Cooperatives play a strategic role in Europe’s circular economy. Sustainability is not just a practice for cooperatives, but a defining characteristic: cooperatives are guided by the seven cooperative principles and values including environmental consciousness. Among the cooperatives affiliated with CECOP, many operate in key circular sectors, including waste management, including waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), reuse and recycling, and the construction sector.

Due to industrial and service cooperatives’ commitment to circularity, they constantly innovate both in terms of technological development and cooperation with public or private partners. Furthermore, as cooperatives are deeply embedded in the local economy and are accountable to the community, they are committed to the sustainable development of their environment and local community. Industrial and service cooperatives are therefore core partners in advancing several of the EU’s priorities in terms of circularity.

CECOP welcomes the proposal for a Circular Economy Act, as it is vital to strengthen the green transition, and address regulatory and market failures, particularly in terms of the supply and demand for secondary raw materials. The CEA has the potential to truly incentivise circularity in the EU, thus contributing to mitigating the climate crisis and creating a just transition, while decreasing the EU’s reliance on third-country suppliers for raw materials and thereby increasing European competitiveness. But to achieve this, the Circular Economy Act must have a holistic perspective. To achieve this, the below recommendations must be taken into account:

  1. Recognise and support cooperatives active in the circular economy
  2. Provide financial support to cooperatives active in recycling and reuse
  3. Support training opportunities
  4. Ensure social and environmental criteria in public procurement

Access the position paper here.