16.01.2026
How can the outdoor sector become more sustainable? Which EU requirements promote and support the transition towards a circular economy? And how have best-practice companies successfully managed this shift? If you are looking for answers to these questions and want to learn what opportunities arise for retailers, manufacturers and brands, this webinar is exactly right for you.
Date: Friday, 16. January 2026
Time: 10:00 - 12:30
Venue: Online via MS-Teams
Links: Registration / Project Aster
The sports and outdoor sector is an important economic force in the Alpine region. In textiles, equipment, and infrastructure, it frequently relies on plastics. Although many manufacturers and brands already invest in sustainable product design, large amounts of waste are often generated at the end of the product life cycle — waste that is mostly incinerated or landfilled. Only a small proportion is reused or recycled in a closed loop.
The EU‑co‑funded Interreg Alpine Space Project ASTER develops solutions to make outdoor textiles and equipment more sustainable, avoid waste, and strengthen the circular economy in the Alpine region.
In the webinar “Circular Economy in the Alpine Outdoor Industry – Legal Framework and the EU’s R‑Strategies* for the Circular Economy”, you will gain an overview of how the outdoor sector in Europe is to become more circular, which EU regulations currently apply and will apply in the near future, and how your company can benefit. You will also learn about best‑practice examples and can exchange ideas with industry peers and experts.
* The so‑called R‑strategies provide clear guidance for implementing the circular economy. Within ASTER, the focus lies particularly on Rethink (product design), Reduce (resource efficiency in production), Repair, Reuse, and Recycle.
Program
Introduction to the topic “Circular Economy in the Alpine Outdoor Industry” and presentation of the ASTER project
Céline Quester, Project Lead ASTER, La Région Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes, France
European Circular Economy Strategy (Textiles, Plastics)
Antonija Božič Cerar, CCIS Environmental Department, Slovenia
The European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and its relevance for the outdoor industry
t.b.a. | German Environment Agency
How it works: Experiences with implementing Extended Product Responsibility (EPR) for textiles in France
t.b.a.
Digital Product Passport (DPP) – an enabler for the Circular Economy
Andreas Herbst, Plattform Industrie 4.0: Project PASSAT, Austria
Using the R‑strategies* to drive the circular economy – from Refuse to Recover
Markus Lambracht, University of Erlangen, Germany
How it works: Collection and recycling of used textiles in Switzerland
Peter Bollinger, Tell‑Tex AG, Switzerland
Event Information
Costs
Participation is free of charge; prior registration is required.
Language
The webinar will be held in English.
Target Group
Sports retailers, (senior) employees in sports retail, manufacturers of outdoor clothing, service providers for rental, repair, and reuse, collectors and recyclers — particularly of textiles — and other stakeholders from the alpine outdoor sports sector as well as the circular and waste management industries.
Registration
Participation is possible following online registration.