Author: CB team
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New Report: Mapping Berlin’s Journey Toward Circular Electronics
Published by How circular is Berlin’s electronics sector today? And what needs to change so our devices stay in use longer? Our team at Circular Berlin is proud to announce the publication of our latest analysis: The 2026 Circular Electronics Report. This comprehensive study maps the current landscape of the electronics sector in our city and…
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Circular Berlin’s 2025 in a nutshell – Working towards a circular city, together
A year shaped by collaboration, experimentation and progress As 2025 comes to an end, we look back on a year shaped by collaboration, experimentation and steady progress toward a circular city. Circular Berlin refined its strategic direction, advanced key projects across Europe, explored new impact areas and deepened partnerships that strengthen Berlin’s transition towards a…
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From Repair to a Circular Urban Society
Repair as a Key Urban Question Electrical and electronic devices are among the largest material streams in cities today. In Berlin alone, around 23,516 tons were discarded in Berlin . Many products have ever shorter lifespans, while repairs are often perceived as too complicated or too expensive. Yet repair holds enormous potential: it saves resources,…
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Where Ideas Connect: Re:use – Re:think – Re:volution
The BookSprint Re:use – Re:think – Re:volution, initiated by the Bertelsmann Stiftung, brings together innovative impulses and diverse perspectives to outline what a truly comprehensive Circular Economy could look like. The contributions demonstrate how strategies on repair, textiles, social responsibility, and digitalisation interconnect to form a coherent and future-oriented system. At its core, the BookSprint…
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From Soil to Plate and Back Again: Berlin’s Path to a Circular Food System
Food isn’t just something we eat – it’s part of a larger system that connects soil, water, climate, and communities. In Berlin, we are rethinking food through the lens of the Circular Economy: an approach that closes loops, reduces waste, and creates value at every stage. At Circular Berlin, we believe food holds the power…
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Politische Empfehlungen für EPR für Textilien in Deutschland
Published by Deutschland entwickelt derzeit ein nationales System der Erweiterten Herstellerverantwortung (EPR) für Textilien – als Reaktion auf die überarbeitete Abfallrahmenrichtlinie (Waste Framework Directive, WFD) (Richtlinie 2008/98/EG) vom März 2025. Diese Entwicklung ermöglicht es, die nationale Textilabfallpolitik systematisch an den Prinzipien von Nachhaltigkeit, sozialer Gerechtigkeit und globaler Verantwortung auszurichten. Während das EPR-Rahmenwerk der EU eine…
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From Fiber to Function: Closing the Loop on E-Textiles
In November 2024, we had the opportunity to present key insights on sustainability and circular economy in the field of electronic textiles at the E-Textiles Conference in Berlin. But what happens when smart technologies meet linear textile systems? E-textiles are considered a promising innovation — yet from a circular economy perspective, they raise complex questions: How…
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Takeaways from the AGYLE Live Week – Circular Economy Edition
As part of the 2024 AGYLE – African German Young Leaders in Business cohort, I had the unique opportunity to join the programme´s Live Week in Berlin, from 16th to the 20th September. The AGYLE programme is a project by Deutschland Land der Ideen that aims to connect young African and German leaders from business,…
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Circular transformation does not work alone, it needs partnerships
Cities are at the center of the necessary change towards more sustainability and climate protection. Studies indicate that Circular Economy is a significant lever for reducing the climate impacts of our actions. Depending on the study, the manner of product manufacturing and usage influences 40% to as much as 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. As actors…
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An exchange program with the Or Foundation from Ghana
Between the 29th June to the 5th of July 2024 we ran a one-week exchange programme in cooperation with our partner the Or Foundation, who brought a delegation from Ghana to Berlin. The delegation was composed of designers, retailers, remanufacturing specialists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and waste management experts from the Kantamanto community. Strategically timed to coincide…
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Stellungnahme zur Nationalen Kreislaufwirtschaftsstrategie (NKWS)
