RREUSE’s Briefing on the Construction and Demolition sector

RREUSE’s Briefing on the Construction and Demolition sector

The construction and demolition sector is one of the most material-intensive industries and one of the largest contributors to waste production in the EU. In fact, it has become the largest waste stream in Europe, accounting for more than a third of all waste generated. To increase circularity in the sector while creating social employment, some social enterprises from the RREUSE network have been active in the re-use of building components. This briefing outlines the importance of these activities carried out by social enterprises.

RREUSE feedback on the consultation for New Product Priorities for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products

RREUSE feedback on the consultation for New Product Priorities for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products

RREUSE welcomes the possibility to give feedback on new product priorities under the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. As an organisation that promotes the reuse and repair of products, we believe that mandatory eco-design requirements can play a key role in reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle, while also creating major savings for European households.

The Re-use Revolution: How Social Enterprises are leading the way

The Re-use Revolution: How Social Enterprises are leading the way

The first-ever International Day of Zero Waste, held on March 30, 2023, brought attention to the need for sustainable consumption patterns and highlighted the work of social economy enterprises in re-use, repair, and recycling. Re-use, rather than recycling, can often be the better environmental solution, saving materials, energy, money, and time.

Putting people and skills at the core of the circular economy: 18 stories from social enterprises

Putting people and skills at the core of the circular economy: 18 stories from social enterprises

Our study “Putting people and skills at the core of the circular economy: 18 stories from social enterprises” is officially released today! Through this collection of stories and the extraction of conclusions from them, this report highlights the vital role that social enterprises can play in upskilling and reskilling workers for a more circular economy, and reveals that without a clear understanding of the skills needed in a circular economy, it will be difficult to tailor training programs that ensure a balanced labor supply and demand.

EU Textile Strategy: civil society’s demands to MEPs

EU Textile Strategy: civil society’s demands to MEPs

In the context of the consideration of the European Parliament’s draft report on the EU Strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, RREUSE, together with 6 civil society organisations recalls the necessary actions to make the textiles strategy an effective tool to shift the sector towards circularity as well as environmental and social sustainability.

RREUSE Position Paper on the Revised VAT Directive

RREUSE Position Paper on the Revised VAT Directive

RREUSE believes that Member States should make use of the current window of opportunity for updating Value Added Tax (VAT) rules to create a better taxation framework for social enterprises active in the circular economy. Reduced VAT rates and exemptions on the basis of social and environmental activities are an essential instrument to acknowledge social enterprises’ large contribution to fostering work integration opportunities, green skilling, and the objectives of a circular economy, in line with the EU Social Economy and Circular Economy Action Plans.