It’s been a busy week! Let’s get stuck in.

Industry News

Collaborations and Partnerships 🤝:

TikTok Shop partners with ReBound to improve social-commerce returns. The collaboration gives customers simpler return options and better tracking through TikTok’s marketplace. ReBound’s platform streamlines reverse logistics and provides sellers with clearer data to manage returned items effectively. Read more.

More Luxury Club and Cocoon Group merge to create a circular luxury platform. The collaboration brings together rental, resale and refurbishment expertise to keep premium fashion in circulation. Both companies plan shared digital services and infrastructure, expanding access to authenticated second-life products. Read more.

FedEx and Pyxera Global’s e-waste pilot earns circular economy leadership award. The programme was recognised by the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council for advancing reuse, repair and responsible recycling practices, helping inform future circular supply chains and critical mineral recovery. Read more.

Evergreen Goodwill partners with Amazon to introduce return kiosks across all 21 of its stores. The kiosks enable label-free, box-free returns by scanning a QR code and placing items in reusable bags. The setup connects returns with onsite donation options and is expected to increase footfall. Read more.

HURR deepens its Deliveroo partnership to offer faster access to rental fashion this festive season. The expanded service brings rapid delivery of rental outfits to more UK cities, making it easier for customers to choose reusable options. The move aims to curb single-use purchases during the peak shopping period. Read more.

Global Fashion Agenda to build post-industrial textile recycling systems in Turkey. The initiative will help manufacturers separate and trace textile waste and connect it with local recyclers to keep materials in circulation. The programme begins in 2026 and is backed by the H&M Foundation and regional partners. Read more.

Servify and AT&T extend their device protection programme into the enterprise market. The new plans introduce tiered options, an onboarding portal and AI-supported claims to meet corporate needs. Customers gain access to multiple service modes and a large global repair network to cut device downtime. Read more.

Company Updates 🔎:

Orange outlines plans to boost circularity across its operations. The operator is accelerating efforts to extend device lifecycles, expand repair and reuse services, and increase the use of recycled materials. Its strategy includes reducing waste, improving resource efficiency and promoting circular product design. Read more.

DHL Supply Chain adds its first Tesla Semi to accelerate net-zero logistics. The company has taken delivery of the all-electric truck, expanding its electric heavy-duty fleet. Following a successful pilot, DHL plans to add more as production scales. Read more.

Schwarz Group sets new targets to recycle 95 percent of its operational waste by 2030. The owner of Lidl and Kaufland will increase reuse, recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion of internal waste as part of its Road to Zero Waste strategy. Read more.  

iFixit launches FixBot, an AI assistant to guide repair decisions. The new tool uses AI to help users diagnose device issues by asking questions and directing them to the right repair guides and parts information. It draws on iFixit’s extensive repair library to provide tailored troubleshooting and step-by-step guidance. Read more.

SUEZ warns that confusing language is slowing circular economy progress. New research with WPI Economics shows that technical jargon is distancing the public from everyday reuse and repair behaviours. Clearer messaging is needed to turn consumers into active participants. Read more.

Virgin Media O2 donates refurbished phones to support communities in need. The operator provides hundreds of smartphones through its Community Calling programme with Hubbub and The Multibank network. The initiative helps people facing financial hardship stay connected. Read more.

NakedPak is developing an edible packaging film that dissolves in hot water while food cooks. The film is designed to break down completely in hot water without affecting flavour or safety, offering an alternative to conventional single-use packaging. Read more.

United Repair Centre expands with a new Paris location and fresh investment. The site increases capacity for high-quality repairs using trained technicians and authorised parts, helping extend product life for major brands. Recent funding will accelerate network growth and strengthen infrastructure. Read more.

UMC opens a new Circular Economy and Innovation Center. The facility focuses on recovering materials from semiconductor processes and turning waste streams into usable products. It will work closely with specialist recycling partners to increase resource efficiency across operations. Read more.

Hubbub’s 9-month Borrow Cup trial shows reusable cup schemes work at scale. The Glasgow project recorded strong uptake and high return rates when reuse was simple and convenient. Clear communication and accessible return points proved key to user participation. Read more.

Regional Updates 🌎️:

US Energy Department offers $134 million to boost rare earth recycling. A funding opportunity from the Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation will support projects recovering and refining rare earth elements from sources such as mine tailings and e-waste. Read more.

Harvard study suggests household waste could become a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel. Researchers found that municipal waste processed through advanced thermochemical methods can produce low-carbon jet fuel, potentially reducing landfill volumes while lowering aviation emissions. Read more.

Chinese firms invested around $80 billion into overseas cleantech in 2025. A Climate Energy Finance report shows major increases in overseas funding for renewables, batteries and related technologies. Read more.

EEA warns the EU is unlikely to meet most of its long-term environment and climate goals. The latest assessment shows progress in areas like greenhouse gas reduction but highlights slow transitions in production, consumption and enabling policies, leaving many 2030 targets off track. Read more.

EU clears €1.5 billion Italian state aid to scale cleantech production. The European Commission has approved the funding to support investments in net-zero technologies including batteries, solar, wind, heat pumps, electrolysers and recycling of critical materials, helping strengthen clean tech manufacturing capacity in Italy. Read more.

Indeed Innovation publishes the Circularity Index 2026 assessing DAX40 circular performance. The report reveals a gap between ambition and measurable action in Germany, while sharing best practices and pathways for companies to scale circular strategies. Read more.

Investment News

M&A 💰️:

ENVA expands into Ireland with two waste and recycling acquisitions. The environmental services company has acquired Irish Waste and McNabb Waste to deepen its regional presence and expand capabilities across collection, recycling and resource recovery. Read more.

Responsible acquires European sneaker marketplace KLEKT. The deal brings the popular sneaker platform into Responsible’s resale portfolio, expanding reach in the secondhand fashion space. The acquisition aims to enhance cross-market liquidity and offer a broader range of authenticated products. Read more.

Venture and Growth Capital 📈:

Supercircle secures $24 million to scale its reverse logistics platform. The funding will be used to expand AI-driven tools that help brands manage returns, waste flows and end-of-life decisions across fashion supply chains, underlining investor confidence in circular infrastructure built for large retail brands. Read more.

Mango invests in The Post Fiber to scale circular textile recycling. The fashion group has taken a stake in start-up The Post Fiber to help incorporate post-consumer recycled fibres into garment production. The investment supports Mango’s strategy to reduce reliance on virgin materials and build out circular capability. Read more.

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Have a great one and we’ll meet again on Monday!

Cheers to circularity,

#TeamCircularConnect #ConnectingTheCircularEconomy