12.05.2026
How can circular solutions for textile and plastic waste from outdoor products in the Alpine region be effectively designed? What geographical, legal, technical and political conditions shape current waste management practices?
If you are looking for answers to these questions and want to discuss and learn about opportunities that arise for retailers, manufacturers and brands, this webinar is exactly right for you.
Date: Tuesday, 12. May 2026
Time: 10:00 - 12:30
Venue: Online via MS-Teams
Links: Registration / Project Aster
As presented in the first ASTER Awareness Event, the sports and outdoor sector is a key economic driver in the Alpine region. From functional textiles to technical equipment, it relies heavily on textiles, plastics, and complex material combinations. While many companies are already investing in more sustainable design, significant amounts of textile and plastic waste are still generated at the end of products’ life cycles – most of it still incinerated or landfilled instead of being reused or recycled.
The EU co-funded Interreg Alpine Space project ASTER addresses this challenge by developing practical solutions to prevent waste, improve waste management, and strengthen the circular economy in the Alpine outdoor sector. The now finished first part of the project lays the foundation for this transition. It builds a comprehensive knowledge base on prevention and management of outdoor products waste across the Alpine region by analyzing the geographical, legal, technical and political framework conditions that shape current practices. In particular, it 1) examines material and economic flows of Alpine textile and plastic waste and identifies gaps as well as existing circular solutions. It 2) also maps relevant European and Alpine regulations and economic policies on R-Strategies and waste management and 3) analyses the R-potential and waste management of outdoor products to highlight concrete waste reduction strategies.
The webinar will focus on these three thematic priorities. The results from the first project phase will be presented, providing participants with exclusive insights into the current state of textile and plastic waste management and the R-potential and waste management of outdoor products in the Alpine region. The session offers the opportunity to better understand the challenges, regulatory landscape and untapped potential for circular solutions – and to discuss the findings with research institutions, authorities, associations, and industry stakeholders.
Programm
Introducing the ASTER project: circular economy in the Alpine outdoor industry
Céline Quester, Project Lead ASTER, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, France
Mapping Actors, material flows, and economic gaps in Alpine textile value chains
Markus Lambracht, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
Mapping regulations and economic policies for Alpine textile and plastic waste management
Maj Rožmanec, CCIS Environmental Department, Slovenia
Looking back: driving factors for circularity
Carola Sommer, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
Outdoor products in the Alpine region: Analysis of R potential, waste generation, and waste management
Marco Wehner & Julika Knapp, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Interactive Discussion
Event Information
Costs
The webinar is co-financed by the EU through the Interreg Alpine Space project ASTER and can therefore be offered to you free of charge.
Language
The webinar will be held in English.
Target Group
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); higher research institutions; industry associations; regional and national authorities; manufacturers and brand owners of outdoor apparel and footwear; sports retailers and senior retail staff responsible for digitalisation, supply chain management, and sustainability; service providers for rental, repair, and reuse; collection and recycling companies; as well as stakeholders with an interest in alpine outdoor sports, digitalisation, and the circular and waste management sectors.
Registration
Participation is possible following online registration.