Written by Circular Berlin, Circular Black Forest, Circular Munich e.V und das CircularPSP-Konsortium und Empirica Gesellschaft für Kommunikations– und Technologieforschung mbH begrüßen die umfassende und systemisch angelegte Nationale Kreislaufwirtschaftsstrategie (NKWS). Kreislaufwirtschaft als Vision für die Gesellschaft Der aktuelle Entwurf vom 18. Juni 2024 konzentriert sich auf Hinweise zur wirtschaftlichen Transformation, ohne eine gesellschaftliche Vision zu…
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Reducing food waste in the hotel industry with zero waste and circular strategies
by Robert Hattaway Last year saw the conclusion of our 2-year project on food waste, a topic with huge environmental, social, and economic ramifications. Working together with partners NEW STANDARD.STUDIO, Seminaris Hotel, and visitBerlin, we explored this topic in the context of hotel gastronomy, looking at how the circular economy and zero waste approaches can…
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Essay: “Revalue your clothes – implementing a circular textiles economy”
Written by published in 3rd BKHS Magazine grows a valuable cooperation for our upcoming exchange project between Ghana & Germany We are excited and proud to announce our publication titled „Revalue your clothes – implementing a circular textiles economy” in the third edition of the Bundeskanzler Helmut Schmidt Foundation Magazin on this year´s topic “Remaking…
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Circular City Challenge 2.0: After intensive matchmaking, 23 circular economy solutions start implementation
In the Circular City Challenge 2.0, which was launched in August 2023, the 20-member jury, made up of city representatives from over 4 cities and municipalities, nominated the most promising solutions and approaches from the more than 120 submissions. From the large number of interesting projects, 23 concepts were particularly convincing in terms of making…
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Driving Sustainable Construction: Exploring DGNB, LEVEL(s), and DIN’s Impact on Circular Construction.
by Alethya Cuberos and Daniela Raffo Organizations like DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen), LEVEL(s), and DIN-Normenausschuss Bauwesen (NABau) (Standards Committee for Building and Civil Engineering), play significant roles in promoting sustainability, setting standards in the construction industry, and also shaping and promoting responsible approaches within the construction and building sectors. While the three entities…
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CircularPSP: Call for Tenders is open
The EU pre-commercial procurement project CircularPSP launched a €5.64 million tender (Contract Notice on TED) for Suppliers to design, develop and test an innovative ‘circular economy solution’ (CE-solution) that enables municipalities and their staff as well as businesses in the local economy to apply circular practice more quickly, frequently, widely and effectively. Individual users at City and Business are empowered…
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AI in Circular Construction: current reality or a concept for the future?
by Alethya Cuberos Technologies for the construction sector to transition to the circular economy Along with the implementation of the circular economy strategies, such as extending building lifespans, redesigning with circularity in mind, reusing components, and recycling materials. We should also keep in mind the development of the new technologies that help to scale the…
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Exploring the Role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Circular Economy.
by Tabitha Ashley Opondo Technologies for the construction sector to transition to the circular economy If the construction sector wants to completely transition to a circular economy, then sustainable practices should be carried out from the initial planning stage. This article will break down how the sector can enhance material circularity using Building Information Modelling…
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Circular City Challenge 2023: Municipality Matchmaking for Climate-Neutral Transformation with Circular Economy Solutions
The appeal of metropolitan areas has not waned even after the Corona years and the associated yearning for rural lifestyles: In 2021, for example, Berlin recorded a 16.5 percent increase in new residents compared with the previous year. According to a forecast by UN DESA, two out of three people will live in urban areas…
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3D Printing: is it a new technological path for the circular solutions in construction?
by Tabitha Ashley Opondo Technologies for the construction sector to transition to the circular economy The construction industry has long been known for its unsustainable practices, with buildings often being designed and constructed with little regard for their environmental impact. However, as concerns about climate change and resource depletion continue to grow, there is a…
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Circularity in fashion – How can it be reached?
