[New] Encompassing both expansion and simplification trends, 2026 is expected to see progress on legislation supporting a circular economy in the EU, including the refinement of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes.
Passle
[New] Circular Economy Act (Q3 2026): New rules will likely mandate digital product passports and ban the destruction of unsold apparel.
Chamber Low Carbon
[New] By 2028, 75% of enterprises will set formal IT asset circularity goals, with 90% of assets returned to the circular economy and 20% sourced as renewed equipment.
IDC
[New] When Europe mandates circular economy principles by 2032, and 80% of American consumers factor environmental impact into furniture decisions, retailers without sustainable furniture strategies face significant challenges.
Barchart.com
[New] The circular economy is expected to reach $712 billion by 2026.
PrometAI
[New] A mix of recycling, circular economy strategies, and improved technology could reduce the need for new mineral extraction by 58% between 2022 and 2050.
The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News |
[New] Leaders who fail to anticipate the entry-level gap created by automation, or who overlook the mandatory compliance of the circular economy, risk finding their business models obsolete before the year is out.
Peter Fisk
Without regulatory reform, the analysis forecast that utilization of existing Australian plastic recycling facilities could fall to just 32% within the next five years, resulting in facility closures, job losses and a stalling of investment in the circular economy.
ProPack
With the CEA due for adoption in 2026, ZWE urges the European Commission to harness circularity and competitiveness to develop a healthy, safe and non-toxic circular economy that will truly benefit the public's health and economic wellbeing.
Zero Waste Europe
With the right reforms, we can turn today's bottlenecks into an opportunity for Australia, keeping valuable materials in circulation, supporting local jobs and giving consumers confidence that the packaging they see on shelves has been designed for a circular economy.
ProPack
A Circular Economy Act is expected to be implemented in 2026 by the European Commission that will be backed by a range of interlinked initiatives and reforms being put together in regards to driving demand for recycled plastics and other materials.
MRW
A combination of new technology, a circular economy and recycling could cut demand for minerals by 58% between 2022 and 2050.
Euronews
One of the biggest shifts expected by 2026 is the continued move toward a circular economy, which is a system where products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.
Bay Area Recycling for Community
Investor Note Environmental impact monitoring and digital traceability are expected to be must-haves for financing and insuring agri waste-to-value projects by 2026.
Farmonaut
Investor Note: The circular economy and AI-driven agricultural plastics sector is projected to grow over 10% annually by 2026-making it a top frontier for sustainability-focused agriTech investment.
Farmonaut
Circular platforms - captured two-thirds of circular economy M&A deals in recent activity, leveraging scaling and network effects particularly in the fast-growing recommerce apparel sector, which is projected to reach $350 billion globally by 2028 amid consolidation of marketplaces.
openpr
The anticipated EU Circular Economy Act in 2026 will strengthen requirements for material recovery from waste streams including tyres. / UK
EIN Presswire
Horizon shows the EU doubling down on green and digital transitions: by 2030, it aims for 100 climate-neutral smart cities, a quantum communication infrastructure, and circular-economy solutions - an ambitious, mission-oriented innovation agenda.
GeoIntelligence
By 2026, 35% of agro waste in leading countries could be recycled through circular economy strategies, up from 20% in 2021.
Farmonaut
With interest rates falling, investment in the circular economy could be set to accelerate further in 2026.
Sage Advice UK
In 2026 the European Commission will present a Circular Economy Act to strengthen sustainable waste management practices.
WindEurope
Last updated: 01 February 2026
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