Bristol-based international environmental consultancy Eunomia is leading an EU-wide project to look at how products ranging from toys to cars and chemicals to furniture can be made, transported and disposed of more sustainably.
The firm, which has a long history of working with governments and industry across the world on ‘circular economy’ issues such as recycling and waste handling, is heading a consortium of six European consultancies in the major new study, which has been commissioned by the European Commission’s DG Environment. 
Eunomia will examine what policy changes would stimulate circular economy growth in product groups identified as having high untapped circular potential, including energy-related products, construction products, chemicals, textiles, furniture, transport/automotive products and toys.
The consultancy will lead the consortium through a number of tasks that will inform a final report offering recommendations aimed at creating better EU policies on products and their contribution to the circular economy.
Eunomia project director Mark Hilton said: “By having won this work, we are not only able to shape future EU product policy to drive greater circularity in the economy, but also gain insight into how forthcoming policy changes may affect businesses and influence their priorities.
“This allows us to provide more insightful guidance for key decision makers in the public and private sectors.”
Eunomia, which was founded in Bristol in 2001 and now works across the world, employs more than 70 people in Bristol and its satellite offices in London, Manchester and Glasgow. It also has bases in Brussels, Copenhagen, Auckland and New York.
Its areas of expertise range from waste and resources policy, waste operations, sustainable business and the circular economy, air quality, water quality, marine plastics and the natural economy.
