100 days after the election of the new German government, the Circular Economy Day took place on 5 June 2025. The event was organised by the Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Circular Economy (BDE) with the aim of promoting independence from raw materials, strengthening Germany as a business location and driving forward the expansion of the circular economy.

Professor Dr. Martin Faulstich contributed to the discussion by delivering a keynote speech. He welcomed the continuation of the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS). Although climate neutrality was mentioned as the first measure in the German government’s immediate action programme, a clear focus on the circular economy, waste and raw materials has so far been lacking. Prof. Faulstich emphasised the importance of concrete measures: ‘The success of the circular economy requires the monitoring of recyclate usage quotas, the definition of minimum usage quotas, and the introduction of a recycling label’.

In addition, Prof. Faulstich took part in the first panel, ‘Raw material security and value creation: securing Europe’s future with a circular economy’.

Discussions were held with experts from politics and industry: Innovative recycling strategies, economic opportunities through secondary raw materials and the necessary political framework conditions for new business models. The focus was on the possibilities of securing sustainable yet competitive raw material flows through the circular economy.