In December 2022 Janka Eckert and Julia Kline invited us to a webinar on “How to become circular with your fashion brand in 2023”. Janka and Julia are sustainable fashion consultants and support companies in their transformation in becoming a sustainable player in their industry. Through their expertise, they have developed “The Sustainable Circle”, a…
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Textile Journeys – an interactive deep dive into Berlin’s discarded textiles
New Years eve in Berlin has just passed, and unfortunately (but predictably) the streets are covered in the waste that an all-out evening of fireworks leaves behind – plastic shards, wooden sticks, damp cardboard and an odd looking red dust. But look a little closer, and in amongst this you’ll see a pair of jeans…
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Building momentum for a circular economy via education
It’s back-to-school time again, and because education is top-of-mind for many of us at the moment, we thought it would be a great time to discuss the role of education when it comes to the circular economy, provide a bit more insight about what the education team has been up to so far, and also…
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Reusables in gastronomy – increasing awareness and adoption of Mehrweg in Berlin.
It is almost as if you can hear the giant sigh of relief as the weather gets nicer, the masks come off, and the people of Berlin opt to enjoy their favorite foods in the park, instead of at the cafe/restaurant. A reason to celebrate, right? Yes and no. It has been a rough two+…
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Circular City Business Tour Berlin – An exchange program with Israeli enterprises.
Between the 22-25th of November 2021 Re-Fresh Global & Circular Berlin ran a 3 day exchange program in Berlin for Israeli organizations, textile manufacturers and experts working in different fields of circular economy and social entrepreneurship. The activities were supported by the Israel Economic & Trade Mission, Germany, and the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation. The…
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A-GAIN GUIDE findet die einfachsten Lösungen für deine gebrauchte Kleidung.
Gleich um die Ecke. Ein Interview mit Arianna Nicoletti. Im September hat Circular Berlin eine Premiere gefeiert: gemeinsam mit Stefanie Barz und Alessandra-Isabel Hager von LoopLook hat Arianna Nicoletti, Textiles & Fashion Lead von Circular Berlin, eine neue digitale Plattform A-GAIN GUIDE gestartet, die den Nutzer:innen die besten und kreativsten Lösungen für ihre gebrauchte Kleidung…
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Freiraum in der Box – neuer Hotspot für Circular Economy in Berlin – Friedrichshain.
Der Freiraum in der Box ist ein Teil der Community von Circular Berlin. Wir haben mit Carolina Mojto, der Architektin, Gründerin und Leiterin über Circular Economy im Freiraum gesprochen. Sie revitalisiert Häuser in Berlin und schafft nachhaltige, mit dem lokalen Umfeld verbundene und weltoffene Communities, wie z.B. im Freiraum, in der Boxhagenerstr. 96 und auch im…
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Download DIN SPEC on Zero Waste
A consortium of NGOs, science and business formulated a DIN SPEC on a zero waste vision for companies. During the one-year development process of the DIN SPEC, Laura Grotenrath represented Circular Berlin as a delegate of the coordinating body for standardization work of environmental associations (Koordinierungsstelle für Normierungsarbeit der Umweltverbände/ KNU)
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Project Circular School celebrates successful completion
The project circular school (“Kreislaufschule”) is a creative project format for schools. Through a series of creative and activist projects, students transform their school bit by bit, resource by resource, into a sustainable closed loop school. At the end the school is awarded the “Circular School Certificate”. At the end of September, the Kreativitätsgrundschule Karlshorst…
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Die Rolle der Baustoffindustrie in der Kreislaufwirtschaft
Im Rahmen des laufenden Projekts über Circular Economy in der Bauindustrie, in Zusammenarbeit mit dem EIT Climate-KIC, sprach Circular Berlin mit Alexandra Decker von CEMEX Deutschland über die Herausforderungen und Chancen der Kreislaufwirtschaft in der Baustoffindustrie. Alexandra Decker ist bei CEMEX Deutschland für den Bereich Public Affairs zuständig. Für das Unternehmen beobachtet und schätzt sie…
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Kreislaufwirtschaft im nachhaltigen Wohnungsbau
Im Rahmen des laufenden Projekts über Circular Economy in der Bauindustrie, in Zusammenarbeit mit dem EIT Climate-KIC, sprach Circular Berlin Circular Berlin mit Stefan Schautes von HOWOGE über die Herausforderungen und Chancen der Kreislaufwirtschaft für den nachhaltigen Wohnungsbau. Stefan Schautes ist zuständig für den Bereich Neubau und vertritt die HOWOGE als einer der Prokuristen. Seine…
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Understanding the complexity of food systems to address urban and rural needs
