Waste Management in Germany 2025

The goal of circular economy is to reduce resource consumption by using raw materials efficiently and keeping them in the industrial cycle for as long as possible. A circular economy embraces all stages, from resource extraction, product design and manufacture to sale, consumption and the closure of the cycle through reuse and recycling. This means that, while the concept of closed substance cycles focuses on closing the loop at the end of the cycle through waste management, a circular economy approach goes beyond that to include aspects such as raw material supply, procurement, eco-design and waste prevention.

The aim of this publication is to showcase what citizens achieve together with their municipalities and industry, and to provide examples to other countries wishing to close their materials cycles in an environmentally sound way. Ultimately, implementing the circular economy is a global task, and German companies, scientific institutions and municipal stakeholders can make a valuable contribution with their expertise, services and modern technologies.