The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) titled "Circularity for Secure and Sustainable Products and Materials," with the aim of gathering feedback on its draft strategic framework. The framework focuses on increasing the circularity of products and materials, particularly at the end-of-use (EOU) or end-of-life (EOL) stages, by reintroducing them into the economy to reduce waste and minimize environmental impacts. The draft document outlines EERE’s goals in improving product and material circularity, contributing to environmental sustainability, supply chain security, and economic resilience.

This RFI seeks input from stakeholders across industry, academia, government agencies, research laboratories, and other interested entities to optimize EERE’s strategies and investments. The RFI addresses multiple aspects, including prioritization of research and development, identification of opportunities and challenges, technology advancements, and ways to accelerate scaling of circular economy practices.

The strategic framework is centered around several key objectives: reducing carbon emissions, ensuring U.S. supply chain security, creating jobs, and strengthening the manufacturing sector through circularity. EERE's approach also emphasizes non-technical factors such as business models and policies that can enable circular supply chains.

Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically by December 16, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. ET. Submissions should not exceed 10 pages and must be provided in a Microsoft Word file with 12-point font and 1-inch margins. EERE does not guarantee a follow-up Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) based on the feedback provided, but the responses will inform future strategic decisions.

For further information, the draft framework and submission instructions can be accessed through the provided contact email: CircularEconomyRFI@ee.doe.gov【28†source】.