Circular Berlin

We’re excited to welcome Valeria Ossio to the Circular Berlin team! As part of our Food Team, she’s been working on our new Train-the-Trainer workshops to help hotels reduce food waste and designing learning modules for vocational students as part of the Fit for Circular Economy project. "Education is the foundation for change," Valeria says, "and I’m thrilled to empower young people with circular solutions in the food sector." Valeria is inspired by projects like Gut und Bösel, a regenerative farm tackling climate challenges, and innovative companies like Formo, creating fermentation-based cheese alternatives, or HAPPA Restaurant, a zero-waste restaurant in Kreuzberg. Her advice for embracing circularity? "Slow down and reflect. Change starts with small, everyday decisions—every purchase is a chance to shift the system." Welcome to the team, Valeria! 🌀 #CircularBerlin #CircularEconomy #SustainableFood #ZeroWaste #RegenerativeFuture

💻♻️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗧 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲?  During our recent #CircularExpedition with AfB gGmbH, we discovered the incredible impact of their work in refurbishing devices with a strong social and environmental mission. 💡𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 AfB operates across 7 European countries, aiming to be a leader in IT refurbishment with a social purpose. 50% of their workforce includes individuals with disabilities, showcasing their commitment to inclusion. Last year alone, they managed 666,000 IT devices — from laptops to cables — giving them a second life. 🛠 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 Data security is top-notch, with software-based wiping or physical shredding for high-risk cases. Devices are labeled and tracked meticulously through AfB’s operations, ensuring compliance with WEEE legislation. 70% of devices can be reused, but challenges like hard-to-remove batteries or limited software updates still exist. 🌟 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 & 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 They partner with schools and NGOs, supporting low-income families and community initiatives. Detailed LCA certificates help businesses meet ESG goals by quantifying CO₂ savings and other metrics. 🔄 AfB gGmbH’s innovative model proves that IT refurbishment isn’t just about recycling; it’s about creating a circular economy with a human touch. From training employees to meticulous dismantling, they prioritize sustainability and inclusion every step of the way. #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #ITRefurbishment #SocialImpact #AfB #CircularBerlin #circularelectronics #electronics

#LearningCircle on 5.12 at 17:30! We will present you the project results: 'Ghana x Germany: Paving the Way for an Equitable EPR'. This partnership with The Or Foundation featured an engaging exchange program and an impactful online event for education and outreach. In July, a delegation from Ghana took part in a week-long visit to Berlin, where they joined a range of activities aimed at encouraging dialogue, collaboration, and understanding of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) among a broad group of stakeholders. Join Laura Llonch, project manager of the exchange, to learn more about the key insights and the learnings: https://lnkd.in/eGfXx647 About the 'Ghana x Germany: Paving the Way for an Equitable EPR' project, you can learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dfQDRWZ3 Circular Berlin aims to raise awareness and share knowledge about the Circular Economy for its community and beyond. #CircularEconomy #ExtendedProducerResponsibility #EPR #GlobalCollaboration #EducationalExchange #CommunityImpact

🏗️ Today we take a look at the development of the so-called ‘Schöneberger Linse’ in Berlin with Circular Material Systems project.  EDGE Südkreuz Berlin is an office ensemble consisting of two buildings. 🏢 The modular timber hybrid design of the six-storey building is designed as an open ecosystem with nature-based architectural elements and combines wood and concrete, resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional buildings. The incorporation of timber modules and beams throughout the building is a key aspect of promoting the circular economy. 🪵 The design principle aims to ensure the longevity of the building so that timber modules or beams can be easily replaced, dismantled or removed when required without causing major complications. In addition, the building relies mainly on locally produced biomethane for heating and water treatment and the sourcing of materials from within a maximum radius of 500 km. 🌀 📚 Learn more about the materials and techniques used on our website: Circular Material Systems: https://lnkd.in/dGiq3tPR #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #CircularConstruction #architecture #circularmaterials #localsourcing #circularberlin #circularmaterials

Many thanks to Josa Gräber for inviting us to talk about #circularcities on the fantastic Impact stage at the IMPACT FESTIVAL! It was a pleasure to discuss the topic with Nora Sophie Griefahn (Co-Founder and Chairwoman of Cradle to Cradle NGO (C2C NGO)) and Gerard Roemers (Head of Cities & Built Environment at Metabolic) and to provide important impetus for the circular economy. Thank you also to our amazing moderator Leonhard Nima for bringing us together and guiding the conversation. Our panel discussion yielded valuable insights: 🏙️ It turns out that municipalities need even more comprehensive education in the field of the circular economy in order to truly recognise their role, opportunities and responsibilities in it and to implement the concept in strategies and everyday tasks. In addition to knowledge, one thing is crucial: TIME. Municipalities need to create space to embrace circular economy concepts and integrate them in the long term. 💡 Another point of discussion that arose from the comparison between Germany and the Netherlands was the need to take action. While Dutch municipalities are already implementing many projects, there is often still a lack of implementation in Germany - despite existing knowledge and potential. 👀 This is where projects like the current CircularPSP project comes in: There is a great need for tools that enable cities to utilise the data they already have for the circular economy and thus take the next step into practice. Circular PSP will promote this exchange and project development, and Metabolic is developing a platform in the second phase of the project to support municipalities on their path to the circular economy. #impactfestival2024 #circularcities #circulareconomy #circularfuture

