknowledges these social enterprises as historical and key actors for the circular transition of the textile sector.
RREUSE reacts: The European Commission calls on Member States for better policies for social enterprises in the circular economy
RREUSE welcomes the European Commission (EC) ’s proposal for a Council Recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions published June 13th, a flagship initiative of the Action Plan on the Social Economy (SEAP) aimed at encouraging EU Member States to create better-enabling environments for social enterprises and all social economy actors across pertinent policy areas.