Welcome to the ACR+ Update, a look back at our highlights from the past few months, plus a sneak peek at what's coming next!
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2025 for ACR+ - A year of EU engagement to advance circularity
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As we begin 2025, ACR+ is energised and ready to tackle the challenges ahead – and there are currently quite a few in our field. This year we will focus on reinforcing the role of local and regional authorities in shaping EU sustainability policies. With a renewed mandate within the EU Institutions, we are committed to advancing our 2030 Vision and putting it into action through a series of
targeted advocacy efforts.
Our continued involvement in EU expert groups, participation in public consultations, and our promotion of multilevel governance will ensure that decentralised authorities are at the forefront of sustainable decision-making. You can read more about it in the articles below.
In addition to our advocacy efforts, we are committed to strengthening collaboration among our members and encouraging the widespread adoption of circular economy strategies. By 2030, we aim for at least 50% of our members to have developed and implemented these strategies. To achieve this, we will facilitate knowledge-sharing initiatives, best practice exchanges, and provide technical guidance—all within the
framework of our five thematic areas. Through this comprehensive approach, we reaffirm our role as a driving force in accelerating the just transition towards a circular economy across Europe.
We invite you to explore our full 2025 Work Programme to learn more about how we plan to make these goals a reality.
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Public procurement, waste, EU budget, and pollution: our ongoing EU activities in focus
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As the newly elected EU institutions begin their mandates, ACR+ has been actively engaging with institutions, expert groups, and diverse initiatives to ensure that sustainable resource management remains high on the policy agenda. We are focusing on key policy and legislative measures, including the Clean Industrial Deal, the Competitiveness Compass, the Circular Economy Act and the
revised Public Procurement Directives, which are critical to advancing sustainability goals. The overview of our efforts during the first quarter of the year includes joining expert groups on waste and public procurement, publishing a paper on the EU budget, and answering consultations on public procurement and water resilience and efficiency.
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Zoom in on ACR+’s work driving circular procurement across Europe
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ACR+ is on a mission to boost procurement across Europe, making it greener, smarter, and circular. In March 2025, we recommended to revise the EU Public Procurement Directives prioritising sustainability and quality over the lowest price, introducing mandatory Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria, and simplifying procedures to support SMEs and innovative suppliers. As part of the
European Commission’s Stakeholder Expert Group, we will help shape the future of procurement with a three-year deep dive into modernisation, clean tech markets, and strategic buying. On the ground, we are active through projects like Circular Minds, CE-PRINCE, and Circular Shift to build real capacity and standardise circular procurement across regions and sectors. We are also behind C-PRONE, teaming up with our member Rijkswaterstaat, to spread best practices, offer support, and organise
various events and workshops. Dive into our work on public procurement in a detailed article here.
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Explore with us the impact of underground waste collection in European Cities
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Our new report, Beneath the Surface: Insights from Six Cities Changing Their Waste Collection examines how six European cities—Antwerp, Porto, Rotterdam, Florence, Hamburg, and Barcelona—are transforming their waste collection systems through underground containers. By analysing the efficiency, urban aesthetics, sorting performance, and economic viability of these initiatives, the
report provides valuable insights into how such systems can enhance waste management. While underground containers improve convenience and free up public space, the findings suggest that they are not a standalone solution to increasing sorting performance and must be integrated into a broader strategy combining awareness campaigns and incentivising measures.
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The study highlights both the successes and challenges of underground waste collection, from optimised collection routes and reduced operational costs in Florence to persistent issues such as illegal dumping in some cities. Strategic container placement, public engagement, and smart monitoring technologies are identified as key factors for success. As urban areas continue to grow, this
report serves as a resource for policymakers and waste management professionals seeking innovative solutions for cleaner, more efficient cities.
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ACR+ General Assembly to convene at Circular Summit Fryslân 2025
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Are you ready to fully embrace the circular economy? You are invited to join us in Leeuwarden from 10 to 12 June 2025 for the annual ACR+ General Assembly and the Circular Summit Fryslân 2025 - "Full Circle. Territories in transition towards a collaborative circular economy". These key events for circular innovation, collaboration, and fresh ideas will take attendees on a two-day
programme focusing on themes such as biobased construction, circular plastics, and water technology. The summit will feature inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and a field tour showcasing circular practices in Fryslân. The event also offers the opportunity to follow key discussions on the future of ACR+, network with ACR+ members, European regions, EU representatives and sustainability leaders, and last but not least celebrate the most inspiring actions of the 2024 EWWR Awards
Ceremony.
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Impacting waste streams from hazardous waste to mattresses
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New guidance on strengthening bio-waste management
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BIOTRANSFORM delivers its takeaways and recommendations for boosting circular bio-based solutions
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Exploring EPR Governance under the new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
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DECISO harvests the first fruits of its financing schemes for circular economy initiatives
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Industrial symbiosis, the bioeconomy and the circularity of material flows to guide ECIV regional action plans
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Good practices, exchange opportunities and needs' analysis at the 2nd Meet Up
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More good practices promoting circularity in construction
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Already six month combatting nutrient pollution in the Mediterranean
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Become a SOILL-Startup Mentor
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New online course on food loss now available on FutureLearn
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ACR+ contributes to EU public consultation on Water Resilience and Efficiency
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Leading the way in sustainable public events
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A new compendium of good practices promoting sustainability in sport
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Like what you read? Follow us on LinkedIn for regular updates and insights on circular economy initiatives across Europe.
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Broaden your understanding of soil
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#EUCircularTalks: Unlocking successful bio-waste management in Europe
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Reuse and repair in action
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Achieving Circularity in Cities through Environmental Sustainability in Sports
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14/05/2025 - 10:00
In person, Brussels, Belgium
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Breaking down legal uncertainties to circular procurement
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Facilitating the deployment of the Mission Soil across European regions
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26/05/2025 - 09:00
In person, Brussels, Belgium
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Transforming Europe’s bio-waste future
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05/06/2025 - 09:00
In person, Brussels, Belgium
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Extended Producer Responsibility and the Circular Economy Act
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06/06/2025 - 10:00
In person, Brussels, Belgium
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Linking circular economy and climate change mitigation: the carbon footprint of municipal waste
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Together, we can achieve more and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. If our work resonates with you, join ACR+ and help advance the circular economy in your territory and beyond!
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