Did you know that there are enough clothes in the world to clothe the next six generations? 🌍 Sharing and borrowing clothes is a smart and sustainable alternative: according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a borrowed dress is used up to 26 times, whereas a new purchase is often only used twice. Sustainable style does not mean giving up variety, but rather finding creative solutions that conserve our resources - such as swapping and sharing. High-quality and durable clothing is the key to making sharing really effective. The upcoming EU Ecodesign Directives from 2026 will focus precisely on this: Fashion brands will then have to ensure that their products achieve a certain longevity and quality. Appropriate labelling could make sharing and borrowing even easier for all of us. The A-Gain Guide KNOWLEDGE PAGE provides an in-depth look at the topic of sharing - with tips and tools, such as a loan agreement that you can easily use with a friend. This free e-book also contains checklists and an overview of useful apps and platforms for successful sharing, borrowing and renting. 📖💚 👉 Follow link https://lnkd.in/d9jKeb_j to download SHARE eBook for free! Many thanks to the Deutsche Postcode Lotterie for the support! #tauschenstattkaufen #share #sharingeconomy #clothesswap #textilejourneys #clothesrental #knowledge #reuse #postcodeeffekt #postcodelotterie #circularfashion #fashionreuse #circularsolutions #circulareconomy #circularberlin

#CircularEconomyInConstruction on 20.11 at 16:00! We’re excited to invite you to an insightful event for professionals in Circular Construction, hosted in partnership with Berlin University of Applied Sciences Berlin (BHT) and Urban Tech Republic | Berlin TXL. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with peers, share knowledge, and address real-world challenges in circular construction. What to expect: -Presentations on best practices and innovative startups from Berlin that are shaping the future of circular construction. -Insights from Circular Berlin members Patrick Teuffel and Carolina Mojto, who will share their expertise in Circular Construction. -A panel discussion moderated by Patrick Teuffel on the potential and challenges of urban mining. -Visit the BuildSkills Academy Infostand to learn about our efforts toward a pan-European framework for skill certification, supporting the “twin” transition (green and digital) in construction. As a special highlight, there will be a Business Matching session—an ideal networking opportunity to introduce yourself, join topic-based discussions, and explore potential collaborations. Join us and become part of this exciting journey into the future of sustainable construction: https://lnkd.in/dYStJqnq #CircularEconomy #UrbanMining #MaterialReuse #CircularConstruction #InnovationInConstruction #FutureOfConstruction #RecycledMaterials #RegionalValueChains

Tomorrow is the day! Join us at the "Circular Minds & C-PRONE - Empowering Organisations for Circular Transformation" event, part of #EURegionsWeek! 📅 31 October 2024 | ⏰ 11:00 CET 🚀 Discover the Circular Minds project, which focuses on integrating circular principles into organisational governance, and be part of the C-PRONE kick-off, creating a network for international sharing in the circular procurement space. 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eeNgeGmw #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #Procurement

👀 What is a Circular Economy? How can a Circular Economy community be built? What are the key actors? How can companies and municipalities apply the principles of Circular Economy to accelerate the transition to climate neutral cities and production frameworks? 💡 These are just some of the topics we deep dive into within our wide range of #education formats. Since 2020 we have been carrying out more than 65 workshops and lectures for a variety of clients, ranging from #universities & #schools, #accelerators, #corporates, #NGOs and more. ✨ We are in the making for new exciting formats, so stay tuned! In the meantime enjoy this sneak peek from our recent workshops - with BAUFACHFRAU Berlin e.V. and product design students from Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle , among others, with whom we immersed ourselves in the future and possibilities of the circular economy in face-to-face events. Got curious and interested in booking with us and education activity? 👉 Message us to education@circular.berlin #circularcity #circularfuture #circulareconomy #circularstrategies #impact #circularberlin

If our clothes have a high emotional value for us, we want to wear them for as long as possible. But instead, many textiles are now exported en masse to the Global South. Much of this clothing is in such poor condition that it can no longer be sold as #secondhand goods and is not recyclable due to fiber blends or coatings. ❗ African countries in particular are therefore confronted with huge quantities of textile waste that they have not produced themselves. The mass is unmanageable, meaning that textiles pollute landscapes and waterways. 💡 Upcycling existing textiles is an important solution to live in harmony with our nature and slow down the production of unnecessary new textiles. With REMAKE, also known as #upcycling, the value of an existing product is preserved for as long as possible through a creative process that transforms it into a completely new product - or at least changes the look of the existing product. While in #recycling and #downcycling products are completely dismantled and the materials reused, in upcycling we increase the value of existing products and promote their longer use. And the good thing is: REMAKE does not require any industrial processes, making it a much more resource-efficient method and should always be the first choice. 👀 The REMAKE eBook shows many tutorials, gives instructions and book recommendations for easy remakes at home! ➡️ For free download please check the KNOWLEDGE page on A-GAIN GUIDE: https://lnkd.in/dcyfH68T Many thanks to Deutsche Postcode Lotterie for the support. #remake #upcycling #umweltschutz #climateactivism #wastereduction #textilmüll #altkleider #fashionreuse #nomorewaste #againguide #postcodelotterie #circularberlin #sustainablefashion #circulartextiles