Despite the challenging circumstances modern society faces today, Circular Berlin continues to invest energy in reshaping the systems in which our society depends upon. In relation to the food system, It is urgent that we align with environmental practices in the way that we produce food; reconciling ourselves with the natural environments that support life…
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Learn about circular economy, why not online? Sneak peak in our daily work
It has been strange times with lots of opportunities since March. For circular Berlin we faced the same challenge, many of us had to face: „How might we bring our work into an online world, in order not to pause it?” Circular Economy or not, as facilitators the idea of interacting only virtually with known…
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Berlin’s new lab for secondary materials – Haus der Materialisierung
Haus der Materialisierung is Berlin’s new lab for secondary materials. As Circular Berlin, we are taking part in building it and can report from the front lines. This is a sneak peak on what it’s about, where we stand, and what to expect in the near future. Secondary, used materials are plentiful – whether for…
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Project Circular School is awarded
Firstly, circularity practices are not part of Berlin schools’ regular syllabus. It is however important to raise awareness on this topic among young students as they represent our future. Secondly, most schools in Berlin are not run taking circular or sustainable practices into account. The Kreativitätsgrundschule Karlshorst is trying to change the latter. That’s why…
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Exploring fashion supply chains in times of crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for global markets and their manufacturing. The crisis has exposed the lack of resiliency specifically within the fashion industry supply chain, while simultaneously highlighting positive opportunities rising from the crisis. Circular Berlin wanted to explore the role of circularity in creating a more resilient fashion industry and reinforcing…
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Low-tech construction, material approach and circularity
Architecture, engineering and the construction industry face an unprecedented and urgent need to be at the forefront of systematic change towards a circular economy. Accelerating the transition to a circular built environment, together with EIT Climate-KIC, Circular Berlin spoke to Andrea Klinge to obtain key insights on the circular economy in the construction sector in…
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Education in a Circular Economy
Transitioning to a circular economy requires a lot: business innovation, consumer behavior change, new policy frameworks, community engagement. But one thing has to happen before any of those changes can take place: people need to learn what the circular economy is, and how to make it happen. Behind every business decision and every policy choice…
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Circular Berlin’s 2019 in a nutshell
Much has changed since the beginning of 2019 – from incorporating our organization and growing our team, to getting engaged in industry and municipal projects. Grab a cup of coffee and dive into the little insights of our activities this year! Developing Circular Berlin into a true entity We have made a big step forward…
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Circular Berlin at the 3rd PLATE Conference
PLATE stands for Product Lifetimes and the Environment and is a conference series organised by Fraunhofer IZM and Technical University Berlin. This year, it took place from 18-20th of September in Berlin. Circular Berlin was present with a poster about the CURE project entitled ‘Centers for Urban Re-manufacture: Lessons from the CURE Pathfinder project‘ by…
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Kickstarting Circular Food in Berlin
2019 has been a year of a lot of movement in Berlin. For Circular Berlin (CB) this reality also applies. Different projects, workshops and initiatives have been developed during the year in order to promote and enhance the vision of circular economy among the entrepreneur community in our beloved city. On the 18th of July…
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Workshop results: Berlin Circular Fashion approach
At the beginning of 2019 Circular Berlin and Future Fashion Forward e.V. teamed up to organize the fourth and last workshop of the Circular Berlin event series targeting the issues of local waste streams in Berlin and bringing together municipalities and industry actors in different fields. After looking at the Construction Industry, at Material Urban Remanufacturing specifics…
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Presenting Berlin’s pioneering learning center for resource recovery and zero-waste activities
On the 7th of May ZUsammenKUNFT, Kunst-Stoffe, Material Mafia, Circular Berlin and the Chair of Circular Economy and Recycling Technologies of TU-Berlin presented the idea of establishing a “Haus der Materialisierung” as one of the pioneer users at the Haus der Statistik initiative. The event took place at the Werkstatt of the Haus der Statistik,…