Trading radical for incremental change: the politics of a circular economy transition in the German packaging sector

Figures & data

Figure 1. Status of the German packaging waste management system before the Packaging Act.

Table 1. The main discursive agents based on their individual and positional characteristics.

Discursive agent	Individual and positional characteristics
Producers and Distributors (also representing retailers)	Knowledge and experience with EPR Commitment and resources Mandate in institutionalized waste management system
Private Waste Management Businesses (representing collecting, sorting and recycling operators)	Knowledge and expertise on waste management Mandate in institutionalized waste management system
Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs)	Mandate in institutionalized waste management system
Municipal Actors	Knowledge and expertise on waste management Mandate in institutionalized waste management system
State Governments	Mandate in institutionalized waste management system
Public Interest Organizations (representing consumers and the environment)	Knowledge on consumer and sustainability issues Mandate in policymaking process

Figure 2. Composition of narratives, stakeholders, and strategic practices informing the policy discussions.

Figure 3. Status of German packaging waste management system after the Packaging Act.