On June 11^th, 2026, the initative “Die Wirtschaftsmacher“ presents its new publication on the role of logistics in circular economy. The publication coincides with the 4^th German Reuseable Conference and marks the 30^th anniversary of the Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg (SIM).

The 23-page report, Zweites Leben, erste Klasse! Warum Circular Economy die Logistik braucht, is available for download at https://die-wirtschaftsmacher.de/themenhefte/zweites-leben-erste-klasse/ from the opening day of the conference. Held on June, 11^th and 12^th, 2026, the 4^th German Reuseable Conference, including the integrated Reuse & Logistics Leadership Days 2026, provides the ideal platform for the publication. The report explores a central question: why a functioning circular economy is impossible without professional logistics.

The publication demonstrates that circular economy is about far more than recycling or sustainable product design. Products, packaging and materials can only remain in use for longer if collection, return logistics, inspection, sorting, refurbishment and redistribution are managed efficiently and reliably.

New Business Opportunities for Logistics

As a result, the logistics sector is taking on a fundamentally new role. No longer limited to transport, warehousing and delivery, logistics is becoming the infrastructure that enables reuse.

Whether managing reusable packaging, coordinating repair processes, refurbishing products or remarketing returned goods, success depends on well-designed reverse logistics, transparent data, robust operational processes and clearly defined responsibilities. This transformation is creating new business opportunities for Germany’s third-largest economic sector while opening the door to innovative circular business models and emerging career paths.

New Markets – New Jobs

Die Wirtschaftsmacher and the Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg are joining forces to strengthen the role of circular economy principles within the logistics industry. A key focus of the partnership is the future workforce.

Circular business models require professionals who can receive, assess, sort, document, repair, refurbish, transport and reintegrate products into appropriate value loops. As a result, existing logistics roles are evolving while demand is growing for new technical, digital and commercial skills.

“We are delighted to establish this strategic partnership with the Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg. Circular economy is receiving unprecedented public attention, and we are convinced that it offers tremendous opportunities for the logistics sector. This applies not only to new business models but also to new career paths and attractive jobs that support circular value creation. We want to demonstrate what logistics can achieve – and why it is indispensable for making circular systems work,” says Uwe Berndt, member of the initiative team of Die Wirtschaftsmacher.

Circular Economy in Practice

The report illustrates the diversity of logistics’ contribution through a series of practical case studies: pfenning Group consolidates, inspects and refurbishes non-food returns from the discount retail sector for resale. GLS Germany is positioning itself as an interface between reusable packaging providers and shippers. UPS deploys reusable transport solutions wherever return flows can be integrated into existing logistics networks. nox keeps reusable transport containers circulating efficiently within its overnight express network, while LOXXESS demonstrates how returned technical products can be inspected, refurbished and prepared for a second life.

For Die Wirtschaftsmacher, this perspective is particularly important because it helps attract young talent and career changers to the logistics industry. Circular economy demonstrates that logistics is both purpose-driven and future-oriented. By extending product lifecycles, reducing waste and enabling more sustainable value creation, logistics becomes a key driver of economic transformation—not operating behind the scenes, but at the very heart of the systems that make circularity possible.