By Dian Lipiarski, Team Leader Buy Circular Service
In June, I had the opportunity to attend EU Green Week in Brussels, and Circular Summit Fryslân in the Netherlands - two of Europe's most important forums for circular economy policy, practice, and innovation.
The primary objectives of the visit were to understand the European Union's (EU's) circular economy policy landscape, explore innovations in sustainability, investigate technologies supporting connectivity, examine practices in textiles and circular procurement, study behaviour change innovations, and how they could all be applied in a Victorian context.
The EU Green Week brought together circular economists, business owners, industry leaders, and policymakers for 3 days of intensive knowledge sharing.
The Circular Summit Fryslân highlighted regional approaches to circular economy. Site tours featured OPNIEUW!'s furniture upcycling and Leeuwarden municipality's office renovation using 80% reused and recycled materials, while speakers demonstrated the impact of cities and regions in driving circular economy.
Here's my take on what Europe's doing right, and why Victoria should be paying attention.
What's working and what's coming next
1. Digital Passports for Textiles
The EU's rollout of digital product passports for textiles has huge potential. These tools improve traceability and transparency, paving the way for more circular fashion systems and potentially revolutionising how we approach fashion and fabric production.
2. The upcoming EU Circular Economy Act
Set for 2026, the landmark EU Circular Economy Act will legislate a major shift toward recycled materials and create the conditions for strong, viable markets.
3. Public procurement drives demand
Governments in Europe are using procurement to create markets for recycled and circular products. Setting sustainability criteria for public purchases is shifting demand and offers a clear strategy for Victoria to influence market trends through circular procurement.
4. Regions lead the way
Friesland's leadership at the Circular Summit Fryslân shows how regions can drive circular economy outcomes. Their approach aligns with Victoria's structure and highlights the potential of empowering councils to lead local initiatives. De HER, a circular economy centre in Rotterdam that is an initiative from Rotterdam Circulair and Rotterdam City Council, shows the impact of bringing together local municipalities and entrepreneurs to reuse, rethink and educate the community on the circular economy.
5. Global collaboration matters
International knowledge sharing is key to accelerating circular economy progress. Learning from global best practice helps regions like Victoria fast-track their own sustainability efforts.
6. Platforms power progress
The EU's Circular Economy Stakeholders Platform fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange and event coordination - building a strong community of circular economy practitioners.
