According to Euwid, the Federal Environment Ministry (BMUKN) plans to dissolve the independent department responsible for the circular economy.

The BDE Federal Association of the German Waste Management, Water and Circular Economy Industry criticises the BMUKN's plans and warns that the planned dissolution of the ‘Transformation, Digitalisation, Circular Economy, Climate Adaptation’ department in the ministry must not lead to a loss of importance for the circular economy. The decision by Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) was also noteworthy for the BDE because, in a speech on Circular Economy Day at the beginning of June, he explicitly named the industry and the BDE as partners for the implementation of his policy. The BDE is now calling on Schneider to make a clear commitment to the circular economy, which the association sees as the key to raw material security, stable supply chains, resilience, climate protection and competitiveness. BDE President Anja Siegesmund said: ‘Germany is a global leader in recycling and innovative technologies. But in order to secure our competitiveness, raw material security and climate targets, the circular economy needs political tailwind and clear structures – not its dissolution in a ministry organisational chart.’

 
As reported by Euwid, citing information from the political news service Table.Briefings, the current sub-department for the circular economy is to be relocated to the ‘Chemical Safety, Emission Control and Transport’ department. The divisions for the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS) and for European and international resource efficiency and raw materials policy are also to be integrated into this sub-department. According to the report, the head of the ‘Transformation, Digitalisation, Circular Economy, Climate Adaptation’ department, Susanne Lottermoser, is to retire.

 
According to Euwid, criticism is also coming from the Greens in the Bundestag. They believe that Schneider's decision sends a devastating signal to all companies and stakeholders involved in the circular economy and in the development of the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS). Jan-Niclas Gesenhues, environmental policy spokesperson and head of the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Working Group of the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen parliamentary group in the Bundestag, warned: "We urgently need a genuine circular economy that starts at the very beginning: with product design, reusability and waste prevention. If the circular economy is once again viewed as merely a part of waste disposal, this will be a major step backwards that is not appropriate in this day and age."
 
Sources:

• BDE press release (28.8.2025)
• Euwid Recycling und Entsorgung 36/2025 (2.9.2025)
• Photo: © BDE / Marc Vorwerk