In 2014, the trade of used clothes, a global commodity, was around 4.2 million tonnes with a value of 4.4bn Dollars (1). Whilst historically the collection of used clothes has been associated with charitable and...
Publications
10 key steps to get the circular economy back on track
Setting binding targets for preparing for re-use at EU level amongst the 10 key steps to get the circular economy package on track. We call on the EU Parliament and Member States to put second-hand first Download the full pdf here ...
RREUSE position on Commission's circular economy proposals
In December 2015, the European Commission relaunched a strategy for moving Europe towards a ‘Circular Economy’ which includes a set of legislative proposals to revise key EU waste laws. It is critically important that re-use of unwanted but re-usable goods is the top...
Re-use has higher employment potential than recycling
A new briefing from RREUSE shows that the job creation potential of the re-use sector is significantly higher than recycling, incineration and landfill. The report cites US figures showing that for 10,000 tonnes of waste products and materials, 1 job would be created...
Making repair cheaper and easier through EU policy
In response to the European Commission’s recent consultation on a new Circular Economy package, RREUSE has published an analysis of how EU policy could be better implemented to ensure products entering the EU market are easily and cheaply repairable. Michal Len,...
Social clauses: Why so important and how to implement them
Thousands of social enterprises across Europe have been active in the sector for many years, providing job and training opportunities for disadvantaged workers and giving them a fresh start on the labour market. RREUSE believes that the role of social enterprises in...
Walking The Circle – The 4 guiding pillars for a Circular Economy
RREUSE has published a joint briefing highlighting the key policy areas that must be addressed by the EU institutions to ensure a fully functioning circular economy, and some of the often overlooked benefits that can result. Read the briefing here. ...
Putting re-use and repair at the heart of circular economy legislation
We want the EU to put re-use and repair at the heart of the new circular economy legislation, to be published later this year. Putting second hand first with concrete action and targets, beyond recycling, will be a major boost for the economy, society and the...
Making products durable and easy to repair: Joint manifesto
RREUSE has published a joint manifesto calling for legislation that ensures new products sold in Europe are made more durable and easy to repair. RREUSE will work together with the co-signatories, including IFIXIT, Repair Café International, FoEE, the EEB, ZWE and...
Briefing on Circular Economy Package: Questioning the Reasons for Withdrawal
The proposal by the European Commission to withdraw the Circular Economy Package from its 2015 Work Programme has produced a worrying climate of uncertainty. The arguments given for proposing the withdrawal call into question the legality, substance and democracy of...
Letter to MEPs urging opposition to withdrawal of the Circular Economy Package
Brussels, 7 January 2015 Joint Statement on the European Commission’s plan to withdraw the waste component of the Circular Economy package from its 2015 Work Programme The signatories of this statement, which include business associations, NGOs and federations...
Joint letter to President Juncker concerning potential withdrawal of the Circular Economy Package
Brussels, 19th November 2014 Dear President Juncker, We, the undersigned, are writing to express our deep concern about the potential withdrawal of the Circular Economy Package from the Commission’s 2015 Work Programme. Given its potential for green job creation,...