As we step into 2025, the landscape of sustainability is set to evolve dramatically, reflecting the urgent need for innovative solutions to our planet's challenges. Throughout the past year, we have diligently explored groundbreaking advancements and strategies that prioritize environmental and social sustainability.
Here are the key insights and trends that have captured our attention for 2025.
Textile waste : new regulation and their impact on social entreprises.
Starting January 1, 2025, a new European directive will require the selective collection of textiles, meaning you can no longer toss old clothes, rags, or linens into regular trash bags (white bags in Belgium).
In Belgium, we already have a strong textile collection system with over 8,500 drop-off points run by organizations like Oxfam and Les Petits Riens. However, this new rule is causing concern among these social enterprises.
Their goal is to gather high-quality clothing for resale in second-hand shops, which helps fund their social projects.
Unfortunately, the rise of fast fashion has led to a flood of low-quality items that are difficult to recycle or reuse. Right now, about 20% of what’s collected ends up incinerated at a hefty cost of €300 per ton. If this continues, it could seriously threaten the financial health of these organizations that are already struggling to cope with the sheer volume of discarded textiles.
Ban on disposable E-cigarettes to protect youth and the environment.
From 1 January, it will be forbidden to sell single-use vapes in Belgium.
Belgium is leading the way with its ban on disposable e-cigarettes, a significant step forward in addressing youth vaping. This measure is crucial, as these colorful, flavored devices have become incredibly popular among young people.
The problem is that these products are marketed as disposable, but they actually contain toxic and flammable components that must be returned for recycling.
Moreover, young users often consume them without realizing the risks, leading to increased frequency and quantity of nicotine intake.
New regulation on packaging waste.
Attention, entrepreneurs!
Starting in 2025, new EU regulations will significantly impact how you manage packaging.
With ambitious targets to reduce packaging waste—5% by 2030 and 10% by 2035—you'll need to rethink your strategies to minimize materials and comply with these standards.
Certain single-use plastics will be banned by 2030, creating an opportunity for you to innovate with sustainable alternatives that attract eco-conscious consumers.
Additionally, all packaging must be recyclable, and you'll need to incorporate recycled content into your products.
By embracing these changes, you can position your business as a leader in sustainability while meeting the growing demand for environmentally friendly practices. Now is the time to adapt and thrive!
New simplified framework for sustainability reporting
In February 2025, the EU is set to unveil a new Simplification Package that will streamline sustainability reporting regulations, including the EU Taxonomy, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
This initiative aims to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses while ensuring that sustainability remains a priority.
This simplification could help alleviate some of the complexities and costs associated with compliance.
However, it’s crucial to stay vigilant, as there are concerns that easing these regulations might dilute essential climate action goals.
Embrace this opportunity to enhance your sustainability practices. You should focus your resources on implementing environmental and social sustainable practices rather than allocating excessive funds to reporting.
DEI will remain a core competency to drive innovation & sustainability in business.
In 2025, while DEI faces significant pushback with major companies like Walmart and Boeing rolling back their initiatives, data continues to demonstrate its crucial business value. Companies that prioritize inherent and acquired DEI are unlocking significant financial benefits.
Research shows that organizations with higher diversity levels generate 45% of their revenue from innovative initiatives, compared to just 26% for those with below-average diversity.
This innovation is vital for achieving sustainability goals, as diverse teams are better equipped to develop creative solutions for reducing CO2 emissions. In fact, the National Grid reports that 62% of respondents believe DEI can help overcome innovation challenges essential for reaching net-zero targets.
To navigate this complex landscape, companies will increasingly focus on quantifiable metrics to demonstrate DEI's impact, leveraging AI tools for unbiased assessments, and fostering practitioner collaborations.
Companies maintaining strong DEI practices will see enhanced environmental and social impact and revenue growth through innovative solutions for reaching net-zero targets.
Our commitment to sustainable transformation will be even stronger in 2025.
As we enter 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to help our clients achieve meaningful sustainability.
Our conviction is clear: "Your problem may not be sustainability itself, but the solution is."
For over 20 years, our experts have been pioneers in transforming polluting industries by integrating sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into the core of business strategies.
Our unique approach focuses on "making sustainability profitable."
We empower decision-makers, enhance operational efficiency, and foster environmental and social innovations that not only accelerate CO2 emissions reductions but also stimulate profit growth.
At Trianon, we go beyond mere decarbonization; we advocate for inherent and acquired diversity among leaders to ensure an effective and inclusive ecological transition.
With our expertise and commitment to inclusion, we enable companies to reconcile sustainability with profitability.
Our services include consulting services, audit, executive training, and public speaking, scientific & social innovation services for a successful sustainable business growth.
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